Whitewood Elementary

March has been an exciting and memorable month at our school! From special visitors to outdoor adventures, our students have been busy learning and making lasting memories. Take a moment to explore all the great things happening at Whitewood Elementary! Enjoy!

Please join us in warmly welcoming Mrs. Shelly Mikkelson as the new principal of Whitewood Elementary!

Mrs. Mikkelson grew up in Union Center and graduated from Faith High School. She went on to attend Black Hills State University, where she earned a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education. She began her teaching career in Belle Fourche and has dedicated 28 years to serving elementary students. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of roles, including reading and math interventionist, special education teacher, 4th-grade teacher, and 2nd-grade teacher—each experience shaping her strong, student-centered approach to education.

With a deep passion for education and a strong commitment to student success, Mrs. Mikkelson brings both experienced leadership and a genuine love of learning to our school.

She has continued her professional growth by earning a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a reading endorsement, as well as a master’s degree in Administration and Educational Leadership.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Mikkelson is actively involved in the community. She volunteers as an assistant Special Olympics coach and has served as a youth basketball coach, soccer coach, and soccer board member. She and her husband, Scott, split their time between Belle Fourche and near Union Center, where they help on the family ranch. She has two grown daughters working in the medical field and three grandchildren who keep her smiling and busy.

We are thrilled to have Mrs. Mikkelson join our school and look forward to the positive impact her leadership will bring to Whitewood Elementary!

Three of our 4th grade students participated in the 17th Annual Festival Choir in Sturgis on March 2nd, and what an incredible experience it was! Students had the opportunity to join other young musicians from six different schools to learn new music, practice vocal techniques, and perform together as one large choir. Their hard work, focus, and teamwork paid off during the performance.

From March 2–6, Whitewood Elementary students participated in our Read-A-Thon, spending the week diving into books and raising funds to support our school. Students were encouraged to read as much as they could while collecting pledges from family and friends to support their reading efforts.

Students who participated had the chance to earn some great Whitewood Wrangler gear as prizes, including Wrangler hats, shorts, and shirts.

We are proud of our students for their enthusiasm, commitment, and love of reading. A big thank you also goes out to our families and community members who supported the Read-A-Thon through their generous pledges. Your support helps make opportunities like this possible for our students!

What a fun Family Night on March 31st! The Black Hills Raptor Center delivered an amazing presentation, bringing along four different birds for everyone to see up close. Families learned what makes a bird a raptor, what raptors eat, how they hunt, and so much more. It was an exciting and educational experience that students and families won’t soon forget!

Thank you to our Meade School Food Service team for serving up some great walking tacos and cookies, as well as Mr. Bruce and the 4th grade class for setting up the gym. We appreciate you all!

The Black Hills Raptor Center will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday, April 18th. See the link below to get your tickets and help support a great local cause!

https://blackhillsraptorcenter.networkforgood.com/events/99074-2026-spaghetti-dinner-silent-auction

Duane Laflin, a guest illusionist, visited our school on March 18 and amazed students with his incredible performance. He had all sorts of tricks up his sleeve that left everyone in awe! From start to finish, students were captivated by the magic he brought to our school.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Walter Stein from the new dinosaur museum in Belle Fourche for visiting our school March 17th and sharing his knowledge about the dinosaurs that once roamed right here where we live today. It’s incredible to think that our area was once covered by water—what an amazing piece of history for our students to learn about!

Thank you to our amazing PTO, the staff at Terry Peak Ski Area Ski School, and all of the teachers and volunteers who helped make our ski trip such a success. 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students

had an incredible time on the slopes and made lasting memories in the snow (slush)! Enjoy the pictures—it was a blast!

Congratulations to our 5th grade choir members on receiving a SUPERIOR rating at the regional level! Students traveled to Spearfish on March 14 to compete and represent our school. We are so proud of these talented students and grateful to Mrs. Hill and Joanne Baer for helping them prepare for such a wonderful performance. Way to go, Wranglers!

