It is a BIG day for School Counselor Mrs. Ziemer! We celebrate her birth and life of four decades today.
We are daily thankful for her dedication and support for all of us at Westside. Above all she is a wife and mom first, this is evident in her life and is an example for all she comes in contact with. Thank you for all you do each and everyday Mrs. Ziemer! You spread kindness like confetti and create a place we all want to be in each day. Happy Birthday!
Go Jacks! 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙
Celebrations this week
-student librarians mailed thank you letters to Medal of Honor recipient Mr. Michael Fitzmaurice
-community visits to Edgewood and a special moment for a generation
family photo
-Falconry and Raptor Education, Roslyn, SD visited 3rd Grade this week https://www.thefaregroup.net/
-preschool painting and time for s'mores!
Veteran's Day Wednesday, November 11, 2026 - all students and staff are invited to wear Red, White and Blue🇺🇸.
This week we get to celebrate
1st Quarter Attendance!
Our learners are recognized for perfect and good attendance. Congratulations to all learners, parents/guardians and all caretakers for ensuring your child is at school on time everyday all day!
Congratulations 3rd and 4th Grade!
Perfect Attendance: 0 days absence 0 tardies - the two exempt days may be requested and yet receive quarter perfect attendance).
Good Attendance: two days absent or less
Attendance questions, contact the school office and visit with Tara Brooks or Sarah Gamber (605) 698-7613
ext. 4100 or email
sissetonelemoffice@k12.sd.us
This week we get to celebrate 1st Quarter Attendance!
Our learners are recognized for perfect and good attendance. Congratulations to all learners, parents/guardians and all caretakers for ensuring your child is at school on time everyday all day!
Congratulations 1st and 2nd grade!
Perfect Attendance: 0 days absent 0 tardies - the two exempt days may be requested and yet receive quarter perfect attendance).
Good Attendance: two days absent or less
Attendance questions, contact the school office and visit with Tara Brooks or Sarah Gamber (605) 698-7613
ext. 4100 or email
sissetonelemoffice@k12.sd.us
This week we get to celebrate 1st Quarter Attendance!
Our learners are recognized for perfect and good attendance. Congratulations to all learners, parents/guardians and all caretakers for ensuring your child is at school on time everyday all day!
The photos celebrate preschool, junior kindergarten and kindergarten - we are proud of YOU!
Perfect Attendance: 0 days absence 0 tardies - the two exempt days may be requested and yet receive quarter perfect attendance
Good Attendance: two days absent or less
Attendance questions, contact the school office and visit with Tara Brooks or Sarah Gamber (605) 698-7613
ext. 4100 or email
sissetonelemoffice@k12.sd.us
Happy School Psychologists Week! Thank you to our incredible school psychologists for supporting student success and well-being every day.
Small and Big Wins this week:
-Sweet girls delivered flowers for Principal month
-We get to have SHS students with us each day for our learners
-Kylie Ziemer is an in progress principal
-40 staff recognized for perfect and good attendance - 1st Quarter (OUTSTANDING)!
-Living stop light and traffic cones
-WELCOME Tia Owen and Angela Howell as paraprofessionals
-Miss Amy/Alyssa - Twinning Attendance Awards and Shirts 'Everyone Relax, I'm Professionally Developed'
Westside is a special place! Thank you for who you are and all you do to serve our learners and one another each day.
We Want Your Input! Ben Reifel Gymnasium Community Survey
The Sisseton School District is seeking community feedback as the School Board considers the future of the Ben Reifel Gymnasium and athletic space.
Structural concerns, facility needs, and long-term planning have prompted the district to evaluate options for renovation, replacement, and potential additional space. October 7, 2026 Community Presentation information: https://aptg.co/p85lvY
Your feedback is an important part of this process and will help inform the School Board as it evaluates available options, district needs, financial considerations, and long-term value.
No final decision has been made regarding the project's direction, scope, or design. The School Board will ultimately determine how the district moves forward.
Please take a few minutes to complete the community survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DQ7BT28. The survey will close November 9, 2026.
Printed copies of the community survey are available for pickup at the Sisseton School District Business Office during regular business hours. Community members may complete and return their surveys to the Business Office.
We encourage all community members to participate and share their perspectives.
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback and help inform the future of our school facilities!
🎉 October is National Principals Month! 🎉
As the month comes to an end, we want to celebrate and recognize our school principals for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to our students, staff, and families.
Our principals play an essential role in creating positive school environments, supporting student success, and encouraging growth in both students and staff. Their leadership, compassion, and countless efforts—both seen and unseen—make a meaningful difference in our schools every day.
💙 Thank you to our Sisseton School District principals for all you do to support, inspire, and lead our school communities!
👏 Happy National Principals Month!
As the month comes to an end, we want to celebrate and recognize our school principals for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to our students, staff, and families.
