This year’s district theme, “Be the Difference,” reminds us that every action, every smile, and every moment of care has the power to change lives. Our staff live this message every day—by inspiring curiosity in our students, supporting one another, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. The individual we’re recognizing today has truly been the difference—through their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community. Today we honor Mrs. Kista River, MCMS Principal.
It is an honor to nominate Mrs. Kista River for the Wildcat of the Month award. Although she is only in her second year as our principal, you would never guess it. Mrs. River leads with experience, confidence, creativity, and compassion. She is deeply dedicated to both students and staff, working tirelessly to ensure that everyone has what they need to succeed. Mrs. River is an exceptional communicator and a thoughtful listener. She is not afraid to have tough conversations when necessary, and she always follows through on her word. Most importantly, Mrs. River leads with heart. Her genuine love for the people in her building is evident in everything she does. She models what it means to be a lifelong learner, and she inspires all of us to grow alongside her. I feel truly blessed to work for and with Mrs. River. She is the definition of a Wildcat, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.
I would like to nominate Kista River for the Wildcat Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication, leadership, and positivity. Kista consistently goes above and beyond for our school community. She comes in early, stays late, and is always available to support staff and students alike. She radiates positivity and actively fosters a sense of togetherness among the staff. Her encouraging words and actions make a real impact on morale. She never hesitates to check in with others, demonstrating genuine curiosity and care about how things are going.
Kista has a remarkable ability to truly know our students. She doesn't just know their names, but their personalities, strengths, challenges, and what they need to thrive. She is deeply in tune with the student body and uses that insight to make thoughtful, student-centered decisions. Whether a student needs encouragement, structure, or simply someone to listen, Kista shows up with empathy and intention. Her leadership plays a key role in helping promote our students as lifelong learners and productive citizens. She is also a natural problem solver, quick to step in with thoughtful solutions and always ready to lend a hand. Her empathy and commitment to the well-being of others shine through in everything she does. Kista's presence makes our school a better, more supportive place for everyone. She truly embodies the spirit of the Wildcat Award.
I am excited to nominate Kista River for the Wildcat Award. Kista embodies the spirit of our school through her dedication to our students, staff, and the local community. She doesn’t just show up, she leads with a contagious positivity and a level of professional excellence that transforms the environment around her. You will often find her at the front doors dressed up in a blow up suit matching the theme for the day or walking the halls welcoming staff and students to the new school day. You can't help but smile in her presence.
Kista makes it a point to know every student by name. Her deep sense of empathy allows her to understand the individual stories behind the faces, ensuring every child gets exactly what they need to succeed. She doesn't just manage students, she cares for them.
Kista is an exceptional communicator. She listens actively and speaks with a clarity that builds trust and keeps everyone on the same page. She is also remarkably decisive. She gathers the facts, weighs the impact on the school community, and makes the call with confidence. This creates a sense of stability and safety for everyone under her care.
One of Kista’s most admirable qualities is her ability to remain firm yet fair. She treats everyone as equals, ensuring that every individual feels seen, respected, and held to a high standard of excellence. She is the kind of leader you want to do well for because you know you are appreciated.
Kista River goes above and beyond the call of duty every single day. She is the rare leader who balances a big heart with a clear, decisive mind. Our Wildcat family is significantly stronger because of her presence, and she is deeply deserving of this recognition.
Our district’s mission is to create lifelong learners and productive citizens. The Wildcat Award winners support our mission by building meaningful connections, creating a supportive learning environment, and through their commitment to professional growth. Their dedication fosters a love for learning and makes our schools welcoming spaces. We are fortunate that Kista is a part of our Wildcat family!
March 2026
This year’s district theme, “Be the Difference,” reminds us that every action, every smile, and every moment of care has the power to change lives. Our staff live this message every day—by inspiring curiosity in our students, supporting one another, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
The individual we’re recognizing today has truly been the difference—through their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community. Today we honor Mrs. Liz Freie, MCE Kindergarten Teacher.
Liz Freie is an incredible kindergarten teacher whose kindness, dedication, and passion for teaching shine through every day. She creates a classroom where students feel safe, loved, and excited to learn while still being challenged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Her strong relationships with students and families and her ability to support even the most challenging learners truly reflect the heart of the Wildcat Award.
Our district’s mission is to create lifelong learners and productive citizens. The Wildcat Award winners support our mission by building meaningful connections, creating a supportive learning environment, and through their commitment to professional growth. Their dedication fosters a love for learning and makes our schools welcoming spaces. We are fortunate that Liz is a part of our Wildcat family!
Many of you may know, Coach Finke was recently diagnosed with cancer. Member of our staff have arranged a fundraiser to show our support while she faces this challenge. If you are interested in supporting Running for Finke, please go to the link below. The store is open today, April 17, through April 23. Thank you!
https://www.snappygraphics.net/
We are excited to offer Summer School again this year, and enrollment is officially underway!
👉 Digital enrollment is now available — just click the link below or scan the QR code to sign up quickly and easily.
👉 Prefer paper? No problem! You can print a copy, or paper enrollment forms will be sent home with elementary students next week.
💥 BONUS: Monetary Incentives for Attendance! 💥
We are rewarding students for showing up and staying committed:
🎯 Perfect Attendance = $100 Gift Card
👍 Miss 1 Day = $75 Gift Card
😊 Miss 2 Days = $50 Gift Card
This is a great opportunity for students to keep learning, stay engaged, and earn a reward along the way!
Don’t wait — get enrolled today!
