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!
Pinedale 3rd-4th grade families — Washington, D.C. trip information came home this week!
Join us to learn about the trip, pricing, and how to reserve your student’s spot.
🗓️Parent Meeting: Tuesday, September 22nd | 6:00–6:30 PM
📍Location: Library
🔵RSVP: https://rsvp.worldclassrooms.com/inperson/53674960271?rsvp_id=53674960271
💲Families who attend receive $500 off each traveler!
We hope to see you there!
– Mrs. Amanda Fish
Join us to learn about the trip, pricing, and how to reserve your student’s spot.
🗓️Parent Meeting: Tuesday, September 22nd | 6:00–6:30 PM
📍Location: Library
🔵RSVP: https://rsvp.worldclassrooms.com/inperson/53674960271?rsvp_id=53674960271
💲Families who attend receive $500 off each traveler!
We hope to see you there!
– Mrs. Amanda Fish
TEACH! LOVE! INSPIRE! A big thank you to Harley-Davidson for bringing over Teacher Appreciation Bags today for our staff! 🏍️🍎
These thoughtful bags are filled with supplies and goodies that teachers and students use every day. We are incredibly grateful for our community of supporters. 💙
These thoughtful bags are filled with supplies and goodies that teachers and students use every day. We are incredibly grateful for our community of supporters. 💙
Picture Day for Pinedale is on Wednesday, September 23rd in the morning.
Flyers will be coming home in Friday Folders, and can also be ordered online at https://inter-state.com/Home using Order Code: 0541PMN
Flyers will be coming home in Friday Folders, and can also be ordered online at https://inter-state.com/Home using Order Code: 0541PMN
Labor Day Holiday - No School
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, September 7th due to it being Labor Day.
Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see everyone back on Tuesday!
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, September 7th due to it being Labor Day.
Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see everyone back on Tuesday!
Volunteer Registration Reminder!
If you plan on helping in the classroom, going on field trips, assisting with PTA events, or helping students in other ways, don't forget to register as an official RCAS volunteer! Find out more by going to the RCAS volunteer website:
https://www.rcas.org/o/rcas/page/volunteer-opportunities
There are multiple Volunteer Levels:
Level 1: This volunteer is a supervised volunteer and works under the immediate direction of a RCAS staff member. They must remain within sight and hearing of a RCAS staff member at all times while students are present. Volunteers under the age of 18 will always be Level 1. Examples would include Friday Folders, Clerical Assistants, and those doing tasks outside the school campus without student contact. A Level 1 Volunteer is screened using Megan’s Law to verify the applicant is not a registered sex offender. This is renewed annually for all volunteers.
Level 2: This volunteer has direct or ongoing contact with students. They may be out of the line of sight or hearing of the supervising school employee. Must be 18 years or older. Examples would include Day Trip Chaperones, School Dance Monitors, PTA Leadership, Hallway Work – reading, etc. A Level 2 Volunteer is screened through Background Screeners of America. This will be renewed every 3 years.
Level 3: This volunteer has the same contact as a Level 2 but would also include direct one-on-one contact with students or overnight chaperones or volunteering more than 3 times in an academic year. Overnight chaperones must be 21 years of age or older. All other Level 3 volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Examples would include Overnight Chaperones, Volunteer Coaches, Chaperones driving students, Tutors, Mentors, and Proctors. A Level 3 Volunteer is screened through the DCI Fingerprinting process also used for all RCAS employees. Level 2 background check repeated every 3 years.
Thank you to all of our volunteers who help make our school an amazing place to work and learn!
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!
