DONATION DRIVE!🐶🐱
November 1–7 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. This year's Student Leadership Team is collecting donations for the Humane Society of the Black Hills right here in Rapid City. Check out the grade-level donation lists in the attached picture to see how your family can help. This flyer will also be coming home in your child's Friday Folder today (flyer created by SLT Member: Julia).
📦 DONATION DROP-OFFS @ PINEDALE: November 2–6
Thank you for helping our school family show kindness, compassion, and care. Together, we can make a PAWS-itive difference! 🐾❤️
November 1–7 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. This year's Student Leadership Team is collecting donations for the Humane Society of the Black Hills right here in Rapid City. Check out the grade-level donation lists in the attached picture to see how your family can help. This flyer will also be coming home in your child's Friday Folder today (flyer created by SLT Member: Julia).
📦 DONATION DROP-OFFS @ PINEDALE: November 2–6
Thank you for helping our school family show kindness, compassion, and care. Together, we can make a PAWS-itive difference! 🐾❤️
HALLOWEEN PARTIES
A few reminders for students dressing up for classroom parties tomorrow!
🚫 No Gore or Violence: Costumes should not be gruesome, bloody, or portray violent themes.
🚫 No Masks or Face Paint: Full face coverings and heavy makeup/paint are not permitted so students remain easily identifiable.
🚫 No Weapon Accessories: Toy guns, swords, knives, or any other simulated weapon props must be left at home.
👟 Recess-Safe: Costumes and footwear must be fully safe for physical activity, running, and recess.
🚻 Bathroom Independence: Outfits must allow the child to use the restroom completely unassisted without needing to remove complex layers.
Pinedale families,
We love our furry friends, but we need to remind all families that dogs are not allowed on school grounds. This does include any areas near the building, entryways, fences, and the drop-off/pick-up lane and parking areas.
To ensure the safety, comfort, and health of all our students and families, please leave your pets at home or inside your vehicle during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup.
Thank you so much for your cooperation, understanding, and help in keeping our school grounds safe and welcoming for every family!
🏐ATTENTION ALL FUTURE RAIDERS!
Join us tomorrow night, October 27, at 7:00 PM to cheer on the Raider Volleyball Team. Raider Nation Booster Club will be giving away spirit swag, so come make some noise, have some fun, and show the volleyball team your support!
We hope to see you there!
RAFFLE BASKET WINNERS! 🎉
These students were the winners of our raffle baskets during Parent Teacher Conferences last week. Congratulations to our winning families! A shout out to our amazing Panther PTA for sponsoring these baskets!
Thank you to all of our families for attending conferences and partnering with us as we continue to work together to help each Panther thrive.
These students were the winners of our raffle baskets during Parent Teacher Conferences last week. Congratulations to our winning families! A shout out to our amazing Panther PTA for sponsoring these baskets!
Thank you to all of our families for attending conferences and partnering with us as we continue to work together to help each Panther thrive.
In addition to our building’s new double-door secured main entrance, we also have a change for how visitors will check in and out during the school day.
Beginning today, Oct. 19, all RCAS schools will use Raptor VisitorSafe for visitor check-in and check-out. Visitors wishing to go beyond the main office during the school day must present a valid photo ID and complete this check-in and check-out process on the iPad located in the entryway vestibule.
For example, family members visiting for lunch will use this new process instead of signing in and out on the clipboard.
A Raptor check-in is not required for visits limited to the main office window, such as dropping items off for students or signing students in and out for appointments.
At Pinedale, due to our particular building layout, the expectation will be to continue having parents/guardians wait in the entryway and not come around into the main office or into hallways or classrooms without an appointment or prior arrangement. Visitors will check in with the iPad located in the entryway vestibule and then office staff will unlock the door. Don't forget to bring your ID!
Thank you for being patient as we learn this new system and for helping us keep our schools safe!
🚍 DISMISSAL SAFETY REMINDER! 🚗
A quick reminder for families during dismissal, especially between 2:30–3:00 PM:
The front lane is reserved for buses and after-school care vans only. This year, we are also rolling a sign out front to help remind drivers. We ask that families picking up by car please park in the upper lot. And good news — the new fenced area on the upper playground lot is designated just for this! 🎉
Keeping the front lane clear helps us load buses and vans safely and efficiently. When cars are added to the lane, traffic can quickly back up, and buses may be left waiting to pull in, which can delay their routes.
