Every week it feels like we’re being pulled further apart, but sit in a room with people from all walks of life, looking at each other instead of screens, and you’ll find common ground. We’d laugh, argue, cry, but mostly we’d be surprised by how much we share. We’ve all felt that spark of connection with someone we never expected.
Most of us first felt that in public school. Public schools create common ground by bringing together kids from every kind of family and background. We share the same teachers, the same cafeterias, the same awkward years of growing up. Those experiences – farting in class, tripping in the halls, getting yelled at by a teacher, and still showing up the next day – taught us what it means to be human, to keep going, to keep connecting.
But today, our so-called “online communities” do the opposite. They’re designed to divide us, to amplify the loudest and most extreme voices, while the rest of us either stay quiet or get pulled along. The result? A culture of “Burn!” moments, quick hits of conflict that make Big Tech richer while making us poorer, in both spirit and community.
That’s not who we are. And it’s not who we want to be.
That’s why Public School Kids was created: a statewide initiative that champions our communities and the freedom and opportunity public schools create for Montana kids. It’s about remembering the values that unite us – honesty, fairness, opportunity – and asking a simple question: How do we give every Montana kid the best shot at success?
In the coming weeks you’ll hear from Montana public school kids past and present, from Robin Selvig to Chrysti “the Wordsmith” Smith to Ryan “Ol’ Cal” Callaghan, and learn how their experiences shaped them. We’ll explore how public schools are essential to freedom, and how Montana’s Constitution guarantees every child the right to a quality education and the chance to reach their full potential. Over the next year, we’ll ask whether Montana is keeping that promise and if not, how we can.
Montana is the greatest place on Earth. Let’s make sure every Montana kid has the chance to become the greatest version of themselves. Join us. Share your story. Be part of this conversation.