These days it is not unusual for both parents to be in the workforce... Making child-care a necessity.

            In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC reports on after-school programs in Helena and how they benefit both parents and students.

            School is out here at Hawthorne Elementary School but students have not left one room.

            On one side, you have students working diligently on their homework...

            On another, they are more interested in play-time.

            Instructors say when it comes to afterschool programs the point is to provide students a safe environment to work and play.   

Emily Bently Jones:  “I usually like doing my homework like reading and stuff because then you don't have to do it when you get home.”

            Other students also say they enjoy being here because they can get their work done before heading home.

Xavier Thurston:  ”When you go home that’s when you get to have all your fun time and if you have to do homework then.. you don't have as much fun time.”

Brooklyn Vincent:    “My favorite part is probably just going outside and having fun after all my homework is done.”

            The program runs Monday through Friday from three to six...

            Students get a snack around three.

            While they do get their share of play time, instructors make sure the kids come away enriched.

Bree Adams:   “Thursday we have Math Maniacs where the kids work on their math skills. We just got finished with a reading program 10-thousand minutes.”

            And balancing work and play is what makes these afterschool students a

In Helena, Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC,

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Maria Lynn Rath:  "exact, E-X-A-C-T, exact."  

That is correct!!!

Tuesday, 22 fifth grade students were pitted against each other at Rossiter Elementary School's annual fifth grade spelling bee.

The feeling of excitement filled the air.

Jamie Ann Isbel:   "I'm very excited hoping I'll win."

Maria Lynn Rath:  "I have no clue what words we're gonna have, So I'm excited and a little scared."

In preparation for the spelling bee, moms play a big role.

Max Clarke:  "It was just like a normal and I asked my mom if she could give me some words in the morning so I could practice."

Koby Tuffli:  "Well me and my mom kinda studied and yea for the spelling bee."

And with that preparation contestants were fairly confident about their spelling ability.

And how do you expect to do today?

Max Clarke:  "I think I'm gonna do pretty good but I don't know."

Jamie Ann Isbel:  "Im sure I'll do pretty good but I don't know if I'll win."

After 66 words and seven rounds Jory Sappington put the punctuation on the fifth grade spelling bee literally.

Jory Sappington:  "P-U-N-C-T-U-A-T-I-O-N"

So you just won the spelling contest, how do you feel?

Jory Sappington:  "I'm very proud of myself."

And thats what makes Rossiter Elementary School's fifth graders a spelling

In Helena, Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

For college freshman, making course decisions can be difficult...

But, Beartooth NBC's Brooke Boone shows us in this weeks class act why kids in Helena will be pros by the time they get to college.

_____________________________________

Are your kids prepared for college?

You may be surprised... a new three week program allows area fourth and fifth graders the chance to see what college is like first hand.

Smith Elementary Principal Pamela Wright says "students have a choice in what they're studying just like signing up for a college course."

At Smith Elementary there were about 10 different courses.

4th Grader Tatum Pond says, "we got to pick five choices and you get the luck of the draw."

From beading and crochet... to martial arts and fencing.

5th Grader Alex Ackerlund says, "we're learning how to fence and I think it's fun because you get to do a little dueling..."

Students will meet with special instructors from throughout the Helena community each Friday for three weeks.

Wright continues, "exploring their topic is a little more in depth a lot of topics are hands on and they're things that we don't normally offer in our day at school in an elementary school anyway."

The courses are meant to engage students in what they are learning.

5th grader Hailey Crawford says, "I chose archaeology because I've always been interested in bones and stuff and digging.  It's really cool to me because if you didn't really know about how people lived back in the day it'd be pretty weird."

For some students, the final outcome of their work has never tasted as sweet...

5th grader Chay Bouchee takes a bite of his finished product and says, "yummy!"

Students throughout the district participate in the kids college program.

Teachers hope to expand the activity in the future.

And taking learning to a new level is what makes these students a college a

In Helena, Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Jefferson Elementary school is holding their Annual Book Fair this week.

The goal of the fair is to get books in the hands of kids, and some students have already found what they're looking for.

Bridget Walker:   “I got "My Sister Is The Vampire."

Other students simply have a wish list.

Kendall Johnson:   “I would like to get the….. I would like to read the book before the movie.

Caite schlicht:    The Smoke Mount... Smoke Mountain because i just love the author.

Jefferson fourth grader Bridget Walker says she enjoys the book fair because of the diversity of books being offered.

Bridget Walker:  “For little kids there's picture books, for older kids there's chapter books and if you want a mystery you can find a mystery and if you wanted something like I wanted like, like this, you can find those too.

Jefferson Elementary Information Specialist Andree Anderberg says the book fair is more than just students buying books.

“It's used as a learning tool as well.”

Andree Anderber:   “Many of the children in the older grades know the dewey decimal system. So we find books in the book fair that coincide with the dewey decimal one hundred subject areas. So its like a big treasure hunt. Which is a lot of fun for the kids.”

And thats what makes Jefferson Elementary and Andree Anderberg, a for the books.

Story by Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Kessler Elementary School held  its Annual Science Fair this week... featuring projects from students in every grade level.

Nancy Peterson:

“  We have all grades kindergarten through fifth grade participate and each year it's grown and grown. I think this is our biggest turn out so far.”

    Students from Capital High School come over and juge the fair.  A first, second and third place is awarded to each grade level.  One person wins first place over-all.

