Rapid City Area Schools -

Grad Walks: A Timeless Tradition of Gratitude and Inspiration There’s something truly special about walking the same hallways where your journey began—this time, wearing a cap and gown. ✨ Grad Walks remind us each year that education is more than grades and goals—it’s about growth, relationships, and the people who cheer you on along the way. From wide-eyed kindergarteners waving handmade signs to teachers holding back tears of pride, these moments capture the heart of what school is all about. Graduates get to say “thank you” to the educators who believed in them, and younger students get a glimpse of what’s ahead. It's not just a walk—it’s a full-circle moment.

🎀Courtyard Ribbon Cutting at Southwest Middle School!🎀 On Thursday, Southwest Middle School held a special Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to unveil its newly completed Courtyard—a project proudly led by the Student Council in partnership with the PTA. The morning included remarks from students and PTA representatives, a ribbon cutting, a group photo, and light refreshments. It was a celebration of student leadership, teamwork, and community support. Thank you to everyone who made this space a welcoming and inspiring area for students and staff!

Summer School 2025 – Registration Now Open! We are excited to announce that registration for Summer School 2025 is now open! This program is available exclusively for high school students and offers an excellent opportunity to catch up on credits, stay on track for graduation, or explore new academic interests. Registration Dates: 🗓️ May 1st – May 29th, 2025 Please be sure to register during this window, as no late registrations will be accepted. Program Highlights: • Designed for current high school students • Flexible course offerings • Supportive learning environment • Opportunities to earn credit or strengthen understanding in key subjects Here is the Link to register: [https://forms.gle/uiePMmx1azau2z8h8 If you have any questions, please contact Rapid City Alternative Academy (605) 394-4048 Principal Jessica Kanta Jessica.Kanta@k12.sd.us We look forward to supporting your educational journey this summer!

Seven days to go! All are welcome to attend the Senior Honoring Ceremony hosted by the Title VI - Office of Indian Education.

Now that moms have received their special gifts, we can share what Grandview Elementary School kindergarteners were up to last week! 💐 City Greenhouse Specialist John Berglund joined the kindergarteners for a fun and educational planting session with our youngest learners. He shared tips on seeds and plant care, then helped each student plant a flower to take home—just in time for Mother's Day! 🌱 Thank you to Mr. Berglund and Rapid City Municipal Government team for making this hands-on learning experience so meaningful and memorable for our students (and their moms)!

✨Sharing the Success: Stevens Students Represent at State Conference!✨ We’re proud that the South Dakota Department of Education selected our amazing Raider Coffee House team to present at the annual State Teachers’ Conference in March! Their presentation, “Brewing Success: Empowering Students Through a High School Work Experience,” wowed attendees and inspired other schools to consider similar student-led programs. One school was so impressed that it even visited Stevens to see the Coffee House in action! A huge shoutout to the student team for their hard work, enthusiasm, and professionalism—they proudly represented Stevens High School! Student Presenters: Piper Ashley, Dacian Childress, David Drolc, Chayton Garrett, Brecken Larson, Trevor Marling, Seth Matthiessen, Devon Nielsen, Saul Radlinger, Zachariah Richards, Roberta Swallow, Gian Terrazas, Ryan Trojanowski, Megan Webb, Carl White Eyes III Staff Advisors: Peggy Bias & Danette Schuman

🎉 Congratulations to Laura Lloyd-Smith! 🎉 We proudly share that Laura Lloyd-Smith received the Marvin Kemp Award for Outstanding Service to the Counseling Profession at this year’s South Dakota Counseling Association (SDCA) Conference! This is the highest honor presented annually by the SDCA, recognizing exemplary service and dedication to the counseling profession. Laura has been a leader, mentor, and tireless advocate throughout her career. Laura has left an incredible legacy from winning the 2000 SD School Counselor of the Year to supervising countless counseling interns, serving on various boards and committees, and passionately advocating for students, families, schools, and the counseling profession at every level. As she prepares to retire at the end of this school year, we celebrate her contributions and wish her all the best in her next chapter. 💐 Thank you, Laura, for your outstanding service and the difference you’ve made in many lives!

🎉🚌Russ Malone, Favorite School Bus Driver of the Black Hills!🚌🎉 We’re thrilled to share that Russ Malone, beloved driver for Corral Drive Elementary School, has been named the Favorite School Bus Driver in the Black Hills, as nominated by our amazing community through Haugo Broadcasting! 🏆 Russ is more than just a bus driver — he's a friendly face, a steady presence, and a true part of the school family. Rain or shine, he ensures our students are safe, seen, and cared for. Thank you, Russ, for going the extra mile (literally and figuratively lol) for Corral Drive and the RCAS community! 👏

💫An Evening of Excellence with Rapid City Public School Foundation!💫 At this year’s Evening of Excellence, we proudly celebrated the top 5% of graduating seniors and the inspiring recipients of the Raider Spirit Award and Cobbler Spirit Award. For the first time, we also recognized outstanding individuals with each school's Volunteer of Excellence and CTE Pathway to Excellence awards. Thank you, Rapid City Public School Foundation, for the great celebration. Together, we are investing in a brighter future for our students.

