A wide-ranging blog on new businesses, events and other happenings in the Flathead Valley.
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| David Wick. Courtesy photo |
David N. Wick, principal of Columbia Falls Junior High School, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Gail Connelly, NAESP’s executive director, announced the election results from the Association’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
Wick begins his three-year term as Director at Large, Middle Level, on July 1. He will represent middle- level principals.
“My goal will be to work with the board and the middle-level principals to always remember that education is about people, to humbly listen to others, to encourage, to share our triumphs and difficulties, and to always remember that the principal’s task is to change lives through education,” Wick said in a statement.
Wick has been a member of NAESP and the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals (MAEMSP) since 1995. He has served as MAEMSP’s Middle School Representative since 2010. He was also recognized as a Montana Distinguished Principal in 2011, and a National Distinguished Principal in 2012.
Wick began his education career as an English teacher at Alma High School in Alma, Wisconsin, and went on to teach at Hope High School in Hope, North Dakota, and Brainerd High School in Brainerd, Minnesota. He went on to be Curriculum Leadership Program coordinator for the Academy for Curriculum Leadership and Technology at the University of Montana. He was assistant principal at Whitefish Middle School in Whitefish, Montana. For the past 16 years he has been principal of Columbia Falls Junior High School, while also serving as the Director of Elementary Education for Columbia Falls Schools for the past 15 years.
Wick earned a B.A. in English, Education, and Business Administration at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He earned his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Supervision at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Wick begins his three-year term as Director at Large, Middle Level, on July 1. He will represent middle- level principals.
“My goal will be to work with the board and the middle-level principals to always remember that education is about people, to humbly listen to others, to encourage, to share our triumphs and difficulties, and to always remember that the principal’s task is to change lives through education,” Wick said in a statement.
Wick has been a member of NAESP and the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals (MAEMSP) since 1995. He has served as MAEMSP’s Middle School Representative since 2010. He was also recognized as a Montana Distinguished Principal in 2011, and a National Distinguished Principal in 2012.
Wick began his education career as an English teacher at Alma High School in Alma, Wisconsin, and went on to teach at Hope High School in Hope, North Dakota, and Brainerd High School in Brainerd, Minnesota. He went on to be Curriculum Leadership Program coordinator for the Academy for Curriculum Leadership and Technology at the University of Montana. He was assistant principal at Whitefish Middle School in Whitefish, Montana. For the past 16 years he has been principal of Columbia Falls Junior High School, while also serving as the Director of Elementary Education for Columbia Falls Schools for the past 15 years.
Wick earned a B.A. in English, Education, and Business Administration at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He earned his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Supervision at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Comments (0) TotalThe Kalispell Education Foundation is co-sponsoring a public forum on the dangers facing today’s youth with social media and cyberbullying. The event is May 20 at 7 p.m. in the Kalispell Middle School lunchroom/performance hall. A panel of speakers will include police officer Jason Parce and social media expert Libby Moothart. Parents will be able to ask questions and interact with the panel after introductory remarks and information. Materials will be available on site with information on cyberbullying prevention and online resources for parents.
Comments (0) Total
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| Mac McAnally - Photo courtesy of Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation |
The lineup for the Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival - taking place Aug. 25 through Sept. 1 - is set, and a special, discounted sale for tickets begins on May 20.
The festival, now in its fourth year in Bigfork, brings some of the world's best guitar talent to the Flathead Valley for a unique musical experience.
This year's festival concert lineup is as follows:
Aug. 26: Scott Tennant and the LA Guitar Quartet
Aug. 27: Robben Ford and Lee Ritenour
Aug. 28: Pat Metheny Trio
Aug. 29: Lee Ritenour and Daryl Stuermer of Genesis
Aug. 31: Livingston Taylor and Mac McAnally
Beginning May 20, Crown Passes (which include all five performances) are 20 percent off, and available at http://cocguitarfoundation.tix.com or by calling 855-855-5900.
Individual tickets to the shows - which cost $35 each - will be available for purchase on the website and at local outlets starting July 15.
The festival, now in its fourth year in Bigfork, brings some of the world's best guitar talent to the Flathead Valley for a unique musical experience.
This year's festival concert lineup is as follows:
Aug. 26: Scott Tennant and the LA Guitar Quartet
Aug. 27: Robben Ford and Lee Ritenour
Aug. 28: Pat Metheny Trio
Aug. 29: Lee Ritenour and Daryl Stuermer of Genesis
Aug. 31: Livingston Taylor and Mac McAnally
Beginning May 20, Crown Passes (which include all five performances) are 20 percent off, and available at http://cocguitarfoundation.tix.com or by calling 855-855-5900.
Individual tickets to the shows - which cost $35 each - will be available for purchase on the website and at local outlets starting July 15.
Comments (0) TotalOne of my favorite pieces of random news every year is the list of the most popular newborn baby names. I don't know why, but it's really interesting to see the name trends that emerge. And the creativity that people have. Iker?
