Learning from International Travel

Chrysalis has invested heavily in international travel with students over the past 15 years. I must confess that a part of the motivation to do this, originally, was selfish. Mary and I love to travel, and moving around the planet to explore different cultures and see beautiful places was gratifying to us. That being said, it's also entirely true that we felt strongly that this global exploration and exposure would be the best possible education for our students. Too many kids in our dominant American cultures have no real understanding of, or appreciation for, the people and places beyond our borders. If we're going to be good citizens of planet Earth, it seems critical to journey abroad whenever possible to learn how the rest of our planet's inhabitants socialize, work, play, eat, learn, and live. True cultural exploration, beyond the typical tourist haunts, can shape a kid's future in ways that would never be possible in our classrooms in Montana. Some things just need to be seen, heard, or touched in person, with one's own eyes, ears, and hands. Several examples come to mind as I write this: towering pyramids, vast canyons or thundering waterfalls, classic works of art, mysterious sites of ancient and vanished cultures, great tropical reefs full of amazing marine life, African tribes, the Sahara, Kilimanjaro. The list goes on and on. There really is no substitute for being there.

And then there is service. Nothing in our human experience brings one's own life into focus, and cuts through narcissism, like good old-fashioned service work. Our students often begin a service experience wondering why in the world they would want to do something difficult for someone else, for no remuneration, and no promise that the recipients would ever do something for them in return. Then, slowly but surely, across the process, they begin to understand that even though the service project may be ostensibly and directly for someone else, the real reward comes back to us, the giver. When we've traveled to foreign countries and done a variety of service projects (we've cleaned, painted, built structures, cared for orphans, taught younger students, picked up trash, developed gardens, created fresh water systems or sanitation, and delivered food and clothing among other things) everyone in the equation benefits, but the service provider leaves with the greatest prize of all. Our hearts are full and our bags are lighter on the way home. There's nothing like it, and no one can steal from us the sense of honor, blessing, and accomplishment that comes from doing something wonderfully important for someone else. It lives in our hearts.

Cultural immersion, education, adventure, service. These are the building blocks of our international travel experience. When we do it right, in a moment of absolute clarity, students seem to find themselves completely open to self-discovery and some universal truths. They realize for the first time that many of the poor, impoverished people of the world are much happier and more content than relatively wealthy American youth. They say something like, "I've got everything that my parent's money can buy, but I'm depressed and anxious; these people have almost nothing, relatively speaking, but they're bright and smiling. There's something wrong with this picture, and there's something important here that I need to learn." Amen to that. That's what makes international travel so important, so brilliant, and so worth the cost. That's why we plan and execute two international trips a year. And that's why, starting this year, every student at Chrysalis is able to choose to participate in one included international trip during her enrollment (and pay extra for others if they choose.)

International travel is life changing. We're never the same after we return. The people we help along the way appreciate it forever, and the world becomes a better place to live as a result. It's hard to beat that chain of events. I'm hoping, by this time next year that we've successfully collaborated with other InnerChange programs to build a school building in Zambia. We'll do a floating safari in canoes on the river while we're there. Won't that be something?

To find out more about our international service trips, please visit http://www.chrysalisschoolmontana.com or call us at 888-317-9297. 

By: Kenny Pannell, Executive Director 

Utilizing EMDR at Chrysalis

EMDR is a treatment modality typically used with people who are suffering from symptoms of traumatic events that happened in their history, and which continue to beleaguer their current lives. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and works with the brain hemispheres to reprocess life events that have become caught or stuck in the person's memory in a dysfunctional, maladaptive way. Typically, when we experience an event in our lives, it gets stored in our memory in a way that, when we recall it, it is simply a picture from a story book that doesn't contain all the same sensory experiences we may have had at the time of the event. When we experience an event in our lives that is traumatic, however, the memory of it can get stuck with all the original images, thoughts/beliefs, sounds and physical sensations that happened at the time of the event. When this happens, it means that the brain hasn't processed the memory properly so that the person can move on with their life without being haunted by the event. The common example here is the war veteran who hears a car door slam while walking down the street, confuses that sound with a gun shot or bomb, and is suddenly triggered back to a battle scene during their service in the war; they become ridden with panic and fear and the inability to stay attuned to the present moment.  

