Area Back to School

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Getting to know the new Havre High principal Mike Haugen and his wife, Denise, return to the Hi-Line after 28 years Paul Dragu pdragu@havredailynews.com After nearly three decades out of Montana, Mike Haugen has returned to the Hi-Line, this time as Havre High School principal. Haugen and wife, Denise, have lived in Spokane, Washington, for the last 28 years. Following his hiring as the new Havre High principal, the couple bought a home in Havre and are easing back into small-town life. “We’re still small-town people — that never left us,” he said, adding that Denise Haugen, a Havre High Class of 1974 graduate, wanted to come back to Montana. The Haugens have deep ties to the Hi-Line. Mike Haugen was b o r n i n Havre and grew up mostly in Chinook. He graduated from Malta High School. He coached under former teachers and coaches Jim Magera and Walt Currie at Havre High. But for the last 28 years, Haugen has been at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, where he did everything from teach “just about every history class you can think of” and math to chairing the history department to serving as dean of students and serving on the board of directors. Haugen said part of the reason he applied for and took the Havre

High principal job was because he’d never been principal during his long career as an educator. Another reason was a little more sentimental. “This was just something I feel I was called to do,” he said. “I put a lot of thought into this before I even put in an application.” Haugen said he is excited about leading a high school that has so much community support and such a strong tradition of excellence. His goal is to continue building on what’s already in place. “I’m looking to improve what Havre High already has,” he said. “We wanna make sure we continue to work to be a school of excellence, that we are one of the top schools in the state, and we are seen as one of the top schools as far as co-curriculum, extra-curriculum activities, which we are already known for.” Attendance will be a big point of emphasis the coming school year. “First and foremost, we want to improve our attendance,” he said. “We need to have our students here. Once they’re there, everything improves — graduation rate improves, test scores improve, and so on.” He said he didn’t want to get into specifics, but “parent-guardian education” is major part of the strategy to improve attendance. Haugen said he is already impressed with what he’s seen of the teachers, and is looking to build on that as well. “The faculty, I believe, need to feel supported and that they can go into the classrooms and do a great job,” he said. Haugen called himself a relationship guy, and that’s an area in which he intends to lead by exam-

Haugen ple. He wants to continue a “good positive atmosphere at Havre High School — building trust and relationships, not only between teachers and students, but also continuing to build the trust

between the parents and the school. As far as the administration goes, respect for each other that way as well.” Haugen said he is big into communication.

“That’s a heart of the big piece also,” he said. “You have to make sure that you are communicating to your faculty members, to your teachers, to your parents, to the greater community.” Haugen said the district wants to publicize more about what the school is doing. “OK, these are great things that are happening. These are great things that our kids are doing; and these are great things that our teachers are doing. In those classrooms and on those teams and in the plays and the band, and the choir, speech and debates — all the different clubs we have — that’s where the magic happens,” he said. As for teachers, Haugen said, the slots have been filled, including a new choir director to go with the new band director. Haugen said he was glad to talk about his n ew v i c e p r i n c i p a l a s we l l , Jeremiah Nitz, whom he called “a gem.” Haugen said he liked how clean the school looked and the people who were making it so. “Respect what the custodians are doing,” he said. “Those guys are working. I’ve been in here for a month now, and those guys are working their tails off, keeping the school beautiful. The school was built in the mid-’60s — this school is in incredible shape.” Haugen told a story about what it was like trying to explain to someone not from Havre what he looks forward to as a Havreite. “A friend of mine from Spokane, he’s a business guy. He’s from Cincinnati, he’s been to L.A. I’m trying to explain to him why I’m coming to Havre,” Haugen said. “It’s those signs, ‘Havre … it’s the people.’ I said, ‘It’s the people, it’s the community.’”

