CUSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT TIDBITS

• Jan. 8 - School resumes
  
• Fri., Jan. 26 - scheduled snow make-up day, if needed
• Fri., Feb. 23 - scheduled snow make-up day, if needed
• March 12 - Parent-Teacher Conferences - 4-7:30 p.m.
• Fri., March 22 - scheduled snow make-up day, if needed
• March 28-April 1 - Spring Break
• Fri., April 5 - scheduled snow make-up day, if needed
• Fri., April 19 - scheduled snow make-up day, if needed
• Fri., May 3 - scheduled snow make-up day, if needed
• May 18 - 2024 CHS Graduation - 2 p.m.
• May 23 - last day of school

Seniors:

• Seniors – The FAFSA will open December 31st. If you have questions, see Mrs. French.
• Have you checked out Mrs. French's CHS Scholarship Page? There are many scholarships listed but here are some great local scholarships for CHS Class of 2024:
• Custer Youth and Alumni Foundation Academic Scholarship
• Custer Youth and Alumni Foundation Community Service Scholarship
• Mitchell Woods Fox Corporation Scholarship
• Students interested in a career in the plumbing, heating, and cooling industry are invited to attend the state's annual convention in Deadwood in Feb. to learn more about the industry, watch apprentice competition, and visit with local contractors. Click here for more info.

Academics :

• The school library is giving away hot chocolate kits to students that check out a book before Christmas break! Caramel and peppermint flavors are available. Fill out the tag attached to your kit with the title of the best book you read over break and bring it back to be entered into a drawing to win a gift card.

• If you signed up for ACT prep classes with Mrs. Mertz, please look for a google classroom invitation that was sent to you.
  

• Juniors & Seniors - In-Person dual credit classes for the spring semester need at least 2 more people for Medical Terminology (potentially offered 3rd or 4th hour) , 4 people for Psychology (offer 6th hour), and 5 for Criminal Justice (offered 7th hour).

• Ensuring students are ready for college: https://doe.sd.gov/teachsd/emails/120623/Story-2.html

Clubs & Organizations:

• FFA members: The January FFA meetings will be held Wednesday January 10th during wildcat time. The location is to be determined, but hopefully in the library. We will discuss potential FFA week activities for February and learn about proficiency applications.
  
• Congratulations Custer FFA! We were selected among South Dakota chapters to receive 10 free FFA jackets for our chapter. Now any new member can borrow a jacket for FFA events if they don’t have their own yet. The jackets will arrive later this winter.

• HS Students – Tickets for the Snowball dinner/dance on Saturday, Jan. 13th, are now available to purchase in the office. Dinner will be roast beef or chicken, mashed taters and gravy, vegetable, and homemade dessert! See Mrs. French for options on pricing. If you are bringing a date from another school, we have a form in the office that must be completed before the dance.

• PIE MEETING(PARENTS INVOLVED IN EDUCATION): MEETINGS WILL BE THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 5:00pm. Our next PIE Meeting will be on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the library.
  

Do you have an extra bed for 16 weeks?

• ENJOY A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE next semester with MARTINA from ITALY

  Martina is extremely friendly and a go-getter! She enjoys piano, reading, and going to the gym. She is open to all new experiences, including sports. Martina loves watching movies with her little sister and has a fondness for animals. She aspires to be a physician. Martina remarks she is responsible, down to earth, and gives her all. She says "I want to make this experience amazing for you!"

• Dayna Dick is the local coordinator who will assist you every step of the way. She can be reached at 605 484-2738 or daynagreenheart@gmail.com https://greenheartexchange.org/

The Library will offer ACT Prep classes for all interested students on most Friday mornings, beginning January 26th through April 12th. Any high school student may attend the sessions. Juniors are highly encouraged to attend the sessions and take the ACT test on April 13th. The April test is one of the three tests per year that ACT offers an option to purchase test results for an additional $32. If students wish to take the test again in their Senior year to improve their scores, they can have their actual test, answers, and answer key to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Any seniors who plan to take the ACT in December can arrange with Mrs. Mertz to prepare for the sections in which they wish to improve their scores. Students may sign up for ACT Prep in the Library.

What is your position with CSD and how long have you worked here?
High School Special Ed Para, this is my 36th year with the district.

Why did you choose to work for CSD?
I have lived in Custer my entire life. I started first grade in 1965 in the old elementary and graduated in 1977 in the Armory (I like to say that I have been with the district 58 years.) When I was asked if I would be interested in driving the Special Ed bus it seemed like the place I should be.

What is the biggest change you have seen in your position, specifically during your tenure here?
The number of Special Ed staff has increased greatly and we get advanced training, We receive a lot of training now that we did not get when I started.

What was something that happened during your years here that was a positive change for the district/students/community, etc.
There is interaction between the school and the community, and because of that there are many more opportunities for our students.

What is a piece of advice you could share with students?
Reach for the stars but remember where your roots are planted.

What’s a fun fact about you?
My family has lived in Custer for 6 generations. My great-great grandfather was the first school board president at Glen Erin School located south of Stockade Lake on lower French Creek Road. This was in the early 1890s.

