February is the month of LOVE, and LOVE is in the air at Longfellow Elementary:

LOVE of our learners.

LOVE for the PTO that optimizes our fund raisers and approval for funds to purchase the Book Vending Machine in our library, PTO parents for organizing the meal for conference night, a LOVE for the opportunity to visit with parents at conferences.

LOVE of the On-line Scholastic Book Fair.

LOVE of all the fantastic learning opportunities our Longfellow Lions are experiencing.

I LOVE the fact that our technology continues to allow us to share important information and happenings at LO Elementary Longfellow Parent/Teacher Conferences is a great time to touch base with your child/ren’s teacher.

Longfellow Parent Teacher Conferences: This night is a wonderful opportunity for parents to visit with teachers in regard to their child/ren’s progress. It allows teachers a chance to celebrate their students’ successes and showcase their many educational talents. It also provides an opportunity to discuss educational strategies for parents to assist their children with at home. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have not received your conference time slot. Thank you in advance for attending!

Conferences: Thursday, February 6, from 3:30-8:45 pm

Sincerely, Mrs. Heckenlaible

Congratulations go out to Longfellow's Teacher of the Year, Stacey Hofer, and Classified Staff of the Year, Kristina Bartscher! Mrs. Hofer, 1st grade teacher, and Kristina Bartscher, paraeducator, will be presented with their awards at our annual TOY/CSOY Reception later this month. We are so proud of these fine ladies!

May is only a few short months away so please check backpacks for important info that will be coming home. Remember, if we do not receive a signed form, your child may miss out on a fun activity. Things to watch for in the next few months include:

• Spring Picture Forms (photos only taken if packet is returned)
• Yearbook Order Forms
• Teacher Request Forms for the 25-26 School Year
• Field Trip Permission Forms

When asking your child about their day, ask if they have any papers to show you. The classroom teachers are also good about mentioning these things in their weekly newsletters so make sure you are signed up for SeeSaw or Dojo. If you are not, contact the classroom teacher.

We are sorry to say that, due to a shortage of available coaches this year, we are unable to offer Girl on the Run at Longfellow. We hope to be able to participate again next year.

The cold weather has been & will be again at our doorstep. so we want you to be aware that the doors do not open and supervision doesn't start until 7:30 am. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Check the Lost & Found

Stop at Book Fair

Purchase Candy Gram

Visit Classroom Teacher

Update Address or Phone Numbers in the Office

Continuing the Mitchell School District's "We Are Kernels" video series, the Mitchell Middle School explains what NO EXCUSES means. They brought in some special guest to help. Way to go, MMS!!!

We understand that families need to make doctor appointments and have family vacations. As you are scheduling those, it may help to be aware of these dates.

2/14 Fri-NO SCHOOL

2/17 Mon-NO SCHOOL - President's Day

3/13-3/17 Thurs-Mon-NO SCHOOL - Spring Break/Teacher Inservice

4/18-4/21 Fri-Mon-NO SCHOOL - Easter

We do the bulk of our statewide testing in April as well (3rd-5th graders). When a student

misses the scheduled testing time, we are required to reschedule for that student. Learners do

better when testing with the rest of their peers. We appreciate you doing your best to avoid

absences or leaving for appointments during those dates.

Doctor Appointments? Vacations?

The South Dakota summative testing window runs from March - May 3rd. We do most of our testing in April. Please avoid scheduling appointments during the school day, if at all possible. Testing with their peers is the most normal testing environment for our students. If they miss testing dates, they will have to make them up during important class time. Your help is much appreciated! More detailed grade-level information will come out when the schedule is finalized.

Please check out the Dates to Remember section of this newsletter as well as the section above for dates that we do not have school. They would be the perfect time to schedule appointments or travel.

Please ask your child if they have headphones for school. If you forgot to send some or they are no longer working, we have headphones in the office available for purchase for $5.00. Our lions use headphones daily.

As a parent, it's important to know how schools are helping your child thrive. MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is a framework that provides the right support at the right time for every student—whether they need extra help, enrichment, or challenge. Learn how educators use MTSS to ensure no child falls through the cracks and helps each one reach their full potential.

