The month of October is quickly upon us. September has flown by and at this rate, it won't be long until the end of the first semester. We really had a great month of September with everything that we have had going on. We expect October and the following months to be the same.

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday Morning Breakfast Club

Date: Friday, October 4th

We will be having Friday school this coming Friday. This is an opportunity for students to come in and make up and work they have missing. Some students may be assigned to Friday school due to having more than 2 missing assignments, excessive tardies, or other behavior issues.

PIE (Parents Involved in Education) Meeting:

Date: October 23rd at 5:00 PM

All parents are encouraged to attend our first PIE meeting of the year. It’s a great opportunity to get involved, meet other parents, and hear about upcoming projects and initiative

Parent-Teacher Conferences:
We invite you to join us for our Parent-Teacher Conferences on the following dates:

• October 18th from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
• October 28th from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM

These conferences are a great opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, set goals, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Please mark your calendars!!!

Community Corner

We are grateful for our wonderful parent volunteers who contribute their time and talents to enhance our school community. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact the school office for more information on upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Reminders

• Health & Safety: As we enter cold and flu season, please remember to keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell. Your cooperation helps us keep our school community healthy.
• Attendance: Regular attendance is crucial for your child’s success. Please ensure that they arrive on time and are ready to learn.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We look forward to seeing you at parent teacher conferences!!

Physical science students making fire snakes. We are beginning our unit on the periodic table, learning which elements like to react and combine with each other and why.

Physical science class was learning conversion while making fudge in the physical science chemistry lab!

The last week in September was Homecoming Week. We had a great Homecoming with several different activities for all of our students, great sporting events and terrific weather. A special thanks to our school board members for doing all of the cooking for the school feed on Thursday. Also a big thanks to everyone who contributed and sponsored the meal.

Click on the link below to go to the most updated sports and activity calendar for the junior high and high school.

If you are a parent of a senior, please use the link below to sign up to receive the different scholarship opportunities that are available. Please don't hesitate to contact Mrs. French with any questions.

https://forms.gle/ajKCkDfweLAJFMz7A

OCTOBER 23, 2024: ALL JUNIORS WILL BE TAKING THE NCRC TEST. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TEST FOR OUR JUNIORS AND ONE WE WANT THEM TO DO WELL ON. IT ALSO GOES TOWARDS THEM BEING ABLE TO HAVE SENIOR PRIVILEGES NEXT YEAR (WHICH THEY WILL WANT). PLEASE TALK TO YOUR SON OR DAUGTHER AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE THEIR TIME AND DO THEIR VERY BEST!!!!

Highmark Federal Credit Union has an exciting offer for its members and the best part about it is that it directly benefits CHS Activities!

ATTENTION Custer students, parents, faculty, and fans: Open a free

checking account at Highmark and get a free Wildcats Spirit debit card.

Plus, we'll make a contribution to CHS Activities each time you swipe your

Wildcats debit card.

All three of our checking accounts come with:

• No minimum deposit

• No minimum balance

• The convenience of online & mobile banking

• Free Wildcats debit card

Thank you!!

First Blurb

A special education referral is the process of formally requesting an evaluation to determine if a student has a disability that affects their learning. Referrals can be made by teachers, parents, or other professionals when a student shows signs of academic, behavioral, or developmental challenges.

Eligibility for special education is determined through an evaluation conducted by a multidisciplinary team. The evaluation assesses various areas such as academic performance, cognitive functioning, and behavior. To qualify, the student must meet the criteria for one of the disability categories under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and require special education services to succeed in school.

Second Blurb

Eligibility for Special Education

• An Eligibility Determination Team (EDT), which includes educators, specialists, administrators, and parents, meets to review the evaluation results.
• The team makes a decision on whether the student qualifies for special education services based on:
• The presence of a qualifying disability.
• The need for specially designed instruction.
• Additional information from parents, teachers, and specialists.

Parent Participation and Consent

• Parents play a critical role in the eligibility process. They are provided with a copy of the evaluation and are included in the team discussions.
• If the student is found eligible, parents must provide written consent before special education services can begin.

Development of an IEP

• If the student is determined eligible, the next step is the creation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which outlines the student’s educational goals and the services they will receive.
• The IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination.

Reevaluation

• Once a student is found eligible, a reevaluation must occur at least every three years to determine if the student continues to qualify for special education services.
• However, a reevaluation can be requested sooner if parents or educators feel that the student's needs have changed.

Third Blurb

South Dakota recognizes the following disability categories for special education under IDEA:

1. Autism – Affects communication and social interaction.
2. Deaf-Blindness – Combined hearing and vision impairments.
3. Deafness – Severe hearing impairment affecting learning.
4. Developmental Delay (DD) – Delays in areas like cognitive or social skills (ages 3-9).
5. Emotional Disability (ED) – Long-term emotional or behavioral issues.
6. Hearing Impairment – Hearing issues that affect learning.
7. Cognitive Disability (CD) – Below-average intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
8. Multiple Disabilities – Two or more disabilities with significant needs.
9. Orthopedic Impairment – Physical disabilities affecting learning.
10. Other Health Impairment (OHI) – Health issues like ADHD or epilepsy affecting performance.
11. Specific Learning Disability (SLD) – Difficulties with language-based tasks (e.g., dyslexia).
12. Speech or Language Impairment – Communication disorders.
13. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Brain injuries impacting learning.
14. Visual Impairment (including Blindness) – Vision problems that affect education.

These categories help identify students eligible for special education services in South Dakota.

Fourth and Final (wraps it all up)

How the IEP Process Works

1. Referral and Evaluation: A student is referred for evaluation if there are concerns about their educational progress due to a suspected disability. After a comprehensive evaluation, if the student qualifies, the IEP is developed.
2. Development of the IEP: The IEP team meets to create the IEP, tailoring it to the student’s unique needs. Parents are critical members of the team and must give consent for the plan.
3. Implementation: The school is responsible for carrying out the services and supports outlined in the IEP.
4. Annual Review: The IEP must be reviewed at least once a year to monitor progress, update goals, and adjust services if necessary.
5. Reevaluation: Every three years, the student must undergo a reevaluation to determine if they still qualify for special education services and if any changes to the IEP are needed.

Legal Protections

An IEP is a legal document, meaning the school is obligated to provide the services and accommodations written in the IEP. If the school does not comply, parents have the right to request mediation, file complaints, or pursue due process.

An IEP ensures that students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed academically and thrive in their educational environment.

MISSION STATEMENT: To Educate Every Student to His or Her Potential

VISION STATEMENT: To provide the highest educational program possible through positive leadership, quality academics, and an array of opportunities for social, emotional, physical, and character development, so graduates:

• A) Go on to compete in the marketplace

• B) Understand the importance of community involvement.

• C) Enjoy life-long learning

Email: dustin.petz@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.csd.k12.sd.us/CusterJrSrHigh
Location: 1645 Wildcat Lane, Custer, SD
Phone: 605-673-4473