Hermosa School Family Newsletter

Hornet Families,

What a great week to be a Hornet! Over the past week, our school community has been buzzing with excitement. We celebrated National Walk to School Day, where students enjoyed the fresh air and the benefits of walking while strengthening their connection with friends and neighbors. It was a wonderful way to promote health and community spirit. We want to thank the town of Hermosa and all of the parents who joined us!

Additionally, our volleyball team showcased their hard work and dedication during games on Monday and Tuesday. We are incredibly proud of their teamwork and sportsmanship as they represented our school with enthusiasm.

Next week we have a bunch of events taking place. On Monday, we will celebrate Native American Day with engaging lessons and activities that honor and recognize the rich heritage of Native American cultures.

On Tuesday, don’t miss our World Fest music program, where students will be treated to global music traditions from a group of talented musicians.

Finally, please mark your calendars for our Parent-Teacher Conferences on Friday from 8:00 to 11:30 AM. Preschool - 4th grade teachers will be reaching out to schedule conferences, while middle school is open house style. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their teachers.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at these events!

Principal Paris

1. Referral and Evaluation: A student is referred for evaluation if there are concerns about their educational progress due to a suspected disability. After a comprehensive evaluation, if the student qualifies, the IEP is developed.

2. Development of the IEP: The IEP team meets to create the IEP, tailoring it to the student’s unique needs. Parents are critical members of the team and must give consent for the plan.

3. Implementation: The school is responsible for carrying out the services and supports outlined in the IEP.

4. Annual Review: The IEP must be reviewed at least once a year to monitor progress, update goals, and adjust services if necessary.

5. Reevaluation: Every three years, the student must undergo a reevaluation to determine if they still qualify for special education services and if any changes to the IEP are needed.

Legal Protections

An IEP is a legal document, meaning the school is obligated to provide the services and accommodations written in the IEP. If the school does not comply, parents have the right to request mediation, file complaints, or pursue due process.

An IEP ensures that students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed academically and thrive in their educational environment.

Another great week in the books!

This week in counseling lessons we concluded our regulation reintroduction with the rest of the grades. Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade now understand the basics of regulation, and what happens in our brain when we feel a strong emotion. We also know it can be challenging to work through strong emotions when we are dysregulated so it is important to pick a strategy to regulate. Middle Schoolers were challenged to reflect on a time they were dysregulated and their reaction made the situation worse versus a time they were dysregulated but regulated themselves before handling the situation.

The next two weeks will be focused on Bully Prevention and Red Ribbon Week. We will celebrate Red Ribbon Week from October 28th through October 31st. The theme this year is "Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free." With our younger students, Red Ribbon Week is centered around making healthy choices and how we take care of ourselves with play, eating right, exercising, and being kind to others. In 4th and 5th grade, we explore "natural highs," which are activities that make us feel good. We will watch videos of famous athletes who found their passion in something that makes them feel good instead of using drugs and alcohol and discuss the benefits of their choices. Middle School will learn about peer pressure and practice ways to say no. Students will also learn more about brain development, how our brain reacts to things we enjoy, and the dangers drugs can cause in rewiring our brains which can lead us to stop caring about things we enjoy and disconnect from others around us.

Hello!

Miss Henwood & Miss Venhuizen are excited to offer a fun Friday Opportunity!

Friday, October 25, we will be taking students to Rapid City to participate in the Downton Presidential Scavenger Hunt, as well as explore the newly renovated Dinosaur Hill. Before heading back to Hermosa, we will eat lunch at Uptown Rapid (the mall food court). Students can bring a packed lunch or money for lunch in the food court.

This field trip is open to students in 5th – 8th grade. We will be taking school vehicles, so we can ONLY TAKE 24 students. The first 24 students signed up will be the only ones able to go.

We will meet at the school @ 7:45 am and will leave at 8:00 am.

We will leave the Rushmore Mall at approximately 12:30 pm and arrive back in Hermosa around 1:00 pm.

Date: Friday, October 25th

Time: Meet at the school @ 7:45 am

Cost: Money for lunch (or a packed lunch)

Please Bring: a water bottle and snack if needed

Below is the link to sign up for this field trip. Please remember that there are limited spots available – we would appreciate it if you only sign up if you know your child is able to go. We understand that things come up. If you are signed up and are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as you can.

LINK: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TqIupz2XhERg77bjdyKB7eoHru4-tp8OPaZcI2CnQcY/edit?usp=sharing

As always, please let us know if you have any questions! Thank you for all you do!

Oct 10 - Volleyball @ Hermosa 4:00

Oct 15 - Volleyball @ RC Christian 4:00

7:30 Morning Playground Opens

7:40 Student Line-up

7:45 School Day Begins

3:30 Student Dismissal & Pick-up

* STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER SCHOOL

* PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE IF YOU PICK-UP PLANS CHANGE

Jennifer.Conley@k12.sd.us

Laura Butler (Secretary & Attendance)

Laura.Butler@k12.sd.us

Seanna Hewett (School Nurse)

Seanna.Hewett@k12.sd.us

Scan the QR code below to get the new Custer School District SD app. This app will be your hub for all things Hermosa School and Custer School District.

To educate every student to his or her potential.

Email: forrest.paris@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.csd.k12.sd.us/Domain/11
Location: 11 4th St, Hermosa, SD 57744, USA
Phone: (605) 255-4345
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/340944485980158/