EMDR originated decades ago and was used with soldiers coming back from war. What we've learned about the treatment since then, however, is that it works for those suffering from major trauma or what we refer to as "big 'T' trauma", as well as minor trauma or what we refer to as "small 't' trauma". A person does not have to have undergone an obviously traumatic event to benefit from EMDR. It has been used in family therapy, addictions treatment, for people with eating disorders, and with various other clinical issues whose roots are found in upsetting or traumatic life events that are causing problems in the person's current life. The goal of EMDR is to take the traumatic event and transform it into a historical memory by means of desensitizing the upsetting experiences associated with the memory, and reprocessing the negative belief connected to it. By engaging in this process, the person may be free of the post-event distress that occurred at the time of the event.

EMDR has been shown to work with a large number of people but is not successful for everyone. Some of the students who have participated in this treatment describe the process like a fast-moving train, where many thoughts, images, and physical sensations happen in quick succession of one another. Those thoughts, images and sensations are described as seemingly unrelated yet connected to the event somehow. The human brain is complex and capable of networking many criterions to any given event, like the smell of mustard while eating a hotdog at the ballpark--the smell of mustard may later cause a person to remember a time they were at a ballpark. Similarly, during the EMDR process, the brain recalls many associated factors of the event and begins reorganizing them in order for the event to become more functional and not upsetting or triggering. What's wonderful about EMDR is that we don't have to know exactly why or how all of the associations are networked the way that they are, as long as the memory becomes increasingly adaptive, functional, and absent of distressing material. At the end of a 90-minute session, clients often refer to the formerly distressing event as "just a picture, now" or "just something that happened that I'm not chained to anymore". This is a treatment approach that many clinicians find useful to add to their tool box when an issue occurs that can't seem to "un-stick" itself with some of the more traditional methods used in standard practice. It is a tremendously effective and powerful intervention with which many people who seek mental health services have found success; they come to live with a greater sense of ease and freedom from events that formerly kept them from happy lives and healthy relationships.

To find out more about how EMDR is used in treatment at Chrysalis, or how EMDR may benefit your daughter, contact us at 888-317-9297 or visit chrysalisschoolmontana.com.

By: Haley Kliefoth,  MA, LCPC, NCC

Gratitude from Chrysalis Staff

A few of the Chrysalis staff share what they're thankful for in regards to being a part of the Chrysalis community:

 “I'm thankful that I get to be a part of the music program at Chrysalis. I love teaching girls about music and encouraging their endeavors to learn an instrument (or two!), to have the courage to sing in front of a crowd, or to write and compose their own music. I'm thankful that I've been able to see how music impacts students’ lives in a positive way. I'm also thankful for my work as the case manager at the Cottage. We have an incredible group of girls here and our smaller community feels very warm and almost like a family. Lastly, I'm thankful to live in a place where I can spend my weekends outside doing the things I love.” – Michelle

“I'm grateful to be teaching this group of girls and watching them grow and mature not only in their academic skills, but in so many other ways as well. It is not only a responsibility I take seriously, but a joy and a privilege I cherish. I am thankful for fellow teachers who passionately desire to help kids and do odd and often thankless tasks to show that love and care. I have the perfect teaching job in so many ways: small class size, encouraging support, and positive one on one with girls and staff. What a blessing!” – Darla

“I'm thankful to be a part of a program that believes in girls and helps facilitate lasting change in families. I'm thankful that running is a part of my daily work responsibilities. I'm thankful for the table fellowship around meal time on campus. I'm thankful for co-workers who have become good friends. I'm thankful for collaboration with other professionals and programs. I'm thankful to live in beautiful northwest Montana where I truly feel like myself.” – Carrie

“I am grateful for the team of therapists I get to work with, and how we collaborate to take care of the girls whose parents have entrusted them to our care. And I'm grateful for our mountains!” – Haley

“I am thankful for being a part of a dedicated team who are helping families to heal and to witness young women discover their true selves. I feel honored to take care of many of the girls’ needs so they feel loved and cared for. I am grateful that I get to do it in such a beautiful place!” – Leslie

“I am so thankful to have the opportunity every day to spend time with the passionate and smart young women at Chrysalis. I am thankful to have a job that allows me to teach young women about how to be confident playing in the woods and mountains of Montana. I am so thankful to walk down the road by our house and see the gorgeous Whitefish Mountain Range covered in snow. I am thankful to live and work in Montana!”– Ashton

