Belt Public School 4 May 2018 Issue 17 Inside Swinging Bridge Mrs. Ray/5th Grade Since the early 1900’s the in order for the community to entertain 2 Featured Staff “swinging” bridge has been a staple in the idea of a new forging a new path Belt’s on-foot transportation. Originally through Belt Creek. Calendar of Events nd 3 built in 1906, the footpath of the Just after midnight on April 22 , CMR Orchestra “swinging” bridge has been present the cables of Belt’s “swinging” bridge DECA IDCD 4 around the community in a variety of snapped under the stress of many people forms and locations. The first suspension jumping up and down, sending the quaint Spanish Class 5 bridge was built by the rodeo grounds little bridge to its demise in the bed of Gov. Debates near the park, but has Belt Creek. Ac- since been moved to cording to the Golf 6 the current location. city’s clerk- Mr. Paulson’s Trip The “swinging” treasurer Lynn May the Fourth Be bridge was originally Schilling, “Belt’s 7 With You constructed of two historic suspension cotton wood trees foot bridge was HS Track 8 and a series of large built strongly to stones. In 1908, a accommodate as Craig Cummings new bridge was con- many people as 9 Tournament structed for a cost of would fit on it end $375.00; the bridge was then replaced to end. Over the years various sports Music Festival about thirty years later, but the cost was teams and groups have been photographed Expanding Hori- 10 substantially steeper, totaling $4,000.00 on the bridge in numbers exceeding 25. It zons with the help of volunteers. Seeing the was not however built to withstand the Theater large increase of the construction cost destructive and vandalistic force of that 11 MS Track throughout Belt history, it can be conclud- number of people singing it from side to ed that a new bridge today would cost side and jumping up and down on it…” Puzzle 12 quite a bit more and require fund raising (Cont. Pg. 2) Hannah Croff Buckle Up Wednesday, May 2nd tears fell she loved the life she was living. Lauryn from the eyes of many middle and high excelled at sports, school, and participated We’re on the school students as they listened to Pat in many activities. She touched the hearts Goldhahn preach about the importance of of many as she had the gift of making an- Web buckling their seat belts. Goldhahn coura- yone feel like they were her best friend. Voice in color at: geously shared the story of his daughter’s Then Goldhahn spoke of how suddenly www.beltschool.com passing in 2016 after a car accident just this was all taken away when she chose outside of Fiarfield, with the message that not to wear her seat belt. He described his Subscribe for free via it didn’t have to happen. The disastrous daughter’s condition once they entered the email for electronic car accident that was absolutely heart hospital and how rapidly she was moved issues! shattering to their family and friends be- to Seattle. He knew that even if it wasn’t gan the #buckleupblue4Lauryn campaign soon Lauryn would eventually return on Contact us at: that is sweeping the state and the nation. the plane back to Montana but sadly, that valleyvoice@ Goldhahn talked of the person his day never came. beltschool.com daughter, Lauryn Goldhahn, was and how (Cont. Pg. 3) Page 2 Swinging Bridge (Cont.) Mrs. Ray Retiring On response to the scene as April 23rd dawned, Mrs. Debra Ray has been the librari- were the Cascade County Sherriff’s Office and the an at Belt Schools for over 20 Belt Rural Fire Department, along with the Belt Vol- years, and recently announced unteer Ambulance Service. Upon arriving at the acci- that she will retire at the end of dent, the first priority of the responders was to make the school year. Ray was the sure that no one was still in the water or trapped under middle school English teacher at the bridge. A search of the area confirmed that no one Belt and the Title 1 teacher at was laying in the water or stuck under the wreckage, two Great Falls elementary and it was further reported that there were no serious schools. She received her under- injuries incurred during the incident. Many facts about graduate degree and reading en- the event are unclear at this time and more information dorsement from the University of Providence, her will come to light in the coming days and weeks. master’s from MSU Northern, and Library endorse- Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority ment from the U of Montana in Missoula. (MMIA) is the agency with which the city attains lia- Ray grew up and graduated in Glasgow. She