Three Forks School District

Three Forks CTE Department Continues to Earn Grant Monies with MCA Construction Trade Awareness Award Three Forks, MT – The Three Forks Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department continues to earn grant monies, awards and donations to develop the courtyard areas into outdoor learning spaces. Three Forks Schools has been selected to receive a $1500 Montana Contractors Association (MCA) Construction Trade Awareness Award. Fifteen middle and high schools across Montana were awarded the 2024-2025 MCA classroom awards to districts aimed at promoting construction education. The MCA also offers scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education for careers aimed at construction. With recent Three Forks campus reconstruction providing a courtyard adjacent to the family and consumer sciences and industrial arts classrooms, the CTE Department’s plan includes not only the establishment of an extended classroom and outdoor cooking area but also the incorporation of a greenhouse/garden for cultivating produce to be used within the culinary program and greater community (donations of excess produce to the local Headwaters Area Food Bank). This dynamic space will not only empower students to refine their culinary skills but also engage in sustainable practices by growing and utilizing their own produce. Through experiential learning, students will develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, safety awareness, budgeting, resource management, and creativity. The actual construction of the outdoor cooking and greenhouse space will be invaluable for training, practice, and expanding the scope of culinary education, construction and agriculture programs throughout the spring and fall seasons. The integration of multiple disciplines, including culinary arts, construction, agriculture, and environmental sustainability, enriches the CTE program's appeal. This interdisciplinary approach creates a comprehensive and interconnected curriculum, accommodating students with varied interests and aligning with diverse career goals while ensuring students acquire a spectrum of transferable skills. These include teamwork, communication, safety awareness, budgeting, and resource management. This holistic skill development enriches their education and prepares them for success in various career paths. Teachers Ian Schilf, Tyler Noyes, Cathe Felz and Jessica Oehmcke are members of the Three Forks CTE Department developing some of the outdoor learning spaces. The program seeks support for the transformation of the courtyard into a vibrant, usable and efficient outdoor classroom and garden space, fostering experiential learning, sustainability practices, and equipping students with the practical skills necessary for success. Included in the construction of this space are experiential learning lessons for framing the cooking area in, providing plumbing for both hydrating and cleaning the vegetables and building raised garden beds. Three Forks has two local businesses that are members of the Montana Contractors Association. Both BBG Contractors and GCC Trident have been contacted in bringing industry professionals into hands-on classrooms, asking for teams to present, teach and.or potentially work alongside students as the project is brought to fruition. In addition to the 2024-2025 MCA Construction Trade Awareness Award, funding for the outdoor learning spaces has been supported via the recently announced Montana Farmers Union Grant, the Three Forks Education Foundation, a Rural Reserve Grant and Carl Perkins funding. Beyond that, local business owner, Chris Lien of Three Forks Lumber and Ready Mix, has also donated materials. Individuals wishing to learn more or to participate in the development of the spaces can reach out to Cathe Felz at cfelz@threeforks.k12.mt.us or Jessica Oehmcke at joehmcke@threeforks.k12.mt.us. Three Forks CTE is excited for community involvement, input and contributions. Additionally, the department regularly has live projects posted to DonorsChoose.org to further fund materials needed for development of the spaces.

We are moving our high school volleyball game on October 19th vs Whitehall to October 16th. It is MEA week so we don't have school that week on Thursday and Friday. Thanks

Welcome back to school for the 2024-2025 school year. Preorder sales have begun for the Elementary, Middle School and High School yearbooks. Folks can save 10% and earn free shipping when ordering now! Reach out to joehmcke@threeforks.k12.mt.us with questions.

Reminder: Don't forget to join us this evening @ 5:30 for our Back to School Parent Meeting and Open House. We will be sharing important information including new traffic patterns and parking since the completion of construction. Open House will be from 6-7 pm ending with a presentation at 7 pm with our SRO, Dan Mayland in the Auditorium. Please join us!

