Elementary School

4th Graders were invited to a Read to Me event at Sisseton Wahpeton College today. The students were given a warlm welcome fromTia - smiling so bright. The SWC students read with the students and helped with crafts. SWC brought in Subway for the group for lunch. The students shared the importance of READING all through their life as well as how to be a high school student and take dual credit courses with the college. Vice President Dr. Julie Buckman visited with the students about the programs available at the college and gave a warm welcome for each to consider SWC in the future. Thank you to the following SWC administrators and staff that made this possible today. We look forward to our second visit with the next group of 4th graders. Dr. Julie Buckman (Vice President) Samantha Crandall (Student Success Navigator) Tia Topoluk (Education Specialist) Jenny Nakanishi (Faculty) - Lenora Haug (SWC student) - Hannah Ziegler (SWC student) - Bailey Koshenina (SWC student) - Ava German (SWC student) - Sabrina LaBelle (SWC student) - Kenny Budack Jr. (SWC student)

Preschool 2025-26 Registration is OPEN! It is a full day-five days a week program built on early childhood learning foundations-specifically around play and how to love to learn and grow together. Take a moment to read the parent testimonials from this year. We look forward to having your child join the 2025-26 preschool class. Space is limited. Please visit the school enrollment website or the school office to register: Preschool Application Information: The Sisseton School District offers a preschool program for students who are 4 years old by September 1, 2025. Preschool is a full-day program, is certified by the South Dakota Department of Social Services, and is taught by an SD DOE-certified teacher. State and Tribal assistance programs may be used to support tuition fees. Preschool fees are $25/day. After-school care is available for an additional cost of $5/day. Bus transportation may be available to students residing in the Sisseton School District on an established bus route. Parents are billed twice a month and must prepay for the upcoming pay period. Parents will receive refunds or credits toward their bill for unexpected school cancellations such as snow days.

Westside Students at Moonlight Bowling Wednesday, March 12 during enrichment classes as a conclusion activity to the Readapillar Challenge. Thank you to all that worked together to provide this opportunity for our students. Thank you parents/guardians and teachers for your consistent support and expectation for our learners to READ, READ, READ.....REPEAT!

2025-26 Kindergarten Registration/Screening will take place on Friday, March 21, from 9 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Screening includes a short kindergarten readiness assessment with information for parents/guardians. Please visit the Westside Elementary Office to complete your child's registration. Please bring a copy of your child's current immunization record and certified birth certificate. Children enrolling in kindergarten must be at least 5 years only on or before September 1, 2025 to be eligible to attend kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year. If you have any questions on kindergarten registration, please contact the Westside Elementary office at 605-698-7613 x 4 or email sissetonelemoffice@k12.sd.us

Save the Dates: Join the Sisseton Special Education Department for sessions presented by the South Dakota Parent Connection on Autism and Related Disorders. The sessions will be live-streamed in the Sisseton School District Multipurpose Room. All are welcome to attend. The next session is March 17 from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

Looking for where to purchase Westside WAVE Gear - If you haven't placed your order yet with 605 Design please do so today! https://605designandapparel.com/collections/westside-elementary Your purchase not only puts Westside WAVE gear on your child, the funds raised from this fundraiser support the school student council. The student council promotes positive behavior intervention and support incentives, attendance incentives, kinder than necessary tshirts, supplies to promote a positive school culture. Thank you for your continued support!

1st grade had an educational zoo visit from Bramble Park Zoo today!

Reminder: No School on Thursday & Friday, March 13 & 14 (Spring Break), or Friday, March 21, 2025 (Staff Professional Development)

Westside wraps up this week strong and with many wins! Students ask to make thank you posters for those that have helped them learn. Janet Schmidt joined us this week from the Public Library to read. We get to have lots of love, listening to and reading with Grandma June in the library. Buddy reading continues in preschool. Our 4th graders look for their little friends during the week to keep them always safe throughout the school. Weekly visits to Edgewood continue with BINGO! We get to celebrate our students, small and big wins each day. Next week we have three days prior to spring break! Let's ALL be at school ON TIME, EVERYDAY, ALL DAY! Thank you parents/guardians and community members for investing in our children for the future. We get to do this together! One day at a time!

Fox in Sox Friday! Wear crazy socks! We had a fun day wearing crazy socks!

Westside dresses up as what we plan to be when we grow up! Mrs. Lagapa's class had a pizza party for 20 perfect attendance days! We welcomed Sophie Moen a college student attending University of Sioux Falls home for spring break as a substitute this week! We get to celebrate our students as we are Well Prepared, Always Safe, Value Respect, Eager to Learn!

When I grow up I will be... Westside had an outstanding future community of FBI Agents, Cops, Cowboys, Moms, Dads, Teachers, Nurses, Veterinarians, Professional Singers, Principals, Teachers! Mr. Brooks (Future P.E. teacher) taught class with Mr. Lotzer today!

Thank you SWO Tribal Headquarters, Education Department and Tribal Council for the warm welcome and day of learning. The second group of 4th Graders attended council meeting with Dr. Sherry Johnson, had language lessons, games and a tour with Alayah LaFromboise and Joey Bird. The students were treated to a generous pizza lunch. This was an outstanding experience to share and learn together. Thank you again for giving your time to inspire and encourage our community and leaders in training.

2025-26 Kindergarten Registration/Screening Day March 21, 2025 9-3pm Kindergarten Age Ready: 5 by 09/01/2025 Preschool Registration open March 21, 2025 Age 4 by 09/01/2025 We look forward to meeting you when you SIGN as a Westside WAVE Learner for 2025-26!

It is an exciting week at Sisseton Elementary School! Dress up days, Read, Read, Read! Fairytale day today! Red Riding Hood arrived in the library! Thank you to Janet Schmidt for joining us today. Wacky Wednesday is loading!

READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK ~ March 3-7 Celebrate with Dress Up Days! Readers are Leaders! Read! Read! Read!

Preschool continues to shine bright this each and everyday. It is a place our youngest learners are eager to learn and our older learners join in each week to learn and grow together.

Fantastic Friday is community visit day and BINGO time together!

The West Side Preschool class, along with their teacher, Ms. A took a tour of the United States Post Office in Sisseton. After studying how the mail system works in their preschool class, the students wrote a letter to their family and then mailed those letters while at the Post Office. The generous and friendly staff at the Post Office took the time to show the preschoolers how they sort, load and then deliver the mail.    

FFA Week February 17-21, 2025 - Members from Sisseton High School FFA Chapter visited Westside to read for our students and the annual coloring contest was held. This outstanding officer group dressed for success in their professional attire awarded the winners on Friday, February 21, 2025. Thank you Sisseton High School FFA Chapter and Advisor Mrs. Courtney Schaefer for this opportunity!