Towards the end of the school year (which will be here before we know it), each grade level/den has the opportunity to attend a field trip. Please note that field trips must be earned by the following rules, showing and being respectful to others, being a positive leader, and upholding their grades (to name a few). Teachers will review their lists and determine all who have earned the privilege.

You are encouraged to fill out a free and reduced meal application at any time throughout the school year. When in doubt, fill it out. If you completed the 2024-2025 application already this year, then you should have already been notified of your status. If you have experienced a financial change due household membership or job change, you are encouraged to apply again.

You can create an online account to monitor your child/ren’s meal account, balances, and add money to their account. Visit the district
the school website and click on

“Mealtime Online Access”

Download the app and sign up notifications from Longfellow to receive the latest news as well as info regarding early releases or cancelled school.

We are so excited to meet our newest LIONS at our upcoming Jumpstart/Roundup event. Please contact us NOW to reserve a date and time for your child's screening.

March 25 OR March 27

5:30 OR 6:30

Scan the QR code above to fill out the form online, click the link below to print the form and drop off at the office, OR stop in at the office to pick up a form.

We did not have a Spelling Bee this year. MayBEE we can bring it back next year.

Thank you, Mrs. Mebius, from Mitchell Middle School, for visiting with our 5th grade Lions to explain what MCL is all about. If YOU would like to know more about the option of MCL at Mitchell Middle School, attend the parent informational meeting on Monday, Feb. 3rd, at 5:30 pm in the MIDDLE SCHOOL Library.

Not pictured: Piper Kowall, Wyatt Nelson, Maddie VanOverschelde, Yakelyn Ical Cucal

If your child is in need of a winter coat, please sign up for a Caring Closet pop up. The link is in this newsletter. Mitchell also has The Salvation Army and Goodwill. Due to all of these wonderful resources, we no longer keep extra coats/boots/snow pants on hand and ask that YOU reach out to them yourselves.

Please remember that students will always go out for recess unless it is raining or below zero with windchill. Thank you!

The Mitchell Community Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)3 organization created in 2001 and maintained to provide scholarships for every graduating senior from MHS or MCHS that qualifies. This fund assists Mitchell’s graduating seniors to attain their goals of continuing educational opportunities and to demonstrate Mitchell’s belief in their youth. The student must attend a postsecondary institution to receive the scholarship money and complete the necessary claim form. A board of directors oversees the efforts, and all monies raised are done through fundraising and special events. Community members and school representatives are members of the board that has no fiscal relationship with the Mitchell School District or Mitchell Christian School. Funds are held and managed by the Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation with 100% of money raised dedicated to scholarship awards.

Pick up and drop off can be a very stressful time for parents and students. Everyone is in a hurry and ready to move on to the next part of their day. However, safety is the most important factor! Please remember to go to the corner and cross the street with the crossing guards. Please do NOT encourage your child to cross in the middle of the street. We want to keep our students safe and set a good example.

100 days of school was extra special this year. Zero the Hero (AKA, Mayor Jordan Hanson) surprised our youngest Lions by FINALLY showing his face to them! All year, he's been surprising them with treats every 10 days. They've seen donuts, novelty rings, all of the round treats you can imagine. Our curious Kinders have set traps and just couldn't catch him, no matter how ingenious they thought they were. Well, today, he snuck into the classroom at the wrong time and was seen. He finally joined them for recess and got ambushed by tiny humans! What a fun day!!! Thank you, Zero, for being a HERO!

PE Highlights from the Month

• Boost Up & locomotor skills activities & challenges
• HOCKEY!! Students had so much fun learning all about hockey! We built up endurance with many different hockey activities!
• 100th day of school challenges

PLEASE remember that students need proper shoes on gym days. Sandals, cowboy boots, snow boots, fashionable boots, flipflops, crocs, etc., are fine shoes but not appropriate for PE days.

Longfellow does not have spare shoes for students to borrow. Thank you.

