The
Reporter
Town Hall Meeting Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 North Middle School 6:30 p.m.
January 2015
What’s Up for January? Take a Look Inside...
A2: • Dollars for Dogs • Teen Up
A3:
• Partnership Rapid City
A4: • Volunteer Connections
A5:
• School Board Student Representatives
A6 & A7: • Feature Photo Pages
A8
• Rush Players • Teachers Receive National Honor
Students Take Message of Homeless Youth to Capital By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer Homelessness is not only an issue that plagues adults, but also is a problem for today’s youth and students. Students from Rapid City High School are working hard to combat that, however, and took their message to the rotunda in Pierre to share with legislators the problem today’s youth are facing. “We wanted to do something where the students can have their own voice in the situation,” Beyond the Books Coordinator Jessica Dial said. “That is where the Truth Booth came in.” A booth was set up in the cafeteria where students could step in and record a message about their thoughts on homelessness among youth. The Truth Booth was conveniently located in the school cafeteria so it was convenient for students and loud enough that few people could overhear what was being
said. Door prizes were handed out to help entice students to share their thoughts. A video was made compiling all of the messages that were recorded with the help of local videographer Randall Iverson. Dial said it was great to be able to capture so many different aspects of the problem at hand. “We came full circle with a lot of different opinions and backgrounds,” Dial said. “It was very cool how he took a lot of perspectives and showed how a lot of challenges impose on them.” Dial said it opened up a lot of students eyes as to what problems were being faced and that it was not as easy as just going to get a job. For freshman Jesse Conlon, he knew he had to speak his mind because he had seen the effects that it had on his life. “I see homelessness is a big problem,” he said. “We have everything and people
Jump to A2: Homeless
Elementary School Hosts Second Annual Family Service Night By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer The holidays are a time for serving others in need and giving to the less fortunate, but one elementary school worked hard this month to ensure that was something they continued to do. The second annual Family Service Night, hosted at Corral Drive Elementary School, was a huge hit this year and drew in hundreds of people, doubling attendance over the year prior. Some projects that were completed
Jump to A3: Family
January 2015 Continued from A1: Homeless
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Man’s Best Friend Gains More than a Friend from Central Students By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer They say dogs are man’s best friends, and some students at Central High School worked hard to make sure they stayed that way. The special services class recently raised $270 to donate to the Humane Society of the Black Hills to help with adoption fees.
who are homeless don’t have what we have. So I decided to speak my thoughts.” The students felt the video made such a big impact on them, it needed to be shared. Four students took the video to Pierre, SD to set up a booth in the rotunda with the Homeless Coalition Task Force during the Housing Consortium and shared the video with legislators walking through the rotunda. The opportunity to go to Pierre, while unexpected, was something that Dial believes will open a lot of eyes and will help get the word out that homelessness and runaway situations among youth today is a big issue. “Our original intent was to get people talking about the barriers people are facing,” she said. “We weren’t really sure, we just knew that it would be a moving piece. We have a lot to learn about these kids who face these difficulties. It’s not an easy fix, if anything, it’s fixing misconceptions. We’re still learning all of the things this video can do.” By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer They may not be getting paid money for their work, but their payment is much greater than that. The students involved in Teen Up are just happy to be able to help people in need. Teen Up, under the umbrella of Partner-
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What started as a simple writing project, quickly grew into a full blown service project once the students realized how much they were enjoying it, student Cody Brede said. That is how Dollars for Dogs got started. The students hosted Hat Day and asked anyone who was wearing a hat to donate $1. It became so popular that even people who were not wearing hats donated their money for the good cause. Teacher Heather Hoeye said the initial thought was to volunteer at the humane society. “They got excited about it and got passionate,” she said, so it wasn’t long before the project morphed. The students not only learned how to raise the money, but
also how to interview people about the Humane Society’s needs, be interviewed by the press and media, advertising, public speaking, and much more. “They need career ready skills. Instead of taking it out of the textbook, they are doing the real thing.” Diane Carey, Director of Community Relations and Volunteer Services said the students did a great job on the project. “They asked challenging questions, they were very well prepared, they’re a great group,” she said. The entire project came together in a matter of two weeks, Hoeye said, and it gave them more than just life lessons. “It’s amazing to watch their sense of community blossom from that,” she said. “It’s really cool to see them connect with each other.” The students said they just love being able to help out the animals. “It feels really great doing this great cause because the animals need the help right now,” student Desirae Hanson said. “I’m happy to help the animals here because I’ve always been an animal lover, so I’m happy to help,” Brede said. Hoeye said they are already working on their next service project ideas and the kids have become very passionate about helping other people and have even started forming their own committees for the projects.
