Supporting Student Success at Meade School District Takes a Team

We are excited to share with you the dedicated efforts of our school staff in supporting student success here at Meade School District. Our Mission is “To Build Knowledge and Skills for Success Today and Tomorrow”. Our staff members play a vital role in this journey, and we want to highlight their incredible contributions.

Teachers

Our teaching staff is at the heart of student success by building relationships. They create engaging lessons and provide individualized support to meet the unique needs of our students. Their efforts to build relationships and knowledge across content areas help spark interest and opportunities for students’ future success.

Counselors and Support Services

The emotional and social well-being of our students at Meade School District. Our school counselors and support services team provide guidance, mentorship, and resources to help students navigate the challenges they may face, both inside and outside the classroom.

Support Staff

Our support staff provides the extra support that is vital to our entire school system. Our paraprofessionals who provide invaluable assistance to our educators, food service teams who ensure our students are nourished and ready to learn, and custodians who maintain a clean and safe environment, all contributing to the well-being of our students.

Administrative Teams

Behind the scenes, our administrative teams work tirelessly to ensure our schools run smoothly. From creating programs, managing resources to implementing policies that support student well-being, their commitment to allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: TEACHING.

Teamwork

Student success is a collaborative effort. Our teachers, administrators, and support staff work together as a dedicated team to create an environment where every student can grow, learn, and thrive. We are proud of our Meade School District community and the exceptional support provided by our staff members to ensure the success of our students.

We hope this newsletter highlights the extraordinary dedication of our school staff in their commitment to supporting student success. We look forward to continued growth and achievement as we work together to create a bright future for our students.

A school board meeting with executive session to follow is scheduled for Monday, October 16, 2023 . Some important topics that will be discussed include:

• Staff Recognitions
• Presentation on Proposed Trimester Change
• Rural Paraprofessional Request
• Official Fall Student Enrollment Numbers
• Policy Reviews
• plus more...

Take a moment to read the unofficial minutes or review the agenda for more details.

Tamara Voight, Speech and English teacher at Sturgis Brown High School, has been selected as one of 48 public school educators across 36 states on educating and empowering students for global citizenship. Being a part of this foundation, fellows will develop the skills to integrate global competency into their classroom instruction, advocate for global competency in their districts and help students thrive. Mrs. Voight and other fellows will participate in a two-day professional development conference in October and a ten-day international field study to Costa Rica the summer of 2024.

The cohort will investigate the historical and cultural context of the country they visit and learn about its education system through meetings with policymakers, business and nonprofit leaders, as well as visits to schools to meet teachers, students, and administrators.

Each year, the Jack Miller Center’s Excellence in Civic Education Award recognizes one K-12 teacher and one professor for extraordinary teaching and student engagement. The 2023 Award for Excellence in Civic Education Honorable Mention was awarded to Stephanie Kaufman. Stephanie teaches a dual credit American Government course at SBHS for Black Hills State University.

SBHS recognized 32 positive student referrals for the month of September. Students and staff received a phone call home and certificate, and were treated to pizza and pop on the last Friday in September.

The Sturgis Optimists Club donated $750 to the Positive Referral Program to help pay for the pizza and pop. Photo features Brenda Sabers, SBHS Asst. Principals, Mrs. Keffeler and Mr. Sullivan accepting the check.

Heather Erlenbusch, speech therapist, at Piedmont Valley Elementary was presented the Rolland J. Van Hattum Award for Contribution in the School Award at the state Speech/Language Pathologist Conference in Sioux Falls! Heather was nominated and selected by the SLP Board of Directors for her contributions to school speech therapy which includes her pre-school and early childhood work and being a key member on the Meade School District's Autism Team.

KWIK MART/STURGIS SUBS and KBHB Radio will be giving a $10 Conoco gift card and FREE sub or macaroni and cheese.

The activities entrance during the construction of the kitchen addition will be at the High School Main Office entrance. We apologize for the additional distance to events as we complete this needed project.

The Sturgis Brown Spirit Competition was held Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in West Gym at Sturgis Brown High School. Scoopers cheer team came in second with 134 points.

The Sturgis Scooper boys soccer team hosted a home playoff game for the first time in program history and came out victorious, earning a hard fought 1-0 win over the Huron Tigers at Woodle Field in Sturgis.

Sturgis will move on to the second round of the playoffs where they play Sioux Falls O’Gorman Knights Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Sioux Falls.

Scooper Cards are being sold by Scooper athletes!!! Only $10 and full of great deals - contact a Scooper athlete or stop by Sturgis Williams Middle School to get yours. All proceeds go back to Scooper athletics

Meade School District benefits from community support by Parent Teacher Associations and Organizations. This support not only contributes to students' success but adds to the quality of their learning environment. Become a member or simply attend a PTA meeting! Meeting dates and information is listed below.

The SBHS Cafeteria Project is moving right along, even with the excessive amount of moisture we have been receiving. Masonry contractors are continuing with walls on the south side of the kitchen. Slab prep is ongoing and plumbing contractors are working on in-floor rough-ins in the kitchen area.

