LTHS Family Newsletter
Tatánka Tiyóšpaye Wónahun
🐃 Lakota Tech Family Update Week #12
Fourth Week of Quarter 2!
Welcome to week 5 of the second quarter! As we continue through the quarter, we encourage families to stay connected with your students and their progress.
Please remind your students to check in regularly with their Success Coordinators and teachers for support, guidance, and help staying on track.
Tutoring is available throughout the week in each subject area we highly recommend that students who are failing any class stay for tutoring. Students can sign up through Infinite Campus or visit a teacher for assistance with signing up. We want every student to have the support they need to be successful!
🌅 Start the Day Right
(words of wisdom). This time provides an opportunity for students to ground themselves, reflect, connect with our culture and values, and begin the day with encouragement and a positive mindset.
We welcome parents, families, Elders, and community members to sign up to join us and share words of encouragement, wisdom, or guidance with our students during this special time.
We are also in need of sage for our morning smudging. Donations of sage are greatly appreciated and welcome. Your generosity helps us continue this meaningful daily practice and keep our cultural traditions present in our school.
Your presence, voice, and contributions can make a meaningful difference in helping our students feel supported, connected, and inspired. If you are interested in participating please contact the front office to make arrangement. Sage donation can be made in the front office from 8am-3pm.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in supporting our students academically, culturally, and personally. Together, we can help our Tatanka Tiwahe thrive!
📣 Your Voice Matters! Family Input Needed
The Lakota Tech School Improvement Team is asking for your input! Family feedback is an important part of helping us identify our strengths, recognize areas for growth, and make decisions that support student success.
We value your perspective and want to hear from you as we continue working to improve our school.
Please take a few minutes to complete our Parent/Guardian Survey, the survey will be open through Tuesday November 10th..
COMPLETE THE FAMILY SURVEY HERE
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and for being an important part of our Tatanka Tiwahe!
📊 Attendance Matters!
Regular attendance is essential to student success. Being at school each day helps students stay engaged, keep up with assignments, build positive relationships, and make progress toward their academic goals.
This quarter, we are holding an attendance challenge to encourage students to attend school consistently and celebrate classes that demonstrate strong attendance.
The class with the highest attendance percentage will receive a pizza party on November 25!
Families, thank you for partnering with us to emphasize the importance of being present, on time, and ready to learn each day. Every day counts, and every Tatanka matters!
ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGES
Week of October 19
· Freshmen: 76.48%
· Sophomores: 79.40%
· Juniors: 72.59%
· Seniors: 73.21%
Week of October 26
· Freshmen: 75.18%
· Sophomores: 77.18%
· Juniors: 71.04%
· Seniors: 73.15%
Week of November 1
· Freshmen: 74.18%
· Sophomores: 75.97%
· Juniors: 75.79%
· Seniors: 70.07%
Week of Novermber 8
· Freshmen: 72.23%
· Sophomores: 74.07%
· Juniors: 71.47%
· Seniors: 72.93%
📢 IMPORTANT SCHOOL REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
📱 Student Cell Phone Policy
A reminder that all students are required to turn in their cell phones each morning. Students are expected to:
Lock their phones inside their Yondr pouch.
Place their locked pouches in the designated bin for their 7th-period class.
Phones are disbursed to their 7th period classes at 2:25 PM each day.
We continue to see too many phones appearing in classrooms during instructional time. We ask families to please help reinforce this expectation with your students. Our goal is to minimize distractions and ensure students are focused on learning throughout the school day. Thank you for helping us maintain this important school-wide expectation!
🚗 Student Parking Permits & Parking Lot Expectations
Students who drive to school are required to obtain a parking permit. Please have your student see Misty to receive their permit.
A few important reminders:
Parking permits must be visible from the vehicle's visor.
Permits are interchangeable, as we understand students may not always drive the same vehicle to school.
Students are expected to leave the parking lot promptly after school. Loitering in the parking lot creates a safety hazard.
We ask parents and guardians to remind students about appropriate behavior and safety in the parking lot. Help us keep our parking areas safe for everyone!
Picture Retakes on Nov. 12
Picture retakes are happening on Nov. 12. If your child would like a retake, please have them bring their original photo packet to the photographer that day. We’ll apply the same order to the new image.
All students need to make sure to get there photo taken. These photos will be used for Badges. Badges will be used for a check in/check out and hall passes. Smile big, and say cheese.
Dental Visits
Permission slips for your child to be seen by the dental team were sent home last week. Students who return a permission slip will be transported to IHS on Fridays for a dental cleaning. If you have questions or need a permission slip, please contact the front office or school nurse.
Family Turkey Dinner
Families are invited to join us for a turkey dinner on November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Please check with your student to find out their lunch time so you can join them for a meal.
📝 ACT Testing – December 12
Attention Juniors and Seniors!
Students interested in taking the ACT will have an opportunity to test on Saturday, December 12, at Lakota Tech High School.
Students should see their Success Coordinator for assistance with registration and additional information.
We encourage our juniors and seniors to take advantage of this opportunity as they prepare for their postsecondary plans and future goals!
Monday:
Pep bus permission forms are due Monday by 10:00am to the front office. Students must be eligible.
Volleyball, sideline cheer and Esports practice 3:45 - 5:45 activity buses run at 6:00pm
Tutoring and clubs after school; Students sign up in Infinite Campus Messenger for the link or see your success coordinators for assistance.
