Cossack Connection

Dear Cossack Families,

Hard to believe we're already one month into the new year and approaching midterms for the third quarter, especially with grass still visible outside! February is an exciting time as we ramp up for state assessments, continue to chip away at our daily tasks for growth within the school year, recognize excellence in our school with our Teacher and Classified Staff Members of the Year, and gear up for next year with high school course registration, with students soon working on their Four-Year Plans of Study.

Upcoming Events:

• Middle School Conferences: Scheduled for February 13th, these conferences offer a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss student progress and set goals for the remainder of the academic year. Please look out for the Sign-Up Genius links, which will be sent later this month.

• High School Registration Information Night: Our second annual High School Registration Information Night will be held on Thursday, February 13th. This event allows parents and students to engage with high school teachers, explore course offerings, visit classrooms, and gain insights into topics such as four-year course planning and dual credit classes.

• Coffee and Conversation: I invite you to join me on February 13th at 4:00 PM in the conference room for an informal gathering. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have and to strengthen our school community bonds.

Emphasis on "See Something, Say Something":

At Sioux Valley, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. We encourage all students and parents to embrace see something, say something. If you observe any behavior or situations that seem concerning or out of the ordinary, please report them to a trusted adult or school official. By staying vigilant and communicating openly, we can work together to maintain a secure and supportive environment for everyone.

Promoting Above the Line Behavior:

We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, and safety. Above the Line behavior refers to actions that are positive, constructive, and aligned with our school's values. We encourage students to be open, curious, and committed to learning, taking ownership of their actions, and striving for excellence in all they do. By consistently engaging in Above the Line behaviors, we create a positive and inclusive atmosphere where all students can thrive.

Your involvement and support are vital to our students' success. I look forward to collaborating with you throughout this semester to provide the best educational experience for our Cossacks.

With Cossack Pride,

Tyler Bolstad

6-12 Principal

February 5 - 3rd Quarter Midterms

February 10 - School Board Meeting at 6:30 PM

February 13 - High School Registration Information Night; Middle School Conferences

February 14 - Staff Development Day - No Students

February 17 - Presidents Day - No School

March 10 - School Board Meeting at 6:30 PM

March 12 - End of the 3rd Quarter

March 13-14 - Spring Break - No School

February 13th, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us for our Registration Information Night at Sioux Valley High School. It's an informal and engaging event where you can explore classrooms, labs, and the commons while meeting our staff. Discover all the classes and academic opportunities we have to offer. It's a great opportunity for both students and parents to learn more about our school and to discuss potential course offerings.

Event Highlights:

4:00 PM: Coffee & Conversation with Mr. Bolstad

5:00 PM: Study & Organization Skills for Students with Mr. Ruesink

5:30 PM: Youth Internship Presentation with Mrs. Jaquet

6:00 PM: 4-Year Course Planning with Mrs. Jorgenson

6:30 PM: Dual Credit 101 with Mrs. Ostrem

7:00 PM: Sioux Valley Junior Honor Society Induction with Mr. Bachman

• February 13th, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Middle School Only; High School will be holding Registration Information Night; HS Parents - Feel free to stop in if you would like to touch base with a teacher regarding your child's academic progress.)

Parent-Teacher Conferences are an opportunity to hear about your student's academic progress directly from his/her instructors. 15-minute sessions can be scheduled with your child's teachers using Sign-Up Genius links found here.

We warmly invite you to join us for our Coffee and Conversation Gatherings for the upcoming school year.

Date: February 13th

Time: 4:00 PM

Location: MS/HS Conference Room

Come enjoy some coffee and baked goods as we discuss the latest developments and initiatives at Sioux Valley Middle School and Sioux Valley High School. Your input and participation are important to us, and we look forward to sharing meaningful conversations that will help us foster a thriving educational community.

SAVE THE DATE for Tuesday, February 11th to Thursday, February 12th and get ready to empower your reader with book choice. Start exploring together:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/siouxvalleyschdistrict

Congratulations to our Sioux Valley Middle School and High School Students of the Month for Academics and Character!