Congratulations to our March Wrangler's of the Month:

K: Maverick

1st: Amora

2nd: Ilea

3rd: Cass

4th: Casen

5th: Summer

Way to go Wranglers!

Congratulations to Mason for competing at the AAU Wrestling State Championship on March 20 in Sioux Falls!

We are proud to celebrate our students who have successfully completed the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program! This important milestone marks weeks of learning, discussion, and personal growth as students gained valuable tools to make safe and responsible choices.

Throughout the program, students learned about the importance of making healthy decisions, resisting peer pressure, and understanding the consequences of drugs and alcohol. They also built confidence in their ability to stand up for themselves and others.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our D.A.R.E. officer Josh Bach for his time, dedication, and positive impact on our students.

Congratulations to all of our D.A.R.E. graduates!

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, this is a friendly reminder for families with students entering Kindergarten and 6th grade to review your child’s immunization records.

State school immunization requirements must be up to date before students begin the school year. If your child will be entering Kindergarten or 6th grade next fall, please schedule any needed vaccinations with your healthcare provider or local clinic.

📣The Meade School District 46-1 Board of Education election is approaching. We’re pleased to introduce the candidates who will appear on the ballot as listed:

4-Year Term Limits

• Derek Allen - dallen1@fnal.gov
• Tammara P. Hannan - tammara.hannan@gmail.com
• Brian Voight (incumbent) - brian.voight@k12.sd.us

2-Year Term Limit

• Megan Snyder, unopposed (incumbent) - megan.snyder@k12.sd.us

These individuals are seeking to serve our students, staff, and community. Candidate information, including biographies and statements (if submitted), will be posted within the next couple of weeks.

🗳️ Election Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Additional School Board Election information can also be found on our website.

Whitewood Elementary students and staff would like to take a moment to say farewell to Mr. Porterfield and thank him for the time, dedication, and care he has given to our school. His commitment to students and staff has made a lasting impact, and he will truly be missed.

Whether in the classroom, the hallways, or at school events, Mr. Porterfield always brought a positive attitude and a willingness to go the extra mile. He has helped shape many young minds and created meaningful connections along the way.

As he moves on to his next chapter, we wish him all the best and continued success. Thank you, Mr. Porterfield, for everything—you will always be a valued part of our school!

Please join us for Muffins with Mom on April 14th! We invite moms and special guests to come enjoy muffins and spend some quality time with their students before school. RSVP forms are due back to the school by April 2nd.

Purple Up Day is coming up! Observed on Friday, April 10th at Whitewood Elementary during the Month of the Military Child, this special day encourages everyone to wear purple to show support for military children and recognize their strength and sacrifices. Purple represents all branches of the military combined—Army green, Marine red, and Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard blue. Join us by wearing purple to honor these amazing kids!

State testing for 3rd-5th graders will begin April 20th, and our students have been working hard all year building the skills they need to succeed. These assessments are an opportunity for students to show what they know and how much they’ve grown. While preparation in the classroom is important, one of the most helpful things families can do at home is ensure students get a good night’s rest.

Sleep plays a major role in helping children focus, think clearly, and do their best. A tired brain can make even familiar tasks feel more difficult.

Here are a few simple ways to help your child be ready for testing days:

• Set a consistent bedtime so your child gets plenty of sleep.

• Limit screen time before bed to help their mind wind down.

• Prepare the night before by laying out clothes and packing backpacks.

• Start the morning with a healthy breakfast to fuel their brain.

Most importantly, remind your child that doing their best is what truly matters. Encouragement and a calm, positive mindset can go a long way in helping students feel confident.

We would also like to extend a big thank you to our PTO for supporting our students during testing by providing healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, cheese sticks, and more. These thoughtful treats help keep our students fueled and ready to do their best.

The Homeschool Connection Program offers curriculum and academic support for grades K-8 tailored to your students needs, while preserving the flexibility and freedom of your at-home schedule.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please join us on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the School Board Room at the Williams Administrative Building. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions and meet the dedicated staff who support the program.

