Community Interviews By: Ciara Fagone
Unlike most of my peers, I didn’t grow up in Reed Point, and I don’t have any grandparents that can tell me the rich history of this special town. So, I embarked on a journey to find out what long time residents love about little Reed Point, Montana. My questions included: what is unique about our community, what is there to see and do in Reed Point, and what businesses and sites were previously here that we no longer have?
Spencer Peterson
The closeness of the people. Everybody knows each other and I like that everyone is willing to help one another out. We are a half mile from the river, there is wildlife, ball games, and sheep drive. There used to be a Grocery Store and an antique dealer. We still have the bar, the sawmill, and the gas station. Other than those everything has pretty much stayed the same.
Harold and Betty Whitford
The people, they all help and love each other. You have to find what you want to do. It’s a little quiet town. There isn’t a Ferris wheel of anything like that to draw people in. The old high school is gone, there were two banks, restaurants, 2 or 3 lumber yards, a hat shop, theater, and a bowling alley.
Jon Ott
The closeness of it. Everyone is willing to help out someone in need. We have a great spot on the Yellowstone river and you can see some history driving through town with the elevators and depot. Plus out in the countryside there’s the old school houses. There were banks, hotels, implement dealers, a grocery store, and a cradle factory. Oh, and a theater.
Caryn Reynolds
It's a small town, everybody keeps a lookout for each other. It’s like one big family. We have the Yellowstone river, which provides floating and fishing. Whenever someone comes to visit, I take them to Beartooth highway; it’s just so beautiful up there. And, there is hunting. A bank, a doctor’s office, lawyers office, and dentist all used to be here.
Lee Roy Goddard
It’s agriculture. Our whole community is based off of agriculture. There’s not a whole lot, mainly sporting events and functions at the high school. We had a grocery store and banks way back when that we no longer have.
Quarter 2 Newspaper
2019-2020
Volleyball Tournament
By: Cole Bare
On October 31st, the Reed Point-Rapelje Lady Renegades traveled to Absarokee to play in the district tournament. They started out with the Absarokee Huskies and it was a tough match. They won in four sets and the crowd went wild! Then they moved on and played Bridger and lost in three, but nearly won the second set only losing by three points. On Friday they played Custer-Hysham and won, but not easily, it took 5 sets for the Lady Renegades to get the job done. After beating the Rebels they played Absarokee once more, and beat them in another crowd-thrilling five set match; beating the Huskies once again! This meat that the Renegades would play the Roberts Rockets for second and third place. The Renegades were close in all three sets but fell to the Rockets and came home with a third place trophy, punching their ticket to the divisional tournament.
One week later the Renegades traveled to Laurel to play in the divisional tournament. They started out with the Melstone Broncs and lost in 3 sets. After the loss they played the Harlowton/Ryegate Engineers and won in a thrilling 5 sets. They moved on and played the Roberts Rockets once again. They played the Rockets close in every set but lost in 4, which ended the Renegades season.
All in all, the Renegades had a great season; although they started out on a rocky road they came together and rallied on! Congratulations on a great season girls!
Holiday Treat Poll
By: Ciara Fagone
After Thanksgiving I sent out a poll asking students, grades seventh through twelfth, and teachers what their favorite holiday treat was. Twenty-five students and teachers responded with their favorites, candy canes ruled the majority with 36% of people polled saying it was their favorite holiday treat. Fudge came in a close second with 32%, while the last 32% was divided evenly between peanut brittle, divinity, chocolate almond bark, christmas cookies, apple pie, mixed nuts, and sour patch candy canes.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
By: Ciara Fagone
After much suspense and questioning from students and teachers alike, the Big Brothers Big Sisters pairings were revealed at the Homecoming assembly. Students kicked off their partnerships with a fun game of tag and some time offered to get to know each other. Big Brothers Big Sisters was started up again last year through FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) by Ciara Fagone. This year Mrs. Bare, Mr. Graves, Mrs. Vesbach, Cole Bare, Ciara Fagone, and Riley Beck joined the planning committee, working hard to find pairings and activities that both the High School and Elementary students will enjoy. When asked about Big Brothers Big Sisters Riley Baker said, “I really like it, it’s fun! I really enjoyed when we delivered Christmas cards.”
