SVE Hiltunen Happenings

Vision Statement

Sioux Valley Elementary’s highest priority is to ensure all Cossacks will reach their highest potential.

Mission Statement

(Photo: Left to right-Crystal Niemann (Administrative Assistant), Heather Hiltunen (SVE Principal), and Tiffany Thompson (Medical Office Assistant).

Dear Sioux Valley Elementary Families,

October has been a month of learning, growth, and adjustment here at SVE. As we’ve moved deeper into the school year, both students and staff have been working hard to find their rhythm. With new staff members, new schedules, and new routines in place, it’s taken time for everyone to settle in and find what works best. We’ve also seen some challenges with student behaviors as expectations are reinforced and consistency takes hold, but we’re continuing to make progress and find our stride as a school community.

In the classroom, students are diving into their learning with focus and curiosity. Teachers have been introducing the new South Dakota Social Studies Standards, and our third graders are beginning a new science curriculum that’s bringing hands-on exploration and excitement to their week. Response to Intervention (RTI) groups are now underway, providing additional supports to meet each child’s needs, and teachers are using DIBELS reading data to guide small group instruction and next steps for literacy growth.

Our third-grade students also led the first SVE Assembly of the year, setting an example of leadership and teamwork for the entire school. Looking ahead, we are preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday and Thursday, which will coincide with our Scholastic Book Fair which is always a favorite event for our students and families.

While this fall has brought its fair share of challenges, it’s also shown the strength, dedication, and care that define Sioux Valley Elementary. Thank you for your continued support, patience, and partnership as we work together to make this a positive and successful year for all students.

With appreciation,
Heather Hiltunen
Principal, Sioux Valley Elementary

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
— Henry Ford

October 8-Fire Safety Presentations by Volga Volunteer Firefighters

October 8-World Dyslexia Day. Wear RED to show your support. (see article below)

October 8-9 - Parent/Teacher/Student-Led Conferences. Book Fair in Library. Wednesday from 2-6pm and Thursday from 4-8pm.

October 9 - Breakfast with Deputies (see note below).

October 9-National Be A Teacher Day (FCCLA)

October 10 - NO School (Comp Day for Conferences)

October 13 - NO School; Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 13-17-National School Lunch Week. This year's theme is: Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport.

October 13 - BASE/TITLE I Parent Meeting at 5:30 (Cossack Castle) & School Board Meeting 6:30pm (Library). New staff are invited to attend.

October 16- National Boss's Day. Celebrate Mrs. Schuster, our district superintendent.

October 20-24: National School Bus Safety Week. Morning shout-outs for drivers and crossing guards for 'Driving our Success!"

October 22 - End of Quarter 1

October 27-31-Red Ribbon Week. Dress Up Days below.

October 30-SVE CITIZENSHIP ASSEMBLY. Families are invited. 9:00AM/Cossack Gym. Note time change made on 10/14/25.

October 31-Halloween Parties in Classrooms and Halloween Parade begins at 2:30pm/Cossack Gym. Families are invited to our parties and parade.

November 1-Girls on The Run Celebratory Run (in SF)

November 3-4th & 5th Grade Grade Check

November 10-BASE/Title 1 Meeting at 5:30; School Board Meeting in the library at 6:30pm

November 11-Veterans Day. Veteran's Program held in Cossack Gym at 9am. Public is invited to attend.

November 17- 4th & 5th Grade Grade Checks

November 26-28-NO SCHOOL-Thanksgiving Break

December 1-4th & 5th Grade Grade Checks

Eleven staff members — Mr. Vincent, Mrs. Pingleton, Mrs. Kahler, Mrs. Monroe, Ms. Crystal, Ms. Tiffany, Mrs. Bezdichek, Ms. Hillesheim, Mr. Trigg, Mrs. Glawe, and Mrs. Hiltunen submitted votes for all K-5 classrooms. The classroom with the highest average score from these responses and earning the honor of hosting Ivan the Awesome for the month was Mrs. Christopherson's 2nd Grade class.

