HURON The Huron School Board heard an upbeat report on student led projects deriving from the Huron High School Student Responsibility Block (SRB) at its regular board meeting, pushed to Tuesday evening because of the Veterans Day holiday on Monday.
High School Principal Rodney Mittlestedt and two sophomore students reported on the success of the recent Trick-or-Treat Street project hosted by the sophomore class. I believe that we had more than 1,000 kids come through for Trick-or-Treat Street, Middlestedt said. Projects like this have come out of the growth of our SRB – which used to be known as homeroom – projects. Classes are adding a community project this year and Trick-or-Treat Street was the sophomore project.
Middlestedt said the event used to take place but had gone away during the COVID shutdown and the students were motivated to bring it back this year.
Students made posters to put up around the school and around town, said Say Glay, sophomore class vice president. We explained the project and asked for assistance in getting candy and then handing it out.
Middlestedt said that the junior class plans a Winter Carnival reminiscent of the school carnivals that used to be held in the various elementary schools, for some time in January, while the freshmen class is working to create a community Easter Egg hunt in the spring.
School District Superintendent Dr. Kraig Steinhoff noted that the state Department of Education has received a Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant funding to launch the Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota project.
The projects key objectives are to improve literacy proficiency for K-12 students, boost Kindergarten readiness and close the achievement gaps for English learners and Special Education students, he said.
He added that the grant will provide training, materials and tools that are available to all school districts and that a majority of the grant will be used to provide subgrants to Elevating Literacy Across S.D., which have significant literacy gaps for targeted support.
The DOE has invited me to serve on the advisory council, Steinhoff said. Our first meeting is scheduled for November 15.
Steinhoff added that the school districts calendar committee is scheduled to meet this month and he expects to have a recommended calendar to present to the board at its December 9 meeting.
High School Board member Lily Halter introduced Conner Hofer and TJ Lien, who spoke about the Huron Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. The duo spoke on what types of speakers and activities take place at a regular meeting and what they hope to do at future meetings, including increasing membership to provide more opportunities.
In other action, the board:
Approved the hire of 12 new individuals and eight resignations. New hires are approved so they may be included on the schools workmans compensation insurance.
Congratulated 14 sports and activities groups who were received the South Dakota High School Activities Associations Academic Achievement Award.
Approved second readings of five policy updates, and heard the first reading of another.
Approved a lengthy list of Associated School Board of South Dakota resolutions and standing positions, prior to the ASBSD conference later this month.
Approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment to the original contract with Puetz Design Build for the HHS addition, with construction set to begin in early December, after contracts with winning bidders are finalized by Puetz.
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