Here's the latest list:
Here's the latest list:
Top Baby Names in 2012
Girls
1. Sophia
2. Emma
3. Isabella
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Mia
9. Madison
10. Elizabeth
Boys
1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. Ethan
4. Noah
5. William
6. Liam
7. Jayden
8. Michael
9. Alexander
10. Aiden
Fastest-rising baby names
Girls
1. Arya
2. Perla
3. Catalina
4. Elisa
5. Raelynn
6. Rosalie
7. Haven
8. Raelyn
9. Briella
10. Marilyn
Boys
1. Major
2. Gael
3. Jase
4. Messiah
5. Brantley
6. Iker
7. King
8. Rory
9. Ari
10. Maverick
Source: Social Security Administration
Comments (0) TotalThe University of Montana and Salish Kootenai College are co-hosting the national conference for the College Board’s Native American Student Advocacy Institute on May 30-31.
The conference theme is “Educating Native Youth for Success: Many Nations, One Vision.” It will take place on UM’s main campus on Thursday, May 30, and at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo on Friday, May 31. Transportation to and from Pablo will be included in the conference registration fee.
Joyce Silverthorne, director of the U.S. Office of Indian Education, will deliver the opening presentation, titled “Opening the Doors for Native Students.” Silverthorne is a UM alumna and the nation’s lead official on Native American education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in business education with a minor in Native American studies and a master’s in education leadership, all at UM.
The first day of the conference also will feature a plenary luncheon titled “Financing a Future – Making College Affordable for Native Students,” and an afternoon plenary with a panel of Montana tribal college presidents who will discuss the strengths and challenges of interacting with other higher education systems. All attendees also are invited to an evening networking reception.
The second day of the conference will include a morning plenary titled “Moving Beyond the Asterisk – Speaking with the Authors,” where authors of a new publication will explore the challenges faced by Native American students, and a closing plenary titled “Through the Post-secondary Door – Success Strategies for Native American Students.” Concurrent sessions will occur throughout both days of the conference.
Conference registration is available online.
For more information visit here, call UM’s Director of American Indian Student Services Fredricka Hunter at 406-243-6352 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The conference theme is “Educating Native Youth for Success: Many Nations, One Vision.” It will take place on UM’s main campus on Thursday, May 30, and at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo on Friday, May 31. Transportation to and from Pablo will be included in the conference registration fee.
Joyce Silverthorne, director of the U.S. Office of Indian Education, will deliver the opening presentation, titled “Opening the Doors for Native Students.” Silverthorne is a UM alumna and the nation’s lead official on Native American education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in business education with a minor in Native American studies and a master’s in education leadership, all at UM.
The first day of the conference also will feature a plenary luncheon titled “Financing a Future – Making College Affordable for Native Students,” and an afternoon plenary with a panel of Montana tribal college presidents who will discuss the strengths and challenges of interacting with other higher education systems. All attendees also are invited to an evening networking reception.
The second day of the conference will include a morning plenary titled “Moving Beyond the Asterisk – Speaking with the Authors,” where authors of a new publication will explore the challenges faced by Native American students, and a closing plenary titled “Through the Post-secondary Door – Success Strategies for Native American Students.” Concurrent sessions will occur throughout both days of the conference.
Conference registration is available online.
For more information visit here, call UM’s Director of American Indian Student Services Fredricka Hunter at 406-243-6352 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments (0) TotalBig Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County will host its spring fundraiser, Bash at the Bay, on Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at The Rack Shack on Flathead Lake in Somers.
Bash at the Bay is a reverse raffle, where it’s not the first ticket drawn that wins the grand prize, but the last. This year’s winner will walk away with a one-week RCI vacation, $1,000 in airfare vouchers and $1,000 cash.
Tickets are available for $200 and admit two people to the event, which includes dinner, a silent auction, and an opportunity to win the vacation getaway as well as other cash prizes. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase.
“Our reverse raffle is an interesting twist on a traditional fundraising activity that keeps people engaged throughout the evening,” said Tim Sievers, executive director. “We invite the community to join us for a beach party as we celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County’s 35th Anniversary and learn about the impact our programs have in the lives of the youth we serve as well as our community.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has served more than 1,400 youth in Flathead County, according to Sievers.
“We couldn’t do this without our community partners – the individuals and businesses who invest in Big Brothers Big Sisters and our community, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support,” he said.
To purchase a ticket for Bash at the Bay, contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County at 752-0092. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County visit the agency’s website.
Bash at the Bay is a reverse raffle, where it’s not the first ticket drawn that wins the grand prize, but the last. This year’s winner will walk away with a one-week RCI vacation, $1,000 in airfare vouchers and $1,000 cash.
Tickets are available for $200 and admit two people to the event, which includes dinner, a silent auction, and an opportunity to win the vacation getaway as well as other cash prizes. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase.
