Dear Cossack Family,

As we embrace the festive spirit of December, I'd like to reflect on the wonderful moments we shared in November. Our Parent-Teacher Conferences on the 8th and 9th were a testament to the strong collaboration between our school and families. A heartfelt thank you to all who made these discussions so meaningful.

Our Veterans Day program on the 13th was a moving tribute to those who've served our nation. Our speakers, Lyle Bowes and Gene Murphy, gave an inspiring testimony to the sacrifices and heroism of the veterans. The sense of community and respect displayed was truly heartwarming. Additionally, celebrating American Education Week allowed us to spotlight the importance of learning and the dedication of our educators, including our wonderful TAs and substitute teachers! We are blessed to have such great people caring for the youth of our community!

Looking ahead, December is brimming with excitement! We're gearing up for the winter sports season – a time of energy, teamwork, and school spirit. Also, our Cossack Oral Interp team is heading to the state competition in Harrisburg this weekend. We're incredibly proud and can’t wait to support them in their endeavors.

Here’s to a December filled with joy, success, and community spirit. Go Cossacks!

Warm regards,

Mr. Bolstad

December 4 - 6th Grade Junior Achievement

December 5 - Holiday Dress Up Days Begin

December 11 - December School Board Meeting @ 5:00 PM; How Sweet the Sound @ 6:30 PM

December 20 - 1:45 Dismissal

December 21-January 2 - Holiday Break; No School

January 3 - Classes Resume

January 11 - End of the 1st Semester

*Credit to Jocelyn and Maria for the graphic

We are thrilled to announce Mrs. Ward as the latest recipient of our Spark Plug Award. Her exceptional relationship-building with students, uplifting presence, and unwavering professionalism truly set her apart. Mrs. Ward's ability to spread joy and kindness throughout our school has not only brightened our days but also deeply impacted our students and staff. Congratulations, Mrs. Ward, on this well deserved honor!

*Graphic credit to Liberty T.

Hey Middle School Cossacks!

Our Winterfest Day is just around the corner, and we're all set to hit the lanes for a fantastic bowling session on December 20th - the last day before winter break. It’s the perfect way to celebrate and unwind!

Here’s the scoop:

• Cost: The cost is $10. Please make checks payable to The Lanes in Brookings. If this cost is difficult for you, don’t hesitate to talk to Mr. Bolstad. We want everyone to be able to join!
• Payment Deadline: Bring your money to your grade advisor by December 15th.
• Eligibility: Keep up those grades and good behavior! A grade check will be conducted on December 19th to confirm your academic eligibility. Remember, you need all passing grades and fewer than 3 behavior infractions (majors and minors) from December 1st to December 19th.

To honor our students' positive impact, staff will be nominating numerous deserving students who stand out for their exemplary behavior, character, and academics. From this group of outstanding individuals, 10 lucky students will be randomly selected to serve as team captains for the Spark Bowling Lanes.

These captains will enjoy the privilege of leading a team, choosing peers to join in on the fun, and setting the pace for a fantastic time at the lanes. It's our way of acknowledging and celebrating the positive contributions these students make to our school community.

Let's make this a Winterfest to remember! We're looking forward to a day filled with laughter, cheers, and some friendly competition at the bowling alley.

Get ready to roll those strikes!

Our Student Council is excited to sponsor a fun and competitive Penny War fundraiser for the "Christmas, Kids, & Cops" event! It's all about giving back and making the holiday season brighter for local youth in need.

Here's the deal:

• Drop your pennies in your class's jar for positive points.
• Sabotage other classes by adding silver coins or cash to their jars for negative points.
• Rally together to fill up those jars!

The high school grade with the most points wins a delicious treat from Hello Larsons!

Let the Penny Wars begin and may the best grade win!

Happy fundraising, everyone!

As we approach the winter months, it's important for students and parents to be aware of how Sioux Valley School District handles inclement weather conditions. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.

When winter weather arrives, the district administration, led by Laura Schuster, takes into account several factors before making decisions regarding school schedules. These factors include:

- Visibility conditions

- Road conditions

- Outside temperature

- Wind chill

- Weather advisories

- Forecast updates

Should there be a need to start late, dismiss early, or close school for the day, we will communicate these decisions through the following methods:

- Phone calls and emails via Infinite Campus

- Notifications to local television and radio stations

Stay informed, stay safe, and let’s work together to navigate the winter season successfully.

*Graphic credit to Jada K.

The National Honor Society at Sioux Valley High School is proud to announce an exciting fundraiser to benefit the children's hospital and local animal shelter. Here's your chance to win a special giveaway: 4 front row parking spots for every home basketball game throughout the season!

Where: Sioux Valley High School

When: December 2nd at the Meet the Cossacks event, 7:30-8:00 PM

Why: Support a great cause while enjoying convenient parking all season long

Cost: Single ticket for $10, or a bundle of three for $25

Don't miss out on the raffle. Simply provide your name and phone number with each ticket purchase. This is a fantastic opportunity to show your Cossack spirit and support our community. Get your tickets at the event and let's make a difference together! Go Cossacks!

Congratulations to Jace on earning the Heartland Student of the Month Award from Heartland Energy and KJAM radio!

Jace is an exemplary choice for the November Student of the Month Award due to his remarkable blend of kindness, intelligence, and leadership qualities. His resilience and steadfast dedication to both academic and extracurricular pursuits showcase a maturity and commitment that inspires his peers and educators alike. His ability to lead with empathy and a thoughtful approach not only elevates the standards of our school but also sets an example for others to follow.

Congratulations on the well deserved recognition, Jace!

