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!
Winter has arrived!
We've had a lot of questions about today's cold temperatures and if students should be inside or outside. As per District policy noted in the RCAS handbook, when the wind chill is above zero at our building's location, our students will go outside.
We do have a weather monitoring station at our location where we are able to view our current wind chill in real time. It is NOT the same as the Weather Channel or your phone’s weather app, which report data from the airport 12 miles east of our building.
Temperature and wind chills can vary greatly across the school district. While one school may have students staying inside, another may be able to let them go outside.
We try to make a decision based on what is best for us at our particular location. Going outside is good for physical and mental development, helps build resilience, and creates a necessary break for students and teachers during the day. (Staff are also outside!) Please make sure your child has a heavy coat, hat, gloves, and appropriate footwear for these unpredictable winter days.
RED FLAG DAYS – when the wind chill is at zero or below at our building’s location, students will stay inside. A red flag will be hung near the gates to let students know they should head inside to the gym in the morning instead of onto the playground. If the wind chill does not improve throughout the day, students will stay inside for recess as well.
At morning drop-off, watch for red flags on the playground gates. If you see a red flag, that means students are expected to come through the main entrance into the gym to wait for the first bell to ring at 7:55 AM.
If there is no red flag, that means our wind chill is above zero and students are expected to go to the playground as usual.
In either scenario, at the end of the day, students will be dismissed as normal for their after-school plans.
Thank you!
We've had a lot of questions about today's cold temperatures and if students should be inside or outside. As per District policy noted in the RCAS handbook, when the wind chill is above zero at our building's location, our students will go outside.
We do have a weather monitoring station at our location where we are able to view our current wind chill in real time. It is NOT the same as the Weather Channel or your phone’s weather app, which report data from the airport 12 miles east of our building.
Temperature and wind chills can vary greatly across the school district. While one school may have students staying inside, another may be able to let them go outside.
We try to make a decision based on what is best for us at our particular location. Going outside is good for physical and mental development, helps build resilience, and creates a necessary break for students and teachers during the day. (Staff are also outside!) Please make sure your child has a heavy coat, hat, gloves, and appropriate footwear for these unpredictable winter days.
RED FLAG DAYS – when the wind chill is at zero or below at our building’s location, students will stay inside. A red flag will be hung near the gates to let students know they should head inside to the gym in the morning instead of onto the playground. If the wind chill does not improve throughout the day, students will stay inside for recess as well.
At morning drop-off, watch for red flags on the playground gates. If you see a red flag, that means students are expected to come through the main entrance into the gym to wait for the first bell to ring at 7:55 AM.
If there is no red flag, that means our wind chill is above zero and students are expected to go to the playground as usual.
In either scenario, at the end of the day, students will be dismissed as normal for their after-school plans.
Thank you!
HOMEWORK! Thank you to all of our families who were able to attend our Panther Pride Open House and participate in individual conferences last night and throughout today. We truly appreciate your continued support and involvement!
Now, you have a little homework. 😊Please take a few minutes to complete this survey about Pinedale and RCAS. Your feedback is important to us as we continue to grow and improve for our students and families. What should we keep doing? What can improve? The link was also sent via email a few days ago. Thank you for your time and partnership!
Reminder for No School, Book Fair, and Conferences
RCAS elementary schools will be having conferences tonight and tomorrow during the day - this means there is no school tomorrow for Elementary students ONLY. Middle and High School will have class as normal on Friday, 2/13/26.
There is no school for ALL grades on Monday, 2/16/26 for Presidents' Day.
Pinedale's Scholastic book fair is taking place during conferences! The book fair is set up in the Library this year. Feel free to stop by between 4:30-7:30 this evening, and between 8:00-12:00 tomorrow!
RCAS elementary schools will be having conferences tonight and tomorrow during the day - this means there is no school tomorrow for Elementary students ONLY. Middle and High School will have class as normal on Friday, 2/13/26.
There is no school for ALL grades on Monday, 2/16/26 for Presidents' Day.
Pinedale's Scholastic book fair is taking place during conferences! The book fair is set up in the Library this year. Feel free to stop by between 4:30-7:30 this evening, and between 8:00-12:00 tomorrow!
Practicing for an A.L.I.C.E. Emergency at the Elementary Level
Yesterday, 2/11/2026, teachers lead classroom discussions talking about lockdowns and emergency responses. The students talked about ALICE, which is the emergency response protocol the Rapid City School District has used for many years.
Our SRO Officer Pi made rounds yesterday answering questions and engaging with students. On 2/20/2026, we will be doing a practice drill that will be elementary level friendly. We will be practicing our lockdown procedures and securing the building around 8:30AM for about five minutes.
If you have any questions, you can direct those to Officer Pi at Rachel.Pi@k12.sd.us
Yesterday, 2/11/2026, teachers lead classroom discussions talking about lockdowns and emergency responses. The students talked about ALICE, which is the emergency response protocol the Rapid City School District has used for many years.
Our SRO Officer Pi made rounds yesterday answering questions and engaging with students. On 2/20/2026, we will be doing a practice drill that will be elementary level friendly. We will be practicing our lockdown procedures and securing the building around 8:30AM for about five minutes.
If you have any questions, you can direct those to Officer Pi at Rachel.Pi@k12.sd.us
CONFETTI CALL ANNOUNCEMENT! This 4th grader was nominated by Ms. Georgas for being a patient, caring friend in the classroom. Her compassion and desire to help others helps make our school a positive place to learn. Pinedale is happy to celebrate her. Proud of you!
We've recently had a LOT of sad students coming to the office looking for their missing special items - watches, money, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, small toys, plushies, etc. While we do keep any small, valuable lost items inside the office to be claimed, we haven't been able to reunite what we have with what's been lost, unfortunately!
Because of this uptick, we just want to remind parents and students to please try to keep special things at home where they are safe and won't get misplaced. :)
We also still have MANY very nice coats and hoodies in the Lost and Found in the hallway, which will be donated if not claimed.
Thank you!
Because of this uptick, we just want to remind parents and students to please try to keep special things at home where they are safe and won't get misplaced. :)
We also still have MANY very nice coats and hoodies in the Lost and Found in the hallway, which will be donated if not claimed.
Thank you!
FUTURE RAIDER DAY! What a great turn out on Saturday for the Stevens High School girls and boys basketball games! Pinedale was well represented, and students seemed to have a great time. Go Raiders! Be on the lookout for information about the next PTA family fun event coming in March.
Pinedale staff wants to give a shout-out to Principal Kamarainen for her induction into the Stevens High School 10th Annual Raider Sports Hall of Fame!
Mrs. Kamarainen is a 2001 SHS graduate and multisport athlete in gymnastics and track & field!
Mrs. Kamarainen is a 2001 SHS graduate and multisport athlete in gymnastics and track & field!
