Attended by GFEA members and their families, the annual Fall Picnic provided a Friday night celebration of the beginning of the school year. The evening was filled with fun, food and friendship. Even though the fall weather had turned brisk, the Family Living Center filled with almost 275 people for over two and a half hours.They were entertained with music provided by Skip Walters and food from Big Mouth BBQ.
   The evening would not have been complete without the annual school basket "Give Away." The baskets, based on an array of themes had been built with donations from school faculty around the district: 

• Tom Cubbage from CMR won the "Wine, Cheese and Chocolate" Basket from Loy;
• Bill Clark from North Middle School won the "Car Wash" basket from Loy;
• Brittany Light from CMR won the "Sports/Tailgating" basket from North Middle School;
• Tammy Petzold from CMR won the basket from Valley View;
• Mike Beck won the "Mule Time" basket from Paris Gibson Alternative Education Center;
• Jody Davis from Mountain View won the"Gift Cards;
• Jan Mader from Great Falls High School won the "Wine, Dinner, Dessert" basket from CMR;
• Dean Jardee from Whittier won " Dinner On Us" from Great Falls High School;
• Jennifer Lambert from the Early Learning Family Center won the "Odds 'n Ends" basket from East Middle School;
• Eric Bush from Whittier won the "Cheers to You" basket from the District Office Building;
• Sherry Thompson from Loy won the "Eat, Drink and Be Merry" basket from Jerry Ferderer;
• Cara Dunn from Whittier won the "Just Chillin" basket from Lewis & Clark;
• Willow Loney won the $50 gift from Riverview;
• Stacy Petrini from Lewis & Clark won the "First Month of School Survival Kit" from Chief Joseph.                GFEA provided a number of gift card give-aways:
• Kari Rosenleaf from the Early Learning Family Center won a Buffalo Wild Wings certificate;
• Beth Thomas from Great Falls High School won an AppleBee's certificate;
• Sandy Herrington from Lewis & Clark and Sharman Ameline from Loy won Movie Theater tickets. 

CMR Stampede, Sept. 21, 2017, by Holly Spragg
   On Sept. 13, CMR witnessed the start of something that has been in the making for many years--the new multipurpose building is finally being started.
   The gym was filled with the music of the pep band and teachers in matching t-shirts lined the bleachers next to community leaders and guest. The Family and Consumer Science department provided those in attendance with snacks such as cupcakes and lemonade.
   Principal Kerry Parsons called the gathering to order to start this new addition to the school.
   Superintendent of Great Falls Public Schools Tammy Lacey thanked many people and expressed her excitement for the new facility. "I am downright giddy," Lacey said, adding that she is a CMR graduate, who is excited to see the improvements to her alma mater. She spoke about the efforts of the people who participated in "Yes for Great Falls Kids" while the bond was still being debated. Lacey also thanked companies that had the courage to publicly support the school bond. 
   Some of these agencies were the Chamber of Commerce, United Way and the Great Falls Tribune editorial board. 
   Other members of the community, who had a great deal to do with the bond, joined CMR for the groundbreaking:
Jan Cahill, the GFPS board chair was there along with assistant superintendent.of secondary schools Tom Moore and assistant superintendent for K-6 Ruth Uecker.
    Tables were lined with green and gold hardhats that were given to individuals who took part in the first shoveling of dirt. Student body president Nico Sanchez was in the front of the line to start the dig. "I hope that in this new building, people will take advantage of it," said Sanchez. He wants more room for the students to reach their full potential. "Go Rustlers!" said Sanchez bringing the afternoon to close.