     This year was the first time fourth grader Madilyn McMahon placed in the fair.

     She took third place in her grade level for her project on germs.

Madilyn McMahon:

     " I found that the bleachers are really dirty. I think you should probably wash your hands after going  on the bleachers.”

     There were a wide variety of projects at this year’s fair...

     Taking first place over-all was another 4th grader, Delaney Knudson with her "Mozart effect project".

Delaney Knudson:

     " Classical does better when you take a test because the brain waves are very similar together and I found out rap doesn't do very well, people got very low scores on this.”

      And making high scores in the science world is what makes these young scientists a

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A couple weeks ago, first grader Gabe Varns felt compelled to help the Haitian earthquake victims and asked his principal if Jefferson Elementary could help in Haitian relief.

He and his principal put out a flyer asking the community to bring their loose change to Jefferson Elementary School through the month of February to help in Haitian relief.

So far, young Gabe and the school have collected 652 dollars, thanks in part to a matching 250 dollar donation from a private donor.

They ask the community to continue to donate.

Gabe Varns:   “If you could, I'd thank you because I thought in Haiti if that would have had it here then I would be helping other people not just me.”

Principal Lona Carter-Scanlon says she was surprised and pleased by community reaction to the Gabe Haitian relief efforts.

Lona Carter-Scanlon:   “We had many families um grandparents just community members that don't have kids at Jefferson bringing their little bags of coin or writing checks or dollars to fill the bank.

Gabe says he hopes his school can raise over a thousand dollars for Haitian relief for a good cause.

Gabe Varns:   “Rebuild homes, get them food, help the hospital and keep them healthy.

And that's what makes a Jefferson Elementary and Gabe Varns a compassionate .

In Helena, Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

There is a battle going on among Helena elementary schools... But, it's not what you might expect.

            In this weeks Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Brooke Boone reports on how this battle challenges students to pick up a book and read.

     We want to win!

            Fourth and fifth graders at Broadwater elementary are preparing for this years battle of the books.

            They won first place last year.

            According to instructors, the reading program not only challenges them...

            But also gets them reading.

Marla Unruh:

“ I've heard from teachers over and over again students who are involved with this, their reading really took off.”

            Fifth Grader Grace Garrett was on last years winning team.

Grace Garrett:

“I love to read because it's just like it's like watching a movie but in your mind so you can picture the words yourself.”

            Two students are picked to compete for both grade levels.

            The teams are picked based on points they accrue during the year.

            But at Broadwater, those that don't make the actual team still have their own special niche to fill..

Marla Unruh:

“The last month before competition each team member will have 3 to 4 coaches. Like personal trainers to drill them.”

            Last years winners say this is what helped them win.

Kelsey Pipp:

“We have coaches which help us to drills or help us with our questions and stuff... they're kind of our secret weapon.”

            This week students are getting ready to work on the book Marley, by John Grogan.

            Before they studied the book, they got a special 4-legged guest visitor...

            So... Making reading a fun challenge is what makes these ready readers

a    .

    .For Beartooth NBC, I'm Brooke Boone.

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

     Because of a grant of 50 snow shoes from the Montana Wilderness Association, the Montana Discovery Foundation is visiting every elementary school in Helena and teaching kids about outdoor survival as well as snow shoe walking skills.

Samsara Chapman - Montana Discovery Foundation:

     “So we're out here talking about winter survival, winter habitat, how to be safe out doors for the kids as well as for what ever species they're studying.”

     Broadwater Elementary's species is the bobcat.

     Kids are taught that if they see a bobcat, don't run, stay in a group and..

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” (Make noise)    

     The students all loved the snow shoes but for different reasons,  like Adrian Harden who liked going down hill.

Adrian Harden:

     “Its fun because you can go sledding down on a hill.”

     And Lacey Peterson likes finding animal tracks…

Lacey Peterson 1st Grader at Broadwater Elementary :

     “Well, its like cool because when you get to see tracks. Its like real cool.”

     The boys in the class enjoyed running with the snow shoes for another reason.

William Stevenson 1st Grader at Broadwater Elementary :

     “Because it can go in peoples face. (What about that makes you laugh?) Well, because it goes in their face and they fall down.”

     First grade teacher Jennifer Schaefer says she loves being able to teach outside the class room.

Jennifer Schaefer Broadwater Elementary 1st Grade Teacher :

     “It's just a great opportunity. We do so much stuff in the class room. Its fun to get out here and do this kind of activity.”

     And thats what makes elementary school snow shoeing a     .

    .For Beartooth NBC, I'm Andrew Knaus.

Story by Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

     The holidays are just behind us, but before you toss out that pile of greeting cards, listen up.

     In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Brooke Boone says Helena High School students have a plan for those about-to-be scrapped cards.

     30-years ago, the Saint Judes Ranch for neglected children came up with an idea to show their appreciation for their donors.

     That idea has turned into a benefit for the ranch, and for the environment.  And all they need are used greeting cards.

Cindy Galbavy:

     “Any card any holiday birthday, Christmas, thank you…thinking of you, get well... and then they'll make new ones out of em.”  

     In an effort to support the program, students at Helena High are asking the community and surrounding areas to send them all of their no-longer-wanted, used greeting cards.

Zach MacQuarrie:

     “ We're helping out St. Jude and using Christmas cards so they don't just get thrown away. It gives kids at St. Jude something to do cause they recycle them and make them new.”