We have support staff and extra-curricular activity positions available for 2023-24 school year.

• Substitute Registered Nurse
• Assistant Maintenance Foreman
• Night Custodian
• Special Education Paraprofessional
• Food Service Head Cook
• Plus more!!

Did you know that you can volunteer to work in schools throughout the district? Fill out the volunteer form now!

Educating youth takes a community effort, and because of that the Meade School Board is encouraging parents, guardians and other interested patrons to volunteer their time, knowledge and talents.

Members of the community bring new energies and resources into the schools and expand the walls of the classrooms. School volunteers enrich the educational program and strengthen the schools’ relationships with homes, businesses, public agencies and private institutions. All volunteers in the Meade School District do so without pay or employee benefits, except for workers’ compensation. For those interested in volunteering.

If you have a student that attends the Meade School District 46-1, and would like to receive a QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test Kit for a family member, please let your building principal know that you would like to receive one as we have them available for you. They are fast, easy and you can receive rapid results in 10 minutes. Each kit comes with two (2) tests and instructions.

For curriculum, technology and other information, check out their website and newsletters.

This year's enrollment count is 3036. Please expand the chart to see previous year school enrollment.

Any closure of district schools, altering of bus routes or early dismissals due to hazardous weather or other emergencies that threaten the health or safety of students and district staff will be decided by Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt.

Cancellation and closure information will be posted on the Meade School District website, Meade School District Facebook/Instagram pages and Meade School District Twitter page. Notification closure information will be submitted to radio stations and website postings:

• KBHB Radio
• KAT/FOX/KIMM/KKMK
• KSQY/KIQK
• KEVN/KOTA/Black Hills Fox
• KELOLAND
• KNBN-TV

This information will also be disseminated to parents through the parent notification phone service, SchoolMessenger. This service will simultaneously call all the phone numbers in the district's contact list, delivering a short recorded message from the superintendent.

If parents wish to keep a child home or to have a child dismissed early, it is within their right to do so. Under those circumstances, the absence would be excused. Please make sure your building secretary is aware of any absence.

The Delta Dental Mobile Program will be parked at Sturgis Elementary November 13-17, 2023. They provide dental exams, preventive services, cleanings, and cavity fillings at no charge for students who have not seen a local dentist in over 2 years, or those who live more than 85 miles from the nearest dentist. Prioritization will be given to children without private dental insurance or a home dentist.​

If you are interested in having your child visit the dental bus, please contact the office at 605-347-2386. *Paperwork must be completed and given to the school nurse to schedule your child. This service is open to all students in Meade School District.

Whitewood Elementary offers a FREE after-school program to our district students and families. The after-school program runs from 3 pm to 6 pm Monday - Friday and hosts sports camps, science clubs, robotics group, a video-game design team, and so much more. This year alone, 90% of our students participated in our after-school program.

*Class sizes are limited, please call (605) 269-2264 for more information.

Any child in KG - Fourth grade is eligible to participate on a first come first serve basis. Capable Kids runs from 2:35 pm - 6 pm. Monday - Friday. Please call (605) 787-5295 to check on availability. All necessary forms required will need to be COMPLETED IN ADVANCE before your child can attend.

The After-School Program is available in the library from 3:15 pm - 5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Three teachers will be available to help students with homework. Students should arrive by 3:30 p.m. but can leave whenever they complete their work if they have their own ride. Students who need a late bus pass are required to stay until 5:15 p.m. Any questions, contact Mrs. Buchholz at sandra.buchholz@k12.sd.us.

SBHS Special Services teacher, Ashley Bilbrey, was nominated by the high school SPED team! Ashley is our department head and goes above and beyond to make all team members, staff, and students feel valued and heard. Ashley is always willing to take on extra responsibilities and jump in to help anyone who needs it.

Despite having a lot on her plate, she makes time to connect and build positive relationships with staff and students. Ashley is constantly evaluating and reflecting on ways we can continue to grow and improve as a department. She is open to new ideas and welcomes open communication.

The Free & Reduced Meal application drive that was pushed at the beginning of the school year has been VERY SUCCESSFUL! Two of our schools have now qualified to keep their Title funding because YOU filled out an application!

A HUGE thank you to those that have filled out the Free and Reduced Meal applications! Let's keep it going!

Students are enjoying more local foods at lunch! Cox's sweet corn was a huge hit along with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and microgreens. Middle school kids love fresh hot jalapenos! They are getting their vegetables. We love buying local foods - everybody wins!

Titan Family Portal is now LINQ Connect! Parents can deposit money directly into their child's meal account and can receive emails by clicking on the link "LINQConnect Family Portal" website and setting up an account.

October 16: School Board Meeting

November 13-17: Delta Dental Mobile Program (will be parked at SES)

November 22 - 24: Thanksgiving Break

Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Events & Facebook

Sturgis Community Center Newsletter & Facebook

Foothills Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook

Whitewood Chamber of Commerce & Facebook

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook, TWEET us on Twitter and FOLLOW Us on Instagram! It's a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest school events, cancellations, staff and student spotlights plus so much more! Our website is also full of informative information.