⛏️ PROSPECTOR NEWS

September 9, 2026

💛 What It Means to Be a Prospector

“PROSPECTORs approach any situation with a positive attitude and never back down.”

By Zach Waldbillig

The 2026–27 school year is off to a great start! Our classrooms are busy, fall athletics are underway, new programs are taking shape, and our staff continues working together to provide great opportunities for our students.

🏫 Taking Pride in Our Schools

Our maintenance and custodial crews have worked hard to keep our buildings and grounds safe, clean, and looking great.

A big THANK YOU goes to Bob McGuire and the entire team for everything they have accomplished!

• The elementary playground basketball hoops have been repaired and painted—and they look fantastic!

• The new roof continues to perform well, including through the recent storms.

• Work is underway on the

  football Crow’s Nest

  to return it to safe and sound condition.

• Painting of the football field storage shed is nearing completion.

• Regular mowing, maintenance, and custodial work continue throughout both campuses.

• K12 Montana will visit the District this month as we continue working on technology and security needs.

We appreciate the behind-the-scenes work that makes our schools great places to learn!

📚 Learning, Growing & Planning for Success

New Curriculum Planning Tools

Elementary teachers are using Common Curriculum Planner for lesson planning this year. Teachers received training during the beginning-of-year PIR days and have responded positively to the program.

The system allows lesson plans to be connected to academic standards and carried forward from year to year. It will also provide continuity when staffing changes occur by allowing new teachers to access previous curriculum plans and established scope and sequence. It's an investment in organization today that can benefit our teachers and students for years to come!

📈 EdReady Math

Students in grades 6–12 are completing EdReady math diagnostics.

For our 6th-grade students, EdReady will also help identify students who may be ready for Junior High math opportunities. Students who score 75% or higher may be eligible to advance to Junior High math.

At the end of the school year, 5th-grade students will complete the assessment to help determine math placement for the following year. Using this information allows our educators to make data-based decisions designed to help each student succeed.

📖 DIBELS

Beginning-of-year DIBELS assessments are underway for students in grades K–6. Staff members are working individually with students to complete assessments in English Language Arts and, for younger students, math.

These assessments give our teachers valuable information about where students are beginning the year and help guide instruction and intervention throughout the school year.

✏️ MAST Planning

Teachers and administrators are already preparing for this year's MAST assessments.

Curriculum mapping is being aligned with testing windows so students have an opportunity to learn the appropriate content before each assessment.

The first elementary MAST benchmark testing week is planned for November 16–19, with additional days available for make-up testing. The first MAST window for 7th- and 8th-grade students opens in October.

🎓 Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

ASVAB Coming to GHS

Sophomores, along with interested juniors and seniors, will have an opportunity to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) at Granite High School this fall. Mrs. Kanduch is working with our local Army recruiter to schedule the assessment for October or November.

The ASVAB can be a valuable career-exploration tool, helping students better understand their strengths and potential career paths.

👏 Investing in Our Teachers

Our teachers started the year with several excellent professional development opportunities. Certified staff members who participated in all of the professional development offered were able to earn more than 12 continuing education credits! These opportunities not only support certification requirements but also give our educators additional knowledge and tools they can bring back to their classrooms.

⭐ Introducing Prospector of the Month!

We're excited to launch a new tradition in the Elementary school this September: Prospector of the Month!

Each month, one student from every elementary class will be recognized for demonstrating the qualities of “What It Means to Be a Prospector.”

Students selected will receive:

• A certificate of achievement

• A gift card

• Their photo displayed in the school hallway

• Recognition on ClassDojo and the District website

• Potential recognition in our local newspaper

We can't wait to celebrate the students who demonstrate kindness, character, perseverance, hard work, and Prospector Pride!

Prospector of the Week is firmly established at the high school/junior high building. Keep your eye out for announcements of Prospector of the Week!

📣 Starting the Day with a Smile

Elementary morning announcements have a fun new format! Students start their morning with the Pledge of Allegiance, hear what's for lunch, and finish with a Joke of the Day.

It's a simple way to build school community and start each day on a positive note—and the students are enjoying it!

🏍️ Bikers Against Bullies

Bikers Against Bullies will visit Philipsburg Schools on Friday, September 11, for assemblies focused on kindness, respect, and standing up against bullying.

• Elementary:

  8:30–10:00 a.m.

• Grades 7–12:

  10:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

We're excited to bring this positive message to our students!

🏈🏐 GO TITANS & PROSPECTORS!

Fall athletics are off to an exciting start!

🏈 Titan Football opened the season with two consecutive wins!

🏐 Prospector Volleyball is also having a great start to the season and is headed to Lincoln for its next competition.

We are proud of our student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans. Keep up the great work!

🎉 Homecoming Spirit Is Coming!

Get ready to show your Prospector Pride! Students and staff will celebrate Homecoming Week with special dress-up days. The complete schedule will be shared through ClassDojo.

We can't wait to see the creativity and school spirit throughout our hallways!

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📅 Upcoming Events!

• 9/10 - JH Tackle Football vs. Twin Bridges @ Pburg 4:00 pm

• 9/10 - Lady Prospector Volleyball @ Valley Christian 5:30 pm & 7:00 pm

• 9/11 - SCHOOL IN SESSION

• 9/12 - Flint Creek Titans @ Manhattan Christian 1:00 pm

• 9/22 - 1st Quarter Midterm

• 9/28 - 10/2 - HOMECOMING WEEK!

👏 A Strong Team for a Strong School

We are pleased to begin the year fully staffed, and things are going very well.

A special welcome goes to our new paraprofessionals, Cody and Seana Scholler, who have already been tremendous assets to our students and staff.

Our staff members are working together as a team. Their openness, communication, positive attitudes, and willingness to support one another have helped make the transition into the new school year a smooth one.

💛 There's a Lot to Be Excited About!

From new curriculum tools and student recognition programs to athletics, facility improvements, professional development, and new opportunities for students, there is a lot of positive momentum at Philipsburg Schools!

Our staff has embraced new ideas, our students are settling into their routines, and we're continuing to look for ways to make Philipsburg Schools even better.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, volunteers, and community members who continue to support our schools. We are excited about what we're building together and what lies ahead.

⛏️ GO, PROSPECTORS!

“Change is made of choices, and choices are made of character.”

— Amanda Gorman

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📱 Stay Connected

Visit PhilipsburgSchools.org for school news, upcoming events, announcements, Board information, and more.

Stay connected through the Philipsburg Schools app and ClassDojo for important updates and reminders throughout the school year.