     The kids take the old card, cut out what they want, and make a new one.        

     The ranch then sells the cards for a dollar each... Ten, for ten dollars.

JT Street:

     “ I think it helps the kids out because it gives them something to do, and the cards, you know, just sorting them, it’s fun to look at, they're cool cards and this stuff kind of lifts their spirits.”

Jesse Huckins:

     “ Normally people throw away cards and don't even think about them again, and here they get recycled and reused, and people get to use them again.”

     And that's what makes these holiday card recyclers a .

     In Helena, Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2010 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

     The time for New Year’s Resolutions has come, and in this week’s Class Act Beartooth NBC’s Andrew Knaus reports on a new class to help people achieve their New Years goals.

     Broadwater Fitness Club introduced their new fitness class, Body Attack, to help their clients achieve their fitness goals

     Nanette Huddlestan says the response from club members has been nothing short of fabulous.

 Nanette Huddlestan:   Broadwater East Side Manager

     “People are loving it, they're seeing results, they're getting fitter, stronger and having a good time.”

     Body Attack is a sports training inspired, high energy cardio work out that burns up to 650 calories a workout.

     Fitness trainer Ande Ambrose says the great thing about Body Attack is anyone can do it.

Ande Ambrose:   Broadwater Fitness Trainer

      “It's self regulating which means anybody, any fitness level can take the class.”

     She also proclaims the hour long workout will fly by.

 Ande Ambrose:

       “The class is so much fun you don't even realize your working out. I mean you do push hard and work hard but the tracks and music are so fun that the hour goes by gust in a, just like that.”

     Class participants Sammi Mcdonough and Jerry Brassard, who hopes the class will help him run a marathon this year, love the intensity of class.

Jerry Brassard:   Class Participant

     “Bringing the heart rate up, to gain the intensity, more of the useful energy you had when you were twelve.”

Sammi McDonough:   Class Participant

     “The intensity level, it really pumps you up and the rest of the classes that I do I feel now they're not as high intensity as the body Attack.”

     And that’s what makes Body Attack Fitness a CLASS ACT.

 In Helena, I'm Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Andrew Knaus, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

     It's the season for giving and remembering those in need.

     In this week’s Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Brooke Boone reports on a group of Middle Schoolers who bring that sentiment home.

     Over the summer students in the Gifted and Talented program at C-R Anderson and Helena Middle Schools went around town, asking businesses to donate money for a good cause.

They wanted to make food for those in need.

Michael Burns:    

     "Just so we could show people that we can make a difference.  if we kids can do it anybody can help."

     The students raised more than 800-dollars and decided they wanted to make tacos for five different shelters in Helena.

     On December 4th they visited God's Love and Montana's Youth Center to make tacos.

Cameron Dole:  

      "The kids at RMDC… they seem to just love us.  They don’t get to see many kids around."

Cameron Dole:  

      "The joy of seeing the kids have the tacos because sometimes they just have pb and j. And I'm not saying anything about pb and j,  but you know I prefer tacos any day."

Ashley Battershellcurson:  

    " I thought it was a lot of fun.   I like making food, and the little kids,  so I went to RMDC.  It was fun eating with the little kids."

     Students delivered tacos to the Boys and Girls Clubs as well as the Friendship Center.

Grace Anders:    

    "We thought maybe if we came around the holidays it would give them a little bit of a happier feeling.  They like having people here to visit with them."

     Remembering those less fortunate during the holidays is what makes the students in the G-T 6th and 7th grade program a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

     It's that time of year when kids anxiously await a visit from Santa, and parents rush around taking care of last minute shopping.

     In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Lisa Wolf tells us how, for one night, all the stress surrounding the holidays disappeared.

______________________________________

     For weeks, students at Rossiter Elementary practiced songs, dances and skits to dazzle friends and parents alike in "How The Penguins Saved Christmas."

     Holiday pageants are a staple of the public school system but they demand a lot more work than you'd expect to make it all happen.

Virginia Wille:   Rossiter Music Teacher

     "Weeks, you know 6 weeks and tons of hours every day and afterschool at lunch, through recess time, we work all the time."

     Rossiter music specialist Virginia Wille says this is the one time of year when all grade levels really work together to produce something for the community to enjoy.

Virginia Wille:

     "I think it’s wonderful to see the entire school working towards one goal and everybody-everybody has to work together!"

        And with all the hustle and bustle that comes along with the holiday season.... A night for parents to sit back, relax and be entertained by their loved ones is a welcome gift.

     "We hope the community enjoys it, basically it’s our gift to the community."

     And that's what makes "How The Penguins Saved Christmas" a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Lisa Wolf, Beartooth NBC.

Rossiter performed their musical last night to a packed audience at Helena Middle School.

Story by Lisa Wolf, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

          The 2009 State Science Olympiad took place last week in Bozeman and Helena High School students brought home another big win.

In this weeks Class Act Beartooth NBC's Brooke Boone finds how these students pursuit of science earned them first place... Again.

     Despite a long, grueling day, Science Club students from Helena High School were all smiles when they returned from the Montana Science Olympiad competition in Bozeman.  

          Helena High qualified for the upcoming National competition by taking first place in its high school division.

Colton Hash:

 ”This is the best team we've ever had and I'm really proud of all the members we all did awesome and I can't wait for nationals we're gonna own that!”

