Notes from Dr. DeGroot - big stone city school district #25-1

Notes from Dr. DeGroot
Big Stone City School
Winter 2016 Newsletter
Here we are again, about two-thirds of the way through the school year and I
hope at least half way through winter. This year we have used two snow days which
means our school year still will finish May 24th. If we miss anymore school due to poor
weather conditions, those days will extend the school year.
This time of the year means that our Legislators are back in Pierre dealing with
all sorts of issues including the funding of education. The difference this year is that the
Governor has come out with an excellent plan that would increase money for education
in an unprecedented manner. He has championed a bill to increase the state tax by half
a cent. Half of the money raised by this half cent would go to property tax relief and half
would go to increase teacher salaries. As I write this, a vote has been delayed twice in
the House but cannot be delayed again so the vote must take place this Thursday,
February 18th.
Please contact your local Representatives and encourage them to support this
bill and to vote yes. This Bill would mean a substantial increase in state aid funding for
Big Stone City School.
The Annual Big Stone City School Field Trip took place last week and I want to
assure you that everyone had fun along with a lot of exercise. This is a great annual
tradition and I was glad to be a part of it.
Some important dates I would like you to put on your calendar are:
Saturday Feb 27th – 4th Grade Fundraiser Supper
Thursday March 3rd – Spring Pictures
Friday March 11th – Preschool Screening
Friday March 18th – End of 3rd Quarter; 12:30 dismissal
March 21st & 22nd – Parent/Teacher Conferences and Book Fair
March 24th-28th – Spring Break
I’m glad that winter will be over soon and spring will be here. Remember my door
is always open and the coffee is always on. Stop in anytime.
Dr. Roger DeGroot
Superintendent/Principal
Dear Parents and Families:
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and
helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help
children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:
 Set the example. Let children see you read.
 Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection
routinely to keep pace with changing tastes and reading skills.
 Support our school’s Book Fair.
 Allow your children to choose their own books to read.

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our
school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please
make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.
Book Fair dates: Monday, March 21, 2016 through Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Shopping hours: Monday and Tuesday, 1:00-7:00pm, Wednesday, 1:00-4:00pm
Special activities: Parent/Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at
scholastic.com/fair. You can reach the online bookfair by going to
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/bigstonecityelementarysch
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit
our School Library.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Janelle Kelly
School Librarian
Read Across America Day
A child's ability to read has a direct effect on their future success.
Reading with your child helps to increase their vocabulary and
improves their reading fluency and comprehension.
NEA’s Read Across America began in 1998 as a way to celebrate the
legacy of Dr. Seuss by encouraging children to read. On March 2, we
encourage EVERYONE to pick up a book and read to a child. So,
whether it’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book or something new and
exciting, we encourage you to: Grab your hat and read with the cat!
To celebrate Read Across America at Big Stone City School the
elementary classes will have a Read-a-thon in the gymnasium on
Tuesday, March 1st.
For more information, please visit http://www.nea.org/readacross
The Ortonville & Big Stone Junior High Knowledge Bowl is
having another great year! They came in second at the LQPV
Knowledge Bowl Invitational that was held on Saturday,
January 9th.
First row: Charlie Thomson, Kyler Speth, & Adam Strei
Second Row: Noah Mursu, & Jason Helgeson
The First & Second Graders
learn about State Government…
Governor Jayden Anderson signs a bill written by Cody Wiik.
The first and second graders acted out the state legislature in January. After
learning about how bills are passed, each student wrote a bill for our school.
Names were drawn for Governor (Jayden Anderson), Lt. Governor (Rebecca
Lavallee), Speaker of the House (Tristan Schmitz), and Senators and
Representatives. The Senate bills were debated in the Senate. The House bills
were debated in the House. If they passed they were sent to the other House
for debate. Only 2 bills passed both Houses and were sent to the Governor’s
desk. The Governor vetoed one bill and signed the other. Above, Governor Jay
Anderson is signing Cody Wiik’s bill requesting more sleds and a big sliding hill
for our school. (Not a bad idea!)
The students have been busy
on the playground. It’s great
to see them using their
imaginations and staying
active. They’ve been building
forts and snowmen and gone
sledding on the playground.
