Herd It Here

Within the Ben Reifel family circle, we foster growth of academic, social, and emotional skills to positively impact our lives and the community beyond our walls.

https://www.facebook.com/brmsbison/

Instagram:

Relay Services for Hearing Impaired: Dial 711, then the desired number

Email: SFSDBRMSOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/ben-reifel/home
Location: 6700 East 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-371-4155

September 4

• Fall MAP Assessment (more information in the Principal's Message)

September 8

• MAP Assessment Make-ups
• Community Outreach Event - Navigating the District Tools (6:30pm)

September 12

• Picture Makeup Day

• Community Outreach Event - Digital Footprint/Social Media Safety

• No School (Native American Day & Inservice)

• Picture Retakes

Dear Ben Reifel Families,

Douglas Pagels once said, “Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.”

We are off to an amazing start! We proudly welcomed 911 students to the 2025–2026 school year. Since the first day of school, students and teachers have been building connections, strengthening relationships, and adjusting to their new schedules. Together, they are already working to make this year one of the best pages yet in their diaries of life.

This year marks year five at Ben Reifel, and our theme is Stronger Together. Our staff and students live out our core values daily, making our Ben Reifel family a strong, unified team. “Stronger Together” means facing challenges hand-in-hand—charging the storm with integrity, unity, empathy and excellence. We are truly blessed.

On Thursday, September 4, during core classes, students will take their MAP Growth tests in reading and math. These assessments help teachers and administrators measure both achievement and growth. The data will be used to guide instruction and inform discussions within our Professional Learning Communities.

Students will also use their results to set growth and stretch goals throughout the year. Families can expect to receive the results in October. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s PRO-Time teacher.

We also invite you to join us for our first Bison Family Outreach Night on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the library. We’ll be helping parents navigate key district tools. Be sure to check our school calendar regularly for updates and upcoming events—we have many exciting things ahead!

We look forward to the diaries our students and staff will create for the 25-26 school year. We appreciate your partnership! Take care!

Sincerely,

Mrs. VanDrongelen

Ben Reifel Assistant Principal

Click here to order pictures ONLY IF no picture was taken on Roundup Day in August

Access Code: J76QH3 - Available to order online September 1 through September 14 at 11:59pm.

** Picture Retakes: If a family chooses to have a student's photo retaken, the date for retakes is October 17th ** (A new access code will be provided in October newsletter.)

Students not utilizing district busing can be dropped off beginning at 8:00am with supervision beginning at 8:15am. These students will remain outside until the first bell at 8:40am unless there is inclement weather or the temperature with wind chill is below 0°F. Under these conditions, the cafeteria will be open at 8am with supervision.

Students must be off school grounds by 4:15pm, unless participating in an after-school activity or program.

We ask that parents/guardians ring the front office intercom button when picking up a student and state the reason for their visit into the intercom.

If a parent/guardian needs a student's emergency contact to pick up a student for any reason, the parent/guardian must notify the office of the emergency contact taking their student from school PRIOR TO THE PICKUP TIME.

Please note that there are two lanes in the drop-off lane by the building. The inside lane closest to the building should only be used for drop-off/pick-up and the outside lane is a drive-through lane. Parking in the drop-off/pick-up lane congests the traffic flow and creates an unsafe situation for our students. We also have parents parking in locations that congest the flow of traffic.

Please use the parking lot and designated parking spots to park. Please do not park in the bus loading zones on the east end of the building (West side of Faith Ave.) and the north side of the building.

We want to make sure we have space for our buses to get students to school and home in a timely manner.

Please encourage students to use caution when crossing the street and walking in the parking lot. Everyone will need to practice patience and understanding to ensure that everyone is safe. We want to ensure that all students are safe during this very busy time. We all need to do our part to ensure that our students are safe.

By making simple changes in your daily routine, you can reduce the dangers that students face as they arrive and depart from school each day.

• Consider carpooling with neighbors or friends to reduce congestion.
• Don’t use cell phones or drive distracted.
• Do not speed into the school parking lot attempting to cut in front of another parent.
• Do not impede traffic flow by double parking or waiting at a stop sign forcing other traffic to drive into oncoming lanes just to get around you.
• Do not double-park waiting for your student. This condition exposes students to being struck by other vehicles leaving the curb.
• Explain to your student why it’s important to exit from the safe side of the vehicle (right side).

Please review the district's healthy foods guide in the photo below. We thank you for your cooperation throughout the school year!

