Host a Japanese Exchange Student for a Month    Learn about another culture in-depth when you host a student from Japan this summer. Delegates are here for one month to experience what it is like to live with a typical American family. Program dates are July 20-August 18, 2014 and delegates range in age from 12-16.For more information, contact Stephanie Davison (406-994-3502) or go to http://www.states4hexchange.org/host-families/ to complete an application. Families with children who are within two years of age and the same gender as the delegate they host are encouraged to apply.

One of the tabs on the left side of the page includes a link to "School Surveys". We will periodically post surveys here when we need your input on how to proceed with certain educational processes. Our first survey deals with school safety and security, and poses several questions seeking your thoughts on having select school staff trained in firearms and authorized to carry concealed while at school. Your position on this topic is important to us, and that's why were asking. Please take a few short minutes to answer several questions we have posed to you. Thank you.

  It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a balloon! It's a WHAT? It's a balloon that students will launch sometime this coming week Feb 18-21, at 9am. The helium-filled balloon should reach 90,000 ft, about 17 miles up, before popping and returning to earth under parachute.  Look for daily updated status reports and more information, including web sites you can watch the launch and track the balloon's progress here.   Launch postponed due to high winds/unfavorable weather conditions. Thursday launch does not look good, as winds shift to out of the northwest which is most undesirable. 

The Smarter Balanced Field Test begins this week. There was an unplanned one week delay at SBAC which delayed testing of about 3.1 million students across 12 states until this week. Cascade Schools will begin testing the 3rd Grade this week. Upon completion of the 3rd Grade, the school will schedule the 4th through 8th and 11th graders over the next several weeks. We have until mid-May to complete all testing of the new Math and English Language Arts (ELA). Please note the purpose of this year's tests are to ensure the questions are properly formatted and the process works as it is intended. Test scores will not be counted toward Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) this year, but will be counted next Spring 2015 after the tests have been validated.

The Schoolmaster FamilyLink portal is now available. Parents and students may login from any internet connection to check attendance, grades, missing assignments, and other details related to school. See the "FamilyLink" link on the left side of the homepage. Students and parents require a login name and password, which is being included in a FamilyLink Activation Letter attached to report cards now being distributed at the Parent-Teacher conferences or will be mailed home next week. The FamilyLink web portal will be improved as we learn more about it's capabilities here at school. You can access FamilyLink at http://familylink.cascade.k12.mt.us or via the FamilyLink (Old Pass) on the school's webpage.

Congratulations to our very own Band and Music Director Mr. Jeff Skogley for being selected SBO (School Band Orchestra) Magazine's Montana Director Who Makes a Difference.  An honor well deserved! Catch the full story by clicking here!

Our Cascade Public Schools family of staff, students, and community are mourning the loss of one of our own. It is with great sadness we report the passing of Pat Von Stein, who worked for the school since 1987. Mrs. Von Stein taught Junior High Math, Science, Spanish, and English. She coached Destination Imagination, and started and sponsored our Junior High National Honor Society. Pat was a respected and long time community member, having lived in Cascade all her life. She was a Class of 1964 graduate from Cascade High School. We miss her dearly. Rest In Peace our beloved friend, co-worker, and teacher. *** Funeral services for Mrs. Von Stein will be held Saturday, January 18th, at 11:00a.m. in the school's north gym. Everyone is invited to attend.

Congratulations Virgil W, and Kennadi S, both 7th Graders, for taking the Geography Bee championships Thursday January 9. It was a grueling challenge with students in grades 4th through 8th participating. Virgil won the competition by correctly answering a question about the deserts in China. Who knew there are deserts in China? Virgil did. Kennadi was the runner up in the competition. Job well done!

Your Cascade Badger athletes are engaged in some great basketball and wrestling events. Whether you have a son or daughter involved in Badger athletics or not, you're encouraged to support the Badgers and attend our home games. While there, you're invited to visit our concession stand for a hot dog, hamburger, candy bar, popcorn, and lots more, along with your favorite hot or cold drink. We'll see you there!

On behalf of the entire Cascade Public School staff, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We'll be spending time with our families too, so you're not likely to find anyone at school over the next 10 days. Key staff will be checking their emails and phone messages if you need something before we resume school on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014. See you next year!