bility insurance for the suspension bridge. Schilling came to Belt because she liked the small school setting wrote, “This fact alone attests to its strength and safety and the Middle School English position seemed like a features when used as a bridge should be…” fun challenge. When Ray first moved to the library, Mayor Olson encourages residents not to spec- the collection of books needed to be updated and the ulate, and a city council meeting was held on May 2nd atmosphere was not inviting to students. “I think I’ve with the primary focus of the “swinging bridge.” Re- succeeded in changing that and it has been a really fun garding the replacement of the bridge Schilling added, challenge!” said Ray. Ray plans to spend more time “... its replacement and/or repair are not covered by with family and attend extracurricular events with her the City’s property insurance because its value as a grandchildren. Her husband and her plan on traveling historic feature cannot be determined. This community and building a cabin in the Neihart vicinity. Thanks has not only lost a historic treasure, it also has most for your service Mrs. Ray, and enjoy your retirement. likely lost the opportunity to ever have a bridge of that ` By: Keely Drummond specific type again.” As the consequences of the event th unfold, the Voice will continue to cover the story 5 Grade Field Trip By: Adelle Meissner Mrs. Metrione’s 5th graders recently took an- Featured Staff other field trip, soon after their snowshoeing trip on March 22 to Silver Crest on King’s Hill. They took a Mrs. Dayna VandenBos trip to the Boone and Crocket Ranch in Dupuyer, grew up in Lewistown and has north of Choteau. They left the school early in the been teaching at Belt School morning at 7:45 a.m. and returned late at night at 5:00 for three years. VandenBos p.m. They viewed the Rocky Mountain Front, looked aspired to be a teacher since for and measured animal tracks, identified birds, and she loves kids and shaping went for a pleasing walk through nature. The 5th Grad- the young learner’s minds. ers are currently learning about the water cycle, the This drove her to MSU food chain, adaptations of animals, and the environ- Northern for a bachelor's de- ment. This aligns closely with what they learned about gree in elementary education, on their last field trip; tracking, snow and weather in addition, VandenBos is in the safety, ecology, tree identification, different biomes. process of acquiring a masters in K These things were covered during their field trip to the -3 reading and math through an online course. Boone and Crocket ranch, as they solidified their Since she loves small schools and her husband knowledge on the topics they have dealt with in class. works out of Great Falls, Mrs. VandenBos was attract- The whole class of fifteen 5th graders attended the field ed to Belt. Vandenbos’ favorite aspect of working with trip, and Mr. Gillespie, Mr. and Mrs Bergstrom went kids is interacting with them and getting to know their along as chaperones for the field trip. The 5th Graders fun personalities, she loves watching them grow and will not be taking any more field trips this year, but learn throughout the course of the school year. they have enjoyed and learned from several this year. By: Maggie Andrews By: Aundrea Glick Page 3 Buckle Up (Cont.) Calendar of Events The decision of gifting his daughter’s organs was made and Lauryn made a difference in other people’s May 4th – 5th State Music Festival lives. They have had limited contact with the recipient May 4th – HS Pre-District Track Meet @ Great Falls their daughter’s heart, but they don’t plan to stay in May 4th – Air Force Honor Guard any continual contact, as it would be too hard. May 4th – 5th Belt Theater Performance – Much Ado What was shared next froze the crowd as many About Nothing 6:30 p.m. couldn’t help but shed tears. He played the song that May 5th MS Track Meet @ Choteau was playing when the doctors removed the organs May 5th – Golf Meet @ Chinook from his daughter’s body. The song was the perfect May 7th – Elementary Shakespeare in the Schools embodiment of who his daughter was and how she May 8th – MS Track Meet @ Lewistown lived her life. The next part of the presentation fea- May 8th – Honor Diploma Presentation @ 6:30 p.m. tured the song that Goldhahn’s older daughter sang at May 8th – Board of Trustees @ 7:30 p.m. Lauryn’s celebration of life. The replaying of the hor- May 9th - Belt Theater Matinee – Much Ado About rid days of when he lost his daughter taught the crowd Nothing 9:30 a.m.