“Our reverse raffle is an interesting twist on a traditional fundraising activity that keeps people engaged throughout the evening,” said Tim Sievers, executive director. “We invite the community to join us for a beach party as we celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County’s 35th Anniversary and learn about the impact our programs have in the lives of the youth we serve as well as our community.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has served more than 1,400 youth in Flathead County, according to Sievers.
“We couldn’t do this without our community partners – the individuals and businesses who invest in Big Brothers Big Sisters and our community, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support,” he said.
To purchase a ticket for Bash at the Bay, contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County at 752-0092. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County visit the agency’s website.
Comments (0) TotalAfter years of development, Jerry Reynolds' latest startup project — an online collaborative vacation planner called Plandree — is ready to try and shake up the travel industry.
The Kalispell entrepreneur said he hopes to officially launch the site next weekend after an extensive beta testing period.
Leading up to the unveiling, Plandree is vying for attention in TechCrunch's Startup Alley contest, which features young companies from around the world battling for a grand prize of $50,000 and a moment in the spotlight at an upcoming technology conference in New York City. The contest tallies votes in each category, such as travel, education and entertainment, through shares and "likes" on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
Voting is underway and closes April 28. As of yesterday, Plandree was in first place by only two votes.
"Part of this process is mobilizing community and I am hoping the Flathead can come to my support by sharing in this great moment for the Flathead," Reynolds said in an email to the Beacon. "I have committed to keeping Plandree here in the Flathead and the eventual jobs coming this summer. This vote is a very big step in that process."
Click here to check out the contest and to support Reynolds' pursuit. To vote, "like" or share Plandree with one of the four social networking applications.
The Beacon wrote about Reynolds' new endeavor in October.
Here's a video of Reynolds introducing Plandree:
The Kalispell entrepreneur said he hopes to officially launch the site next weekend after an extensive beta testing period.
Leading up to the unveiling, Plandree is vying for attention in TechCrunch's Startup Alley contest, which features young companies from around the world battling for a grand prize of $50,000 and a moment in the spotlight at an upcoming technology conference in New York City. The contest tallies votes in each category, such as travel, education and entertainment, through shares and "likes" on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
Voting is underway and closes April 28. As of yesterday, Plandree was in first place by only two votes.
"Part of this process is mobilizing community and I am hoping the Flathead can come to my support by sharing in this great moment for the Flathead," Reynolds said in an email to the Beacon. "I have committed to keeping Plandree here in the Flathead and the eventual jobs coming this summer. This vote is a very big step in that process."
Click here to check out the contest and to support Reynolds' pursuit. To vote, "like" or share Plandree with one of the four social networking applications.
The Beacon wrote about Reynolds' new endeavor in October.
Here's a video of Reynolds introducing Plandree:
Plandree Introduction from Jerry R Reynolds on Vimeo.
Comments (0) TotalOlney-Bissell School invites the community to attend an open house on May 7 to celebrate the construction of their new multipurpose classroom.
The 30-by-30-foot stand-alone building, which will open for classes this fall, holds a multipurpose classroom as well as three additional rooms which will be used for office space and storage. The expansion will relieve the elementary school of current space restrictions which have forced band classes into the library and gym, science labs into the library, tutoring sessions into hallways, and teacher offices into old storage spaces.
According to Principal Lona Everett, expansion has been a discussion at the school for some time, but it wasn’t until a partnership with Flathead Valley Community College that the project became financially feasible. Funds needed for building supplies came from money set aside from the sale of the Olney School, with no levies or bonds needed from the school’s tax base. As part of their curriculum, FVCC students in the heavy equipment, electrical technology and building trades programs helped complete the building.
“The partnership with FVCC is a great collaboration – It perfectly fulfills our need for a space where we can give kids the kind of education we want them to have, and it’s a great project for the FVCC students," Everett said in a statement.
The building will be open for walk-throughs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Everett at 862-2828 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The 30-by-30-foot stand-alone building, which will open for classes this fall, holds a multipurpose classroom as well as three additional rooms which will be used for office space and storage. The expansion will relieve the elementary school of current space restrictions which have forced band classes into the library and gym, science labs into the library, tutoring sessions into hallways, and teacher offices into old storage spaces.
According to Principal Lona Everett, expansion has been a discussion at the school for some time, but it wasn’t until a partnership with Flathead Valley Community College that the project became financially feasible. Funds needed for building supplies came from money set aside from the sale of the Olney School, with no levies or bonds needed from the school’s tax base. As part of their curriculum, FVCC students in the heavy equipment, electrical technology and building trades programs helped complete the building.
“The partnership with FVCC is a great collaboration – It perfectly fulfills our need for a space where we can give kids the kind of education we want them to have, and it’s a great project for the FVCC students," Everett said in a statement.
The building will be open for walk-throughs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Everett at 862-2828 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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