Piedmont Valley
Elementary Stallion
News
January 2016
 Upcoming Events
Principal’s Corner
Dear Parents,
 1/11: PTA Meeting,
It has been a very busy fall with many activities occurring. As we
3:15 in the Art Room move past the holiday season and prepare for winter we will
& 6:00 pm in the
continue to have many activities occurring.
library
 1/14: Geography
Bee, 4-6 grade at
1:15pm , new gym
 1/15: In-service, no
school
 1/18 Martin luther
king day, no school
 1/26: S.O.M., at 1:30
pm
 1/29: PTA Bingo
Night, 5:30-8 pm,
new gym
 2/23 & 2/25:
Parent/Teacher
conferences, 4-7 pm
 3/4:Spring Concert
for 3-6 grade
On January 14th Piedmont Valley Elementary will be hosting the
Annual Geography Bee. This event is specifically for grades 4-6
and is something the kids really enjoy. It gives student qualifiers
the opportunity to show off their geography knowledge in front
of the student body.
On January 15-18 the kids will enjoy a four day weekend. On
Friday, Jan. 15th there will be no school due to a teacher / staff
in-service. On January 18th students will have the day off from
school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
On January 20th the students will have the opportunity to
participate in an assembly called the Spintacular Basketball Show.
This event has come to us with rave reviews as an inspiring and
exciting program.
On January 29th the PTA will host “Bingo Night” for students and
their parents in the new gym. This has always been a popular
event that students and their families enjoy.
On another note I want to remind all parents of the importance
to have their students properly dressed. January is often times a
frigid month. We keep a close eye on the thermometer and try
to make the best decision possible for students and recess. With
that being said, it is important that you assume your kids will be
going outside and dress them accordingly.
Sincerely,
Ethan
Kindergarten News
’s of Kindergarten
The Character
Trait for
January is
“Respect”
Honor,
tolerance
consideration,
self respect,
respect for
others respect
for property
A-Alphabet
B-Balance Scales
C-Counting
D-Dice
E-Energetic Kids
F-Friendship
G-Glowing Smiles
H-Helpful Kids
I- Interested Learners
J-Juice and Milk Break
K- Kind Kindergarteners
L-Lots of Learning
M-Math
N- Neat Writing
O-Outside Recess
P- Play-doh
Q- Quiet Workers
R-Reading Books
S-Science and Social Studies
T- Tricky Teen Numbers
U- Understanding Rules
V- Vowel Sounds
W-Wonderful Words
X- X-tra Hard Workers
Y- Yah For Supportive Parents
Z- Zipping Coats
Happy Birthday!
January
Kielyn Aker, Erica
Anderson, Jada
Backes, Karsen
Berndt, Taycen
Bertolotto, Coby
Bird, Dayton
Birdsall, Caden
Blakeman, Logan
Brenneman,
Zackery Brown, Ben
Dougan, Jayda
evans, Joshua
Granum, Teague
Granum, Nevaeh
Heid, Zoe Herringer,
Taige Holdren,
Janna James,
Hunter Janzen,
Keegan Kaski,
Kyerlan Kaski, Elijah
Kunza, Jayden
Lienau, Leah Luze,
Jessica Maher,
Cadence Mahoney,
Jada McGregor,
Illeana Moore,
Brennan Murphy,
Clinton Nalley,
Malayha Nalley,
Weston
Neuenschwander,
Gavan Novotny,
Brodrych O’Berg,
Andrew O’Grady,
Carlyn Oster, Caleb
Rogers, Madison
Soyland, Alexander
Stephen, Michael
Stetser, Kynlee
Stewart, Alexys
Thompson, Taylor
Todd, Hailly
VanHout, Caleb
Weishaar, Trux
Williamson, Bill
Wilson
1st Trimester Perfect Attendance
take the time to
read the studentparent handbook
Natalie Alsup, Jeren
Andrzejewski, Talia Backes,
Breyden Bahr, Rowdy
Baldwin, Zoie Berglund,
Hannah Brandner, Jonathan
Brown, Kaitlyn Brown,
Madelynn Bult, Bryson
Chayka, Cash Daigle, Miley
Daigle, Joscelyn Davidson,
Chloe DePew, Tyson Dunbar,
Avery Fogelman, Grace
Fogelman, Alan Giffen, Jaxon
Goethals, Jessa Griswold,
Ayden Harris, Carson Hautala,
Daisy Hebdon, Lillian
Heisinger, Elliot Hendrix, Enna
Henry, Taige Holdren, Angela
Holzer, Luke Hosman, Chloe
Hudson, Emma Jobgen,
Grady Jobgen, Keegan Kaski,
Kyerlan Kaski, Layne Kaski,
Makenzi Kaski, Slade
Keierleber, Jazlyn Kempe,
Khloe Kerner, Mikayla
Kullbom, Jayden Lienau, Leah
Luze, Jessica Maher, Taya
Maher, Brett Marr, Vance
Marso, Piper Mertz, Emily
Meyer, Adyn Miller, Miranda
Montileaux, Danielle Neiger,
Allison Ogden, Carlyn Oster,
Mason Oster, Conor Paulson,
Hailie Raterman, Jordyn Rath,
Isaiah Ratzsch, Deven
Remington, Caleb Robers,
Cole Rogers, Audrey
Scarborough, Riley Schmidt,
William Seeley, Madison
Soyland, Mae Soyland, Brett
Spear, Tavin Thompson,