In our connected world, social media has become a ubiquitous presence in the lives of our youth. While it can be a space for creativity and community, it's important to be aware of its potential impact on mental health. Recent data shows that 95% of kids ages 13-17 are on social media, and those who engage for more than 3 hours a day may experience adverse effects on their well-being.

It is crucial for us as a community – educators, parents, and peers – to foster healthy digital habits and open conversations about online experiences. With studies indicating a significant rise in mental health challenges, including a 60% increase in suicide rates among young people from 2011 to 2021, it's clear that our approach to social media use requires care and attention.

Let’s work together to ensure our youth are equipped not just with smartphones, but with the tools to use them wisely, building resilience for their mental health in the digital age.

*Graphic credit to Lacey L.

A group of SV HS students in Leadership Class is helping with a Toy Drive to benefit patients at the Children’s Hospital. If you would like to participate, please drop off new toys or monetary donations to the boxes located either in the FACS room or the HS office before Friday, Dec 15.

The Child & Family Resource Network will be sponsoring the “Common Sense Parenting” series as a free learning opportunity. The series consists of six classes designed for parents and individuals that engage with school aged children, kindergarten through 12th grade. The classes offer participants information on topics including:

• Reducing family stress
• Supporting success in school
• Diminishing yelling and fighting
• Reducing problem behavior
• Enriching your relationship with your child
• Increasing your confidence as well as your child’s

Parents who have accurate information about development, temperament, and social and emotional growth are more likely to experience increased satisfaction and enjoyment in parenting their school age children.

The Common-Sense Parenting series complements the Understanding Me Up to Age 3 training currently provided at the Child & Family Resource Network, but Common-Sense Parenting focuses on children ages 5 to 18. These complementary training programs offer a comprehensive system of parent education for children birth through the teenage years.

The next parenting classes will be offered beginning January 9, 2024, and will be on Tuesday evenings (January 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13). It will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Child & Family Resource Network (room 210) and a Zoom connection will also be available. Registration is required for this hybrid opportunity. Call or email to reserve your spot today. If you are working with individuals who could benefit from these parenting classes, please support our efforts by promoting the enclosed flyer, and registration with the Child & Family Resource Network at 605-688-5730. We also encourage you to post a copy of the enclosed flyer at your agency to endorse this free parenting opportunity with your working partners.

If you have any questions regarding this training series or if you need any additional information, please contact the Child & Family Resource Network at sdsu.frn@sdstate.edu.

We are thrilled to present an extraordinary opportunity for high school seniors at our school: the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program. This unique, fully-funded program offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance for students interested in STEM to connect with like-minded peers and mentors, delving into the exciting realm of modern STEM research.

As a Davis-Bahcall Scholar, you will embark on a four-week journey, visiting leading national and international laboratories and universities. Your explorations will begin in the Black Hills, extend throughout the Midwest, and culminate with a trip to the United Kingdom to tour the Boulby Underground Laboratory. This program is not just a learning experience but an adventure that combines education with travel. We encourage you to seize this fantastic opportunity!

For more details and application instructions, please visit: [https://www.sanfordlab.org/dbs](https://www.sanfordlab.org/dbs).

Explore the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Facebook page to witness the adventures and experiences of past scholars. It's a window into what awaits you in this program.

The 2024 program will run from June 16th to July 14th. Remember, the application deadline is January 19, 2024.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Warm regards,

Kristen Riley

Administrative Assistant | Education and Outreach

SDSTA | Sanford Underground Research Facility

630 E. Summit St., Lead, SD 57754

Direct: 605.722.5049 | Cell: 307.254.0940

[www.sanfordlab.org](https://www.sanfordlab.org)

Sioux Valley was recently highlighted for our implementation of Frameworks, a web based software tool, used in our Multimedia class for content creation for our display boards.

We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Jaquet, our FCCLA advisor, has secured a substantial grant for the Middle School and High School FCCLA chapters at Sioux Valley! Her dedication and vision have opened doors to new opportunities and resources that will significantly enhance the experiences and projects of our FCCLA students.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Jaquet on this fantastic achievement. Her hard work and commitment to our students' success continue to make a profound impact. Here’s to the exciting ventures ahead for our FCCLA members, fueled by this incredible support!

A big thank you to all who joined us for the inaugural "Coffee and Conversation" event with the principal. Your insights, questions, and company truly enriched our morning!

We're excited to announce the date for our next gathering: January 22nd. Please mark your calendars and join us in the MS/HS conference room at 8:30 AM. If you missed the last one or simply want to continue the dialogue, we'd love to have you.

Dates: January 22, March 25

Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

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.

Sometimes, a student just needs a little extra time and attention to master particular concepts or skills. Last year, the Board of Regents and Department of Education launched the Dakota Dreams Online Tutoring Program to provide that support. Students K-12 were able to access FREE after-school homework help from tutors who were students training to be teachers at Northern State University and Black Hills State University. The Online Tutoring program will be back again in school year 2023-24, with an added feature called Tutor Tracks.

Tutor Tracks

• Parents register their students for Tutor Tracks (application opens Aug. 1 on OurDakotaDreams.com)
• Students meet with their tutor 2x per week over 7 weeks
• First term includes two session options:
• Sept. 11 through Oct. 27, 2023 (reading and grammar available)
• Oct. 30 through Dec. 15, 2023 (reading, grammar and math available)
• Reading lessons will be offered to 1st-8th grade students
• Grammar lessons will be offered to 3rd-8th grade students
• Math lessons will be offered to 3rd-8th grade students

Questions? Email onlinetutoring@sdbor.edu

Email: tyler.bolstad@k12.sd.us
Phone: (605) 627-5657
Twitter: @tyler_bolstad

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