We understand that communication between students and home is important. In an effort to reduce classroom disruptions, we ask that you call the front office at 605-371-4155 or email at sfsdBRMSoffice@k12.sd.us if you need to relay a message to your student.

Counselors

6th Grade - Tanielle Sylvester Tanielle.Sylvester@k12.sd.us

7th Grade - Lindsey Carmon Lindsey.Carmon@k12.sd.us

8th Grade - Rachael Anderson Rachael.Anderson@k12.sd.us

Counseling Secretary/Registrar

Tanya Carlson

Counseling Center phone:

(605) 371-4153

Greetings from Student Council!

Student Council Coordinators: Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. Logan

Greetings from the Ben Reifel student council co-coordinators! Our names are Mrs. Logan (7-2) and Mrs. Cleveland (8-3) and we are excited to plan fun activities alongside our future student council representatives. Two students from each team will be elected to represent their classmates, and we encourage all interested students to consider running. Elections for student council representatives will be held towards the end of September. More information about campaigning and elections will be provided to students as the year gets underway.

Please bookmark the Ben Reifel Athletics website on your phone and/or computer.

The 2025-2026 school year is off and running. Our Fall sports have begun and soon will be time to get prepared for our Winter sports. Reminder that registration is open for all sports. Girls’ basketball practice will begin on November 3rd. Wrestling practice begins November 10th. Please make sure to have students registered and have the necessary paperwork completed for them to start practice on these dates.

Bison Fan Club: Please sign up your student for the Bison Fan Club sticker so they may attend our Bison home activities.

Required paperwork to participate: Link to Athletic Forms

· A reminder for middle school athletes: An Athletic Physical must be dated after April 1st of the student's 5th-grade year. Middle school students need to have this physical only once during their middle school years.

· Parents/guardians will also need to complete the online Annual Student Registration. Information has been sent via District Wide Email.

On-Line Signup for ALL Sports:

· Registration for all Sports is open on the Athletic website, hosted by Bound.

For more Bison Athletic Information, click this link!

Pete Egstad

Coordinator of Athletics

📧 Peter.Egstad@k12.sd.us

🌐 Visit the Bison Athletics Website

8th Grade/HS Fall Concert

Eighth grade choir students are invited to perform with the high school choirs so the students can meet the high school directors, sing with high school singers, and start to get a "feel" for the outstanding high school choir programs in Sioux Falls. The WHS fall concert is Monday, November 10th at 7:00pm. Students will rehearse together the evening of the concert prior to the concert, and we will work together to learn the music in class. A letter will be distributed in class and via email to parents the week of September 8th. Students should wear a Ben Reifel shirt or Ben Reifel school colors and blue jeans, joggers, or khakis. Please return the bottom portion of that letter to Mrs. Spencer or Ms. Green by October 10th. This is a terrific opportunity for our 8th graders!

Concert dates for 2025-2026 - all choirs - graded performances

Winter Concert – December 11, 2025; 6th grade – 6:00pm; 7th grade – 6:45pm; 8th grade – 7:30pm; BRMS Auditorium

Spring Concert - May 5, 2026; 6th grade – 6:00pm; 7th grade – 6:45pm; 8th grade – 7:30pm; BRMS Auditorium

Concert attendance is mandatory. Absences due to non-school activities of any kind will not be excused. Choir is a graded class, and performances are our main form of assessment. In addition, it is vital to the success of our program that students honor the commitment made to the BRMS choirs.

More specific information about attire and what time to report will be sent as the event date gets closer.

Show Choir

Unity (show choir) auditions will be held before and after school from September 8th-12th. Unity is an optional ensemble that is open to any choir student by audition. Interested students will sign up for an audition time on the choir room door and will audition for Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green. The audition music was distributed to students August 21st-22nd in the choir room. A pdf of the music and audio rehearsal tracks are in the choir Canvas page. Unity will rehearse Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week from 7:30-8:40am, beginning September 16th.

Honor Choirs - all grades, optional

South Dakota Jr. High Honor Choir – Grades 7-9

Seventh and eighth grade choir students can audition for the South Dakota Jr. High Honor Choir, which will take place in Rapid City, January 23rd-24th, 2026. Music is available in the choir room and can be sent home via e-mail upon request. The audition deadline is October 3rd. The cost to audition is $15.00. If selected, the cost for participation is $180, which includes the students’ hotel room for Friday evening, T-shirt, and 3 meals. If selected, honor choir members are required to stay in the hotel with the other choir members.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

Regional SA (Soprano/Alto) Honor Choir, grades 6-9

Sixth and seventh graders with unchanged voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The Regional ACDA honor choirs will take place in Milwaukee, WI February 25th-27th, 2026. The audition fee is $30. Accepted singers are responsible for the following:

• Registration/participation fee of $250.

