Clark Fork School

Join us this evening from 5:30 to 6:30 PM for our Start of Year Open House. Our teachers and administrative staff will be available to guide you and answer any questions you may have. We hope to see you there! The 2024-25 school year kicks off tomorrow. We are so excited for another spectacular year at CFS!

Clark Fork School currently has three openings for the 2024-2025 school year.

Jr PreK (ages: 2-3) M/W/F 8:45AM 1:00PM or 3:00PM

Jr PreK (ages 2-3) Tue/Thurs 8:45AM- 1:00PM or 3:00PM

PreK (ages: 3-5) M-F 8:45AM-3:00PM

Give us a call at 406-728-3395 or email [email protected] to inquire!

Clark Fork School Connecting Education, Nature and Community

Storm Update:

Hello CFS Families!

We hope you are all safe following the recent storm. While we currently have no power, internet, or phone service, we are thankful that our facility sustained minimal damage. To assist with enrollment paperwork, we've extended the deadline to Wednesday, July 31st, and will be open on Monday, July 29th from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM for those wishing to complete paperwork in person.

For the fastest communication, please email us; our administrative staff is checking emails daily and will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing everyone in the Fall!

Clark Fork School currently has 2 openings in our Kindergarten Readiness Program. CFS promotes Kindergarten readiness for children by supporting all aspects of healthy development, including physical, cognitive, and social and emotional development through our place-based and nature based curriculum. Our readiness program maintains a 9:1 student/teacher ratio.

Schedule: M-F 8:45AM - 3:00PM

Children must be 4 or 5 years old to enroll.

Clark Fork School Connecting Education, Nature and Community

It's been a busy summer here at CFS! Check out what we have been up to in this sneak peek of our new outdoor learning space!

Did you know when you shop at Good Food Store Missoula in Missoula, 1% can be donated back to CFS to support our operational costs, teacher and staff development opportunities, and more?

Just make sure to let the checker know you are supporting Clark Fork School on your next trip to the Good Food Store!

Do you know about our elementary enrichment program, Kids Niche?

Kids Niche is designed for students grades K-3.

Our Kids Niche curriculum incorporates a variety of activities, such as forest exploration, ice skating, and community saunters. Students will not only exercise and enhance their physical skills, but they will learn essential life skills too. Kids Niche strives to teach teamwork, problem-solving, and communication among our young explorers.

Kids Niche is now enrolling for Rattlesnake Elementary and the surrounding area. For more information, please fill out the form below or contact our Kids Niche Coordinator, Madison.

https://forms.gle/DBSjQVh7PG3v5kXt7

Breaking Ground! 🚧

Stay tuned for updates on our outdoor learning space remodel! ☀️

Thanks Huckleberry Landscape & Property Services for all of your hard work and to all of our families, sponsors, and donors for making this project possible!

Clark Fork School is hiring an Assistant Teacher!

Duration: 10 months, Monday through Friday - August 21, 2024- June 27, 2025

Compensation: Salaried position starting at $30,000

Benefits: Employee Paid Direct Primary Care, Paid Holidays, Generous PTO, Parental Leave, Retirement Plan after 1 full year of employment, Paid Professional Development Opportunities

Position Description: The Assistant Teacher is responsible for upholding the mission and core values of Clark Fork School while fostering a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate educational program.

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for facilitating student intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological growth.
It is expected that the Assistant Teacher will support the Lead Teacher in designing and organizing an instructional program respective to the needs of the academic program.
The Assistant Teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional and positive guidance strategies to encourage development of critical thinking, problem-solving and performance skills.
The Assistant Teacher consistently creates a safe and positive learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, civic responsibility, and active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
Finally, the Assistant Teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support learning, positive social-emotional growth, and well-being.
Please contact [email protected] or call (406) 728-3395

Join us tonight from 4:00-6:00PM for the last art walk of the year!

Unit of study: The Natural World 🌎

Happy Wednesday!

Today we are highlighting Teacher Pearl! Teacher Pearl is a "Butterfly" here at CFS, meaning she has the pleasure of working in all of the classrooms and programs!

