DHS Newsletter
March 2023
MISSION
Our mission is to prepare all learners for life-long success through a safe, collaborative, and innovative learning community.
VISION
Success for all!
DHS ADMIN
- Jeff Brandt, Principal - jbrandt@dpsnd.org
- Tad Schye, Asst. Principal - tschye@dpsnd.org
- Randy Cranston, Asst. Principal - rcranston@dpsnd.org
- Guy Fridley, Athletic Director - gfridley@dpsnd.org
A Note From Principal Jeff Brandt
Winter activities season is winding down and hopefully that means that the weather will soon be getting nicer and Spring will be on the way! I want to thank all of our advisors, coaches, and participants for their time and effort and how they represented Dickinson High School and the community over the season.
I want to update everyone on conversations that we have been having as an administration team, as well as with our office staff. We have been discussing ways that we can make our building more secure. One of the ideas that we have discussed would be locking the doors throughout the day. There are challenges that are presented with our building and location:
- Open campus
- Numerous buildings on campus with classrooms
- Open lunch
These obstacles are not likely to go away any time soon. However, that does not mean that we should not be trying to alleviate those challenges.
In the event that we do decide to pursue making our building more secure (meaning locking doors throughout the day), we will be sure to communicate with the public, including parents, staff, and students thoroughly so that you are aware of any changes to how/when to enter DHS.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff at Dickinson High School!
Jeff Brandt
Important Dates
March 3rd - No School
March 7th - ACT Test (Juniors)
March 12th - Daylight Savings
March 24th - Early Release
Early Release
For early release at the HIGHSCHOOL, classes will be dismissed for the day at 12:30pm. Lunch will still be available to students after dismissal. Busses for the district will start running at 1:00pm.
Academy Awards Breakfast
Dickinson High School held its first ever Academy Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, March 1st, at the Dickinson High School Library. Each Academy selected 5 students to be recognized for the 1st Semester for demonstrating SMORE (Self-reliant, Motivated, Organized, Respectful, Exemplary) behavior. The following students were selected:
Radheeka Weeraratne - Freshman Academy
Memphis Fite - Freshman Academy
Blake Homiston - Freshman Academy
Gabriel Ricks - Freshman Academy
Sadie Kuntz - Freshman Academy
Carly Rehbein - BMA Academy
Conner Messer - BMA Academy
Kylee Collins - BMA Academy
Avery Welk - BMA Academy
Gus Zettel - BMA Academy
Rikky Wyatt - HHS Academy
Lucas Shilman - HHS Academy
Charley Rathgeber - HHS Academy
Owen Bittner - HHS Academy
Ericka Williams - HHS Academy
Aidan Dahmus - ETS Academy
Mara Mayer - ETS Academy
Tristan Tippett - ETS Academy
Dylan Porter - ETS Academy
James Bozovsky - ETS Academy
Food was donated by Baker Boy, Cashwise, Market Press, Freshman Academy, BMA Academy, HHS Academy, ETS Academy, LW Creative Designz, Cenex, Subway, Hardees, Pizza Hut, and DHS Food Prep class. Congratulations to the award winners! Dickinson High School is proud to have them representing our school.
ACT Test
ACT testing for Juniors is a MANDATORY test. Students must be in the building at 8:00am. No late student will be allowed to take the test that day. Students must bring a Photo ID and their fully charged computer device. Make up ACT test will be the week of March 21st. Tests will last until approximately 1:00pm and students will receive the rest of 3rd block off for lunch.
Special Olympics
State Special Olympics was February 25th and 26th. Dickinson High School had 3 students compete. Victoria Haney and her team took 3rd place in their division winning 26-20. Zach Dobitz and Ryan Duppong played in the championship game losing 26-25 to receive 2nd place. Great Job to all participants!
WDA Academic Olympic Competition
The 2023 WDA Academic Olympic competition will be held Tuesday, March 7 in Bismarck at the Bismarck Career Academy. The students competing for DHS are seniors Elizabeth Keele, Brandon Schutes, Joseaphine Thomas, Agustin Zettel, and juniors Owen Bittner and Brandon Tackett.
The top four finishing team will advance to the state competition also held in Bismarck. The team is coached by DHS English Teacher, Mrs. Sheila Hlibichuk.
