Garretson Blue Dragon Tales
May 2024
Superintendent News by Mr. Guy Johnson
Welcome Springtime!
April showers and May flowers! In SD, we know that in the springtime the weather can turn in an instant. While I frequently see people post funny memes about the wind in SD, there is one thing that we know about this time of year. It is a time for renewal. The crops begin to show, calving and lambing seasons are wrapping up and there is the promise of more sunshine coming our way.
Things are much the same in the schoolhouse through April and May. We have one eye on wrapping up the current year and the other firmly focused on making the next year a success. Schedules are being completed, students registered, plans are being made for professional development and we are hiring new staff to ensure we have all our positions filled to start next year.
With that being said, we want to welcome two new staff members. The open MS/HS counselor position will be filled by Sherri Matthews. She comes to us as a recent graduate of her graduate program, earning a Master’s Degree in school counseling. While she does not bring school experience, she does bring significant life experience to the position. Her “first” career was in business, and when she had the opportunity to go back to school and earn her degree in counseling, she jumped at it! We are excited to have her on the team.
After 26 years, Mr. Mudder has chosen to retire. It is incredible to think about all of the students that he was able to touch through his MS Science and PE classes and the different roles he has had as a coach over those twenty six years. We wish him the best. In that position, we welcome Nate Scieszinski. Mr. Scieszinski comes to us from Tyndall, SD, where he grew up wrangling cattle on the family farm. He is an SDSU graduate who will be able to look at our PE program through new eyes. We believe that he will bring a different level of fun and excitement to our PE program. Mr. S will also be stepping into the Junior High Football coach position.
We look forward to the impact both of these new staff members will make as we start the 24-25 school year!
News from the MS/HS Principal, by Mr. Chris McGregor
Avoiding the “Summer Slide”
Summer break is often filled with lazy days, relaxation, and fun in the sun. While it's important for students to unwind and recharge during this time, it's also crucial to keep their minds engaged to prevent the dreaded "Summer Slide." Here are five creative activities to help students stay sharp and enthusiastic about learning throughout the summer months.
1. **Summer Reading Challenges:**
Encourage students to embark on a summer reading adventure by setting up a reading challenge. Create a list of age-appropriate books or genres and challenge students to read a certain number of books over the break. You can even spice it up with incentives like small prizes or certificates for completing the challenge.
2. **STEM Projects and Experiments:**
Make learning fun with hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects and experiments. From building simple machines to conducting kitchen chemistry experiments, there are endless opportunities to spark curiosity and exploration. Websites like Pinterest and YouTube are treasure troves of kid-friendly STEM activities that can be done at home with minimal supervision.
3. **Virtual Field Trips:**
Bring the world to your students by organizing virtual field trips to museums, zoos, historical landmarks, and even outer space! Many institutions offer virtual tours and interactive exhibits that provide immersive learning experiences. Take advantage of these resources to expose students to new cultures, environments, and concepts from the comfort of their own homes.
4. **Creative Writing Prompts:**
Encourage students to unleash their creativity through writing by providing daily or weekly prompts. These prompts can range from imaginative storytelling to reflective journaling, allowing students to explore different writing styles and genres.
5. **Outdoor Learning Adventures:**
Take advantage of the beautiful weather by incorporating outdoor learning activities into your summer routine. Whether it's conducting nature scavenger hunts, observing local wildlife, or planting a garden, outdoor experiences provide valuable opportunities for exploration and discovery. Not only does outdoor learning stimulate curiosity and critical thinking, but it also promotes physical activity and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Summer break doesn't have to be a total break from learning. By engaging students in creative and stimulating activities, families can help prevent learning loss and foster a love of lifelong learning. Whether it's diving into a good book, conducting science experiments, or exploring the great outdoors, there are endless opportunities for students to stay engaged and inspired over the summer months. We hope all Blue Dragons enjoy the summer break and come back in the fall recharged and ready to go. Take care, be safe, and have fun this summer!
Little Blue Dragon Corner by Mrs. Katie Hoekman, Elem. Principal
As we approach the summer break, it's a great time for students to relax and recharge. However, many parents are interested in supporting their child's educational journey over the summer. One of the most effective ways to do this is by engaging in reading activities together. Reading not only enhances literacy skills but also fosters a love for learning. As a former first-grade teacher, I often received questions from parents about how to support their child's education beyond reading. Here are some resources to explore:
IXL (ixl.com): IXL offers personalized learning in math, language arts, science, and social studies for K-12 students. It provides comprehensive, standards-aligned content that can help your child stay engaged and prepared for the upcoming school year.
Prodigy Game (prodigygame.com): Prodigy is a fun and interactive math platform that aligns with the curriculum. It uses a game-based approach to make learning math engaging and enjoyable for students.
Khan Academy (khanacademy.org): Khan Academy offers free lessons in math, science, and humanities from kindergarten to the early years of college. It provides practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard.
Zearn (zearn.org): Zearn Math is a top-rated math curriculum that offers engaging digital lessons and hands-on activities. It is aligned with the Eureka Math/EngageNY curriculum used in many schools.
Math Learning Center Apps (mathlearningcenter.org/apps): The Math Learning Center offers a variety of free math apps that can help reinforce math concepts and skills in a fun and interactive way.
