Rapid City Area Schools -

Color Change at Central!

A quick update on the Central High School Remodel Project: the blue ductwork has been painted red! This update not only brings a fresh new look to the space—it now matches Central’s school colors!

RCAS will conduct a recount of its Area 6 Board of Education seat. The recount will take place at the Pennington County Auditor's Office today, July 17th, at 1:00 PM. The recount process is open to the public.

📣 Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Human Resources, Nicole "Nikki" Wojcik!

With nearly 30 years of HR experience in both the public and private sectors — including 19 years with the U.S. Forest Service — Nikki brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Rapid City Area Schools. She holds both PHR and SPHR certifications from SHRM and has expertise in everything from employee relations to talent development and mediation.

Outside of work, Nikki loves spending time with her husband Mike, their two children, and their beloved dogs. She's also an avid horseback rider and nature enthusiast.

We are thrilled to welcome Nikki to the RCAS, where she will help strengthen our schools and support our mission of strengthening the community through education, communication, appreciation, and celebration.

We're Hiring: Special Education Registered Nurse🩺 Join the Rapid City Area Schools team and make a meaningful impact on student health and learning! We’re looking for a dedicated, compassionate, and qualified School Nurse who is passionate about supporting the well-being of students so they can thrive in the classroom. As a school nurse, you’ll play a vital role in preventing illness, promoting health, and removing barriers to learning through screenings, education, and individualized care plans. Apply here: https://www.rcas.org/o/rcas/page/careers Questions? Email Sateera Thompsen at Sateera.Thompsen@k12.sd.us 💡 What You’ll Do: -Provide direct health services and emergency care -Collaborate with educators and families to create Individual Health Plans (IHPs) and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) -Conduct health screenings and promote wellness across the district -Help students succeed by addressing health-related challenges that affect learning 💼 Position Benefits Include: ✔️ Medical & Dental Insurance (Wellmark BCBS & Delta Dental) ✔️ Life Insurance provided at no cost ✔️ Retirement Contributions through SDRS — 6% employer match ✔️ Wellness Incentives including screenings and flu shots ✔️ Employee Assistance Program for counseling, legal, and financial services ✔️ Optional coverages: short-term disability, critical illness, accident insurance, and more ✔️ Discounts to local gyms and wellness programs If you're a licensed nurse looking to make a difference in the lives of students while enjoying a supportive and rewarding work environment, this is your opportunity! 🌟

📣 Help us welcome Pahaa to the team!

We’re excited to have him join us at RCAS. Please join us in giving a warm RCAS welcome as he takes on the Warehouse Manager position. Welcome aboard!

Stop by the Rapid City Area Schools booth during the Live on the Lawn event! We’ll be celebrating the power of public education with free swag items (while supplies last), “I ❤️ My Public School” t-shirts, and great conversations about what makes our schools special.

Bring your family, enjoy the music, and show your support for our amazing students, teachers, and staff. We can’t wait to see you there!

Welcome Officer Dean Scane to North Middle School!

We’re excited to welcome Officer Dean Scane as our new School Resource Officer (SRO) at North Middle School!

Officer Scane has served with the Rapid City Police Department for over five years, bringing a strong, community-focused approach to his work. After three years on patrol and two years with the Community Engagement Team, he now assumes his new role, serving the youth of North Middle School.

His passion for working with students and creating safe, supportive school environments makes him a perfect fit for North. Officer Scane holds an associate degree in Law Enforcement and also serves on the department’s Constitutional Law Cadre and Crisis Intervention Team Cadre.

We’re grateful to have his experience and heart for service on campus. Welcome, Officer Scane!

Goodbye, Green Carpet! Big things are happening at Central High School this summer! The Central High School Remodel Project is underway, with exciting improvements being implemented across the building. Here’s what’s included: ✅ Library Remodel – A full refresh with a new design, updated flooring, and brand-new furniture, furnishings, and equipment. (Furnishings will be added later this fall.) ✅ C & D PODs – Home to Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math classrooms, these areas are getting new flooring (goodbye orange carpet!) and a fresh coat of paint in hallways and classrooms. ✅ Choir Room – Removal of the old acoustic curtains and installation of sleek new acoustic wall panels, plus a fresh paint job to brighten the space. Even better? The project engineer is a proud Central High School alum—bringing this transformation full circle! We’ll be sharing photos and more updates soon. Stay tuned!

New RCAS Superintendent Jami Jo Thompson took time last Thursday to join Construction & Planning Manager Jade Clement for a facilities tour across the district.

They visited several schools to get a firsthand look at our buildings—what’s working well and what needs to be upgraded—to ensure every learning space supports student success.

Welcome aboard, Superintendent Thompson—we're glad to have you on the team!

📸 Before & After at Meadowbrook Elementary! The Meadowbrook Elementary Drainage Improvements project is nearing completion. This photo, taken by the project engineer, shows progress on the southwest side of the building. The project includes the installation of a new subdrainage system to capture both overland and underground water flow, directing it to the existing storm sewer system. Additional drainage improvements are planned for the east side of the building, but that portion of the work is not yet complete.