Kakeesha Thurman, Nakiah
Thurman, Airelyn Trimmer,
Kaedyn Trimmer, Kaydence
Ulrich, Keegan Urbatsch, Faith
VanderPol, Joseph Veskrna,
Vance Veskrna, Walker
Vlietstra, Ayden Volk, Owen
Volk, Emma Weinberger,
Frederick Weishaar, Riley
Weishaar, Jayda Wells, Jenna
Wells, Dane Wilston, Edy
Wise, Ellie Wise, Brady
Zastoupil
School Board Policies
Attendance Policy
In accordance with school law, elementary and middle school students are expected to regularly
attend school for the entire term.
Absences other than excused absences shall be considered truancy. Excessive absenteeism shall be
defined as exceeding ten (10) days per school year for any reason. If a condition of excessive
absenteeism occurs, the principal shall provide the parents/guardians with written notice of the
school’s concern. If absenteeism continues, legal authorities will be notified, unless it has been
determined that the excessive absenteeism is for reasons beyond the control of the parent and/or
student. (i.e. Illness and/or hospitalization).
Failure to attend school regularly and failure to make up required work are factors which will be
considered in determining the promotion or retention of elementary and middle school students.
News from the Library
2016 Award Winners!
January 11, 2016 the American Library Association announced its new
winners. For the Meade School District elementary libraries we
concentrate on the three following awards.
The 2016 award winners are:
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s
literature:
Last Stop on Market Street written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by
Christian Robinson is the 2016 Newbery Medal winner.
Three Newbery Honor Books also were named:
The War that Saved My Life written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Roller Girl written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson
Echo written by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture
book for children:
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear
illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick and is the
2016 Caldecott Medal winner.
Four Caldecott Honor Books also were named:
Trombone Shorty illustrated by Bryan Collier written by Troy Andrews.
Waiting illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes,
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights
Movement illustrated by Ekua Holmes and written by Carole Boston
Weatherford.
Last Stop on Market Street illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by
Matt de le Peña.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished
informational book for children:
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras written and
iillustrated by DuncanTonatiuh is the Sibert Award winner.
Four Sibert Honor Books were named:
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans written and
illustrated by Don Brown.
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill
Club by Phillip Hoose.
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma
Voting Rights March written by Lynda Blackmon Lowery as told to
Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley, illustrated by PJ Loughran.
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights
Movement written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua
Holmes.
“The Meade School
District Title I
program’s goal is to
help students meet
the state content and
achievement
standards for their
grade level and be
successful and
confident learners.”
Parents Right to Know
The federal No Child Left
Behind Act requires all Title I
schools to notify the parents
of its students that they may
request information about
professional qualifications of
the classroom teachers who
instruct their
children. Parents interested
in this information should
contact their child’s
principal. Once the principal
receives this request, he or
she will provide a response.
Special Recognitions
Spelling Bee Winners:
1st – Gracie Williams
2nd — Braelyn Juve
3rd — Bricelyn Jenner
PIEDMONT VALLEY ELEMENTARY
6th Grade Honor Roll
1st Trimester
Roll of Excellence: an “A” in all major subjects*. No other grade lower than an “S”.
Honor Roll: an “A” in at least three major subjects*. No other grade below a “B-“ or “S”.
Merit Roll: a “B” average in the major subjects*. No grade below a “C.”
Major Subjects: writing (English), math, reading, science, social studies.