• This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations or meals. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.

• This fee does NOT include personal transportation to and from Milwaukee, WI.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

Regional TB (Tenor/Bass) Honor Choir, grades 6-9

Sixth and seventh graders with changed or changing voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The Regional ACDA honor choirs will take place in Milwaukee, WI February 25-27, 2026. The audition fee is $30. Accepted singers are responsible for the following:

• Registration/participation fee of $250.

• This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations or meals. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.

• This fee does NOT include personal transportation to and from Milwaukee, WI.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

Choir Communication

Most of the communication regarding important choir events will come from Mrs. Spencer via email. If you do not receive any emails within the first two weeks of school from Mrs. Spencer, please send an e-mail to Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us so that I have your correct email address.

Music Department Swag

Throughout the year, we have BRMS Music Department swag available for purchase. The store will be open August 25th-September 3rd through this link: http://mrghauff.chipply.com/BENREIFELMUSIC.

As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Spencer at Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us or Ms. Green at Pamela.Green@k12.sd.us.

Please make sure if your student uses a school instrument that the Instrument Usage Form is filled out ASAP!

We have a BRMS Music Department merchandise store that is open until September 3rd! Click the link to get your (optional) merch!

• A ½ inch binder (black is preferred, but any color will do)
• 20 page protectors
• A pencil that lives in my band binder
• 2.5 strength reeds (if I play the clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, or oboe)
• Valve oil/slide cream (if I play the trumpet, trombone, baritone, or tuba)
• My instrument (school instruments will be checked out during the week of August 25th- 28th)
• Percussionists only - a stick bag with snare drum sticks, marimba mallets, and xylophone mallets. Please click here for an in-depth stick bag letter.
• Tradition of Excellence band book- Book 1 (red book) for 6th graders, Book 2 (blue book) for 7th and 8th graders. These books are instrument specific, so please double check you have the right instrument before you purchase. Both Poppler’s and Schmitt here in Sioux Falls sell them, or an online retailer like Sweetwater or Amazon.

We are underway with the 2025 Marching Band! It’s not too late to sign up!! Click here to register.

Buy your Marching Band shirt here or scan the QR code.

Students are expected to attend both the Winter and Spring concerts. If a student will not be at a performance, advanced notice must be given to a band director so that alternate arrangements can be made.

If you have questions or concerns please contact one of the directors.

Greetings from BRMS Orchestra!

This month we are getting our string playing music skills back into shape and tuning our instruments and minds towards music making. It is a wonderful time to be a young person making music with such excellent fellow musicians. Making music with others is one of the best feelings in the world!

If your musician has a personal instrument that you are renting or that you own, please remember to expect that instrument to go home on off days from orchestra class. If your musician has a school instrument assigned to them, please return the instrument check out form by Friday September 5 (available in the orchestra room and on Canvas) so that we can begin sending that instrument home for practice soon!

*VERY IMPORTANT: Please check with me first before purchasing from any other source or vendor, especially online. Most Instruments sold online are not acceptable and of very poor quality- not even as a toy. Check with me before purchasing!

The string instrument family is played in such a way that fingernails of the left hand especially should be trimmed short (the free edge of the nail has no white edge). Please help your musician have the best chance of playing well on their violin, viola, cello, or bass, and insist on short nails.

Our Orchestra Expressions Book 2 should be part of your musician’s kit. These are available to borrow from BRMS but I do not have enough to give one to every student. Shoulder rests for violins and violas will also be checked out 9/8 - 9/12. We are fortunate to have available a set of over 250 Kun and Foam shaped shoulder rests. Like instruments, shoulder rests and books will be returned at the end of the school year in May 2026.

Every musician needs a musical hero to look up to! Here are some examples of musicians that illustrate excellent playing technique and musicianship:

Violin: Midori, Sarah Chang, Joshua Bell, Itzak Pearlman

Viola: William Primrose, Nobuko Imai, Timothy Ridout, Yuri Bashmet

Cello: Yo-Yo Ma, Sol Gabetta, Sara Sant-Ambrogio, Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Bass: Gary Karr, Chi-Chi Nwanoku, Edgar Meyer, Francois Rabbath, Esperanza Spalding

Musically,

Andrew Travers

605-299-5223 (text only)

Andrew.Travers@k12.sd.us

BRMS Orchestra Director