Black Panther Beat 🐾

Monday-Thursday = 8:10am - 3:33pm
Friday = 8:10am - 2:13pm

Monday-Thursday = 7:30am - 4:00pm

Friday = 7:30am - 3:00pm

The end of the first quarter of school is just around the corner, and what a fantastic start it has been! Students and staff alike have settled into routines, embraced learning, and shown incredible growth already. From classroom projects and engaging lessons to exciting extracurricular activities, the energy and enthusiasm in our school have been inspiring.

This first quarter has been a time for building connections, setting goals, and celebrating all successes. Teachers have been working hard to ensure that every student feels supported and challenged, and students have responded with curiosity, creativity, and perseverance.

As we look forward to the next nine weeks, let’s keep up the momentum! Encourage your child to stay focused, continue exploring new ideas, and remember that each day is another opportunity to learn and grow. Thank you to our families for your continued support! We couldn’t do it without you! Here’s to an amazing second quarter!

With Panther Pride,

Ms. Amanda Goodrich

Elementary Principal

The character focus for September was being a Supportive Friend.These students were chosen by their teachers who observed being a supportive friend! They received a shoutout in the morning announcements, received a certificate from Mrs. Konechne and enjoyed lunch with a yummy treat at a special table. Congratulations to these Supportive Friends!

October

• 15th - School Board Meeting - 7pm - HS Library
• 17th - End of 1st Quarter
• 24th - No School - Teacher PD
• 29th - Report Cards Sent Home
• 30th - Title I Meeting - 6:30pm - Elementary Library
• 31st - Halloween 👻 🎃

November

• 11th - Veteran's Day Program - School Gym Armory - 2:30pm
• 18th - No School (Elementary Only)
• 26-28th - No School - Thanksgiving Break 🦃

December

• 4th - Elementary music concert - 6:30pm 🎵
• 8-19th - Middle of the Year Assessments
• 19th - End of 2nd Quarter & 1st Semester
• 22nd-31st - Winter Break ⛄

What is PBIS?

PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. It’s a framework our school uses to teach, encourage, and recognize positive behavior. Instead of only addressing negative behavior, PBIS focuses on celebrating students who make safe, respectful, and responsible choices.

With PBIS, students learn clear expectations for behavior in every part of our school—classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, and playground. By reinforcing positive choices, we help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Key Goals

• Promote positive behavior schoolwide

• Support students in making good choices

• Create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment

• Celebrate achievements and efforts

Why?

When students are recognized for their positive behavior, they are more motivated to continue making great choices. PBIS helps our school community grow together—students, teachers, and families—creating a culture of kindness, respect, and success.

We are thrilled to announce that PGES is implementing new curriculum for Phonics, Science, and Social Studies this year! The updated curriculum is designed to provide engaging, meaningful, and challenging learning experiences for all students. Our goal is to ensure that every child is supported in building essential skills, exploring their interests, and reaching their full potential.

95% Core Phonics is a research-based program that helps students build strong reading skills. It teaches letter-sound relationships, decoding strategies, and word patterns through fun, interactive lessons. This program supports students at all levels and helps them gain confidence and fluency in reading. Parents can help by practicing phonics skills and reading together at home, celebrating every success along the way!

For science, students in grades K-4 are exploring the world around them with Mystery Science, a fun, hands-on program that encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery. Through interactive lessons and experiments, students learn to ask questions, investigate answers, and connect science concepts to the real world. Mystery Science helps students develop critical thinking skills and a love for learning!

In grade 5, students are exploring science in a hands-on, engaging way with Amplify Science. Through experiments, interactive lessons, and real-world investigations, students develop curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while connecting science concepts to everyday life. This will be beneficial for them as Amplify is also the curriculum used at the Middle and High School.

Our students are exploring history, geography, civics, and culture with Social Studies Weekly, a program that makes learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. Through stories, activities, and current events, students develop critical thinking skills, curiosity, and an understanding of the world and communities around them.

Please feel free to drop them off at the Elementary Office!

Old Ties

Clorox Wipes

Board Games - Old and New

Eye glass cleaner

Yard Sticks

Temperature Feels like:

• 60+ degrees - Student choice 🧐
• 50-59 degrees - Long sleeves (Hoodie, Sweatshirt, Long T-shirt)
• 40-49 degrees – A Coat or Jacket with hat is required for recess 🧥
• 39 or below - Coats, hats, and gloves will be worn. Boots and snow pants will be worn when snow covers the ground and students wish to play in the snow-covered areas.
• ⛄0 or below – Recess will be indoors. 🥶

We only have a few coats on hand at the school, so if a coat is required & a student does not have one, they will need to call home. Hoodies, sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, & cardigans do not count as a coat.

Parents are welcome to come and have lunch with their children!

If you plan on eating the school lunch, please contact the office to let us know!

K-2nd Grade = 10:50-11:25am

3rd-5th Grade = 11:25-11:50pm

401 S Iowa Ave.

Platte, SD 57369

605-337-2468

Amanda Goodrich, Principal

Kristen Konechne, Guidance Counselor

Teri Griesse, Secretary