April Newsletter
Message from Mrs. Jones and Mr. Steier ~ PEAK Coordinators
We are so excited for this session of PEAK!! I don't have a ton of details on the end of season track meet that will take place but I will communicate with you as soon as I have the information. Due to some scheduling conflicts on Mondays and gym availability we are going to shift practices to Tuesdays and Fridays 3:10-4:00. FIRST PRACTICE WILL BE TUESDAY APRIL 7TH.
As the weather gets nicer students are more inclined to walk. If your student is normally picked up and is making the change to walking please let me know so we can make a note and make sure everyone gets home safely.
As always please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to this season and improving speed and skills.
April 2026
Monthly Counseling Update from Mr. Wasson!
Topic: Grief
“Respect the power of grief. Know that it can affect you psychologically, physically, and spiritually in intense and sometimes surprising ways. Stay gentle with yourself.” (Katafiasz & Alley, 2018)
When a loved one dies, it affects the whole family. It can be hard to support children while managing your own sadness. You don’t have to “be tough” or hide emotions—kids benefit from seeing healthy grief. The goal is to stay present, honest, and steady.
What Helps (Sarani, 2016)
Be honest early: Use clear words (e.g., “died”), avoid euphemisms.
Make space for feelings: Kids may feel sad, angry, numb, or confused—all are okay.
Don’t have all the answers: It’s fine to say, “I don’t know,” and revisit later.
Show your emotions: It’s okay for kids to see you cry.
Care for yourself: Rest, accept help, and take small breaks.
Prepare kids for changes: Explain what to expect at the funeral or gatherings.
Share memories: Laugh, tell stories, and celebrate the person’s life.
What to Avoid
Don’t drop routines completely: Keep school and daily rhythms when possible—structure helps kids feel safe.
Don’t avoid the topic: Invite questions and conversations; don’t change the subject when grief comes up.
Don’t disconnect: Check in regularly and offer extra hugs and reassurance.
Every family’s situation is different—use what fits your child and culture. If you’re concerned about how your child is coping, reach out to your pediatrician or school counselor.
Reed Wasson
Bench Elementary School Counselor
(406) 281-6306
Citations
Katafiasz, K., & Alley, R. W. (2018). Grief therapy. St Pauls.
Serani, D. (2016, December). The do’s and don’ts of talking with a child about death. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/two-takes-on-depression/201612/the-dos-and-donts-of-talking-with-a-child-about-death
Heights Parent Informational Meeting
*Social Media Dangers and Safety
*Identifying Predator Platforms
*Online Gaming Apps
*AI-Generated Child Exploitation
*Grooming Tactics for Predators/Human Trafficking
When: Wednesday, April 15th
Where: Skyview High School Auditorium
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Sponsored by: Journey 2 Empowerment (J2E)
Platform Speakers:
Bethany Richter | Human Trafficking Agent/Montana DOJ/Billings
Discuss issues listed above etc.
Officer Chris Thiel – Heights School Resource Officer
Discuss issues occurring in schools
Jessica Anderson – Sharing personal story
Kelvin Haidle – Sharing personal story
Carol Kuhns – Quick overview of J2E
Question and Answer Session
I am excited to announce TEDxBillingsYouth is set for April 17th from 1-5 PM in the Lincoln Center Auditorium! This is TEDxBillings' first TEDxYouth event and we are so excited about the partnership!
Students in grades 8–12 will take the stage to share their big ideas, and a student committee is already working closely with TEDxBillings to bring the event to life.
You can purchase tickets here: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/TEDxBillingsYouth2026.
Students are able to attend the event at no cost and it will count as a school-related absence. Students will just need to:
- Register for their ticket online
- Bring their student ID to the event
- Sign a form upon arrival (we will have a table set up in the auditorium lobby with the form)
Big Ideas. Young Voices. April 17th!
We’re excited to announce the expansion of the TEDxBillings ecosystem through a new partnership with Billings School District 2, bringing TEDxBillingsYouth to our community.
We are thrilled to announce that TEDxYouth is happening on April 17th, and this year’s theme is Uncommon: Unique Ways for a Unique World.
Tickets Are Now Available
Date: Friday, April 17th
Time: Event starts at 1:00 pm
Location: Lincoln Center Auditorium
Tickets are: $20 per adult (18+)
What to expect:
Inspiring youth speakers and performers
A community of future leaders
A day that sparks confidence and purpose
This is more than an event; it’s an experience that empowers the next generation to think bigger, lead boldly, and believe in their voice.
Thank you!
Melanie Willardson
Director of Community Relations
Billings Public Schools
