Harlowton, MT

In response to a community survey that indicated an unmet need for mental health counseling, Wheatland Memorial Healthcare (WMH) held a series of telehealth classes with professional counselors from South Central Mental Health in Billings. Using telehealth allows our residents to access services that are normally not available in small rural communities.  WMH first offered open meetings for the public to talk about and learn about ways to manage stress. The counselors then met with 11 interested adults to help them learn self-management of stress, anxiety, and depression. Upon conclusion of this successful offering, the participants met for eight additional meetings as a support group. The evaluations for this self-management intervention have been extremely positive.  A second round of telehealth meetings on stress, anxiety and depression will begin in March.

This year a new focus has been introduced at Hillcrest Elementary School.  We have begun introducing our students in Kindergarten through sixth grade to the idea that each of them is a college bound student and that everything they do in school is helping them achieve the goal of one day attending a college and earning their degree!  Our goal at Hillcrest is to work together with families to ensure each child leaves sixth grade with the skills to be successful in junior high which will lead to success at high school, leading to success in college.   We take great care to weave this focus throughout our school year and activities.  Each of our students received a school pride t-shirt with our “Destination College!” logo which they are encouraged to wear on school pride days.  These “pride” days are often centered around other all-school activities further building a sense of community.  Each class has “adopted” a Montana college or university, proudly displaying their banners and logos in their rooms and around the school.  Representatives from the colleges also stop by and visit during their trips around the state, encouraging the students to work hard in school and keep on track for college.  We have also been visited by Dr. Frank Gilmore, Chancellor of Montana Tech of the University of Montana.  Dr. Gilmore spoke with all of our students about the importance of taking all the academic courses they could in high school to better prepare themselves for college.  Triangle Communications donated a large banner with our logo which hangs in our hallway surrounded by college banners as a constant reminder to our students of their ultimate goal of going to college.  “Destination College” has also been linked to our Red Ribbon Week celebration with the theme of “On Track to Success-Drug Free,” and our February reading celebration entitled, “Book’n It To College.”     So, when you see a student from Hillcrest, ask them, “Where are you going?”  Most likely they will answer, “To College!”  Hillcrest Elementary School, college bound! Aubrey Mr. Aubrey S. MillerHillcrest Elementary, PrincipalHarlowton Public Schools

Ask a member of Harlowton’s community what they think and they’ll be happy to respond and respond they did. Two hundred and fifty-six community members participated in a study concerning Adult Education interests in Harlowton.

The study began by surveying all known associations and community groups in Harlowton and Wheatland County, thereby reaching a diverse group of people. The main target was to reach as many people as possible in the community of all economic backgrounds and ages, 18 and older. The study was conducted over a 2-month period, September and October 2008, at numerous locations throughout town.

Two simple questions were asked: (1) Would you be interested  in participating in any adult education classes in Harlowton? (2) What would you be interested in learning about?

While speaking with different community groups, everyone was given the option to ask questions and respond to the survey or not. To reach a cross section of participants, the post office became a primary target location, where everyone receives their mail. At different times throughout the day, time was spent talking with residents about their interests. A small table was set up in the corner of the post office with a sign worded “Adult Education Interests”. Those choosing to inquire and respond had the freedom to do so, no one was approached.

The final results: Those between the ages of 35 - 65 were the most receptive and provided the majority of interests. The top five interests were; computers, digital cameras, dance lessons, GPS instruction and painting.  What is exciting, three of the classes have already been offered through adult education, in collaboration with Wheatland Memorial Healthcare, MSU Extension and Harlowton School Adult Education program.

The study has been a huge success and continue to look for more Adult Education programs in the near future.

Festive Christmas decorations and sparkling lights adorn shopping centers, malls and interiors of shops to remind us the holidays are just around the corner, but wait, it’s only October 15th! The season for shopping is growing longer and longer every year. What can be done to relieve stress and create a sense of sanity in our busy lives?

Jean Wallace, CCOP Coordinator, Wheatland Memorial Healthcare and Lea, AmeriCorps Vista joined together, November 17, to share information with those attending the Healthy Family Series. Helping to alleviate chaos during the holiday season was the main focus for the evening discussion.

The program started off having all the participants wrap a box/present in any fashion they saw fit. Supplies were multiple and diverse, from fancy ribbons and wrapping paper to newspaper and brown paper bags. A simple task, yet the responses were varied. “I hate wrapping presents, that’s my husband’s job” or “even though the paper is pretty, think about all the trees that are cut down”. Ideas and thoughts began to emerge from the activity and participates began to share their thoughts about the holidays, past and present.

Setting aside time, prior to the holidays, to evaluate and discuss plans with spouses, family members, loved ones. What is most important/special/memorable, can anything be eliminated, are there assumptions that are incorrect? One husband didn’t realize his wife wanted help with the decorating because she always seemed so happy doing it herself. Jean Wallace shared how good, positive communication skills help alleviate stress. Jean also walked the group through a guided imagery thinking back to childhood memories of the holidays.

The group walked away with tools on how to reduce stress, make a plan, set priorities for self and family and what traditions to continue and new ones to create.

Ending with a gift exchange of the presents wrapped earlier in the evening, they were unwrapped and shared. Family, warmth, relaxation and connection were just a few of the words and thoughts inside the boxes and were gifts for all to take home and incorporate into their own holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Hillcrest Elementary students kicked off Red Ribbon week with the MT National Guard Counterdrug Task Force flying in for a helicopter display and presentation.  The school was split into two groups; K-3 and 4-6.  In both groups drugs and alcohol prevention were discussed.  Other activities during Red Ribbon week included community members handing out the wrist bands, dress up days and in class presentations during Life Skills.

