Page 31 - Flathead Beacon // 12.17.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS DECEMBER 17, 2014 | 31 Off the Blogs
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FLATHEAD HIGH TO HONOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM
Members of the community are in- vited to celebrate the International Bac- calaureate Program at Flathead High School this week during an induction ceremony for the school’s Academic Wall of Excellence.
On Dec. 18, the school will induct the first class of IB students, known as the “Magnificent Seven” by FHS principal Peter Fusaro. The school will also honor Dan Browne, who scored perfect on the SATs, and all FHS students who gradu- ated with a full diploma and a 4.0 as well as students graduating with a full diplo- ma score of 40 or better, putting them in approximately the top 6 percent in the world, according to the district office.
“They were brave enough to jump into a curriculum that was totally new to us, and because they were so successful, I feel they earned the title,” said Fusaro of the first IB class.
FHS will also use the occasion to hon- or staff members and community mem- bers who were pioneers in bringing the IB Programme to Flathead High School. The evening will celebrate that the pro- gramme has thrived for 10 years now.
The induction social will begin at 6 p.m. in the commons area at FHS with hors d’oeuvres and music by Steve Eck- els featuring IB choir students. The offi- cial presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Black Box Theatre.
The keynote speaker will be Profes- sor Mike Miles, director emeritus of the MSU Honors Program and supporter of the IB Programme at FHS. He will be joined by Elena Musz, FHS IB full diplo- ma graduate, as a guest speaker.
MOUNTAIN EXPOSURE
18 GRIZZLIES DIE IN HUMAN ENCOUNTERS IN MONTANA
Eighteen grizzly bears have been killed in encounters with humans in north-central Montana this year, but none had to be destroyed by wardens be- cause they became troublesome, state and federal experts said.
The statistics were disclosed this week by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, a group that oversees the recovery of the threatened species, the Missoulian reported Friday.
The group includes representatives
of the Idaho, Montana and Wyoming governments and the U.S. Forest Ser- vice, Fish and Wildlife Service and Na- tional Park Service.
The statistics cover the 9,600-square-mile Northern Continen- tal Divide Ecosystem in Montana. It’s one of six grizzly bear recovery zones in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyo- ming and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
The 18 bears died in encounters with hunters, landowners, cars or other situa- tions, officials said.
Between 2000 and 2010, game war- dens killed nearly 70 grizzlies in the Northern Continental Divide Eco- system because the bears’ behavior became a problem, the interagency committee said.
The reason for this year’s decline in deaths by wardens is being studied.
Biologists said it was a good year in Montana for grizzlies’ natural food, in- cluding huckleberries and chokecher- ries, but they still reported problems with bears eating cultivated crops and chickens.
“They’re getting into radishes, al- falfa — it’s just ramping up,” said Jamie Jonkel, a biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The Fish and Wildlife Service esti- mates a total of 1,400 to 1,700 wild griz- zly bears remain in the western U.S.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDES
DRESS CODE FOR 2015 LEGISLATURE MOCKED
Some Montana lawmakers are criti- cal and social-media posters are having a field day ridiculing a strict new dress code for the floor of the 2015 Montana Legislature.
The House Republican leadership recently issued a one-page pronounce- ment eclaring that representatives are required to dress in formal business at- tire during the session.
The dress code suggests women should be sensitive to skirt lengths and necklines. Men must wear suits or sports jackets and dress pants, ties, dress shirts and dress shoes or dress boots.
The Independent Record reports vi- olators could be admonished by legisla- tiveleaders.
Democratic House Minority Whip Jenny Eck says the rules are unneces- sary. She says the rules are right out of the 19th century.
TWO BUCK SHUCK
Oyster Night Every Thursday
406.407.1455
306 Stoner Loop
In the Lakeside Town Center
Seasonally & regionally inspired dinner & spirituous drink
5pm-10pm Tue - Sat
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