Hello! My name is Amanda Hillesheim and I am the new Elementary School Counselor! Once a week for 30 minutes, I go into each classroom to teach a class called Power-Up. This class is a chance to focus on social emotional learning, or SEL. Every month we try to have a focus on what we would like the students to learn. This month was about self-esteem. Students started by defining what self esteem is. Throughout the month lower classes read stories about different characters, identifying what high and low self esteem may look like. Upper classmen worked on different activities to really learn to identify their strengths and uniqueness. At the end of the unit each student, K-5, received a puzzle piece to decorate. Each piece is to individualize who they are, their likes, interests, strengths, and things that they are proud of about themselves. Which was then assembled. Ultimately grades K-5 decided that the definition of self esteem was being proud of who you are. This project was to showcase that we all are important and that “every piece matters at Sioux Valley”. I think we can all agree that we are all proud to be a part of Sioux Valley Elementary! Go Cossacks!

Students and teachers began the year completing our DIBELS screening and diagnostic assessments. This helps us clearly identify where each student receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 support needs targeted instruction, and that information will be shared with families during conferences.

This month, in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are learning about how the brain makes connections for reading. Reading is not something the brain does automatically, it’s a skill that must be taught and practiced, and it uses many different parts of the brain working together. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) explains that dyslexia is a brain-based learning difference that often shows up as difficulty with reading, spelling, and word recognition. The good news is that the same strategies proven to support students with dyslexia, explicit instruction, guided practice, and ample reading opportunities, actually benefit all learners.

At Sioux Valley, our goal is to give every student the tools they need to build confidence, fluency, and a love for reading. If you'd like to learn more, the IDA offers excellent family resources at https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics-2/.

Here’s how we can participate at Sioux Valley:

• Wear red on Wednesday to show unity and raise awareness.

• I will also be posting dyslexia facts in the hallway during conferences so families can learn more as they come through the building for conferences.

A few quick facts about dyslexia:

• Dyslexia affects roughly 1 in 5 individuals.

• It is neurological in origin, not tied to intelligence or effort.

• With the right instruction and support, students with dyslexia can thrive.

• Early identification and structured literacy make a significant difference.

Thank you for helping us shine a light on this important topic. Your participation helps create understanding, reduces stigma, and shows our students that we see and support them.

Welcome to the second edition of the Reading and Behavior Tips Newsletter created for families and caregivers of elementary students. Each month you will find activities, tools, and strategies gathered from educators and leaders in their fields that you can do at home with your child. Enjoy and have fun!

Infinite Campus is a helpful tool that lets parents stay-up-to date on their child’s grades, check for missing assignments, and add money to lunch accounts.

To log in for the first time, please contact Crystal in the office (crystal.niemann@k12.sd.us). She will send you a username and temporary password to get started.

Once you’re set up, you can also download the Infinite Campus Parent App for quick and easy access on your phone.

Cell phones & gizmos (or other smart watches) must be kept in a student’s backpack or locker during the school day. Texting and use of phones will not be allowed during school hours without permission. Texting from students who may be absent to students who are in school is not allowed as it interrupts the academic setting. Should a cell phone cause any disruptions of the academic setting, the classroom teacher is authorized to confiscate the cell phone and turn it in to the principal, who will record the violation. The student will be required to call her/his parent, who may choose to have the principal return the cell phone to the child at the end of the day or to have the principal hold the cell phone until the parent can pick it up. Any repeated violations will result in a notification slip with designated consequences.

The school accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of cell phones and/or other devices.

Breakfast with Deputies: The Brookings County Sheriff's Office will be joining our elementary students again this year for breakfast. They will sit down with the students, share conversations, and perhaps even spend a little time with them on the playground afterward.

This initiative is designed to help build positive relationships between our students and local law enforcement. It’s a great opportunity for our students to engage with the deputies in a fun, relaxed setting, fostering a stronger sense of community and trust.

We’re thankful for the Brookings County Sheriff's Office’s involvement and look forward to these valuable moments with our students.