👇 Digital Enrollment Link: ENROLL HERE!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2n6sVOMoxzfQzhS6aJrhpTuFfPFjsKiFUN4lB_HzmBVH_Uw/viewform
It is time to get registered for summer school! K-5th summer school will be at Montgomery City Elementary, 6th-8th will be at Montgomery County Middle School, and 9th-12th will be at Montgomery County High School. High school students can get information about classes offered and registration from their office. Summer school hours are 8 am to 4 pm, we offer bus transportation but our summer buses have a reduced number of stops.
K-8 summer school will be using Summer Journey this year. Students win prizes for attendance and get to experience engaging classes that focus on core content areas as well as other areas. Students who will be in kindergarten through 8th grade in the 2026-2027 school year need to register for summer school using the form at the link below or by using the QR code.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2n6sVOMoxzfQzhS6aJrhpTuFfPFjsKiFUN4lB_HzmBVH_Uw/viewform?usp=header
For questions about elementary summer school, please contact Tara Polston at tpolston@mc-wildcats.org. For questions about middle school summer school, please contact Kista River at kriver@mc-wildcats.org.
The spring Federal Programs Advisory meeting has been moved to April 21st. We apologize for the change in date, but hope you can attend!
Dr. Schluss
The individual we’re recognizing today has truly been the difference—through their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community. Today we honor Mrs. Vicky Kelly, MCHS paraprofessional.
Vicky is the embodiment of what it means to be a Wildcat. She spends time building lifelong relationships with not only the students that she works with but students throughout the building. If she notices a student struggling with anything at all she jumps in to assist them and see them get through whatever the situation is. She communicates with educators to be sure that they are aware of the things that she has witnessed. She maintains a can do attitude about anything that she is tasked with. She is giving and caring by nature, however she takes it even farther than that. She secretly brings in things that students need to be successful at school and wants absolutely no recognition for it. Vicky deserves this award because of her tireless effort to help us build lifelong learners and productive members of our community.
Vicky goes above and beyond to work with students in her caseload. Mrs. Kelly has made large impacts on students during her time working here at MCR2. In working with students, Vicky has found a way to get some students who struggle the most to believe in themselves and find success where they previously believed there was none to be had.
Our district’s mission is to create lifelong learners and productive citizens. The Wildcat Award winners support our mission by building meaningful connections, creating a supportive learning environment, and through their commitment to professional growth. Their dedication fosters a love for learning and makes our schools welcoming spaces. We are fortunate that Vicky is a part of our Wildcat family!
The individual we’re recognizing today has truly been the difference—through their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community. Today we honor Ms. Mary Masek. Mary is officially a MCR2 retiree, but she is currently one of our trusted substitute teachers.
Ms. Masek is never afraid to jump in and help. She is very patient with every student she works with. She is a team player even when she is not sure what she is "getting into." Ms. Masek is an amazing teacher, and explains difficult concepts in a way that any student is able to understand. We are so incredibly lucky that she has come back and is a substitute in our buildings. She has so much knowledge, and freely shares it with students and staff alike. Thank you for all you do!
Ms. Masek has been a gift to us this year as a long term substitute helping our students and staff maintain consistency, care and high expectations. She truly has a gift of connecting with students and challenging them to learn and grow. Her positive attitude and willingness to help others is a blessing that does not go unnoticed.
Our district’s mission is to create lifelong learners and productive citizens. The Wildcat Award winners support our mission by building meaningful connections, creating a supportive learning environment, and through their commitment to professional growth. Their dedication fosters a love for learning and makes our schools welcoming spaces. We are fortunate that Mary continues to be a part of our Wildcat family!
Corey Orr has made an immediate and transformative impact in his first year at MCMS, proving that history is not a collection of dusty facts, but a living, breathing narrative. With an innate gift for storytelling, Mr. Orr brings the past to life, whether he is using music like "The Battle of New Orleans" to anchor a lesson or utilizing interactive tools like Geoguesser to sharpen geographic skills. His classroom is a place of high energy and contagious enthusiasm; his students don’t just attend class—they leave inspired, eager to share stories of Revolutionary War soldiers or historical insights with their families. By making the curriculum fun, interactive, and relevant, he has turned "school" into a place where students truly love to be.
Beyond his creative pedagogy, Mr. Orr is defined by the profound respect and "quiet dignity" he extends to every student. He possesses a phenomenal patience that resonates especially well with his toughest learners, treating them as individuals whose voices and experiences matter. This foundation of trust allows his students to feel safe, supported, and challenged. He has mastered the delicate balance of being an approachable mentor who can make a student laugh, while maintaining the professional standards of an elite educator. Mr. Orr isn’t just teaching history; he is modeling humanity, making him a true "GOAT" in the eyes of his students and an invaluable asset to the MCMS community.
Cathy Weatherford embodies the excellence, dedication, and heart that define the very best of our profession. A true lifelong learner, Cathy has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to professional mastery this year, earning her Master’s degree and completing rigorous LETRS training to better serve her students. She is a model of coachability and growth, actively implementing new techniques and data-driven strategies to ensure every child in her care succeeds. Beyond her own development, Cathy has extended her impact by mentoring a student teacher, shaping the next generation of educators with the same intentionality she brings to her classroom.
In the classroom, Cathy creates a sanctuary of learning; her calm demeanor and consistent, kind-hearted approach allow students to feel safe, supported, and important. She meets every child exactly where they are, balancing high academic standards with the emotional intelligence every parent hopes for in a teacher. Whether she is collaborating with colleagues or building lasting bonds with families that endure years after a student leaves her room, Cathy is a vital asset to JBE and the entire district. She doesn’t just teach the curriculum—she builds a community where every student thrives.
