Helena Education Foundation

In one large banquet room Wednesday night a listener could hear conversations about literature, politics, astronomy, finances, religion, and yes, even beer. Dynamic discussions took place among eight people at a table, with a different topic at each of the 40 tables at the sixth annual Great Conversations at the Great Northern Hotel.

This was the first year JoAnn Prost, of Helena, attended the event and just before attendees took their seats, she said, "I'm just on cloud nine."

The goal of Great Conversations is not to fix the problems of the world, but rather provide a venue to engage citizens in conversations on meaningful topics to spark an interest in subject matter, to share knowledge to inquiring minds and to inspire dialogue with our fellow community members.

Great Conversations is sponsored by the Helena Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission of promoting consistent community investment in the Helena Public Schools to provide rich and rewarding educational experiences.

HEF Executive Director Lisa Cordingley said it is one of the foundation's most popular events because it appeals to people from all walks of life. Read more in the Independent Record or view photos of this year's event.

Amanda Curtis received three of the 11 grants given to Helena teachers by the Helena Education Foundation earlier this week.
Curtis, a math teacher at Helena Middle School, said submitting three grant applications gave her better odds of being awarded at least one.
“The probability is higher the more you apply,” said Curtis, who always thinks with a math brain.

HEF awards grants to teachers twice a year, designed to finance projects or merchandise that goes beyond what the Helena School District would fund.
Lisa Cordingley, Helena Education Foundation executive director, said the Great Ideas Grant is an important part of what the foundation does.
“It’s a tangible measure of the value the community places on the work (teachers) do,” she said.
The grants are also a symbol of how the community values public education, Cordingley added.
“All you have to do is see them when we bring them the checks to see it’s a really important thing we do for teachers,” she said. “Whatever job it is you do, if there was a way for everyone to feel the way teachers feel when we come with grant awards, the difference in the community would be immeasurable.”

Read more in the Indpendent Record.

Anders Harris, a fifth-grader at Central Elementary, was the first to hit the bullseye, sending Helena Middle School Assistant Principal Josh McKay into a dunk tank of freezing-cold water on Sunday.
Harris paid $5 to stand closest to the target, giving him a distance advantage, and he yelled with excitement when he nailed his throw, sending McKay into the water.

McKay said he was hoping the weather would be warmer — like in the 80s — but nonetheless was a willing participant because it benefited his students.
The HMS Student Council booth was one of nearly 30 hosted by Helena public schools, clubs and parent groups at the Helena Education Foundation’s Carnival Classic at Memorial Park. Each organization got to keep 100 percent of their proceeds.

“This is a huge part of our mission,” HEF Executive Director Lisa Cordingley said. “To equalize fundraising opportunities by improving the infrastructure, so small schools have the same opportunity as larger schools.”

Read the whole story in the Helena Indepent Record and check back soon for photos of the event.