Ms. Simmons' Secondary Scoop

The end of quarter three is quickly approaching on Thursday, 3/13. Please be checking Parent Portal and encouraging your student(s) to set up a time with their teacher(s) to receive extra support and complete missing work.

This information regarding report cards was originally texted and emailed on 12/19, and shared again via newsletter in January, but just a quick reminder:

Many of you utilize Parent Portal to review your student(s) grades throughout the semester, which is greatly appreciated. If you have not set up Parent Portal yet and would like to access your student(s)' grades online, that information is linked here. Due to the convenience and strong utilization of online access to grades, the front office will not be printing and mailing your student(s)' report card unless you request this to be done. If you still prefer a printed report card, please email Karla (karla.denison@k12.sd.us) or call the school (605-542-2541) to request a printed copy which will be sent home with your student. Final report cards at the very end of the school year will still be printed and mailed home.

Teachers are the backbone of American public education. No person has a greater impact on the education of a child than the teacher who creates the primary learning and instructional environment. Nominate a teacher for the Elkton School District 2025 Teacher of the Year Award by completing the form linked below by Monday, February 24th. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration! Link: https://forms.gle/NKLHah14AouTU1nB7

- Elkton Administration

I wanted to provide proactive communication to my 7-12 parents/guardians and let you know I will be having another back surgery on Thursday, 3/6. I will be going to Minneapolis this time and certainly hope for a better outcome than what I've experienced so far. I will need to be out of the office for approximately 6 weeks following the surgery. During this time, I will strive to complete as much work from home as my recovery will allow. Please know we have procedures in place to cover various duties in my absence. I want to thank the Elkton administration and staff for their understanding and assistance during this time. I look forward to being back at school with staff and students as soon as I am able.

Attention Parents/Guardians of Current Juniors:

Do you have a child that will be a senior in the 2025-2026 School Year? If so, we have an amazing opportunity for them to spend 48 hours growing their leadership skills, nurturing their servant hearts, connecting with 70+ rising seniors from the region, and having lots of fun in the process. There are no academic requirements, students only need a desire to grow and want to make a difference. The SLA is free thanks to the generous support of our benefactors who are committed to growing the next generation of leaders. There are two SLAs this summer, June 2-4 and July 30-August 1. The SLA starts at 11:00 AM on day one and ends at 11:00 AM on day three.

The Humanity Launch created the Service Leadership Academy in 2022 to connect the amazing students they meet on their retreats at schools around South Dakota, SW Minnesota and NW Iowa. They use a leadership team and ten college students to lead the SLA participants. The SLA includes keynote speakers, leadership and service roundtables, a half day of service at a local nonprofit, group and one-on-one conversations, loads of fun activities, and field trips around Sioux Falls. Students are housed in dorms at Augustana University dorms with single or double rooms of their choosing. Lodging, meals, transportation around Sioux Falls, supplies… are all provided free of charge.

• Watch a KELO story getting students’ perspectives
• Service Leadership Academy Informational Video
• Get more information and register
• Service Leadership Academy Registration Form
• Learn about The Humanity Launch
• Questions? - Contact Gregg Talcott 605-261-0645 Gregg@TheHumanityLaunch.com

• JH/HS student handbook

• JH/HS online lesson plans. Click the link below each email address for the staff member/course you’d like to see.

• Link to all school activities

As always, please let me know if there's anything I can do to serve you and our secondary students.

Sincerely in Education,

Website: https://www.elkton.k12.sd.us/
Phone: (605) 542-2541
Facebook: facebook.com/ElktonSchool53
Twitter: @ElktonSchool