August 2021
Longfellow Elementary
Welcome Back
Each month, you will be emailed a link to the Longfellow newsletter. It is important that you make sure your child's teacher as well as the office, always have an updated email address so you can receive the link. This newsletter is a way for you to find out about what is happening in the halls of Longfellow as well as upcoming dates you will need to be aware of.
This month's newsletter is full of information but future newsletters will include dates to know, copies of forms you might need as well as photos from our hallways and classrooms.
Can I get your number?
If your phone number or address changes throughout the year, just give us a call at 995-3092 to update.
Also, please keep your emergency contact info updated as well. If you are unsure of what info we currently have, just call us to confirm. Some of these numbers or names may have been entered into the system when your child started kindergarten and probably needs to be updated.
Add me please!!!
Meet the staff of Longfellow
Mrs Lisa Heckenlaible (Mrs H)
Noel Ahlers
Heather Moller
Staff Directory
Welcome new staff!
Cade Bruna - Music Teacher
Mika Faulhaber - 4/5 multi-age Classroom
Charlene Hilkemeier - Paraeducator
Kayla Petersen - Paraeducator
*Student Teachers*
Courtney Roth - Special Education with Mrs. Lambert
Kara Hannasch - 2nd grade with Mrs McPeek & Special Education with Miss Sandhoff
Jessica Huber - 5th grade with Mrs Abts
Teach Me!!! What are Dens?
How does this work?
Starting in 2nd grade, we introduce Den learning to our students.
This is a very simplified overview. Our lions are in their own classrooms, working with peers for most of the day. However, during math and reading flex times, they break out and move to different rooms, allowing them to work at the pace that best suits them. While challenges are a part of learning, frustration doesn't need to be. Maybe a learner struggles with decimals, and needs more time to 'get it'. There's no need to move them on until they are ready. Since subjects like math build on what they know, it's important to have each layer be nice and solid before we add another one. They will use "I Learn", "We Practice", and "I Prove" to move through each standard. The classroom teacher works with each student, monitoring their progress, helping them through those difficult tasks, moving them on after they can prove they're ready.
Dens create a sense of family and belonging. Students move on from 2nd, to 3rd, 4th and 5th grades over the years but they stay in the same den, getting to know the teachers before they even enter the classroom. They also work with students in other grades, allowing our younger students to learn from the olders and the older students to be mentors and role models to our youngers.
Watch future newsletters to see which classrooms are in which den.
What's the code?
- BK-Begindergarten
- KDH-Mrs Heckenlaible's kindergarten (Yes, we now have 2 Mrs. Heckenlaibles. This could get confusing.)
- KH-Mrs. Hauck's kindergarten
- KR-Mrs. Rehorst's kindergarten
- 1H-Mrs. Hofer's 1st grade
- 1S-Mrs. Schnabel's 1st grade
- 1V-Ms. VerSteeg's 1st grade
- 2B-Mrs. Borgan's 2nd grade
- 2J-Miss Jira's 2nd grade
- 2M-Mrs. McPeek's 2nd grade
- 3B-Mrs. Bakhtiari's 3rd grade
- 3G-Mrs. Gunnare's 3rd grade
- 3K-Mrs. Kristensen's 3rd grade
- 4N-Miss Nelson's 4th grade
- 4S-Mrs. Sarne's 4th grade
- 4/5F-Mrs. Faulhaber's 4/5 multiage
- 5A-Mrs. Abts's 5th grade
- 5M-Miss Merten's 5th grade
School Picture Day
Picture packets will be sent home closer to Sept. 9th. On that picture envelope, you will also find the link to order your photos online.
We look forward to seeing every sweet smile!
Wednesday, Sep 8, 2021, 08:00 AM
110 North Mentzer Street, Mitchell, SD, USA
How do I......
- ...get headphones? - Bring $5 to the office. Feel free to bring your own if you'd rather.
- ...add lunch money? - While lunches and breakfasts will continue to be free, at least for the time being, getting seconds is not free. You can log on to www.mymealtime.com to deposit money OR cash/checks can be dropped off at the office.
- ...handle attendance? - Being on time and in school each day is very important. However, if your child will be late or missing for ANY reason (oversleeping, Dr. appt, illness, etc.) please call the office at 605-995-3092 by 8:30 am to let us know. If the OFFICE is not contacted, you will receive a phone call from us.
- ...handle doctor appointments? - If you need to take your child during the day for an appt, please let us know ahead of time. You will need to come in to sign our child in/out. Your doctor/dentist office will be happy to give you a note to get their absence excused from school, just ask them. They can also fax those to 605-995-3084.
- ...know if school is late or cancelled due to weather? Text YES to 87569 to receive text updates regarding weather related cancellations as well as other important information.
Give a hug, ladybug. Take care, polar bear!
We ask that you wait outside for pick up as well. This will eliminate congestion inside the building. Our youngest lions will be brought out by their teachers and the older learners will come out to find their rides.
We also thank you for picking your students up promptly at the end of their day.
Welcome back teachers!!!
Walk this way
There is a bicycle rack on the north end of the front of the building. Please WALK your bike while crossing the street and while on Longfellow school grounds. Our sidewalks are too congested to have bikes zipping around as well.
The Wheels on the Bus...
You are also responsible to contact the bus if your child is not riding that day, for any reason.
Palace Transit - 995-8440
Foreman Bus Service - 800-310-2708
The Caring Closet Information
What is The Caring Closet?
Reserve an Appointment
Keep Updated
Student Accident Insurance/Dental Insurance
Student Accident Insurance – We wish to emphasize that the school district does not provide any type of health or accident insurance for injuries incurred by your child at school or in activities. The Board of Education has approved a student insurance program at your expense if you desire. You may enroll, starting August 1, at the Student Assurance Services
website: https://www.sas-mn.com/k12enronline/links/2020/sd/f1511_1513sd.html
Delta Dental Insurance – Delta Dental of South Dakota will be offering the Dental Accident Plan. Applications will be available online at the Delta Dental of South Dakota website: https://southdakota.deltadental.com/
PTO
In the past, our PTO has hosted fun family events such as The Decade Disco, movie nights, Culver's night, Pizza Ranch night, etc. All of these great events help us provide things like water bottles, new student gift bags or even playground equipment for the students of Longfellow!
Get involved! Meet other parents! Help our students!
5th Grade Band Night
Please plan on attending if your child is interested in joining band!
Contact Mrs. Krell for more information.
mary.krell@k12.sd.us or 995-7510
Thursday, Sep 9, 2021, 06:30 PM
Mitchell High School Performing Arts Center, North Capital Street, Mitchell, SD, USA
August Lunch Menu
Contact Us
Lisa Heckenlaible - Longfellow Principal
Noel Ahlers - Administrative Assistant
Email: lisa.heckenlaible@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.longfellow.themitchellkernels.com/
Location: 110 North Mentzer Street, Mitchell, SD, USA
Phone: 605-995-3092
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lfwlions/