Sturgis Elementary Newsletter
October 2025
School Attendance:
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade. Parents may prevent this from happening by getting students to school on time every day as a top priority. Just a reminder that our attendance policy has changed this school year. You may view this policy in our student handbook:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ckDNLhn5oqaXyf8TzwgEzeHNU1c5X8BQ/edit#heading=h.cfywedv4aap8
25-26 Fundraiser:
We had a record breaking fundraiser this year! Thank you for all the support you as parents have given our students. The fundraiser money is utilized for field trips, playground equipment, special classroom activities and schoolwide student celebrations among many other things!
Students’ personal items:
We strongly discourage students to bring personal items from home to play with on the playground. The school cannot be responsible for any personal items that are lost or broken. It is recommended that any special items that is brought for show-and-tell remains in their backpack until that time.
Phones and Smart Watches:
We realize that many of our students come to school with communication devices. We require that these devices stay in their backpack until the end of the day. If there is any emergency, the student will be able to contact you through the school phone. Any electronic watches must be put on school mode hours or airplane mode during the day.
Halloween/Fall Classroom Parties: We ask that students do not wear their Halloween costumes to school. This is to ensure us the ability to still have a conducive learning environment as well as guarantee that their costume is ready for trick or treating that evening. Classrooms will partake in celebrations within their individual rooms. Please contact the teachers directly if you are interested in helping out or donating something for classroom celebrations.
Important Dates & School District Calendar
Scholars of the Month
Nurse News
School Activities & Fun
Rock Your School Week Kickoff
At Sturgis Elementary, we are excited to join educators across the globe for Rock Your School Week, hosted by Get Your Teach On from September 29–October 2, 2025. This event encourages teachers to step outside the box, energize their classrooms, and bring learning to life in bold and creative ways. By participating, our students experience engaging lessons that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection, while we reimagine what school can be.
We kicked the week off with LIVE music by Tyler Bills! Tyler hit all of the right notes during our Rock Your School concert on the playground. Throughout the week, students will enjoy special activities inside the classroom as well as school wide events such as Rockin’ Reading with High School Athletes, Rock Someone’s Day with Kindness, Musical Math Madness, and Live Your Life Out Loud—Express Yourself Through Art. Together, these experiences not only make learning exciting but also build community, celebrate creativity, and remind us that when we “turn up the volume on learning,” amazing things can happen.
Family Engagement Night!
Physical Education
THANK YOU from Sturgis Elementary
A HUGE thank you to Grocery Mart!! Our Specials teachers reaped the rewards this year from their Tapes for Education - keep saving and turning in those receipts!
Staff Highlights
4th Grade Spotlight
Parent & Teacher Association
Community Activities
Sturgis Public Library
Baby & Toddler Storytime (ages 0-3) - Tuesdays at 10am
Prek Storytime (ages 3-6) - Wednesdays at 11am
NEW Teen Advisory Committee: Join the club that runs the fun! For teens, by teens.
Are you interested in influencing library programs, book purchases, and teen events? Share your ideas to help plan events, recommend books, and shape programs just for teens. You’ll build leadership skills, earn volunteer hours, make new friends, and be fed snacks at meetings while making a real difference in your library and community. Email Sierra at the Sturgis Public Library at sierrafr@sturgisgov.com to sign up! The date of the first meeting will be set based on the availability of interested members.
Wed. Oct. 1st, 11am Special PreK Storytime Event!
Children’s book author Whitnee Coy will share her very own stories and fun with kids ages 3–6.
Wed. Oct. 1st & 15th, 3:30-4:30pmCoding ClubJoin the Sturgis Public Library on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 3:30pm for hands-on coding activities and programs, designed for ages 6-10
Thurs. Oct. 2nd, 5pmCrochet with Chelle
Join Chelle at the Sturgis Public Library on Thursday, October 2nd at 5pm for a relaxing evening of crochet tips, techniques and creative fun perfect for teens and adults. All supplies are provided. It is free to attend, please RSVP with the library.
Sat. Oct. 4th, 1-3pmGenealogy Work Group
The Sturgis Public Library and the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society will be hosting their monthly genealogy work group on Saturday, October 4th at 1pm at the Sturgis Public Library. This month we will be looking at stepping up your research with AI. Learn the basics about using Artificial Intelligence in your genealogy, offering tools for your research, writing, photos, and so much more! Public is welcome!
Mon. Oct. 6th, 3-5pmLEGOs
All ages are welcome to come together to build and explore with bricks at the Sturgis Public Library on Monday, October 6th from 3-5pm.
Mon. Oct 6th, 7-9 PM Full Moon Hike
The Sturgis Public Library will be hosting a Full Moon Hike on Sunday, October 6th at 7pm. Meet at the Sturgis Brown High School parking lot for a gentle 3-mile loop under the glow of the full moon. Along the way, we'll pause for short talks about moon phases, nocturnal wildlife, and how our eyes adjust to the dark. Bring water, jackets, bug spray, and a flashlight! All Ages!
