DP Families

Dear Dakota Prairie Families,

May 2026

What an incredible year it has been! As we wrap up another school year, we are so proud of everything your children have learned, discovered, and accomplished. They have grown in ways that will stay with them far beyond the classroom, and that is in no small part because of you. Thank you for your partnership, your encouragement, and the trust you place in us every single day. It truly takes a team, and we are grateful to have you on ours.

Summer is a wonderful time to keep the momentum going in fun, low-key ways. Here are a few ideas to try as a family:

Keep reading every day

Even 15–20 minutes a day makes a big difference. Visit the library, let your child pick books they love, or listen to audiobooks together on road trips.

Practice a growth mindset

Try something new and embrace the challenge! Remind your child that the brain grows stronger when we work through hard things. Use the phrase "I can't do it yet" when something feels tricky.

Write and create

Start a summer journal, write letters to family, or make a scrapbook of adventures. Writing over the summer helps kids return to school feeling confident.

Explore the world around you

Nature walks, cooking together, building things, visiting local museums — everyday experiences are some of the best learning opportunities there are.

We hope your family has a summer full of rest, laughter, and adventure. We are so thankful for each and every one of you, and we cannot wait to see what next year holds. Wishing you sunshine and joy...you deserve it!

Thank you for your support in helping us keep learning moving forward.

Sarah Wiebersick

Principal, Dakota Prairie Elementary

Class lists will be emailed out after July 1.

Do you have little Jackrabbits who love to read or could use a little extra encouragement? 🐰

Do you have little Jackrabbits who love to read or could use a little extra encouragement? Sign them up for Jr. Rabbit Readers, our fun six-week summer reading challenge, happening June 7 – July 18.

Details + Registration: sdstatealumnifoundation.org/jr-rabbit-readers

Join the excitement — register by May 1!

🦷🪥The Delta Dental Mobile van will be in Brookings June 1 -June 5. Care provided through the Mobile Program is at no cost to the child or family. No insurance is necessary. Children through age 21 who have not seen a dentist within the past two years or who live more than 85 miles from a dentist are eligible for care. To make an appointment, call the Brookings Area United Way at 2-1-1.

BSD App

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HyVee Receipts

We are collecting receipts from Brookings Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee gas! Encourage families to bring in their original receipts. We will have a collection container in the vestibule as well as a box that will be on the counter behind Shelly's desk.

For every $200,000 in receipts, we can earn $1000!

Important links

B.E.S.T. Award - Nominate staff or students who go above and beyond for recognition at our regular school board meetings! 🔗 brookings.k12.sd.us/best

Alumni Spotlight - Know a BHS grad doing incredible things? Help us tell their story by submitting a nomination! 🔗 brookings.k12.sd.us/alumni

Click Here to Watch Our Weekly Photos!

Drop off and Pick up options

Morning Drop-Off Options:

Parking and Walking In

You are welcome to park in the designated parking lot and escort your child to the front doors of the school. Please note that staff will not be available to supervise at the front entrance, as they will be assisting students who arrive without a parent or guardian.

Curbside Drop-Off

If you prefer to drop your child off at the curb, please ensure that they are ready to exit the vehicle promptly when you pull up. For the safety and efficiency of all, we ask that parents remain in their vehicles during drop-off. This allows the traffic line to move smoothly and helps us avoid unnecessary delays.

Bus

Afternoon Dismissal Options:

Walk

Learners may walk home if that is what the family has chosen for them to do.

Pick Up

Families are each assigned a number and given 2 tags for their vehicles. As you drive up your number is announced and your child(ren) walk to where ever you are in the drive up. We fill the first 5-6 cars in each line and run two lines at a time.
If you need to pick up early please try to have it be before 3:00 or it may be hard to get into the parking lot. People start lining up in the pick up lanes early so you will want to park in the parking lot and walk in to sign your child out. The exit to the parking lot is open until 3:15 so you will have time to leave the parking lot before dismissal begins.

Bus

We appreciate your cooperation in following these procedures to ensure a safe and orderly start and ending to each school day. Thank you for your continued support.

DP Lost and Found / Coat Closet

We keep all of our lost and found items in the front entry way so that you can come and look at any time, those doors are unlocked Monday - Friday from 7:30-6pm. Please label your items with your family name and if we find them we will make sure they are returned. Unmarked items are taken to Goodwill after the 20th of each month. We have extra clothes, coats, shoes, boots, etc that we lend out to learners as needed. These items are all marked DP so if they end up at your house please return them to school so that others can borrow them!

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