So far this year students have had a puzzle party, an impromptu game session led by Mr. Graves, and delivered Christmas cheer around the community. The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to foster the relationships between high school and elementary students, aiming to reduce conflict and create some common ground for students of all ages. Jayda Grayless said, “I think it’s fun. I like getting to hang out with the older kids and all the fun activities.” So far Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a success! The students are enjoying themselves and people have started to notice more interaction between students outside of organized activities. This is a big improvement from years past when there was no Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Shop Class
By: Ciara Fagone
With thousands of miles of highways and backroads and spotty cell service, rural Montana can be a scary place to break down. Being able to notice little things that are going wrong in your vehicle could save you from being stranded on the side of the road for hours on end. Reed Point High School’s administration noticed this need for knowledge on vehicles in their students and decided to hire mechanic Casey Smith. From his job working on a stock car team to the daily grind of working in an auto repair shop, Casey is more than qualified. So far this year, students have changed the oil in several vehicles, replaced spark plugs, worked on various atv repairs, checked codes on vehicles, and so much more. In a conversation I had with Mr. Casey Smith, he told me, “I like the energy and excitement that you guys have; most adults lose that passion.” Casey mentioned he also worries about the fact that most schools have dropped auto and mechanic classes, something that is becoming more and more important in rural Montana.
Casey Smith started Sweet Grass Tech, an auto mechanic after school program for high schoolers, located in Big Timber, Montana. He just recently received the funding to take this amazing hands on learning experience further and will hopefully be breaking ground soon on a building dedicated specifically to the program. When asked what he loved about Sweet Grass Tech Casey said, “I like to be able to share with people the knowledge I have.” Teaching auto mechanics, welding, and fabrication to these high school kids only touches the surface of what he is doing. Casey also works with Sweet Grass County to help improve daily life for his students and get them on track for a better future. This isn’t just another mechanics class. Casey’s work is something much bigger.
By: Cole Bare
On October 31st, the Reed Point-Rapelje Lady Renegades traveled to Absarokee to play in the district tournament. They started out with the Absarokee Huskies and it was a tough match. They won in four sets and the crowd went wild! Then they moved on and played Bridger and lost in three, but nearly won the second set only losing by three points. On Friday they played Custer-Hysham and won, but not easily, it took 5 sets for the Lady Renegades to get the job done. After beating the Rebels they played Absarokee once more, and beat them in another crowd-thrilling five set match; beating the Huskies once again! This meat that the Renegades would play the Roberts Rockets for second and third place. The Renegades were close in all three sets but fell to the Rockets and came home with a third place trophy, punching their ticket to the divisional tournament.
One week later the Renegades traveled to Laurel to play in the divisional tournament. They started out with the Melstone Broncs and lost in 3 sets. After the loss they played the Harlowton/Ryegate Engineers and won in a thrilling 5 sets. They moved on and played the Roberts Rockets once again. They played the Rockets close in every set but lost in 4, which ended the Renegades season.
All in all, the Renegades had a great season; although they started out on a rocky road they came together and rallied on! Congratulations on a great season girls!
Holiday Treat Poll
By: Ciara Fagone
After Thanksgiving I sent out a poll asking students, grades seventh through twelfth, and teachers what their favorite holiday treat was. Twenty-five students and teachers responded with their favorites, candy canes ruled the majority with 36% of people polled saying it was their favorite holiday treat. Fudge came in a close second with 32%, while the last 32% was divided evenly between peanut brittle, divinity, chocolate almond bark, christmas cookies, apple pie, mixed nuts, and sour patch candy canes.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
By: Ciara Fagone
After much suspense and questioning from students and teachers alike, the Big Brothers Big Sisters pairings were revealed at the Homecoming assembly. Students kicked off their partnerships with a fun game of tag and some time offered to get to know each other. Big Brothers Big Sisters was started up again last year through FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) by Ciara Fagone. This year Mrs. Bare, Mr. Graves, Mrs. Vesbach, Cole Bare, Ciara Fagone, and Riley Beck joined the planning committee, working hard to find pairings and activities that both the High School and Elementary students will enjoy. When asked about Big Brothers Big Sisters Riley Baker said, “I really like it, it’s fun! I really enjoyed when we delivered Christmas cards.”
