What's going on at Mitchell's elementary schools? Here's a look from their newsletters
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Sep. 1—MITCHELL — The 2022-23 school year is officially underway, and elementary schools in Mitchell have students and teachers back in the classroom for another year of learning.
And there's a lot going on.
The Mitchell Republic reached out to the five local elementary schools — Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary, L.B. Williams Elementary, Longfellow Elementary, John Paul II Elementary and Mitchell Christian Elementary — in an effort to provide a brief rundown of events, activities and announcements from each school on a monthly basis. The Mitchell Republic will publish this information online as information is made available from the schools.
School officially got underway in August, but the first full month of classes begins with the arrival of September, and each school is gearing up for a busy fall.
All five schools will be closed for Labor Day Monday, Sept. 5.
* Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22, starting at 3:30 p.m. and running to 9 p.m. Parents should watch for an email from their child's teacher a week or two prior to the date. Parents will then be able to schedule a conference time using the school's Sign Up Genius. Parents should call the school office if they do not receive an email from the teacher.
* The school book fair will be held Sept. 19 to Sept. 23 and will be open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. It will also be open during conference time on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 3:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Updates are available on the school Facebook page.
* Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary will hold a Zesto Night Friday, Sept. 16 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the 212 W. First Avenue location in Mitchell. A portion of all sales will go to support the Gertie Belle Rogers PTA.
* The Gertie Belle Rogers PTA is looking for new members. Those interested are encouraged to attend the next meeting Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in the school commons.
* There will be a sign-up for 5th grade band Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell High School Performing Arts Center. Those who cannot attend should email
for more information.
The full Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary September newsletter, featuring more news and information, can be found
here.
* There will be a parent-teacher organization meeting Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m. at 110 North Mentzer Street. Meetings typically run about 30 to 45 minutes. Parents are encouraged to consider joining the organization, which in the past has hosted events such as The Decade Disco, movie nights, Culver's night and Pizza Ranch night. The events help the school provide water bottles, new students gift bags and even playground equipment at the school. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month.
* There will be a sign-up for 5th grade band Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell High School Performing Arts Center. Those who cannot attend should email
for more information.
* The Longfellow Elementary student store has items for students to purchase, such as pens, pencils, erasers and other items that are school-appropriate. The store is sponsored by the school student council and money raised goes back to the students of Longfellow Elementary to help with student council projects. Hours are 7:45 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. and everything is $1 or less.
* Raffle tickets to benefit the school parent-teacher organization will be on sale from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11. More information will be sent home with students. The drawing will be held Oct. 14.
* Fall picture day will be held Wednesday, Sept. 7 beginning at 8 a.m. Packets were sent home with students last week. Pictures will be taken of each student, even if parents choose not to place an order.
* Artwork by Longfellow Elementary students will be on display in the Arts and Education Building at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The full Longfellow Elementary September newsletter, featuring more news and information, can be found
here.
* The school will host a family fun event Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. as a way to get to know one another and meet other people involved with the school. The event will include bouncy houses, freezies, door prizes and more. There will be a recognition at 6 p.m. of the groups that donated funds for the school drumming equipment that was installed last summer.
* There will be a sign-up for 5th grade band Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell High School Performing Arts Center. Those who cannot attend should email
for more information.
* The L.B. Williams parent-teacher organization holds its meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at Blarney's. The next meeting is set for Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and parents are invited to attend. The group is in the process of planning its Family Fun Fest on Sept. 13 and the PTO Carnival is scheduled for Nov. 5.
* Picture day at L.B. Williams will be held Friday, Sept. 9. Packets were already sent home. Online ordering can be done
here.
The full L.B. Williams Elementary September newsletter, featuring more news and information, can be found
here.
* The school student council will soon take shape. Permission slips are due Sept. 2 for any 3rd through 6th grade student running for an officer position or as a class representative. Student speeches will be held Sept. 7.
* SCRIP gift cards sales will begin at both parishes on the weekends beginning Sept. 10-11. The school is seeking volunteers to help sell SCRIP on scheduled weekends. The Sign-Up Genius has been sent out to allow for volunteer sign-ups.
* The school Fall Festival will be held Sept. 21, and will feature a meal, inflatables, games and activities, as well as the unveiling of the renaming of John Paul II Elementary. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for all John Paul II and Faith Formation families.
* Grandparent Mass forms are due as soon as possible so invitations can be sent out for the upcoming special Mass with grandparents.
* SDSD hearing assessments for Kindergarten through grade 6 will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27.
* Spiritual Emphasis Week will begin Sept. 26 and run through Sept. 30.
* School picture day will be held Monday, Sept. 19.
* Mitchell Youth Movie Night will be held Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