Summer is coming to a close, but the Three Forks FFA Chapter did not slow down much this summer. We had our FFA officer retreat in June, where our new chapter officers spent time developing team skills and planning out the great year ahead. Three Forks FFA did a lot of fundraising over the summer to help raise money for our traveling opportunities this year. We traveled to Helena to help serve a wedding, served Walking Tacos at the Three Forks Street Fair and Rodeo, and assisted the Three Forks Chamber of Commerce in cleaning out their storage shed. We also entered a silent auction basket in the Gallatin County Fair. Our basket was purchased by Western Pines, and we thank you for your generous support of Three Forks FFA! Several FFA members showed their animal SAE projects at both the Gallatin and Broadwater County Fairs. Our members did very well in their shows and their livestock sales! Mr. Noyes was a coordinator for the Montana FFA Agriculture Opportunities Tour this summer. He traveled with FFA members from all across the state and took them to several agriculture/natural resource-based companies to show the many opportunities that exist for students in the realm of agriculture employment. Now, we are ready for another great year! Our next big event will be our sponsorship visits to local businesses in the Three Forks, Belgrade, and Bozeman area. We so appreciate all the support the community has for our chapter. Your support makes a big difference in the growth of our chapter and the ability for our students to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. If you are interested in being a sponsor/supporter of Three Forks FFA this year, please email our advisor, Mr. Noyes (tnoyes@threeforks.k12.mt.us) so that we can come visit you! Thank you so much! We look forward to another great year.

The Three Forks School Board will meet on Thursday evening, August 22, 2024 @ 6:30 pm for the continued Board meeting from August 13th. The meeting will be in the TFS Board Conference Room. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AKUgiPg07953ZraWB8B_kFfKcaDbX_WaT2zpLA-dSWk/edit?usp=sharing

Three Forks Early Learning Childcare 3 spots available Contact: Lisa Malmquist lmalmquist@threeforks.k12.mt.us

There will be a Special School Board meeting on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 5:30 in the TF Board Conference Room. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AOYyltLhVsenPLJQtJIMiwHQ_pOiXlzF5JlZ_bsK9wU/edit?usp=sharing

2024-2025 Three Forks Yearbooks are available now for preorder. Even better, save 10% and earn free shipping when ordering early. Those looking for a high school book can also customize two free personal pages now. Let Mrs. Oehmcke know if you have any questions. at joehmcke@threeforks..k12.mt.us.

Information on girls flag football Girls flag football is growing especially in the South and it is moving north. There are now about 15 schools in Montana that have teams. We decided to do it at Three Forks. It is all funded by Arthur Blank who runs his own non profit (Arthur Blank Foundation) and he is the owner of the Atlanta Falcons. So it is completely paid from their foundation for 3 years. It will cost our district nothing!! I am trying to recruit some interest. We had a meeting last spring and had about 15 girls interested. We will have a meeting at lunch in Mr. Hauser classroom at 12:20 on Wednsday August 21st on the first day of school. Our first practice will hopefully be the following day on Thursday evening. We will practice 2 to 3 times a week and the season is only about a month and a half long. You can try and do a fall sport along with flag football if your coach doesn't care. Feel free to email me with any questions terryhauser@threeforks.k12.mt.us Thanks

Attention all parents/players interested in Junior High football August 19th 8th grade equipment hand out from 3-4 pm August 20th 7th grade equipment hand out from 3-4 pm August 21st 1st day of practice after school

Tuesday's Board Meeting on August 13th will be continued next week, Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 at 6:30 pm. The district lost internet service during part of the meeting and will continue the remaining agenda items next week. The meeting will be in the Board Conference Room.