          Helena High students earned five gold medals, four silvers, one bronze and two fourth places.

          the event consists of competitions in biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computer and technology for students in sixth through 12th grade.   

Katie Dykgreve:

 ”Its amazing, its so cool to get into a group who's so energetic and be able to come out with proof of how hard you work.”

          This was the first year in Science Club for for freshman Wyatt Boyer..he took home the most individual medals for Helena High.

“Wyatt Boyer:

  Its fun its a great group of kids and really rewarding to put in all the time and do so well.”

          For senior Colton Hash, he is more than excited to go back to Nationals.

Colton Hash:

 ”That was the first year in like 19 years at Helena High School to make it to nationals and we did it again this year so really good.”

          And if a trip to Chicago wasn't a good enough incintive, any student who receives a gold medal at Nationals gets a scholarship to the University of Illinois.

          Taking home first place and a trip to Nationals is what makes this group of Helena High School Science Olympiads a  CLASS ACT.

          In Helena Brooke Boone Beartooth NBC.

Story by Brooke Boone, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Just a few short months ago the 2009 school year began and a group of five year olds made the transition from children to students.

Beartooth NBC's Lisa Wolf explains how Jefferson Elementary uses performance arts as a way to bolster kindergartener confidence.

Lights... Cameras... Action!

Kindergarten is a time of many changes that can overwhelm parents and students alike!

But Jefferson Elementary school has devised a way to make everyone feel a little better about it through their annual "I Like School and School Likes Me" performance.

 "We believe happy children are those who believe in themselves and their abilities."

And after weeks of preparation...

 "It was really, really, really long."

IT WAS SHOWTIME!

The play highlights what kindergartners have been learning throughout the school year and lets the young students show off a bit in front of teachers, parents and classmates.

Barbara Berg

Jefferson Elementary Music Specialist

 "We want to show parents how much kindergartners can achieve both in the arts and in academics in a very short amount of time."

The concept has evolved over the years..... Now, the performance is designed to reinforce what is learned in the classroom, while bolstering confidence and giving students a sense of belonging.

 "Their teachers tell me what their studying in the classrooms and then I choose songs that include those concepts in music at the same time. I can teach musical concepts through the songs."

CLASS ACT.

Reporting in Helena, Lisa Wolf, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Lisa Wolf, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 For several years, the Montana Historical Society has helped students learn about archeology.

In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost takes us to this years Archeology Day.

___________________

These different stations all over the capitol and Montana Historical Society's lawns all have a purpose...

To get nearly 600 students from Townsend, Butte and the Helena area learning about archeology!

Program Specialist with the Montana Historical Society, Deb Mitchell says, "they get to watch foot mapping, they get to see some of the tools that are found, they get to hear traditional story telling and the best part is they get to throw an atlatl." 

And that seemed to be the most popular attraction.

5th Grader Josh Finley explains, "you just hold the little thing like this and there's an arrow on it and you just flick it."

5th Grader Katie king continues, " we had these targets and it was really funny because, um, Ms. Sendin, our teacher did it and it only went like an inch!"

Montana State Archeologist Stan Wilmoth says archeology day is a way to bring the subject into elementary school curriculums.

And whether they were testing out the atlatl or just learning what archeologist get to do, they all seemed to have fun.

And that's what Wilmoth wants to hear.

"This is just one way we can make it more of a hands on thing instead of just text book stuff."

And that's what makes Archeology Day a  CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The “Adopt a Species” program is marking its 14th year as a staple in Helena area classrooms...

In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost takes us to Bryant Elementary where they just found out what their species is for this year.

____________________________________

Students at Bryant Elementary finally got to see what their “Adopt a Species” is for the year... and drum roll, please!

It's the pine martin!

 And this is all possible through some very "outdoorsy" organizations.

Helena National Forest’s Elizabeth Burke says, "it's put on by the Helena National Forest, Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Montana Discovery Foundation and the Foundation for Animals and this is a habitat education and wildlife education program we provide for all the Helena area schools."

For the unveiling at Bryant Elementary, a special guest was on hand to share a little of the cultural side to this program, poet and singer Jack Gladstone.

He says, "there's a connection.  The wolf, the bear, the pine martin, the eagle, the beaver... Everything had a story and I'm trying to put a song to every story that I can!"

Burke says music is a wonderful medium for getting their message out, and thinks the students benefit from it.

"I think it's important that students have an understanding of what is out here.  The wonderful wildlife we have here in Montana and unless they make those connections at an early age, through stories, through science, I think it's really hard for them to grasp it later on."

Gladstone agrees and says they need other types of exposure, too.

"Of course the book learning, the computer learning... the stories, though, can deepen their understanding and help make them aware that they are part of this grand human tradition also."

And that's what makes the “Adopt a Species” program a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC

Enjoy the song Buffalo Cafe, performed by Special Guest

Jack Gladstone.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Welcome back to school, Helena students!

In this week's class act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost visits Capital High School where veteran students helped first timers on opening day.

____________________________________________________

Today marks the first day of the new school year for elementary students in Helena area public schools as well as those attending their first year of middle school or high school.

Freshman Shannon Layng says, "it's kind of overwhelming, but I know I'll get used to it so it won't be that bad."        

And that's where link crew leaders can play a crucial role.

At Capital High, they're helping incoming students get used to their new surroundings.