National Honor Society
National Honor Society students gathered on the morning of late start Wednesday, 2/22/23, and made a second batch of fleece blankets. This time they made and donated 10 blankets to the Domestic Violence and RCC.
Induction Ceremony for New NHS members will be Wednesday, March 29th, at 7:00pm in the DHS Auditorium.
Music Department News
This year has been full of many achievements by the students in the Dickinson High School Music Department. In the fall of 2022, students had the opportunity to audition to be a part of the following festivals; Northwest International Festival of Music-Minot, Northern Plains Music Festival-Dickinson, University of North Dakota Honor Band, Choir & Strings Festival, and All-State Music Festival. The results of those auditions are listed below.
When attending the festival in Minot, the choir students had the opportunity to be conducted and taught by Norwegian composer and conductor, Thomas Caplin. Northern Plains music festival was held a couple of weeks after the Minot festival at Dickinson State University. The weather did not want to cooperate, but we were still able to attend. They had a concert band, women's choir and mixed choir. In late January, we traveled to Grand Forks for the UND Honor Band and Choir. The unique part of this festival is that the conductors travel all around the state of ND in the fall to listen to students audition live in person.
We still have many events we are looking forward to in the coming months. On March 7, the Concert Band (9-10 Graders) will compete in the Big Muddy, a large group festival held in Mandan. On March 10th, the Minot State University Choir will be performing at the Assumption Abbey in Richardton at 7:00PM and have asked our choir members to join them in singing a couple of songs at their concert. A list of our upcoming performances is listed below.
Upcoming Events:
March 7th- Big Muddy in Mandan, ND
March 10th- Richardton Abbey with Minot State & Watford City Choir
March 13th Choir Concert
March 15th- WDA Brass Festival
March 21st- Band Concert
March 23-25 All State Music Conference
March 30th-WDA Vocal Contest
April 28th- State Vocal Contest
May 4-6-Choir Tour
May 15th-Choir Concert
May 22nd- Band Concert
Prom
Prom this year will be April 1st at the DHS gymnasium from 7:00pm-11:00pm. This year’s prom theme is “Once Upon a Time”. Grand March will start at 7:00pm for Group 1 and 8:15pm for Group 2. Grand March groups are decided by time of ticket purchase. Tickets are $25 and go on sale at DHS on March 13th.
Dickinson High School Students are permitted to invite students from other schools (grades 11-12) to be their guests at prom (limit of one guest per student). A Guest Request Form must be filled out. If a guest from another school is approved, a school or government issued ID must be presented upon entering the dance. If not currently attending school, guests must be at least 17 years of age, but not over 20 years of age. DHS students are completely responsible for their guests.
Teacher Spotlight
Mrs. Kelly Olson was nationally recognized by Empowered for showcasing and supporting and supporting CTE programs to the state legislators. Empowered in a non profit teacher organization that provides curriculum and support. Mrs. Olson uses their curriculum for her Business Fundamentals and Entrepreneurship classes. Mrs. Olson finds their curriculum helpful because it is hands on and engaging for the students. They also utilized it for their Market Day experience.
Spring Sports Start Dates
Boys and Girls Track & Field - Febuary 27th
Baseball - March 20th
Softball - March 20th (Grades 7-12)
Girls Soccer - March 27th
Girls Tennis - April 3rd (Grades 7-12)
Boys Golf - April 10th
2023 Graduation
Graduation for the class of 2023 will be Sunday, May 28th. The ceremony will be held at the BAC at 1:00pm, weather permitting. Yearbooks, Class Rings, Caps and gowns can be ordered through Jostens. https://www.jostens.com/
Senior Pictures
Senior Photos must be turned in by March, 16th, 2023 in order for them to be printed in the 2023 yearbook. Please e-mail photos to hlockert@dpsnd.org. Photos must be sent as a JPEG and have a high pixel quality to avoid possible distortion.
Student Appointments/Dismissal
- Call 701-456-0030 and choose option 1 for attendance.
- Give us your student’s name and requested dismissal time.
- PLEASE notify us at least 2 hours before requested dismissal time. We cannot guarantee your student be released on time without sufficient notice.
- Phone calls must be placed by a parent or guardian.
- At the time of dismissal, your student is free to leave campus. Parents do not need to enter the building.
- All medical appointments require medical documentation to be considered excused.
Activities
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