So far this year students have had a puzzle party, an impromptu game session led by Mr. Graves, and delivered Christmas cheer around the community. The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to foster the relationships between high school and elementary students, aiming to reduce conflict and create some common ground for students of all ages. Jayda Grayless said, “I think it’s fun. I like getting to hang out with the older kids and all the fun activities.” So far Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a success! The students are enjoying themselves and people have started to notice more interaction between students outside of organized activities. This is a big improvement from years past when there was no Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Shop Class
By: Ciara Fagone
With thousands of miles of highways and backroads and spotty cell service, rural Montana can be a scary place to break down. Being able to notice little things that are going wrong in your vehicle could save you from being stranded on the side of the road for hours on end. Reed Point High School’s administration noticed this need for knowledge on vehicles in their students and decided to hire mechanic Casey Smith. From his job working on a stock car team to the daily grind of working in an auto repair shop, Casey is more than qualified. So far this year, students have changed the oil in several vehicles, replaced spark plugs, worked on various atv repairs, checked codes on vehicles, and so much more. In a conversation I had with Mr. Casey Smith, he told me, “I like the energy and excitement that you guys have; most adults lose that passion.” Casey mentioned he also worries about the fact that most schools have dropped auto and mechanic classes, something that is becoming more and more important in rural Montana.
Casey Smith started Sweet Grass Tech, an auto mechanic after school program for high schoolers, located in Big Timber, Montana. He just recently received the funding to take this amazing hands on learning experience further and will hopefully be breaking ground soon on a building dedicated specifically to the program. When asked what he loved about Sweet Grass Tech Casey said, “I like to be able to share with people the knowledge I have.” Teaching auto mechanics, welding, and fabrication to these high school kids only touches the surface of what he is doing. Casey also works with Sweet Grass County to help improve daily life for his students and get them on track for a better future. This isn’t just another mechanics class. Casey’s work is something much bigger.
Quarter 1 Newspaper
2019-2020
2019-2020
Varsity Football
By: Ciara Fagone
This year, the Renegade varsity football team consisted of ten players: freshman Nate Cain, sophomores Keaton Heller and Jacob Hand, juniors Trent Ott and Tyson Ott, and seniors Lawson Steinfeldt, Taylen Dolan, Bud Ullery, Kamron Gore, and Daynon Bear, with head coach Allen McCarty and assistant coach Raymond Barth. The football boys have faced many roadblocks along the way, including losing Tyson Ott to a broken collarbone on the eighth practice and Trent Ott to a broken arm during their first game against Valley Christian. According to Coach McCarty, “It’s been an uphill battle with a difficult schedule, being plagued with injuries, and our low roster numbers. However, we have worked really hard and never quit, showing a lot of victories which doesn’t always mean the scoreboard.”
Through all the ups and downs of the season, our all star football players have displayed exceptional sportsmanship and never left the crowd more proud to call those boys on the field their own. Sophomore, Keaton Heller, stated, “We were a lot closer this year than last year, just because of all the things we went through.” Mental toughness is only one characteristic these Renegade football players displayed. Several players on the team have said that Taylen Dolan displayed this attribute constantly. Congratulations to our Renegade varsity football team on another season well played!
"The Great Montana Sheep Drive"
By: Kassidee Humphreys
The little town of Reed Point welcomed “ewe” to its 31st annual Great Montana Sheep Drive, over Labor Day weekend. Things started off early in the morning of September 1st. Venders came rolling in around six o’clock to start setting up, and people began showing up soon after. The day was warm, around 90 degrees, causing the patrons to seek beverages amongst the venders.
The usual events took place throughout the day. It kicked off with the Pancake Breakfast hosted at the firehall, then a fantastic sheep shearing demonstration .Around noon, there was some live western music played across from the firehall, followed by the Classic Car Show.
The parade began at 12:30, with the showing of the flags presented by the Color Guard, accompanied by a World War ll Veteran. Within the parade, was the truck show. First place went to a 59 Kenworth, second place when to a 59 Peterbilt, and third place went to the 87 Peterbilt . Mr. Sawyer Ott was a lamb on the log ride, and received first place in the parade for his cute float and costume. Following the parade was the auction and the Lamb Cook-Off. Audrey Ott kicked some lamb tail in the cook-off with first place. The round bale roll, hosted by Brannon Cain, occurred at 3:00. At 4:30, was the infamous running of the sheep. The log sawing contest took place at 4:30 with the bidding. Brian and Austin Purdum took first place, Brian Purdum and Brandon Wood took second, and Austin Purdum and Richard Hahn took third place.
