Washington Middle School showcases programs, extracurricular growth at board meeting
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Washington Middle School staff and students presented programs including robotics, BPA, yearbook, PLGW exploratory classes, outdoor education and a ‘Happiness Project’ at the board’s new School Connection segment.
Washington Middle School principal Kristoff Palmer and staff and students appeared at the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees meeting during the board’s new "School Connection" segment to showcase academic programs and extracurricular participation.
Palmer said enrollment at Washington is 680 students with about 70 staff members and that more than 65% of students participate in extracurricular activities this fall, including athletics, robotics, student council, BPA and academic clubs. "This fall, we have all sorts of extra curriculars going on... over 65% of our Washington students are involved in some sort of Washington extracurricular this fall," Palmer said.
Palmer highlighted program growth: the yearbook course has expanded from an after-school club to a full eighth-grade class that won a gallery-of-excellence award for its hardback cover; robotics has grown from a single small program to nine teams with more than 60 students and a national award for an innovation project; and exploratory PLGW (project-based learning with engineering and computer science options) offers classes from sixth through eighth grade including design and modeling, app creators and green architecture. Palmer also noted a new kiln purchased with a grant and PTA funds and an expanded aquaculture project in seventh grade in which students raised fish from eggs for spring release.
Counselor Dana Mackie described the Montana Happiness Project, now housed at the University of Montana’s Center for Advancement of Positive Education, which focuses on teaching emotional regulation and kindness practices in classrooms. Students from Business Professionals of America (BPA) described student-run activities including a school store, community service fundraising that raised $600 for Montana Special Olympics last year, and competition pathways from regional contests to states and nationals.
Trustees asked brief questions; the presentation was informational and no board action was required.
Palmer closed by thanking the board for the opportunity to present and said the school looks forward to continued community engagement and student showcases.