October 1, 2019
President Hu called the meeting to order with Steve leading the 26 in attendance in song and Rob Turner had the invocation.
Phil Barney was the only visiting Rotarian as Sheriane and Bob having returned to their winter stomping grounds.
Jeff Tuttle stumped most of crowd with his Lewis & Clark trivia questions during Justice.
Happy Bucket contributors were Hu, Jim, and Dick Beighle.
October 8 is the next Tuesday evening social hour at the Perfect Shot at 5:30. Be sure to invite any prospective members!!
Dave Fansher reported the 408 dictionaries are in and asks that anyone who wants to assist with distributing the books to the 3rd graders contact him for scheduling soon.
Joe Blacker introduced the program-Kevin Ritchlin, principal of Willard alternative High School in Missoula. The school accepts by referral students who are having difficulty at the 1,200 plus students at the 3 main high schools in Missoula and tries to emphasize a more familia environment. The school was constructed at the old Willard school site on 6th Ave with proceeds from the 2014 bond issue. It has unusual features, such as more natural lighting, study nooks, a white wall for graffiti, small music rooms under the stairs, a culinary lab, 650 sq ft classrooms etc.
Generally, it is thought that over 70% of those students probably would not have graduated from the big schools. Many of those students are the first in their family to graduate from high school and all are given the opportunity to speak at graduation.
Other alternative schools are in Great Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish, Helena and Bozeman.