Teen Up Students Make Impact on Community ship Rapid City, is a youth engagement initiative, giving youth in the area the opportunity to identify a need in the community, develop a plan for it, prepare and execute the project. “It’s about their ideas, their voice,” Youth Engagement Coordinator Kristin Kiner said. “It’s amazing the individual service projects they’re coming up with.” The group began under a different name
in 2010 and thanks to grant funding from the Bush Foundation, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation, and the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundations, it was rebranded to Teen Up. It now consists of ambassadors from each of the three high schools that help lead the group to come up with various projects throughout the community. This year, their areas of focus include Hunger, Homeless, and Mentor-
Jump to A3: Teen Up
January 2015 Continued from A2: Teen Up ing. “Students are helping on a larger scale than just within the boundaries of the schools,” Kiner said. For ambassador Alex Fichter, Teen Up has become something that he’s not just part of, but something that he does and hopes to continue doing past graduation.
www.rcas.org “We’re giving back,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to give back.” There are bigger issues than what students realize, Fichter said, and it’s easy to not pay attention to some of the bigger issues that are going on. “In high school you tend to ignore those issues,” he said. “Those issues are actually prevalent issues here.”
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Ambassador Erin Rezich said that being a part of something like Teen Up goes beyond just helping people. “It’s fun to be a part of an organization that is involved in volunteering because it keeps you motivated,” she said. “It leads to bigger opportunities.” For more information on Teen Up, visit www.partnershiprapidcity.org/teen-up.
Partnership Rapid City Creates Opportunities for Further Learning By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer The classroom is only a part of what students are doing these days; outside of the classroom, Partnership Rapid City aims to create special learning experiences for students that cannot be obtained within the classroom walls, but outside, in the community. From local service projects, to seminars and classes centered around specific courses of learning, all the way to the steps of the capital, students within the Rapid City Area School District, under the umbrella of Partnership Rapid City, are achieving great things and taking their learning to the next level. Partnership Rapid City is a collaboration between the Rapid City Area Schools, Rapid City Public School Foundation, and the community. Under the umbrella
of PRC is Beyond the Books, Treasure Chest Program, JAG, Career Launch, Cobbler 2 Cobbler, and Teen Up. Students involved in these programs not only get experience with service projects, but also gain internships and learn how to apply what they are learning in school to the real world in a real way. “They’re not doing these things for class, they’re doing them because they want to,” Liz Hamburg, executive director of PRC, said. “It’s the true adult experience.” PRC was created in 2007. They act as a central point of contact between schools within the district and community businesses and leaders who would be interested in hosting volunteers or interns. High school students involved in the various programs logged over 7,000 hours of community service and leadership last
year. Events hosted by PRC and various programs include Day of Excellence in Education, Freshman Impact, Careers in Action, Reality Check, and Camp Med. “Everything we do is connected with a partner,” Hamburg said. “Every year, our work looks a bit different as we respond to the needs of our students and the investments of our partners.” Some businesses that have gotten involved with PRC include State Farm Insurance, Regional Health, Synchrony Bank, and Black Hills Corporation, among many others. For more information on Partnership Rapid City, visit www.partnershiprapidcity.org.
Red Cross and over 300 volunteer hours were pledged for the Black Hills 211 Helpline Center. A silent auction was also held with baskets assembled by various classrooms, which raised over $7,000 for the Make a Wish South Dakota, enabling Corral Drive to make a wish of a local child come true.
Continued from A1: Family included making 133 Valentine’s Day cards to hand out to veterans, over 150 placemats made for the Western South Dakota Senior Services Meals on Wheels program recipients, over 1,500 meals assembled with Kids Against Hunger, 100 dental care packages were assembled for The Club for Boys, and 35 fleece blankets and over 100 care packages were made for children and women at the Cornerstone Mission. In addition, dozens of people learned CPR from the American
“We’re so thrilled,” co-chair Barbara Carr said. “It’s so touching to see people come out for a good cause.” Last year’s Family Service Night saw about 300 people in attendance; Carr said that more than 600 people attended this year, more than doubling the attendance. Carr said their goal next year is to have more schools participating and hosting their own Family Service Night. For more information on how to host a Family Service Night, contact Barbara Carr at barbaragcarr@gmail.com.
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January 2015
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Students Learn Value of Volunteering While Kicking Off Volunteer Connections these service projects,” fourth grade teacher Averie Georgas said. “I hope they start to think of others above themselves.”
By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer Studies have shown that people who volunteer are not only happier but also live longer. In that case, the Rapid City Area School District will have a large group of happy and long living students after their volunteering efforts during the kickoff for Volunteer Connections.
