Hot Springs School District 23-2

Informational meeting and auditions for the Spring Musical will be Monday, January 13th in Mr. Chohon's Choir Room at 4:00pm. All middle and high school students are welcome to attend.

EDUCATOR RISING ANNOUNCEMENT: HEY HOT SPRINGS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL! Are you ready to shape the future of education? Join us during lunch on 1/28! This is your chance to test cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology, play interactive games, and share your ideas—all while enjoying free pizza! What’s Happening: Test-drive innovative VR experiences. Play new games and provide feedback. Share your thoughts on education and teaching. Enjoy complimentary pizza while participating. Discover paid opportunities and earn college credits. Why You Should Join: Your voice matters: Help shape the programs that will prepare the next generation of educators. No experience needed: Open to everyone—whether or not you're interested in teaching. Be a trailblazer: Try out exciting new technology before anyone else. Reap the benefits: Get paid, enjoy free pizza, and explore opportunities to earn college credits. This event is hosted by Compass Partners in Learning, your partner in education, innovation, and empowerment. Together, we’re guiding education forward in South Dakota!

Attention Junior and Senior Boys: For more information, please see Mrs. Cutlip. SOUTH DAKOTA AMERICAN LEGION BOYS STATE PO BOX 67 WATERTOWN, SD 57201 January 3, 2025 Greetings School Counselors and Officials, On behalf of Boys State, I would like to say Happy New Year; I hope this finds you well! In attempts to ensure all Boys have an opportunity to attend Boys State, the 2025 session is open to all Junior and Senior Boys, however, they will only be allowed to attend one time. Registration for 2025 South Dakota Boys State is available NOW at www.southdakotaboysstate.com . We highly encourage applicants to apply early as space is limited and we already have many high-quality students. The dates for this year's session are June 2 – 6, 2025 Your continued involvement in the recruiting process is vital to the success of our future leaders. Boys State is an American Legion Program that teaches young men about the functions of State Government through a hands-on process. Students will create a fictitious state starting at the City level, then continuing to the County level and onward to a State level culminating with the election of a Boys State Governor and a full state government. Nowhere else will they be able to take part in such process. Throughout the week, students will hear from South Dakota’s Congressional Delegation, SD Municipal League Office, Secretary of State, County Officials, among many other state leaders. They will participate in law enforcement classes from the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Legal classes from members of the SD Bar Association, run for elections at every level of State government and join in Party Caucuses. Some will even litigate real SD Supreme Court cases at the Brown County Courthouse. Students also have an opportunity to create friendships and contacts that will carry them throughout their lifetime. Just a reminder, registration is purely on-line. When a boy registers, the person in your designated American Legion Post will receive it via email to evaluate the applicant. Your post will evaluate using the established criteria and notify the Boys State Registrar (registrar@southdakotaboysstate.com), via email, if the candidate has been approved or not. If your student does not hear back within two weeks from the Post, please let me know directly. I will personally follow up with the Post representative. This is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS!! Additional details regarding the session can be found at www.sdlegion.org and www.southdakotaboysstate.com. Your continuing support will ensure that South Dakota Boys State is the premier summer program for South Dakota's best and brightest. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Best Regards, Gene Opbroek Director South Dakota American Legion Boys State 605-830-0012 gcopbroek@gmail.com

High Schoolers already looking for summer employement? Go to the website: bhr.sd.gov/workforus/ In Keyword, Type Seasonal, In Location, Type Hot Springs Right now a Gate Attendant and Season Firefighter are advertised.

Did someone say archery? NASP is starting this Friday, in the Bison Gym, 9-11am. The program is open to students in 4th-12th grade. Please direct questions to Mrs. Mazzocchio and/or Mrs. Palo. We hope to see a great group of students giving it a try.

EXCITING NEWS: Corner Pantry had contacted us before school began with a proposition. Would we want to advertise a "round up" program for scholarship opportunities for students in our district? Our answer was a definite YES! Today, the regional general manager shared with us where that "round up" fund is at. The Corner Pantry round up for education scholarship funds from the customers in Hot Springs, as of December 31, 2024, have donated $3,079.29 to the scholarship fund. The projections show the program should have 3-4 scholarships available for the seniors this spring! We thank Corner Pantry and its customers for their donations.

Honor Roll Lists coming soon. The Hot Springs School District plans to individually recognize all of our middle and high school students that achieved a 4.0GPA first semester at a NIGHT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. Please save the date of January 20th at 6:30pm in The Case. Parents, relatives, neighbors, classmates are invited to help us congratulate this academic achievement of our students.

Scholarship opportunity for JUNIORS: Horatio Alger Association is offering scholarships for juniors. The requirements are: - Be enrolled full-time as a high school junior, progressing normally toward graduation in spring/summer 2026 with plans to enter a college in the U.S. no later than the fall following graduation. - Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution in the U.S. (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution). - Demonstrate financial need ($65,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required). - Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities. - Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity. - Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0. - Be a U.S. citizen. You must apply online at horatioalger.org/scholarships. The scholarships are given to deserving students each year and range in award value from $10,000 to $25,000, with more than 600 scholarships available. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2025.

