Cossack Connection
August 2025 - SVHS & SVMS
From the desk of Mr. Bolstad
Dear Sioux Valley Middle/High School Families,
Welcome back, Cossacks! I am delighted to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the entire Sioux Valley Middle School and High School staff. We hope your summer was enjoyable and restful. Our staff is excited to work with you to provide an exceptional educational experience for your child. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for the fall semester:
Tuesday, August 5th – Registration & Picture Day
Join us in the MS & HS Commons. During registration, parents will update emergency contact information. Students will receive their class schedules, locker assignments, and have their school pictures taken. Athletes and fine arts participants must purchase a $25 activity ticket. Students can also deposit money into their lunch accounts, pick up their yearbooks, and place a future order for the 25-26 Cossack Yearbook.
High school students will receive their laptops during registration, while middle school students will receive their Chromebooks in the first week of school. Please remember to read the Laptop Policies and sign the Acceptable Use Agreement on the last page. Each student will have a $20 user fee for laptop use. Please note that this is a user fee and not insurance for the device.
We have staggered the registration times based on the first letter of the student’s last name as shared in the welcome back packet. However, if your assigned time doesn’t fit your schedule that day, feel free to come anytime between 8:00-12:30 or 1:00-5:00.
Thursday, August 14th – Back to School Night from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This event is an opportunity for families to meet the teachers, visit classrooms, bring in school supplies, and organize lockers. Tissues may be brought to your first-period teacher or the office.
Tuesday, August 19th – First Day of Classes
Classes start at 8:20 am each day. On Wednesdays, school will end at 1:45 pm. Please see the information on the Student Responsibility Period below for dismissal time on other days of the week.
Important Updates to Note
Attendance and behavior points have been separated for increased clarity. Points earned will no longer reset at the semester.
We will be implementing a Student Responsibility Period (SRP) from 3:10 to 3:30 PM for all middle and high school students each weekday, with the exception of Wednesdays. SRP is designed to provide students with the support they need to stay on track academically and grow in responsibility. This is a 20-minute, structured time at the end of each day for students who need help catching up on work, making up missed assignments, or receiving extra instruction.
Here’s how it will work:
If a student has one F or two Ds at midterm, quarter, or semester, they’ll be assigned to SRP for the following midterm period.
All 6th graders and freshmen will start the year in SRP through the first midterm to support their transition.
Teachers can assign SRP as needed on a day to day basis for missed work, reteaching, or to revisit expectations following behavior issues.
Parents can also request SRP if they’d like that structure for their child. For some students, SRP may be part of their IEP or intervention plan.
Attendance is required for those assigned. If a student skips SRP, it’s treated the same as any unexcused absence.
If your student isn’t assigned to SRP, they may leave at 3:10 or stay in the commons under supervision until 3:30.
We’ve built SRP into our schedule because we believe in providing proactive support and opportunities, and we want students to take ownership of their learning. SRP will also allow us to hold student leadership meetings, pep rallies, and academic check-ins—without taking time from core instruction.
I encourage you to review these updates and other procedures in our 6-12 handbook.
We’re excited for another fantastic year at Sioux Valley! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff or contact the office. We truly value your involvement and support. Together, we will inspire, guide, and support our students as they grow and succeed.
With Cossack Pride,
Mr. Bolstad
SV Secondary Principal
Join Our Climate Team – Celebrate Our Cossacks!
Are you a parent or guardian looking for meaningful ways to contribute to our school community? If so, we’d love you to join our Climate Team, a group dedicated to lifting up students and staff through recognition, morale boosters, and positive experiences.
What the Climate Team Currently Does:
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Recognizes Students of the Month across grade levels
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Hosts the Activity Fair, connecting students with clubs and extracurriculars
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Designs incentive activities like milkshakes for the grade with the best attendance
Providing meals and snacks for staff, such as supper during conferences or the SOUP-er Bowl
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Creates opportunities to celebrate staff and students when their efforts shine
Because we no longer have a booster club or a PTO at the secondary level, our school team often covers these celebrations from personal resources. We’re raising funds to ensure these small‑win moments continue—and your involvement can make a big difference!
How You Can Help:
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Whether you can attend meetings, volunteer at events, or offer financial support, you can make a real difference. We meet about once a month on Wednesdays between 2:00–4:00 PM for roughly one hour.
Please complete our quick Climate Team Interest Survey to let us know how you'd like to get involved:
Family engagement is essential in making our school climate a positive and inviting place for everyone. Together, we can amplify student success, foster belonging, and celebrate the quiet but important achievements that often go unseen.
If you’re ready to help—or simply want more details—please email me at tyler.bolstad@k12.sd.us.
Sioux Valley Cossacks
Website: https://www.svs.k12.sd.us/
Location: 200 Hansina Avenue, Volga, SD, USA
Phone: (605) 627-5657
Facebook: Sioux Valley Secondary
Instagram: Sioux Valley Secondary
X: @cossackcorner