Layng continues, "we've played a lot of games like group activities learning names and stuff and then we've done the tours around the school and just getting our schedules and getting to know the school a lot."

Link Crew Leader Sam Warren says, "we teach them to be themselves and to just have fun in high school... don't care what people think, don't go with the cliques and whatever else there is."

Warren also has some words of wisdom for the new students...

"To the freshmen I would just say, have fun in high school, just be yourself, don't procrastinate, stay on task, be nice to your teachers... don't be one of those people that has to be mean to teachers to be cool... that's pretty much all!"

And from the looks of today, the link crew groups made the transition process a little less painful for their new underclassmen... all while having a little fun.

And that's what makes link crew and of course the first day back at school, a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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The animals officially arrived at the fair Wednesday, and in this week's class act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost shows us how some 4 H-ers helped out.

 ________

These 4-Hers know first hand what goes into raising animals, showmanship as well as animal travel... and this marks the beginning of the culmination of one of their club projects.

Junior Overall Outdoor Superintendent Amanda Wacker says, "you work all year long and it ends up coming down to the fair so you bring your animal in, weigh it in, hope it's what you wanted and go ahead and sell it on Saturday."

All the animals you see at the fair arrived Wednesday with plenty of volunteers on hand.

Outdoor Superintendent Brian Wacker says, "we've got the pens and everything all set up and you can see behind us they're bringing animals in and weighing them and getting them settled in."

Junior pig superintendent Tyler Christians says some 4-hers have been raising cattle since November and pigs since March or April... just getting them ready for this fair.

And outdoor superintendent Brian Wacker says they're ready.

"They work hard all year to prepare their animals for the fair and that's what it's all about"

Christians says, "it's been quite a long haul, I've been in it since I was really young.  It means quite a bit and it's kinda nice you know that little kids can look up to you."

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

If you're looking for something to do this summer, there's a brand new exhibit at ExplorationWorks in Helena.  In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC’s Erin Yost takes us there...

_______________

The new "Tech City" exhibit opened mid May... and since then, kids and adults of all ages have been here enjoying what the science center from Ithica, New York has happily provided.

Lead science educator Kyle Hunter says, "this one's important because it makes kids be creative.  They can creat a lot of their own things... a dam... it makes them think about what they're going to build and how they're going to build it and then go back and rebuild it, so it's really fun in that way."

Included in some of the activities are bridge testing, traffic control and the very popular, dam building.

4th grader Troy Bawden says, "you have to build a dam and you take the blocks off and you can't let the water overflow."

And 4th grader Isabel Ellithorpe follows, "I like the music room because it records whatever you say. You can talk into the microphone, you can play musical instruments."

Hunter says while every exhibit ExplorationWorks showcases is fun... this one is especially entertaining.

Tech City runs through mid September at ExplorationWorks.

And that's what makes Tech City a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

   Here's a video highlighting some of the features

of the Tech City Exhibit. 

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Looking back on the days of middle school science, you might remember dissecting certain things... but probably not a shark!

In this week's class act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost takes us to a Bryant Elementary classroom where they did just that.

______________

Thanks to Wells Fargo Bank's $1,000 donation and Explorationworks’ teaching expertise, these 4th graders at Bryant Elementary got a real lesson in dissecting these dogfish sharks... experiencing both the good... and the bad!

4th Grader Lewis Meeks says, "The girls in the class say it's disgusting or "ewwww"!  (but the boys like it?) "yea!"

Lead Science Educator Kyle Hunter says, "We did the brain, we did the eyeball, we looked at the heart, cut open the stomach, looked at the muscles, the fin... didn't go in

the intestine... might be a little stinky!"

Hunter says he began the class with a basic lesson on the sharks - he went over the skin, the cartilage, and the digestive system.

He says he wishes his science classes were this cool.

"I look back at my education and I really would've loved dissecting sharks when I was in school and these kids, I don't know when they're going to get a chance to do it and if we come into the schools and do it with them, there's much more of an opportunity to do it with them and the grant really helped with that."

Hunter says the feedback, minus complaints about the smell, were all positive.

"If you give them the opportunity when they're younger, they don't think of it as gross when they get older and maybe they'll work with it and be more wanting to continue on with that.  It just shows them that there's more out there than just books."

The donations support science projects for the whole school... not just shark dissection.

And Wells Fargo has already donated another $1,000 for next year.

And that's what makes this lesson in shark dissection a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Weather spotters for the national weather service are essential to the organization.

In this week's class act, Beartooth NBC’s Erin Yost takes us inside a weather spotter training class.

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The weather spotter training classes are held annually and usually in conjunction with the emergency management officials for each county.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott says, "As we get closer to severe weather season which is just getting ready to start here in May and runs into August... we work with the emergency management officials and we get those organized and try to promote them so we can get as many spotters out there as possible and hopefully we can get some really good solid reports this year when severe weather comes around."

He says the training course the spotters go through is very thorough.

First and foremost, it teaches them how to determine what information is useful for the organization.

But, more importantly, it stresses not risking their or anyone else's safety while gathering the data.

Schott says despite all the radars, satellites and airport observations that the weather service has at its disposal, trained spotters are indispensable.

"Unfortunately at the weather service we don't know what's going on in everyone's backyard, so getting those reports are very essential to make sure that we can keep everybody safe and sound."

The NWS occasionally announces when the next class will be held, but Schott says if you'd like to stay up on weather information in general, you can always visit weather.gov.