At 6:00, the street dance began with the wonderful works of 100 Proof, who was invited back after they played at Boat-float. They played into the night. Overall, the day was full of good food, fun, and laughs.
National FCCLA Trip
By: Ciara Fagone
The National FCCLA conference this past summer was hosted in Anaheim, California. Home to the Angel Stadium and Disneyland Resort. This year representing Reed Point High School was Tyson Ott, Cole Bare, Kaden Heller, Ciara Fagone, Jocelyn Ott, and their advisor Shaye Skovgaard. They did a fantastic job representing Montana bringing home many silver and gold medals. While they weren’t at leadership workshops or presenting their projects they enjoyed many of the sites and experiences that Anaheim has to offer. The group enjoyed many themed rides and of course resort food during their eight hour visit to Disneyland Resort. They also made a short stop at Knott’s Berry Farm to enjoy a few scary rides and the famous Knott’s Berry Farm jam. Tyson, Cole, Kaden, Ciara, Jocey, and Miss. Skovgaard also enjoyed bodyboarding and seeing dolphins at Laguna Beach, and the swimming at Huntington Beach. During their stay Miss. Skovgaard participated in a Run4Red 5k glow run that supported a local California charity. Overall these Renegades had a great time but were ready to be back home in the Big Sky Country.
Park City Invitational
By: Kassidee Humphreys
Saturday, September 28, 2019, the varsity volleyball team went to the Park City Invitational tournament in Laurel. The girls started out the morning as one of the first two matches with Absarokee. The team lost in two, but went on to play Roy/Winifred, and proceeded to take a set off of them. Following that, the Renegades played Broadview/Lavina, both teams won a set. The Renegades were again off the court for one match, then right back on the play DGS, whom the Renegades took a set from. Afterwards, the team was able to take a break before the match against Bridger. The girls kept up with Bridger point for point in the first set only losing by five points, but lost the last set, following not quite as closely as when they started. Finally, their last match was against Harlowton, battling for third place in the tournament. The Renegades started out well, winning the first of what would be three sets. They proceeded to work hard but lost the second set to the Engineers. Finally, the third set was upon them. Knowing that set would only be to fifteen, the girls knew they had to get after it right away. Unfortunately, the team lost seven to fifteen. The girls kept their heads up though, knowing they had come a great amount farther than the previous year. This year, they earned the fourth place spot in the 2019 Park City Invitational Tournament.
FCCLA
By: Ciara Fagone
Reed Point High School offers the chance to participate in FCCLA; which is the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. FCCLA offers members the chance to become leaders in their communities and develop workplace skills through STAR events. Winners of these STAR events have the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference, which is in Washington D.C. this year.
Our FCCLA chapter this year consists of eight members and one advisor including: Kaden Heller, Ciara Fagone, Loli Jarrett, Bristol Ketola, Emily Milligan, Katelynn Bakke, Allana Holdermann, and Rylie Tinsley. Mrs. Milligan is our solo advisor this year. Our chapter’s officers are: president Kaden Heller, vice president Emily Milligan, secretary and treasurer Ciara Fagone, and concession chairmen Loli Jarrett and Bristol Ketola. FCCLA has many upcoming events to look forward to including leadership rally in Fairmont Hot Springs, the district meeting in Billings, the state conference at MSU Bozeman, and for those lucky winners, the national conference in Washington D.C. Reed Point also has two outgoing district officers, 2nd vice president Kaden Heller and secretary/treasurer Ciara Fagone. Kaden will be running for president this year. Good luck FCCLA!
Place-Based Learning
By: Cole Bare
On October 22, 2019, students (grades 7-12) from Reed Point Schools visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument with their chaperones Allen McCarty, History teacher, and Misty Ketola, English teacher, in order to promote student understanding of local history, immerse them in Montana Indian Education for All, and engage the students further, beyond the four walls of their classrooms, in their learning.
