Swan Valley School Off to Brand New Start

SWAN VALLEY – Swan Valley School started Tuesday, Sept. 5 with three new teachers and a new secretary. Supervising Teacher Susan Bracha was the only returning faculty this year.

The only teacher new to the area is music teacher Kristin Cottom. Cottom is a first-year teacher that will instruct music at Swan Valley School, Seeley Lake Elementary and teaching band, choir and the History of Rock n' Roll at Seeley-Swan High School.

The rest of the new faculty and staff are Swan Valley residents. Katie Gleason will be the new secretary, Colleen Harrington is the new junior high teacher and Jamie Matthew will teach third through fifth-graders.

"I think it is going to be a great team," said Bracha. "Everyone is willing to work together and is dedicated to doing great things with the kids."

While the new staff changes and getting everyone ready for the year has been the primary focus, Bracha said Swan Valley seventh graders are looking forward to joining Seeley Lake Elementary seventh graders on their trip to Glacier again this year, dependent on the fire situation. They are continuing the Early Bird Program through the 21st Century Grant where teachers will be available before school to help students. Also, 2 Valleys Stage will be back in the school for their first informance in mid-September with the Chinook Winds.

Bracha is excited that the school will get a new website this year that should be easier to update and provide more information. Superintendent Chris Stout and SSHS Teacher Katrina Stout are working on getting the new site up and running.

Everyone is invited to follow the Swan Valley School Facebook page for weekly updates and other information as needed.

"This year will be a brand new start," said Bracha. "The teachers we lost were great teachers and now we have totally different people. I think it will all be a very positive change."