Tues. Oct. 7th & 21st, 3:30pm Wonder Math
Join Richard Moeller at the Sturgis Public Library on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 3:30pm, for science-based discoveries, activities, and more. All ages are welcome.
- Tues., Oct. 7th "Food Web Adventures & Fertilizer Making"
- Tues., Oct. 21st "Animal Adaptations Activity"
Thurs. Oct. 9th, 5:30pm Music Speaks
Music Speaks will be at the Sturgis Public Library on Thursday, October 9th at 5:30pm. This month, we celebrate Paul Simon's 84th birthday with a look at his life and songs from his debut with Art Garfunkel, to breaking racial lines in South Africa, to his more recent reflections on life and faith.
Mon. Oct. 13th Closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day
Tues. Oct 14th & 28th, 3:30pm Needs & Noodles
(12+)Teens are invited to the Sturgis Public Library on October 14th and 28th at 3:30pm for Needs & Noodles. Learn basic cooking and life skills in a fun, hands-on environment. Only for ages 12+. Participants are expected to show respectful and cooperative behavior to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Thurs. Oct. 16th, 7pm David Feirst - Author Talk
Join David Fierst on a discussion of his book, Hidden Disgrace—Revealing the Distress Signals Covered by North American Indian Myths. His book is the result of a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in April 2014. After viewing the living conditions on the reservation, he became curious about the history of the Lakota people and Native Americans in general; he also wanted to understand the current situation for these people. Fierst conducted original document research at such diverse venues as the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, and the Lilly Library in Bloomington, Indiana.
Mon. Oct. 20th, 4-6pmLevelUp! Gaming
Gamers 10 and up are invited to join the Sturgis Public Library on Monday, October 20th at 4pm to play Nintendo, card games, board games, and snacks.
Wed. Oct. 22nd, 3:30pmYouth Book Club
Calling all young readers ages 10 and older! On Wednesday, October 22nd at 3:30pm at the Sturgis Public Library join our open book club to chat about your favorite books, discover new stories, and hang out with others who love reading—snacks included!
Thurs. Oct. 23rd, 6pmBooks On Tap
The Sturgis Public Library is hosting Books On Tap on Thursday, October 23rd, at 6pm at 44 North. Book Theme: "Murder SHE Wrote". Choose a killer book by a woman author to discuss at our October meeting. All readers 21+ are invited to join us.
Sat. Oct. 25th, 1-3 PM Youth Halloween Party
Youth ages 8 and up are invited to join us for a spook-tacular Halloween Party! Come dressed in your favorite costume, build your very own haunted house, and play chilling games with costumed characters. Treats and thrills await—if you dare!
Mon. Oct. 27th, 4pmS.T.E.A.M. Team
Kids age 6-10 are invited to the S.T.E.A.M. at the Sturgis Public Library on Monday, October 27th at 4pm. This month, we will be featuring "Haunted Bridge Builders". You will be challenged to design a bridge strong enough to hold a mini pumpkin using only candy corn, marshmallows, and toothpicks.
Friday, Oct. 31st, 10am - 12pm Tiny Tot Social
Toddlers are welcome to join their friends at the Sturgis Public Library for a Tiny Tot Social on Friday, October 31st, from 10am-12pm for snacks and unstructured playtime. Sensory bins, blocks, and books will be out for play.
Lunch Times & Food Service
Kindergarten (Abell, Marcoe, Anderson) : 10:50-11:20
Kindergarten (Schmagel, Smith, Knuppe) : 11:00-11:30
1st Grade (Crago, Kuno, Wilson) : 11:10-11:40
1st Grade (Dillman, Treloar) : 11:20-11:50
4th Grade (Kesl, Fallon, Marolt) : 11:45-12:15
4th Grade (Hyde, Hedderman) : 11:55-12:25
3rd Grade (Stagner, Seyer) : 12:05-12:35
3rd Grade (Woods, Noble, Williams) : 12:15-12:45
2nd Grade (Monahan, Kleinsasser) : 12:40-1:10
2nd Grade (Dahl, Snyder, Odle) : 12:50-1:20
If eating school lunch with your student, please bring the exact amount - $5.50
There is not change available in the lunchroom.
Click on the images and links below for more information!
School Information & Social Media
Harlow's Bus Company
2237 W. Sherman Street • Sturgis, SD 57785
(605)347-5066
Rob Scott, Transportation Manager
Kelli Werlinger, Assistant Transportation Manager
Use the button below to access bus registration and additional information.
Sturgis Elementary School
Katy Jutting, Assistant Principal
Email: MeadeSESOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.meade.k12.sd.us/sturgis-elementary/
Location: 1121 Ballpark Road, Sturgis, SD, USA
Phone: 605-347-2386