A couple of times a year, the Helena Education Foundation hands out recognition to creative teachers in the Helena School District, along with some money to help their ideas come to fruition.
The Helena Education Foundation on Thursday surprised a number of educators in the Helena School District with its twice-yearly Great Ideas Awards.

The grant winners included:

Jean O'Connor of Helena High School, $744 for her "The Acropolis Kit" project. Sponsored by Mountain West Office Solutions.

Sue Cravens of Helena Middle School, $979 toward her "M3 for Lunch" project. Sponsored by Cherry Creek Radio.

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The Big Read is a National Endowment for the Arts initiative aimed at invigorating reading nationwide and this is the 3rd year that Lewis & Clark Library has been a recipient of the grant in partnership with the Helena School District.  The Big Read Under The Big Sky brings residents of all ages and backgrounds in Lewis and Clark County together to generate community enthusiasm over the joyful experience of reading and discussing a good book.

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien has been selected as the literary novel that will be the focal point of readings, documentary screenings, panel discussions, lectures, oral histories, and special events.

The Carnival Classic at Memorial Park on Sunday had a little something for every child and kid at heart - including ponies, large construction equipment, a dunk tank and cotton candy.

While the weather was not ideal for such an outdoors event, people still attended in droves.

"It's going spectacularly well," beamed Lisa Cordingley, executive director of the Helena Education Foundation, which sponsors the festivities. "It's not snowing, so it's OK."

The event was the culmination of about four months of planning and organizing.

"It changes and grows every year," Cordingley said.

Read more in the Independent Record.