Meade School District 46-1

🎉 Happy School Board Recognition Week (Feb. 16–20)! 🎉

This week we’re celebrating the brave individuals who willingly attend extra meetings, read packets longer than a novel, consider a two-hour meeting a light night, and still show up smiling for our students and staff. 😄

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and for proving that “just one more agenda item” is never actually just one more agenda item. 👏

Give them a 👍, a 🙌, or their favorite: a short meeting agenda. 🎤 Stay tuned all week as we spotlight each board member with a quick interview!

It's the final day to celebrate National School Counseling Week! Today, let's celebrate Sturgis Elementary and Sturgis Williams Middle School counselors, Natalie Serbousek, Taylor Anderson and Bridgett Sadler! You. Are. Awesome.

Let's continue our celebration of National School Counseling Week! Today, let's celebrate Stagebarn Middle School and Piedmont Valley Elementary counselors, Sarah Joens, Maria Hartung and Heidi Kraft! You. Are. Awesome.

🎓✨ It’s National School Counseling Week!
Our school counselors are champions for students—helping them navigate academics, emotions, and life beyond the classroom. We are grateful for the care, guidance, and encouragement you provide to our students and families every day.

Today, let's celebrate Sturgis Brown High School counselors, Dadra Avery, Shawn Koontz and Aaden Valentine! You. Are. Awesome.

Anonymous Donor Supports Food Service Program

School Lunch Debt continues to be a challenge for districts across the state. Meade School District is offering parents a Fresh Start this January.
A generous anonymous donor has given the district $15,000.00 to help with the initiative. The district began 2026 with meal debt of about $34,000.00.
“Since the beginning of January, we have been able to offer a 75% match to any family that wishes to pay off their lunch debt,” says Rhonda Ramsdell, Food Service Director. We have had families contact us and almost $5000.00 in debt has been paid off. With this large donation, we can reach out to more families to offer assistance, and I hope we can wipe out most of the debt in the next month!”
Ramsdell emphasizes that households must contact the district to receive the donated funds. Families are also encouraged to fill out a new free/reduced application at any time during the school year, especially if their situation has changed.
“Many people may not be aware that school foodservice programs do not receive local tax dollars,” Ramsdell added. “Our department is self-supporting. Almost 60% of our revenues are received from local families when meals are purchased for children. The other 40% come in the form of federal reimbursements for those who qualify for free or reduced meals. In addition, those revenues are spent locally for food and wages. We truly are a local business.”
In Meade School District, no hungry child is ever refused a meal. What happens when meal accounts go unpaid? “We tighten our belts. We don’t hire more help, we don’t replace worn-out equipment, we don’t give raises,” said Ramsdell.
Families who would like to take part in this Fresh Start may contact the district foodservice office at 605-347-3601.

*REMINDER*
Staff Professional Development will take place prior to the start of school.

Grace Lutheran Church Red Bucket campaign raises funds for Scooper Sam Closet

Grace Lutheran pastors, Kevin Jensen and Carla Nelson presents a check for $675 to Alicia Harris, ISS Coordinator and responsible for the Scooper Sam Closet on Friday at Sturgis Williams Middle School. Pioneer photo by Tim Potts

Leigha Long, Student Council representative accepts a check for $675 from Grace Lutheran church’s pastors, Kevin Jensen and Carla Nelson on Friday at SBHS.

Pioneer photo by Tim Potts

Stagebarn Middle School Counselor, Maria Hartung, accepts a check on behalf of the Stagebarn Stallion Closet for $675 to help with essential students needs on Friday at the Stagebarn school. Pioneer photo by Tim Potts

For more information call Rhonda! 605-347-3601

Did you know.....Our Cafeterias are self-supporting! We receive no local tax dollars. AND, Almost 60% of our revenues are generated locally from meals sold to students. The other 40% are federal reimbursements for free/reduced meals.

Coaching positions are available! Fill out an application on the website at www.meade.k12.sd.us!

Hurry! Funds are limited....but this is a great time to clear up your unpaid student lunch balances.

The Meade School District 46-1 will have a 2-hour late start today, Thursday, December 18, 2025 due to high winds. Busses will be two hours later than normal. This includes Sturgis Elementary, Sturgis Williams MS, Piedmont Valley Elementary, Stagebarn MS, Sturgis Brown HS, Whitewood Elementary and the rural schools.