Why The Wall School District is Successful:

1. Why The Wall School District is Successful: A team effort brings well earned success!

2. Wall School District • Presenters • Dennis Rieckman – Superintendent / 7-12 Principal • Pam Johnson – Board Vice President • Mary Williams – Board Member • Todd Trask – Board Member • Other Board Members: Scot Eisenbraun – Board President Kevin Bielmaier Carolynn Anderson Spencer Cordes

3. Wall School District Background • 1320 square miles – 1 rural school with 10 students (Big White School) • 246 K-12 students • 26 teachers 4 Paraprofessionals • 95.5% attendance rate • 4 day school week • 32% of students on free/reduced meals • School-wide Title One with Elementary and Middle Schools

4. Staff / Board • Veteran staff • Small School • Supportive Board • Leadership from Administration Mr. Charles Sykora – K-6 Principal/ Federal Programs Director Mr. Dennis Rieckman – Superintendent / 7-12 Principal

5. Mission Statement

6. Recent Recognition • The Wall Elementary School was named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School.

7. Wall Elementary was recognized as a 2011 National Title I Distinguished School

8. High School and Elementary School SD Dept. of Education Exemplary Schools2012 & 2013

9. Recognized SD Dept. of Education Distinguished Schools High School 2006 2008 2009 2011 Wall Middle School 2006 2007 2009 Wall Elementary 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

10. Academic/Extra Curricular • 19 activities achieved a 3.00 GPA or above as a team/group. • Displayed in Multipurpose Room.

11. Academic Achievement Student of the month sponsored by: - South Dakota National Guard - Wall First Interstate Bank - Wall Black Hills Federal Credit Union

12. Character Education School Counselor has taken the lead by addressing character education in the classrooms and supporting good character in conjunction with other school activities.

13. Character Activities • Decorated popcorn bags for athletic events. • High School “Wall of Kindness” – Students/Staff record acts of kindness in designated location. • K-6 Chain Reaction – a chain link added for each kind act recipient reports. • Over 800 recorded acts. • Chain was over 200 feet long.

14. Character Activities • Athletic programs have quotes and statements about good character.

15. Character Activities Counselor regularly conducts classroom activities that deal with, Bullying, Respect, and Kindness/Compassion. The activities are reinforced by entire school staff. This year we will cover Integrity and Sportsmanship

16. One Page Handbook! Superintendent/7-12 Principal shares this at the beginning of the school year at the opening assembly. The One Page Handbook! 1. Do what is right! 2. Treat others as you want to be treated! 3. Treat everyone with dignity and respect! 4. Do not ASSUME! 5. When in doubt – ask! 6. Have PRIDE in your school! 

17. Results of Character Education have been excellent! • Fewer Office Referrals • Teachers/Staff report fewer disciplinary incidents on the playground, in the halls, in the classroom, etc. • Kinder, more Respectful, Caring, and Thoughtful Students.

18. What has worked in Wall • We award all students with a Dairy Queen Blizzard if the school met AYP for the year. • Free breakfast for all students on the first day of testing. • Juniors who tested proficient or advanced may start senior privileges at the start of senior year – others need to wait until midterm. • We award plaques for students on Gold Honor Roll (3.75 and above for 4 consecutive quarters) grades 4-12. • Perfect Attendance Plaques • South Dakota Reading First Activities • High School That Work Activities

19. What has worked in Wall • Wall After School/Summer Program • Most Elementary Staff meetings are used for curriculum and instruction discussions. All other announcements are done via email. • Elementary Team Meetings – Teachers meet regularly to discuss student progress, develop interventions, and monitor student progress in Reading and Math. • Reading Theme tests, chapter tests, DIBELS, and Reading Skills Tests used to monitor student progress. • Accelerated Math, Various Math Assessments, classroom activities monitored to assess student progress.

20. What has worked in Wall • Continued Support from the SD Dept. of Education • Staff Development through TIE • Outside school activities • Friday Academy – Teachers make arrangements with the parents of struggling students to schedule tutor time on Friday. • Kids’ Garden Market – Students learn about homegrown vegetables, sample different foods, gardens on school lot, Farmers Market fundraiser for local food shelf & backpack program. • Recorder Karate – Students receive extra music lessons on recorders, earn “belts” for each level they’ve accomplished, perform at spring concert.

21. What has worked in Wall • Communication • Staff works well together • Staff works well with students and parents/guardians • Announcements from school are sent out daily to parents/guardians/community • All parents receive a username and password for parent portal each August and are frequently encouraged to monitor their child’s progress. • Superintendent submits monthly articles to the local newspaper. • Monthly newsletter (Good News Report) sent to parents/guardians/community.

22. It is the Peppermint Candy • Students are able to have the candy during testing. • Why?

23. Community Support As with many small communities in SD the Wall School is the centerpiece of the community. • First Interstate Bank Great Wall Foundation (provided funds to help building of school). • Local Scholarships – First Interstate Bank / Golden West / West River Electric • Many smaller local scholarships • Scholarships of approximately $255,000 • School Supply Drive – Black Hills Federal Credit Union

24. Community Support • National Honor Society Food Pantry/Country Cupboard Backpack Program • Coat Drive – First Interstate Bank • Free Community Supper – Homecoming – Wall Chamber • Subway – Musician of the month • Common Cents Convenient Store – Monetary donations for technology.

25. Questions?