It is spring and this means planning for next year and the future. I would like to draw your attention to Kindergarten Registration information below as early registration helps us determine class sizes and staffing for each of the buildings. Also, the board received the Demographic and Facility Master Plan report on March 30th from Architecture Inc. The information in the report will help the district plan for the next 5-10 years.

The Meade School Board retained the services of Architecture Inc. to review the demographics of the district, specifically the potential growth in Summerset, Piedmont, Sturgis, and Meade County. In addition to looking at the demographics, Meade School District 46-1 retained the services of Architecture Inc. for facilities planning at Sturgis Elementary School, Piedmont Elementary School, Sturgis Williams Middle School, Stagebarn Middle School, and Sturgis Brown High School.

The purpose of this report is to forecast student growth and the district’s capacity in the current facilities. The following two lists are some key summaries with much more detailed information in the report.

The projected increase in students district wide is as follows:

• The five year projection is expected to have an increase of enrollment ranging from 53-141 students.
• The ten year projection is expected to have an increase of enrollment ranging from 125-295 students.
• K-4 enrollment is projected to be 7 to 74 students higher in the next 5 years.
• Middle school enrollment is projected to be 25-37 students higher in the next five years.
• High School enrollment is expected to increase in the short term and then level off to gradually decline in the next five years.

Priorities for future district needs:

• Purchase additional land adjacent to Sturgis Elementary School
• Renovate and/or add additional space at Sturgis Brown High School for CTE, Special Education, Expanded Academy etc.
• Evaluate the success rate of the Academy at SBHS. If the success rate continues to remain high, increasing the capacity of the Academy by reassigning staff members may positively impact the cohort survival.
• Other minor items for consideration are included in the summary of each facility above.

To learn more about specific buildings and methods on how the information was gathered please see the full Demographic and Facility Master Plan linked below in the school board section. The district will be hosting community presentations on the information and answering questions, soon.

*The deadline for early consideration is May 1st.

Whitewood Elementary has opened enrollment to Sturgis residents starting the 2023-24 school year. A bus will run from Sturgis to Whitewood and back when the school day ends. An In-District Transfer request form must be filled out and approved by the building principal.

Whitewood Elementary offers a FREE after-school program to our district students and families. The after-school program runs from 3 pm to 6 pm Monday - Friday and hosts sports camps, science clubs, robotics group, a video-game design team, and so much more. This year alone, 90% of our students participated in our after-school program.

*Class sizes are limited, please call (605) 269-2264 for more information.

*Please note the updated changes to dates and times of screenings!

School registration for kindergarten and screening for birth to five-year-old children (by Sept 1) will be in April. Birth to four-year-old is being screened by the special services department by appt only. Please have all of the required paperwork with you at the time of your students screening. These documents are required by law for every child entering school in South Dakota.

• copy of birth certificate or affidavit in lieu of the birth certificate
• current immunization records

Sturgis Elementary - call (605) 347-2386 to schedule appointment

Thursday, April 13 from 11:30 am - 6:30 pm

Friday, April 14 from 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

Piedmont Valley Elementary - call (605) 787-5295 to schedule appointment

Thursday, April 13 from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday, April 14 from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm

Rural Schools - call (605) 985-5532 to schedule appointment

Friday, April 21 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Whitewood Elementary - call (605) 269-2264 to schedule appointment

Tuesday, April 11 from 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Wednesday, April 12 from 7:30 am - 11:00 am

Prom Theme: ENCHANTED GARDEN

Where: West gym - Sturgis Brown High School

Doors open at 6:30 PM

Grand March at 7:30 PM

Dance: 8:30-11:00 PM

Post Prom: 11-3:00 AM

A school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 10. Some important topics that will be discussed and approved include:

• Facility Master Plan Discusion
• School Board Petitions
• Bus Route Change Requests
  
• Approve Custodial Contracts
• Approve Sports Ticket Live Agreement

*Patrons who wish to speak during Open Forum are asked to contact the superintendent's office prior to the meeting by emailing Wayne Wormstadt or Tanya Ludwick.

Arch, Inc. has provided the final draft of the Demographic and Facilities Master Plan. Jordan Burbach, with Arch, Inc. provided a brief presentation at the special school board meeting on Thursday, March 30.

Check out all of the awesome past and present Athletes of the Week that have been awarded a $10 gift card and FREE sub or mac n’ cheese from Kwik Mart/Sturgis Subs and a certificate.

Piedmont Valley Elementary Classroom Addition Project is currently on schedule. Crews are working on the interior classroom finishes. The project adds eight classrooms to PVE and is set to be completed and ready for the 2023-24 school year.

The Meade School District is currently working with Arch Inc. and has developed a facilities plan for a new 14,800 sq. ft. addition to the south side of the West Gymnasium. The project program consists of a new kitchen, student commons/cafeteria and restrooms. The project will also include site modifications to the existing parking lot and drop-off lane.

Whitewood Elementary HVAC Upgrade is on schedule. The business office and buildings & grounds department are recommending to the board at the April 10 board meeting to the accept the low bid of $221,000.00 from Climate Control and the authorization to issue a contract with Climate Control.

We have several certified, support staff and extra-curricular activity positions available for 2023-24 school year.

The district is always looking for substitute teachers and volunteers!

If you have a student that attends the Meade School District 46-1, and would like to receive a QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test Kit for a family member, please let your building principal know that you would like to receive one as we have them available for you. They are fast, easy and you can receive rapid results in 10 minutes. Each kit comes with two (2) tests and instructions.

The Dakota Dreams Online Tutoring Program provides free online tutoring to K–12 students in South Dakota in the subjects of English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Whitewood Elementary offers a FREE after-school program to our district students and families. The after-school program runs from 3 pm to 6 pm Monday - Friday and hosts sports camps, science clubs, robotics group, a video-game design team, and so much more. This year alone, 90% of our students participated in our after-school program.

*Class sizes are limited, please call (605) 269-2264 for more information.

Any child in KG - Fourth grade is eligible to participate on a first come first serve basis. Capable Kids runs from 2:35 pm - 6 pm. Monday - Friday. Please call (605) 787-5295 to check on availability. All necessary forms required will need to be COMPLETED IN ADVANCE before your child can attend.

The After-School Program is available in the library from 3:15-5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Three teachers will be available to help students with homework. Students should arrive by 3:30 p.m. but can leave whenever they complete their work if they have their own ride. Students who need a late bus pass are required to stay until 5:15 p.m. Any questions, contact Mrs. Buchholz at sandra.buchholz@k12.sd.us.

The food service department makes headlines again! Thanks to Whitewood Creek Chiropractic for their donation to paying off student lunch accounts.

Parents or guardians, you can deposit money directly into your child's meal account and can receive emails at Titan Family Portal and set up your account(s). You can also apply for Free and Reduced meals by filling out the Application.

April 7 - No School - Holiday

April 10 - Make-Up Snow Day

May 21 - Graduation

May 24 - Last Day of School

Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Events & Facebook

Sturgis Community Center Newsletter & Facebook

Foothills Area Chamber of Commerce & Facebook

Whitewood Chamber of Commerce & Facebook

City of Summerset Newsletters

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