Due to the continued high temperatures and heat conditions in several of our buildings, students at the following schools will have an early release day on THURSDAY, September 3:
Grandview, Horace Mann, Meadowbrook, Rapid Valley, Robbinsdale, Pinedale, South Canyon, South Park, Wilson, and North Middle School.
FRIDAY, September 4th is also an Early Release Day for ALL schools (Friday is a regularly calendar-scheduled Early Release Day).
Grandview, Horace Mann, Meadowbrook, Rapid Valley, Robbinsdale, Pinedale, South Canyon, South Park, Wilson, and North Middle School.
FRIDAY, September 4th is also an Early Release Day for ALL schools (Friday is a regularly calendar-scheduled Early Release Day).
PANTHER BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
💫This morning we had our first Behavior Refresh “Set up for Success” assembly of the school year. It was a nice way to come together and celebrate a great first week! All staff members around our building were introduced, common school expectations were reviewed (including the likelihood of lunch in the courtyard next week!), and we had a short discussion about “Minor” and “Major” behavior choices. Minor behaviors are documented as those that require multiple reminders about being respectful, responsible, and/or safe. Major behaviors are those that become repeated Minor behavior concerns or are isolated incidents of escalated intensity and/or severity.
🏫Our team is committed to helping students learn and grow, and creating an environment that supports this is key. Altercations here at school are handled with restorative conversations, time with staff to reflect, and often include logical consequences that relate to the specific behavior as closely as possible. Consequences are designed to teach, foster accountability, and help students understand the impact of their choices. Sometimes that does mean missing out on something or having options modified temporarily.
💗We approach each situation with care, focus on conflict resolution, consider age-appropriateness, and truly seek to understand to better help all students. As a staff, we’ll continue to communicate and model for kids what it means to work hard, have fun, and be kind.
💫This morning we had our first Behavior Refresh “Set up for Success” assembly of the school year. It was a nice way to come together and celebrate a great first week! All staff members around our building were introduced, common school expectations were reviewed (including the likelihood of lunch in the courtyard next week!), and we had a short discussion about “Minor” and “Major” behavior choices. Minor behaviors are documented as those that require multiple reminders about being respectful, responsible, and/or safe. Major behaviors are those that become repeated Minor behavior concerns or are isolated incidents of escalated intensity and/or severity.
🏫Our team is committed to helping students learn and grow, and creating an environment that supports this is key. Altercations here at school are handled with restorative conversations, time with staff to reflect, and often include logical consequences that relate to the specific behavior as closely as possible. Consequences are designed to teach, foster accountability, and help students understand the impact of their choices. Sometimes that does mean missing out on something or having options modified temporarily.
💗We approach each situation with care, focus on conflict resolution, consider age-appropriateness, and truly seek to understand to better help all students. As a staff, we’ll continue to communicate and model for kids what it means to work hard, have fun, and be kind.
📵 KEEPING DEVICES PUT AWAY
A friendly reminder/update for our elementary school families…
To help our students stay focused, connected, and ready to learn, ALL electronic devices—including cell phones, smart watches/Gizmos, and similar devices—are to be put away and silenced in backpacks during the school day.
⏰ Device-free time is from 7:35 a.m. (breakfast time) through the last bell at 2:50 p.m.
This expectation is in accordance with RCAS District Policy JT, Electronic Communication Device, which was updated by the RCAS Board of Education in April 2026.
📞 Need to get in touch with family? We’ve got you! If a student needs to communicate with a parent, guardian, or family member during the school day, our friendly front office staff, including our school nurses, are happy to help students navigate that process.
We know these devices can be helpful tools and can be especially convenient during drop-off and dismissal times; however, we want to be proactive in protecting instructional time for all 400 students at Pinedale. We appreciate families partnering with us to make sure they are powered down and tucked safely away during the school day. Please have a conversation at home with your child about this and develop a routine to follow this updated expectation.
Thank you for helping us create a school day where kids can focus on learning, building friendships, and being present!
A friendly reminder/update for our elementary school families…
To help our students stay focused, connected, and ready to learn, ALL electronic devices—including cell phones, smart watches/Gizmos, and similar devices—are to be put away and silenced in backpacks during the school day.
⏰ Device-free time is from 7:35 a.m. (breakfast time) through the last bell at 2:50 p.m.
This expectation is in accordance with RCAS District Policy JT, Electronic Communication Device, which was updated by the RCAS Board of Education in April 2026.
📞 Need to get in touch with family? We’ve got you! If a student needs to communicate with a parent, guardian, or family member during the school day, our friendly front office staff, including our school nurses, are happy to help students navigate that process.
We know these devices can be helpful tools and can be especially convenient during drop-off and dismissal times; however, we want to be proactive in protecting instructional time for all 400 students at Pinedale. We appreciate families partnering with us to make sure they are powered down and tucked safely away during the school day. Please have a conversation at home with your child about this and develop a routine to follow this updated expectation.
Thank you for helping us create a school day where kids can focus on learning, building friendships, and being present!
THIS FRIDAY - BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL!