During the 2018-2019 academic year, both Mr. McCarty and Mrs. Ketola attended a workshop offered by the Elk River Writing Foundation in which they learned about the importance of “place-based learning.” After, the two teachers decided to collaborate and build a program at Reed Point Schools with a solid foundation of learning that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Mr. McCarty stated, “Place-based learning allows the student to sometimes emulate real practices in the subject area, and it also offers the opportunity to be more interactive (engaging) than in the traditional classroom setting.”
In June 2019, Mrs. Ketola attended the TOLI Satellite Seminar for Holocaust education in Billings, MT., again offered to educators through the Elk River Writing Foundation. The week long course integrated holocaust education with Montana Indian Education for All (IEFA), and it included a day long excursion to sites such as: the Battle of the Rosebud, Deer Medicine Rocks (site where Sitting Bull carved his vision), Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and more. According to Mrs. Ketola, “This gave me the chance to better understand the importance of teaching both the holocaust and IEFA, and it showed me first hand how effective place-based learning can be for students.”
During the recent visit to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, students journaled about their experience and will expand their journal writings for a presentation later this winter where they will showcase their culminating project. For their final project, students will create a gallery walk for the community. They will share information about both the holocaust and local Montana history. The gallery walk will also include written pieces from the students in order for them to share their writing skills, and their own comprehension of these historical events.
Student Spotlight: Rylie Tinsley
By: Ciara Fagone
This quarter’s student spotlight centers on seventh grader, Rylie Tinsley. She has been attending Reed Point for going on three years. Due to Rylie’s mother teaching here at the elementary, Rylie leaves for school at 6:00 a.m., getting to the school at about 6:30 a.m. Rylie plays volleyball, basketball, runs track, participates in FCCLA and 4-H; although, she claims basketball is her favorite sport. During her free time, Rylie enjoys taking pictures. Rylie is enjoying her seventh grade year and says that “Moving around to different classes makes the day go faster.” Rylie also loves being able to get a cookie in between classes. Riley's favorite class is history. She absolutely refuses to eat tomatoes, but she loves chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and creamed peas, topped off with some apple pie and ice cream. Her recommended after school snack is a poppy seed muffin.
By: Ciara Fagone
This year, the Renegade varsity football team consisted of ten players: freshman Nate Cain, sophomores Keaton Heller and Jacob Hand, juniors Trent Ott and Tyson Ott, and seniors Lawson Steinfeldt, Taylen Dolan, Bud Ullery, Kamron Gore, and Daynon Bear, with head coach Allen McCarty and assistant coach Raymond Barth. The football boys have faced many roadblocks along the way, including losing Tyson Ott to a broken collarbone on the eighth practice and Trent Ott to a broken arm during their first game against Valley Christian. According to Coach McCarty, “It’s been an uphill battle with a difficult schedule, being plagued with injuries, and our low roster numbers. However, we have worked really hard and never quit, showing a lot of victories which doesn’t always mean the scoreboard.”
Through all the ups and downs of the season, our all star football players have displayed exceptional sportsmanship and never left the crowd more proud to call those boys on the field their own. Sophomore, Keaton Heller, stated, “We were a lot closer this year than last year, just because of all the things we went through.” Mental toughness is only one characteristic these Renegade football players displayed. Several players on the team have said that Taylen Dolan displayed this attribute constantly. Congratulations to our Renegade varsity football team on another season well played!
"The Great Montana Sheep Drive"
By: Kassidee Humphreys
The little town of Reed Point welcomed “ewe” to its 31st annual Great Montana Sheep Drive, over Labor Day weekend. Things started off early in the morning of September 1st. Venders came rolling in around six o’clock to start setting up, and people began showing up soon after. The day was warm, around 90 degrees, causing the patrons to seek beverages amongst the venders.
The usual events took place throughout the day. It kicked off with the Pancake Breakfast hosted at the firehall, then a fantastic sheep shearing demonstration .Around noon, there was some live western music played across from the firehall, followed by the Classic Car Show.