Thank You & Congratulations – RCAS Board of Education Member Updates

We want to extend a big thank you to Michael Birkeland for his service on the RCAS Board of Education, representing Area 3. We appreciate the time and dedication he gave to our students, staff, and community.

We’re also happy to welcome back Jamie Clapham, who was re-elected to serve Area 6. And a warm welcome to Angela Rafferty, who was elected to represent Area 3.

Thank you all for your commitment to public education and helping support the success of our schools! Election of Officers President: Troy Carr 1st Vice President: Jamie Clapham 2nd Vice President: Katie Urban

RCAS will reschedule the recount of its June 3rd Area 6 Board of Education seat. The recount, originally planned for June 19 at 11 a.m. MT at the Pennington County Auditor’s Office, will be postponed. We will share the new date and time as soon as it is confirmed.

RCAS will conduct a recount of its June 3rd Area 6 Board of Education seat. The recount will take place at the Pennington County Auditor's Office tomorrow, June 19th at 11 am MT. The recount process is open to the public. UPDATE @12:00 PM 6/18/2025: This recount is pending mutual availability and agreement by both candidates. It will proceed only if both candidates are able to attend and reach a consensus on the individual the district has selected to serve as its representative on the recount board.

Exciting News! 🎙️ Rapid City Area Schools is proud to join The Public School Podcast, where real stories, people, and passion for education come together. Hosted by Sara Hornick, Executive Director of the Public School Foundation, and Bobbi Schaefbauer, Community Relations Manager for Rapid City Area Schools, this podcast dives into the heart of public education. Each episode features conversations with community members, dedicated school staff, and passionate advocates, all exploring one simple but powerful question: Why do you support public schools? Listen Here: https://homesliceaudio.com/school?fbclid=IwY2xjawK4KcpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFNRXlrNTU2YmU0RkF6RFN5AR5NcObXEnRwnqOCNkmJDGtIEq7nSoROiMl1rnw0Im37Z_JlScAoka4hNClEng_aem_VpO7l7ik8m0C9L3ASKFpRA

Now Enrolling: RCAS Virtual Elementary Program! Looking for a flexible, high-quality learning option for your child in grades K–5? The RCAS Virtual Elementary Program is now open for enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year! 📝 How to Enroll: Families can register in Skyward as new students—even if they’re already attending an RCAS school. Be sure to select the Elementary Virtual Program as your school choice! • Blended learning model • Online coursework with support from certified RCAS teachers • Personalized learning from the comfort of home Whether you're currently homeschooling or just exploring a different path, this program is designed to meet your child’s academic needs in a modern, flexible way.

Rapid City Area Schools offers free meals for all children under 18 through the RCAS 2025 Summer Food Service Program, which runs Monday through Friday starting June 2! 📍 Multiple sites are available, serving breakfast and/or lunch depending on the location. 🗓️ Program Dates: June 2 – July 18: Select school sites June 2 – August 1: Additional sites, including mobile meal stops *Note: No meal service from July 1–4 👨‍👩‍👧 Bonus for Adults: Thanks to the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, parents (ages 19–59) can eat lunch free when accompanying a child (while funding lasts). Grandparents (60+) eat free when accompanying grandchildren, courtesy of Meals on Wheels Western SD.

This past week, we had the joy and honor of celebrating the Class of 2025 across our district — and what a celebration it was! We thank our students and families for choosing Rapid City Area Schools to join your academic journey. It has been a privilege to walk alongside you, to watch you learn and lead, and to help prepare you for what comes next. Your story is forever a part of ours. 📖❤️ To our graduates: We are so proud of you. Your hard work and determination have brought you to this milestone, and the future is full of endless possibilities. Go out and make a difference — we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

🎓 Graduation Day is almost here! Can’t join us in person? No worries — you can still celebrate with our graduates from anywhere! Watch the graduation ceremonies LIVE: nc1.tv/graduation

We're Hiring: Special Education Registered Nurse🩺 Join the Rapid City Area Schools team and make a meaningful impact on student health and learning! We’re looking for a dedicated, compassionate, and qualified School Nurse who is passionate about supporting the well-being of students so they can thrive in the classroom. As a school nurse, you’ll play a vital role in preventing illness, promoting health, and removing barriers to learning through screenings, education, and individualized care plans. Apply here: https://www.rcas.org/o/rcas/page/careers Questions? Email Sateera Thompsen at Sateera.Thompsen@k12.sd.us 💡 What You’ll Do: -Provide direct health services and emergency care -Collaborate with educators and families to create Individual Health Plans (IHPs) and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) -Conduct health screenings and promote wellness across the district -Help students succeed by addressing health-related challenges that affect learning 💼 Position Benefits Include: ✔️ Medical & Dental Insurance (Wellmark BCBS & Delta Dental) ✔️ Life Insurance provided at no cost ✔️ Retirement Contributions through SDRS — 6% employer match ✔️ Wellness Incentives including screenings and flu shots ✔️ Employee Assistance Program for counseling, legal, and financial services ✔️ Optional coverages: short-term disability, critical illness, accident insurance, and more ✔️ Discounts to local gyms and wellness programs If you're a licensed nurse looking to make a difference in the lives of students while enjoying a supportive and rewarding work environment, this is your opportunity! 🌟