We are excited to announce that the Mitchell School district will now be using a new app called Thrillshare by Apptegy. You will notice changes in how we communicate with you and how you can communicate with us. We appreciate your patience as we are still learning. At this time, communication will probably go to all email addresses and phone numbers set up in the system but you will be able to go in and adjust that. You will need to let the office know if your email address or phone numbers change so that you can receive any important alerts.
Please Update Your Info
Make sure we have updated phone numbers, email addresses, household address and emergency contact information. Some of the info is from when your child started kindergarten and may have changed. If you need to know what info we have, please just ask. You may also login to the Campus Parent Portal (if your child is in 1st grade or above) to update information.
Mrs. Heckenlaible-principal
You won't often find Mrs. H in her office as she is usually walking through the building, observing classrooms, and helping where needed. In the mornings, you will often find her at the front doors, welcoming each student. Mrs. Heckenlaible has assembled a wonderful team at Longfellow who truly care about the students they are blessed to work with.
Noel Ahlers-Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant at Longfellow. - Miss Noel is at the front desk of the office and is typically the one answering the phone. Noel is there to help students, parents and teachers. If she doesn't know the answer, Noel will do her best to find out who does. She hopes you feel welcome when you stop in or call.
Heather Moller
Administrative Assistant to MSD Special Education Director - Heather is also in the front office. While her duties are mainly focused on the special education department for the district, she also helps answer phones at Longfellow. Miss Noel and Miss Heather work together to keep the office running smoothly.
...handle attendance? - ALWAYS contact the office at 605-995-3092 to report attendance. It is not the teacher's responsibility to let the office know, even if you message them. You MUST contact the office. If you do not notify the office (Dr appointment, illness, vacation, etc.) your child will be marked Absent Unexcused.
...handle Dr appointments? - If you need to take your child during the day for an appointment, please let the office know ahead of time. You MUST come in to sign your child in/out. We cannot let them run out to you. Your doctor/dentist office will be happy to give you a note to get the absence excused from school. Just ask them. They can also fax those to 605-995-3084 or email them to noel.ahlers@k12.sd.us
...add lunch money? - Checks or cash can be dropped off any time to the office. You can also log on to www.mymealtime.com and set up an account. Money can be deposited online through My Meal Time.
...get headphones? - You are welcome to bring your own headphones but we also have some in the office for your purchase at $5.00.
Bye bye, butterfly! Got to go, buffalo!
Thank you, parents, for keeping your "good-bye" and "have a good day" outside the front doors. Thank you for encouraging independence in your children.
We ask that you wait outside for pick up as well. This eliminates congestion inside the building. Our youngest lions will be brought out by their teachers and the older learners will come out after the dismissal bell rings.
It is incredibly important that you have your children use the marked crosswalks each and every time they cross the street. This is for the safety of all students, staff and drivers. Also, be sure you do not park along the yellow curb as it blocks the view of those crossing the street or the crossing guards who keep your children safe.
The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
Mitchell has two wonderful options for bussing, should you need to use them.
Foreman Bus Service (large yellow bus) and Palace Transit (small white bus) have different options. Please speak with them to see which will work best for you.
You are responsible for setting up their bussing as well as contacting the bus if your child will not be riding that day, for any reason.
Palace Transit 605-995-8440 Foreman Bus Service 800-310-2708
Over the Counter Medication at School
OTC medications such as Tylenol, cough medicine, cold medicine, etc, are not provided by the school. In fact, we cannot give your child medication without signed consent from a parent or guardian. If you would like your child to have any of the above medications available at school, please bring the medication (in it's original bottle with student's name on it) and fill out a medication consent form. Students are NOT PERMITTED to have medications (other than cough drops) in their lockers or backpacks. We're happy to keep those medications in the nurse's office, specifically labeled for that child or family. Please contact our nurse, Marlett Snoozy if you have any questions regarding medications at school. marlett.snoozy@k12.sd.us
Prescription Medication at School
Whether your child takes a daily medication at school for the entire year or for 2 weeks, we will need to keep that medication in the nurse's office. The medication MUST be brought into the office by an adult in the original prescription bottle and a parent/guardian will need to sign a consent form. You will find a link to the medication consent form above this article. Please contact our nurse, Marlett Snoozy if you have any questions regarding medications at school. marlett.snoozy@k12.sd.us
Our Parent/Teacher organization meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 3:30 pm. Our meetings last 30-45 minutes.
We will have a slight change of plans for August and have our meeting on August 23rd for this month. There is much to discuss including planning the Decade Disco so you won't want to miss out!
In the past, our PTO has hosted fun family events such as The Decade Disco, movie nights, Culver's night, Pizza Ranch night, etc. All of these great events help us provide things like water bottles, new student gift bags or even playground equipment for the students of Longfellow!
Get involved! Meet other parents! Help our students!
A Change to the Lunch Program
The federal government funded the free-meals-for-all program at the start of the pandemic and it was a wonderful relief. It meant that all students, even those not previously eligible for free or reduced meals, received breakfast and lunch at no charge! This program has now come to an end. If your child qualifies for free or reduced meals, they can still receive them, but YOU must take action to make that happen.
If you are concerned that you may not be able to afford school meals, we encourage you to fill out an application for free or reduced meal benefits as soon as possible. You will find a copy of this form in the school office but may also click the link below to print the form yourself. Please turn this form into the office as soon as possible and we will forward it to the food service department for processing.
If you already receive SNAP or TANF, you may be eligible for free or reduced meals but you still need to fill out the form.