We also encourage all families to cross the street using the designated crosswalk. We want to model safe choices for our students!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together to keep dismissal safe, smooth, and efficient for all of our Panthers! 🐾
Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on these two days next week:
Monday, October 12th (ALL RCAS SCHOOLS) for Native American Day
Friday, October 16th (RCAS ELEMENTARY ONLY) for Elementary school conferences
CONFETTI CALL ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉 This Kindergartener was nominated by Ms. Shaw for being a great role model, listening carefully during class time, and eagerly raising her hand to share her thinking. Her excitement for school is contagious, and we are so happy to celebrate her hard work with a surprise phone call home!
SEPTEMBER SNAPSHOTS! Enjoy these 10 photos highlighting some of the fun, learning, and special moments from September at Pinedale. 📸
☀️ Lunch in the courtyard - a favorite in September
📚 Our teachers learning and growing together at a recent staff meeting
🦎 A few critters making an appearance on campus
🚸 Spinami safety - a big focus this first month of school
🎨 A sidewalk chalk note left behind in the Zen Zone
🧡 Orange Shirt Day
🖍️ Student coloring pages on Mr. Shane's door
🎃 And our first batch of Spooktacular Behavior pumpkin winners
🐾🩵
☀️ Lunch in the courtyard - a favorite in September
📚 Our teachers learning and growing together at a recent staff meeting
🦎 A few critters making an appearance on campus
🚸 Spinami safety - a big focus this first month of school
🎨 A sidewalk chalk note left behind in the Zen Zone
🧡 Orange Shirt Day
🖍️ Student coloring pages on Mr. Shane's door
🎃 And our first batch of Spooktacular Behavior pumpkin winners
🐾🩵
NATIONAL CUSTODIAN DAY! 🦸♂️✨
Yesterday we celebrated the hardworking custodial, maintenance, and facilities staff who work behind the scenes to keep our school buildings clean, safe, and welcoming every day!
A HUGE shout-out to our very own superhero, Mr. Shane!
We are so fortunate to have him at Pinedale. His hard work, care, and dedication make such a difference in our school community. We are thankful for Mr. Shane today and every day!
Yesterday we celebrated the hardworking custodial, maintenance, and facilities staff who work behind the scenes to keep our school buildings clean, safe, and welcoming every day!
A HUGE shout-out to our very own superhero, Mr. Shane!
We are so fortunate to have him at Pinedale. His hard work, care, and dedication make such a difference in our school community. We are thankful for Mr. Shane today and every day!
EARLY RELEASE FRIDAY
Don't forget that tomorrow, Friday, October 2nd, is a District Early Release Day.
Pinedale students will be released at 12:50 PM.
Thank you!
Don't forget that tomorrow, Friday, October 2nd, is a District Early Release Day.
Pinedale students will be released at 12:50 PM.
Thank you!
🚫 TOYS, SQUISHIES & SIMILAR ITEMS!
We are asking for your help in reminding students to leave squishies, gel-filled toys, water-bead toys, stuffies, toy-like keychains, and similar items at home.
While these items can be fun, they have created some challenges in our school setting – even when kept in backpacks. Concerns seen in schools nationwide include items breaking open, students putting them in their mouths, trading them, and items becoming lost or stolen. With nearly 400 students in our building, these situations can create frequent distractions and safety concerns for students and staff.
Please help us by talking with your child about this expectation. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to reduce distractions and keep our Panthers focused and engaged in learning!
We are asking for your help in reminding students to leave squishies, gel-filled toys, water-bead toys, stuffies, toy-like keychains, and similar items at home.
While these items can be fun, they have created some challenges in our school setting – even when kept in backpacks. Concerns seen in schools nationwide include items breaking open, students putting them in their mouths, trading them, and items becoming lost or stolen. With nearly 400 students in our building, these situations can create frequent distractions and safety concerns for students and staff.
Please help us by talking with your child about this expectation. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to reduce distractions and keep our Panthers focused and engaged in learning!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Our WIN groups are up and running! WIN stands for "What I Need." This is a dedicated time each day when teachers provide targeted math and reading instruction based on the individual needs of students.
To help determine those needs, all Pinedale students are screened three times each year in reading and math. Kindergarten and first grade students are assessed using Acadience, while students in second through fifth grade take the NWEA MAP Assessment. The results of these assessments were sent home in your child's Friday Folder.