The third graders celebrated
reaching their 2nd quarter
AR Goals with a beach
themed read-a-thon! (left
picture) Below the third
grade students are shown
with their dioramas they
made following their unit
about plants, animals, and
ecosystems. They completed
the dioramas, wrote about
their ecosystem and
presented them to their
class. Great job third
graders!
The Big Stone City Public School will hold its annual Early Childhood Screening on March 11th
at the Big Stone City School in the Gym from 8:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. You will also be able to
register your child for the 2016-2017 school year. Preschool screening is a current
requirement for Kindergarten entrance. Children who will be 3 on or before March 11th, 2016
are eligible for screening. Screening is not a prerequisite for preschool entrance.
Teaching staff will complete the DIAL 3 assessment. Your child will be observed in the
developmental areas of language, motor, and concepts. During this screening you will also be
able to receive the results of the DIAL 3 assessment, see the preschool classroom, and meet
the teacher. The purpose of this screening is to identify health and learning problems or
giftedness. Early identification and intervention are the keys to preventing learning and
health problems from becoming more serious.
If your child has already been screened, you do not need to attend the screening, however,
you are more than welcome to come and register at this time.
Preschool at the BSC School will have two sections. Both sections are Monday-Thursday.
Preschool focuses on school readiness, building strong relationships with peers and adults,
the whole language approach to learning, and hands on activities. Students also enjoy the
small groups, the incorporation of music and technology in the curriculum, and field trips that
extend their learning. We will also be accepting applications for Head Start.
If you have a child who will be three by March 11th, 2016 please contact Big Stone City School
at 605-862-8101 ext.100 to let us know that you intend on bringing your child in for the
screening. If you have a time preference, please let us know and we will try and honor that.
Appointment letters will be mailed out the end of February.
Ms. Sue Christensen and Mrs. Jan
Hinders from the American Legion
Auxilliary donated a book titled,
“Indivisible: The Story of our Flag” to
our school library.
Important Testing Dates…
Testing weeks are scheduled for April
11th-22nd. It is crucial for your
student to be in school during these
testing times. Please do not schedule
appointments and please have your
child present during this testing
window. Thank you!
Spring Pictures will be held on Thursday, March 3rd at the Big Stone City School
Gymnasium. All students will have their individual picture taken and we will
also be taking an all-school photo. Please either dress your child in school colors
or have them bring along a shirt with school colors to change into for the group
photo. When the pictures arrive they will be sent home with your student and
you have the option to purchase them or send them back to the school. By
purchasing spring portraits, a portion of the proceeds goes back to the school.
Sports pictures will also be taken this day so please have your child bring the
appropriate jersey’s and any sports gear for their picture. Flyers will be sent
home with your children in the next week. If you have any questions contact
the business office at 605-862-8108.
Congratulations to our 2nd Quarter Honor Roll
students and Student of the Quarter!
Jasmine Hurlbut is our Student of the Quarter.
Congratulations Jasmine!
The honor roll students are listed below.
Bottom row: McKenzie Seidell, Jasmine Hurlbut,
Bailey Gluth, Madison Gluth, & Noah Mursu.
Middle Row, Elly Anderson, Charlie Thomson
Back Row: Kyler Speth, Adam Strei, Wylie Mursu &
Quintin Schablin.
The 1st -8th grades had a great time
skiing on Thursday, February 11th. The
weather cooperated and fun was had
by all. Thank you to all of the parents
that came along!
February 27th: Pork Loin Supper & Carnival; 5-7pm *
March 3rd: Spring Pictures*
March 4th: All School Assembly “Louie Show”
March 11th: Preschool Screening*
March 16th: Hoops for Heart Kick-off
March 18th: End of 3rd Quarter; 12:30 dismissal
March 21st-22nd: Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 21st-22nd: Scholastic Book Fair*
March 24th – 28th: No School; Spring Break
April 11th-22nd: Testing Weeks*
*Please see enclosed article
MILK TICKETS THIS YEAR ARE $10.00 EACH WHICH IS GOOD FOR 20
MILKS.
LUNCH & BREAKFAST PRICES
STUDENT BREAKFAST (REGULAR) - $2.00
STUDENT BREAKFAST (REDUCED) - $0.30
STUDENT LUNCH (REGULAR) - $2.70
STUDENT LUNCH (REDUCED) - $0.40
MILK - $0.50
SECONDS - $0.85
ADULT BREAKFAST - $2.35
ADULT LUNCH - $3.70
SECONDS - $0.85