To find out more information or to apply for the program, please click the link.

If you have a young learner ready for preschool, check out our program! We offer a caring environment where children learn, grow, and build friendships while preparing for kindergarten. We would love to welcome your family!

On May 1st, kindergarten through 5th grade students will be taking buses to Sturgis to enjoy a play and spend time at the city park. It’s sure to be a fun-filled day for everyone! A permission slip will be sent home as the date gets closer—please keep an eye out for it.

A special thank you to Amber Moore and Rebecca Cummings from Black Hills Pediatric Dentistry for visiting our 2nd grade students to share important information about dental health! Students learned about proper brushing and flossing techniques, healthy habits that keep smiles bright, and why regular dental checkups are so important.

Mrs. Silvernail’s class and Mrs. Wood’s class
Teamed up for reading—what fun to amass!

Together they read, both big kids and small,
Sharing great stories and fun with them all.
For Dr. Seuss Week, they made quite a team—
A wonderful, wacky, book-loving dream!

South Dakota State Senator Randy Deibert recently visited our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to talk with students about state government. During his visit, students learned what state government is and how it works.

They compared state laws to the rules we have at school and in our classrooms, helping them understand how rules help keep communities organized and fair. Students also explored the three branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—and discussed the role each branch plays in making and enforcing laws.

It was a great opportunity for our students to connect what they are learning in class to the real world. Thank you to Senator Deibert for taking the time to visit and share his knowledge with our students!

Mrs. Zacher’s 4th grade class took time to break into teams and explore the amendments that protect our rights as American citizens.

This month we highlight Ms. Cerrina Lingwall. Ms. Cerrina has been a valued member of our team at Whitewood Elementary for the past six years. She works in the SPED (Special Education) room and various classrooms, where she helps support students with their learning each day. Ms. Cerrina is dedicated to making sure every student feels encouraged, capable, and supported as they grow academically and personally. Her patience, kindness, and commitment make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students she works with. We are grateful for the care and support she brings to our school!

Ms. Cerrina has lived in the Black Hills for 30 years. She and her husband, Pete, have two children. Their daughter is 19 and currently attending college at WDTI, where she is studying to become a registered nurse. Their son is 12 and in 6th grade at Sturgis Williams Middle School. When she’s not at school, Ms. Cerrina spends a lot of time cheering him on at football games and wrestling matches!

To get to know Ms. Cerrina a little better, we asked her a few questions:

Favorite Food? Mexican food is my favorite.

What is your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about my job is watching every child I work with get that smile or "aha moment". Also, just getting to see everyone.

What fills your free time? Things you enjoy doing? in my free time I enjoy watching my kids play sports, traveling, cooking, cleaning my house, and hanging out with family.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to Hawaii, and Italy.

What would be your super power? My super power I would want is to be able to time travel.

In 1920, the state high school inspector visited the school and determined that the building was unfit and unsafe for students. At the time, a local newspaper emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “If the community is to grow and be attractive to those who are desirous of moving into our city, it is certain that we must improve our educational facilities.”

By 1924, a new school on Custer St was deemed the Whitewood School. The two-story building housed the younger grades on the first floor, while high school students attended classes on the second floor. The building still stands today as a reminder of the community’s commitment to education. In 1938, a gymnasium was added, expanding the school’s facilities and opportunities for students.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss

Student Council members spread some St. Patrick’s Day cheer by selling festive green popcorn. They will also be helping serve at Muffins with Mom and assisting during state testing week.

The next PTO meeting will be April 13th at 3:10 in the staff lounge. We hope to see you there!!! If your child is a student at Whitewood Elementary they will have free access to the after school program during the meeting.

Shelly Mikkelson, Principal

Email: lexi.ridley@k12.sd.us

Website: https://www.meade.k12.sd.us/whitewood-elementary/
Location: 603 Garfield Street, Whitewood, SD, USA
Phone: 605-269-2264