TF chamber hosts new school staff

The Thompson Falls Chamber welcomed Superintendent Bill Cain and the new Thompson Falls School staff to the August luncheon last week at Big Eddy's.

Cain said he is excited for the school year to start, and that he is proud and honored to be in Thompson Falls.

"We promise that not only will your child be safe, but they will leave Thompson Falls Schools and be ready for the world and to take on what's next," Cain told the chamber crowd.

New staff this year include Andina Markuson in first grade and Rachel Hanson for elementary special education. Markuson previously taught at West Glacier, and Hanson will be helping out with the Blue Hawk volleyball program.

In the junior high, supervising teacher Rochelle Dickson said that Jeffreyanne VonHeeder (one of Dickson's former students from her days at Trout Creek School) will teach math. Most recently, VonHeeder taught at Trout Creek.

At the high school level, Cindie Miller has been hired as the new music teacher. Principal Rich Ferris said there were as many as 50 schools in Montana looking for music teachers this summer. "Cindie is friendly, knowledgeable and excited about music," Ferris said.

In other new hires at Thompson Falls Schools, Holly Franck will take over as the new school nurse, Linda Robins has been hired as a part-time high school secretary, and Kyla Molzhon-Lyons and Sarah Stover will be paraprofessionals for the elementary school.

Athletic Director Jake Mickelson said that Mike Thilmony will step in as an assistant wrestling coach, and also said that Thompson Falls will host a winter tip-off tournament for boys' basketball, as well as the divisional wrestling tournament this year. Mickelson noted that homecoming week for the Blue Hawks will be Sept. 24.

At the chamber meeting, Jen Kreiner with Thompson Falls Community Trails said that planning has begun for the group's first fun run. The run will have a Halloween theme and will be on Saturday, Oct. 27.