Teachers who provide instruction during WIN include classroom teachers, Intervention Specialists, Literacy Specialists, Special Education teachers, and paraprofessionals. Together, they work to ensure every student receives the support and instruction they need to grow.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher.
Sincerely,
Pinedale Staff
Our WIN groups are up and running! WIN stands for "What I Need." This is a dedicated time each day when teachers provide targeted math and reading instruction based on the individual needs of students.
To help determine those needs, all Pinedale students are screened three times each year in reading and math. Kindergarten and first grade students are assessed using Acadience, while students in second through fifth grade take the NWEA MAP Assessment. The results of these assessments were sent home in your child's Friday Folder.
Teachers who provide instruction during WIN include classroom teachers, Intervention Specialists, Literacy Specialists, Special Education teachers, and paraprofessionals. Together, they work to ensure every student receives the support and instruction they need to grow.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher.
Sincerely,
Pinedale Staff
PUMPKIN DELIVERY! We have THREE big shout-outs:
🍂 Thank you so much to Scott Henrikson (again this year!) for his generous donation of pumpkins.
🚚 Thank you to Matt’s Melons here in Rapid City for delivering to Pinedale this morning.
💪 And a final shout-out to Mrs. Campbell’s 5th graders for jumping in and helping unload.
These pumpkins will be raffled off as prizes for students throughout October as part of our “Spooktacular Behavior” incentive. Be on the lookout as they begin to come home in the next few weeks! 🎃
Pinedale Picture Day!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23rd is Pinedale's Picture Day! Student pictures will be taken in the morning in the gym.
If you haven't already ordered, you can visit https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry and use code 0541PMA for Pinedale. Orders will arrive in 4-6 weeks and come home in Friday Folders after we receive them.
Picture Re-Take Day will be on Friday, November 6th.
Panther PTA Newsletter for September!
Catch up on highlights, meet the PTA Board, and see what events are coming up and how you can help!
Hello Pinedale families,
Just a reminder about updated RCAS District attendance policies going forward this year:
TARDIES are included in the new attendance policies as being either excused or unexcused. As with ABSENCES, in order to be considered excused, tardies/late arrivals must be called into the school by the parent/guardian AND the reason must be included in the list of qualifying reasons.
LATE AT 8:00 - BEAT THE BELL! We are encouraging our students to arrive on time to the playground and enter the building with their classmates. Our first priority is knowing their location and safety at 8:00 AM. Please always call the office at 605-394-1805 if your child will be late or absent.
For a late arrival or an absence to be considered excused, it must be reported within the required timeframe (no later than one full school day following the absence), AND the reason must fall within one of the District's identified excused absence categories as follows:
Student illness or illness in the student's immediate family
Medical appointments or treatment
South Dakota Department of Health exclusions
Cultural or religious observances
Bereavement
Family leave, including weddings, vacations, and non-District sponsored club or sporting events, up to five days per academic year
Participation in state or nationally recognized youth programs of educational value, up to five days per academic year.
Under the updated attendance policy, Verified Personal is no longer an excused absence category.
https://www.rcas.org/page/attendance-and-truancy
Thank you for your understanding, support, and partnership in making sure our Pinedale Panthers "enter to discover the world, and depart to lead the world"!
Early voting begins Friday, September 18!
The RCAS bond referendum will appear on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, General Election.
Before voting, we encourage community members to review the bond proposal, project information, tax impact, and FAQs.
🔎 RCAS Bond Information:
https://www.rcas.org/page/bond-information
🗳️ Official Election Information:
https://sdsos.gov/.../2026%20Election.../default.aspx
The RCAS bond referendum will appear on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, General Election.
Before voting, we encourage community members to review the bond proposal, project information, tax impact, and FAQs.
🔎 RCAS Bond Information:
https://www.rcas.org/page/bond-information
🗳️ Official Election Information:
https://sdsos.gov/.../2026%20Election.../default.aspx
➡️SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY. This week, classroom teachers provided students with age-appropriate ALERRT safety instructions, similar to the ALICE approach RCAS has utilized for many years. Students learned simple reminders for responding during an emergency: avoid, deny, defend. Our goal is to help students feel prepared, confident, and safe—not scared. We also welcomed our SRO, Officer Pi, who stopped by classrooms to say hello and introduce herself to students. We are thankful for her support!
