Big Sky Students & Families-

As I sign off on this the last Weekly Update of the 24-25’ School year, I want to just express my pride and gratitude for each one of you.  It’s been a great school year full of challenges and successes and I know I gained a great deal from working with all of you in some way.  Take care of yourselves this summer and I look forward to seeing you all back this fall! 

Here are just a few reminders:

The schedule for this week:

• 6/9-6/10 Regular 7 period bell schedule (no block days) 
• 6/11 Semester Wrap Up day-7 period bell schedule-this is only required if you have remaining work to turn in or finals to finish.  If you don’t meet that criteria and have all your finals done and work turned in, your last day is Tuesday! 
• 6/12 Invite only by teachers-no buses

Monday is Senior Step Up Day-as the Class of 2026 heads into their Senior year and takes over the leadership of Big Sky, they want to show you how we do it here and have a little fun.  So join them for some pancakes and games in the front as you head into school for the day! 

In August I will mail home a packet that has all the information to welcome you back for another school year, so stay tuned for that! Take care and Go Eagles! 

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

It is time to celebrate the Class of 2025!!! I am so proud to see you all across the stage this next Saturday.  Don’t forget to check out the remaining celebration events happening this week:

• 6/2 Senior Chromebooks & Calculators due to the Library
• 6/3 DECA & MBA Awards Night
• 6/4 HSA Academy Awards and Senior Night, 6-8 p.m.
• 6/4 Seniors last day! 
• 6/5 Senior Awards Breakfast (Invitation only) 9:00 AM
• 6/5 All school KICKBALL evening tournament & Senior Sunset, BBQ 7pm
• 6/6 Graduation Practice, University of Montana Adams Center, 11am

The schedule for this week is follows:

• 6/2-6/4 7 period bell schedule days 
• 6/5-Thursday regular block day
• 6/6-Block Day (Wednesday’s schedule, 1,3,5,7)

The following week schedule:

• 6/9-6/10 Regular 7 period bell schedule (no block days) 
• 6/11 Semester Wrap Up day-7 period bell schedule-Unfortunately no field day events, we didn’t get enough teams to sign up, however we will have a BBQ lunch for those in attendance. This day is intended only for students that have a few last items to complete. If you are passing your classes and have everything turned in, you do not need to attend. 
• 6/12 Invite only by teachers-no buses

It’s been a wonderful year being your Principal, I look forward to seeing our 9th-11th graders back in the fall as we welcome the Class of 2029! 

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

This week we have a couple of senior events!! 

• 5/20 Tuesday evening is our Senior parent Family Engagement event from 6-7pm in the Main Gym.
• Details to come if you are unable to attend with how to customize your seniors gift
• 5/21 Target Range Grad Walk-be at TR by 8:15am with your Cap & Gown
• 5/21 Hawthorn Grad Walk-be at Hawthorne by 2:15pm with your Cap & Gown

Friday 5/23-No in person school on Friday due to the State C Track meet.  Please just check your teachers Google Classrooms or your teacher will let you know on Wednesday/Thursday what needs to be done. 

 FIELD DAY!!!

 We need students to sign up in order for this day to happen!!

 We met our attendance goal for another year! We are celebrating with a second annual field day! Here's what you need to know: 

- Teams of 5-6 students of ANY grade

- Staff sponsor (make sure you clear it with them first!)

- There will be a prize for 1st place!

Once you know who you want to have on your team, sign up using THIS LINK or by scanning one of the QR codes around the school! Please only fill out ONE form! If you have any questions, see Mrs. Keff!

Yearbook Distribution Day-It's almost time!!! Check out the distribution day...there are only 20 more books so there will be no purchase the day of, if you haven't purchased a book yet, see Ms. Dunfee in room #61. 

We are looking for a few more submissions to help with the Freshmen Only Day in August! If you're interested, apply with this form. The form will close on Friday May 23rd at 4:00. If you have any questions, see Emma Keffeler!

Have a great week Big Sky! Please reach out if you need anything! 

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

Parents…I need your help! Please implore your child (especially if they are a senior) to be reading these emails and looking at important upcoming events.  I talked to many that have no idea what’s happening, and it’s all at their fingertips-End of Year Events. Also check out the Big Sky Sports Calendar for all the events happening in the next few weeks! 

As we approach the end of the year, we are looking for 10-15 additional students to help us run freshman day in August! This was formerly known as "Link Crew" and is changing a little for this year. Any current sophomore or junior is eligible to apply, but keep in mind we are only accepting 10-15 students! If you're interested, apply with this form. The form will close on Friday May 23rd at 4:00. If you have any questions, see Emma Keffeler!

We met our attendance goal for another year! We are celebrating with a second annual field day! Here's what you need to know: 

- Teams of 5-6 students of ANY grade

- Staff sponsor (make sure you clear it with them first!)

- There will be a prize for 1st place!

Once you know who you want to have on your team, sign up using THIS LINK or by scanning one of the QR codes around the school! Please only fill out ONE form! If you have any questions, see Mrs. Keff!

Big Sky is the 2025 home for a glass-recycling fundraiser with a local nonprofit called Recycling Works.  Bring your glass jars and bottles for recycling between 9-2pm on Sunday June 1, September 7, and December 7 to the main Big Sky parking lot.  Suggested donation is $1 per gallon of glass, 100% of donations on June 1st will be divided evenly among Big Sky student groups! 

• Missoula is the only community of our size in the nation with a nonprofit glass transfer station.  Started six years ago to reduce waste and raise funds in support of public education,  Recycling Works has saved over three million pounds of glass from the landfill and raised $67,000 for our community.  We invite you to join in! 