The parade began at 12:30, with the showing of the flags presented by the Color Guard, accompanied by a World War ll Veteran. Within the parade, was the truck show. First place went to a 59 Kenworth, second place when to a 59 Peterbilt, and third place went to the 87 Peterbilt . Mr. Sawyer Ott was a lamb on the log ride, and received first place in the parade for his cute float and costume. Following the parade was the auction and the Lamb Cook-Off. Audrey Ott kicked some lamb tail in the cook-off with first place. The round bale roll, hosted by Brannon Cain, occurred at 3:00. At 4:30, was the infamous running of the sheep. The log sawing contest took place at 4:30 with the bidding. Brian and Austin Purdum took first place, Brian Purdum and Brandon Wood took second, and Austin Purdum and Richard Hahn took third place.
At 6:00, the street dance began with the wonderful works of 100 Proof, who was invited back after they played at Boat-float. They played into the night. Overall, the day was full of good food, fun, and laughs.
National FCCLA Trip
By: Ciara Fagone
The National FCCLA conference this past summer was hosted in Anaheim, California. Home to the Angel Stadium and Disneyland Resort. This year representing Reed Point High School was Tyson Ott, Cole Bare, Kaden Heller, Ciara Fagone, Jocelyn Ott, and their advisor Shaye Skovgaard. They did a fantastic job representing Montana bringing home many silver and gold medals. While they weren’t at leadership workshops or presenting their projects they enjoyed many of the sites and experiences that Anaheim has to offer. The group enjoyed many themed rides and of course resort food during their eight hour visit to Disneyland Resort. They also made a short stop at Knott’s Berry Farm to enjoy a few scary rides and the famous Knott’s Berry Farm jam. Tyson, Cole, Kaden, Ciara, Jocey, and Miss. Skovgaard also enjoyed bodyboarding and seeing dolphins at Laguna Beach, and the swimming at Huntington Beach. During their stay Miss. Skovgaard participated in a Run4Red 5k glow run that supported a local California charity. Overall these Renegades had a great time but were ready to be back home in the Big Sky Country.
Park City Invitational
By: Kassidee Humphreys
Saturday, September 28, 2019, the varsity volleyball team went to the Park City Invitational tournament in Laurel. The girls started out the morning as one of the first two matches with Absarokee. The team lost in two, but went on to play Roy/Winifred, and proceeded to take a set off of them. Following that, the Renegades played Broadview/Lavina, both teams won a set. The Renegades were again off the court for one match, then right back on the play DGS, whom the Renegades took a set from. Afterwards, the team was able to take a break before the match against Bridger. The girls kept up with Bridger point for point in the first set only losing by five points, but lost the last set, following not quite as closely as when they started. Finally, their last match was against Harlowton, battling for third place in the tournament. The Renegades started out well, winning the first of what would be three sets. They proceeded to work hard but lost the second set to the Engineers. Finally, the third set was upon them. Knowing that set would only be to fifteen, the girls knew they had to get after it right away. Unfortunately, the team lost seven to fifteen. The girls kept their heads up though, knowing they had come a great amount farther than the previous year. This year, they earned the fourth place spot in the 2019 Park City Invitational Tournament.
FCCLA
By: Ciara Fagone
Reed Point High School offers the chance to participate in FCCLA; which is the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. FCCLA offers members the chance to become leaders in their communities and develop workplace skills through STAR events. Winners of these STAR events have the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference, which is in Washington D.C. this year.
Our FCCLA chapter this year consists of eight members and one advisor including: Kaden Heller, Ciara Fagone, Loli Jarrett, Bristol Ketola, Emily Milligan, Katelynn Bakke, Allana Holdermann, and Rylie Tinsley. Mrs. Milligan is our solo advisor this year. Our chapter’s officers are: president Kaden Heller, vice president Emily Milligan, secretary and treasurer Ciara Fagone, and concession chairmen Loli Jarrett and Bristol Ketola. FCCLA has many upcoming events to look forward to including leadership rally in Fairmont Hot Springs, the district meeting in Billings, the state conference at MSU Bozeman, and for those lucky winners, the national conference in Washington D.C. Reed Point also has two outgoing district officers, 2nd vice president Kaden Heller and secretary/treasurer Ciara Fagone. Kaden will be running for president this year. Good luck FCCLA!
Place-Based Learning
By: Cole Bare
On October 22, 2019, students (grades 7-12) from Reed Point Schools visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument with their chaperones Allen McCarty, History teacher, and Misty Ketola, English teacher, in order to promote student understanding of local history, immerse them in Montana Indian Education for All, and engage the students further, beyond the four walls of their classrooms, in their learning.
