October
Updates from October
October Highlights!
It's Fun To Have Visitors!
Wagon Ride Fun!
Our K–5 students enjoyed a fun wagon ride! Students had the opportunity to spend time together, enjoy the outdoors, and make lasting memories with their classmates. It was a wonderful experience filled with smiles and excitement!
Chemistry Grade 11 and 12 students’ visit to the SWO Office of Environmental Protection.
During the visit, the speakers emphasized the importance of caring for the environment, especially within students’ own community. They also encouraged students to consider future careers with SWO Environmental Protection and inspired them to help protect their community’s natural resources.
Senior Tech Day at Lake Area Tech School!
Our seniors recently visited Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD, for Senior Tech Day! Students had the opportunity to explore different career and technical programs, learn about hands-on training opportunities, and discover potential pathways for their future. This visit allowed seniors to explore their interests, ask questions, and learn more about the opportunities available to them after graduation.
Senior Trip To Dakota State University
Our seniors recently visited Dakota State University in Madison, SD, to explore college life and learn more about the opportunities available after graduation. Students had the chance to learn about academic programs, campus life, and the resources available to support their success in college. This visit gave seniors a closer look at what to expect in higher education as they begin planning their next steps!
Middle School Horticulture!
Erin's Month of October Horticulture Learning Targets: 9/21-10/29
Sept 21 – Sept 24
The students did a fantastic job balancing science standards with traditional Dakota ecological knowledge.
Sumac Harvesting & The Science of Solubility We had the privilege of welcoming Charlotte Keoke (Hohpithokecawin Gardens) as a guest expert to guide the students on a Sumac harvest. On the trail, we focused on plant identification and the principle of harvest reciprocity—ensuring the students understood the ecological importance of leaving enough red berry clusters (drupes) behind for local birds and deer to survive the winter.
Back in the classroom, we processed the harvest to make traditional Sumacinade. We used this as a chemistry lab on solubility, teaching the students that we must use a cold-water extraction to pull out the tart malic and ascorbic acids on the outside of the berries. They learned firsthand that using hot water would break down the seeds and release tannins, turning the drink bitter!
Food Preservation: SWC Jelly Lab The students also spent time at SWC conducting a food science jelly lab. We used this to study chemical bonds and states of matter, observing how the combination of pectin, sugar, and heat alters a liquid juice into a shelf-stable gel for winter food preservation.
Campus Architecture & Lodge Engineering Outside of our plant biology work, the students transitioned into structural engineering. We walked to the site of our future 32-foot outdoor classroom and reviewed the architectural blueprints.
It was an incredibly busy four days, and the students are showing great respect for both the scientific processes and the cultural practices we are bringing together.
PHOTOS: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KBu6PDN1wumX4P6v7
Sept 28 – Oct 1
Despite the shortened schedule on Thursday, the students completed a massive amount of fieldwork, applied chemistry, and community collaboration both on and off campus.
Here is what they have been working on:
Nis'to Community Garden, Soil Biology & Community Art Our 8th graders traveled to the Nis'to Community Garden in Sisseton for a fantastic community project. They had the opportunity to learn about soil biology and mesofauna directly from Joe, a visiting graduate student from the University of Virginia. To apply what they learned about the tiny ecosystems living in the dirt, the students helped paint a beautiful soil mural at the garden depicting various soil microorganisms and bugs. They even got to collaborate on the mural alongside one of our local Sisseton police officers! While there, they also learned how to conduct professional soil tests to analyze the established soil composition.
Campus Soil Lab & Comparisons We brought the soil testing methods learned at Nis'to back to our own TZTS campus. All 8th-grade classes conducted a campus soil lab, testing our campus grounds. We then compared our developing outdoor classroom soil to the established Nis'to garden to determine what amendments our campus will need moving forward.
Campus Forestry & Winterization Throughout the week, the students practiced ecological ecosystem management by maintaining the campus trees. They eradicated invasive weeds competing for root resources and applied thick mulch rings to act as winter insulation, regulating soil temperature and retaining moisture as the frost approaches.
SWC Mass Squash Harvest We closed out the week on Thursday with the entire 8th grade traveling to Sisseton Wahpeton College. The students successfully completed a mass squash harvest from the SWC community garden! This was a fantastic application of traditional food sovereignty and allowed them to observe the final biological life cycle of the plant before winter. The squash is now safely in storage curing for the next two weeks before the students process it.
