Out with The Old, In with The New!
Staying "In Touch" (February-March 2021)
To All Meade School District Residents
It is important that our public receive complete, accurate, and timely information regarding the school district and its programs and operations. One of the first steps in that process is the publication of this online newsletter!
We hope you enjoy the new layout of the "In Touch" newsletter and welcome any comments, suggestions and any events that you think should be included as well! Enjoy!
Online Volume I, Issue 1
COVID-19 Updates
Currently all buildings are in Phase I Green.
Phase I Green - Zero to low COVID-19 cases in the building(s). No confirmed COVID-19 cases up to a maximum of 1% of students and staff.
Phase II Orange - Active cases in the building(s) between 1-3% of building enrollment including students and staff.
Phase III Red - Active cases in the building(s) greater than 3% of enrollment including students and staff.
Important February/March Dates!
- No school: February 15th (President's Day)
- No school: February 26th (teacher in-service)
- Parent/Teacher Conferences: February 22nd - 26th (see below for details)
- Parent/Teacher Conferences - high school: March 1st & 2nd
- Spring Break - no school: March 19th
ProStart class receives grant of $1097.00
L to R, back row:
Ericoma Ulrich, Daniel DeSersa, Ren Davies, Wyatt Trohkimoinen, Zachary Nonhoff, Mercedes Starkweather
L to R, front row:
Brooklyn delaPena, Londin Harwood, Alayna Lemcke
Governor's Student Art Exhibit
Sturgis Rally Charities Donation
Piedmont Valley Elementary is "Spreading the Joy of Music"
This teacher from the Bronx created a website where teachers could post classroom project requests, and donors could choose the ones they wanted to support. His colleagues posted 11 requests, and to his surprise, it spread like wildfire. Today, his idea is open to every public school in America.
But how does it work?! It's easy, You find a project that inspires you, donate as little as $1 (tax deductible mind you), they purchase the requested items and BOOM items are shipped directly to the teacher. Last but not least, every donor get's a thank you and photos of the project in action plus a report of how each dollar was spent. Genius! And goes to a good cause!
Because of this project, our very own Piedmont Valley Elementary music teacher, Anna Pickford, created her own DonorsChoose Project called Spreading the Joy of Music. Her classroom received $590.00! Now she is able to replace many instruments that are in dire need of replacement, such as, handbell sets, sand blocks, and jingle bells, to name a few.
Congratulations to Mrs. Pickford and the students as they continue to "spread the joy of music"!
SBHS Speech and Debate Team perform virtually
Dental Bus coming to Piedmont Valley Elementary in February
The Delta Dental Mobile Program is coming to Piedmont Valley Elementary February 8-12. They provide dental exams, preventive services, cleanings, and cavity fillings at no charge for students who have not seen a local dentist in over 2 years, or those who live more than 85 miles from the nearest dentist.
If you are interested in having your child visit the dental bus, please contact the office at 787-5295. Paperwork must be completed and given to the school nurse to schedule your child.
Piedmont Valley Elementary - Tuesday After School Program
High School Fall Perfect Attendance
Grade Last Name First Name
9 Baker Isiah
9 Brant Brooklyn
9 Johnston Josie
9 Ownbey Desirae
9 Pickett Benjamyn
9 Reece Amara
9 Reese Frank
9 Swift Rowan
10 Miller Weston
10 Ross Luke
10 Svara Allen
10 Vasknetz Riley
11 Chavez Cruz
11 Chipowsky Trinity
11 Foster Brock
11 Frasier Haleigh
11 Hand Teagen
11 Hyman Matthew
11 Johnson Evan
11 Kullbom Mikayla
11 Olson Weaind
11 Pankratz Carson
11 Vlietstra Walker
12 Hedderman Payton
12 Kukla Samantha
12 Timm Shane
National School Counselor's Week, February 1st - 5th
Exactly what does a school counselor do? They listen. They teach. They advocate. They care. They do a lot more than you may have realized. And they support students holistically in ways no one else can. Our counselors work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world and they help focus on positive ways to enhance students' social, personal, educational and career development.
School counselors help reduce obstacles preventing students from reaching their potential. Above all, they arm students with the skills, strategies and support they need to build the foundation for a successful and productive life. Our counselors are certified, experienced educators who hold at least a master's degree in guidance and counseling.
Meade School District counselors include:
Dadra Avery
Shawn Koontz
Natalie Serbousek
Kellie Thomas
Sturgis Williams Middle School
Whitewood Elementary
Maria Hartung
Heidi Kraft
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Piedmont Valley Elementary: February 23rd - 25th
Whitewood Elementary: February 22nd - 25th
Rural: February 22nd - February 25th
Sturgis Williams MS: February 22nd - 25th
Stagebarn MS: February 8th - 26th
**Conferences will be held the same way they were held this Fall, via Zoom, telephone or schedule an appointment.
School Board Vacancies Available
SD School of the Deaf screenings to be held in March
Sturgis Elementary and Sturgis Intermediate School:
March 17
Piedmont Valley Elementary and Stagebarn Middle School: March 11
Whitewood Elementary:
March 18
**In order for your child to participate in hearing screenings, please sign the form and return to the nurses office at your child's school.
Piedmont Valley Elementary Online Book Fair
Sturgis Elementary Online Book Fair
School Board Recognition Week
In the Meade School District, school board members develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect all communities within the district's 3,100 square miles.
Time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the time school board members devote to leading the district. They also work hard at seminars and training sessions to keep abreast of the latest trends in educational leadership, are involved in community activities and spend many hours in the schools at extracurricular events.
Let's give a round of applause for our 2020-21 Meade School Board members!
Left to Right: Charlie Wheeler, Darrell Vig, Joseph Urbaniak (president), Tracy Konst, JT Vig, Holly Good, Cody Weber (vice president), John Nachtigall and Lee Spring.
Seeking Nominations For SD Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year
The district is inviting nominations for Teacher of the Year and Professional/Technical Support Staff of the Year for 2020.
The purpose of the award is to recognize teachers who have the following criteria:
- Have a superior ability to inspire students of all ability levels and backgrounds
- Be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated classroom teacher
- Be poised and articulate
- Have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues
- Play an active role in the community as well as in the school
- Must be planning to continue in an active teaching status with Meade School District
The Professional Technical Support Staff of the Year is to recognize outstanding staff members who are not teachers. The award is based on a variety of criteria including motivation on the job, performance, cooperation others, knowledge of the job, and contributions to the betterment of the school and district.
Nominees for both awards must be planning to return to Meade School District of the 2021-22 school year.
Community members and district personnel are encouraged to nominate teachers possessing the above skills. All nominations must be received by Tuesday, February 16th by the building principal/supervisor of the person being nominated. Nominations must be submitted on the attached forms.
Spread The Word>>Inclusion
For the last several years, the Meade School District Special Services Department has hosted the Spread The Word campaign in all buildings every March. To promote this campaign, administrators have hung posters, distributed free wristbands to all students and staff and held banner signing pledges in all buildings with the message to Spread the Word>>Inclusion.