Sturgis Elementary Newsletter

WELCOME BACK MEMO FROM PRINCIPAL LIGTENBERG

AND PRINCIPAL JUTTING:

We are so excited to be back for another school year! We hope your families had an enjoyable summer break and our students are ready to plunge back into learning! Preparations have been made and we now await for our students to return!

Sturgis Elementary House System: Our House System is in its fifth year of full implementation. All students and staff, K-4, are sorted into “a house” that they will remain in while at SES. Students can earn points for their house for great things observed and it will be a little friendly monthly competition between the houses. Houses will meet on a monthly basis. We are doing this to promote different staff/student relationships and positively build the culture of our building.

Communication App: For consistency in our building, all classroom teachers will use the ClassDojo app to communicate important information and schedule things such as parent/teacher conferences. We hope that this will be the app we can continue in subsequent years and more specific information to come from the classroom teachers.

IReady: This program will be replacing Lexia and Dreambox for our supplemental math and reading platforms. You will still be able to log in by scanning the Clever Badge that the teachers will provide.

ENTRY & DISMISSAL TIMES FOR STUDENTS:

Kindergarten

8:10 a.m. lining up on service road near front gate
3:00 p.m. dismissal - parent pick up in front of Door B (Main)

1st grade

8:10 a.m. lining up on the concrete pad
3:05 p.m. dismissal - Door A

2nd grade

8:05 a.m. lining up on back playground
3:05 p.m. dismissal - Door C

3rd grade

8:05 a.m. lining up on concrete slab above BB hoops
3:05 p.m. dismissal - Door B (Main)

4th grade

8:05 a.m. lining up on the concrete pad
3:05 p.m. dismissal - Door A or B depending on teacher

Parking Lot: Please emphasize the use of crosswalks and sidewalks with your students. We have Crossing Guards to assist with traffic flow, but most importantly, we rely on your patience and cooperation. The loop at the front of the building will be restricted during entry and dismissal of students, but will be reopened during the school day for your convenience. The parking lot on the south side of the school is for buses, approved daycare vans, and permit parking only. The southside parking lot is not for drop off and pick up of students. The parent parking (northwest lot) is where all other students should be dropped off, including breakfast students.

Lunch/Breakfast: Please consider completing our Free and Reduced Lunch application. This has to be completed every year. The front school doors open at 7:30 a.m. for those wanting breakfast. At 7:45 a.m., any students finished are sent out to the playground. Breakfast stops serving at 8:00 a.m.

Dates to Remember:

School Fundraiser kick-off: 9/3/25

School Picture Day: 9/5/25

Meade School District 46-1

Sturgis Elementary Title I Schoolwide Program

Student/Parent/Teacher/Administrator Compact

2025-2026 School Year

“To Build Knowledge and Skills for Success Today and Tomorrow”

Student Agreement

School is my job so it is important. I will share the responsibility to achieve South Dakota’s high standards.

Attend school regularly.
Bring my school supplies for learning: pens, pencils, paper, erasers, etc.

Complete and hand in my work.

Have a regular study or reading time.

Share my work with my family.
Follow school rules.

Parent/Guardian Agreement

I want my child to succeed; therefore, I will support my child’s learning in the following ways:

See that my child is punctual and attends school regularly.
Support the school in its effort to maintain proper discipline.
Participate in decisions relating to the education of my child.
Establish a time for homework and review it regularly.
Provide a quiet, well-lit place for study, separate from the television if possible.
Stay aware of what my child is learning and promptly read all notices from the school.
Spend positive and qualitative extracurricular time with my child.
Read with my child and let my child see me read.
If my schedule allows, observe and/or volunteer in my child’s classroom.
Serve to the extent possible, on parent committees.

School/Teacher Agreement

It is important that students achieve; therefore, I will strive to do the following:

Provide high quality curriculum and instruction to assist students in learning the state standards.
Create a supportive and effective learning environment to make learning enjoyable.
Provide homework assignments for students, as necessary.
Provide communication and assistance to parents so that they can help with the assignments.
Meet with Title I families at least once a year or during Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Report cards indicating student progress will be sent to parent/guardian three times per year. Additional information may be provided upon request.
Seek ways to involve parents in the school program (volunteer, participate, observe).
Demonstrate professional behavior and a positive attitude

Administration Agreement

I support this form of parent involvement; therefore, I shall strive to do the following:

Provide an environment that allows for positive communication between the student, parents, and teachers.
Train teachers in use of quality curriculum and instruction and provide assignments that will reinforce them.
Involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of policies in an organized, ongoing and timely way.

What do I know about my child's teacher?

The federal education law put in place by the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires that all parents in a Title I school be notified and given the opportunity to request information about the professional qualifications of classroom teachers and paraprofessionals instructing their child. You may also request information on the level of achievement and academic growth of the student, if applicable and available, on each of the State academic assessments. If you are interested in this information, you may send your request to the building principal who will provide a timely response.

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2025-2026 SES Student Handbook.pdf

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Meade School District Calendar

Click on the images and links below for more information!

LINQ Connect Family Portal

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.

Bus Registration & Info

The powerful impact of Girls on the Run is permanent. By instilling a love of movement, life skills, and unbreakable confidence now, Girls on the Run sets girls on a path toward lifelong healthy habits, empowerment, and inclusion. After each season, participants become equipped with essential tools to navigate life’s challenges with empathy, grace, and courage. From there, they become changemakers who lead with compassion, kindness, and resilience. Sign your girl up for our Spring season at Sturgis Elementary that will activate her potential now and in the future. Season starts September 16 – November 6: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15pm – 4:45pm. Registration for 3rd – 5th grade girls opens July 8th @ 9:00am!!!! – www.embe.org/gotr