GEAR UP continues to help TF students

At the Thompson Falls School Board meeting on Monday, GEAR UP liaison Penny Beckman detailed the budget for the upcoming year. Beckman said that the school district will receive just over $101,000 in GEAR UP funding this year.

Beckman outlined the GEAR UP plan for the 2018-19 school year, which includes supporting programs including Robotics and the Ecology Project International trip in the spring. GEAR UP also has helped the school purchase 25 Chromebook computers for the English and history classes this year, as well as graphing calculators for math students.

Another GEAR UP benefit for students is the opporutnity to visit area colleges. Several college visits are planned throughout the year, and Beckman noted that Blue Hawk wrestlers will have the opportunity to travel to the Univserity of Providence for both a college visit and to learn more about the school’s wrestling program.

At the meeting, both high school Principal Rich Ferris and Superintendent Bill Cain commended Beckman for the work she puts into the GEAR UP program.

“Penny is dynamic and works hard, and we appreciate her,” Cain said.

The school district is also preparing for the annual Blue Hawk athletics fundraiser, slated for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls. This is the fourth year for the event, which will feature live and silent auction items, raffles, and a prime rib dinner. Tickets for the fundraiser are $25 each and available at Thompson Falls High School, Main Street Medical and First Security Bank in Thompson Falls.

Also Monday, the board approved Mike Thilmony as an assistant high school wrestling coach, and Katrina Nygaard and Mike Baxter as volunteer high school girls’ basketball coaches. The board also accepted the resignation of Michael Allen as the junior high football coach.