SVE Hiltunen Happenings

WELCOME BACK. We are celebrating this month as Character-Building September!

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Sioux Valley Elementary!

This year our theme is “We Are BUILDERS," building strong character, building relationships, and building success together. We are also excited to welcome 12 new staff members who will be building right alongside us as they join our routines, traditions, and school family.

This month we are focusing on building character in the classroom by listening to teachers, following directions without complaining, respecting the learning of others, and completing work on time. Our Cossack Creed says it best: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. Around here, we like to keep it simple, students can do just about anything, as long as it doesn’t cause a problem!

I’m thrilled to be serving my eighth year as the princiPAL and can’t wait to see the great things our students, staff, and families accomplish together. Please keep in contact with your child’s teacher. Seesaw is one of the best ways to stay connected. Parent engagement is a big goal for us this year, and each classroom will host at least one event for families, so keep an eye out for fun opportunities to get involved.

It’s going to be a fantastic year of learning, building, and celebrating together. Let’s do great things, Cossacks!

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

🌟 SVE Vision and Mission Statement

Vision Statement

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

Mission Statement

At Sioux Valley Elementary, Cossacks will feel safe and supported in a positive learning environment. A culture of collaboration will be felt by all stakeholders:

Students
Staff
Parents/Guardians
Community Members

There will be an expectation of a shared responsibility to ensure the growth of all and to celebrate learning.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Trigg as our Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) at Sioux Valley Elementary! With over two decades of teaching experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for education to our school community. Mr. Trigg will be assisting Mrs. Hiltunen by providing extra supports to both staff and students. You’ll see him in and out of classrooms and around the building, lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed. 👏 We’re so thankful to have his expertise and heart for students on our team this year!

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Rebekah Kilburn as a 3rd Grade Teacher at Sioux Valley Elementary! Coming to us all the way from Texas, Mrs. Kilburn brings with her many years of teaching experience and a strong passion for helping students succeed. We can’t wait for the knowledge, energy, and southern warmth she’ll share with our students and staff this year. 👏 Please join us in giving Mrs. Kilburn a big Cossack “Howdy” and welcome to Sioux Valley Elementary!

We are excited to welcome Ms. McKinley Schreurs as a 5th Grade Teacher at Sioux Valley Elementary! Originally from Minnesota, she now lives just outside of Volga and is thrilled to join the Cossack family. Ms. Schreurs brings energy, enthusiasm, and a heart for students into her classroom, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact she will have on our 5th graders this year. 👏 Please join us in giving Ms. Schreurs a warm Sioux Valley welcome!

We are excited to welcome Ms. Hillesheim (Ms. H) as the Elementary School Counselor at Sioux Valley Elementary! Before joining our Cossack family, she taught middle and high school counseling at the Deuel School District. Ms. H brings with her great ideas, strong character, and a passion for supporting students. She will continue to foster the development of our social/emotional well being in a positive and caring school environment. 👏 We are thankful to have her dedication and heart to guide students at Sioux Valley Elementary this year!

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Klein as one of our two 1st Grade Teachers at Sioux Valley Elementary! Mrs. Klein has already been a part of our school community, serving as a Teacher Assistant, and now she’s stepping into her new role as a classroom teacher. We are so glad to have her passion, experience, and heart for students leading the way in 1st grade. 👏 Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Mrs. Klein to her new adventure at Sioux Valley Elementary!

We are excited to welcome Ms. Kristin Monroe as our new Elementary Art Teacher at Sioux Valley Elementary! Last year, she completed her student teaching in kindergarten and now she is bringing her talents into her very own classroom. Ms. Monroe combines her love of art design and teaching into one, and we can’t wait to see the creativity she will inspire in our students. 👏 Please join us in giving Ms. Monroe a warm Cossack welcome!

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Mary Schneider as the new BASE Director at Sioux Valley Elementary! Mrs. Schneider once lived here, moved away, and is now back in our community. She is looking forward to reconnecting and spending time with family and friends right here in Volga. We are so glad to have her leading our BASE program and bringing her care and experience to our students. 👏 Please join us in giving Mrs. Schneider a warm Sioux Valley welcome!

We are excited to introduce Mr. Noah Clair, as one of our new Teacher Assistants for the 2025–26 school year! Mr. Clair is better known to many as Cash! You’ve likely also seen him on the basketball scene, where his positive personality and energy shine. While Cash is not new to Sioux Valley, he is stepping into a new role this year as a Teacher Assistant in the 4th and 5th Grade Special Education classroom. His upbeat personality and energy will be a wonderful benefit to our students and staff in school each day. 👏 Please help us give a warm Sioux Valley welcome to Mr. Clair!

We are excited to introduce Mrs. Melinda (Mindy) Jorgensen as one of our new Teacher Assistants for the 2025–26 school year! Mrs. Jorgensen is joining the K-3 Special Education Department and brings with her a wealth of experience in special education. She has spent time working in the office, volunteering, and supporting in so many different ways, always giving her time and talents to help students and staff. Her background and dedication will be a wonderful benefit to our school community each day. 👏 Please help us give a warm Sioux Valley welcome to Mrs. Jorgensen!