During the 2018-2019 academic year, both Mr. McCarty and Mrs. Ketola attended a workshop offered by the Elk River Writing Foundation in which they learned about the importance of “place-based learning.” After, the two teachers decided to collaborate and build a program at Reed Point Schools with a solid foundation of learning that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Mr. McCarty stated, “Place-based learning allows the student to sometimes emulate real practices in the subject area, and it also offers the opportunity to be more interactive (engaging) than in the traditional classroom setting.”
In June 2019, Mrs. Ketola attended the TOLI Satellite Seminar for Holocaust education in Billings, MT., again offered to educators through the Elk River Writing Foundation. The week long course integrated holocaust education with Montana Indian Education for All (IEFA), and it included a day long excursion to sites such as: the Battle of the Rosebud, Deer Medicine Rocks (site where Sitting Bull carved his vision), Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and more. According to Mrs. Ketola, “This gave me the chance to better understand the importance of teaching both the holocaust and IEFA, and it showed me first hand how effective place-based learning can be for students.”
During the recent visit to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, students journaled about their experience and will expand their journal writings for a presentation later this winter where they will showcase their culminating project. For their final project, students will create a gallery walk for the community. They will share information about both the holocaust and local Montana history. The gallery walk will also include written pieces from the students in order for them to share their writing skills, and their own comprehension of these historical events.
Student Spotlight: Rylie Tinsley
By: Ciara Fagone
This quarter’s student spotlight centers on seventh grader, Rylie Tinsley. She has been attending Reed Point for going on three years. Due to Rylie’s mother teaching here at the elementary, Rylie leaves for school at 6:00 a.m., getting to the school at about 6:30 a.m. Rylie plays volleyball, basketball, runs track, participates in FCCLA and 4-H; although, she claims basketball is her favorite sport. During her free time, Rylie enjoys taking pictures. Rylie is enjoying her seventh grade year and says that “Moving around to different classes makes the day go faster.” Rylie also loves being able to get a cookie in between classes. Riley's favorite class is history. She absolutely refuses to eat tomatoes, but she loves chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and creamed peas, topped off with some apple pie and ice cream. Her recommended after school snack is a poppy seed muffin.
Published Works 2018-2019
BATS
by:Cole Bare
As many of you know, the elementary school building was infested with bats. The building sustained extensive damage from the pests. The bat infestation was discovered by the cleaning crew who smelled an atrocious stench. Mrs. Ketola speculated about cat urine, and Erika argued dog excrement, but neither could determine its location, so they called down the “Super Sniffer,” A.K.A. Melissa Bartelt. After sniffing around, she identified the odor bodily as functions from something and then pinpointed the location. They found guano on the shelves in the back room and noticed it running down the wall around the chimney too. After the discovery of bat excrement, Mrs. Jarrett called in “Batman,” who exclaimed “You have bats.” Next, the bat crew proceeded to dispose of the bats by capturing them in traps. Finally, Batman and his team closed the holes where the bats were entering the building.
I asked Heather Jarrett, superintendent, a couple of questions about the bat infestation and clean up. Mrs. Jarrett said, “I do not know how many bats have been caught, but I will ask when he is finished. He is done trapping when there are no straggler bats. He leaves the traps up until there are four days with no bats in the traps.” She also said, “The elementary definitely won’t be ready by the date of the original timeline. The board is deciding the best resolution to the situation and are considering the cost of restoration. The amount of money necessary to fix the building is more than the school board is comfortable spending. They are trying to make a good decision for the taxpayers.” She stated, “Right now the board is deciding on whether to go with a modular or not for our elementary staff and students. The future site of the modular has not been decided yet.” When I asked her what it felt like walking into a new position, superintendent, and dealing with a problem this big she said, “There was a problem that needed to be solved, and I jumped in to help solve it!” Pattern Development, the wind farm company, donated 100,000 dollars to aid in the elementary clean up, Mrs. Jarrett said, “All the money is to be used to solve the problem. The school board will decide whether or not to use the money on a modular or a build project. They are making a decision for a safe and healthy learning environment.”
The future of the elementary is in the hands of the school board, so we will see what the future holds.