🗓️Starting this Friday, Aug. 28th, we will be reinforcing an important part of our school safety procedures: parents and families staying off the playgrounds and saying their goodbyes at the gate.
👀This helps our staff keep their focus where it belongs—on the safety and supervision of all of our students—and allows us to have a smooth, positive start to each school day.
💙 We know goodbyes can be hard, but they can do it! And we will help! A quick wave, hug, and “Have a great day!” at the gate helps your child build independence and confidence while keeping our school routines running smoothly.
Thank you for your understanding, support, and partnership in keeping all of our Panthers safe!
🗓️Starting this Friday, Aug. 28th, we will be reinforcing an important part of our school safety procedures: parents and families staying off the playgrounds and saying their goodbyes at the gate.
👀This helps our staff keep their focus where it belongs—on the safety and supervision of all of our students—and allows us to have a smooth, positive start to each school day.
💙 We know goodbyes can be hard, but they can do it! And we will help! A quick wave, hug, and “Have a great day!” at the gate helps your child build independence and confidence while keeping our school routines running smoothly.
Thank you for your understanding, support, and partnership in keeping all of our Panthers safe!
Attendance Changes
Rapid City Area School District has adopted new attendance policies that will affect how your child's attendance is recorded. Please read below to see what this will look like.
In previous years, families may have used the "Verified Personal" absence category. Under the updated attendance policy, Verified Personal is no longer an excused absence category. There is now an important distinction between reporting an absence and the absence qualifying as excused.
For 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
Working as an election official if the student is 18
Cultural or religious observances
Bereavement
Military obligations
Inclement weather impacting transportation
Family emergencies
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.
An absence that is reported by a parent/guardian but does not fall within an excused category will be recorded as unexcused. For example, a parent reported personal day does not, by itself, qualify as an excused absence under the updated policy.
We would like to make sure our families are aware of this change going forward.
As always, regardless of the reason, please call and let us know when your child will be late or absent, as we want their whereabouts and safety to be our top priority.
Thank you!
Rapid City Area School District has adopted new attendance policies that will affect how your child's attendance is recorded. Please read below to see what this will look like.
In previous years, families may have used the "Verified Personal" absence category. Under the updated attendance policy, Verified Personal is no longer an excused absence category. There is now an important distinction between reporting an absence and the absence qualifying as excused.
For 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
Working as an election official if the student is 18
Cultural or religious observances
Bereavement
Military obligations
Inclement weather impacting transportation
Family emergencies
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.
An absence that is reported by a parent/guardian but does not fall within an excused category will be recorded as unexcused. For example, a parent reported personal day does not, by itself, qualify as an excused absence under the updated policy.
We would like to make sure our families are aware of this change going forward.
As always, regardless of the reason, please call and let us know when your child will be late or absent, as we want their whereabouts and safety to be our top priority.
Thank you!
OPEN HOUSE!
💛Teachers and staff have been hard at work getting ready for the 2026–27 school year, and we’re so excited to welcome our Panther families tonight!
⭐️ Join us for our Meet the Teacher Open House beginning at 4:00 PM. We can’t wait to see you and kick off a great year together.
⚠️ Our new entrance is almost ready. However, for tonight’s event, please follow the posted signs for the designated entrance and exit location near the flagpole out front.
See you tonight, Panthers! 💙🐾
💛Teachers and staff have been hard at work getting ready for the 2026–27 school year, and we’re so excited to welcome our Panther families tonight!
⭐️ Join us for our Meet the Teacher Open House beginning at 4:00 PM. We can’t wait to see you and kick off a great year together.
⚠️ Our new entrance is almost ready. However, for tonight’s event, please follow the posted signs for the designated entrance and exit location near the flagpole out front.
See you tonight, Panthers! 💙🐾
Hello, Pinedale families!
We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, even though it’s time to start thinking about school again, already!
By now, you should have received a registration reminder in the mail that includes the 2026-2027 District calendar and our Pinedale-specific supply list. That paper supply list is the most accurate and specific list for Pinedale. Please disregard any other list you may find on the website or in stores.
The office will look a little different this year! The District is updating building security with a double-door front entrance. This will have all parents/guardians/visitors stopping at an office window speaker for checking in, dropping off, or picking up.
We are also welcoming a new face in the office – Miss Mikela will be our other Pinedale secretary starting on August 17th. You might also see her in the lunchroom and on the playground, too!
Another big change is that the upper playground area is now fenced off for dedicated parking both before and after school, instead of just after school. Although modern drop-off and pick-up in a 1958 neighborhood will always be a source of gray hairs for all of us, this might make for slight improvement!
Finally, here is a quick rundown on dates to know for August:
Ongoing – complete your child’s Returning Student registration through Skyward
Thursday, August 20th 4:00-7:30 – Elementary Open House/Meet the Teacher night
Monday, August 24th 7:55 AM – First day of School (grades 1st-5th)
KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES: K students will attend in small groups to start the first week. That schedule is still in process, and you will receive more specific information soon!
