Dreamcatcher A publication of the Todd County School District, Mission, SD 57555 VOLUME 29 - ISSUE 8 - JUNE 2020 Remembering... These are unusual times, and affect all things. Current photos of our beloved students and awesome staff are now few and far between, thanks to COVID-19. However, we have volumes of photos from years past to share with you, beginning with School Year 2000-01. This photo comes from the honoring of Middle School Principal France Blanchard and Vice Principal Peggy Diekhoff, at the end-of-the year-school wacipi. Each school year will be featured in this and future issues. (see pages 24-27). Todd County School District Dreamcatcher, JUNE 2020 - Page 2 From the Todd County Elementary our Todd County School Thank You Educators... Superintendent... provided ideal space. Food District Family. We have May 1, 2020 Service personnel and the come through some pretty Good morning, it’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and I Bus Shop crew were out- scary times together. Our want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you do standing, showing up at 6 goal is to hopefully fol- for South Dakota students. I know this spring has pre- a.m. to begin packing the low our 2020-2021 School sented unimaginable challenges with schools closed due brown bag meals. Many Calendar as planned, with to COVID-19. I’ve been so impressed with the way you’ve other TCSD staff members the first day of classes on stepped up and done such creative things to stay con- also pitched in during the Tuesday, August 25. nected with your students and to keep their education two-and-one-half months We missed out on a lot going to the greatest extent possible. I’ve also been im- we were on the assembly of end-of-the-year celebra- pressed with how you have supported one another. The lines. tions with our staff and blogs, chats, videos, and texts filled with support and At the end of April, we students, and not having ideas you’ve all shared with each other are signs of a had produced 100,000 our Hope College Fam- healthy profession and an example to us all. meals. ily visit us (which would This is a stressful time for everyone, and I’m Our grateful thanks have been their 30th An- deeply grateful for how steadfast you’ve been in stay- goes out to all the Rosebud nual trip) was also very ing in touch with your students, whether virtually, via Sioux Tribal Community disheartening. phone calls, or at teacher parades. The importance of a Chairpersons and Mem- Thank you again to calming voice and a familiar face during times like these bers. Without their help, each and every one of cannot be overstated. Though you’ve been forced to be On March 16, 2020, our the project would not have our amazing TCSD Staff. apart, you are as important as ever to your students’ world changed. Schools been possible. We should all be together well-being. For retiring educators and teachers of high were closed. Busses were On the last day of our again in August. school seniors, I know that the way this school year is parked in their stalls. school year, we packed ending is particularly difficult. And yet even for you, I Students stayed at home. the last meal – Number Respectfully, know that because of the creativity that just seems to be Staff was placed tempo- 219,318. Carol Galbraith, part of a teacher’s DNA, these milestones will be marked rarily on leave. COVID-19 I am so proud of all of TCSD Superintendent in brand-new, innovative ways. was slowly creeping across the nation. Benjamin F. Jones, Ph.D. But children still IEP data copies available... Cabinet Secretary, SD Department of Education needed education, and The Family Educational Rights Privacy Act re- they still needed food. quires in part that “ All personally identifiable data Todd County El- maintained on children be destroyed within five (5) ementary Schools, follow- years after data is no longer needed to provide educa- ing state guidelines for tional services to the child.” flex learning, began to The Todd County School District Exceptional Educa- gather materials to send tion Department has been maintaining information on Published by to those students, while some students. The data may consist of no longer us- the Todd County School District administrators and teach- able Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), test results, P.O. Box 87, Mission, SD 57555 ers in charge of Middle progress reports, referral information, etc. If you 605-856-3501 would like to have a copy of any of the above listed in- and High School classes Board of Education: managed most of them on- formation, please contact Anna LaDeaux on or before line. Their efforts and the July 31, 2020 via phone at (605) 856-3513, via email at Debra Boyd - President results were phenomenal. [email protected] or