Spartan Pledge
Supporting our school community core values.
The Native American Day Holiday symbolizes the State of South Dakota's commitment to honoring and recognizing the sacrifice and contribution of Native Americans in our region of the country. The late Governor George Mickelson recognized the importance of Native American People in our great state. I hope you are enjoying time with family today.
This week marks the midterm point in the trimester. We have established routines and expectations for learning in the first six weeks of school. Parent-Teacher Conferences offers us a great opportunity to engage in important dialog about the progress of our students. I have included a few things to think about and things you might do to prepare for a successful conference regarding your child’s progress.
Event: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Date: October 10, 3:30 -7:00 p.m. or by appointment
Place: Spearfish Middle School: 6th
grade in classrooms and 7th and 8th grade in the
gymnasium.
Suggestion: Limit your conferences to
approximately 10 minutes
General Parent Questions
1. How is my
child doing? 4. What do you expect my child to
achieve?
2. How do
you evaluate the success of my child? 5.
Is my child keeping up with the class?
3. Where is my
child headed academically? 6.
What must my child do to improve?
Other Possible Topics of Discussion at the
Parent/Teacher Conference
How we do school… Questions regarding…..
Expectations
for classroom behavior/participation - Academic progress (challenges
& successes)
-Methods of grading and
testing -Ability
to follow directions
-Policies regarding
homework -Listening
skills and work habits
-Options for support
offered at our school -Ideas
of how parents can help
-Use of planner for
organization -Citizenship,
attitude and effort
-Use planner for
organization -Evaluation
system used
-Available school and community services
Change in the interpretation of the law
Schools across the state, including Spearfish School District, are adjusting to the latest interpretation of South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-5. Public schools are not allowed to charge students for K-12 educational activities during the school year. A typical example might be field trip expenses. It will no longer be acceptable to charge students for bus transportation to a field trip activity. If we plan to continue with classroom extension activities we must find other sources for funding. Fundraising, donations from parents and non-profit organizations are just a few of the possible solutions. I have included the law below. We are in the process of phasing this in throughout this school year.
SDCL 13-28-5
Public school privileges free to children until age
twenty-one-Fee for early childhood services.
The privileges of the public school of any district shall be free to all
persons with school residence within the district until they complete the
secondary school program or until they reach the age of twenty-one. However, except as otherwise prohibited by
law, schools may charge a fee for early childhood services for any child under
the age of compulsory attendance pursuant to 13-27-1 and is not enrolled in kindergarten
or a more advanced grade.
Upcoming
Activities:
Oct. 15 8th Grade Ropes Course Field
Trip (re-schedule)
Oct. 15 Parent Advisory Committee, Monday,
October 15th at 6:00 p.m. SMS Library
Oct.
22-26 Red Ribbon Week
Oct.
26 NO SCHOOL –
P/T Conf. by appt.
Nov.
7 2 pm – EARLY
RELEASE
Nov.
12 NO SCHOOL
Veterans Day
Nov.
21 End of First
Trimester
Nov.
21 12:50 pm –
EARLY RELEASE
Nov. 22-23 Thanksgiving Vacation
Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it's the only thing.
-Albert Schweitzer, French Philosopher and Physician
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