Teacher Pearl's gentle demeanor puts students and staff alike at ease. Her calm and collected nature creates a sense of safety and security in the classroom everyday! We are so grateful to have her on our team! Thanks for everything you do, Teacher Pearl!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who supported 40-for-40!

With your kindness and generosity, we exceeded our $40,000 goal! All proceeds directly benefit our outdoor learning space remodel that will be unveiled in Fall of 2024 to commemorate 40 years of academic excellence and place-based education.

None of this would have been possible without the contributions of our spectacular families, sponsors, staff, alumni, and the entire Clark Fork School community.

We are extremely grateful for your continued support and would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to every single person who made this project a success.

Thank you for 40 years, Missoula! 🌲

AND a huge thank you to our sponsors:
Stockman Bank
Missoula Motor Company
Scheels
AnyList
Zilla State
Szpara Violins
Envision Eyecare
Meng Dentistry
Children's Dentistry of the Rockies
Good Food Store
Montana Center for Facial Plastic Surgery
First Security Bank
Garden City Plumbing and Heating
Rhino Roofing
Grizzly Fence
Cloth and Crown

We just hit $35,000 on our 40-for-40 campaign! 🥳

Join us tonight to celebrate 40 years of academic excellence and place-based education in Missoula!

Jam out to live music, enjoy fantastic food from 'A Moveable Feast', and bid on a few super cool silent auction items! All event proceeds directly benefit our upcoming outdoor learning space remodel.

RSVP now! See you at Stockman Bank on Broadway from 6:00-8:00PM.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FADAE2BA6FAC34-48020799-40for40?useFullSite=true

Have you checked out our awesome silent auction items yet?

Want to win two Paddleboards and baseball tickets?

How about a Ski, Stay, and Soak package at Showdown Montana?

Need to relax? Our "Time For You" package is the perfect match! Including a massage, a therapeutic float, and a bottle of wine.

Check out all of our awesome items below. Make sure to RSVP for your chance to win a sweet outdoor fun bundle, just for attending!

Event is this this Thursday, May 16 from 6:00-8:00PM.

All 40-for-40 event proceeds directly benefit our outdoor learning space remodel.

RSVP now!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FADAE2BA6FAC34-48020799-40for40?useFullSite=true

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

This week, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the dedicated teachers at CFS and around the world who go above and beyond to shape the minds of out students each and every day!

Your commitment, patience, and kindness make a profound impact on your students' lives and we are so grateful for your passion and dedication.

Thank you, Teachers! We sincerely appreciate everything that you do!

Tonight!!
The Missoula Public Library and Clark Fork School again partner to bring you Trashformations, the Fourth Annual Early Education Upcycled Art Show! Art from early education classrooms across the Missoula area and beyond will be featured on the 4th floor of Missoula Public Library for this First Friday event. Come and support community and collaboration among early education programs while instilling the knowledge and passion of upcycling in your family. Please come dressed in your best upcycled or thrifted outfits and accessories to get a ticket to enter drawings for fabulous raffle baskets! We’ll draw for winners at 6:45 PM, you do not need to be present to win. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library.

It's been a while, but we have had some incredible new staff members join our team in the last few months!

Today we are highlighting Teacher Addy! Addy is currently in school for elementary education and has joined us as a Shooting Stars assistant teacher. Addy effortlessly connects with her students, creating a positive and engaging environment where they feel excited to learn!

Thanks for being awesome, Teacher Addy!

Want to earn a free drink from Drum Coffee?

Sign up for our 40-for-40 Pledgestar fundraiser and send your first two pledge requests to get your free drink! This fundraiser supports our 2024 outdoor learning space remodel. CFS Alumni and the local community are encouraged to participate.

Additional prizes include brand new CFS Merch, gift cards, and the opportunity to have your name proudly displayed on our new playground!

The first round of prizes are being distributed today!

Sign up now: https://pledgestar.com/clarkfork/

Have you joined our Pledgestar fundraising campaign yet?
Pledgestar is an awesome web-based fundraising system that allows you to request pledges and earn prizes!

To celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are raising money to remodel our outdoor learning space! You can be a part of this historic project simply by signing up. Send your first two pledges and receive a free drink from Drum Coffee!
Sign up now: https://pledgestar.com/clarkfork/

We also still have equipment available for sponsor! Sponsor any piece of equipment and a plaque will proudly be hung in your name as a thank you for your support!
Check out the catalog here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/886309657/

Thank you to our incredible community for all of the memories the last 40 years!

