Harding County School District Covid-19 Information Page
Harding County School District 31-1
Harding County Schools
Harding County PTO
Harding County Booster Club
Announcements
Harding County School District – Beef To School Program
The Harding County School District 31-1 is proud to announce that we are participating in the Beef to School program. This program will allow the school to bring local, better-quality meat to the table for our students and increase our meal options. Currently, our K-12 students consume approximately 1,600 pounds of hamburger per year. The district can accept local beef that has been processed in an official USDA-inspected (federally inspected) facility. The animals donated must have been in good health and meet the standards for this program to qualify. A special thanks to the Harding County Stockgrowers for their dedication to the program and helping us make this a reality.
Those looking to donate beef to Harding County Public Schools can do so by contacting Josh Page, Superintendent at (605) 375-3241.
Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year
August 12, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians:
WELCOME TO THE 2022-2023 School Year!
First, I would like to start off by thanking our staff, students, parents, and stakeholders! This last year required flexibility and patience and we truly appreciated the support. As a district, we are currently working very hard to ensure that our return to school is normal and successful. We believe that our environment at school gives students the best chance to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.
The Harding County School District will start school on Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 with normal operations. Our district will have a revised and updated return plan which is called “Moving Forward” (*Per federal/state requirements all districts must submit return plans.). This can be viewed on our school website, and remember it is a living document which will be updated and changed based on local needs and guidance. I encourage everyone to please read and refresh their memory on school guidance and requirements regarding COVID. The main point is we will get through this together, but it will take a team effort and continued common sense in our approach. Bottom line, if you are sick or been exposed, please be open and honest with the school and stay home. We will provide guidance and clarification with each situation that is brought forward.
Other notes:
I would like to give a special thank-you to the custodial staff/maintenance crew for all their hard work in preparation for the coming school year. Our facility looks amazing, and we appreciate their effort. I strongly believe having a clean facility is a vital cog in the educational process.
If there are emergency situations or weather-related announcements, we will notify parents through our Facebook Page, Remind App, or call out phone system. The local news channels/radio stations will post weather delays or cancellations, but this can be delayed so please take note of that. If inclement weather does not permit your child to attend school, please contact the school so their absence can be excused.
I would encourage you to visit our website at https://hardingcounty.k12.sd.us . There you will be able to access calendars, forms, or other pertinent information about the district. If you need to sign up for the Remind App, Class Dojo or the DDN parent portal, please contact the office and someone will set you up. Active participation in your child’s education is invaluable and I encourage parents to visit often about daily happenings, activities or topics that take place at school. These crucial conversations help parents keep informed about what your child is engaged in.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone for their patience and encouraging words over the last year. The support was humbling, and it is of utmost importance we stick together as one unit moving forward this school year. No plan will be perfect, but we will adapt and adjust together to make it work. Thanks again and best wishes!
If you have any questions, please review our “Moving Forward” plan on our school website or give me a quick call or email when time allows.
With Rancher Pride,
Josh Page
Superintendent
JH Sports Information
JH Cross Country: Will start Thursday, August 12 at 8:00 am. You will meet at Mrs. Costello’s classroom.
JH Football: There will be a meeting Tuesday, August 10 at 5:30 pm at the old gym to hand out equipment. We realize this is short notice so if you cannot make it Tuesday, you can pick up your equipment on Monday, August 16 at 8:00 am before practice. The first practice will be Monday, August 16 at 9:00 am.
JH Volleyball: Will start Monday, August 16 at 3:30 at the old gym.
Harding County School District 31-1 Job Openings
Please see our job opening information by clicking HERE
For more information contact:
Josh Page
Superintendent
josh.page@k12.sd.us
p: 605.375.3241
Mission Statement
The mission of Harding County School’s faculty, staff, students, parents, and community is to provide a safe and challenging learning environment that enables all students to maximize achievement through a variety of educational experiences.