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Parenting:

Smart Packing Tips for Better School Lunches StatePoint — Despite one’s best intentions to send kids to school with a healthy homemade lunch, a lot can happen between the time you pack it up at home and when your child unpacks it in the cafeteria. But no one wants a soggy sandwich or warm milk for lunch. And not only are some lunch time woes unappetizing, they can pose health risks. Perishable food transported without a cooling source won’t stay safe for long. Indeed, harmful bacteria multiply rapidly after only two hours in the “danger zone,” the temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees F, according to the USDA. Here are some lunch-packing tips to keep foods safer, fresher and tastier: • Top to Bottom: You may be in a rush in the morning but take the time to take a packing cue from the bagging experts at your local grocery store. Pack strategically, with heavy items like apples and oranges on the bottom and lighter more fragile items like pretzels and peanut butter and jelly on top. Encourage kids to do likewise in their book bags, cubbies and lockers. Books should never be piled on top of lunch! • Skip the Brown Bag: Disposable brown bags get soggy, threatening student’s math homework, electronic devices and other book bag contents. More importantly, a thin paper

bag does nothing to keep lunch cool and safe to eat. Do your kids and the Earth a favor by sending them to school with a smart reusable cooler designed to travel and keep foods

chilled for hours, such as PackIt, the first foldable, freezable bag to keep food and drinks cool up to 10 hours. “Standard insulated bags don’t cut it because you have to stuff them with gel packs

that don’t work and inevitably get lost, or ice baggies that leak everywhere,” says Melissa Kieling, co-founder and CEO of PackIt. “An all-in-one solution with built-in cooling makes bringing lunch from home easier, safer and more appetizing for kids.” A mother of three, Kieling invented PackIt, which features freezable gel built into the walls of the bag to simplify weekday lunches for families. The Freezable Lunch Bag and Freezable Classic Lunch Box both fold flat, and the entire cooler goes in the freezer overnight. In the morning, the walls will be completely frozen and ready to chill food and drinks from all sides for hours, like a refrigerator. • Pack Smart: There are some prep steps to improve the taste and appearance of lunch. For example, using thick slices of toast means a better chance that bread stays intact until the lunch hour. Likewise, condiments and slices of tomato and avocado in the center of a sandwich will keep bread dry until it’s ready to be eaten. If you are going to pre-slice apples or pears, be sure to store them an airtight baggie to prevent browning. With a few considerations, you can make lunch time fresher, tastier and, above all, safer for kids.

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Healthy Living:

developing healthy h a b i t s. Pe r h a p s most important is to enforce a consistent bedtime to promote adequate sleep, which is proven in studies to promote good health. Added bonus: Kids will be more alert in their classes after a full night’s rest. Proper nutrition is also key: three solid nutrient-filled m e a l s a d ay a n d healthy, nonsugary s n a c k s. Re g u l a r, moderate exercise also promotes good health, so encourage kids to participate in physical activities like sports teams, dance classes and even just playing in the yard.

Great Habits

Smart Supplements

A h e a l t hy l i f e s t y l e m e a n s

Even well-balanced diets can

ing the breakthrough, fermentation ingredient E p i C o r, s h ow n t o support the body’s ability to initiate the proper immune response when neede d . Fo r exa m p l e, NOW Healthy Immune contains E p i C o r, Zinc, Selenium, and vitamins D-3 and C for additional support for the body’s immune system. Formulated into easy pouring packs, they PHOTO SOURCE: (c) JenkoAtaman — Fotolia.com are a convenient way for busy families to use a few more benefits to prostay healthy on-the-go. mote better wellness and good To help strengthen the immune health. The best immune system system another way, think about supplements are well researched your gut, which is where 70 perand do more than simply boost cent of your immune system resides. Probiotics can keep your the immune system. Consider supplements contain- gut and you healthier. Consider a

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Free and Reduced-Price School Meals supplement such as Hyperbiotics Immune, which contains EpiCor, targeted probiotic strains, zinc, vitamin C and echinacea. While these statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, many experts believe they can help you maintain a strong immune system.