Tuesday:
Early dismissal for students at 1pm, staff work their regular day unless attending SoDak 16 volleyball game
SoDak 16 Volleyball @ Mitchell High School #10 Lakota Tech vs #7 Dakota Valley. 4:30pm MT / 5:30pm CST
Pep bus departs at 11:00am, will have lunch at 10:30am
SDSU Outreach will have a booth set up 11am-12:30pm to discuss academic programs and opportunities at SDSU for any student to attend in the commons.
Senior Class Parent Meeting at 5pm with Sponsor Maureen in the commons.
No tutoring and no clubs
Wednesday:
No School / Veterans Day
Thursday:
Lifetouch picture retakes, students must bring back their complete picture packet if they are doing re-takes.
Volleyball, Sideline Cheer, and Esports practice 3:45 - 5:45 activity buses run at 6:00 pm
Tutoring and clubs after school; Students sign up in Infinite Campus Messenger for the link or see your success coordinators for assistance.
Winter sports parents/participants, there will be a mandatory winter sports meeting with the coaches and AD’s. If you plan on participating in winter sports you must attend this meeting at 6pm.
Friday:
Volleyball, practice 3:45 - 5:45 activity buses run at 6:00 pm
Sr. Class Bingo 5pm-8pm in the commons.
Saturday:
Jr. Class Flea Market 12pm-6pm in the gym
💙 Thank You for Supporting Our Students!
We appreciate our families for supporting academics, activities, attendance, and the many opportunities available to our students. Thank you for being part of the Lakota Tech family!
I think this opening gives the Family Engagement Night more prominence and connects it nicely to family partnership, culture, and community.
November Breakfast Menu
November Lunch Menu
Tatanka Tióspaye,
We’re Here to Support You! We value open communication and are here to support you and your child. At times, staff may be teaching, meeting with students or families, or addressing student needs and unable to answer immediately. Calling multiple extensions will only frustrate you and may delay a response. Please leave a voicemail and know that we will get back to you as soon as we are able.
Your grade-level Student Success Coordinator is your primary contact throughout your student’s four years at Lakota Tech. They can assist with grades, credit audits, graduation progress, registration, tutoring, teacher meetings, and Infinite Campus Parent Portal access.
In an Emergency: Call 605-646-9001, Ext. 0.
Please Dial 650-646-9001 and immediately enter the 4 digit extension of the staff member:
- 9th Grade Student Success Coordinator - Jesse Red Wing
- Jesse.RedWing@k12.sd.us
- 1-605-646-9001 ext. 7116
- 10th Grade Student Success Coordinator - Greg Stolley
- Greg.Stolley@k12.sd.us
- 1-605-646-9001 ext. 7128
- 11th Grade Student Success Coordinator- Breanna Eisenreich
- Breanna.Eisenreich@k12.sd.us
- 1-605-646-9001 ext. 7366
- 12th Grade Student Success Coordinator- Russ Cournoyer
- 1-605-646-9001ext. 7229
- 1 - 605-646-9224
Who do I Contact for...? -
Attendance or bus transportation information - Attendance Secretary
Charlie Eagle Bull - Charlie.EagleBull@k12.sd.us
605-646-9080 or 605-646-9001 ext. 7009
Enrollments, records, or transcript information - Registrar
Dawnte Mills - Dawnte.Mills@k12.sd.us
605-646-9215 or 605-646-9001 ext. 7006
General questions, school information, messages for students - Receptionist
Alexandria Bettelyoun - Alexandria.Bettelyoun@k12.sd.us
605-646-9219 or 605-646-9001 ext. O
Discipline, bullying, student conflicts - Dean of Students
David "Chissie" Spencer - Chissie.Spencer@k12.sd.us
Dean of Students 605-646-9223 or 605-646-9001 ext. 7090
Counseling, student social emotional health concerns - Trauma Informed Care Specialist
Kara Big Crow - Kara.K.BigCrow@k12.sd.us
605-646-9001 ext. 7911
Social Services, Behaviorial Health Referrals, McKinney-Vento - Social Worker
Carly Randall - Carly.Randall@k12.sd.us
605-646-9147 or 605-646-9001 ext. 7120
Student medical concerns or medication administration - School Nurse
Kade Bettelyoun - Kade.Bettelyoun@k12.sd.us
605-646-9177 or 605-646-9001 ext. 7011
Administration:
Athletic Director -
Francis Big Crow - Francis.BigCrow@k12.sd.us
605-646-9207
Activities Director -
Misty Mousseaux-Begay - Misty.Mousseaux@k12.sd.us
605-646-9127
Principal -
Chanda Spotted Eagle - Chanda.SpottedEagle@k12.sd.us
605-646-9202
CTE Principal -
Alberta Wright - Alberta.Wright@k12.sd.us
605-646-9204
Pilamiyaye for your support and partnership in your child's education!
Lakota Tech Staff
LTHS Athletic Program
Athletic Director:
Francis Big Crow 605-646-9207 or
Activities Director:
Misty Mousseaux-Begay 605-646-9217
Available Activities:
Student Council, Lakota Language, Hand Games, Drum Group, Chess, Archery, Knowledge Bowl, AV/Media, Dance, E-Sports, Art, Business, STEM, Live Ticket, and many more
FAN STORE IS OPEN
All orders are customizable and come in various sizes, colors and styles.
Items ship straight to your doorstep and you can shop in the comfort of your own time.
Get your orders in and SHOW OUT THAT TATANKA PRIDE!
Competitive Cheer and Dance
Football
Cross Country
Volleyball
Boys Golf
Wayáwapi Iyúha Aŋpétu Iyóhila Táku k’eyaš
(Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes)
Oglala Lakota County School Districts 3 big goals for 2025-2026:
Attendance - Every day matters!
Academics - Every child, every day, whatever it takes!
Safety - Safety for all children and adults every day!