MS Class Supply List https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w040mP_wCbVsxjN4SomTb3Wtll9bf3DN/view?usp=sharing

Reminder for parents & student-athletes competing in a sport this fall that they need to get their concussion baseline test done by August 15th. Attached is the sheet that we passed out last night at the meeting. It has the instructions on it. You download the app then enter the code of the sport they are involved in. This is something you can do at home on your phone. If you have any questions feel free to contact Terry Hauser via email or phone call. Thanks

Happy Monday Three Forks!! Attached is the Back to School Edition of the TFES Monthly Howl. Please read as it includes lot of helpful information to start the year. Go Wolves! https://docs.google.com/document/d/15hoSW23KeOYcXt7QQ0EnheyRVy5B_I5FePMotQi0yMg/edit?usp=sharing

Three Forks Career and Technical Education Department Receives Grant to Install Raised Garden Beds Three Forks, MT – The Three Forks Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department is thrilled to announce the installation of raised garden beds in the courtyard area between the elementary school and the new flex space. This initiative, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and community engagement, has been made possible by a generous grant from the Montana Farmers Union Foundation. Additionally, the project has received support through a Rural Reserve Grant and Carl Perkins funding. The new garden area will serve as a versatile learning space for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It will be integrated into science classes, culinary arts programs, and agriculture education, providing hands-on experiences that enrich the standard curriculum. These outdoor classrooms will foster a deeper understanding of natural sciences, sustainability, and food production. As part of an ongoing effort to develop extended learning environments, the Three Forks CTE Department has focused on utilizing courtyard areas created by recent construction. The gardens will not only serve as educational spaces but also as social areas for both students and the community. The construction and maintenance of these gardens are designed as practical learning opportunities for students across all grade levels. This hands-on approach ensures that students gain valuable skills in gardening, project management, and community service. “We are excited to share our project with the community and look forward to making a difference in the lives of our students,” said Cathe Felz, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher. “These new spaces will provide unique learning experiences that go beyond the traditional classroom and help students develop important life skills.” The Three Forks CTE Department extends its gratitude to the Montana Farmers Union Foundation, the Rural Reserve Grant, and Carl Perkins funding for their invaluable support. The community's enthusiasm and involvement are crucial as we move forward with this project, which promises to benefit students and residents alike. For more information about the project or how to get involved, please contact Cathe Felz at cfelz@threeforks.k12.mt.us. Or Jessica Oehmcke joehmcke@threeforks.k12.mt.us. About Three Forks Career and Technical Education Department: The Three Forks CTE Department is dedicated to providing students with practical, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for future careers and life skills. Through innovative projects and community partnerships, the department aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster a love for lifelong learning. Teachers involved in the project are Ian Schlif, Tyler Noyes, Jessica Oehmcke and Cathe Felz.

Welcome Back Three Forks Wolves! PreK-12 students and parents are invited to a short informational meeting followed by an open house tour, and ending with an invitation to join SRO Dan Mayland for a presentation, “Staying Safe in the Digital Age”. Please mark your calendars: Tuesday, August 20th: PreK-12 Student & Parent meeting in the HS Gymnasium @ 5:30-6:00 6th Grade Orientation / Q&A immediately following @ 6:00 pm PreK-12 Open House / classroom visits 6-7 pm “Staying Safe in the Digital Age” presentation in the Auditorium @ 7 - 8 pm Please be sure to complete your online registration. We look forward to seeing you back at TFS!

The Three Forks School District will hold the August School Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 @ 6:30 in the Board Conference Room. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zVnxuMWHMMMRxG0vPl83dbsiG8TeYfjx1pxnKNZ72ZM/edit?usp=sharing

Reminder: There will be an ALL SPORTS meeting for Middle School and High School parents and students on Monday, August 12th at 6:30 pm in the TFS gymnasium. This is for ALL SPORTS including fall, winter, and spring. Fall practices begin on Friday, August 16th. Students must have completed on-line registration and their sports packet in order to participate in practices. Physical forms must be turned in BEFORE practice. Please contact the school @ 406-285-3224 with any questions. Parents will need to park in the NE parking lot near the elementary and use the doors by the new Flex Space Gym. Construction is in the final stages on Neal but this road will still be closed.

*Summer Enrichment* Students showing off their artistic talents!