stop in at the Exceptional Linda Bordeaux - Vice President In fact, the Todd County Education Office in Mission, SD. Upon request, the in- Michelle Allen - Member High School Class of 2020 formation will be mailed to you. Shelley Means - Member will set a new record on Any of the dated information not picked up or re- quested by July 31, 20120 will be destroyed the follow- Tim Cournoyer - Member Saturday, June 27 with Superintendent - Carol Galbraith 102 graduates. ing business week, starting August 3, 2020. At first, feeding 2,200 If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free Business Manager - Chad Blotsky children two meals a day to contact Anna at (605) 856-3513. Dreamcatcher Editor: Phyllis Littau seemed an impossible task, email: [email protected] but thanks to the guidance Sage Fast Dog elected to TCSD Board... The Dreamcatcher is a monthly publication for patrons of the Todd County School District. We welcome your comments and of our Business Manager Results of the June 2 School Board Election suggestions. Inquiries concerning the application of Title VI, Title Chad Blotsky, the project show Sage Fast Dog winning the three-year seat on the IX or Section 504, Affirmative Action and the Americans With was up and running in two TCSD Board with 601 votes. Incumbent Linda Bordeaux Disabilities Act, should be referred to Richard Medema, Human Re- days. sources Director, P.O. Box 87, Mission, SD 57555, 605-856-3501, or received 265, Glen Yellow Eagle 96, and Jennifer Bor- to the Regional Director, Dept. of Education, Office of Civil Rights, The Commons Area of deaux-Black Bear 90. 1244 Spear Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80202-3582. Todd County School District Dreamcatcher - JUNE 2020 - Page 3 Not business as usual, but business as adjusted… “Basically, K-8 will be promoted, Gal- braith said. “High School students, of course, will have to complete their requirements.” Todd County Board, Staff, still working Board Members asked for a survey of the teachers to see how much response is com- for the kids, meals hit 100,000 mark… ing back from the students. Galbraith noted that the priorities right MISSION – Todd County’s Board of Ed- fessional Development opportunities for staff, now are providing thousands of breakfasts ucation held its April 14 Regular meeting as possibly virtual. and lunches, along with the academic oppor- scheduled, although with a slightly different Superintendent Carol Galbraith said a tunities. “ The situation is ever-changing and venue. It was live-streamed only, with an op- guide from the State urged schools to be mind- fluid,” she said. tion for the public to call in with questions or ful that the kids go on by meeting require- The Superintendent and the Board all comments. ments. expressed their appreciation for the teachers Many things are different these days She also noted that staff members are and all TCSD Staff. Galbraith noted that the with no students in classrooms, people asked on hand at the District Office to answer calls, breakfast/lunch project now “runs like a well- to remain in their homes, business closed. The refer them or get messages to attendance cen- oiled machine,” that there is a feeling of good corona virus has indeed changed our way of ters when necessary. will, and team building on the assembly lines life. We are advised to refrain from touching The High School is making sure Se- that was never planned. others, stay six feet apart, and on and on. niors are getting what they need to complete Note: As of Friday, April 17, over Todd County Schools have met the edu- their courses, she said. 100,000 meals have been provided, and the cational challenge caused by the virus, with in- Board Member Linda Bordeaux said project will continue through the end of May. novative , alternative methods of getting class many families do not have internet and are We have a ton of fantastic employees,” materials to students via the internet, and getting burned out trying to keep up with the Galbraith said. “We just keep on doing what packets to the younger students. classes. we are doing.” Information on the progress of Todd “We will respect that hardship,” Gal- “We are all in this together,” President County’s response to instruction was given in braith said. Debra Boyd added. “We are facing the un- a written report by Dr. Krista Morrison, Cur- Board Members asked how it will be de- known. Thank you everyone.” riculum, Instruction and Assessment Director. termined which students move on. Dr. Morrison also discussed future Pro- TCSD Board hears Middle, High School Reports, Graduation set for June 27 or July 24, Parmelee School on go… MISSION – Todd County’s Class of 2020 Todd County Eighth Graders at the Fair, “If help with continuing the students’ education.