Malta School Board Meeting

The Malta School District has a slight increase in enrolled students to start the 2016-17 school year with a total of 503 pupils this year and 496 last year.

The Malta School Board held its first meeting of the new school year in which school principals Theodore Schye, Shawn Bleth and Scott King each gave reports to the trustees which included this year’s enrollment numbers.

Enrollment at Malta Elementary School is up from by nine students from the start of last year with a total of 241 students starting the year for 2016-17 (the total was 232 last September.) The kindergarten class currently has 42 students, first grade has 43, 35 in second grade, third grade has 42 students, 47 in the fourth and 32 in the fifth grade.

“Pre-K enrollment is not included in that total,” Principal Schye said.

Enrollment at Malta Middle School is up by one student from last year boasting 113 students to start the 2016-17 school year (43 in the sixth, 40 in the seventh and 30 in the eighth grade.)

Enrollment at Malta High School is down three students from the start of the 2015-16 school year (152) with a total of 149 students to start this school year (the freshman and sophomore class both consisting of 38 students, the junior class numbering 36 and the senior class totaling 37.)

Malta Elementary Report

Principal Schye informed the trustees the hearing testing for students are coming up shortly with the Phillips County Nurse. He said there are so many girls on the school’s volleyball teams (nearly 30) so all of the athletes will have the chance to practice three times per week on a rotating schedule.

Principal Schye said mid-terms will be sent out September 21 and bicycle and crosswalk safety classes are underway. Inhis closing comments, Principal Schye has talked with the bus drivers about where they will need to drop off and pick children up as the City of Malta’s Water Project progresses near the elementary school.

Malta Middle School Report

Principal Bleth informed the trustees that mid-terms are underway at Malta Middle School and reminded them that mid-term reports will continue to be paperless and end of trimester report cards (and other like reports) will continue to be mailed to parents. He said on October 1, the middle school football teams will head to the Roundup Mixer for games, adding that the trip is long, but beneficial for the athletes to play schools with similar student body sizes (The Malta Colts currently have 30 players on the team.)

Malta High School Report

Principal King informed the trustees that Interquest Detection Canines will again come through the school this year to search for contraband.

He informed the board the Malta High School graduate John Roberts – a professional musician who has played around the world and is currently teaching at MSU Billings – will be the first to performer at this year’s Northeastern Arts Network Big Sky Series. Roberts will play at the MHS auditorium on Monday, October 3.

Principal King recognized the Malta chapter of reAct – advised by Sonia Young – who meet every Wednesday at the school. The student group is making a stand against tobacco, drugs and alcohol use and recently have held lock-in’s on Friday nights and following a recent Mustang football game, set up a screen in a local park and watched a movie.

“They are providing alternatives for our students, that are alcohol and drug free” he added. “It’s a really good group in our school.”

Principal King said that required drug testing for student athletes participating in fall sports were taken on August 25 with 85 students being tested and all tested negative for illicit drug use.

Principal King said the date for MHS’ 2017 graduation is Sunday, May 21 starting at noon. He added that the school’s online calendar – found at malta.k12.mt.us – is maintained, up to date and items are always being added. He said the online calendar is a great way to keep tabs on the activities at all three Malta schools.