The students are putting in incredible physical and academic work, and I am very proud of how they are handling these large community projects.
Thank you all for your continued support of our classroom!
PHOTOS/VIDEO: https://photos.app.goo.gl/kR7Cx9ud7qWbisyr7
Oct 12 - Oct 16
8th-grade horticulture students engaged in an intensive week combining field-to-table culinary science, traditional ecological knowledge, and hands-on structural timber work.
Here is an overview of what our classes accomplished across campus and in the community:
SWC Squash Lab & Culinary Food Science
- Applied Food Sovereignty: Students participated in culinary lab sessions connecting our regional harvest directly to the kitchen table.
- Thermal Science & Biology: In the lab, students examined plant cell structures, exploring how heat softens tough cellulose and pectin to break starches down into natural sugars. Students observed and compared cooking methods—including searing/sautéing to develop caramelization and rapid heat transfer via microwaving—to understand nutrient availability and traditional food preparation.
Outdoor Learning Arbor: Heavy Timber Debarking
- Cross-Curricular CTE Work: Continuing our partnership with Butchy’s shop classes, students advanced the prep work for our 32-foot outdoor arbor structure.
- Drawknife Tool Safety: Students practiced rigorous spatial awareness while operating straight drawknives. Working in teams, they hand-peeled the outer bark from our upright posts. Removing the cambium layer is a critical preservation step that eliminates moisture traps and prevents wood-boring insects from compromising the timber before installation.
Quarter 1 Academic Wrap-Up
- Students reviewed the full scope of our first-quarter field labs—from our early golf course turf observations and table pickling to wild sumac (Chanzi) harvesting, wild grape jelly preservation, and sage (Peji Hota) desiccation.
- We are using this momentum to transition directly into our First Quarter Study Guide review on Monday and the comprehensive exam on Wednesday.
Thank you to everyone across the middle school and shop programs who helped coordinate schedules, tool safety, and logistics to make these experiential labs possible.
PHOTOS: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FRUNSoFnDreoAnB89
Oct 19 - Oct 23
With Megan and Julie and our 5th graders, we recently completed a hands-on unit on pumpkin anatomy (Wagmu), studying everything from the protective outer rind and vascular stem to the interior pulp and seeds. Two days later, we brought the class outdoors to the amphitheater to carve their pumpkins together in the fresh air. The students did a wonderful job engaging with the lesson, helping one another, and bringing great creativity to the outdoor amphitheater.
Meanwhile, our 8th grade classes are moving closer every day toward completing our outdoor classroom arbor. We have had incredible support helping us reach this stage:
Our contractor, Tasha Qualley (TQ), has been doing tremendous work on site to keep our build moving forward smoothly, and she even brightened everyone's week by bringing fresh Cinnabon rolls for each class period, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed.
We have also experienced outstanding teamwork across departments. A huge thank-you to Butchie and Jordy for coordinating with us. Whenever students in their classes finish their coursework early or are ahead in their shop projects, they have been coming outside to work alongside us, assisting with timber prep, hauling, and site tasks. Seeing our middle and high school students actively pitch in to build something permanent for our school has been inspiring to watch.
Over the weekend, we reached a major project milestone. Tasha Qualley, working with the heavy equipment expertise of Nisto Inc., successfully placed the four large central support logs into position. Before lifting the timber into place, tobacco was laid down and a prayer was offered to honor the land, the trees, and the cultural space we are creating for our students and community.
I am deeply grateful for the ongoing support, hard work, and encouragement from our staff, administration, and community partners. I am truly excited for what the future holds for this position, our horticulture classes, and the entire school community.
Please feel free to walk out back behind the school anytime to see the progress firsthand.
PHOTOS: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tYk1CiDM6WGwTQNU8
October 26-29
Last week, despite the weather and our outdoor work, we made fantastic progress on our Outdoor Classroom build, advancing our structural framing and site preparation. We also completed our field study at Sica Hollow, where students engaged in hands-on ecological observation and completed a nature scavenger hunt tracking forest micro-habitats, decomposing fungi, tree bark variations, and native seed dispersal.
A very special thank you to Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) for generously hosting us and printing our field scavenger hunt materials. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to Butchie and Jordy for joining us as chaperones and supporting our students on the trail.
