February Parent UpdateCelebrating 109 Years

1906 - 2015Connecting Our School and Our CommunityOur mission is to support and challenge all students to

reach their maximum potentialthrough a rigorous curriculum in a safe, nurturing, and

orderly environment. We are committedto building positive relationships between students,

staff, administration, and community in order to provide effective student achievement through high

expectation and frequent assessment.

Business Professionals of America Head to State Theresa Reimer

January brought an exciting opportunity for the Business Professionals of America team. The team had a chance to travel to Wilsall for the Regional Competition on January 13. Every member that competed at Regionals will move on to the state competition in March. BPA has a very solid base that started with the training from Matt Schrowe. The students continued to work hard this year and amaze the judges. BPA

is not a club that students are involved in lightly. It requires a lot of work and preparation to be competitive in these events. We received multiple compliments from judges and other advisors on how professional and respectful our group presented themselves. They also have the gift of entertainment as evidenced by the bus ride. These are close-knit students who enjoy sharing each other’s success.

Individuals:Addie Poore—3rd in Fundamentals of Web DesignFran Graham—3rd in Extemporaneous SpeechKezia Jetmore—8th in Banking & FinanceMax Erickson—1st in Computer Security, 1st in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting, 1st in Computer Network TechnologyLaura Nearpass-7th in Advanced Interview SkillsShelby Lee Wesnitzer—1st in System Administration Using CiscoKatie Nell—2nd in Graphic DesignRyan Langemeier— 3rd in Parliamentary Procedure ConceptsDrew Meyer—1st in Extemporaneous Speech, 5th in Parliamentary Procedure ConceptsVance Thuesen—2nd in Computer Network Technology, 3rd in Database ApplicationsLiam Gildehaus—1st in Computer Modeling, 6th in Financial Math and AnalysisMatt Haman—1st in Fundamentals of Web Design, 1st in Database ApplicationsCole Daily—1st in Computer Programming Concepts, 7th in Parliamentary Procedure Concepts, 1st in Financial Math and Analysis, 1st in Banking and FinanceNate Roller—2nd in PC Service and Troubleshooting, 2nd in Computer Programming Concepts

Team:2nd Website Design—Max Erickson and Vance Thuesen1st Website Design—Addie Poore and Emma Clinton1st Computer Animation—Cole Daily, Logan Mills, Ryan Langemeier, Nate Roller2nd Broadcast New Production—Ryan Langemeier, Kezia Jetmore, Katie Nell1st Video Production—Logan Mills, Ryan Langemeier3rd Presentation Management—Laura Nearpass, ShelbyLee Wesnitzer

RLHS History K e v i n C o n n o r s

Two summers ago I was fortunate enough to meet investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell at a National Endowment of the Humanities Summer Conference in Jackson, Mississippi. After hearing him speak Jerry agreed to speak to my US History classes about his experiences. Last

week for the third time Jerry spoke with Red Lodge stud

ents. It is truly fascinating experience for us all. The following is a brief biography of his work.

Jerry Mitchell is an investigative reporter with the Jackson, Mississippi, Clarion-Ledger whose courageous efforts have ensured that unpunished murders from the Civil Rights era are finally prosecuted. In 1989, Mitchell began his immersion in decades-old stories of thwarted justice and undertook a meticulous review of the 1963 assassination of NAACP leader Medgar Evers. Ku Klux Klan member Byron de la Beckwith had been tried twice for this crime in 1964, and each trial ended in hung juries. By analyzing hundreds of documents and interviewing scores of witnesses, Mitchell laid the groundwork for a new trial. The case was reopened and culminated in the conviction and life sentence of Beckwith in 1994. Mitchell has since uncovered largely unknown details about many other long-dormant murder cases. His reporting has played a key role in the convictions of Klan Imperial Wizard Sam Bowers for ordering the fatal firebombing of NAACP leader Vernon Dahmer in 1966, of Bobby Cherry for the 1963 bombing of a Birmingham church that killed four girls, and of Edgar Ray Killen for helping to orchestrate the 1964 deaths of three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Mississippi. His investment of time and painstakingly detailed research has also produced a broad range of reports on such subjects as racial reconciliation in the South and judicial bribes and chicanery in Mississippi, as well as a series on his own family’s battle against a rare genetic ailment. In an era when long-term investigative reporting is more the exception than the rule, Mitchell’s life and work

serve as an example of how a journalist willing to take risks and unsettle waters can make a difference in the pursuit of justice.

New Astronomy Course at RLHSKirt Nell

This year brings a new Astronomy course to RLHS.  The

course covers such awesome topics as: the beginning and evolution of the universe,

the formation of stars and galaxies, the planets in our solar system as well as newly discovered planets outside our solar system, our moon, eclipses, the constellations and the search for life beyond earth.  Support from the students and community has been outstanding.  The class fills our largest classroom and we have visiting professional Astronomers living in the community assisting as quest speakers.  Two telescopes were even donated by the community members for the course!