And that's what makes weather spotters a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

For the past 15 years, Tom Lipp has worn the hat of principal of Helena Middle School.

In June, he's hanging up that hat for retirement.

In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost profiles the man who has been the number one bobcat.

______

Lipp says, "when you work with kids for 37 years you end up with a lot of memories and a lot of positive ones... certainly some challenges over 37 years... you don't get into education without challenges but a lot of positive memories of all the things that've taken place."

8th Grader Ashton McLaughlin says, "I'm sad that future generations don't get to be with him but it was really nice to have the experience to be with him cause he's helped you a lot and he always gets on a personal level with you and treats the school more like a family than just a regular school."

After 37 years in education with 18 years in Helena, Tom Lipp is retiring.

Computer Technology Teacher Terri Norman says "Mr. Lipp has been a great influence to our school and has brought about a lot of positive changes... in providing a great school climate for staff and for students."

8th Grader Reilly Parisot says, "he's just brought a bunch of change to this school and it's helped out a lot for us students here and just things to do that'll keep em' out of trouble, so."

8th Grader Ashley Kelsey continues, "he encourages everybody to do their best and to be their best at everything they do and he's just really encouraging and supportive of everything that goes on in this school."

Tom Lipp will bring his time as Helena Middle School principal to a nostalgic close in June.

He will spend time with family and eventually turn to pursuits that will interest him.

But, above all, he'll treasure his time as an educator.

"I guess my message to the kids as I'm leaving is carry on, keep a positive attitude, stretch and reach for the sky all the time because that's where it's at.  There's nothing greater than watching kids succeed and I would love to come back someday and just look at the successes of this school and what the kids have achieved."

And that's what makes Tom Lipp a  CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Recently C.R. Anderson 8th grader Colt Smith won first place in Montana's American Mathematics Competition Test.

Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost tells us his reaction to being the best in the state.

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This was the 24th annual American Mathematics Contest... And C.R. Anderson Middle School's Colt Smith took home first place... in the state.

Smith says, "It’s pretty cool... best in the state, it's not just city or school or anything.  It's really awesome."

Math Teacher Sandy Jomini says, "It's more of an intuitive type of math than dealing with a lot of formulas and things.  It's how well kids think as well as knowing some basic math to go with it."

Ms. Jomini says nearly 300 students from C.R. alone also took the test.

Smith says "it (the test) was pretty good... some of the questions were kinda guess and check but pretty good."

Colt already is enrolled in accelerated math courses.

He's currently taking high school math as an 8th grader and will eventually take college courses as a high schooler.

Ms. Jomini says Colt is an exceptional student, but Colt says it's her teaching that has helped him succeed.

Smith continues, "Ms. Jomini is really an awesome teacher.  She gets all these problems and makes em' up and finds answers... just works so much and then we can just learn, you know, everyday a bunch of new stuff about awesome math."

Ms. Jomini says, "I'm really lucky.  I get to work with the best kids and it always makes me look good but it's the kids!  He's just an outstanding math student.  He spends the time and he looks at problems from different viewpoints and he can solve them in different ways and he loves math."

And that's what makes first place winner Colt Smith a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Getting kids outdoors can be quite a task.

But as Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost shows us in this week's Class Act, an elective class at East Valley Middle School is getting kids excited to be outdoors doing a particular sport.

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This “hooked on fly fishing class” is East Valley Middle School's take on the popular “hooked on fishing” program sponsored by Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

The goal, however, is the same.

"Hooked on fly fishing" teacher Ty Ridgeway says, "it's just to give the kids the opportunity to learn how to fly fish & this is a great age to learn.  They learn about aquatics, how to tie flys, different knots & how to cast."

For 6 weeks, 6th graders get to do just that and more... They get to learn where to fish and even how to find certain bugs used in fishing!

Ridgeway continues, "it's a life time sport that kids can do from when they're 5 years old to when they're 80 to 85 years old!"

Ridgeway says the feedback from the kids is amazing... And exactly what he wants to hear.

6th grader Tony Gregory says, "truthfully, I want to fly fish a lot more cause regular fishing isn't as exciting and the excitement part is when you're casting it's hard but when a fish jumps up a little bit, it'll really get exciting and you have to work em' out... It's not easy just to reel em' in."

6th graders get to use the skills during a fishing trip planned for a later date.

And that's what makes “hooked on fly fishing” a CLASS ACT.

In east Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Recently, Helena High and C.R. Anderson Middle School won first place in Montana's Science Olympiad.

In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost covers an event helping get them to nationals.

Explorationworks recently showcased the experiments of nearly 30 science students which are taking them to national finals this may in Georgia.

Senior at Helena High School, Kaylee Zerr says ,"we have to raise $20,000 to go to nationals so we can compete against 60 other teams and so we want to get helena involved and get some fundraising going."

And that $20,000 is for Helena High School alone... C.R. Anderson's science team has to raise nearly $16,000!

This particular fundraiser featured a live band, food, silent auction and demonstrations from not only the students, but also Dr. Kelly Kline from Carroll College.

Zerr continues, "it's like football and all those sports are really big and they're just like, 'oh, science wins...big deal', but I guess it really is a big deal... people really showed up & came."

7th grader Catherine Etchart says the fundraising is obviously something they need to compete nationally, but the fact that Helenans are having a good time and learning about science makes her truly happy.