Reduce Stress Too much stress can compromise the immune system. Help kids reduce the stress in their lives by not over-scheduling them. Ensure that with schoolwork, chores and after school activities, kids still have time to relax, see friends and just be a kid. For happy, healthy kids, practice wellness habits that promote a strong immune system.

New District Phone Numbers Havre Public Schools has announced new phone numbers starting this year with the 2016-17 school year.

Administration............ 395-8550 Bus Garage............... 395-8556 Highland Park............ 395-8555 High School............... 395-6731

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Public Release:

Keep Your Family Healthier this Back-to-School Season (StatePoint) Back-to-school season can be fun and exciting for kids and parents alike. With your kids coming home after being exposed to all the children at school and the added stress that the school year brings, it could mean more days stuck in bed for your whole family. Experts say that rather than being reactive, it’s important to be proactive by taking steps to keep kids healthy. “Building and maintaining a strong immune system is key to a long, healthy life,” said Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and vice president of Scientific Affairs, Embria Health Sciences, a manufacturer of science-based ingredients that support wellness. Fo r a s t ro n g a n d h e a l t hy school year ahead, Robinson and Embria are offering some useful health and wellness tips.

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Lincoln McKinley........ 395-8554 Middle School............ 395-8552 Sunnyside.................. 395-8553

Backpack Safety • Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. • Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child's body weight. • Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles. • If your school allows, consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, they may be difficult to roll in snow, and they may not fit in some lockers. — Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Follow the Havre Daily News for all your Havre Area Schools news, sports and information. www.havredailynews.com

The 2016-17 policy for Free and ReducedPrice School Meals for students whose schools participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program has been announced. Households which receive assistance from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP; Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, called FDPIR; or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families —TANF — are eligible for free meals, and no application is required. Children who meet the definition of homeless, migrant, runaway and foster are also eligible for free meals. The school district will send a notice to households about free meal benefits. If you do not receive a notice of eligibility or there are children living in your household who are not listed, please contact the school district. If you are eligible for unemployment compensation, you might also be eligible for free or reduced price school meals. Children from households whose income is within the limits of the chart to the right may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. To apply, households must fill out

the application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Program officials may

verify information submitted on the application. Households will be notified of eligibility determination. Eligible households in

which parents or guardians choose to decline free meal benefits should contact the school district.

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Music department gets new leaders Paul Dragu pdragu@havredailynews.com

been hired. Mepham had already begun working with Johnke to ensure a smooth transition. Mepham was introduced to the students and, The 2015-2016 school year ended with many as students began practicing for the marchteachers and administrators moving on or ing parade in Washington, Mepham was there retiring and will begin with many new faces, as well. among them those of Havre Public Schools James Mepham and Superintendent Andy Danielle Stoll, who will be Carlson said Mepham is the new leaders of the excited for the opportunity music department. to teach band, "as that is Mepham is a music his true passion." teacher from Kalispell, Stoll was hired after choir where he taught at West teacher Carly Ray resigned Valley Middle School. in late June. Stoll has Mepham has replaced Montana roots but has been outgoing band teacher teaching in North Dakota. David Johnke, who had Andy Carlson Stoll, Carlson said, is spent 11 years building a Havre Public Schools Superintendent excited to move back to music program that had Montana and have the notable successes. opportunity to lead the One of the successes came in July when Havre High choir. the band went to Washington, D.C., and "I look forward to welcoming these folks to played in the National Independence Day Havre Public Schools," Carlson said. "The Parade. 2016-2017 school year is rapidly approaching During an interview before school ended, and I know they are anxious to meet and Johnke mentioned Mepham, who had just begin instruction with our students."

I look forward to welcoming these folks to Havre Public Schools.