• Custer Jr/Sr HS Newsletter
• Custer Jr/Sr HS Facebook
• Custer Jr/Sr HS Counselor's Corner Website
• Custer Jr/Sr HS Student Council Facebook
• Custer Jr/Sr HS Choirs Facebook
• Custer Wildcat Booster Club Facebook
• Custer FFA Facebook
• Custer Youth and Alumni Foundation Facebook

Assistant Principal/Activities Director: Joey Kortemeyer - joey.kortemeyer@k12.sd.us

Custer Jr High Assistant Principal, AD & Counselor: Dusty Petz - dustin.petz@k12.sd.us

Administrative Assistant: Kelli Moore - kelli.moore@k12.sd.us

Location: 1645 Wildcat Lane, Custer, SD, USA
Phone: (605) 673-4473
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CusterJrSrHigh/

Check out the attached link to the new Custer Wildcat Spirit-Wear store. The store is open 24-7 and items can be customized for a particular activity and/or personalized with a name. To make it even more convenient, all items ordered ship directly to your house! There are a variety of clothing items along with many accessory items. It’s not too early to get some Christmas shopping done! 😊

https://shop.game-one.com/south-dakota/custer/custer-wildcats

Click here for the latest CES Newsletter

Click here for the CES Facebook Page - follow for more school information & announcements!

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DECEMBER EVENTS at CES:

Dec 25th – January 4th: Christmas break

Jan 8: - SCHOOL RESUMES for 2024

Jan 26: Student Council at 7:35 am in Mrs. Webster’s room

Why did you choose to work for CSD?

I need a job and the school had an opening.
What is the biggest change you have seen in your position specifically during your tenure here?

The switch from hard floors to carpet, technology, and all the security.
What was something that happened during your years here that was a positive change for the district/students/community, etc.

I become the Cookie Monster and get the kids to not be afraid to talk to me.
What is a piece advice you could share with students?

The only stupid question is the one not asked.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I like flower gardening, fishing and jigsaw puzzles, oh, and COOKIES!

Administrative Assistant Cindy Heyne - cindy.heyne@k12.sd.us

Location: 1415 Wildcat Lane, Custer, SD, USA
Phone: 605-673-4483
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CusterElementarySchool/

Hermosa Family Newsletter - LOTS of Important information included in newsletter!

Hermosa Facebook Page - please follow for updated daily announcements

Hermosa Spirt Wear Store

March 14 @ 1:30 and 6:00 - Middle School Musical

May 16 @ 1:30 and 6:00 - Spring Pops Concert and Band Concert

Upcoming Dates to Remember

• January 8th - School Resumes
  

Upcoming Hornet Activities

Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Conley - jennifer.conley@k12.sd.us

Website: https://www.csd.k12.sd.us/Domain/11
Location: 11 4th Street, Hermosa, SD, USA
Phone: 605-255-4345
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HermosaSchool/

All families are encouraged to complete school meal applications at the beginning of each school year by submitting an application directly to the school or district office. Applications can be submitted electronically within the Infinite Campus Parent Portal (select “more” then “meal benefits”). Applications are reviewed by district officials before granting free or reduced price benefits. Families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or participate in other federal assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible. Families earning at or below current Income Eligibility Guidelines, could be eligible for free or reduced-priced meals.

Coaching Openings - Apply Online

Current employees send letter/email of interest to Supt. Mark Naugle mark.naugle@k12.sd.us all others must complete an application.

1. Head Varsity Football Coach - $4,346 - starting 2024

SUBSTITUTE CLEANERS - needed at all schools to fill-in for staff when needed. Must complete CSD classified application packet and complete a criminal background check. $16/hr DOE.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS - needed at all schools. Must complete CSD substitute application packet, submit proof of highest level of education, and complete a criminal background check prior to starting. Contact the CSD Admin. Office for a packet, or apply online at CSD.k12.sd.us, which will include the fingerprint/background check materials. Minimum requirement, HS graduate. Pay range $110/day-$135/day. Retired CSD Teachers start at $135/day.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Custer School District, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD 57730. PH: 605.673.3154 FAX: 605.673.5607, Mon.-Thurs., 7:30-4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8-1 p.m. Current CSD employees interested in a position must submit a letter of interest to Mr. Mark Naugle, Supt. of Schools. All other interested applicants must complete a CSD Job Application available at the address above or at www.csd.k12.sd.us. EOE.

NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Custer School District 16-1 does not discriminate on the basis of race or color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), disability, sexual orientation, age, religion and creed, military/veteran status, or marital status, in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities: and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For inquiries concerning the District’s compliance with Title VI or the Age Discrimination Act please contact the Superintendent of Schools, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD, 57730, (605) 673-3154; for Title IX please contact the Activities Director, 1645 Wildcat Lane, Custer, SD, 57730, (605)673-4473; or for Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act please contact the Special Education Director, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD, 57730, (605) 673-3154. For further inquiries contact the South Dakota Regional Office for Civil Rights, Kansas City Office, U.S. Dept. of Education, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320, Kansas City, MO, 64106, phone (816) 268-0550, TDD (800) 877-0599, Fax (816) 268-0559, e-mail: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov

The Mission of Custer School District is to Educate Every Student to His/Her Potential.

Superintendent Mark Naugle - mark.naugle@k12.sd.us

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Jennie Anderson - jennie.anderson@k12.sd.us

Click here for all staff listing

Administration Office Hours:

Mon.-Thurs. ~ 7:30-4:30 p.m.

Fridays ~ 8 a.m. ~ 1 p.m.

Email: jennie.anderson@k12.sd.us
Website: www.csd.k12.sd.us
Location: 527 Montgomery Street, Custer, SD, USA
Phone: 605-673-3154
Facebook: www.facebook.com/custerschooldistrict