“I am so thankful for Chrysalis and the blessing it has been in my life! I am thankful for the caring staff. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet incredible students and their families from around the country. I am thankful for the beautiful setting in which we have the privilege to work.” - Vicki

"I am thankful for the magic and healing of human connection that surrounds me every day at Chrysalis. I am grateful for the resilience of the human spirit, and our capacity to appreciate joy and wonder that is always surrounding us if we will but look about. I am grateful for the amazing people who work at Chrysalis and have dedicated themselves to helping girls and their families to heal. I am thankful for the trust parents have placed in our amazing team. I am especially thankful to our co-founder, Kenny Pannell, who has imagined, created, lived and breathed "Chrysalis" over the last fifteen years by my side. I am grateful for our fabulous, supportive partners at InnerChange. I am thankful for all of my relatives and family, including those extended Chrysalis family members." - Mary

“I've always thought that Thanksgiving is arguably the best holiday of them all. No gifts to buy during an overly commercialized shopping frenzy. No crowds to fight through in every place where people gather. No confusion about what the holiday is really about. No shock and regret when the January credit card statements arrive. And, no extra weight to carry around for months since I always display great restraint when it comes to holiday eating at Thanksgiving. (I think this might be where people insert smiling little faces to suggest intended humor.)

At this time of year, I always feel enormous gratitude for my parents and grandparents, who joined together and sacrificed to make my life truly meaningful in every possible way. Their great expectations helped me realize who I was in the context of my own, what values were necessary to shape a healthy life and lifestyle, and what I might become in terms of the larger community of which I am a part. I love and appreciate them for those critical inputs.

At the other end of the family spectrum are my children, who are bright, beautiful, and full of promise. I'm so grateful that they are healthy, hard-working, kind, and generous of spirit. I couldn't be more proud of them than I am.

I also feel grateful for all the good people who have collaborated with us for the past 15 years to make our little school a winning place to live and work. I hear from our former students and their parents almost every week, and the message is always one of thanksgiving. We have facilitated great change in the lives of so many fine young people, and the futures that they've embraced are full and rich because of the powerful investments made by our remarkable staff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And lastly, I would be entirely remiss if I didn't acknowledge the reservoir of gratitude that I feel for my beautiful Mary, whose devotion to this place, these people, and her family, make all the struggle and strain of our chosen life totally worthwhile. She's the best. She's my favorite person in the world. And I thank God everyday for her presence and partnership in my life.

We are truly blessed!  Happy Thanksgiving to one and all,” Kenny

~

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Understanding Attachment Disorder

The Father of Attachment Theory, John Bowlby, described attachment as the “lasting psychological connections between human beings.” The way in which humans attach to others has been proven to influence the way an individual relates to others, themselves, and the world. Understanding attachment serves as a solid foundation for understanding the development of ineffective coping strategies and the underlying dynamics of a person's emotional health and difficulties. Research has found that attachment style impacts behaviors throughout life. Failure to form secure attachments early in life can have a negative impact on behavior in later childhood and throughout adulthood. Disruption in the parent-child relationship, adoption, and early trauma are all factors that negatively impact an individual’s attachment style.

Here at Chrysalis, we understand the importance of attachment and the devastating effects unhealthy attachment styles can have on individuals and their families. Many of the girls that come to us have experienced attachment disruptions early in their lives. These situations have impacted their ability to connect with others, form a healthy self-esteem and self-concept, manage their own emotional states, and form healthy and secure relationships. We treat attachment issues by helping individuals understand how past experiences with caregivers, significant others, and previous life experiences have shaped our students’ coping patterns. We show them how these patterns work to protect them initially but then later contribute to their feelings of distress.

Chrysalis seeks to heal attachment wounds by working with the individual to find alternative ways to meet their unmet needs and learn how to form long lasting healthy attachment bonds to themselves, others, and the world around them. We hope to not only modify their ineffective coping strategies, but also better understand the underlying unmet needs that are satisfied by their ineffective coping strategies. We want to help them learn alternative ways to satisfy their psychological or emotional needs. Our focus on relationships and providing consistent, warm, and nurturing care creates a safe place to look at attachment issues, begin to heal old wounds, and find healthy patterns of attachment.