6th Grade - Lauren and Payton

7th Grade - Kennedy and Anna

8th Grade - Kyra and Ella

Freshmen - Dominic and Ava

Sophomores - Kailey and Patrick

Juniors - Lacey and Abby

Seniors - Jake and Donovan

Keep shining bright, Cossacks!

Congratulations to Quynn N. and Trentyn S. for being selected to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership camp June 5-8 at Dakota State University.

Sioux Valley high school art students had the opportunity of submitting artwork to the 2025 Augustana Art Invitational at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The artwork will be displayed on the campus of Augustana in the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery from January 16 through February 7, 2025.

Pictured from left to right are, Michael Aasness, Sioux Valley 6-12 Art Instructor, and the students with their artwork: Hunter Steinhaus, junior, "Grandpapy", stoneware clay, Alicia Collins, junior, "Old Dandy", graphite on paper, Sunny Hesby, senior, "Untitled", stoneware clay.

The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 1-4 pm. Please note the gallery will be closed over Augustana's interim break, from January 30- Feb. 5.

On Friday, February 7, there will be Closing Events and a reception beginning at 5:45 pm held at the Center for Visual Arts building at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. This will include a reception, along with door prizes, open studios tours, and demonstrations from 6 - 7:10 pm. The Awards Ceremony will be held at 7:30 pm in the Hamre Recital Hall.

We are excited to share that registration is now open for this summer's Service Leadership Academies (SLA), scheduled for June 2-4 and July 30-August 1 at Augustana University. These academies offer students a valuable opportunity to develop leadership skills through service-oriented activities.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students can apply using the following link: https://forms.gle/qMR8wMJwehYuMH366

For a glimpse into the experiences of past participants, you can watch a KELO news story about the SLA here:

Additionally, an informational video about the academy is available here: https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/local-high-schoolers-learning-leadership-skills/

We encourage students to take advantage of this enriching experience to enhance their leadership abilities and make a positive impact in their communities.

Video credit to Caitlin R.

Video credit to Kailey C.

Video credit to Kailey C.

Attention 2025-26 7th and 8th grade students: Free Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Summer Camps in summer 2025! Five-day residential camps hosted on South Dakota college campuses. Dates and locations of the camps located Summer Camps page.

Safe2Say South Dakota is a statewide tip line that allows South Dakota students, school staff, and community members to safely and anonymously report sensitive information that concerns their safety, or the safety of others, including mental health concerns.

How it Works

Safe2Say South Dakota operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone with information about a potentially dangerous situation can call the toll-free number at 1-844-3SD-SAFE/1-844-373-7233, make a web report by clicking the Submit a Tip Online button, or by downloading the mobile app and making a report from a smartphone or digital device.

A trained Safe2Say analyst will interact with the person reporting the safety concerns and forward the information to a multi-disciplinary team consisting of school officials, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. Safe2Say South Dakota was created to ensure that South Dakota schools and students remain safe. With Safe2Say South Dakota, our schools and communities are able to anonymously report student safety concerns in a safe and secure fashion.

Why Say Something

Research on those willing to do harm to themselves or others is startling. We know that in over 80 percent of school shootings, someone other than the attacker knew, but failed to report it. We also know that four out of five teens who have attempted suicide, have given clear warning signals that go unreported, and in the majority of cases, teens with mental health needs do not receive needed care.

To provide real-time access to attendance and grades, we have the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus. Many parents/guardians and teachers are embracing technology tools like Parent Portal on Infinite Campus, Google Classroom, and email communication as alternatives to in-person conferences. These tools offer information most relevant to parent/guardian interests.

If you need help connecting to the Parent Portal to view your child's attendance and grades, please feel free to contact Karen Steege in the MS/HS Office. We're here to assist you with any inquiries you may have.

Website: https://www.svs.k12.sd.us/
Location: 200 Hansina Avenue, Volga, SD, USA
Phone: (605) 627-5657

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