Garretson Blue Dragon Tales
August/September 2024
Superintendent News by Mr. Guy Johnson
Every school year brings the excitement of new beginnings. Our fall sports have already started, with our students working hard to get ready for competition that is only a couple short weeks away. Over the summer, our custodial staff has been hard at work preparing the building to welcome our students back from their months long break. Floors have been refinished, repairs have been done, and the deep cleaning has been completed. We can’t wait to have our students back in the building!
As we start this school year, we have a few notable improvements to the building and infrastructure. One significant improvement will probably not be seen by the public at all, but will help to keep our students safe and improve the security of the building. In the first week of August, Intellipro Security upgraded our video system. The old system was significantly outdated and had begun to crash when we attempted to access video from some of the cameras. The new system has upgraded high-definition cameras and has exceptional coverage of both the inside and outside of our campus.
Another change the public will see is the replacement of our scoreboard at the athletic complex and the addition of a high definition video board in our competition gymnasium. The scoreboard at the complex will be a nice improvement from the old scoreboard. It will include some decorative visual elements that dress it up a little. The scoreboard will be installed with the possibility of the addition of a video board, should the board of education decide that is the direction they would like to go in the next four or five years. The video board in the gym will present a great learning experience for some of our high school students through our multi-media course. Students will assist with the creation of graphics that will be on display during school events. We get excited about it any time that our students have the opportunity to show off their skills in public! The board will also be used at our public events beyond sporting activities. The board has the capability and resolution so that we will be able to use it for other events such as graduation and student assemblies.
Over the course of the summertime, while there are many things going on in the schoolhouse, it’s a different kind of “busy.” We are looking forward to noise, activity, and the hustle and bustle of our students coming back to us. Welcome back! We can’t wait to get the year started!
Every year, the district welcomes new staff. The 2024-2025 school year will feature a couple of new faces on our staff, and one former student that we welcome home. We are excited to see the positive impact that these new staff will have on our students.
Sherri Matthews will be stepping into the role of our middle and high school counselor this year. Ms. Matthews earned her Master’s degree in school counseling from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN this past summer. She completed her internship in the Sioux Falls School District in the 23-24 school year. This will be her first school counseling job. Ms. Matthews brings with her a wealth of experience from the business world. For nearly twenty years, she worked as a senior account manager for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Colorado Technical University in Sioux Falls. She brings with her a wealth of life experience. We look forward to the positive influence she will have on our students as they plan the next steps beyond high school.
Nathan Scieszinski will join our team as our K-12 health and PE teacher. Mr. Scieszinski is a 2024 graduate of South Dakota State University. Mr. S completed his student teaching in Watertown, Dell Rapids and at Mickelson Middle School in Brookings. He grew up near Tyndall, SD and grew up working on the family farm where they raised both crops and cattle. Mr. Scieszinski is sure to bring some excitement as well as he steps into the K-12 PE role. Mr. Scieszinski will also be coaching 7th and 8th grade football.
Dakota Johnson is a former student who has come home. He will be stepping into the fourth grade classroom. Dakota graduated from Dakota State University in Madison, SD in December of 2023. In the second semester of last year, Dakota spent time as a substitute teacher in Garretson and Colman-Egan. He completed his student teaching in the Colman-Egan school district. Dakota earned the respect of our staff as a student in the district. He was a positive leader throughout his HS career. We are excited to welcome him home, and look forward to the way he helps us create an environment in which all of our students can thrive!
New name, same great middle school teacher! Ms. Amber Williamson got married over the summer. Her name was changed to Amber Bos after the ceremony. She will continue to teach Middle School Social Studies and serve as the Head Soccer Coach and Assistant Girls Basketball Coach. Congratulations to Mrs. Bos!
Children with Disabilities by Kayli Coburn, SPED Director
WELCOME BACK from the Special Education Department!
We look forward to a great year with great students!
•Sherri Schoenfish will be teaching Elementary.
•Teddy Dauwen will be teaching Birth to 3 and PreK-12.
•Kayli Coburn will be teaching Middle School.
•Mallory Zell will be teaching High School.
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
Mr. Kevin Steckler, Activities Director
School Board Members
Mrs. Natasha Mendoza, President
Mrs. Tana Clark, Vice President
Mr. Wyatt Compton
Mr. Shannon Nordstrom
Mr. Justin Van De Berg
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