The
Reporter
Teacher Publishes Math Book A3
April 2015 - V. 1
What’s Up for April? Take a Look Inside...
Wilson Elementary Celebrates 85 Years of Education in Community
A2:
• Senior Snapshots
A3:
• Teaching Mathematics Today • Breakfast of Champions
A4:
• Career Conference • MATHCOUNTS
A5 & A6:
• Feature Photo Pages
A7 & A8:
• Skyward Family Access Information
By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer Eighty-five years ago, Wilson Elementary was built and has since expanded to meet the needs of the growing district. The school hosted a birthday party for Wilson, bringing in many community members who used to attend the school to see how it has changed, bringing back many memories for them. Wilson was constructed in 1929, however, classes weren’t held there until January 1930, so students went to surrounding schools in the fall. The school accommodated 350 students in 1930, compared to the 375 students today. There was no kindergarten then, so the school served grades one through six with one classroom of each. Today, there are three sections of kindergarten, first grade, and second grade and two sections each of third, fourth, and fifth grades. Originally, the school only had 10 classrooms. In 1955, eight classrooms, the gym and stage were all added. Marsha Ring, a first grade teacher who retired in 2012, had been with the school for 41 years and saw many of the changes that took place over the years. “You see it growing and changing and yet you don’t realize
the changes that there are,” she said. At the time when she stared in 1972, the library was the media center for the entire district and housed all of the movies, projectors, etc. Where the library is housed now, used to be the gym in 1930. The library was first built in 1955 and now students spend an hour a week in the library working on computer skills as well as 21st century technology skills, but still get to check out library books. Other changes made over the years include the music room, which used to be the stage that opened up to the gym. Due to lack of space, the stage was converted to a music room for the vocal, orchestra and band students. Students now utilize the gym for physical education classes, all school assemblies, and lunch. In 1930, students did not receive lunch at school, they walked home for lunch each day. Milk was delivered for a morning snack. In addition, no students were bussed to the school in 1930. Now, students get to choose from a hot lunch during the lunch period or bring their own lunch, and there are about 80 students riding the bus to and from school each day. “It was more of a community, neighborhood school,”
Jump to A2: Wilson
April 2015
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A2
Cont. from A1: Wilson Ring said. “There have been a lot of changes but overall it’s still the same sweet kids that go here. That’s the bottom line anywhere, they feel safe here.” Members of the Wilson student council gave tours of the school during the 85th anniversary birthday party. A party was
held on the lawn after school, complete with the Central High School drum line, a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to Wilson, and a proclamation made by Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker declaring March 27th as Wilson Across the Decades Day in the community.
“For 85 years, Wilson has faithfully served the students and community of Rapid City,” Kooiker said. “Together we take a moment to remember the past, celebrate the present, and set a path for future students and staff at Wilson Elementary.”
Senior Snapshots Gives Students Chance at Senior Photo Shoots By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer Senior photos are something that every senior looks forward to and is a time honored tradition, however, one that not everyone can afford to participate in. Professional photos are expensive, but one Stevens High School senior is working hard to ensure that even students who can’t afford it still get a photo shoot to commemorate their milestone. Senior Snapshots is a program that started last year that offers a free photo shoot for seniors who otherwise couldn’t afford to get photos done. Students must apply for the photo shoot and the application goes through school counselors who verify financial qualifications. If the counselor approves the application, it is passed on to senior photographer Wyatt Osthus. Osthus said this is the first year that is has really taken off with a student leading it, and it took off more than he expected it to. After starting the year off with very little response, he has so far done 17 sessions for students. “We had a lot more applications than we
expected,” he said. “We’re excited to keep it going. There are a lot more people that can be helped in the future. My goal is to help a lot more people.” Applications were distributed in September and the first session was November 1. The applications have continued coming
continue to grow the program next year to possibly include some printing services to help students get their photos printed. “It’s been a great year though,” Osthus said. “We ran into some problems but got them all ironed out. I would love to iron out all of the wrinkles.” The Senior Snapshots was recently selected for showcase in Washington D.C. to share the project for possible reapplication in other markets, as well. There were 55 programs selected nationwide and two projects from Rapid City were chosen, including the Senior Snapshots. “That’s huge, amazing,” Teen Up Coordinator Kristin Kiner said. “It’s been received amazingly well. The product is very professional.”
in, despite being past the deadline for the yearbook. Osthus said that’s okay, he’s always open to more and if kids need senior photos, he is always open to helping them. After working closely with Mona Lisa Photography and partnering with the Dahl Arts Center and Plato’s Closet, Osthus said they are looking for ways to
Osthus is hoping to pass on the program to someone he can trust to carry it on next year after he leaves for college. If interested in applying for a photo session with Senior Snapshots, students can contact their school counselor for more information.
