Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Each month, our students practice a habit for turning small actions into big wins. This helps us work together to be successful students and leaders!
March's habit was "Seek First to Understand - Then, to be Understood"! These students were chosen for representing the habit of listening before they speak.
Students who are learning Habit #5 listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. They try to see things from other viewpoints. They listen to others without interrupting. Then they have the understanding and confidence to successfully voice their own ideas with clarity and respect. Habit 5 means balancing courage and consideration.
- I listen to others without interrupting
- I raise my hand when I want to speak and I wait to be called on
- I don’t blurt out
- I try to understand other people’s views and feelings, even if they are different from my own
Congratulations to these students, and to all our Pinedale Panthers for being awesome!
Each month, our students practice a habit for turning small actions into big wins. This helps us work together to be successful students and leaders!
March's habit was "Seek First to Understand - Then, to be Understood"! These students were chosen for representing the habit of listening before they speak.
Students who are learning Habit #5 listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. They try to see things from other viewpoints. They listen to others without interrupting. Then they have the understanding and confidence to successfully voice their own ideas with clarity and respect. Habit 5 means balancing courage and consideration.
- I listen to others without interrupting
- I raise my hand when I want to speak and I wait to be called on
- I don’t blurt out
- I try to understand other people’s views and feelings, even if they are different from my own
Congratulations to these students, and to all our Pinedale Panthers for being awesome!
Tomorrow is an Early Release Friday. Pinedale students will be dismissed at 12:50 PM.
Tomorrow is "Purple Up for Military Families" Day!
Wear purple to honor and support the military children who share in the service and sacrifice of their families. Many military members serve multiple deployments during their time in the service, which creates unique hardships and challenges for these families. Let's show them love and support on Purple Up Day!
Wear purple to honor and support the military children who share in the service and sacrifice of their families. Many military members serve multiple deployments during their time in the service, which creates unique hardships and challenges for these families. Let's show them love and support on Purple Up Day!
Return your Pinedale PTA yearbook orders this week! Deadline is coming up on Monday, April 13th for stragglers...don't forget!!
Don't forget to register your upcoming Kindergartener for next year! This helps determine our staffing for next year, so we want to make sure everyone is accounted for sooner rather than later.
Start a new registration by logging into your Skyward account, or create your account by following the instructions in this link:
https://www.rcas.org/page/kindergarten-sign-up
Our Screening Day will be held at Pinedale in the morning on Friday, May 22nd.
Start a new registration by logging into your Skyward account, or create your account by following the instructions in this link:
https://www.rcas.org/page/kindergarten-sign-up
Our Screening Day will be held at Pinedale in the morning on Friday, May 22nd.
Reminder: Spring Break 🌸
Spring Break will run from March 30th through April 6th. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing break!
We look forward to welcoming students back on April 7th. See you then! 😊
Family Reading Night at South Middle School tonight, 5-7 pm. This is open to ALL Rapid City Area Schools families!
CELEBRATE WITH US! Katie Casteel, one of Pinedale’s dedicated Special Educators, has been nominated for the 2026 South Dakota SPED Staff of the Year! Mrs. Casteel was recognized at last week’s RCAS Board of Education meeting, along with fellow RCAS nominees. We are incredibly grateful for her unwavering support, collaboration, and hard work that make a difference in the lives of so many students every day. Congratulations, Mrs. Casteel—we are so proud of you!
CONFETTI CALL ANNOUNCEMENT! This 1st grader was nominated by Mrs. Salter for treating others with kindness, working hard to make good choices, and having a respectful, responsible attitude. She is a positive role model at school! Her family and her school family sure are proud of her.
Don't forget about the time change this weekend!
"Spring forward" on Sunday morning - 1 hour ahead!
"Spring forward" on Sunday morning - 1 hour ahead!
Does your family want to see the new Disney movie "Hoppers"?
Pinedale families are invited to a Panther PTA-sponsored movie night on Monday, March 9th, at the Elks Theater, for their showing of Hoppers!
Admission is free, courtesy of our PTA. Doors open at 5:45 PM and the movie starts at 6:15 PM.
See you there!
Pinedale families are invited to a Panther PTA-sponsored movie night on Monday, March 9th, at the Elks Theater, for their showing of Hoppers!
Admission is free, courtesy of our PTA. Doors open at 5:45 PM and the movie starts at 6:15 PM.
See you there!
Panther PTA March 2026 Newsletter
Early Release Friday!
Tomorrow, March 6th, is a District-scheduled Early Release Friday.
Pinedale students will dismiss at 12:50 PM.
And as a reminder for a regular day, Pinedale students dismiss at 2:50 PM and should be picked up or following their after-school plan by 3:00 PM. Thank you for communicating with your child about their plans ahead of time and ensuring they are picked up on time! That helps calms some of the very busy chaos and confusion for everyone. :)
Tomorrow, March 6th, is a District-scheduled Early Release Friday.
