We can definitely feel the shift in the weather and the excitement in the air as we head into April and the final stretch of the school year! Thank you to all of our families who attended conferences, we truly appreciate your continued support of your child and our teachers. It means a lot to have the opportunity to connect and showcase all the hard work and growth that has taken place this year.

As you plan your month, please be sure to keep an eye on upcoming no school days for Easter, as well as important dates for our spring concerts. Our 6th grade concert and the combined 7th & 8th grade concert are coming up soon, and we’re excited for you to see all the progress our students have made musically! 

April is a big month for state testing, and attendance is especially important during this time. Our teachers have been working hard to review key concepts and help students feel calm, confident, and prepared for their assessments. It is very important that students are present on their scheduled testing days. Since these assessments are required, any missed tests must be made up later, which can take away from valuable instructional time. Thank you for helping us support your child by prioritizing attendance this month.

A big thank you to Godfather’s Pizza for supporting our March attendance challenge! Because of their generosity, 30 lucky students with perfect attendance were able to enjoy a special pizza lunch. We truly appreciate their partnership in encouraging students to show up and stay engaged in their learning.

We are so proud of our students who submitted work to the Dakota Student Art Exhibition held at the ARCC on March 25th! Their artwork was displayed and critiqued alongside pieces from middle and high school students across North and South Dakota. In addition, students had the opportunity to participate in a full day of workshops led by area artists. Congratulations to all of our talented students!

Thayuso Moo, Esther Lu, Isabella Carlson, Alexis Hoag, Anna Perrion, and Genevieve Collier!

As we get closer to the end of the school year, please take note of the important May dates listed at the end of this newsletter, including an adjustment to the last day of school due to our snow days earlier this year.

Also, a quick reminder about yearbooks; if you would like your child to have one, it must be pre-ordered by April 6. We will not be ordering extras this year, so once the deadline passes, there will not be additional copies available for purchase. A link to order can be found below in the newsletter.

We’re looking forward to a strong finish to the school year and appreciate your continued partnership and support!

Dr. Colleen Murley

Principal

Mrs. Kelsey Scarborough

Assistant Principal

If you would like to take a more active role and get involved, please attend one of our monthly meetings, which take place on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30pm in our library.

If you are unable to take an active role, please still consider becoming a member for $10. Your membership alone helps support the PTA, and you’re welcome to simply donate without any additional time commitments.

You can click here or scan the QR code below to register online.

Throughout the school year, help your student collect Ken’s and Kessler’s grocery receipts and turn them in to the office. At the end of the year, our amazing PTA submits all the receipts and earns money back from the stores, which goes right back into supporting our students and staff.

So next time you shop, don’t toss those receipts! Send them to school with your student and help us turn grocery trips into great opportunities for us.

Starting April 8 through April 16, students in grades 6–8 will take the state assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics during their regularly scheduled class periods for those subjects. Students in grade 8 will also take the state Science assessment later in April.

The testing schedule by grade level is listed below:

April 8th-10th   |   Math (all grades)

April 12th-16th   |   ELA (all grades)

April 20th-21st   |   Science (8th grade)

There is no need for students to study in preparation for these assessments. We simply ask that they do their best and get plenty of rest the night before testing. It is also very important that students attend school on their scheduled testing days. Because these assessments are required, missed tests must be made up later which can take away from valuable instructional time.

New This Year For 8th Grade Students

The Aberdeen School District recently received a state literacy grant to expand reading supports and resources for students.  In addition to administering the state assessments, this year we will use those results to better understand how to support each student’s continued growth in reading.  As part of this work, some students may be invited to complete a short follow-up assessment later this spring to provide additional insight into their reading development. These brief assessments will help ensure we are providing the right level of support as students transition to high school.

If your child is selected for this additional step, you will receive a letter in May with more detailed information.

Student Senate will be hosting an after-school social on Friday, April 17th until 5:00pm. Tickets are $3 and will be sold during homeroom on Friday.

Students may dress in school-appropriate tropical wear! There will be a variety of activities, including a dance, board games, gym games, coloring, and trivia. Pizza and beverages will be available for purchase at the social through the PTA, and tropical leis will be sold by our Student Senate.

Please encourage your child to join us, and ensure they have a ride arranged for pickup by 5:00pm.

One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) is required for entry into 6th grade if the child is 11 years old. If the child is 10 years old when entering 6th grade, they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the Tdap vaccination. One dose of MCV4 (meningococcal vaccine) is also required for 6th grade entry if the child is 11 years old. If the child is 10 years old when entering 6th grade, they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the meningococcal vaccine. A dose given at age 10 will count toward both the Tdap and MCV4 requirements for 6th grade.

These requirements are specified in South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-7.1. Please consult your physician or the Brown County Community Health Center (605-626-2649) to determine if your child needs these vaccinations. The Aberdeen School District Health Office asks that all parents of 6th grade students submit an updated immunization record to the school one week prior to the first day of school.

Per Aberdeen School District policy, if your child has medication in the office, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to pick up all unused prescription medication on or before the last day of school (Tuesday, May 19th). Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication may be sent home with students if written or verbal permission has been provided by a parent or guardian. Any medication not picked up before June 1st will be properly discarded. Office staff will be working through the end of May, so please call the school before stopping by, as summer hours may vary.