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Havre High School welcomes students back On behalf of the staff at Havre High School, I am happy to welcome you to the 2016-17 school year. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. This promises to be a year filled with golden opportunities for all of our students as we strive to find ways that we can continue the “Tradition of Excellence” at HHS. We embark on this journey with a pledge to you, our students, parents, and guardians, that this will be a year of engaging, meaningful and rigorous work in our classrooms. Complementing our classrooms are special events and a plethora of extracurricular clubs and activities, performing arts groups, and athletic teams certain to encourage our Blue Ponies to be involved and stay connected! We recognize that in order to be a school

of excellence, our young men and women need support from both home and school. We know a strong partnership with our parents and guardians will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to provide an outstanding education for all Havre High students. We extend a special, yearlong invitation to the Havre community to continue the tradition of joining us at school activities and events whenever possible. We want, we need, and we value your involvement and support in all that Havre High offers. Your active participation is always appreciated by our students, coaches, and moderators. Sincerely, Mike Haugen, Principal Havre High School

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Dear parents and guardians Dear parents and guardians of Lincoln-McKinley students of Sunnyside students The staff of Lincoln-McKinley Primary School is so excited to welcome you to the 2016-17 school year. Hopefully, you had an adventurous, safe, and fun-filled summer! Our team is excited to meet all of the new students and welcome back those who are returning. We will have an informational parent orientation from 11:30 a.m. to noon or noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. This is a great way for families to meet their child’s teacher as well as learn important procedures to make this a wonderful school year. The first day of classes for second- and third-grade students is Wednesday, Aug. 31. Students begin the day at 8:20 a.m. and are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Placement letters and class supply lists were mailed out in May for enrolled students, new enrollees should be receiving theirs in a timely manner. Local stores have copies of the supply list, and it is also

available on our schools’ website at www. blueponyk12.com. Choose the schools tab, then Lincoln-McKinley, and you will find the supply list link on the left side of the page. For children riding the bus to and from school, you should have received busing information in the mail or by email. If you have not received this information, please c o n t a c t t h e H av r e P u b l i c S c h o o l s Transportation Department at 395-8556. For students who have not had the opportunity to register, please take a moment to call the Robin’s Administration Building at 395-8550 to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions between now and the beginning of school, or at any time during the year, please feel free to call the school at 395-8554. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Holly Bitz, Principal Lincoln-McKinley Primary School

We at Sunnyside Elementary School are looking with excitement to the 2016-2017 school year! We thank you for sharing your children with us and look forward to working with you. Our top priority is to provide a quality education for each student. We plan to do this in an instructionally sound manner where we influence students to think and be responsible. Transportation information will be available early August. This information will be available either online through parent portal or from the bus garage. If you have not yet registered your child for busing or if his/her busing information needs to be changed, please go online to www.blueponyk12.com or call the bus garage at 395-8556, ext. 1. The Sunnyside Open House is scheduled for Aug. 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This meet-

and-greet will begin in the gym at 5:30. After introductions and a brief presentation, parents and students will have the opportunity to visit their classroom as well as tour the school. This is an important event that helps you know the teacher’s goals and classroom procedures for the year. We want students and parents to always feel welcome in our building! I hope to see each of you there! School begins Aug. 31 at 8:20 a.m. The campus opens at 7:50 each morning. The day concludes at 3:20 each afternoon. Please call 395-8553 if you have questions or ideas. I am looking forward to a great year and to working with you as we invest in your student’s education. Respectfully, Carmen Lunak, principal Sunnyside Intermediate School

Follow the Havre Daily News for all your Havre Area Schools news, sports and information. www.havredailynews.com

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North Star Schools Back-to-School Information Box Elder Schools readies for 2016-17 school year First day of school School began Tuesday, Aug. 23, with the school day running from 8:05 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., breakfast and lunch served, and buses running on their usual routes.

New students registering Enrollment for students moved into the district was at the office in Rudyard Aug. 17. Students entering the district must bring a copy of their immunization record and birth certificate as well as the name/ address/phone number of the previous school attended. Students who live out of district who desire to attend the North Star School need to contact the office at 355-4481 to obtain an out-of-district consideration form.

Immunizations All students entering the seventh grade must receive a dose of Tdap/Td booster vaccine prior to starting school.