Remember, there is hope for healthy attachments and relationships. To find out more about how we work with attachment disorder at Chrysalis, call us at 888-317-9297 or visit our website, http://www.chrysalisschoolmontana.com/.

By: Amy McClung, LMFT and LPC

Chrysalis' Leadership Retreats

Dear Students and Families-

Hope this letter finds you all well. As it has been said, “Teamwork can be summed up in five short words: We believe in each other.”

The first leadership experience this past summer, held in Glacier National Park, was a success for the Chrysalis community. This initial retreat gave students the opportunity to be recognized for their positive contributions throughout the year; we would love to keep this positive momentum rolling.  The staff, teachers, clinicians and directors feel it is both imperative and beneficial to continue gathering select students, who are demonstrating the characteristics listed below, for seasonal retreats throughout the year as an acknowledgement of their positive efforts to strengthen both themselves and the Chrysalis community.  

A leadership criteria has been established with input from staff and house parents, school teachers, adventure staff, clinical staff and Kenny and Mary, that will hopefully help you clearly understand the purpose and context of these retreats. We want to illustrate what we are looking for from our students in order to gain an invitation to one of these retreats. The purpose of these retreats, in short, is to help each student attending Chrysalis strive to be intentional and purposeful in their personal, relational, educational, and community leadership.

Leadership has been defined as the ability to motivate yourself and others to accomplish a common goal through a united effort. Every student at Chrysalis has the potential to not only be the leader of their own lives, but also have the capacity to provide leadership for those they see struggling in the community. Leadership develops through direct involvement with family, school and the community.

So, what will it take to get an invitation to the next retreat, you might be thinking?  The staff at Chrysalis will be looking for student leaders who are demonstrating the following characteristics:

1. Responsibility: Staying on top of her daily responsibilities in all facets of the program.
2. Optimism: Maintaining a positive attitude and helping students who may be struggling with negativity develop a healthier concept of their circumstances, opportunities and potential for success.
3. Resiliency: Consistently turning obstacles into challenges, and overcomes these challenges through perseverance, determination and hardwork.
4. Organization and focus: Maintaining an organized living space and consistently completing tasks; is able to simplify even complicated tasks into achievable goals.
5. Diligence: The student who is willing to complete a task to its conclusion.
6. Delegation: Embracing the support of others; not afraid, embarrassed or resistant to ask for and rely on help from others in the community.
7. Encouragement: Openly and enthusiastically acknowledging the accomplishments of other students who are struggling to do well in the Chrysalis community.
8. Trustworthiness: Earning the respect of the community through consistent leadership characteristics.
9. Leadership Development: Willing to participate in activities that promote and encourage their own personal sense of what is right and good for themselves and the Chrysalis community.
10. Accountability and Authenticity: Willing to hold themselves and others accountable, not just because it is expected, but because they sincerely believe it is the right thing to do for themselves, their peers and the health of the community as a whole.

It’s important to note that we don’t require that a student be doing all these things exceptionally well at this moment in order to be invited to a leadership retreat.  That would be unrealistic, of course, because those are very high standards that few people completely achieve in a lifetime.  We are, however, looking for girls who are working in these directions, demonstrating a capacity to grow toward this kind of excellence in everything that they do, and who have a willingness to commit to the process.  If someone is willing to try very hard to get there, we want to do everything we can to help them accomplish that goal. Leadership starts with involvement! Students, involve yourself with your school, with your community, and perhaps most importantly, become involved and attuned with your self. Parents, encourage your daughters in this direction. It could make all the difference.

The Chrysalis staff looks forward to helping each Chrysalis student achieve their leadership potential and witnessing their sense of accomplishment upon receiving their invitation to the next leadership retreat.

2013 Parent Workshop

In order to help families be successful at home, Chrysalis has always focused on the needs of our parents, as well as our students. With that focus in mind, Chrysalis holds a Parent Workshop each fall. This three day workshop offers parents a wealth of information about child development, family dysfunction, and overall family healing. They also participate in group exercises to experience certain relationship concepts and then sit down in small groups to discuss their experience. . These small groups are facilitated by experienced parents who have been through the workshop previously. Parents explored topics including family systems, the etiology of relational injury, Erickson's Psycho-social Developmental Stages, negative belief systems, trust, negative control mechanisms, and how to give and receive feedback.