We are grateful for the Junior Achievement volunteers who have been visiting our classrooms again this school year! By combining JA programming with their own personal and professional experiences, JA volunteers teach students about careers, money management, entrepreneurship, and ethics. They help students connect what they learn in school with the skills needed for success in both their personal and professional lives.

Junior Achievement (JA) gives students hope for a brighter future. This school year, nearly 2,000 JA volunteers are committed to teaching JA programs, empowering over 56,000 South Dakota students to pursue their dreams.

Please join us in thanking the volunteers and teachers listed below for their involvement in JA during the 2024-25 school year. If you're interested in sharing your knowledge and business experience with local students, or would like to sponsor a student for $25, please contact the JA office at (605) 336-7318 or jasd@ja.org.

Feb. 4 - PTO Meeting

Feb. 6 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Feb. 7 - Candy Grams DUE

Feb. 8 - Caring Closet (Pre-registration Required)

Feb. 10 - School Board Meeting

Feb. 13 - Candy Grams delivered

Feb. 14 & 17 - NO SCHOOL

Feb. 21 - Student Council Store OPEN

Feb. 25 - 4th grade recorder concert

Feb. 28 - LO BINGO Night

Mar. 5 - Spring Picture Day (for those who wish to order)

Mar. 12 - 3rd quarter ends

Mar. 13 & 14 - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

Mar. 25 & 27 - Kindergarten Jumpstart (call the school to reserve a time)

Apr. 4 - LO Scholarship Applications Due

Apr. 18 & 21 - NO SCHOOL (Easter Break)

May 6 - 5th grade show choir/vocal concert

May 6 - 5th grade district band concert

May 22 - 5th grade recognition (more information to come)

May 23 - Last scheduled day of school = FIELD DAY!!

The school doors open at 7:30 am. Even if it is cold or raining, we do not have staff in the building to supervise so students will wait until 7:30 am to enter the building. Likewise, our staff leaves by 3:45 and students will need to be picked up before that time. We appreciate you making arrangements to have your children dropped off and picked up within those times.

Building doors open 7:30 am

Breakfast served 7:30-8:10 am

First bell rings at 8:10 am

School begins at 8:15 am (meaning a student is tardy at 8:16 am)

School dismissed at 3:15 pm

If your child needs to leave during the school day or will come late due to an appointment, simply alert the school office at 605-995-3092. If you need to take your child out early, we appreciate you alerting the office ahead of time, if possible. Your child will remain in class until you come inside to sign them out and we will do our best to have them prepared and ready to go as quickly as possible.

The parent portal is a great way to see your child's grades and attendance.

• "I know I asked the doctor's office to send a note for that appointment, but did they remember to do so?"
• "I sent the doctor note with my child. Did she remember to deliver it to the office?"

The best way to check on that is to log on to your parent portal. You may not see daily grades but you will be able to see their quarter grades and, of course, attendance. The parent portal will become extremely important as your child moves on to Middle School and High School as you can check on missing assignments and current grades. Also, the parent portal is where you update your info at the end of each year, which registers your child for the upcoming school year. PLEASE, familiarize yourself with the portal. If you do not remember your log on info, please ask the office.

All medications must be administered through the office. Students may keep cough drops in their lockers or desks but allergy meds, cold & flu, antacids, inhalers, etc., as well as all prescription medications will be held in the nurse's office. Please stop in to see Mrs. Snoozy, Longfellow's nurse, or call 605-995-3092 and ask for our nurse, if you have any questions.

Mrs. Snoozy's hours at Longfellow vary but she will be available at open house and will call you back should you leave a message.

Please remember that students are NOT ALLOWED to carry any medications on them (even aspirin). It is not safe to have elementary students carrying meds as we don't want them to get into the wrong hands. We are happy to keep OTC medications in the office for your child when/if they need them.

In the next couple of months, we will be screening all K-3rd graders, as well as any new students, for hearing and vision. You may receive a letter or phone call from our nurse if any results are at all concerning.

If your child had any health concerns in the past (milk allergy, asthma, etc.) our nurse may be contacting you via a letter in your child's backpack, mail or phone call to confirm. If your child HAS any health conditions we need to be aware of, please fill out the form below so we can be prepared