Through out the month of November, the topics of drugs, alcohol and tobacco have been discussed in Life Skills.  In the Kindergarten and First grade classrooms discussion focused on making good choices.  Tobacco and alcohol were the main focuses of the dialogue.  In Second and Third grade the topics were more elaborate.  Making healthy choices and the effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco on the brain and body were discussed.  Students in Second and Third grade participated in a drug prevention curriculum using stories.  Prescription drug abuse, alcohol use, and alternatives for a healthy life style were all main topics in the curriculum.  Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade students have had a more intensive curriculum for drug, alcohol and tobacco use prevention.  These students have spent hours discussing health risks, diseases, body parts affected and ways to get help.  Students have completed crossword puzzles, scavenger hunts and media literacy awareness assignments.  Students were introduced to a variety of curriculums.  Information for teaching this curriculum came from PBSkids.org.  Additional information used as a supplemental source included the Department of Health and Human Services website and links and the National Institute of Health.  A follow up to these topics will be addressed in the Spring.

by Kay Hiner

The 10th Annual National Leadership Conference was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.  The conference focuses on the issue of underage drinking and programs that have been successful.  Through a grant, the Wheatland County Sheriff’s Office sent Deputy Sheila Crow, Bailey Snelling and Brenda Snelling.  The Horizons program sent Alyssia Williams.  And the National Leadership Team sponsored Ray Hetherington.  A typical day at the conference began at 8:00 am and ended after many one-hour seminars at approximately 5:30 pm.

 The youth participants, Bailey and Alyssia were sent to help get a youth program started at Harlowton High School and Judith Gap High School.  The youth attended training to assist them in starting a successful program.  The youth were taught by adult mentors and yoth mentors that have established solid programs in other states.  As a requirement of taking youth to the function, Brenda attended as a chaperone. 

The adult learning track of the conference was filled with valuable programs.  Deputy Sheila Crow attended many workshops that were appropriate for our area.

The National Leadership Team sponsored three teams from across the nation.  Montana was one of the teams.  The state leadership teams were composed of five to six members.  Ray Hetherington was asked to be one of the five members of the Montana State Leadership Team.  The leadership teams were tasked with working on policy changes for their state. 

The Wheatland County Sheriff’s Office, Partnership for Youth, Harlowton Schools and the Horizons program are working together to actively try and reduce underage access to alcohol.  This effort is being made through increased parent education, increased youth education and increased enforcement.

Excitement, curiosity and exploration all took place at Harlowton Community Garden this past Thursday, as forty-three children from the H.A.P.Y. after school program made their way from Hillcrest Elementary to the community garden. They snacked on fresh picked cauliflower and with sounds of “ummm, that’s good,” more children asked for a taste. By the time we arrived at the garden, the bowl was nearly emptied of two large cauliflower heads.

Everyone had a chance to view, smell, pick, and taste the numerous vegetables and herbs that were ready for harvest. As the children finished their visit, they were served zucchini bread made with fresh zucchini from the garden. The day was a huge success. Little was left to be harvested after the visit, but the remainder was picked, washed and taken to the Wheatland Memorial Nursing home and made into relish trays to be enjoyed by the residents.

Did You Miss IT?

Did you miss the first workshop in the Healthy Families Series put on by Horizons, Wheatland County Extension, Harlowton schools and Wheatland Memorial Healthcare?  Wheatland County Extension Agent Mandie Reed facilitated the workshop and parents shared their experiences in trying to balance family, busy work schedules and fun into their day. 

Mandie and other parent participants offered some great tips on organization, from making a list that you can check each morning to packing the bag in the car before getting younger children up.  The group also shared some tricks for transitioning between work and home.  “I had never thought of my children needing time to transition into home, but I have noticed that if we play for a few minutes before we begin the evening routine, everything goes more smoothly.”  One family shared that they read a fun book on their way to and from work as a way to transition. 

One key to balancing our busy lives is knowing what we consider quality time and building it into our schedules. We redefined what quality time might be for each family by taking the time we spend together doing chores or traveling or eating and making caring connections with their children during that time instead of adding on to an already crowed day. If you redefine what you are doing in a day, what used to be a chore, such as the dishes, becomes an opportunity to talk to your children and connect.  “I never thought of folding the laundry as quality time, but I guess it is because we are spending time together, talking.”  What a great opportunity to turn a chore into quality time with your children.

If you missed this class, you missed some great tips, but you don’t have to miss out on the next one. October 20th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm., the next class in the Healthy Family Series, we will discuss Financial Management for Parents. The facilitator, Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economist, is an expert on identifying resources for parents of kids from pre-school to college.

A light dinner will be served and free day care is provided for parents who sign up by October 13th at 5 p.m. Call Honey Bear Day Care to reserve a spot for your child and call Mandie Reed at the Wheatland County Extension Office 632-4728 for more information or to reserve s spot for yourself.

The Musselshell Youth Soccer Organization is in its fourth year and has record enrollment.  Over 60 youth are on the baseball/soccer fields each Tuesday evening for practice and Saturday morning for their games.  Wonder down next Saturday and check out the games.  This is a wonderful sport that the youth love and look forward to each season.  A heart felt Thank You to all of the volunteers it takes each year to make this sport happen.  Truly, we would not have soccer without you.

After four years of cooperative work between the City of Harlowton and Mt. Fish Wildlife and Parks, they have broken ground on the new fishing access along the Musselshell River south of Chief Joseph Park.  The fishing access with provide a great opportunity for young and old to enjoy the Musselshell River.  More to come as the progress develops.