"Helena is such a nice town. We have people that really care and so they're really interested in stuff instead of people just going around and being like, 'that's nice', they really get into it."

And that's what makes the two state science olympiad champs (and hopefully national champs) a CLASS ACT.

In Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

*Good news... C.R. Anderson raised about $3,300 during the fundraiser putting them over their goal!

National Science Olympiad

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  The first week of March celebrates Read Across America week... Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost shows how special guests kicked off the event at Radley Elementary in this week’s Class Act.

he nation-wide event was observed at this east Helena school Monday when community members and school staff alike read aloud to classrooms throughout the school.

   3rd grader Jacob Rice says, "we listened to people read a book to us and they read all across America."

Instructional Coach Karol Gustin says, "we're doing this to motivate students to want to read and we're hoping that this will build some excitement for success later on in life for them."

The school was one of thousands participating across the country.

3rd grader Kendell Perry says she loves to read and everyone else should, too.

"Because then it gives you a chance to just know what books are about and how they can be and who they're by and stuff like that."

Gustin says every year the kids get the message that reading is fun... loud and clear.

"It makes me feel good when students get excited about books. It makes me excited when adults are excited to share books with children because I think some of that excitement will be caught by kids and maybe they'll want to read more."

Gustin says the more you read, the better and smarter you get...

This is the 12th year Radley Elementary has been involved with Read Across America... and school officials say it's not the last.

And that's what makes Read Across America week a CLASS ACT.

In East Helena, Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Advanced placement or A.P. courses are offered in high schools as a rigorous academic program allowing students to study and learn at a college level.

In this week's Class Act, Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost has good news... A.P. exam scores across the state are up.

11th grade A.P. student Chelsea Carlson says, "I'm pretty much taking the hardest schedule I can because i'm not happy if I'm not challenging myself."

And the fact that she's taking these difficult courses serious, has 

Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, among others, thrilled.

Juneau says, "they are very engaged in learning, the types of issues they discuss in class are phenomenal and the types of college students they're going to become... From our high schools! It's all really great coming from Montana."

According to the College Board's fifth annual Advanced Placement Report to the Nation, this year Montana students that acheived an A.P. exam grade of 3 or better rose to 10.6 percent.

That's up from 10.2 percent in 2007 and 8.6 percent in 2003.

A.P. teacher Jason Neiffer says, "the research is very clear. AP classes, AP standards raise the standards for students."

Carlson says, "I think a lot of people are scared of ap classes because they think it will be so much work, but really it's just using your brain the entire time instead of just filling it up with time with that work."

Carlson's main goal by taking the some-what accelerated classes is to get out of basic level college courses in the future.

She says, "a lot of colleges don't accept AP credits but they do say, 'ok, we see you've taken this class... you can take a harder class instead of this boring entry level class'."

Juneau hopes to carry the recent A.P. successes forward and expands programs across the state.

And that's what makes A.P. classes a CLASS ACT .

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Recently, 8th graders at Helena Middle School researched career options, completed interest inventories, and prepared resumes...

Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost shows how it leads to career day!

Helena community members from a wide array of professions met at HMS recently to provide insight into career choices for 8th graders... which some students may or may not be ready for

8th grader Courtney Dowling says, "I mean, we never really know what we're going to be when we're older right now - we may have an idea, but it's better if you have something to expect then just going in blind and not really knowing what to do."

However, keynote speaker and former HMS student Brian Lofink says 8th grade is an incredibly appropriate grade to hold a career day.

The main goal is to help these students begin thinking about future options and opportunities.

Dowling continues, "I think it's a great thing to do, you just learn about the careers that you want to be when you're older - it's going to be a great experience."

Lofink says that you're never too young to start thinking about careers.

"Honestly, at the end of the day I hope they walk away not necessarily focusing on what their career options are, but focusing and recalling that what they're learing here today - is going to be useful for them in their future because without an education, you can't have a successful career."

Many students have ideas of what they want to be when they grow up... whether or not they stick with it is up to them.

And that's what makes HMS career day a Class Act.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Snowshoeing usually doesn't come to mind when you think about recess at schools. But Beartooth NBC's Erin Yost tells us why snowshoes played a role as kindergartners at Broadwater elementary played in the snow.

This is all apart of a partnership program with the Helena national forest, fish, wildlife and parks and the foundation for animals.Montana Discovery Foundation's Samsara Chapman says they're working with the popular 'adopt a species program' in numerous area schools... and Broadwater elementary is one of them!

Chapman says, "Six years ago we received a grant of 50 pairs of snowshoes and we've adapted the Adopt a Species Program to getting kids outside so that they can learn about how their critter adapts to winter survival as well as teaching them a little bit about a muscle-powered recreational opportunity."

Broadwater elementary's critter happens to be the red tail hawk. Kindergartners snow shoed around the front lawn looking for sticks to help build a nest for the hawk that would typically be found in tree tops or cliffs.

Chapman said, "It gives them a slightly different way to start thinking about the winter instead of just, 'oh, this is hard' and hopefully by having to think a little about how their species has adapted to winter survival, they might realize it really is a lot of work to be outside in the winter."  

With 13 snowshoe days planned until early march, Chapman has a busy travel schedule visiting the schools and getting the word out that animals and being out in our own environment is truly special.This makes the “Adopt a Species” program a CLASS ACT.