Roll of Excellence
Honor Roll
Merit Roll
Konner Berndt
Mikayla Kullbom
Taya Bertolotto
Emmalyn Brant
Gracee Langstaff
Chloe DePew
Braelyn Juve
Carlyn Oster
Grace Fogelman
Alayna Lemcke
Dezmond Rhodes
Haleigh Frasier
Elizabeth Ogden
Hannah Robertson
Ray Henderson
Carlie Schlosser
Taya Swanson
Slade Keierleber
Rio Snyder
Bill Wilson
Jersey Moore
Kaden Romey
Hannah Rose
Kaydence Ulrich
Walker Vlietstra
District Mission
“To Build Knowledge and Skills for Success Today and Tomorrow”
Our Vision:
"Meade School District will work in conjunction with its community to provide excellent academics and
co-curricular activities that develop life-long learners and productive citizens.”
CONTACTS
Piedmont Valley Elementary
Julie Nelson
605.787.5295 phone
Kellie Thomas
605.787.5954 fax
Counselor
www.meade.k12.sd.us
Ginger Johnson
Family Services Worker
Mr. Ethan Dschaak
Principal
Barb Wagner
Food Service
Kelli Wilson
Piedmont Valley
Julie Dobler
Administrative Assistant
Nurse
Cara Wise
Piedmont Valley
Administrative Assistant
Don’t Forget!
 Your child must be up to date on
his/her immunizations before
starting school!
 School starts at 7:40 a.m.
grades 3-6.
 School starts at 7:50 a.m.
grades K-2.
 Call
the office if your child is
going to be absent from school
787-5295
By Ray And Akia
Computer News
feel free to check out my website at:
http://missscandrett.weebly.com/
from the desk of Miss Scandrett, Computer
Teacher @ PVE
Students all the way from
Kindergarten through 6th Grade are busy
learning many things about computers,
technology and computer programs. I see
each class twice a week. The older grades,
3rd – 6th, have projects they are assigned to
help them become comfortable and familiar
with a variety of programs and technology.
One of the things I feel is important is being
creative in Microsoft Word. This means part
of the 6th grade curriculum is making a
newsletter in Word. Included in this
assignment is inserting a header, two
columns, Word Art, changing font style and
sizes and creating three different articles
that will appeal to their peers and to adults.
Ray Henderson and Akia Britton put
together one such newsletter in Word this
trimester and did it very well. I included my
own article in their newsletter to give you
an example of the work they do in
computer class.
If you ever have any questions or
comments about what I do in computer
classes, please feel free to contact me
either with my email which is:
[email protected], or my phone here
at the school which is: (605)787-5295. Also,
Peregrine Falcons
By Ray
My favorite bird is the Peregrine
Falcon. They are the fastest birds in the
world. They can reach a top speed of over
200 mph. They are beautiful birds, and are
fascinating to see in action.
The peregrine Falcon dive bombs its
prey at over 100 mph. It starts by going
very high in the air then doing a back flip to
come down. As it is coming down it slowly
folds in its wings, increasing speed. Then
when it gets close to its target it aims for
the head. The peregrine falcon catches 20
percent of its food in the air. A peregrine
falcon will go after birds twice as big as
itself. Their favorite foods are pigeons and
ring necked pheasant.
By Ray And Akia
Peregrines Falcons are fairly large
birds. They are about 2 feet in length and
weigh up to 18 lbs. They are one of the
most common birds of prey.
and we want to get our math home work done there
is also home work help.
The laptops will also be used in many
different ways. In science they help kids make
graphs. In social studies it helps kids watch
Scholastic News. If you have questions that you can’t
find the answer to Mr. Halter says look it up, He says
they have a machine in front of them. The kids all
love these laptops and they will be here for
years to come.
Crossing the Wire Book and
Project. By Akia and Ray
School Laptops
By Ray and Akia
This year in school it has been different for
th
the 6 graders. They have gotten laptops. They spent
the first months trying to figure out how to use
them. The teachers even had a class so they knew
how to use them. In math they found a web site that
has the same math book in it that they are using.
This sixth grader told us what it was like to
have math on the laptops. We were told not to use
his name though. He said math on the laptops is
much easier. Looking at the books is tiring. This way
kids can stay awake looking at something they love
looking at - a screen. If we have free time in school
This month 6A has been
reading a book called “Crossing
the Wire.” It is a book about a kid
who goes to America from Mexico
to get money for his family. He has
many adventures on the way. The
kids love reading the book. They
can’t wait to read the next part of
the book. They love all of the cliff
hangers and fun/scary things in
By Ray And Akia
the book. Victor, the main
character, learns many life lessons
in the book. He visits many towns
in Mexico. Victor is from a make
believe village between
Guanajuato and Silo. He then ends
up in Washington.
The kids even had to make a
presentation about the book. Some
groups made movie trailers and
others wrote about it. The groups
making movie trailers had to give
a good example of the book. Akia
Britton of 6A said it is a hard thing
to make the movie trailer. You
have to work with your group very
well and tell about the story.