In honor of National Poetry Month, here is one of my favorites. Invictus is a British poem from the last 19th century. Invictus is Latin for "unconquered" and the poem encourages fortitude in adversity. Nelson Mandela famously recited this poem to other prisoners and used it as inspiration during his incarceration on Robben Island.

Raptor Bands is putting together an in-person 5K run/walk fundraiser on Saturday, May 20th! Rather than just selling another product you probably don't need, we are trying to bring the community together. We'd love to see many of you and your families at the event. Whether you can attend or not, please help spread the word!

Here is the sign up link.

Key Club is happy to announce they are once again selling signs for GHS graduates. Signs are $20 and can be paid via cash or check made out to Gallatin High School. To register your graduating senior, please add your name and graduate’s name at this link. Payment and pick up will be at GHS on Fridays, starting May 5th, May 12th and May 19th at lunch in the commons.

For further questions or additional information please contact Key Club faculty advisor, Joe Kusak, at Joe.kusak@bsd7.org or (406) 522-4235

A note from the GHS PAC:

Teacher Appreciation week is May 8-12th. We turn this into staff appreciation week to show the entire staff how much we appreciate them. We have a lot of things planned to let our teachers and staff know how great we think they are. Please help us spoil them by signing up to bring in a food item during the week or donate money to help cover the cost. If you would like to send us a note to pass along to them, we will print it and post it in their break room. Here is what we have planned: Coffee of their choice from Jurassic Perk and breakfast goodies, taco Tuesday, breakfast, cookies and other sweets, and a BBQ.

We appreciate your donations to help make this an amazing week.

Sign up to bring food items HERE.

Donate money HERE.

Thank you for your help in supporting all GHS staff!

Your GHS PAC

It is important to be aware that the Fire Lane (Raptor Way/bus lane) is a Fire Lane at all times, regardless of whether or not school is in session. We understand this lane is a convenient place to park in the evening and during weekend events, but please always use regular parking if you are going to be leaving your vehicle and are not just picking up a student. It is important that emergency vehicles always have access to the building through this lane.

If you are coordinating any after hours events, please communicate this with your group. Thanks for your help!

Project Connect is committed to the idea of supporting our students, partnering with educators, and promoting a positive campus environment. Project Connect helps foster a sense of belonging that is a benefit to all.

It only takes a half hour to an hour at a time and you can pick times that are conducive to your schedule. If you are interested, you can find more information on the website, you can sign up here or you can contact GHS Project Connect at gallatinhighprojectconnect@gmail.com

Monday, April 24

• School Board meeting, 5:45pm
  

Tuesday, April 25

• Track vs. Bozeman, 3pm

• Softball at Bozeman, 5pm

• Tennis at Bozeman, 5pm

• Booster Club, 6pm

• Orchestra concert, 7pm

Wednesday, April 26

• HOSA Blood Drive all day

• Homeroom Hallways - schedule here

Thursday, April 27

• Softball vs. Billings West, 5pm

Friday, April 28

• Fire Drill, 2:40pm

• Tennis tournament, 10am

• Bozeman Public Library at GHS all day

Saturday, April 29

• Track at Helena, 9:30am
• Softball at Belgrade, 2:30pm

Next time you're driving past the corner of Oak and Cottonwood, take a quick look at the wetland area on the northwest corner of our campus. You can view sculpture students' Salish Fish trap projects. Students created their own interpretations of Salish Fish Traps out of willows.

Here is some information regarding the upcoming election from Superintendent Bertram's latest newsletter.

All registered voters will receive the information below in the mail, along with your mail-in ballot in mid-April. Additionally the information is also available on our website:

https://www.bsd7.org/election2023

#1 Our biggest ask in the upcoming election is to simply VOTE and cast your ballot. Turnout for BSD7 school elections are typically very low, 30-40%.

#2 Our second ask is to dive into the issues on the ballot and ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Voter Information

• April 14, 2023 – Ballots mailed by County Election Office.

• May 2, 2023 – Election Day – Ballots due by 8:00 pm.

Ballots may be returned to:

Location Office Hours Election Day Hours

County Election Office 8:00am–5:00pm 8:00am–8:00pm

311 West Main, Room 210 Monday – Friday

Ballots may be returned in person or by mail (63 cents or Forever stamp). Please allow enough time for delivery by the May 2, 2023 deadline.

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Our GHS music ensembles had an outstanding showing at last week's District Music Festival. Below are all of the GHS students who earned superior (the top level) ratings.

• Symphonic Band: Rating of I (Superior)

• Wind Ensemble: Rating of I (Superior)

• Sadie Swann (Flute Solo) - Rating of I (Superior)

• Charlotte Guenther (Marimba Solo) - Rating of I (Superior)

• Anna Paige Elwell (Flute Solo) - Rating of I (Superior)

• Kei Braun (Alto Sax Solo) - Rating of I (Superior)

• Owen Ashcraft (Clarinet Solo) - Rating of I (Superior)

• Auria Treble Choir: Rating of Superior (I)

• Hunks of Harmony Tenor/Bass Choir: Rating of Superior(1)

• Awnan Mulherin Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Ryan Jessen Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Charlotte Guenther Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Sienna Grinager Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Maiya Stohlmann Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Zayda Cruz Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Victoria McLean Vocal Solo: Superior (I)

• Sienna Grinager and Maiya Stohlmann Vocal Duet: Superior (I)

• GHS Philharmonic Orchestra Superior (1)

• GHS Kamerata Superior (1)

• GHS Symphony Superior (1)

• Reece Stone (violin) Superior (1)

• Kamerata Dvorak American Quartet Superior (1)

• Jacqueline Santiglia (violin) Superior (1)

• Salena Wilbur Superior (1)

• Kamerata Borodin Quartet Superior (1)

• Pranshu Krishna (viola) Superior (1)

• Jack Wilson (violin) Superior (1)

• Maya Schmitz (viola) Superior (1)

• Kamerata Ravel Quartet Superior (1)

• Norah Wold (cello) Superior (1)

• Alexander Schoep (violin) Superior (1)

• Samantha Mayr (viola) Superior (1)

• Kamara Wilbur (violin) Superior (1)

Starting to drink when you are a teenager increases the risk for addiction.

Drinking before age 15 makes you 5 times more likely to develop a later addiction to alcohol.

Resource: https://teens.webmd.com/teens-and-alcohol#1

The Bozeman Noon Rotary Club is beginning to seek Rotary Youth Exchange Host Families for the Gallatin High School Incoming Student for the 2023-2024 school year. The club typically seeks 3 host families who will each host the student for approximately 3 months during the school year.

If you would like more information about hosting, additional details can be found at this link.

Please reach out to our GHS Rotary liaison, John Patterson, at jspatterson972@gmail.com or 406-581-9767 if you are interested.