Sturgis Elementary Newsletter
November 2025
School Attendance Matters:
“The primary rationale for high-quality attendance data is the relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Teacher effectiveness is the strongest school-related determinant of student success, but chronic student absence reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance.” National Center for Educational Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/attendancedata/chapter1a.asp
Supervision on Playground:
I have noticed some students being dropped earlier than we have supervisors. Just a reminder that the supervisors are not on the playground until 7:45 a.m. Breakfast students can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. and enter through the front doors. Please don't drop your students off to the playground prior to 7:45 a.m.
Inclement Weather/School Closings:
On mornings when school is cancelled or a late start occurs, parents will be contacted through our districtwide message center (Thrillshare) as well as be posted on the Meade School District website: meade.k12.sd.us
Students’ Personal Items: Please urge students to not bring personal items to play with at recess. The school is not responsible for lost or broken items.
Important Dates & School District Calendar
Family Engagement Night
Family Fun Night: Night of Nations!
Join us for an evening of games, food, and fun activities as we
celebrate cultures from around the world!
- Sturgis Elementary
- Thursday, November 20, 2025
- 5:00–7:00 PM - Dinner will be served from 5:00-6:45 PM
Bring your family and explore the library, gym, hallways, and classrooms
filled with hands-on activities! Let’s learn, laugh, and celebrate together.
Pop Tab Pandemonium
Collecting Pop Tabs for
Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota
How it Works
The pop tab program raises valuable funds and awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota. Money is raised through recycling the tabs, as they are pure aluminum. A recycler picks up the tabs, weighs them, and sends a check! These funds go directly into keeping our doors open for families to stay at the House while their child receives medical treatment. Your support helps ensure that families will continue to have a place to rest, relax, and recover together.
Collect Pop Tabs!
Have students, faculty, and staff collect pop tabs throughout the school year. Pop tabs can be found on soda, soups, vegetables, pet food cans, and more! Please note: Only aluminum tabs will be accepted. The entire can will not be allowed. By collecting tabs, you can help RMHC SoDak reach their yearly goal of raising $10,000 through pop tabs!
Questions?
If you have any remaining questions about collecting pop tabs, how they are used to raise money, or other ways to get involved, contact Volunteer Director & Events Coordinator, Samantha Dixon
(605)336-6398 ext.8 | samantha@rmhcsodak.org
Scholars of the Month
School Activities & Fun
Meet the Counselors and Social Worker
3rd Grade Spotlight
Physical Education
Staff Spotlights
Parent & Teacher Association
Community Activities
November Library Events
Saturday, Nov. 1st. 1-3pm Genealogy Work Group
The Sturgis Public Library and the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society will be hosting their monthly genealogy work group on Saturday, November 1st at 1pm at the Meade County Administration Building. This month there will a presentation by a special guest. We welcome Lana Anderson, Meade County Register of Deeds, who will be presenting a program about using the local Register of Deeds office to do research. She will not only be presenting, but hosting us as well! The program will be held at the Register of Deeds Office, where we will get a behind the scenes idea about what records are available, what you can expect to learn from them, and how best to access them. Public is welcome!
Mon. Nov. 3rd, 3-5pmLEGO Club
All ages are welcome to come together to build and explore with bricks at the Sturgis Public Library on Monday, November 3rd from 3-5pm.
Tues. Nov. 4th & 18th, 3:30pmWonder Math
Join Richard Moeller at the Sturgis Public Library on Tuesday, November 4th at 3:30pm, for science-based discoveries, activities, and more. All ages are welcome.
Tues. Nov. 4th & 18th, at 10am Baby & Toddler Storytime
Come to the Sturgis Public Library on Tuesdays at 10am for Baby & Toddler Storytime for ages 0-3. Rhymes, lapbounce, sensory play, and stories with Miss Cindy.
NOTE: No Storytimes the week of Thanksgiving.