Congratulations to our new FFA Officers:

• President - Ivory West
• 1st Vice President - AJ Sharkey
• 2nd Vice President - Joselyn England
• Secretary - Joel Standley 
• Treasurer - Amy McGrath 
• Reporter - Ali Ault
• Sentinel - Kahle Taylor
• Historian - Renee Holt 

That’s it for this week! Only 4 more weekly updates until summer!!! Take care and please reach out if you need anything.

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! We have lots planned for them to say thank you, but they would love to hear from you! A simple note, email or stopping by to say hi and what you appreciate about them is always appreciated.  

This is a pretty quiet week as we gear up to finish out the school year! Please be sure to check out the End of Year Events for this week’s school events.  Also check out the Big Sky Sports Calendar for all the events happening in the next few weeks! 

Take care Big Sky, please reach out if you need anything! 

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

This week we have a very exciting event happening at Big Sky! We are hosting Special Olympics Area games Wednesday and we have 7 athletes competing!!! The Opening Ceremony begins at 8:30am and we hope that students and parents can stop out at some point to cheer on our athletes! 

There are a few days left to take advantage of our Frankly pilot to help increase engagement with your child-you can either use the QR on the infographic or click the word FRANKLY in the text and use the code MCPS2025. 

Another reminder we have lots happening in these next few weeks before summer…be sure to check out the End of Year Events page to see updates and future events!

Have a great week Big Sky!

 Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Parents-

It’s hard to believe there are only 8 weeks left in the school year! We have a lot of exciting events coming up, be sure to check out the End of Year Events page to see updates and future events! Here are this week’s updates:

• Attached you will find an invitation to join a pilot program for parents called Frankly.  Frankly is a family engagement program designed to help parents engage with their teenagers. It offers a range of tools and resources to support trauma-informed family engagement, with the goal of boosting attendance, improving student behavior, and reducing family stress. Essentially, Frankly aims to strengthen the partnership between schools, families, and communities to support student learning and well-being. 
• Our goal is to have families try the pilot through the 31st of April and then we will ask for some feedback if you felt this was a helpful tool to use with your child.  

• Attached is the QR to try it out! 

MONTANA'S 2025 SERVICE ACADEMY DAYS-Representatives from all five service academies (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and Air Force), ROTC, and the Montana National Guard will be available to provide information about the application and nomination process on Thursday, April 24th, from 3:00-6:00 pm in the American Legion Post 27 in Missoula. For more information please contact kristin_kuiken@daines.senate.gov

• Reminder- there is no school on Friday May 23rd due to Big Sky’s track hosting the State C State Track meet.  Directions for the day will be posted in your teachers Google Classrooms.

Have a great week Big Sky! Take care of yourselves and others, and please be sure to let me know if you need anything.

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

What a beautiful Prom hosted by your amazing Prom Committee! It’s always so great to see our students outside the walls of the school, all dressed up having a fun time! Here are this week’s updates:

Congratulations to our 2025 - 2026 Student Gov elected leaders!

Student Body Presidents: Averi Larson & Cierra Maloney

Senior Class Presidents: Kade Dunning & Cole Silberstein

Junior Class Presidents: Lauren Donovan & Rex Rhodes

Sophomore Class Presidents: Skadi'Jun Smith & Sophie Larson

A special thanks to all of the candidates for your hard work and willingness to put yourself out there! If you think you might want to be involved in Student Gov, or even run for office next year, you need to be involved! See any of these leaders, or Mrs. Keffeler if you have questions! 

ALL STUDENTS-please make sure you are bringing your charged Chromebook to school each day. We are seeing more and more requests for chargers from the library and many of those are not being returned in a timely manner. 

Be sure to keep checking back to the End of Year Events calendar for updates! 

Have a great week Big Sky! Go Eagles!

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

One more week until our amazing Prom! If you haven’t gotten your tickets please be sure to do so from the Attendance Office this week.  Here are additional updates:

• It's time to vote for next year's Student Government officers! You only get ONE vote, so make it count! Remember, this should be about who YOU think will best represent your needs. The students you elect as officers will be your voice for the year! Voting will be open from Thursday 4/3 at 10:45am until Monday 4/7 at 4:00pm Here are the links: 

Student Body

Senior Class

Junior Class

Sophomore Class

• Check out the upcoming opportunities for our Native students to bead their graduation caps in the attachment!
• Student drivers, the daycare across the street has reached out concerned that students are driving through their parking lots, often at high rates of speed.  Please note that it is private property and is not available for use to cut through. 

• MCPS is now offering N-O-T for students who would like support (or whose parents want them to have support) for nicotine/tobacco/vaping cessation.  Please see the attached information and let me know if you have any questions.  

Have a great week Big Sky, please reach out if you need anything or have questions! Go Eagles!

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org

Big Sky Students & Families-

We have officially kicked off spring athletics and activities! Be sure to check out the End of Year events document.  This has listed many of the other events to wrap up the school year.  This is a working calendar, so be sure to bookmark the page and check back for updates and additions.

Don’t forget, Wednesday April 9th is ACT day for the 11th graders.  No school for 9th, 10th, and 12th graders-be sure to check Google Classroom as your teachers will be posting assignments for that day.

No school Friday April 11th, that is a staff professional development day! 

PROM is Saturday April 12th and the Fairgrounds, be sure to get your tickets this week in the Commons during lunch! 

We will be having our Winter Sports Celebration Assembly on Thursday during Advisory, we will also be welcoming our Special Olympics Athletes as their area games are coming up on Wednesday April 30th in the Big Sky stadium.  We would love to have you come out and cheer them on! 

Be sure to come out and see Drowsy Chaperone this upcoming weekend, it’s going to be an amazing show! 

Have a great week Big Sky-Seniors & Parents be sure to check the email I sent last week regarding important senior items!

Jennifer Courtney

Principal, jccourtney@mcpsmt.org