Pinedale students will dismiss at 12:50 PM.
And as a reminder for a regular day, Pinedale students dismiss at 2:50 PM and should be picked up or following their after-school plan by 3:00 PM. Thank you for communicating with your child about their plans ahead of time and ensuring they are picked up on time! That helps calms some of the very busy chaos and confusion for everyone. :)
Habit #4 - Think Win-Win!
Each month, our students practice a habit for turning small actions into big wins. This helps us work together to be successful students and leaders!
February's habit was "Think Win-Win"! These students were chosen for representing the habit of thinking about not just themselves OR someone else, but about what works best for both! They are learning how to balance courage and consideration!
- I can problem-solve when an issue comes up with another person
- I think about what other people want and not just about what I want.
- I am kind to others and think of ways to help everyone to be happy.
Congratulations to these students, and to all our Pinedale Panthers for being awesome!
Each month, our students practice a habit for turning small actions into big wins. This helps us work together to be successful students and leaders!
February's habit was "Think Win-Win"! These students were chosen for representing the habit of thinking about not just themselves OR someone else, but about what works best for both! They are learning how to balance courage and consideration!
- I can problem-solve when an issue comes up with another person
- I think about what other people want and not just about what I want.
- I am kind to others and think of ways to help everyone to be happy.
Congratulations to these students, and to all our Pinedale Panthers for being awesome!
HAT DAY FUNDRAISER! The Student Leadership Team (SLT) was at it again! For the month of February — also known as American Heart Month — SLT members worked to raise both money and awareness for good cardiovascular health to help prevent heart disease. Students regularly learn about the importance of healthy habits in PE with Mr. Schubauer, and today SLT members proudly presented Robin Albers and the Western South Dakota branch of the American Heart Association with $487.67! Way to go, Panther family! Thank you for supporting our community! 🐾❤️
CONFETTI CALL ANNOUNCEMENT! This 1st grader was nominated by Mrs. Bendewald for consistently working hard, participating in class, following directions, and showing kindness to others. Many times during guided play time, he offers to lend a hand to his teacher. His generosity shines, and he puts in the effort to be a positive leader. His Panther family is happy to celebrate him with a phone call home!
Read Across America Week: March 2-6 *Next Week!*
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Week, Pinedale will be celebrating a love of literacy by dressing up each day during the week of March 2nd-6th!
Monday: Put on your silliest, Seussi-est socks and roll up those
pant legs to show them off!
Tuesday: Go green in your attire, but please no hair
dye or hats today :)
Wednesday: Wear as many stripes as you can on
this day!
Thursday: Wear a shirt (with school appropriate words on it) for others to read!
Friday: Learn like a Panther in your blue and
gold colors!
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Week, Pinedale will be celebrating a love of literacy by dressing up each day during the week of March 2nd-6th!
Monday: Put on your silliest, Seussi-est socks and roll up those
pant legs to show them off!
Tuesday: Go green in your attire, but please no hair
dye or hats today :)
Wednesday: Wear as many stripes as you can on
this day!
Thursday: Wear a shirt (with school appropriate words on it) for others to read!
Friday: Learn like a Panther in your blue and
gold colors!
HOORAY!
Our tardies have been down this month!
Some mornings, the office staff typically records anywhere from 15–25 tardies. Over the last few weeks, we’ve been averaging fewer than 10 — what a fantastic improvement!
Thank you for your continued support and effort in helping our students start their day on time. We know mornings can present challenges, and we truly appreciate the extra attention being given to prioritizing punctuality. Being on time is a great lifelong habit to build early, and your partnership makes a difference!
Our tardies have been down this month!
Some mornings, the office staff typically records anywhere from 15–25 tardies. Over the last few weeks, we’ve been averaging fewer than 10 — what a fantastic improvement!
Thank you for your continued support and effort in helping our students start their day on time. We know mornings can present challenges, and we truly appreciate the extra attention being given to prioritizing punctuality. Being on time is a great lifelong habit to build early, and your partnership makes a difference!
FAMILY HOMEWORK! A final reminder and request to please take a few minutes to complete this survey about Pinedale and RCAS. With just over 400 students currently enrolled here at Pinedale, our goal is at least 115 survey responses this year, and we are almost there! Like we tell our students, feedback is a gift. It helps us set goals as a school, celebrate the good stuff, and continue to serve our Panther families the best we can. The survey closes tomorrow, 2/25. Thank you so much!
CONFETTI CALL ANNOUNCEMENT! This kindergartener was nominated by Ms. Wilson for being an exceptional listener who consistently gives his full attention and responds with thoughtfulness and understanding. He demonstrates a level of maturity and kindness far beyond his years. Always eager to lend a helping hand, he supports classmates who need encouragement, assists friends who need help, and is quick to offer support to Ms. Wilson. He is a wonderful role model in our school family. We're happy to celebrate him with a phone call home!