April 2015
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A3
RCAS Teacher writes Book to Help Teachers Better Undersatnd Teaching Math By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer It was not something that she ever planned on doing, but that didn’t stop Math Coach Erin Lehmann from writing her first book on techniques for teaching math. “Teaching Mathematics Today” was released on April 1 and while writing this book was not part of her plan, Lehmann said she’s glad she did. Lehmann said she was approached by someone who turned out to be a publisher at a conference and was asked if she’d be interested in writing a book about math. She was sent the first edition of a book and was told to write about anything she wanted from it. “I ripped that book apart,” Lehmann said. “I kept about 20 percent of the material and tossed out 80 percent.”
The book is completely research based and is to help teachers or potential teachers understand the complexities of teaching mathematics. There is an emphasis on best practices, culture, mindset, and content. Lehmann said she wanted to make sure it was completely research based so she had ground to stand on. She provided practical ideas and strategies for teachers to implement immediately in the classroom. Lehmann dug through everything she could get her hands on to write the book, she said. “It’s not me, it’s what the best practices are,” she said. The book was written over the course of a summer and was the hardest thing she’s ever done, Lehmann said. While it was difficult, she said she hopes to get the book into the hands of teachers and
future teachers so all teachers will be knowledgeable in how to teach math and remove the fear that comes with teaching math. She said the goal is for teachers to be able to show their students that they’re learning right alongside them if they don’t understand something. Lehmann said there is no way she could’ve completed the book without the support she has had within the district. “There is no way this book would have ever been possible if it were not for the ongoing professional development Rapid City Area Schools provided to me and the collaboration among my fellow math teachers,” she said. Lehmann is currently working on her doctorate, so no new books are planned for the future. “Teaching Mathematics Today” is available on Amazon for purchase.
Students Receive Breakfast of Champions for Being Caring By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer While the term Breakfast of Champions usually refers to a large breakfast of unhealthy proportions, the term Breakfast of Champions means something much more important at West Middle School. At West Middle School students who exemplify the qualities of good character and get nominated by a teacher are recognized at a breakfast with their parents. “It’s a great time to celebrate students here at West,” Amy Policky, a member of the West Middle School PTA said. “We want to tell them, you are heroes here at West and we honor you for that.” The West Middle School PTA hosts the breakfast and volunteers help prepare
the food for students and their parents. This is the third year hosting the Breakfast of Champions event and it is held the first three quarters of each school year. Students who have done a good job acting out the Character Counts character traits are nominated by their teachers to be honored. The six Character Counts character traits are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Policky said the driving force behind starting the Breakfast of Champions event was to be able to recognize the students at other times than the honors assembly held at the end of the year. “We really wanted to bring more families in and make it more of a community,” Policky said.
A magnet is placed on each student’s locker who is honored at the event to represent to their peers that they were honored. The Breakfast of Champions, however, goes beyond recognizing them in front of their parents and eating a delicious breakfast. It’s about teaching the students to be all that they can be. “We wanted to motivate the kids to do their best and to rise about mediocrity,” Policky said. “We wanted to recognize them for their efforts and let the kids know that they’re capable and can do their best by making the school better.” Parents who helped cook the most recent breakfast, which honored students for displaying caring and citizenship, were Julie Erickson, Paula Gapp, Christie Johnson, Jenny McKee, and Policky.
April 2015
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Central Juniors Hear from Attorney General on How to Succeed in Future By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer The future is a scary thing for anyone, but planning what school you want to go to and mapping out your entire future can be a terrifying task for any junior in high school, which is why Central High School Internship Coordinator Tim McGowan hosts the Career Conference each year to help students pick a path for their lives. U.S. Attorney General Marty Jackley joined in the conference this year to help students know what they should do to make the most of their education. “Get involved in activities, they make you a more round individual,” Jackley urged students. “You won’t regret it. Activities takes your mind off of things and it gives you friends to fall back on.” Jackley urged students to sit down with people who are in the fields they want
to be in and pick their brains, ask them questions, and get to know the field as much as they can. Even if they don’t end up in that field, it is good to get a background of what is available, he told students. “We have some of the best colleges and best tech schools in the country. You don’t have to make your final decision now, but start looking,” he said. “There are plenty of opportunities here; you have bright futures.” McGowan said the career conference would not be possible without the various community contacts who are willing to come to speak with students. Numerous community businesses were set up for students to get more information. In addition, they hosted breakout sessions where they discussed the field and what students could do to get into the field. “We want students to know what obstacles are out there, but the reward is there and will be after those obstacles,” McGowan said. McGowan said it is important for stu-
Teachers: Have a student who wrote something awesome, took a great photo, or made an amazing art project? Share it with the rest of us by emailing it to RapidCityDistrictCommunications@ k12.sd.us
and it could be featured in an upcoming issue of The Reporter!
dents to be able to sit down and talk with people that they see in the community on a regular basis. Breakout session presenters included Black Hills Power representatives, Oliver White with Rapid City Fire Fighters, Jack Caudill of Black Hills Fox, Jason McGough with the Clin Lab of the Black Hills, BHSU Athlete Chelsey Biegler, a remote piloted aircraft team from Ellsworth Air Force Base, Actor and Operations Manager with The Black Hills Playhouse Jason Reuter, and hip hop artist Supaman. Displays set up for more information included Headlines Academy, Western Dakota Tech, Chadron State College, Northern State, and various military groups.