Our principals play an essential role in creating positive school environments, supporting student success, and encouraging growth in both students and staff. Their leadership, compassion, and countless efforts—both seen and unseen—make a meaningful difference in our schools every day.
💙 Thank you to our Sisseton School District principals for all you do to support, inspire, and lead our school communities!
👏 Happy National Principals Month!
Congratulations to Von and Onai Marquez! Westside staff (family and friends) celebrated this week to welcome Baby Girl Marquez.
Reminder: No School on Friday, October 30, 2026 (Staff Professional Development)
The Sisseton School District Native American Parent Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 28, from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Sisseton HS/MS Multipurpose Room. All are invited to attend.
Elementary Students at ALL School Activities - All elementary students MUST be with a parent/guardian.
Elementary students without a parent/guardian will be asked to leave the event/activity.
Elementary students at an event are to be seated with the parent/guardian and are to be escorted with the parent/guardian during the event at all times.
UPCOMING HEARING SCREENING NOTIFICATION
The South Dakota Services for the Deaf (SDSD) will conduct free hearing screenings at our school for grades: KG, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11
THIS YEAR, HEARING SCREENINGS WILL TAKE PLACE ON: Thursday, October 29th
If your child does not pass the hearing screening, our facility will contact you with the results. Rescreens or further testing can be completed at no charge, with the pediatric audiologist at:
South Dakota Services for the Deaf- Main Clinic
4101 W. 38th St Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
PH: 605-367-5200
If you do NOT want your child to participate in the hearing screening, please contact your child’s school prior to the date listed above, or your child will be included as planned.
The South Dakota Services for the Deaf (SDSD) will conduct free hearing screenings at our school for grades: KG, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11
THIS YEAR, HEARING SCREENINGS WILL TAKE PLACE ON: Thursday, October 29th
If your child does not pass the hearing screening, our facility will contact you with the results. Rescreens or further testing can be completed at no charge, with the pediatric audiologist at:
South Dakota Services for the Deaf- Main Clinic
4101 W. 38th St Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
PH: 605-367-5200
If you do NOT want your child to participate in the hearing screening, please contact your child’s school prior to the date listed above, or your child will be included as planned.
Thank you to all parents/guardians and family members that attended conferences this week. Those in attendance visited teachers, and also had an opportunity to learn about the current math standards and home activities from SD Parent Connection. Mrs. Keough (literacy coach/interventionK-4) shared information on Science of Reading with home learning activities.
Hartlee Neilan won the beehive!
Preschool learned about fire safety.
We had several classrooms earn bonus recess time due to their 10 days perfect attendance-photo shows our little ones playing, lining up on their own and taking turns!
Thank you each day to Haley Amos and Jianna Wolf (JOM Volunteers at Westside) work with our students on specific skills and build relationships.
Fourth grade writing workshop today was amazing to hear the learners read their writing to one another and respond in complete thoughts to one another. Student council held a planning meeting. Staff at Westside were greeted with 'Have an awesome three day weekend treat'! Thank you office staff for putting this together. Last but not least, first grade had a blast during sparkle learning game with Miss April! Westside is a special place to be and it is because of each individual that is there each day.
Everyday is a great day!
Family Engagement for Learning with your Child
Visit Darla Schieffer - SD Parent Connection at conferences in the entry - Math Support at Home for your child and a ticket in the drawing for a Math resource basket for your child at home
Visit Amy Keough - Room 1 - at conferences for literacy - Science of Reading Resources - and a ticket in a literacy resource Drawing for a literacy backpack for your child at home
Visit Darla Schieffer - SD Parent Connection at conferences in the entry - Math Support at Home for your child and a ticket in the drawing for a Math resource basket for your child at home
Visit Amy Keough - Room 1 - at conferences for literacy - Science of Reading Resources - and a ticket in a literacy resource Drawing for a literacy backpack for your child at home
We look forward to meeting with parents/guardians tonight at fall conferences.
This is an opportunity to support your child's school student council. The student council supports positive school culture and events, attendance awards, westside well prepared, always safe, value respect, eager to learn monthly nominated and recognized students, state assessment shirts. Thank you all for your continued support for your child's education.
This is an opportunity to support your child's school student council. The student council supports positive school culture and events, attendance awards, westside well prepared, always safe, value respect, eager to learn monthly nominated and recognized students, state assessment shirts. Thank you all for your continued support for your child's education.
~Early Dismissal~
Friday, October 9, 2026
SHS/SMS @ 12:35 P.M., WS @ 12:45 p.m.
~No School ~ Monday, October 12, 2026
Friday, October 9, 2026
SHS/SMS @ 12:35 P.M., WS @ 12:45 p.m.
~No School ~ Monday, October 12, 2026
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
October 8, 2026
7:00-7:30pm
Westside Lunchroom
Agenda:
Handbook-behavior matrix input
Q&A - Education/Academics
Today is School Custodian Appreciation Day. THANK YOU to our custodial staff members for keeping our school buildings, grounds, and facilities looking great!