Bengal Happenings
October 30, 2026
Bell Schedules - Announcements
Contact Us!
Attendance - hhsattendance@helenaschools.org; (406) 324-2211
Main Office - (406) 324-2200
Website - hhs.helenaschools.org
Social Media
We will move back to the Helena High School (facebook.com/helenahighbengals) Facebook and Instagram pages as our main social media sites. Both sites have our logo with the tiger in the middle and Helena High School - Home of the Bengals around the outside.
Facebook - Helena High School
Instagram - helenahighschoolbengals
Starting the Second Quarter
As the first quarter comes to an end, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our student body. Everyone has been working incredibly hard in the classroom, people are showing up for events, and it is exciting each day to see students making positive decisions to help prepare themselves for the next steps in life. I continue to be proud of the work our students are doing in the community to give back and support those who graciously support their growth. It is truly a great time to be a Bengal - I look forward to seeing where the rest of this year, and beyond, takes us!
After celebrating Halloween on Saturday, don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep!
A quick update on the Senior STARBASE Survey. We will now take the survey on Wednesday, November 4 during their English class.
November is Native American Heritage Month. In Montana, we are fortunate to have a strong Native American culture and an understanding, thanks to the Indian Education for All provision through our State Constitution, of the tribes and their history in our state. Throughout the month of November, we will be celebrating the many contributions Native Americans have made, while also being aware of their sacrifices. The week of November 9 is Rock Your Mocs Week. We encourage students to participate in the dress up days during that time!
Go Bengals!
Congratulations to our State Champions!
It was a great Saturday in Billings for our Cross Country Teams. For the first time since 1973, our girl's team won the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! After a strong season that saw them win almost every competition, they sealed the deal with a strong finish at the State Meet. We are very proud of these girls, and their coaches!
The State Champions will have their Fire Truck ride on Thursday, November 4, starting from HHS at 4:00 p.m.
Our boys were close to bringing home the gold as well, narrowly losing to Bozeman High. The boys finished their season in second place for the third straight season! Congratulations to both teams!
Picture Retakes
Lifetouch will be here for Picture Retakes on Tuesday, November 3 until lunch. Students who missed picture day, or are interested in retakes, can go to the back of the Library to get their picture taken. Students need to go during a Study Hall or at a time where they are not missing instruction in class.
Hearing Screening - Freshmen
Additional Tutoring-Repeated
In an effort to provide additional support for students, we will have the Academic Support Center open on Tuesdays and Thursdays during 7th period leading into after school time. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to get support with reading and writing, have a quiet place to work, or receive support with organization and other life skills. There is no need to sign up, students are welcome to attend when they need.
ASVAB Test Sign-Ups
Helena High School will offer the option for students to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) on Monday, November 16 at 8:30 AM in the HHS library computer lab. The exam will be taken online, although scratch paper and pencils are provided for each participant.
Over the last five years, more than 3 million participants in 13,000+ high schools have taken the exam. Since its founding, the ASVAB has been credited with inspiring young people to explore careers that align with their skills and interests through military service.
To enlist in the U.S. military, students must take the ASVAB and achieve a minimum Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score, which is derived from four subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension.
- Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy: Minimum 31 for high school diploma holders; 50 for GED holders.
- Coast Guard: Minimum 36–40 for high school diploma holders; 47–50 for GED holders (often requiring college credits).
- Space Force: Minimum 36 for high school diploma holders; 65 for GED holders.
The sign-up sheet for the exam is in the Counseling Center. If you have questions, please speak with the Helena High Career Resource Assistant, Jake Troyer. He can be reached via email at Jtroyer@helenaschools.org or at (406) 324-2225.
Construction Updates
On the district kitchen site, the steel is going up and the building is starting to take shape. it is very exciting to see this all coming together!
Judges Needed for HHS Speech and Debate Tournament
HHS will host our big Speech and Debate Tournament on December 4 and 5. This tournament is one of the top events of the year, and we are looking for judges to help ensure this tournament can continue to take place. Debate events will take place at HHS with Speech events happening at CRA. There is no experience necessary to judge and it is rewarding to see the students compete at a high level. The meet will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4 and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 5. If you are interested in judging, please use the link below to sign up for your slot(s).
Attendance Reminders
When a student will be out for an appointment, a doctors note alone does not excuse them. A parent/guardian still needs to call or e-mail with the excusal.
Please also remember to call or email to excuse your child well in advance, when able. It helps us be able to get them a pass and ensure they are ready to leave when they need to.
Thanks!
Counseling Corner
Angel Fund Applications Available Now
Angel Fund applications are available in the Counseling Office through November 12th. Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch and maintain good attendance may be eligible for assistance through the program. If you think your student may qualify, please encourage them to stop by the Counseling Office and pick up an application as soon as possible. We don't want anyone to miss the opportunity!
Bengal Closet Seeking Formal Wear Donations
The Bengal Closet is currently accepting donations of formal wear only. If your student has a dress, suit, shirt, tie, shoes, or other formal attire that was worn just once and is no longer being used, please consider donating it. Donations help ensure that all students have access to attire for important events such as Homecoming, Winter Formal, Prom, and other special occasions. Thank you for helping support our Bengal community!
Scholarship Night
We will host a Scholarship Information Night on November 19 starting at 6:00 p.m. in the HHS Library. During this time, our counseling team will provide information on how to search for scholarships, the timelines typically associated with them, and answer questions you might have. There will also be workshopping time to look at resumes, personal narratives, and how to approach people to write a letter of recommendation.
Upcoming Activities at HHS
10/30 - FB First Round @ Gallatin - 7 pm
11/4 - VB @ Big Sky - Play-in - 6 pm
11/6 - FB Quarterfinals - TBD
11/9-10 - AA Choir Festival
11/12-14 - VB @ State - Bozeman
11/12-14 - Fall Play - Charlotte's Web - 6 pm each night, 2 pm matinee on Saturday
Year at a Glance
October 2026
30 – End of 1st Quarter
November 2026
3 – Picture Retakes
9-13 – Rock Your Mocs Week
20 – Shakespeare in the Schools
23 – 1st Day Basketball, Swimming, Wrestling
24 - School Board Meeting @ HHS
25-27 – No School – Thanksgiving Break
From Last Happenings
The end of the first quarter is almost upon us. Students should be paying attention to final dates to turn in late work as posted/relayed by their teachers. If you have any questions about grades or assignments, we encourage the student to connect with the teacher first. If more support is needed, please let us know and we will work together on this. The quarter ends on Friday, October 30.
Parking Updates and Reminders
Starting October 23 and continuing for roughly 3 weeks after that, we will lose a couple of rows in the yellow lot while they work on the District Kitchen. As they put up steel, they will need space for their crane during that time. Students will need to plan ahead and know that they likely will need to park in the Harris Street lot during that time.
As a reminder, local businesses are working on putting up notices for patron use only. Students need to be aware that if they choose to park in areas that they shouldn't be, their car could be ticketed and/or towed at their expense. Please encourage your child to park in the Harris Street parking lot, or in legal parking areas on city streets. On Boulder Avenue, the city did change the 2-hour parking areas to 1-hour parking recently as well.
Construction Updates
There is not much new to report at this time regarding construction. The crews continue to work on the foundation, foundation walls, and footings. Roughing in for the utilities will also begin soon. We are very thankful for the work the Dick Anderson and other contractor crews are doing to keep the project moving along.