Some of the schools that can expect a visit from the program are the Helena school district, Boulder, Montana City, Clancy, Townsend, Lincoln, Wolf Creek and Canyon Creek.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2009 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The 2008 Montana State Science Olympiad took place on Tuesday, November 25th in Bozeman and a surprise upset win is sending thrills of pride throughout a local middle school. C.R. Anderson middle school's pursuit of science earned them first place.

Last year at the State Science Olympiad, C.R. Anderson won 8th place. Science Olympiad Team Coach Megan Lane says "this year we go just hoping to do a little better and we did a lot better!" A lot better, the got first place and now the middle school has some pretty astounding bragging rights.

Colt Smith said "It was really neat because we were told we were ahead of one team and they said that team got second and we got first, it was really neat."

Jeana Ratcliff said "We weren't really expecting to win! Because usually Big Timber wins - they've been winning for a long time."

Big timber has won first place for the past 10 years. Competing teams tackled projects ranging from plane building to plate tectonic testing.

Lane said "I think it's so important for students to find their niche whether it's academics, athletics or music or theater - to find that niche and to have those activities that are important to them and to have those passions and all of them deserve to be recognized those times when they really go over and above and this is one of those times." Lane went on to say  "This was the kids win. Ms. Hagengruber and I, we are just along for the ride and all the credit has to go to them because they worked so incredibly hard and we could not be more proud of them!"

And the team from Helena high school was first out of 35 other high schools.

Both science teams will head to Georgia next may to compete in the National Science Olympiad competition.

That's what makes the C.R. Anderson Science Olympiad team a CLASS ACT

More information:

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Montana state library sponsors geographic information system, or G.I.S. Day, yearly. This year, Helena’s smith school was the only school in the state to participate.

 A group of information technologists as well as a historian demonstrated special geographic technology to students from Smith School on Wednesday, November 19th all for the sake of geography. Jennie Stapp of the Montana State Library says "It's a day that's celebrated around the world to commemorate the importance of geography and geographic information systems and the impact they have on our world."  

Students had the opportunity to use GPS units as they took a walk around the school to see what the area has to offer. They also learned about local plants and animals they might see as well as mapping systems used today and in the past. Stapp says "The kids ask the best questions!  They are so excited about the things they see."  

Stapp went on to say the kids seem to enjoy the activities and understand the concepts they've learned. She says she hopes they continue pondering these ideas in their everyday lives. 

Stapp told Beartooth News "Being a little more open eyed and looking for things, looking at the mountains, looking at the layout of the city, and thinking about heir own involvement with that and how they impact their environment and how the environment impacts themselves."

Bringing the world of geography and technology together at Smith School is what makes G.I.S. Day a CLASS ACT.

For more information visite www.msl.mt.gov or www.gis.com

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The national Big Brothers Big Sisters program has been mentoringAmerica’syouth for more than 100 years.

In this week's class act, meet the heart of this program in Helena as they celebrated their

“Dream Big” luncheon on Wednesday,

November 12th.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena started back in 1967 as a Carroll College student mentoring program.Today, 365 children in the Helena area are involved in the program. But, that number represents only 10 percent of kids considered at risk.

Bryan Ballou is the chairman of the board of directors and has been a mentor with the program for several years.Ballou says "it's been one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. The most impressive thing about this program is how simple it is. It’s just adults spending time, it doesn't have to be elaborate time, and it’s just good quality time with kids."Playing tennis, cooking, or just hanging out in a park. "Bigs" and "Littles" spend two hours a week together. Ballou says there is currently a waiting list with nearly 22 kids right now in need of a “Big.”Shannon Thennis, told us, "It's meant a lot just having a friend just be there and having something to do on the weekend and having someone to call and just having a friend."

The money for this program is almost entirely funded through Helena community contributions and grants and The United Way take care of the rest.There are big plans in the works. Ballou says their goal is to service 600 at risk kids by the year 2010. "We’re 365 now, it's a lofty goal but we're not giving up on it."

That's what makes big brothers big sisters a CLASS ACT.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Reading out loud can be troublesome for some kids.

In this week's CLASS ACT, learn about a program that lets kids practice reading with an unlikely partner.

This is PAWS for Readirogram called Reading Education Assistance Dogs or R.E.A.D. a program developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals based in Salt Lake City.

Marilyn Grant with PAWS for Reading says "I have been aware of this program in other towns and I thought it was something that would be fun to introduce to Helena." The overall premise of these ng. it's based on a p15 minute reading sessions is to instill confidence in the kids as they practice reading to the dogs who are non-judgmental, silent listeners.

Dogs must be registered therapy dogs to participate in PAWS for Reading. The program has had some mixed feelings, though. Grant says "other people think it's a little hokey, they'll say 'you're doing what with your dog?” but most change their minds about the program when they see kids wanting to read and their reading skills improving.

Grant went on to say "If a child is actually having problems for some reason reading, this gives them the courage and the feedback from the dog to continue reading because these dogs love it and they're non-judgmental. We have a great time together and the dogs obviously enjoy it although it looks like Baillie (a dog) has had a full schedule and he's ready to go to sleep now, he's not going to get a bedtime story tonight!"

The next PAWS for Reading begins in January 2009 at the Lewis and Clark public library.

This makes PAWS for Reading a CLASS ACT.

Story by Erin Yost, Beartooth NBC.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CLASS ACT stories on this page are a production of Beartooth News.

©2008 Beartooth Communications Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.