Twenty-five parents participated in our workshop this year. These parents represented seventeen of our current students.  Overall, the parents found it very impactful and exhausting. Since this workshop focuses strictly on the parents, they learned a lot about themselves and what they contribute to their individual family system. They went away with a new perspective on how their family functions in a healthy or unhealthy way, and what they can do to change it.  We encourage parents to do their own therapeutic work at home while their daughter is working on herself on campus. At Chrysalis we know that research shows that if the student does her work while away from the home, but the family system does not change, the student will likely quickly return to her old behaviors and patterns.

In conclusion, the 2013 Parent Workshop was a huge success. However, what these parents reported as being the most helpful were the small group interactions, getting to know other parents, and learning about feedback. Several parents remarked that now they know what their daughters go through on a regular basis with groups and feedback, and were amazed at their resiliency. The workshop concluded with a touching and heartfelt closing ceremony with the students. 

Our next workshop will be the Family Workshop in the spring. This will be a fabulous opportunity to include students, parents and even siblings. For more information about Chrysalis’ Parent Workshops, call our admissions department at 888-317-9297.  

Service: Building a House

Service plays an important role in the Chrysalis program. We emphasize the importance of giving back, and considering others in our day to day lives.

Several of our students and staff drove to the Flathead Valley to partner with Habitat for Humanity this weekend. Students assisted in building a house, and they did a great job! It was an excellent effort and an empowering opportunity for girls.

The girls ended the day with a beautiful fall hike:

Other Chrysalis service projects include volunteering at the local Animal Shelter, providing activities and building relationships with nursing home residents, and service projects on our bi-annual international trips. A group of students will head to Mexico later this fall to help with a sea turtle research project. Be looking for an update in late November!

Academics at Chrysalis

The school year is in full swing here at Chrysalis, and girls are busy with the rigors of school. Many seniors are excitedly preparing for college, writing essays and filling out applications. Other students are catching up academically, often realizing how much academic potential they have.

Intellect and academics play a large role in a student’s time at Chrysalis. Greater success in school often results in increased self-esteem. Our small class size and fully certified world-class educators help students succeed academically. The teachers come with diverse backgrounds, ranging from outdoor education, the Peace Corps, teaching overseas, and Masters degrees. They offer flexibility in scheduling, individualizing it for each student’s needs. Our teachers also work closely with the clinicians, attending weekly treatment team meetings. The small class sizes allow teachers to differentiate in the classroom on an individual basis, yet still facilitate a traditional teacher guided class.

This year we are offering English 9-12, World History, US History, US Government, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, French 1 and 2, Spanish 1 and 2, Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Independent Physics, Art, and Music.  Some of the music students recently performed at our anniversary celebration, and guests enjoyed not only the students’ musical talent, but the meaning behind the songs chosen.

When students were asked what is different about teachers at Chrysalis compared to other schools, students replied with comments such as, “They care about us. For reals.”, “The teachers are flexible.”, “The teachers actually teach. It’s not just textbook based. It’s specific and they’re willing to help. They make sure you don’t fail.”

Check out our website for more information about Chrysalis academics. 

Fall Backpacking Trip

At Chrysalis, recreation is a huge part of healing. Recently, we took eight girls on a fall backpacking trip. On the first day was a short hike to an alpine lake. When we arrived, the girls set up their tents near the small streams that meander through the forest. One girl set up her hammock nestled between two trees with a nice A-frame tarp shelter set up above it. While dinner was being prepared, the girls built a fire to enjoy, sharing stories and laughter as the sun went down. 

The next day we woke up, broke down camp and hiked to another lake. After we set up camp there and had some lunch, we day-hiked to the top of an unnamed peak that we have called "Chrysalis Peak" for many years. It was a mental challenge for some to walk up the scree field, which was a new type of terrain for a few of the girls. In the end, everyone overcame their fears and reached the top of the peak. At the top, we enjoyed views from all angles. We looked down to the west and saw the town of Eureka and Lake Koocanusa, to the east and could see into Glacier National Park, to the north and saw the Canadian peaks and to the south the Whitefish Range. After soaking up the views and enjoying each other's company, we made the descent to our camp at the lake. What a beautiful and clear evening! We had pesto pasta for dinner and roasted s'mores around the campfire for dessert. 

