Meade School District Celebrating Success!

We are delighted to share not only the recent triumphs of our Sturgis Scoopers Wrestling Team and Kristin Wheaton but also to highlight the exceptional individuals within our district who have been nominated for the Meade School District Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards.

Sturgis Scoopers Wrestling State AA Dual Championship: A Triumph of Teamwork

Our Sturgis Scoopers Wrestling Team's recent State AA Dual Championship victory is a shining example of the incredible teamwork, determination, and skill demonstrated by our athletes. The program shows a commitment to culture, hardwork and support of their teammates that has been built by coaches, athletes, parents and supportive wrestling community. Congratulations to the entire wrestling team, coaches, and their families for this outstanding achievement.

Kristin Wheaton's Nomination for South Dakota Outstanding Biology Teacher Award: Recognizing Excellence in Education

We are equally thrilled to celebrate Kristin Wheaton's nomination for the South Dakota Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. Kristin's dedication to inspiring her students in the field of biology is truly commendable. She exemplifies the best qualities shown by our all our staff with a passion for student learning and being a leader for our staff. Congratulations, Kristin, on this well-deserved recognition!

Bailey Zwahr - Finalist for the 2024 Special Education Department Staff of the Year Award

We are proud to announce that Bailey Zwahr has been nominated by a parent/guardian for the 2024 Special Education Department Staff of the Year Award. The South Dakota Department of Education received an impressive 78 nominations statewide for this award, and we are delighted to share that Bailey has been chosen as one of the top five finalists.

Nominations for Meade School District Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year Awards

In addition to these successes, we are excited to announce the nominations for the Meade School District Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards. These building honors recognize individuals who consistently go above and beyond, making significant contributions to our school communities.

The Employee of the Year nominees have shown outstanding dedication and support in their roles, contributing to the overall success and well-being of our district. Also, the nominees for Teacher of the Year have demonstrated exceptional teaching practices, a commitment to student success, and a positive impact on their colleagues and the broader school community.

We extend our gratitude and congratulations to all the nominees for their outstanding contributions to Meade School District. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we appreciate the positive influence you bring to our educational community.

Success Through Collaboration: A Big Thank You to Our Staff, Students, and Families

As we celebrate these achievements and nominations, we want to emphasize that success is a collective effort. It takes a great staff working together with students and families to achieve such remarkable milestones. We appreciate the collaborative spirit that defines our district and look forward to continued success together.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and congratulations once again to our Sturgis Scoopers Wrestling Team, Bailey Zwahr, Kristin Wheaton, and all the nominees for Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year!

Mr. Wormstadt

Superintendent

With the launch of the new website and app, our key priority is ensuring the accuracy of school notifications. To receive timely updates on school closures, student absences, activity changes, and other important information, it's essential that we have your most up-to-date contact details, including your phone number and email address.

DOWNLOAD THE MEADE SCHOOL DISTRICT APP TO RECEIVE ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS!

As we navigate this transition, we anticipate there may be instances where notifications are inadvertently missed or received when no longer desired. We value your patience and understanding during this time. Ensuring a smooth and seamless transition is of utmost importance to us, and we're committed to making this period of change as effortless as possible for you.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

A school board meeting followed by executive session took place Monday, February 12 at 5:30 pm. Some important topics that were approved and discussed included:

• Notice of Vacancy on School Board
• Amend the 2024-25 Academic Calendars
• SBHS Parking Lot Improvement - Advertisement for Bids
• Policy Reviews
• Whitewood Elementary Grade Structure from K-5 to K-4
• 2024-25 General Fund Review
• plus more...
  

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

School Board Recognition Week! The Meade School District invites students, staff and community members to take part in thanking its school board members Feb 19 - 23, 2024.

The screenings are for children planning to attend kindergarten in the fall of 2024 as well as for those children up to six years of age. Children attending the screening will be evaluated in the areas of hearing, speech, language, gross and fine motor skills, and cognitive skills. The evaluations performed during the screening are provided free of charge and take approximately one hour.

