Official blog of the South Dakota Department of Education
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Pierre and Brookings teachers receive Milken Awards
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Nicole Weron: SD School Counselor of the Year
Nicole Weron (left) and Randi Hartman, 2021 SD School Counselor of the Year, in Washington, D.C., for recognition events |
School Counselor
Hill City Elementary School
Hill City, S.D.
A school counselor since 2004, Nicole Weron has a bachelor’s degree in human services and political science and a master’s degree in counseling and human resource development, both from South Dakota State University.
In her work at Hill City Elementary School, Weron built the K–5 comprehensive school counseling program and presents biweekly, structured counseling activities in every classroom. Her lessons are structured based on student need and are an integral part of students’ total educational experience. The school counseling program also incorporates support and collaboration from administrators, teachers, students, and the community. Teachers and parents value the program and consider it an equal partner in the educational process; it promotes the achievement of all students.
“I love caring for students and being a part of their support system,” Weron said.
Weron is a member of ASCA, the South Dakota School Counselor Association, the South Dakota Counseling Association and the West River Counseling Association.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Celebrating CTE Month
Laura Scheibe |
Laura Scheibe is the South Dakota Department of Education's director of college, career, and student success.
As we celebrate CTE month this February, I would like to
give a shout out to all our teachers who are doing amazing things to
prepare our students for what comes next, whatever that looks like.
CTE month is an opportunity to celebrate what goes on in our classrooms every day of the school year. One way we can see the outcomes of that work is through the higher graduation rates of CTE students – tangible data that demonstrates the success you help students achieve. You can find that information and more on the newly-launched CTE report card, found on the state and district tabs here. Use this public tool to show your impact.
Connect across your school buildings and across your communities – share your stories, spread the word, and help make CTE a part of every student’s academic journey. Let’s make this #CTEMonth epic for #SDCTE22.
Monday, January 31, 2022
Gov. Kristi Noem proclaims Feb. 7-11 School Counseling Week in South Dakota
National School Counseling Week
focuses on the unique contributions of school counselors, highlighting the
tremendous impact they make in helping students achieve school success and plan
for a career. Please take time to thank your school counselor(s) for their
efforts to help students learn, thrive, and grow and to make a positive impact
on student attendance, behavior, and achievement through fostering career,
academic, and social/emotional development.
Executive Proclamation
Whereas, school counselors are employed in schools to help students reach their full potential; and,
Whereas, school counselors are committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development; and,
Whereas, school counselors partner with parents to further the educational and personal growth of their children; and,
Whereas, school counselors work with teachers and other educators to help students succeed in school and set realistic goals for themselves; and,
Whereas, school counselors identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs to assist students in becoming productive members of society; and,
Whereas, comprehensive school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process:
Now, Therefore, I, Kristi Noem, Governor of the state of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim
Feb. 7-11, 2022, as
School Counseling Week
in South Dakota.
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: WoLakota Elder Interviews
Oceti Sakowin [oh-CHEH-tee shaw-KOH-we] means “Seven Council Fires” and refers collectively to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. There are seven Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings.
Monday, November 1, 2021
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: WoLakota Project
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Celebrating Attendance Awareness Month 2021
Executive Proclamation