Volunteer Connections was started in September thanks to a John T. Vucurevich Grant. Volunteer Connections falls under the umbrella of Helpline Center and hosts an online database of volunteering opportunities around the area. With 66 local agencies involved, over 200 volunteer dates, and its unique filtering feature, it makes it easy to find any form of volunteer work that someone could possibly want to do. “It’s about making the community stronger and making yourself stronger, so it’s a win win for everyone,” Volunteer Connections Coordinator Lynn Taylor Rick said.
Volunteer Connections kicked off this month and students from Teen Up and JAG were on hand to mentor other students from throughout the district who came to help volunteer their time with the kickoff. Fourth grade students from Pinedale Elementary School, middle school students from North, and preschool students all joined in helping to make Valentine cards and pack bags for homeless during the national homeless count.
Volunteer Connections also makes it easy for users to run a report of all of the volunteering they have done, when, and where. This feature helps students who may need to provide proof of volunteering for college or scholarship applications, she said. People utilizing the service can also filter opportunities that are age friendly and can sign up to receive text message notifications about upcoming opportunities.
“It’s fun for them to come out and see
According to Rick, teens in Rapid City already volunteer 7,000 hours yearly.
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!
hand to mentor students who came to volunteer. Youth Engagement Coordinator for Teen Up, Kristin Kiner, said they are currently working on focusing on homelessness and hunger and mentoring the students while working on these projects fit right into what they were working on. “It’s absolutely fantastic to see them mentoring,” she said. “They responded really well.” For more information on Volunteer Connections, visit www.helplinecenter. org, and click on Volunteer Connections at the top.
“They’re already doing some amazing hours,” she said. “Seeing them mentor, and you know that it’s going to continue.” Students from Teen Up and JAG were on
Educator of the Year Program Accepting Nominations The Rapid City Public School Foundation Educator of the Year program is now accepting nominations. Nominations from teachers, administrators, parents and students are encouraged. Educators nominated should have the respect and admiration of students, colleagues, parents; inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; are poised, articulate and enhance the schools and profession of education.
To nominate an educator, send an email to RCPSF Director Laura Sobczak at laura.sobczak@k12.sd.us before February 6, 2015. The email should address the following: name of educator, school, grade/ specialty area, name of person nominating educator, email address, phone number, and answer how the educator enhances and enriches the educational experience of Rapid City Area Schools students.
A5 Get to Know the Rapid City School Board Student Representatives Name: Adam Thomsen January 2015
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Age: 18 School: Stevens High School Year in school: Senior School attending next fall: I am not sure yet, still deciding Future career aspirations: I plan on going into broadcasting. Behind the scenes or a reporter Other activities you’re involved in at school: Drama and choir Why did you want to be a student representative? I listen to other students and staff. Plus many students look to me to represent our great school. What do you enjoy most about being a student representative? The things I have learned about the capital outlay, how the board wants to make changes in our school district in a good way. What are you hoping to learn during your role as a student representative? Well anything I can learn honestly. How have you already been able to apply what you’re learning in your current role to your daily lives? People who talk bad about the board and also becoming knowledgeable about decisions. What is your goal in your student representative role? To bring out the good side of Stevens and show what kind of school we have. I also want to bring to the students that this position is a very important role in the school district. Any other thoughts/comments you’d like to share? I just want to thank the administration at Stevens for allowing me to be the representative of Stevens. I would also like to thank my parents and the board for letting me be part of this awesome experience. Name: Meredith McGowan Age: 17 School: Central High School Year in school: Senior School attending next fall: I am deciding between the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Future career aspirations: I will major in Communications and English Education Other activities you’re involved in at school: Theatre, National Honor Society, Cobbler to Cobbler Why did you want to be a student representative? I wanted to bring a student voice to the decisions that are impacting the students in our district. What do you enjoy the most about being a student representative? I like being a part of this experience because it is unlike anything I have ever done before. I like being able to say my opinion and having a sense that it is appreciated and considered. What are you hoping to learn during your role as a student representative? That it will give me another perspective on education and what schooling is like, which will help with my future career as an educator. It’s also helpful to be a part of the inner-workings of an administrative body. How have you already been able to apply what you’re learning in your current role to your daily lives? There is extensive collaboration, and there are many different perspectives on decisions, but at the end of the day they have to have a commonality. This will help with any job that I will have in the future. You are going to have to work with a plethora of different individuals, and you are going to have to come to an agreement. What is your goal in your student representative role? To be a meaningful student voice for Central High School. Name: Mariah Pawelski Age: 16 School: Rapid City High School Year in School: Junior Future Career Aspirations: Registered Nurse or Anesthesiologist Other Activities You’re Involved in at School: JAG Why did you want to be a student representative? To show people what Rapid City High School students are doing within the school and community. I also wanted to overcome my fear of public speaking. What do you enjoy most about being a student representative? I get to tell the school board and the community all of the wonderful things happening at RCHS. What are you hoping to learn during your role as a student representative? I’m hoping to overcome my fear of public speaking and I’m also hoping to take other things I learn through the experience, such as time management and communication skills, with me into adulthood. How have you already been able to apply what you’re learning in your current role to your daily lives? I am a lot less nervous than I used to be to talk to people in general since I’ve become a student rep, especially at big events and service projects. What is your goal in your student representative role? My goal is to show people that Rapid City High is not just an academy, but a school full of some of the brightest and most creative students in Rapid City. I also want to tell people about the service projects and volunteer work we do here to help make our school and community better.