School registration for kindergarten and screening for birth to five-year-old children (by Sept 1) will be held in April. Birth to four-year-old is being screened by the Special Services Department by appt only by calling (605) 347-4770 or emailing Carmen.Scarborough@k12.sd.us.

Parents registering a child for kindergarten will need the child’s immunization records and a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or affidavit in lieu of the birth certificate as issued by the Department of Health if the original is deemed unattainable. These documents are required by law for every child entering school in South Dakota.

Congrats to our very own, Pete Wilson! He was honored at the Outstanding Administrators Banquet in Pierre for being selected as the Secondary Principal of the Year!

SBHS teacher, Kristin Wheaton was nominated for the South Dakota Outstanding Biology Teacher Award by the South Dakota Science Teaching Association! Her hard work and dedication to her students does not go unnoticed. CONGRATULATIONS Kristin Wheaton!!!

Congratulations to the following Athletes of the Week!

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

Congratulations SBHS wrestlers! State A Dual Wrestling Champs!

State Wrestling tickets for those who preordered are available for pick up at the SBHS main office Friday, February 16 in the afternoon and next week Tuesday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 21. Good Luck Scoopers!

IT'S SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR TIME!!

February 27 and 29 during school hours for students and parents can join students during Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:00-7:00 pm.

Several certificated and support staff positions are available for 2023-24 and the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

• 2024-25 Rural School Principal with Teaching Duty TBD
• 2024-25 Rural Elementary School Teacher/Multi-Grade Classroom (Elm Springs, SD)
  
• 2024-25 Grade K-2 Elementary Teacher w/wo coaching
  
• 2024-25 Elementary Special Education Teacher w/wo coaching
  
• 2024-25 High School Special Education Teacher w/wo coaching
  
• 2024-25 7th and 8th Grade Middle School ELA Teacher w/wo coaching
  
• Plus more!!
  

The district is always looking for substitute teachers and volunteers!

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.

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

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

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.

Dakota Dreams offers free online tutoring for all South Dakota K-12 students. Led by tutors pursuing education degrees at Northern State University and Black Hills State University, these sessions are valuable tools to help students succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

New this year, they have introduced two unique programs to take advantage of online tutoring. Students can now access tutors using Tutor Tracks, a new subject-specific program, or with on-demand homework help.

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 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Three teachers will be available to help students with homework. Students should arrive by 3:30 pm 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 pm. Any questions, contact Mrs. Buchholz at sandra.buchholz@k12.sd.us.

Bailey Zwahr is a self-contained classroom teacher at Sturgis Elementary. She grew up in the Sioux Falls area but the Black Hills has become her home. Miss Z, as her students lovingly call her, runs a classroom like a well-oiled machine. Kids learn, kids behave, and kids love their classroom and staff.

Miss Z learned she had been nominated by a parent/guardian for the 2024 SPED Staff of the Year Award. The SD Department Of Education scored 78 nominations statewide, and Bailey was chosen as one of the top 5 finalists for the award!

Bailey and the other award finalists will be recognized at the 2024 South Dakota SPED Conference awards luncheon in Sioux Falls, SD on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The award winner will be revealed at that time.

Congratulations Miss Z! We are ALL so proud of you!

The Food Service Department is currently dealing with several negative balance lunch accounts. Please log in to your account and deposit money if necessary. Take advantage of the Free and Reduced Meals Application! All information is confidential!

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.

February 19: President's Day - No School

February 26, 27 & 29: Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 1: Teacher In-Service (No School)

March 1: First Day to Circulate School Board Nominating Petitions

March 11: Regular School Board Meeting

March 26: Deadline to Submit School Board Nominating Petitions

March 29 - April 1: No School (Easter Break)

Sturgis Elementary Newsletters

Sturgis Williams Middle School Announcements

Sturgis Brown High School Scooper Newsletters

Piedmont Valley Elementary Weekly Newsletters

Stagebarn Middle School Stallion Newsletters

Whitewood Elementary School Newsletters

Rural Schools

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 download the Meade School District App, 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.