Dragon Newsletter

Welcome to what is sure to be an excellent 2024-2025 school year! We are excited to share and update you on several new initiatives and programs we are working on. More information will follow in next month’s newsletter. Elementary teachers are diligently working on implementing our new math and reading curriculums, and Mrs. Anhorn has a new English Language Arts program she is implementing at the high school. Mr. Avalon is implementing a new math program for junior high learners that links to the new elementary math program. Teachers will attend weekly PLCs or Personalized Learning Community meetings, which allow educators to enhance their teaching practices and offer learners the support they need to ensure the best possible learning environment. Last year these meetings were bi-weekly, but this year we feel weekly meetings will be more efficient.

The elementary school, grades K-5, will use standards-based grading this year. Standards-based grading communicates how students are performing on a set of clearly defined learning targets based on teaching standards. The purpose of standards-based grading is to identify what a student knows in relation to the learning targets, as opposed to simply averaging grades/scores over the course of a quarter, which can mask what a student has learned or not learned. Standards-based grading allows students to understand specifically why they received each score. It allows teachers to have more relevant and differentiated instruction and offer assignments at a student’s appropriate level. When our new website is fully implemented, we will have a link available with more information.

We are in full swing with fall sports, and it is incredible to see so many youth athletes enrolled in our coop sports. Mrs. Schlaffman and Mr. Jangula are our co-op ADs, and Ms. Bussman will serve as our local AD. Please see the PowerSchool bulletin for game times. Next week is homecoming, so please see our timeline posted above for all of the events. Go Cougars!

High School Principal Points

In gearing up for another exciting school year, I want to take a moment to share some important updates and rules that will help foster a positive learning environment for all. These changes are designed to enhance student success, ensure safety, and strengthen the sense of community in our school. Please take a few moments to review these adjustments and discuss them with your students.

Attendance and Tardiness Policy: Attendance is critical to student success. To help students stay engaged in their learning, students are expected to arrive on time and attend every class. Accumulating more than 10 absences per class per semester will mean loss of credit in the class and/or retention. There is an option to make-up time after school or on Saturday with the principal, one hour for each class period over 10 absences. For example, a student has 14 absences in one class period, they would need to make up 4 hours to earn that credit back.

Last year we implemented the semester test exemption for Grades 9-12 and will continue it this year. Students can earn the right to not take semester tests at the end of each semester if they meet the following criteria: They have an A and three excused absences or a B with one excused absence. Every three tardies in a period becomes an unexcused absence. Any unexcused absence is loss of semester test exemption in that class period.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Effective immediately, the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices is prohibited during the school day. This includes instructional time and passing periods. Students must keep their devices in their lockers except when they go to lunch as they need them for their lunch number bar codes. Violations will result in confiscation of devices and repeat offenses leading to further disciplinary action.

Parking and Drop-Off Procedures: In order to improve safety and traffic flow, all students are to be dropped off and picked up at Door 6 on the north side of the high school. For students participating in extracurricular or co-curricular activities, drop-off and pick-up will occur at Door 1 on the west side of the high school. We ask that everyone adheres to these guidelines to ensure a smooth process for all.

Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Participation: We believe in the importance of extracurricular and co-curricular activities for student development. Our students are student-athletes and are required to maintain passing grades. Eligibility is run weekly and starts on Wednesday and runs until the next Wednesday. Students and coaches are informed if a student is ineligible along with parents.

Dress Code: Clothing should not disrupt the educational process or present safety concerns. Please reference the handbook for more specific guidelines. Hats are only allowed on the last day of each week and the students are to pay a fee to wear their hat.

We are confident that these updates will contribute to a more productive, safe, and supportive school environment. As always, we want to help every student succeed both academically and personally, and we look forward to working together with you to make this year the best one yet.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s make this school year one of achievement, growth, and positivity! If you have questions, you can contact me via email: daulan.bussman@k12.nd.us, work 701-363-2470 or cell 701-388-8302.

Hello from the PTO! We are in need of parents attending/joining the PTO! We have a meeting the 2nd Wednesday of every month, please try to attend some! It’s always good to get fresh ideas. Here’s our meeting dates for the year.