HURON — Huron School Board members talked about attending the National School Boards Association convention this month in Atlanta, Ga., during Monday night’s meeting.

Attending along with Supt. Kraig Steinhoff were School Board members Tim VanBerkum, Shelly Siemonsma, Craig Lee and Garret Bischoff.

Siemonsma shared about a session she attended on reaching wounded students and staff, and identifying those who were at risk. “It was acknowledging mental health and sharing people’s stories in the room, it was very emotional,” she said. “This community has gone through a difficult three or four weeks now.”

Other sessions members attended dealt with keeping kids in school through graduation, phones in schools, enriching parent involvement and school safety.

“A school in New York talked about how to keep students safe,” Lee said. “A lot of stuff they touched on we’ve already done. We got a lot of great information. Now, what can we do to make improvements.”
Bischoff said  It was his third national convention to attend, and he came home with many ideas “that would be great to move our district forward.

“It doesn’t matter what state school board members are from,” Bischoff added. “They all love the kids and want to see their community thrive and get better.”

VanBerkum said it was interesting to hear of creative ways school districts across the nation are working to help fund programs in their schools.

Steinhoff said next year will be the final year of the district’s strategic plan, and he hopes the information gleaned from attending the convention will be incorporated into the next planning phase.

“This information we’ve received is timely, and the best way to utilize that is to build it into our next strategic plan,” he said.

Celebrating the successes in the district, Steinhoff offered congratulations to Lydia Beck, America Preston and Mara Pell for being accepted to the South Dakota Middle School All State Band. Beck and Preston play the flute and Pell plays the euphonium. The concert was March 8 in Mitchell.

Senior Lily Halter was awarded the Rosella Blunk Award for Oral Interp. She is one of only four students in the state to receive the award.

Congratulations were also extended to junior Hylton Heinz for being selected to the All-State Girls’ Basketball Honorable Mention Team, and junior Blake Ellwein for being selected to the All-State Boys’ Basketball First Team.

Sophomore Hailey Schoenfelder was congratulated for being accepted to the South Dakota High School All State Band. The concert was March 29 in Watertown.

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is April 22, and Administrative Assistance Day is April 23.

Thank you’s were extended to many businesses that support the Middle School Yearbook. They include Asian Htoo Myat Yatanar Market, Black Tie, Craig Lee Studios, Elite Auto Body LLC, Golden Horn Karen Asian Market, Hub Insurance/Holly Rounds, Karen Asian Grocery Store, La Patrona Mexican Restaurant, J & J Bouncy Rentals, Mikhin Myo Hlaing, Napa Central, Pederen Underground LLC, PB Sprots, Snow, Huether & Coyle, Woodbridge Candle Co., 605 Sheds, Schaefer Farms, Bianca’s Sabor Latino, Conoco, Huron Area Hopes & Blessings, Melys Mexican Store, Super X C-Store, Tienda Victoria, Tipicos Marisol, Unique Flairs, Agape Sushi, Aun Asian Market, Bariedodes Rose, Karen Asian Grocery, and the Rainbow Flower Shop.

Laura Feldhaus was thanked for letting all Buchanan K-1 Center students see and meet farm animals, and the freshman class was thanked for putting together an egg hunt for students.

Steinhoff said the Huron School District will partner with Compass, a division of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, to write and implement the South Dakota ELA Literacy Grant. The application is due June 6.

The board approved launching the TeamMates Mentoring program in Huron. At the March 24 meeting, Christina Prehn, S.D. Regional Coordinator for TeamMates Mentoring program, told the Board about the program, which is a one-to-one mentoring program that pairs post secondary students with elementary students in grades three and four.

Nationally, students taking part in the program had a 59 percent improvement in grades, 71 percent fewer unexcused absences and an 81 percent drop in behavioral problems. The ideal time to introduce a mentoring relationship is in grades three and four. Additional buildings and grades can be included in the program as capacity allows.

The board also approved a new math curriculum for the district, authorized membership in the South Dakota High School Activities Association, and approved 16 new hires and five regisations.