Hermosa School Family Newsletter

Hornet Families,

This week was full of exciting activities and learning experiences at Hermosa School!

Preschool Pumpkin Patch Field Trip:
The preschoolers kicked off the week with a fun and educational visit to the Lil' Harvester's Pumpkin Patch on Tuesday. The kids enjoyed checking out the pumpkins, exploring the farm, and learning about the fall harvest season. It was a hands-on experience filled with smiles and seasonal joy as they learned about different kinds of pumpkins, gourds, and the work that goes into farming.

Hollie Strand's Digital Safety Presentation:
Later that day, parents and students attended an important presentation by Hollie Strand on Digital Safety and how to keep your children safe online. Strand, an expert in digital safety, provided valuable insights on managing online risks, recognizing the signs of cyberbullying, and tips for parents on setting appropriate boundaries for technology use at home. The session was highly informative and timely, as it addressed key concerns in today’s digital age.

8th-Grade Mole Day Celebration at South Dakota Mines:
On Wednesday, the 8th-grade class embarked on a unique educational trip to South Dakota Mines to celebrate Mole Day, a day dedicated to Avogadro’s number (6.02 x 10²³). The students participated in hands-on science activities, including demonstrations related to chemistry and mole concepts. It was a great opportunity for students to explore the world of science and get a taste of what university-level STEM education looks like.

Girls Basketball Practice Begins:
Also on Wednesday, Hermosa School’s girls basketball team hit the court for their first official practice of the season. Coaches and players worked on conditioning, team drills, and strategies to prepare for the upcoming season. Coach Lowe and Ellerton are full of energy and eager to start what promises to be a competitive and exciting season.

Haunted School House & Middle School Dance Tonight!

Join us for a spooky night at the Haunted School House, presented by the 8th-grade Leadership Class, this tonight form 5:30-7:00. Prepare for some thrills and chills as the students transform the school into a haunted adventure!

After the haunting, middle school students can dance the night away at the Middle School Dance for 5th-8th grade from 7:00-9:00. It’s going to be a night full of fun, frights, and great memories!

Get ready for an exciting week ahead!

• Red Ribbon Week kicks off from October 28-31, with fun activities promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Checkout the themed dress-up days and events to spread awareness below!

• Picture Retake Day is this Wednesday, so if you missed the first round or need a redo, be sure to come prepared with your best smile.

• On Thursday, don’t miss our festive Trunk or Treat in the West parking lot from 2:45-3:15. Students will parade around the parking lot and parents, guardians, and family members can decorate their trunks and hand out treats for a fun Halloween afternoon! If the weather does not cooperate, we will do a Halloween Parade through the school!

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled week at Hermosa!

It's a great day to be a Hornet!

Principal Paris

We had a decent turn-out for Hollie Strand and Elliot Harding's presentation on Digital Safety: Keeping Your Child Safe on Tuesday evening at the school. As always, we wish we could bring the live version to all parents, but we know schedules are busy. Below is the link to the presentation they gave AND a video from a previous presentation they gave. Although it is better in person, something is better than nothing.

Two of the best points Hollie and Detective Harding gave to the parents at the presentation was this...

- Cell Phones and tablets are as dangerous as drugs. Children are becoming so addicted to them that when they are taken away, they simply cannot function. They become violent and lose their ability to concentrate. This makes paying attention in school extremely difficult.

- It is our job as parents to ensure we are parenting our children to be responsible in all areas of life. It is NOT our job to be their friend. Setting boundaries with your child and teaching them life skills will ensure they turn into productive adults that can operate in society.

Parent-Community [Autosaved].pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIg_EL7nO8A

Students must always follow the CSD dress code policy on dress-up days. On Halloween, there is no face paint, masks, or blood/gore allowed.

What was lost, has been found! Our Lost & Found tables are over-flowing with lost clothes, shoes, and other expensive items. Please remind your child or stop into the office to check it out.

ALL LOST AND FOUND ITEMS WILL BE DONATED AFTER NOVEMBER 14.

At Hermosa School, we are proud to have a dedicated and caring team working together to support our students and families.

Our leadership includes one administrator and one school counselor who are here to guide and support your child’s academic and emotional growth. In the front office, our two office staff members and half-time nurse are ready to assist with daily needs and health concerns.

Our teaching team includes 12 classroom teachers and four specials teachers (art, music, PE, etc.), along with one math interventionist and one reading interventionist, who provide extra support where needed.

We also have a fantastic special education team, with three special education teachers and nine special education paraprofessionals to ensure all students receive the individualized attention they need. Additionally, our five general education paraprofessionals work closely with teachers to support learning in the classroom.

Behind the scenes, our five support staff and dedicated custodial team, consisting of two full-time custodians and one part-time custodian, ensure the school runs smoothly and remains a safe, clean environment for our students.

Together, we form a committed community, working to provide the best education and care for every student at Hermosa!

Happy Weekend!

Red Ribbon Lessons this week have been a success. We celebrate Red Ribbon Week once a month to learn about the importance of healthy choices and developing healthy habits. Having these conversations while we are younger helps us prioritize our health and realize that many healthy/safe options bring enjoyment, and we don't need fake enjoyment from substances. Talking about healthy choices has been a great way to connect students with their dependence on technology. This further reinforces the Tuesday Assembly 4th—8th grade had.

Just like substances like drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, technology (video games, cell phones, tablets, etc.) gives false enjoyment by releasing dopamine (a feel-good chemical) in our brains. When our device is taken away, we experience a strong emotion — anger, sadness, frustration, etc. and crave our technology until we get it again. The amazing thing is students as young as kindergarten recognize this! Similar talks about sugar were also brought up, especially with Halloween next week, how our body reacts to too much sugar, and how we feel when we don't get the sugar we are used to. All students know, however, that Mrs. Graveman is just as guilty with her coffee 🙂.

Next week we are officially celebrating Red Ribbon Week with dress-up days, a school banner to commit to healthy choices and a school picture as we all wear red on Tuesday. The continuation of Red Ribbon Lessons which focus on healthy and unhealthy choices in our younger grades, move toward natural highs and activities that make us feel good instead of using substances, learning about the brain and how substances trick us into a serious conversation about the risk of trying any drugs as we get older.

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. 28th - Boys and Girls Wrestling Practice Begins 3:30-5:30

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 (Admin Assistant)

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.

Hermosa School

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/