Area Mathletes Place 3rd in State MATHCOUNTS Competition A team of Mathletes from Southwest Middle School received third place at the state MATHCOUNTS competition. The members of the team included Alan Zhu, Marita Schmidtz, Micheal Tang, and Keaton Haug. In addition, Alan Zhu will represent South Dakota at the 2015 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition in Boston, Massachusetts in May along with the top team members from other MATHCOUNTS teams throughout the state. The first place team was Mickelson Middle School in Brookings and the second place team was Patrick Henry Middle School of Sioux Falls. According to Coach Caitlyn Larson, a Stevens High School student, MATHCOUNTS is a competition where students take several different tests and place according to how many they answered
correctly. “Coming in third place is a really big deal because we started way later this year and had a lot less practices because of my busy schedule of junior year,” Larson said. Overall, there were approximately 10 teams that competed. According to MATHCOUNTS, the program has had more than 6 million students participate. The state program is sponsored by the South Dakota Engineering Society and 3M. Leadership at the local levels of the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is provided by members of the South Dakota Engineering Society of Professional Engineers. Additional information on MATHCOUNTS is available at www.mathcounts.org. MATHCOUNTS contributed to this story.
April 2015
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Check out the great things our staff & students are doing! Easter Bunny at South Canyon Elementary
(Above) Eighth grade theatre teacher, Nancy Deranleau is the biweekly winner of the $500 ‘1+1’ money awarded by First Interstate Bank & NewsCenter1.
(Above) The March Character Counts Stars of the Month at Valley View Elementary School.
Over 900 string students from all of the Rapid City Public Elementary and Middle Schools participated in the 36th annual Strings in Concert event on March 21st. Guest conductor Aviva Segall from Omaha led them.
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Check out the great things our staff & students are doing!
(Above) Central High School Wrestling Coach Lance Pearson was recognized as Coach of the Year for the 5th time, Central Track Coach & Assistant Football Coach Vince Spease was named Assistant Coach of the Year, and Central track coach David Dolan received 25 Year Officials Award & is 1 of 8 national finalists for Assistant Coach Of Year. (Left) East Middle School teacher Crystal Mcmachen and Valley View teacher Lori Stverak were named state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science teaching for 2014. There are only 3 finalists for the state. (Right) Mayor Sam Kooiker recognized the AmeriCorps VISTA Program for the service they provide.
Beauty and the Beast Stevens High School
Get online with us at all of our web and social media sites! Watch for school postings on Facebook, Twitter & Nixle; browse photos on Instagram; watch quick videos on Vine and longer videos on Vimeo!
April 2015
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Skyward
FAMILY ACCESS Are e Yo You ou Signed Sig Si gned d Up p for fo or r Family Fa amiilly A Ac Access? cce esss? % of Parents signed up for Family Access District-wide (3/27/15) 0
25
50
75
100
Average Elementary School
29.55%
2,135 out of 7,225
Average Middle School
43.10%
1,327 out of 3,079
Average High School
62.78%
2,434 out of 3,877
Average Other Schools
26.17%
185 out of 707 (includes Jefferson, JSC, Home School, and 19-21 Program)
Total for the District 6,081 out of 14,889
Ask yourself, “What’s in it for me?” The single, most important reason to sign up for Family Access is this: you can support your child and help promote higher levels of academic success for your student with Skyward Family Access. DON’T DELAY - GET YOUR FAMILY ACCESS TODAY!
Where to Sign Up? It’s easy. Simply request your username and password from the Secretary at your child’s school. Ask about Free Parent Training Classes.
40.84%
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Parent
TRAINING Skyward Family Access
Free e Cla Classes: assses: Promo Promoting o g Skywar oting Skyward rd d Fa Family mily Acc Access cess All parents of RCAS students are invited to attend.
Did you know? You can support your child and help promote higher levels of academic success for your student with Skyward Family Access.
To Register:
Request your username and password from the Secretary at your child’s school and sign up for a session that fits your schedule.
APRIL 2015 SESSIONS: SATURDAYS
TUESDAYS
THURSDAYS
April 11th 10:00 – 11:30 am
April 14th 5:30 – 7:00 pm
April 16th 5:30 – 7:00 pm
April 25th 1:00 – 2:30 pm
April 28th 5:30 – 7:00 pm
April 30th 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Space is limited. Remember, you must bring your username and password, you can not log into Family Access without them. If you do not bring, you will only be able to observe. Middle School and High School students are encouraged to attend with parent.
All classes are held at:
RCAS Technology Center Training Lab 851 West Street, South Entrance Rapid City, SD