Vision Statement
Establishing a Foundation for Future Endeavors.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
12474 Tipperary Street
PO Box 367
Buffalo, South Dakota 57720
Phone: (605) 375-3241
Fax: (605) 375-3246
School Board
Will Meyer, President
Billy Clanton, Vice-President
Tawni Cordell
Randy Routier
Taz Olson
Quick Links
School Testing Windows
Smarter Balanced
- Smarter Balanced Assessments are aligned to the Common Core Standards and provide a yearly check of progress in math and English language arts. Smarter Balanced provides feedback to help teachers and students succeed.
- April 8-May 3
- English Language Arts and Math
- There are two subtests for each subject
- Estimated total testing time: 6-7.5 hours, there is not a time limit for these tests and students receive multiple breaks
- Overall schedule will be on the school calendar as it is finalized
- Results are mailed with the final report cards at the end of the year
- Required by the state
South Dakota Science Assessment
- Grades 5, 8, and 11 participate in the South Dakota Science Assessment, which measures mastery in life, earth, and physical science.
- April 10-30
- Science
- There are 3-50 minute testing sessions. There is not a time limit for the tests.
- Overall schedule will be on the school calendar as it is finalized
- Results are mailed after school starts in the fall. In the future we plan to mail results with the final report cards at the end of the year, if the results are reported at that time.
- Required by the state
Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA)
- The alternate assessments are for students with cognitive disabilities who use Core Content Connectors. They measure academic achievement.
- March-May
- English Language Arts and Mathematics
- The length of time needed will vary for each individual who takes this test.
- Results are mailed after they are reported in the fall.
- Required by the state
South Dakota Science-Alternate Assessment
- Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 who qualify to take alternate testing participate.
- April 1-May 3
- Science
- The length of time needed will vary for each individual who takes this test.
- Results are mailed after school starts in the fall.
- Required by the state
National Career Readiness Certificate
- The NCRC measures practical skills for workplace success in areas of workplace documents, graphic literacy, and applied mathematics.
- This assessment takes approximately 3 hours.
- It is given to seniors during the fall semester. This year it is scheduled for September 18th.
- Students are able to know their results within a week, often the same day of testing. If earned, a copy of the certificate will be mailed home and the certificate will be presented to the student at awards day.
- Harding County High School chooses to participate in the NCRC.
MAPS
- Three tests (reading, language usage, math) are given at the beginning, middle, and end of the year to give details about specific skill sets students possess. Students are able to easily compare the growth they make throughout the year. Teachers used this test data to design classroom instruction, interventions, and enrichment opportunities for each student.
- This is a district wide assessment administered within the first 2 weeks of the school year and within the last 3 weeks each semester.
- There isn’t a time limit, students are given breaks between sessions and test for a total of approximately 4-5 hours
- Students are able to see their results immediately and teachers review them in class and often at parent teacher conferences.
ASVAB
- https://www.asvabprogram.com/
- This is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, which allows students to look into many career fields.
- Harding County High School requires Juniors take the ASVAB in the fall semester as well as any seniors who would like to retest for military purposes. This year it is scheduled for November 14. Students can test for up to 3 hours
- Results will be mailed in the fall semester.
Home School Testing
- This is required for home school students in grades 4, 8, and 11 to measure their academic achievement in math and English.
- March 25-April 19, it is administered at home.
- Results are mailed at the end of the school year.
National Assessment of Educational Progress
- This is a national test, sometimes known as “the Nation’s Report Card.” Students in grades 4 and 8 take a test in a predetermined subject. No scores are given at a school level, as the purpose is to determine student achievement on a national level and track progress over time. Harding County School District is not part of the participating sample this year.
ACT
- Post-secondary educational institutes require placement tests, but the ACT is not required by the Harding County School District or the state. It is offered at Harding County School twice a year (April and October test dates).
ACCESS and ACCESS Alt (for EL students)
- ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment administered to Kindergarten through 12th grade students who have been identified as English language learners (ELLs). It is given annually in to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English. ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards and assesses each of the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The assessment is available in both paper-based and online formats for Grades 1-12, while Kindergarten and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are paper-based tests.ACCESS 2.0: Jan. 28 – Feb.28, 2019
ACCESS Alt: Jan. 28 – Feb.28, 2019
