Alberton School students benefit from 'Spruce-Up'

Who doesn’t feel spiffy when you’ve just had a terrific haircut?

There’s a spring in your step, a smile on your face and after coming out of a long dark winter, this type of attitude is welcome.

Alberton School, for the second year in a row, is holding their "Spruce-Up" for all of the students in the entire school district.

“We’re at a point where we feel safe and can do it now. We’re all mask wearers and with it being done in the teachers’ lounge and only two students at a time, social distancing is handled,” explains Mica Clarkson, Alberton School Principal.

The ‘it’, are the volunteer beauticians who will be cutting the students hair through March 18 which is just in time for their Missoula Children’s Theater production of Beauty Lou & the Country Beast on March 26, followed by spring break.

“The first year we did this we held it around Christmas but with COVID going strong, we moved it for safety reasons,” she said. “For parents who cut their children’s hair, this is a break and for some high school students who can’t drive into Missoula, this is a real treat for them,” Ashley Schultz said.

Schultz is the Alberton School District Secretary and Business Professionals Association advisor and was instrumental in getting the first one launched in 2019. She said 25 signed up before the cutoff date to receive the parental slips but a few are still trickling in and they will be accepted.

The parental slip must have a parent or guardian signature for their child to participate and their voice is heard. The form has the following disclosure before the signature line: ‘If you have certain restrictions or hair cut requests (i.e. no more than 2 inches removed, layered vs. straight, please do not cut bangs, just a trim, hard-part, etc.), please list with detailed comments. If desired, feel free to attach a picture of your wanted style.’ Obviously, this is so their child, or children, do not come home with a hot pink Mohawk or a shaved head, unless parents are cool with that style.

Just who are these generous, big hearted beauticians who will drive out at their own expense on their own time to perform this service?

“We have Ryan Putnam from Burton’s Salon in Missoula and she is bringing two of her co-workers with her. Cori Miranda, who is our kindergarten teacher and she used to be a beautician. And Melissa Norris of the Mane Gallery in Missoula is a parent of four of our kids. She is going to do it for us, too,” Schultz said.

So, add free haircuts to the list of marvelous activities and services that the Alberton School Administration and teachers provide for the students that they love so very much.