PANTHER PRIDE! The Pinedale staff wishes all our students and families a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break. See you in August!
OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! Our 5th graders are off on their next adventure, and we are so proud of them! As they wrap up their elementary years, we wish them well as they continue to learn and lead in middle school. Once a Panther, always a Panther! 🐾💕
CONGRATS GRADS! 🎓 This morning, the "Grad Walk" tradition continued at Pinedale! We welcomed a group of our upcoming high school graduates back to walk the halls one more time. Our elementary students loved cheering them on, giving high fives, and wishing them well on their next adventure. The high schoolers even got to enjoy the parachute in the gym one last time - ah, the memories! We are so proud of our RCAS graduates and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish!
Yearbook orders are in!
Yearbooks will go home with students on the last day. This will allow time for students to sign each other's yearbooks and fill out their "Favorites" page while in class.
If your child won't be at school on the last day, please let the office or their teacher know!
A limited number of extra yearbooks are available for purchase in the office for $15 (exact $ only) or by check (first come, first served).
Thank you to our Panther PTA for making yearbooks happen!
Yearbooks will go home with students on the last day. This will allow time for students to sign each other's yearbooks and fill out their "Favorites" page while in class.
If your child won't be at school on the last day, please let the office or their teacher know!
A limited number of extra yearbooks are available for purchase in the office for $15 (exact $ only) or by check (first come, first served).
Thank you to our Panther PTA for making yearbooks happen!
CONFETTI CALL ANNOUNCEMENT! This 4th grader was nominated by Ms. White for demonstrating outstanding responsibility each and every day. She leads by example, works hard to complete everything she starts, and balances all of her commitments with a positive attitude. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and brighten someone’s day with her smile. We are so proud of the example she sets for others and happy to celebrate her with a phone call home!
Before the end of the school year:
Check Lost & Found - lots of unclaimed personal things!
Register for next year - in Skyward, "Returning Student Registration"
Return any library books, classroom book bags, laptops, etc.
Pick up medications from the nurse (if your student had any)
Notify the office if your child will be moving or changing schools for next year (call us at 605-394-1805)
THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL is Wednesday, May 20th. The last day is a regular day (7:55-2:50) with an end-of-year dismissal ceremony at the flagpole.
Check Lost & Found - lots of unclaimed personal things!
Register for next year - in Skyward, "Returning Student Registration"
Return any library books, classroom book bags, laptops, etc.
Pick up medications from the nurse (if your student had any)
Notify the office if your child will be moving or changing schools for next year (call us at 605-394-1805)
THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL is Wednesday, May 20th. The last day is a regular day (7:55-2:50) with an end-of-year dismissal ceremony at the flagpole.
Lost & Found
As always, our lost and found is needing attention! PLEASE check at home to see if your family is missing any coats, shirts, shoes, etc. and look through these items at school to make sure they aren't yours. The tables are located in the hallway near the front office.
All items not claimed this week will be donated to the Community Closet run by the Rapid City Public School Foundation.
As always, our lost and found is needing attention! PLEASE check at home to see if your family is missing any coats, shirts, shoes, etc. and look through these items at school to make sure they aren't yours. The tables are located in the hallway near the front office.
All items not claimed this week will be donated to the Community Closet run by the Rapid City Public School Foundation.
Elks Summer Movie Program
Don't forget to stop by the Pinedale office and pick up some Elks movie passes for this summer!
$10/person/pass
Don't forget to stop by the Pinedale office and pick up some Elks movie passes for this summer!
$10/person/pass
ABOVE AND BEYOND! Earlier this week, two of our very own were recognized by the Rapid City Public School Foundation for truly going above and beyond - Jennifer McNabb, our wonderfully talented Music teacher, and Kimberly Eining, our caring and passionate School Counselor. We are so proud of you and incredibly grateful to have you in our school family!
Pinedale Carnival this Friday - skip the line and buy your wristbands early!
Discounted wristbands will be available for purchase Thursday, May 7 from 2:30-3:30pm and Friday, May 8 from 7:30-8:15am in the Pinedale office.
-> $10 – cash or check (made out to Panther PTA)
Discounted wristbands will be available for purchase Thursday, May 7 from 2:30-3:30pm and Friday, May 8 from 7:30-8:15am in the Pinedale office.
-> $10 – cash or check (made out to Panther PTA)
Pinedale PTA is urgently needing volunteers to run the Panther Carnival this Friday at West Middle School. Please sign up using the link below!
http://bit.ly/carnivalhelpers
Don't forget that tomorrow, Friday May 1st, is an Early Release Day. Pinedale students are dismissed at 12:50 PM.
GRANT RECIPIENT! Earlier this week in the library, Ms. Logan received an exciting surprise from two members of the Rapid City Public School Foundation—a giant check for $2,579! Thanks to this fully funded grant, students at Pinedale will soon get hands-on experience with LEGO Computer Science and AI kits, bringing innovation and creativity right into her classroom. We’re incredibly proud of Ms. Logan and can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will create! 🙌
#RapidCityPublicSchoolFoundation
