New York Times Highlights Denise Juneau's Successful Recess before Lunch Program

On January 26, 2010 the work of Superintendent Denise Juneau was featured in the New York Times: 

Today, about one-third of Montana schools have adopted "recess before lunch," and state officials say more schools are being encouraged. "The pilot projects that are going on have been demonstrating that students are wasting less food, they have a more relaxed eating environment and improved behavior because they’re not rushing to get outside," said Denise Juneau, superintendent of the Office of Public Instruction. "It’s something our office will promote to schools across the state as a best practice. Read more in the New York Times.

Denise Juneau Delivers Martin Luther King Celebration Address in Missoula

Denise Juneau Speaks in Missoula

Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau was in Missoula Monday January 19 to deliver the annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration address to a packed house at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

 


"People around the world, the country, and our state fundamentally share many of the same values: we all love our family and friends, we want to be safe--we want to be educated--and we want to be healthy," said Juneau.  
 


Prior to the address, the First Baptist Church, home of the Poverello Center, hosted a "Day of Service" where Montanans participated in service projects to help the homeless population.
 


"We must continue to be inspired by Dr. King," said Juneau. "We have come a long way but we still have many miles to go."

Juneau Teams Up with Local Non-Profit to Provide Books to Kids

More Montana parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to prepare their children for success with reading thanks to a new partnership between the Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Hopa Mountain Foundation.  Juneau's office recently announced the purchase of 5,400 high quality books for Montana children ages 0–5 living in families with limited access to early learning resources.

Juneau says she hopes the partnership will give parents and caregivers tools and information to help them prepare their children to become successful readers and learners. Hopa Mountain, a Montana–based non–profit that heads up a statewide literacy initiative, will match the purchase in the spring of 2010. Read more here or here.

Juneau Visits Butte Public Schools

Juneau visits Butte students

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau visited schools throughout the Mining City on Tuesday, December 14th.

During her visit to Butte, Juneau visited Margaret Leary Elementary, East Middle School, Butte High School and ended her day at Hillcrest Elementary.

She was in Butte because students at local schools are excelling and Juneau wanted to see the programs and innovations happening in Butte public school classrooms. 

"Montana's public school classrooms have demonstrated exceptional expertise, dynamism and creativity in motivating students to learn," said Juneau. "I look forward to learning more about the successes these schools are having so that we may share what's working here with other schools across the nation." Read more and watch a video at Montana's News Station.

Juneau Announces Ag Education Grants for Montana Schools

It was reported by The Prairie Star, Montana's Ag Newspaper that Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau awarded nearly $119,000 in grants to advance agriculture education. Seventy-nine Montana schools will receive grants to help prepare students for successful careers in agriculture—a $2.8 billion industry in Montana.


"These grants are an investment in the young people who will shape the future of Montana agriculture," said Juneau. "Advancements in agriculture education will fuel the state’s economy and serve its residents for many years to come.” Read more.

Juneau Kicks Off Respect and Diversity Week at Missoula High School

It was reported by Montana's News Station that Denise Juneau visited Missoula High School students recently to talk about life after high school and how to handle different kinds of people.

"You must have the courage to seek truth, speak truth, and stand up to the underdog, stand up against intolerance," explains State Superintendent of Public Instructions, Denise Juneau. More

Juneau's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Helps Kids Learn Healthy Habits, Provides Science Learning Opportunities

Fresh fruits and vegetables are important to healthy kids.

Healthy snacks of fresh fruits and vegetables are helping to teach kids healthy habits at local schools across Montana.

“We can teach children about a wide variety of fruits and vegetables they might enjoy,” OPI superintendent Denise Juneau said in a press release. “The hope is that children will continue to make fruits and vegetables a part of their eating habits.”

Juneau Joins Ag producers, consumers to advocate for farm-to-table concept in schools

It was reported in the Billings Gazette this week that “Advocates of reviving the local food system, like state Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, see public school and university cafeterias as essential for bringing Montana food back to the table. Juneau pegs the public school market for Montana food at $25 million. Others peg potential farm-to-cafeteria profits at $75 million if variety and processing improve.

 

"Schools are easily the biggest food buyer in most communities, Juneau said. If the schools can get local food in the form they need it, it shouldn't be hard to get it delivered to local restaurants and stores, also. Public schools are trying to serve "all Montana" meals several times a year and working local food projects into their curriculum to make the lesson stick."  Read more in the Billings Gazette.