On the last day, we woke up with a bittersweet feeling that we were heading home in just a few hours. As we hiked out, there were huckleberries that lined the trail the entire way down. Needless to say, the girls arrived in the parking lot with berry-stained fingers and faces. As we debriefed the trip, girls shared their favorite memories about the trip and what they learned throughout the weekend. Several girls shared funny moments and memories and others shared deep insight that they had gained while in the woods. The outdoors gives great opportunities for learning and growth and this year was no exception.

Chrysalis Parent Retreats

Father-Daughter Retreat

Each year we venture to the wild and scenic section of the Missouri River to enjoy a 3-day float with our fathers and daughters. It's a beautiful paddle, complete with golden eagles, bald eagles, fish, canyons, and unique rock formations. Our girls paddle in a canoe with their dads, singing or chatting down the river. We stop for lunch along the banks each day, even finding time for afternoon swims. Though the trip certainly requires physical strength, it is typically a casual paddle with plenty of time for bonding.

This year, however, was much different. The wind was in our face each day, requiring extra strength and perseverance. Dads and daughters pushed through together. We even had an intense lightning storm and strong winds that damaged several tents. Each obstacle proved to be a learning and bonding experience; students, dads, and staff rallied together to fix tents in the middle of the storm. One student commented afterwards, "If this had happened a year ago, I would have only cared about my own things, but we were all helping each other out. Think about how we've changed!"





Mother-Daughter Retreat
Girl time is so important for our students. Thus, each year we ensure that moms spend quality time with their daughters. This year, we were at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp on Flathead Lake, staying in bunk cabins. Activities varied from tubing and waterskiing, to canoeing and kayaking. Spending time in the great outdoors is a fabulous way for moms and their daughters to bond and unwind.

In conjunction with all the fun, we made sure to do lots of in-depth family work during this weekend. We focused specifically on ensuring that mothers and daughters pay attention to the quality of their relationships and their connections with each other. One way we emphasized this was through triptych art collages. Each collage depicted the mother-daughter relationship in the past, present, and their hopeful depiction of the future. Our students and parents loved being able to express their feelings, without having to use words.

All too quickly, the weekend was over. It was a very productive and enjoyable few days for our moms and daughters. They shared the happy, nurturing moments and expressed gratitude. We are so excited to bring our moms back next year. There’s nothing like art and s’mores to bring us together.

July at Chrysalis

Summer always promises to be a busy and adventurous time at Chrysalis, here in Northwest Montana. This July was no different as our students and staff embarked on a variety of adventures, both on and off campus. Here's a glance at what we've been up to:

Shenanigans at Carpenter Lake

A Farewell to Nikita

Niki loved being outside, and always chose the perfect perch to observe all the girls' activities

After 11 years as a well-loved member of our Chrysalis community, our campus dog Nikita passed away this morning. Nikita had been battling a tumor for a while and we did not wish her to suffer. It was a sad morning on campus as the decision was made.

Girls were given time to say goodbye this morning before school. There were several tears, but also many hugs. It was a moment of pride to see how all our students supported each other. This campus truly felt like a family as student's thanked Nikita for her presence on our campus and in their lives.

We will miss Niki and all her antics and affection. We have appreciated our time with her and feel blessed that she was a Chrysalis dog for so many generations of girls.

A very young Nikita spending some time with a Chrysalis little sister

- Brittny Birrell

Happy Spring Break!

April is a promise that May is bound to keep. ~Hal Borland

While many of our girls are at home or off in Spain, there are a handful of lucky ladies who find themselves on campus for Spring Break. I call them lucky because their activities the last week have made most of us staff wish we were students!

Community "Sewvice"

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill.

One of Chrysalis' core beliefs is that our students benefit from

participating in service activities. This is why every international

trip we embark on has a service project incorporated into it. Why each

summer girls spend time volunteering with the trail dogs in Glacier

National Park. Chrysalis doesn't just believe in getting involved when

we travel, we also help girls reach out right here in Eureka.

One of our students reading to the Kindergartener's at the local elementary school

Volunteering at the 2013 Winter Special Olympics

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this

life that no man can sincerely try to help 

another without helping himself."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

On Tuesday, February 26th, several of our students went to Whitefish

to volunteer with the 2013 Winter Special Olympics. 

We have been participating in this service work

for the past several years, and the joy and satisfaction

experienced by our students as they join in this wonderful activity 

makes being chosen to attend an especially coveted  privilege.