January 2015
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Check out the great things our staff & students are doing!
entary orace Mann Elem The students at H of Bear paint this mural to le ab e er w l ks oo Sch yl No Heart than ar D of p el h e th Butte with munities’ Schools and Com e th in ts is rt A to an Grant.
(Left) Third person presenterJoyce Jefferson visited General Beadle Elementary to read the Maya Angelou story to students for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
tars ounts S ary C r e t c ra nt ber Cha y View Eleme m e c e e D l l The at Va ember c e D r o f School.
Congra tu teacher lations to Kn oll Je from F nn Shortbull wood Elemen irst Int w tary ho won erstate She rec t h e B 1 an +1 eiv science ed $500 to u k and News C grant se in he e experim r classr nter 1. ents! oom fo r
(Left) Students at North Middle School held a science fair. There were 328 projects by 520 students. Winners will be attending the regional fair at SDSM&T in March.
South P ar won $1 k teacher Ke lsey W 00 from ilso that wi ll be us Black Hills Pa n recently ed tow rent M diss ec t ar ag ion . C ongratu ds the class’ o azine wl pell lations et !
January 2015
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Check out the great things our staff & students are doing!
(Above left, above right, below left, below right) Students participated in service projects around General Beadle Elementary in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Rapid City Public School Foundation drew names of people to receive a gift card who were submitted for going Above and Beyond in their classrooms.
See more Did You Know graphics and learn more information about funding in district at: http://bit.ly/1xLpzZf
January 2015
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Rush Players Discuss Importance of Good Character “A cool thing to do is the right thing,” player Riley Weselowski told the students. “It’s easy to say but it’s harder to do. You have to think about it really hard.”
By Amanda Rombough Information Services Officer Character is a trait learned early on and carried out through life but consists of many different traits that need to be formed as well. To support their Character Counts efforts in January, the student council at Meadowbrook Elementary brought out some players from the Rapid City Rush to help teach the students about character and how important it is.
The players taught students about Respect, Unity, Sportsmanship, and Hard work during their visit, encouraging students to set goals for themselves, respect others, and work hard at everything they do. The six pillars of good character are Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Each month one trait is chosen to focus on and their partner, Scheels All Sports, comes out to recognize a student who best represents their monthly character trait. According to counselor Dana Livermont, it really helps the students to think about what they’re doing.
“We want kids to be nice to each other at recess,” student council president Sophia Bernhard said. But it goes beyond recess, another student said. “Good character helps the school and the whole world,” vice president Lacy Rosson said. January’s trait to focus on was Responsibility.
Two South Dakota Teachers Earn Profession’s Top Honor South Dakota State Department of Education Press Release
sive look at their instructional practice and commit to continual improvement.”
Two South Dakota classroom teachers are among the nearly 4,160 elementary and secondary school teachers nationwide to achieve National Board Certification in 2014.
The achievement raises the number of National Board Certified Teachers in South Dakota to 106.
“These teachers are to be commended for their dedication to students and to their own professional growth,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Dr. Melody Schopp. “The National Board Certification process is rigorous. To achieve certification, teachers must take a comprehen-
South Dakota’s 2014 recipients include: Sara M. Gross, Mathematics/Early Adolescence, Rapid City Area School District Jody Neugebauer, Generalist/Early Childhood, Garreston School District.
National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment of a teacher’s pedagogical (teaching) skills and content knowledge. The certification process takes one to three years to complete. While licensing standards set the basic requirements to teach in a state, National Board Certified teachers demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices similar to the certifications earned by experts in law and medicine.
Professional Growth/Staff Development Course Proposals The Office of Staff Development is accep ng Professional Growth/Staff Development course proposals for the 2015 summer semester. The summer course
term will begin on June 1, 2015 and extends through August 14, 2015. For more informa on please visit: h p://goo.gl/ ptsilp or contact Dus n Blaha at 394-
6189 or Dixie Stephens at 394-4067. All class proposals must be in the Office of Staff Development no later than Friday, February 27, 2015.
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