Dear LaMotte Families,

Welcome back! As we get ready to open our doors for another school year at LaMotte, I want to take a moment to say how excited our staff and I are to see your children back in our classrooms, hallways, and out on the trails around our beautiful Bear Canyon campus.

There is something truly special about LaMotte. We are a small school, but that is exactly what makes us strong. Our teachers know every student by name, our mixed-grade classrooms build leadership and mentorship between older and younger students, and our families show up for one another in ways that make this community feel like an extension of home. That closeness, paired with the consistency of a staff who choose to stay and grow here year after year, is a big part of why LaMotte continues to be recognized among the top-rated elementary and middle schools in Montana.

This year, we will keep building on what makes LaMotte "Where Education and the Environment Meet." Your children will continue to learn not just from books and lessons, but from the land, the seasons, and the outdoor spaces that surround our school. Whether it is a hands-on science lesson, an outdoor exploration day, or simply recess among the mountains, we believe that connecting kids to the natural world helps them grow into thoughtful, curious, and grounded young people.

None of this happens without you. Your involvement, whether through volunteering, attending events, or simply talking with your child about their day, is one of the most valuable resources we have. I hope you will continue to be present and engaged partners with us this year, and I encourage you to reach out anytime with questions, ideas, or concerns. My door is always open.

Here's to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year. We can't wait to get started.

W

Warm Regards,

Scott Poloff, M.Ed.
Superintendent/Principal
LaMotte School District