South Dakota

See which four South Dakota schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools this year

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2024

See which four South Dakota schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools this year

Four South Dakota schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools on Monday out of 356 schools to receive the honor nationwide this year.

South Dakota’s winners are Christ the King School in Sioux Falls, Lennox Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School in Aberdeen and Warner High School.

The award recognizes schools for excellence in overall academic performance or for progress in closing the achievement gap among student subgroups, according to a press release from the South Dakota Department of Education.

2023 winners: 3 South Dakota schools named as Blue Ribbon Schools

This year, Lennox Elementary, Christ the King Elementary and Warner High School were honored for their high scores in English and mathematics, while Lincoln Elementary was recognized for its progress in closing the achievement gap among student subgroups.

Why were each of the schools recognized?

Christ the King Elementary used data to target learning priorities and combined that with small-group instruction to meet the needs of each student. The Blue Ribbon designation is the highest honor a school can receive from the USDOE, according to a press release from Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools announcing Christ the King Elementary School’s award.

Christ the King Elementary School Principal Julie Kolbeck said in a release that she was excited on behalf of the school, and added that the school will have a celebration Oct. 22.

“Being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School is a great honor,” Kolbeck said. “It affirms the hard work and dedication of all our students, faculty and parents here at Christ the King Elementary.”

2022 winners: Sonia Sotomayor, Holy Spirit named Blue Ribbon Schools in Sioux Falls

Lennox Elementary used a data-centered approach, according to a release from the SDDOE. Data from various assessments gives teachers an individualized profile of each student, allowing them to curate learning experiences to target deficiencies and build on established knowledge.

Lennox Elementary School Principal Cody Lutes said the school is very excited and honored to receive the award. He added the school will be recognized at the Teacher of the Year banquet on Thursday in Pierre, and will receive an award in early November in Washington D.C.

“I look forward to sharing this great accomplishment with our staff and community over the year,” Lutes said. “Our staff works hard every day to give students the best education. Our students and families are amazing. Without the students’ hard work, this would not have been possible. I am very proud of them all.”

Lincoln Elementary has instituted math and reading interventions, allowing students to acquire fundamental skills. The school also has a dedicated STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program, which provides hands-on, project-based learning for all students.

Warner High School has a traditional approach to education, according to a release from the SDDOE, adding that “academic offerings are bound to fundamental subjects, which are taught and reinforced by experienced staff who are resolute in their high expectations for all students.”

What are education leaders saying?

SDDOE Secretary Joe Graves said in a release that the schools’ work is a “testament to talented teachers and staff, students who work hard to achieve their potential, and dedicated leadership.”

2021 winners: These four South Dakota schools were named as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a release that the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the “exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools.”

“The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities,” Cardona said. “As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

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South Dakota

KOTA Cares: Western South Dakota Community Action brings aid to those in poverty

Published

7 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

KOTA Cares: Western South Dakota Community Action brings aid to those in poverty

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – This week we are highlighting Western South Dakota Community Action as part of our KOTA Cares series. The non-profit will be celebrating 60 years in 2025 and does it all when it comes to helping people move out of poverty.

The organization originally began to help the Rapid City area but currently serves 15 counties including Butte, Harding, Meade and Ziebach.

They have numerous programs from helping with transportation, employment, housing, basic needs to Medicare and other insurance plans and more.

They also have a thrift store that receives donations nearly every day from community members. The organization’s executive director, Shawn Burke, said they keep prices low so the people they serve can buy items for themselves.

Their programs include educational opportunities like their garden.

”We want to grow things that people can grow for themselves, that they can learn to cook or process or freeze or can and add to other food they might get, either charitable food or purchased food. Be able to get more nutritious food with a higher nutritional value,” Burke said.

If you are interested in donating your time or money to the organization, you can find more information on their website.

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South Dakota

Two deputies taken to the hospital after an accident near McCook Lake

Published

18 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

Two deputies taken to the hospital after an accident near McCook Lake

MCCOOK LAKE, S.D. (KTIV) – An investigation is underway in Union County, South Dakota after a sheriff’s vehicle wrecked near North Sioux City, Wednesday evening.

That crash happened just after 6 p.m. near the McCook Lake, South Dakota entrance at Highway 105 and 484th Avenue.

Union County Sheriff Jim Prouty tells KTIV, two deputies were in the pickup responding to a call when they tried to pass another vehicle. They then had to swerve to avoid a vehicle trying to turn and entered the ditch. Both deputies were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating this crash.

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South Dakota

‘Dirty Jobs’ star Mike Rowe to visit for 10-year anniversary of Build Dakota scholarships

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2024

Press Room

‘Dirty Jobs’ star Mike Rowe to visit for 10-year anniversary of Build Dakota scholarships

“Dirty Jobs” star Mike Rowe is stopping at all four of South Dakota’s technical colleges Thursday to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Build Dakota scholarship.

Build Dakota scholarships were founded in 2015 to cover the entire cost of attending the two-year technical colleges in the state. They’re given to 400 to 500 students each year. During the last 10 years, more than $21 million in matching scholarships have been awarded to nearly 4,000 students alongside more than 500 industry partners, according to a press release.

An endowment created by a $25 million gift from T. Denny Sanford and $25 million from the state fund half of each scholarship and is then matched by an industry partner, according to past Argus Leader reporting. In exchange for the scholarship, students must work in South Dakota for three years after graduating.

These scholarships cover all of the recipient’s tuition, fees, books and uniforms. At Southeast Technical College, for example, they’re available for 30 of the college’s “most in-demand careers.” This school year, STC has awarded 164 Build Dakota scholarships, all of which were sponsored by an industry partner.

Rowe will visit STC in Sioux Falls first Thursday morning, then Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, Mitchell Technical College in the afternoon and then Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City.

More: ‘Dirty Jobs’ host jumps into South Dakota technical education

Each visit, except for LATC, will feature a fireside chat and media availability with Rowe. At LATC, he will be present for a ribbon cutting of the Archway Plaza. At STC, Rowe will also be present for a livestream viewing of a mock emergency scenario lat the STC Healthcare Simulation Center.

Other speakers at the STC event will include STC President Cory Clasemann, STC 2024 graduate and Mike Rowe Scholar Tyler Lee, First Premier Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse and Journey Group CEO Randy Knecht.

Rowe is an author, advocate for skilled trades and the founder and CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which provides scholarships across the nation for high school students planning to attend technical colleges.

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