🌟Sharing the Success: Stevens High School Speech and Debate Team!🌟 At the board meeting, we recognized the Stevens High School Speech and Debate Team and their incredible year! Despite starting the season with new coaches, a late kickoff, and the usual challenges of any competitive activity, this team rose to the occasion. With a dedicated core of 4 seniors and 1 junior, plus some energetic underclassmen, they built a strong, united team. 🗣️ They traveled across South Dakota and throughout the Black Hills, competing in 14 tournaments and hosting the Stevens Raider Penguin Classic! For the first time in 3 years, the team brought home numerous individual and team awards—and now, 11 outstanding members will represent Stevens, RCAS, and the entire State of South Dakota at the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, June 15–20!🏆 👏 Huge congratulations to these talented students and their coaches for their hard work, resilience, and remarkable success

We're thrilled to announce the new app for RCAS! It's everything RCAS, in your pocket! Download for Android https://aptg.co/H_XLq2 Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/Gcz8qP

🌸 Spring Break Reminder! 🌸 Rapid City Area Schools will be on Spring Break from April 14–21. There will be no school during that week as students and staff take a well-deserved break! 📅 Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 22. We hope everyone enjoys a safe, relaxing, and refreshing break! 💐☀️

🌟Sharing the Success: Student Leadership in Action at Rapid Valley Elementary 🌟 Rapid City Area Schools is proud to highlight the incredible work of Rapid Valley Elementary's Student Leadership Team! Formed from student input during the 2023-24 school year, this group of 4th and 5th graders has taken the initiative to improve their school and serve the community. With guidance from staff, they’ve: 🎉 Organized Spirit Week 🎄 Delivered holiday cards and songs to local nursing homes 💬 Created and shared Kindness Stickers with local coffee shops 🍭 Supported school fundraisers and PTA events 🏅 Led PBIS Fun Ticket Fridays and student recognition assemblies 🚒 Are planning outreach to local first responders and dreaming of a community garden! We are proud of these young leaders and the example they’re setting. Thank you to the RVE staff and PTA for supporting this team!

Sharing the Success: Recognizing the RCAS McKinney-Vento Team ✨ We want to take a moment to thank our McKinney-Vento team for their supporting students experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that students facing housing instability have equal access to education — providing essential services like transportation, school supplies, and connections to community resources. Our RCAS team goes above and beyond to remove barriers and create stability for some of our most vulnerable students, helping them stay focused on their education despite difficult circumstances. 👏 Thank you to our fantastic team: Anita Deranleau – MV Coordinator Kristine Briggs – MV Paraprofessional Stacey Rosdahl – MV Paraprofessional Simone Dausch – MV Paraprofessional Gabe Dorsman – MV Paraprofessional Kiarra Hinojosa – MV Paraprofessional Penny Osborne – MV Paraprofessional

Sharing the Success: Central High School Rocks the 2025 State eSports Championship! On February 14-15, six CHS teams competed, earning spots among the top 32 in South Dakota — an achievement in itself! 🏅 Chess: Noah Lay won 4 matches, including a 72-minute battle, finishing in the top 8. 🏎️ Mario Kart: Dixon Heizelman & Shaylynn Mouseau-Gray placed in the top 16. 🛠️ Minecraft Bedwars: Timothy Ayers & Dorian Burke stepped in as subs, pushing teams to sudden death and landing in the top 8. 🕹️ Smash: Dixon Heizelman ranked in the top 32, Timothy Ayers in the top 8, and Vince Macahilo fought to become the State Champion! 🎉 Way to go, Cobblers — we’re proud of you!

Acting Superintendent Dr. Strasser joined the fun today by reading to the amazing students at Robbinsdale Elementary! 📖🎉 Reading Across America Week is all about inspiring a love for books, imagination, and lifelong learning.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open! 🎉 Is your little one ready for kindergarten? Sign-ups begin on March 1 at 7:30 AM! 🏫✨ 📌 How to Register: ✅ Click the link: https://tinyurl.com/25-26-KG-SIGNUPS ✅ Complete the form and submit it. ✅ Watch for an email confirmation with the next steps to complete registration! 📋 Required Documents: 📎 Child’s Birth Certificate 📎 Proof of Residence 📎 Social Security Card 📎 Immunization Records Don't wait—secure your child’s spot for the 2025-2026 school year!

Join Us for the Winter Powwow 2025! 🎉 Mark your calendars for Friday, February 28, 2025, and come celebrate at General Beadle Elementary! 🌟 Schedule of Events: 🕓 Doors Open – 4:00 PM 🎭 Grand Entry – 5:00 PM 🍽 Supper – 5:30 - 7:00 PM 💃 Dances – 6:30 - 8:00 PM Featuring: 🥁 Host Drum: STAMPEDE 🎙 Eyapaha: MAVERICK GREY HORSE 🏟 Arena Director: M.J. BULL BEAR Come enjoy a night of culture, community, and celebration. All are welcome!

✨FREE PROM DRESSES!✨🎉👗 📅 February 14 | 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM 📅 February 15 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 Rapid City Alternative Academy (601 Columbus Street, Rapid City, SD) RCAA has over 200+ dresses available and accepts prom dress donations year-round. Don't miss this opportunity to find the perfect dress! 💃 All Black Hills Area Youth are welcome!

Our December staff appreciation event! A huge thank you to The Elks Theatre for hosting our staff! 😊