Thank you all for your ongoing support of our hands-on CTE programming and for helping our students connect land stewardship with classroom learning!
PHOTOS/VIDEO: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QEzSFazH2KqMXaxL9
Nina Wopida,
Erin L. Kiyukanpi
Parents Night! October 2nd and 27th⛳🏐🏈
October was a time to celebrate our student-athletes and the families who support them! On October 2, we recognized our football players and their families, followed by another special evening on October 27 celebrating our football, golf, and volleyball athletes. Thank you to all the families for your continued support of our students and school athletics!
📸 Want to See More Sports Photos? 🏐🏈🏀
If you have Instagram, be sure to check out @tiospa.flicks for more photos capturing the action, memories, and highlights from our sports seasons caputured by Zitkana Cook! Follow along to see more of our students in action!
📘 What We’re Learning!
7th and 8th Grade Social Studies
8th: Revolutionary Voices: Our Student Historians Take to the Airwaves
We're thrilled to share an exciting project your students have been working on: creating educational podcasts about the American Revolutionary War. This isn't your typical history lesson. Our young historians have been digging deep into perspectives often left out of textbooks, exploring the Revolution through the eyes of women, indigenous people, enslaved Africans, and colonists from different social classes, alongside the familiar voices of colonial and British leaders.
What Students Are Learning
Through this project, students are:
* Thinking like historians: Analyzing primary sources, comparing perspectives, and understanding that history is more than one story
* Exploring multiple viewpoints: Investigating how the Revolution affected different groups and why the same events meant different things to different people
* Building communication skills: Planning, writing, and producing polished audio content that makes history come alive
The Podcast Project
Students have taken on the role of podcast producers, crafting episodes that are both historically accurate and engaging to listen to. They've researched the war's causes and outcomes, written scripts that bring historical figures to life, and learned the technical skills to record and edit their work. The goal? Share what they've learned with peers across the country through online platforms.
Listen and Share
We'd love for you to listen to your student's podcast episode! Ask them to share their work with you at home. These podcasts represent hours of research, collaboration, and creative thinking. If you enjoy what you hear, consider sharing the episodes with friends and family. Your support means the world to our student historians.
https://open.spotify.com/show/47uF629YaQLN9sP2LQgFjr
7th Grade: Honoring Dakota Stories Through Student Research
We're excited to share what students have been working on in class: a meaningful project that connects our community's history with the stories and cultures of the Dakota People. Through research, mapmaking, and thoughtful reflection, students are becoming active contributors to preserving and honoring Indigenous history right here in our region.
Project Overview: Mapping Dakota Stories
Students are embarking on a journey to explore our area's history, with a special focus on Dakota stories and perspectives. Their research will result in a digital map featuring markers that highlight the richness of Dakota cultures and the ongoing contributions of Dakota people to our community.
Project Goals:
Learn stories and historical gems about the Dakota People in our region
Create digital markers that serve as beacons of Indigenous history and perspective
Learn about and honor the ongoing contributions of Dakota people
Celebrate our community through deeper understanding
This isn't just a history lesson. Students are taking on the role of storytellers and historians, ensuring that Dakota voices and experiences are recognized and valued.
Learning in Action: The See, Think, Me, We Routine
To help students connect deeply with the materials they're studying, we're using a thinking routine called See, Think, Me, We. This approach guides students through four steps:
See: Students make careful, objective observations of images, texts, or artifacts without jumping to conclusions.
Think: They share interpretations and develop hypotheses about what they're observing.
Me: Students make personal connections to the material in a safe, trusted environment.
We: Finally, they connect their personal reflections to larger human experiences, community themes, and global perspectives.
Research and Mapmaking Process
Students are currently:
Researching Dakota history and stories specific to our area
Identifying significant locations and events to feature on their digital map
Crafting narratives for each map marker that honor Dakota perspectives
Collaborating to ensure their work reflects accuracy and respect
Each marker they create will tell a story, shining a light on the Indigenous history that has shaped our community and continues to influence it today.
Celebrating Student Contributions
We're proud of the care and dedication students are bringing to this work. They're not just learning about history; they're actively participating in honoring the Dakota People and ensuring their stories are told with respect and authenticity. This project helps students see that history is alive, ongoing, and deeply connected to the place we call home.
