Floweree
Floweree, MT · Education
Bigfork Eagle
New principal takes the reins at Somers Middle School
Julia Maxwell may be a mustang now, but the fifth-generation Cascade graduate will always carry some allegiance to the school that raised her and inspired her to become an educator in the first place. “I’m a badger all the way — go Cascade! I’m also a Bobcat,” Maxwell admitted. “But I have sympathy toward the Griz because my husband and kids are Griz fans.” Maxwell is starting her first year as principal of Somers Middle School, bringing with her a wealth of experiences from all aspects of education across Montana, including as a parent, a teacher, a principal and superintendent, and as a member of the Montana Board of Public Education. Education made sense as a career path for Maxwell. “I'm a kid person. I love being with kids,” Maxwell said. “You'll find me outside playing at recess sometimes. I love children and their just their sweet naivety, their sweet positivity about everything. It's just addicting. I’m chasing my own kids to sports and wearing glitter at school games and cheering. Really, my whole life is pretty much taken up by kids.” Maxwell grew up on her family’s cattle ranch in Cascade, a small town between Great Falls and Helena.
Fairfield Sun Times
Lincoln Elementary set to reopen for the first time since roof collapsed in May
Lincoln Elementary in Great Falls reopens after roof damage forced the school to relocate. Great Falls — Lincoln Elementary School is set to reopen Wednesday for the first day after a windstorm tore off part of the roof and forced students and staff to move to other schools last school year.
Fairfield Sun Times
montanarightnow.com
Great Falls Public Schools placing ban on e-bikes and e-scooters starting next week
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Great Falls Public Schools said e-bikes and e-scooters will not be allowed on school property when school starts on August 26. District leaders said the new rule covers all schools from preschool through high school. Superintendent Heather Hoyer said the change was made because of safety concerns and worries about theft.
Montana Free Press
New exhibition surfaces Indian boarding school records
On Friday evening, the Cascade County Historical Society’s history museum in Great Falls will open a new exhibit on an Indian boarding school that operated near Cascade, Montana, from the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century. It’s the History Museum & Research Center’s first major exhibition built around historical records recently donated by a Roman Catholic religious order.
theelectricgf.com
Catholic high school closing
St. Patrick’s Academy High School, also known as Central Catholic High School, is not opening for this school year, which was scheduled to begin Aug. 26. In a letter to students and families, Bishop Jeffrey Fleming of the Catholic Church Diocese of Great Falls-Billings wrote on Aug. 21 that the decision was made after “extensive efforts throughout the past several months to secure the necessary administrative leadership, including finding a full-time principal, and qualified faculty to operate our high school effectively, and after consultation with my advisory boards and our meeting last night, I have made the difficult decision that St. Patrick’s Academy High School will not open for the 2026-2027 school year.”
Great Falls Tribune
Top opponents for CM Russell, Great Falls High football 2026
The nine-game regular season begins for the Great Falls High and C.M. Russell High football teams on Friday, Aug. 28. The Bison face off with Kalispell Flathead and Missoula Big Sky for their nonconference schedule against the Western AA, while the Rustlers take on Helena Capital and Missoula Sentinel before the Eastern AA slate in Weeks 3-9. Here are the top returning players on opposing teams for Great Falls High and CMR heading into the regular season. More: Who are the new coaches for Great Falls High, C.M. Russell fall sports? More: 20 things to know entering the 2026 football season for CMR, Great Falls High Drew Almquist, Helena Capital (WR/CB) Almquist was an All-State performer as an all-purpose athlete as a sophomore on the Bruins’ 2024 Class AA state title team before missing much of last season due to injury. A University of Montana commit at wide receiver, according to 406 MT Sports , Almquist had over 1100 total yards from scrimmage in 2024 and 13 touchdowns and was also a second-team all-Western AA cornerback on defense. CMR faces off with Helena Capital on Aug. 28 on the road at Vigilante Stadium in the season-opener. Sam Sirmon, Missoula Sentinel
Great Falls Tribune
Initial season of girls' flag football kicks off in Great Falls
Girls’ flag football is growing across the country, and this fall Great Falls athletes will contribute to the sport’s growth here in Montana. C.M. Russell High and Great Falls High will field flag football teams for the first time, and there’s plenty of excitement on both sides of the river for the opportunity to be on the ground floor of a new program. Brian Crosby takes the reins of the Rustlers’ flag squad with plenty of varsity coaching experience under his belt, while A.J. Griffith leads the Bison with a strong resume of years of coaching local baseball. Both teams take the field for the first time at Memorial Stadium against Bozeman Gallatin on Saturday, Aug. 29, starting with Great Falls High at 2 p.m. and CMR slated to kick off at 3:30. More: Top opponents for CM Russell, Great Falls High football 2026 More: 20 things to know entering the 2026 football season for CMR, Great Falls High What is the status of girls’ flag football in Montana? Girls’ high school flag football began in 2021 in Montana and now has 39 participating schools across all classifications (AA, A/B, C). Flag football is designated as an “emerging sport” by
Montana Outdoor Radio Show
Hands-On Hunter Education Course Starts Soon: Register Today
To enjoy a fall weekend of hunting in Great Falls, you need a hunter education certification. An in-person course is now open for registration, featuring experienced instructors. Classes run in September, culminating in a field day on September 26. Enrollment is open to those aged 10 and up, with limited spots available.
theelectricgf.com
GFPS board to consider budget at Aug. 17 meeting
The Great Falls Public Schools board will be asked to adopt its budget for the new fiscal year during its Aug. 17 meeting. Under state law, the board must adopt the budget by Aug. 25 for these funds: general, transportation, retirement, tuition, adult education, technology, flexibility, debt service and building reserve.
theelectricgf.com
GFPS marching band combines GFH, CMR students for first time
This year’s marching band for Great Falls High and C.M. Russell homecoming parades and football games will look a bit different. For the first time, the band will be a mix of students from both high schools who spent the last week at band camp and will be rehearsing throughout the fall to prepare,