Traffic Safety Education John Perrigo

As the spring session of traffic safety education is right around the corner, I would like this time to remind you to talk to your teen about distracted driving. There is a great PSA that has gone

viral recently. The video is part of the No Text & Drive campaign. It is titled "Last Words", and was sponsored by WJBF News Channel 6 and 1 Hour Optical. I would highly recommend that you watch it with your teen. It would be a great way to start the conversation about distracted driving. There are also a lot of great resources and a Montana PBS special created by the University of Montana Journalism School, which

are located on the Montana Office of Public Instruction Traffic Safety webpage. Please take the time to address these real issues and the responsibility of driving with your teenager. It could save lives.

R L H S G r e en Te a m P r e s e n t s at Green Building ConferenceKate Belinda

The Red Lodge High School Green Team recently attended the Montana Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference in Big Sky. Katie Nell and Tiffany Poore updated attendees on the three projects RLHS is working on for the SMART Schools Challenge (http://governor.mt.gov/Home/SmartSchools/Challenges). Kryn Dykema sat on a panel discussion with Lt. Governor McClean discussing the environmental and economical advantages for schools that integrate programs that improve recycling and lower energy usage. These experiences not only provides our students with an opportunity to see what other schools are doing across the state, but also allows others to see the great things are going on at RLHS.

You may have seen the work of the Green Team at the basketball games this season. In addition to still offering reusable cups at concessions, the team has been pushing recycling in the stands. They have been placing bags and signs to help our fans remember to recycle. Each

game, this simple activity has diverted approximately 10 pounds of recyclable materials from being thrown away at our sporting events. Way to go Green Team, keep up the good work!

Trades and Industry News Justin Elton

The fall semester ended up great. We finished up our woodworking projects. The students built projects ranging from an entertainment center to benches for the Eagle Mount office at

RLM. The materials for the benches were donated by the RLHS Skills-USA Club. The new semester brings new projects. Currently the construction trades students are drawing up the plans for a shed for the community garden. They should be starting construction next week after the plans and materials cost are approved by the garden committee.

The Skills-USA club will be traveling to Havre April 12-15. Students will be competing in Combination Welding, and Basic Welding. The kids will also be traveling to Powell for the NWC Invitational welding contest in April also.

Montana Digital Academy Lori Bremer

A number of students at Red Lodge High School are enrolled in internet-based classes this

semester. As a public school in Montana, Red Lodge School District has access to Montana Digital Academy, a state sponsored online course provider which offers numerous and varied classes in science, social studies and history, language arts, math, business, psychology, health, and foreign languages. Students are able to take classes

which are not presently offered in the traditional school schedule. Students receive elective credit when they complete these courses. Students are exploring topics in elective courses such as Economics, Essentials of Business, Personal Financial Literacy, and Montana History. For more information about these offerings, please contact Janet Walsh at 446-1903.

Interested in getting your GED?

Local GED preparation classes are slated to begin soon. Informational meetings/class sign ups will be held on Monday, February 16th and Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00 PM in the Red

Lodge High School Commons. The class prepares the student to take the national high school equivalency test. All necessary materials and testing are provided free of charge by Red Lodge Schools. For further information, call 446-1903.

Jenny Zimmerman

The ProStart I and II students enjoyed an informative presentation by two of the instructor chefs from the Culinary Institute of Montana located at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. Chef Howard Karp, a world-renowned chef, gave an excellent talk about his extensive culinary career as well as information about the Institute. Students were also treated to a demonstration, and tasting! of Molten Lava Cakes by assistant Chef Michelle Hicks.

This semester’s ProStart II class is already preparing for various competitions in both cake decorating and food innovations. Watch for the student’s revised food blog “Dish Is It!” – online soon – to highlight more information about the competitions as well as original recipes shared by the students.

Z i m m e r m a n

Members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America are also preparing for competitions to be held at the State Leadership Convention in March. Members will compete in Food Innovations, Life Event Planning and Environmental Ambassador categories and also participate in leadership activities. To raise funds for attending the conference, FCCLA will be selling BUTTER BRAID PASTRIES – watch for ordering information in the next few weeks!!

A R T Zimmerman

The new semester bring two Art I classes that already have shown considerable artistic

ability! Be sure to attend the Carbon County Arts Guild’s Student Art Show in March – you will be amazed by the excellent work by this group and last

semester’s Art II students. The talent emerging from the art room is truly amazing! An opening reception will be held on March 14 from 1-3 pm with awards given out at 2 pm… don’t miss it!

Be sure to visit our website for periodic updates, announcement, teacher lesson plans and now our quarterly Parent Newsletter as well as other important district-wide information at: www.redlodge.schoolwires.com