At tonight’s board meeting, HSD recognized Ms. Brooklynn Gross, English teacher at Harrisburg High School, for being named a regional winner in the Presidential AI Challenge. Her project, Hot and Cold, uses AI to support real-world problem-solving in K-12 education and earned top regional honors in a national competition supported by the Office of the President and the U.S. Department of Education. She advances to the national finals in Washington, D.C., this June.
Ms. Gross is an HHS alum and has also earned national recognition as an educator, including selection in Disney’s 100 Teachers Celebration, work with FCCLA at the national level, and prior honors through Sigma Tau Delta and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library internship.
Journey Elementary staff presented to the School Board this evening on the intentional reading structures being implemented to strengthen literacy instruction for all learners. The presentation highlighted a comprehensive approach that includes guided reading and writing, interactive read-alouds, small-group instruction, word work, independent practice, and student book clubs — all designed to meet learner needs, respond to data, and build strong reading skills across all content areas. Staff also shared how these structures are creating engaging opportunities for students to grow as confident, capable readers while fostering a love of reading.
Tonight, the school board had the privilege of hearing directly from students as they shared their inspiring Learner Interest Day experiences—highlighting how the day opened doors to new interests and future career possibilities. The board also received an overview of the program and its meaningful impact across the District. We are deeply grateful to the many business and community partners whose support brings these opportunities to life for our learners. The evening also included a special moment of recognition, as Christina Berger was celebrated for being named a Regional Teacher of the Year in South Dakota. We are #TigerProud! 🐾
Our nutrition staff do so much more than prepare meals. They create welcoming spaces, build relationships with students, and make sure every child has the fuel they need to learn and grow. A warm smile in the lunch line can make a bigger difference than we sometimes realize.
Thank you to our lunch heroes for your hard work, consistency, and care. You are an essential part of our school community, and we appreciate everything you do today and every day. 🍎
It's time to register for HSD Summer Arts Camps! Middle & High School students can register for Printmaking Summer Studio, and Disco Ball Sculpture, while upper Elementary students can register for Celebrate your Spark Painting Class, Big Bold Flower Painting, Mindful Me Art Adventure, and Mosaic Magic. Register Here: https://bit.ly/4cHluh8
Across our district, our library media centers promote a love of reading, support classroom learning, and empower students to become thoughtful, informed lifelong learners. From helping students discover their next great book to teaching critical research skills, our librarians help every student find their joy. 📚✨
At tonight's board meeting, John Delle, 7th Grade ELA teacher and Oral Interpretation coach at EMS, shared the success of the 3rd Annual Middle School Talking Tiger Oral Interp Competition, where 33 students demonstrated growth in confidence, reading fluency, and public speaking through performance. To highlight this work, a couple of students were introduced to provide a brief demonstration.
And Dr. Amolins shared that Tracy Kern was recently inducted into the Region V ACTE Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor recognizing significant impact in Career and Technical Education across a 17-state region. A 27-year educator in Harrisburg, she has inspired students through Family and Consumer Science courses and leadership in FCCLA and Educators Rising. He also highlighted Dr. Sara VandeKamp being named ACTE Region V Postsecondary Professional of the Year, recognizing her leadership and innovation in advancing Career and Technical Education at Southeast Technical College and across South Dakota.
For more information, visit:
https://www.harrisburgdistrict41-2.org/page/kindergarten-registration
Do you have a passion for helping students grow, supporting diverse learners, and making a meaningful impact every day? The Harrisburg School District is seeking dedicated Special Education staff to join our team and support students in reaching their full potential. Now Hiring!
https://harrisburgsd.schoolspring.com/
Do you have a passion for helping students grow, supporting diverse learners, and making a meaningful impact every day? The Harrisburg School District is seeking dedicated Special Education staff to join our team and support students in reaching their full potential. Now Hiring!
https://harrisburgsd.schoolspring.com/
⭐️ Special Services Nominations: https://bit.ly/HSDSpecialServices
⭐️ Support Staff Nominations: https://bit.ly/HSDSupportStaff
https://harrisburgsd.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5333671
Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/uAmVnsi6yqExpQZV7