Wed. Nov. 5th, 12th, & 19th, at 11am PreK Storytime
Come to the Sturgis Public Library on Wednesdays at 11am for PreK Storytime for ages 3-6. Celebrate literacy with movement, stories and crafts every Wednesday with Miss Sierra.
Thurs. Nov. 6th, 5pmCrochet ClassJoin Chelle at the Sturgis Public Library on Thursday, November 6th at 5pm for a relaxing evening of crochet tips, techniques, and creative fun perfect for teens and adults. All supplies are provided. It is free to attend; RSVP at the library.
Mon. Nov. 10th @ 5:30 PM Master Your Health with Sean Hollearn
Take control of your well-being with this practical and engaging health education workshop!
In this informative program, you’ll:
• Gain clear, practical definitions of health and disease
• Explore the 6 Foundational Principles of Health
• Discover tools and skills that support long-term wellness
• Learn real strategies you can immediately apply to your daily life
Whether you're just starting your health journey or looking to deepen your understanding, this session offers valuable insights for all
Tues. Nov. 11th Closed Veterans Day
Thurs. Nov. 13th, 5:30pm MusicSpeaks
MusicSpeaks will be at the Sturgis Public Library on Thursday, November 13th at 5:30pm.
Bach in Jail: Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most revered musicians in history. He also had a temper and wasn't afraid to speak his mind! What scandalous event landed him in jail one November 300 years ago? Find out at this month's MusicSpeaks.
Mon. Nov. 17th 4-6pm LevelUp! Gaming
Gamers 10 and up are invited to join the Sturgis Public Library on Monday, November 17th at 4pm an afternoon of Nintendo, card games, board games, and snacks.
Thurs. Nov. 20th, 6pm Books On Tap
The Sturgis Public Library will be hosting Books On Tap on Thursday, November 20th at 6pm at the Oasis. Monthly Theme:“Books & Bites” — Bring a book you love and a small snack or recipe sample to share for our annual favorite book club meeting! All readers 21+ are invited to join.
Sat., Nov. 22nd, 10am-2pmYouth Craft Market
Discover one-of-a-kind handmade treasures created by talented youth right here in our community! Shop, support young artists, and find unique gifts, crafts, and keepsakes made with creativity and care. Applications for hosting a table are available at the library. Space is limited.
Mon. Nov. 24th, 4pm S.T.E.A.M. Team
Kids age 6-10 are invited to the S.T.E.A.M. Team at the Sturgis Public Library on Monday, November 24th at 4pm. Test your skills with coding robots to help the turkey escape!
Thurs. Nov. 27th Closed Thanksgiving
Friday, Nov. 28th Closed
Lunch Times & Food Service
Kindergarten (Abell, Marcoe, Anderson) : 10:50-11:20
Kindergarten (Schmagel, Smith, Knuppe) : 11:00-11:30
1st Grade (Crago, Kuno, Wilson) : 11:10-11:40
1st Grade (Dillman, Treloar) : 11:20-11:50
4th Grade (Kesl, Fallon, Marolt) : 11:45-12:15
4th Grade (Hyde, Hedderman) : 11:55-12:25
3rd Grade (Stagner, Seyer) : 12:05-12:35
3rd Grade (Woods, Noble, Williams) : 12:15-12:45
2nd Grade (Monahan, Kleinsasser) : 12:40-1:10
2nd Grade (Dahl, Snyder, Odle) : 12:50-1:20
If eating school lunch with your student, please bring the exact amount - $5.50
There is not change available in the lunchroom.
Click on the images and links below for more information!
School Information & Social Media
Harlow's Bus Company
2237 W. Sherman Street • Sturgis, SD 57785
(605)347-5066
Rob Scott, Transportation Manager
Kelli Werlinger, Assistant Transportation Manager
Use the button below to access bus registration and additional information.
Sturgis Elementary School
Katy Jutting, Assistant Principal
Email: MeadeSESOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.meade.k12.sd.us/sturgis-elementary/
Location: 1121 Ballpark Road, Sturgis, SD, USA
Phone: 605-347-2386