Middle and High Schoolers: We will have a kick off event during all lunch periods on January 28th for our Educator Rising Chapter. We will start meeting in February. This is a great organization for anyone even slightly interested in the teaching profession or for those that want to build leadership skills.

January is School Board Appreciation Month. We take time to celebrate the hard work and dedication that our seven board members give to the school district. They have a vital role in shaping the future of our district by maintaining and creating systems that assist in meeting district goals. They selflessly volunteer their time to ensure that all students have access to resources. There is a term used in the education world of being a "champion of students." "Champions of students" want every student in our district to not only reach their academic goals, but all goals that will help them reach their full potential. We appreciate the following seven "champions of students" and "champions of public education." Throughout January, take the time to show your appreciation for our community's school board members for their effort and leadership. Bob Preuss Ryan Walz Brian Jarding Katie Burchfield Colleen Venner Dave Hoskins Jason Mazzocchio

It is so good to have students back. It looks like our students (and staff) are rested and ready to "attack" this second semester with a great attitude and lots of effort. Go Bison!!!!!

Hot Springs Flash Sale Ends Tomorrow! Save $5 on all tees, $10 on hoodies and $15 on jackets. Sale ends 1/3! Shop at https://1stplace.sale/114508

Lunch and breakfast menus for January: Elem breakfast https://5il.co/338v8 Elem lunch https://5il.co/338v9 MS and HS lunch https://5il.co/338va

Save the date: January 27th 7:00-8:00pm The Hot Springs School District is sponsoring a community event at the Wesleyan Church on January 17th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Mary Beth Holzworth is the Human Trafficking Coordinator for South Dakota DCI and Doris Cardwell is the Executive Director of Phoenix Rising Education Program. In an age where we want to provide our children with everything, including a cell phone, make sure that you are informed on what that responsibility includes. Mary Beth and Doris provide personal information and expertise from their professional roles to inform parents on the many positives, yet significant concerns that come with cell phones and social media. The conversation will be a comfortable presentation with time for parent questions.

Information for juniors and seniors about Tech Schools in SD: https://5il.co/340n1

The Hot Springs School District has partnered with Student Assurance Services to provide families with the opportunity to purchase student accident insurance. This option is beneficial if your current insurance has a high deductible, your child does not have health insurance, your child participates in a sport/activity where injuries may occur, or it seems that your child tends to get injured frequently. https://www.sas-mn.com/sas/k12.php This information will also be posted on our website. Please reach out to Student Assurance Services with any questions that you might have. 800.328.2739

Opportunity for seniors interested in a trade school: https://canmanfund.com/can-man-scholarships

Hot Springs Flash Sale! Save $5 on all tees, $10 on hoodies and $15 on jackets. Sale ends 1/3! Shop at https://1stplace.sale/114508

So much great news from the Elementary: Cora-Lee (3rd Grade) – Black Hills Reads Writing Contest – 2nd Place in Poetry (See Below) This year, Black Hills Reads received 386 entries as part of the Young Writers 3rd Grade Contest. Third graders submitted either a short story or poetry sample with the theme ‘What does home mean to you?’ and entries were judged by Rush Hockey mascot, Nugget, and Black Hills Reads/United Way volunteers. Black Hills Reads is thrilled to announce that this year's winners are: SHORT STORY: • 1st Place - “Home" by Kaycee at General Beadle Elementary • 2nd Place - “What does home mean to me?" " by Olin at Newell Elementary • 3rd Place - “What does home mean to me?" by Sofia at Newell Elementary • Honorable Mention - "What Home Means to Me” by Arlo at Wilson Elementary POETRY: • 1st Place - “Home” by Jackson at South Park Elementary, Belle Fourche • 2nd Place - “What Home Means to Me” by Cora-Lee at Hot Springs Elementary • 3rd Place - “My Home is Mine" by Keyonna at South Park Elementary, Belle Fourche • Honorable Mention - “Home Means” by Ellie at Meadowbrook 1st place winners will receive a $100 gift card, personalized family passes to a Rush game, and a future school visit from Nugget! 2nd place winners will receive a $75 gift card. 3rd place winners will receive a $50 gift card. Honorable Mention winners will receive a $25 gift card. Plus, all students who submitted entries will receive a voucher for free entry to a Rush hockey game! Alina (2nd Grade) –Alina was the winner of the 1st Annual Fall River Ranger District with Christmas Coloring Contest. As the winner she enjoyed a Certificate, Smokey the Bear, and other goodies PTA Reflections Art Program Solveig 1st Place Visual Arts Emerson 1st Place Intermediate Visual Arts Macee 2nd Place Intermediate Visual Arts Andie 1st Place Literacy Their pieces will be displayed at Chautauqua Artisans Market until Christmas and will then be submitted for the state competition.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event.