Community
Swan River Community Night
By Bella, 7th Grade
The community dessert night is an amazing opportunity for families to come and enjoy many fun activities, such as a concert by the middle school, 5th grade band, and choir, the art show, and book fair.
This event will take place on May 10, 2023. The book fair is put on by Scholastic to raise money for the library, and another reason is for kids to have the chance to buy good books for great prices. When interviewed, fifth grade teacher Mrs. Emslie said, “We love seeing good books in kids' hands!” The Swan River book fair has been put on for over twenty years.
During the concert, band and choir kids are able to show off the songs they have been practicing all year and their musical talent. This is the first year the middle school CTE class will be selling student made jewelry and stickers to raise money for new materials.
Students of all ages will be able to display the art they have been working on all year. The middle school art class has made two large art projects this year, Deer in Disguise and Screamers. This is the second year making the deer and the first year making the Screamers.
On the night of the concert, both the choir and the band will perform. Two trumpet players, Ceiley and Savannah, will play a duet of their favorite song, The Tempest. Another band student, Madelaine, who plays the oboe is especially excited for the concert and to play her favorite song Midnight Mission. A choir student named Sage is nervous to sing in the concert, but can't wait to sing her favorite song, Cover Me in Sunshine.
Swan River can't wait to welcome our guests at this amazing event!
Board Elections
By Emma, 7th Grade
On May 2, 2023, the Swan River School board is having elections. People can vote at the school or with a voting ballot they received in the mail. Anyone over the age of 18, who lives in the Swan River School District can vote for or run for the Swan River School Board.
There is a three year term limit for the board members. The board elections are when the three year term limit is over. Afterwards, the sitting board members can either be re-elected, or a new person could possibly be elected, depending on what the community votes for and thinks. The board members represent what the community wants and needs for the school, so it is important to vote.
When our principal, Mr. Lamb was asked what the board does, he said, "The board makes decisions and recommendations according to the school policies that help the school align with the strategic plan. These decisions will allow the school to move forward in the future.”
The way the board works is, there is a board chair and a co-chair, and three other members. The principal or Superintendent and business clerk make an agenda.The agenda has a consent agenda, the chair reads prior minutes and the school's monthly claims. They also discuss what they need to report and their unfinished business. Finally, there is time for their new business and the topics for the next agenda.
Flathead Valley gets slammed with winter storm!
By Bella, 8th Grade
On November 2, 2022 in the early morning, a huge storm began to stir up the town of Bigfork. This storm led the whole Flathead Valley to an extensive power outage. As seventh grader Bella stated, “Our power was out for twenty-four hours, and the next day it was off and on. We also had no Internet for about twelve hours.”
This fall, the warm weather continued longer than expected. The snow was not able to become powdery and soft. Instead, the Flathead Valley was piled with heavy, wet snow on the trees that still had leaves.
More than 12,000 homes were out of power because of the storm. Swan River School was also out of power for most of the day. Many can compare this one to a storm in 2020. That year, on July 6, 2020 a powerful thunderstorm hit the city of Butte, Montana.
Seventh grader Bella commented about the current storm, “The wind broke a part of a tree off that fell on top of our dog pen. My brother Maddox had tried to leave, but since the roads were so slick, he slipped into a ditch on the highway.”
One of the basketball games was canceled for the basketball boys.
Photo taken by, Maddox A.
Back to school BBQ
By Stryker, 8th grade
On August 31, 2022 the back to school BBQ took place at Swan River School. It was a good experience for everyone who was able to make it. This also was a good time for teachers and students to meet up with each other before the school year started.
This event couldn’t have been possible without the lovely staff at Swan River, even our principal, Mr. Lamb and teachers Mr. Gaiser and Mr. Waddle helped cook and make the food for the BBQ. There was lots of positive feedback from the students who went during the event. “It was a good way to see your friends and teachers if you didn’t see them over the summer,” stated eighth grader, Styles.