Effective Oct. 1, 2015, all students in grades K-12 need to be vaccinated against varicella disease, or chickenpox, documentation from a physician can be accepted in lieu of the vaccine. Talk to your family physician or local health department at 265-5481 if you have questions.

School pictures School pictures will be taken on Sept. 1 by Helmbrecht Photography beginning at the elementary at 7:30 a.m. and then moving to the junior high and high school in Rudyard later that morning

Activity passes Activity season passes are on sale: Family $250, Adult $125, Student $25. Students in grades 5-12 who participate in football, volleyball, basketball or track are required to purchase an activity pass. If a family pass is purchased a separate student pass is not required. This price covers all North Star athletic regular season competitions. It excludes but is not limited to

t h e fo l l ow i n g : Vo l l ey b a l l S h owc a s e Tournament, all junior high and high school tournament games, and high school football playoff games. Family passes do not include college-age children.

Breakfast and lunch Student prices: Breakfast is $1.55 per meal, lunch $2.55 per meal, and extra milk $0.50. Students must prepay for meals or pay the day of service. The District participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School meals. Applications were mailed to students' homes.

Sports and sports physicals High school football and volleyball practices began Aug. 12. Junior high practices began Aug. 17 in Rudyard. High school volleyball play opens Aug. 27 in Belt at 9:30 a.m. while the football players will be in Rudyard vs. White Sulphur Springs at 1 p.m. that day. The first junior high vol-

leyball jamboree is Aug. 27 at St. Jude’s in Havre beginning at 9 a.m. Junior high football kicks off Aug. 27 vs. White Sulphur Springs at 10 a.m. in Rudyard.

Bus Transportation The bus departs at 7:30 a.m. from Rudyard for the elementary school in Gildford. The bus departs Sandy Creek at 7 a.m., departs Kremlin at 7:20 a.m., departs at 7:35 a.m. from Gildford, and departs at 7:45 a.m. from Hingham for the junior high and high school in Rudyard and the elementary in Gildford. Respective north and south bus routes run to meet up with buses in Rudyard, Hingham and Gildford.

Bad weather and school emergencies During bad weather or other school emergencies, school closure or delays will be announced on the Havre radio stations — 610 KOJM-AM and KPQX-FM 92.5.

Students are traveling in style at Hays-Lodge Pole Schools From Hays-Lodge Pole Schools Our new charter bus has arrived. Colorful and comfortable seating, air conditioning and television screens are all among the amenities on board our new charter bus. Students will be designing

the “wrap” to decorate the new vehicle. Classes resume Monday, Aug. 29. Our first school and community event of the year will be our Kickoff Barbecue which will be Thursday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 6 pm at Hays-Lodge Pole

High School. Buses will transport community members from specified stops in Lodge Pole and Old Hays. Fall 2016 Supply List for H ays - Lo d g e Po l e K- 6 Students Grades kindergarten-1st Wide ruled paper note-

books Pencils 4 folders Crayons(24 count) Hand sanitizer 3 glue sticks Kleenex (1 box) Pencil Box Large eraser Water bottle

Scissors (round tipped) Gym shoes Book bag

Grades 3rd-6th 4 Notebooks 4 pocket notebooks Markers Scissors Pencil erasers

2 packages of #2 pencils Pencil box Hand sanitizer Colored pencils Calculator Glue Water bottle Gym shoes Book bag

Welcome to Box Elder Schools 2016-17 school year. I realize that I might be in the minority but I love this time of year and cannot wait for school to start. I am entering just my second year as Box Elder Schools superintendent and last year was the most rewarding, exciting, and impactful year of my entire 28-year career in education. I have learned so much from Box Elder parents and students on being a better educator and, most importantly, a better dad and friend. I want to thank you all for this tremendous opportunity in Box Elder. One of the many things I learned, and am reminded of on a daily basis, is that we have the most resilient, compassionate and courageous kids that I have ever had the privilege to work with. Our entire staff is very passionate about teaching, and the community strongly believes in a quality school system. This combination will create the best educational opportunities any parent could ever hope for their kids. Box Elder Schools offers well-designed