It's MOD Pizza day! 🍕🥗🧁

Swing into MOD and create your own delicious pizza or salad, and be sure to let them know you're supporting Clark Fork School! Or use promo code MODGIVES25 on the app to participate when ordering online.

25% of proceeds will be donated to CFS to support operations and staff development opportunities!

Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are available, too! This deal is available ALL day long! 🥳

What's better than a beautiful and sunny Friday?
New merch on a beautiful and sunny Friday!

Check out all our new merchandise, now available on our website!

https://www.clarkforkschool.org/new-products-4

See you tomorrow at Cambie Taphouse + Coffee ☕️

Welcome to packaging waste free challenge week!

What you see pictured is the food waste packaging that has been collected from lunches and snacks in just one week.

Our goal this week is to reduce our total food packaging waste by 50%. Here are a few more ideas on how you can reduce food packaging waste. What other steps can we take to achieve our goal? We want to hear YOUR brilliant ideas!

Our next Art Walk is only a week away!
Our current unit of study is 'People Created World'

See what we have been learning about here and be sure to come check out all of our projects from 4:00-6:00PM on February 9!

Have a safe and restful weekend. See you on Monday!

Happy Wednesday!

Today we are highlighting our new Shooting Stars Lead Teacher, Cierra.
Cierra joined us just after the new year and has been working hard to enhance our Shooting Stars after school enrichment program. Her ability to think outside the box and engage students in unique ways has been so much fun to watch! We are looking forward to all of the new and spectacular ideas she will bring to CFS! Thanks for being part of our team, Teacher Cierra!

Our staff shoutout this week goes out to our wonderful Butterfly, Teressa Hart!
"Teacher T" as the kids say!

Teressa is very passionate and knowledgeable about Early Education. Her dedication to helping children develop essential skills to ensure a successful early learning experience is so inspiring to all of us here at CFS!

We are so grateful to have "Teacher T" on our team!

A letter from Board President, Molly Mahler and Executive Director, Katie Heckert on the decision to suspend Summer Camp in 2024:

Dear Clark Fork School Families,
at our board meeting on January 18, the CFS Board of Directors voted unanimously to suspend summer programming for 2024. This difficult decision came after intensive analysis, discussion, and careful listening. Please know that the CFS Board recognizes that this decision will create challenges for many CFS families - including ours.

Throughout this often emotional process, we very much appreciate the feedback from families who responded to our electronic poll and offered their thoughts and suggestions to Board members and staff. This decision comes during a period of enormous transition for CFS, including contending with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, its continuing impact on staffing, and administrative turnover; the fact that we are fully enrolled for the next school year is a tribute to the commitment of CFS families, as well as to CFS’s reputation for excellence in the Missoula community.

At the heart of our decision is the major renovation of our playground, with construction tentatively scheduled from June 10 - August 20. The benefits of a developmentally appropriate outdoor learning space are profound: improved social-emotional, cognitive, and physical outcomes and academic gains. We’re excited to unveil a transformed play space for Fall 2024.

In closing, thank you for your patience and support. We remain grateful to have such a wonderful community behind CFS.

It's Wednesday! That means we get to give a shoutout to one of our many incredible staff members!

Today we are highlighting our Facilities and Groundskeeper, Erin Thompson! Erin's commitment to ensuring a clean and secure environment for students and staff is truly appreciated by the entire CFS family. Erin works hard (even in this bitter cold!) to make sure we are all safe and comfortable each and every day!

Thanks for being part of our team, Erin!

Enrichment in Early Education - What does it mean? Why is enrichment important? What benefits do enrichment programs provide?
Let's find out!

It's Wednesday, that means we get to give a shoutout to one of our incredible staff members!

This week, we are highlighting Buntings Assistant, Kennedy Cutter.
Teacher Kennedy helps create a nurturing and engaging learning environment that allows every student to thrive. Kennedy's natural ability to connect with each child and understand their unique needs makes her so truly appreciated to students and staff alike!

Thanks for being part of our team, Kennedy!