West Glacier kids' big show

GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News

Special production of "Rumpelstiltskin" will be presented at Montana Veterans' Home by West Glacier Elementary School students in conjunction with Missoula Children's Theatre.

This unusual entertainment for veterans takes place Saturday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. Space is limited at the Veterans' Home, but the public is invited to attend.

I believe it is the first time Missoula Children's Theatre and a local school have arranged to appear at the Veterans' Home. Helping to make the visit possible was a donation from Montana Veterans' Home Memorial Foundation. There is a fee to move the set from West Glacier to Montana Veterans' Home, Columbia Falls.

"Rumpelstiltskin" will be presented at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29, at the multi-purpose room of West Glacier Elementary School. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 each or $15 per family. The school is located at 160 Old River Bridge Road in West Glacier.

A silent auction will conclude the performance.

Parents of West Glacier Elementary School students and community members have supported annual Missoula Children's Theatre activities. It is believed to have been at least seven years.

Cortni King, West Glacier Elementary principal/lead teacher, said student participation will be 100 percent. There are 27 boys and girls, K-6 at the school. Staff members are Carolyn Weiringa, 3-6 teacher, Stephanie Comer, K-2 teacher, Christina Soderberg, aide, Tracy Click, business clerk, and Jivan Ziesse, custodian. Nancy Lundgren, pianist, is a community volunteer.

Board members of West Glacier School District No. 8 are Casey Heupel, chairman, Carla Martin, vice chairman, and Jill Weigand, trustee.

The school district was formed in 1986. Statistics show that 100 percent of students scored proficient or advanced in reading on the Montana Comprehensive Assessment System (MontCAS) in 2008. Math scores were tabulated showing an increase from 19 percent to 83 percent for proficient or advanced for the same year.

Activities at the small school near Glacier National Park have shown annual ski, swim lessons and bicycle ride, biweekly mile- and half-mile walks.

History of Missoula Children's Theatre dates back to 1970. Now directors take sets and costumes to schools. Auditions are conducted, it is stressed all are equal and all are necessary. Rehearsals take place the week preceding weekend production.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident of Columbia Falls and a Hungry Horse News columnist.