academic programs, fueled by the Apple ConnectEd grant technology that, literally, changed the way our students learn and the methods our teachers use to engage kids in relevant lessons. Our staff has embraced this change with incredible vigor to give kids the best opportunities to grow and learn. Being a Box Elder Bear is a great family choice, as evident by our continued improvement. The following information is provided to families and students to plan for the upcoming year. BE PREPARED TO LEARN Be on time for school, class, assignment due dates, appointments, etc. and ready with appropriate materials. Take care of yourself by eating right and getting enough sleep. Begin to develop the work ethic and study habits that will allow you to accomplish anything you desire. GET INVOLVED Do not be afraid to get involved with

sports, clubs, academic competitions, after school/community projects, or your regular classes. These activities are a great way to enjoy your school years. Take an active interest in your classes and class work. Ask questions, participate actively in class discussions, study with your friends, and make academic achievement and learning a priority in your life. EXPECT to be pushed and EXPECT to go through tough times … you learn the most from tough times. We have added elective classes, golf and rodeo club for both boys and girls. STUDENT HANDBOOKS With the help of students and staff, we have made a few changes to the handbook. Be sure to read the handbook together as a family. It is your responsibility to know the expectations you are required to meet. Both parents and students need to sign the last page of the handbook affirming that they have read and understand the handbook. SCHOOL CALENDAR

Please note that every Friday school is dismissed at 2:18 p.m. instead of the regular dismissal time of 3:22 p.m. All students will begin on Thursday, Aug. 25. OPEN HOUSE Open House will be Aug. 31, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. QUESTIONS If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 352-4195 or if you would like to email any of the staff you can access their email account at www.boxelder.k12. mt.us plus we have posted many of the required forms on the website. I am so fortunate to be at Box Elder Schools working with the best kids and community in the State. We look forward to the first day of school, Aug. 25, working with each other, and the start of another great year! Sincerely, Superintendent Thom J. Peck Box Elder School District 13G

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Pare takes over at Highland Park Early Primary School Alex Ross aeross@havredailynews.com Aug. 31 will be the first day of classes for students at Highland Park Early Primary School and also for Tracy Pare, the school’s new principal. She has replaced Maureen Odegard. Pare has 23 years of background teaching preschool through grade 12 as well as some courses at Montana State University in Bozeman. Though she has never held a position as a principal before, she said that she has worked as a teacher, teacher-librarian and substitute principal in several schools and districts. Pare said she became interested in the field of education during her first year of college at MSU. “I took an education class in college and I loved it,” Pare said. She added that she did not know what she wanted to do professionally until she took that class. Pare grew up in Big Fork where she attended public schools from first grade until her junior year. She said Don Richardson, a math, science and computer teacher in Big Fork, was a teacher who stood out to her. “He was relatable and he could explain things so it was easy to understand,” Pare said. “He was strict but not mean. He was a nice teacher.” After graduation she taught preschool in Spokane, Washington, until 1990 when she taught first and second grade for eight years in Gardiner, before taking positions in Columbus, Laurel, the Billings School District and Sheppard. Pare said that she chose Havre because she heard positive things about the district, particularly the size.

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“It’s not a tiny town where you are on your own and isolated, but it’s not so big that you are a number,” she said. Pare said she just moved to Havre in the beginning of August.

She said something teachers at Highland Park said they want is more communication. “They want to see more open lines of communications, so we are really going to

Havre Daily News/Teresa Getten

work on that and involving everyone in decision making,” Pare said.

She said she looks forward to getting to

know people in the community.