Investigations at Home (investigations.terc.edu/at-home-resources/): TERC's Investigations in Number, Data, and Space program provides resources for families to support math learning at home. These resources include games, activities, and tips for parents.
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge (scholastic.com/summer/home/): Scholastic offers a summer reading program that motivates children to read by providing free access to e-books, reading activities, and book recommendations.
ReadWorks (readworks.org): ReadWorks provides reading comprehension passages and questions for students at various grade levels. It's a great resource for improving reading skills over the summer.
Storyline Online (storylineonline.net): Storyline Online features videos of actors reading children's books aloud. It's a fun way to enjoy stories together as a family.
Local Library Programs: Check with your local library for summer reading programs and other educational activities. Many libraries offer reading challenges, storytimes, and workshops during the summer months.
We hope these resources will help you support your child's learning over the summer months. Remember, the most important thing is to keep learning fun and engaging. Happy learning!
Nurse's Corner by Betsy Howe, RN, BSN
Children with Disabilities by Kayli Coburn, SPED Director
Summer ideas from the Garretson Special Education teachers!
1. Stay active; volunteer, go for walks, join a local club or group, or get a part time job. The options are endless!
Websites:
Here are a few kid friendly websites where your child can work on their learning and have fun.
Tech Tips w/ Mr. Matt Schrank, PK-12 Tech Coordinator
Off-Season Challenges
As the 23-24 school year comes to a close. A lot of us wonder how we can keeps our students/children actively learning or even maintaining what they learned throughout the school year. The obvious answer is to continue reading and seeking out new information. If you happen to have devices at home your kids can use, here are a few tools you can use:
1.) Khan Academy/Khan Academy Kids - There are so many resources within Khan Academy, and the Kids version is more for Pre-K through 2nd graders.
2.) PBS Kids - There are games and videos that offer some kid friendly language and skills
3.) Epic! - A great app for reading and it offers some assessments. It doesn’t beat holding a book in your hands, but it can help with getting books when you are on the GO!
4.) Prodigy Math - A favorite for upper elementary students!
Most of these tools are more relatable to elementary students. There are plenty of resources in Khan Academy for older students as well. We also see our High school students looking into Dual Credit opportunities during the summer, and ACT prep courses. If your High school student is taking a course over the summer, their iPads are available for summer checkout. Students will need to sign them out for the summer and check-in with Mr. Schrank.
From the Desk of the Activities Director, Kevin Steckler
OI Performance Enhancement Program
Garretson High School will again offer the OI Performance Enhancement Program. It is designed to give the athlete gains in their power, agility, speed, and strength; four key pillars of athleticism. The program is overseen by Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists from Orthopedic Institute Performance.
· Who: Males and Females going into grades 7-12…June 3 – August 2 (8 Weeks)
· When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
· July 1 – July 7 NO training (classified as dead week by SDHSAA)
· Sessions: (may be adjusted depending on number of participants)
o 6:00 – 7:30 am High School Boys
o 7:15 – 8:45 am High School Girls
o 8:30 – 10:00 am Junior High
· Cost: $260.00 + tax (if a family sign’s up more than one child each child will receive a 15% reduction from the $260.00
(2 options listed below registration link to sign up multiple siblings)
Online registration link:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=533937&stype=-8&sTG=29&sVie w=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000085
Registering Multiple Athletes (Siblings): Two Options
Option 1
1. Email Colby Orts for one-time use Family Discount Code. Email is Below.
2. Login/Create MindBody account.
3. Register for multiple sessions. Apply Promo Code at checkout screen.
4. Email Colby Orts with following information to correct names on rosters.
a. Email: corts@oiperformance.com
b. Information Needed
i. Athletes First and Last Name:
ii. Athletes Date of Birth:
iii. Physical Address:
iv. Parent email address
v. Parent Phone Number
c. Please specify which group your athletes are in!
Option 2
1. Create a Family Account on MindBody.
a. You will have to create a “Parent” Account and athlete’s accounts.
2. Click the link below and sign in with your MindBody account information or create an account.
a. https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=533937&stype=-8&sTG=29&sVie w=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000085
3. Find a session your athlete would like to join and click Sign Up Now.
4. Select Enroll.
5. At your Shopping Cart you can enter a Promo Code, or you can select Continue Shopping to add more sessions.
Lost and Found
Garretson Administration and School Board
Administration
Mr. Guy Johnson, Superintendent
Mr. Chris McGregor, MS/HS Principal
Mrs. Katie Hoekman, Elem. Principal
Mr. Jacob Schweitzer, Business Manager
Mr. Matt Schrank, Technology Administrator
Mrs. Kayli Coburn, SPED Director
School Board Members
Mr. Shannon Nordstrom, President
Mr. Andy Hulscher, Vice President
Mrs. Tana Clark
Mr. Wyatt Compton
Mrs. Jodi Gloe
The Board of Education meets the second Monday of every month in the Library. All regular meetings begin @ 6:00 p.m. Agendas are available in the Superintendent's office on the Friday before any meeting. The Garretson Gazette publishes the minutes of each meeting.
The Garretson School District 49-4 resolves not to discriminate against anyone because of race, sex, creed, color, national origin or disability. Persons seeking information or having complaints may contact Supt. Guy Johnson, Garretson Schools, 505 2nd Street, Garretson, SD 57030, phone 605-594-3451, or contact Regional Director, Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, 10220 North Executive Hills Boulevard, 8th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64153-1367