Hello Tatanka Families,

Welcome back to another amazing school year! We are very excited to see all of our new and returning students! Thank you to the families and students that attended our Open house on August 19th, it was a great turn out and we always welcome an opportunity to visit with you all.

We are excited to share with you some important updates about our academic program at Lakota Tech High School. Our goal is to provide the best possible education for your children, and we've made some decisions based on careful analysis of our students' performance data.

Last year's MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test results have given us valuable insights into our students' strengths and areas for improvement in Math and Reading. This data has helped us make informed decisions to better support your child's academic growth.

Based on these results, we've identified several key areas for improvement:

1. We will have a 7 period schedule, rather than the block scheduling.

2. Daily Math and English Language Arts (ELA) Classes:

We've realized that our students benefit from consistent, daily instruction in these core subjects. Therefore, all students will now have year long Math and ELA classes, rather than by semester.

3. Personalized Learning Support:

We're introducing a new credited program called WIN (What I Need). This will provide targeted intervention or enrichment in both ELA and Math. This approach allows us to meet each student's individual needs more effectively.

3. In-Class Interventions:

Teachers will also implement daily interventions and support within their regular classes, based on ongoing assessments of your child's progress in meeting content standards.

4. Academic Advisory:

Students will participate in academic advisory with their teachers weekly. This time will be used for goal setting, monitoring attendance, assignments, and grades. It's also an opportunity for class-specific projects and objectives.

Each grade level or class is also assigned a Student Success Coordinator:

9th - Ruth Allery - ruth.allery@k12.sd.us or call 1-877-651-OLCSD Ext. 7007

10th - Makoce Bear Runner - makoce.bearrunner@k12.sd.us or call 1-877-651-OLCSD Ext. 7231

11th - Russ Cournoyer - russ.cournoyer@k12.sd.us or call 1-877-651-OLCSD Ext. 7229

12th - Greg Stolley - greg.stolley@k12.sd.us or call 1-877-651-OLCSD Ext. 7128

These changes are designed to:

- Address learning gaps

- Increase grade-level proficiency

- Boost overall academic achievement

- Help students meet the criteria for an Advanced and Advanced Honors Endorsement as set by the South Dakota Department of Education, potentially opening up more scholarship opportunities

We believe these adjustments will significantly benefit all our students, providing them with the support they need to succeed academically and prepare for their future.

We value your partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these changes further, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Respectfully,

Chanda Spotted Eagle

Principal

Bus Transportation:

We appreciated your patience as we struggled to have consistency during the first two weeks, with the influx of students and the addition of some new drivers. This week should be smoother and you should be able to have consistent pick up and drop off times. Moving forward please ensure your student is ready at their stop at their pick up time.

Bus routes/drivers:

Pine Ridge North of Highway 18 - Richard Greenwald, Sr.

Pine Ridge South of Highway 18 - Daylon Black Bull

Allen, Boondocks, Batesland, Wakpamni Housing - Russ Cournoyer

Oglala & Lakeside - Virgil Charge on Him

Red Shirt, Loneman Housing - Marei Kingi

Gooseneck, Pinky’s, Wounded Knee - Ben Bordeaux

Kyle, No Flesh, Sharps Corner, Porcupine - Jesse Red Wing

#6 - Jhoni Big Crow

Special Education - Allan Romero

Wolfcreek Housing (am) - Pat Clifford

Wolfcreek Housing (pm) - Doug Novotny

Should you have any other questions please call 605-646-9001 ext. 0 and talk to Alexandria Bettelyoun or call Charlie Eagle Bull at 605-646-9080

Monday: NO School Labor Day

Tuesday (Early Release Schedule):

• Parent Action Committee (P.A.C) Meeting @ 5:30pm at L.T.H.S

• Home Volleyball game vs Pine Ridge - C team - 4:00 pm start, JV - 5:00 pm, Varsity - 6:00 pm

• Cross Country Mile High Preview cross country meet, Tomahawk Country Club Deadwood, SD 11:00 am start, bus will leave Lakota Tech at 7:00 am

• Boys Golf Douglas Invite boys golf meet, Prairie Ridge Golf Course, Box Elder, SD 9:00 am Tee Time

Wednesday:

• Sports practices - 3:45 - 5:45 activity busses leave at 6:00 pm

Thursday:

• Sports practices - 3:45 - 5:45 activity busses leave at 6:00 pm

• Competitive Dance Team to Belle Fourche Invite @ 5:00 pm - depart school at Noon.

Friday:

• Home Football Game vs. Vermillion 5:00 pm kick-off

• Cross Country Northern Hills Invite Spearfish, SD, 10:00 am start; bus will leave Lakota Tech at 6:00 am

Fall Sports:

Volleyball, Boys Golf, Football, Sideline Cheer, Competitive Dance and Cheer

Athletic Director:

Francis Big Crow 605-646-9207 or

francis.bigcrow@k12.sd.us

Student Council Campaigns and Elections took place last week. Congratulations to our newly elected Student Council and Class Officers for the 2024-2025 School Year!

(Click the picture ---> to see a listing of positions---->)

Activities Director:

Misty Mousseaux-Begay 605-646-9217

misty.mousseaux@k12.sd.us

We are currently surveying students and staff to see what after school activities and offerings will be offered throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons at Lakota Tech High School. Information will be coming in the near future.

ADDRESS:

14 New Wolf Creek Road

Pine Ridge, SD 57770

Phone: 605.646.9001

Fax: 605.646.9197

Email: oglalalakotacounty.receptionist@k12.sd.us

WEBSITE: https://www.olcsd.com/o/lakota-tech

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/LakotaTech?mibextid=JRoKGi