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Family Living:

How to Use Your Smartphone to Save Time and Money this Back-to-School Season StatePoint — Back-to-school season means more errands, more chores and more scheduled activities. It also means a dent in your wallet. But you can recapture some of your free time and save some money along the way by turning your smartphone or tablet into command central. Here are some smart smartphone strategies for families as they head back to school. • Say cheese: Be sure to capture all those toothy grins on camera! It doesn’t take much effort to go beyond posting your first day of school favorites to social media. You can order prints, photo cards, canvas prints and other personalized items from your phone, Facebook, or Instagram using the Walgreens mobile app, even turning your photos into personalized school supplies to send your kids to class in style. Prints will be ready within an hour and many other personalized photo products can be picked up the same day. • Be in touch: Have all the most important numbers you may need on speed dial: your children’s schools, doctors, babysitters, coaches and other caregivers. • Save time scoring deals: Back-to-school supplies like pencils, pens, notebooks and more can add up, especially if you have mul-

Highland Park Early Primary School Principal Tracy Pare laughs during an interview in her office.

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PHOTO SOURCE: Janise Burrafato, Mama in Heels tiple kids heading to the classroom. Consult your current store of supplies and create a needed shopping list.

Then, scour deals with ease by virtually “clipping” coupons from your mobile device through tools like the Walgreens mobile app.

“With a few clicks of the thumb I was able to order most of the items on my school supplies list within minutes during my lunch break,” says lifestyle blogger Janise Burrafato of “Mama in Heels.” The database has hundreds of offers in searchable categories helping you save time and money during a busy, expensive time of year. What’s more, the app lets you use your mobile device as a point-of-sale device with Apple Pay and Android Pay, allowing you to skip long back-to-school lines and get on with your day. • Get help: Doing it all on your own can be tough, but that’s what families are for. However, this year you can skip the traditional chore wheel. These days, apps can help you incentivize the completion of household duties and assign different tasks on an age-appropriate basis. For more great tips that will have you prepping like a pro this back-to-school season, follow along with “Mama in Heels,” “Katie’s Bliss,” and other lifestyle bloggers using the #MyWalgreensApp hashtag. With the right apps and strategies, everything you need to plan, prep, and navigate the back-to-school season can be found on your mobile device.

5 back-to-school tips to maximize family time BPT — As summer comes to a close, the anticipation of the new back-to-school year can be both exciting and stressful. Summer fun will soon give way to after school activities, sports and homework. Mornings will become slightly more hectic and fast-paced as everyone races to get their backpacks and get out the door. It can be easy to forget to take the time to recharge and reconnect with your family to really enjoy the time shared, whether it's before school or during an afternoon snack. For the parents preparing for the back-toschool rush, General Mills offers these five tips to decrease the frenzy and maximize family time: 1. Do your back-to-school shopping early. Waiting for the first day of school to shop is a recipe for disaster. Beat the rush and picked over shelves by getting in your shopping early, when shelves are freshly stocked and the crowds are minimal. You might not have the full supplies list, but you know the essentials. 2. Prep meals for the family. The first week of school can be pretty hectic and as a result, your family's eating habits can suffer. Take one thing off your plate and prep your meals in advance.

Prepping individual portions of cereals and

3. Prep your kids for back-to-school mode.

pre-cutting fresh fruit means there's one less

The transition from summertime to

question mark in the morning. Meal prep

school time can be a hard one, so ease your

gives you more time to enjoy the company of

kids into school mode a week in advance by

your family.

setting the alarms in the morning, having

them work on learning activities during the day and having their "after-school" snack time. You can use these tips and get creative with your "snack game" by using their favorite cereal to help them beat the back to school blues. 4. Create a homework station. It's easy to get distracted when you're doing something boring, that's why creating a designated space for homework and studying is necessary. No more sitting in front of the TV while you "read." 5. Take time. It's easy to over-plan, over-schedule and over-stress with the arrival of the school year. Sharing a snack with your kids means time to relax and just enjoy their company. Whether it's first thing in the morning or when they get home from school, enjoying a bowl of their favorite cereal or some cut up carrots and hummus together is good for the whole family both physically and mentally. With all these tips in mind, parents and kids alike will be able to transition into the new school year full recharged and ready to take on the day! Additional quick breakfast recipes and school-friendly snacks, see quericavida.com for more.