We are excited to introduce Mr. Cade Gross as one of our new Teacher Assistants for the 2025–26 school year! Mr. Gross is joining the K-3 Special Education Department. He is a proud graduate of Sioux Valley High School and has worked at BASE for many years, building strong connections with students and staff. In addition to his new role, Cade will also be student teaching at Sioux Valley Elementary in the near future. His commitment, experience, and enthusiasm will be a wonderful benefit to our school community each day. 👏 Please help us give a warm Sioux Valley welcome to Mr. Gross!

We are excited to introduce Mrs. Heidi Barclay as one of our new Teacher Assistants for the 2025–26 school year! Mrs. Barclay is a former teacher who is now joining us as a Teacher Assistant in the K-3 Special Education Department. Her experience, care, and dedication will be such a blessing to our students and staff. 👏 Please help us give a warm Sioux Valley welcome to Mrs. Barclay!

We are excited to welcome Ms. Emily VanLiere as a 1st Grade Teacher at Sioux Valley Elementary! Ms. VanLiere completed her student teaching experience here in 5th grade last year. She is eager to bring her energy, creativity, and care for students into the classroom as she joins our Cossack family. We are thrilled for the positive impact she will have on our students and staff this year. 👏 Please join us in giving Ms. VanLiere a warm Sioux Valley welcome!

Homecoming Updates
We are excited to celebrate Homecoming Week at Sioux Valley! Coronation will take place on Monday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. on the football field. During the week, the Homecoming king and queen will also visit our elementary students. On Thursday, September 25, we will celebrate Class Colors Day: Kindergarten—red, 1st grade—orange, 2nd grade—yellow, 3rd grade—green, 4th grade—blue, 5th grade—blue, and SVE staff—rainbow (all colors). On Friday, September 26, the fun continues with our 2nd Annual Kindergarten and Senior Meet-Up Event at 2:00 p.m., leading into the Pep Rally at the football field/stadium for all SV students, staff, and community members. Kindergarten families are encouraged to attend this special event. More details will be sent home. The Homecoming Parade will begin at 2:30 p.m., kindergarten staff and students will watch the parade on 4th street while 1st-5th grade students will walk. The evening will conclude with the big game: SV Cossacks vs. Deuel Cardinals with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Go Cossacks!

SV PTO HOMECOMING Cossack Store

Sioux Valley PTO will have tables set up outside the Cossack Castle (elementary lunch room doors) from 7:45-8:15 AM on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept 24th and 25th. Prices are below and a sheet will be sent home with your student. For those who PRE-ORDERED at Registration Day, your child's gear will be delivered to his/her classroom during Homecoming Week.

PTO Movie Night CHANGED TO THE COSSACK CENTER/GYM

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF LOCATION: Mark your calendars for a fun community event! Bring your chairs, blankets, supper/snacks, and capped drinks to the SV COSSACK CENTER/GYM on Friday, September 5 for Family Movie Night. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the movie will begin at 6:00 p.m. Please note: this is a family event that requires adult supervision—parents/guardians must stay with their children, as no additional supervision will be provided. We kindly ask all families to remember movie etiquette by staying quiet during the show so everyone can enjoy the experience. Thank you for helping us make it a fun and relaxing Friday night together. Ready, Set, Action!

UPCOMING EVENTS at Sioux Valley Elementary.

September 3 - Girls On The Run (GOTR) begins for 3rd-5th grade girls. 3:45-5:15pm.

September 5 - SV PTO MOVIE NIGHT. LOCATION CHANGE: COSSACK CENTER/GYM. Movie Starts at 6pm. Freewill donation.

September 8 - School Board Meeting @ 6:30 PM. New staff invited to attend.

September 17 - STAAR CLUB Begins (4th & 5th Grade) from 1:45-2:30pm

September 19 - Midterm

September 22-RTI Begins

September 22-26 - Homecoming Week; Friday: Pep Rally 2pm/Football Field; Parade at 2:30pm.

Sept 23 & 24 - SV PTO Cossack Store (see below)

September 29-SVE CHARACTER ASSEMBLY. Families are invited. 2:45pm/Cossack Gym

October 1- Developmental Screening for 3-5 yr olds. Call Crystal at 627-5657 to register.

October 2 - Picture Retake Day

October 8-9 - Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

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

October 13 - No School; Native American Day

October 22 - End of Quarter 1

October 30-SVE CITIZENSHIP ASSEMBLY. Families are invited. 2:45pm/Cossack Gym

October 31-Halloween Parties and Parade begins at 2:45pm/Cossack Gym.

From our Parent/Student Handbook:

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.

Event Information

PICTURE RETAKES

When?

Thursday, Oct 2, 2025, 08:00 AM

Breakfast with Deputies

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.

Designated In-Town Bus Stops

SV designated in-town bus stops are at the City Park, Industrial Drive/Dakota Gold, 6th & Jefferson, 6th & Kasan, and the park at 6th & Ardis. In-town students will be picked up before school (7:55-8:00am) and dropped off after school (3:45-3:50pm) at these five sites. Please plan ahead for this change. Please contact Kelly at 605-651-3956 if you plan on using this transportation option. There are BUS STOP SIGNS posted on each corner of each stop.

SVE Hiltunen Happenings