Dear Parents,

I am excited to announce that next year there will be two sections of band and one section of choir offered for 6^th grade. Each band and choir section will meet every day and will not be rotated with other elective classes. In the past band and choir was on an every other day rotation with P.E./Health. There will be two specific 6^th grade band classes. With this change we will no longer be offering 5^th grade band. However, it is important to note that students will be getting the same amount of instruction in one year as they would have gotten in two years with our old model. This will also allow the 5^th grade to have a 15 minute morning recess every day to revive themselves through fresh air and activity.

With the new model, all K-5 students in general music will have the same teacher, Mr. Pluhar. In the past, our music teachers were co-teaching causing a struggle in coordinating curriculum and materials. Preparing for concerts, teaching general music K-5, 8th grade choir and 8^th grade band was a challenge time-wise and organizationally. The new plan will allow the music department to specialize in elementary or middle school, which will give our students a more solid music base when moving on to high school.

Justin Klebe

Superintendent

Parents and Community members,

This message is not easy for me to write as Elder Grove has been a family to me for the last 16 years. However, a career opportunity in Laurel has presented itself that better meets the needs of my family and me. I accepted the position. As of the beginning of August, I will no longer be at Elder Grove. It is my hope and prayer that the community will continue to support the students at Elder Grove School. A healthy school will bring a healthy community. 

My name is Christopher Patton and I am a Billings native. I am excited to be returning to Montana after being in Moorhead, Minnesota attending Concordia College - a small liberal arts college with a highly regarded music program. I graduated from Concordia in 2018 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. 

From a young age, I was heavily involved in music thanks to my father, Steve Patton, who is currently the band director at Billings West High school. During my student career in Billings, I was constantly involved in both music and sports. Now that I am back in my home state of Montana, during my free time you can expect to find me listening to the amazing live music found in Billings, out hiking or fishing, and up at my family cabin on the East Rosebud.

During my time at Concordia, I performed in the Concordia Band, the Concordia Jazz Band, and the Concordia Orchestra on my main instrument which is the trombone. During my junior year, I was selected by my peers as a co-leader of the college’s student athletic band which played at home football and basketball games. While I am a new teacher, I have spent a great deal of time learning from my father and other near-by music directors. I am excited to take everything that I have learned from these mentors and my college education into the classroom this following school year.

If parents or students have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at any point this summer at pattonc@eldergrove.k12.mt.us. Thank you all for welcoming me into the wonderful Elder Grove community.

Christopher Patton

Reflecting on the year, I cannot thank you enough for your support in the education of your student. Your support means more than you know to the success of your child’s education. Continuing your support during these upcoming summer months can make a significant difference in the coming school year. It is important to remember that your child’s learning does not end in the summertime, and frequently regresses if time is not put aside to maintain skills.

Reading is probably one of the most important life skills for every child. Reading is like most skills, the more practice the more proficient. Being a good reader will make Science, Social Studies, English and Math that much easier. With this in mind, please schedule time for your child to read throughout 

We had over 30 student raise funds to go on a trip to Washington D.C. They are pictured here sending their love and appreciation to their teachers back in MT. What great students we have here at Elder Grove School! Whether that be in Washington D.C. or in Montana, Elder Grove is blessed with the best students and teachers.