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The Lookout |
| In partnership with the Pioneer Newspaper and Seaton Publishing, the Spearfish Foundation funds the Spearfish High School Newspaper, The Lookout. |
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Art Programs at all levels |
| The Foundation has provided funding to the art programs in elementary, middle school and high school to enhance the existing programs. |
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Elementary music programs |
| The Foundation has provided funding to enhance the music programs in the elementary schools. |
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Spearfish High School Debate Program |
| The Foundation has offered financial support for the high school debate program. The Spearfish High School Debate team is a highly successful and popular program with several state qualifiers and national qualifiers. |
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We the People Classroom |
| “We the People” was established in 1987 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students in the class research and debate Constitutional issues, and compete before a panel of judges in state competition. Spearfish High School won the state championship for the past two years and represented South Dakota at a national competition in Washington, DC. The Foundation helps to fund this program. |
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Close Up Program |
| Close Up is a week long study/visit to the nation’s capitol where students participate in an intense program to learn about the workings of our government. The Foundation helps to fund this program. |
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Summer Transition Program (Summer School Credit Recovery: High School) |
| The goal of this program is to provide students the opportunity to meet the requirements to receive a passing grade in core classes they are currently failing. The objectives are to provide students with successful recovery opportunities to pass English, Mathematics, Social Science and Science classes; to increase the success rate and reduce failure rate of freshmen and sophomore students; to provide students with more individualized instruction; to provide core area teachers to assist in meeting class standards; to use instructional strategies that motivate students to meet higher standards; to require students to redo work until it meets acceptable grade level and class level standards; to use research based instructional strategies to advance achievement; and to plan instruction in ways to deepen the subject matter application and to advance higher order thinking and analytical skills. The Foundation provided funds to support this new and successful program. |
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Technology Nights |
| In 2006-2007 after school open computer lab nights were initiated. The computer lab included working on homework with the aid of technology, doing research with the availability of the internet, or just practicing technology skills. This program addresses the need for more access to technology for our students, parents and community members. The Foundation offered funds to support this test program. |
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Guided Reading Assistance |
| This is a small group instruction program in which members of the teaching staff at West Elementary School use guided reading exercises. The program occurs during the regular school day or after school. The Foundation provided funding to support this program. |
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CARE |
| East Elementary After School Enrichment Program: East Elementary works in conjunction with BHSU to provide an enrichment program at East Elementary school. This program is known as CARE Academy (Creating Academic Readiness through Enrichment). In the 2006-2007 school year the CARE Academy provided enrichment and teaching opportunities in a variety of areas. Classes offered were: Sign Language; Science Concepts and Experiments; Math Concepts; Brain Benders: Puzzles and Games; Art Concepts; Mind Your Own Business (Running a Business); Mathletics: Math in Sports. The Foundation contributions are a key element in providing these opportunities. |
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Elder’s Wisdom, Children’s Song |
| Elder’s Wisdom, Children’s Song is a program in which local elders are chosen by classrooms and honored at an evening celebration. It is a great community project but also addresses several of the standards in the fourth and fifth grade. Children invite the Elder into the classroom and interview them. They write down the information and determine main ideas and details. The students then incorporate, with the help of a songwriter, this information into a song. They memorize this song and sing it at the evening performance for the Elders and the community. It provides an opportunity for our students to work with the community in cooperative groups and better understand a variety of life long skills including drama, music, listening, writing, memorizing, interviewing, etc. The Spearfish Foundation for Public Education sponsors and funds this program. |
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FISH Grants (Fostering Innovation in the School House) |
| The Foundation established the FISH grants for educators in the Spearfish Public Schools to encourage innovation and excellence in our schools. Awards are made annually in January. |
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Spearfish High School Debate Team PUBLIC FORUM |
| The Spearfish Foundation for Public Education is the sponsor for this new outreach program to the community. The debate team will offer this public forum setting to consider and debate topics of interest and importance both locally and nationally. |
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Educator-for-a-Day Activity |
| As a part of National Education Week in November, the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education will sponsor Educator-for-a-Day activities in the Spearfish Schools. This program enhances understanding among educators and community leaders. In addition, it demonstrates to public officials and other decisionmakers, the successes and challenges our teachers face and underscores the need for adequate staffing, materials, and facilities for students. Community members will be invited to participate in individual classroom activities with the teacher and students. This activity will involve all classroom levels, elementary through high school, and will begin with a breakfast for the teachers, administrators and community members. |
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Back to School Mini Grants |
| As sponsors for the back-to-school staff picnic, the Foundation awarded ten fifty dollar mini-grants to district teachers for classroom use. |
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National Education Week Mini Grants |
| As a part of National Education Week, the Foundation sponsored the Staff Appreciation Event, during which ten fifty dollar mini-grants were awarded to district teachers for use in their classrooms. |
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Participation in South Dakota Bankers Association Workshop |
| SFPE funding allows SHS students to participate in the South Dakota Bankers Association Workshop. |
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The Stock Market Game |
| SFPE funds are used to supports SHS student participation in the Stock Market Game. |
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Sociology Field Trip |
| The SHS sociology class participated in an annual field trip to Little Wound. |
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Middle School Field Trips in Math, Science and Technology |
| In 2008, the SFPE donations helped to fund field trips to the Mammoth Site and to the campus of SD School of Mines and Technology. |
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East Elementary Math and Reading Assistance Program |
| SFPE donations were used to expand the East Elementary math and reading assistance program to include 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. |
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West Elementary “Discovery Education for Science” Website Subscription |
| Discovery Education streaming is a digital video-on-demand and online teaching service to help improve students’ retention and test scores; it is aligned to U.S., state, and provincial standards. This award-winning program engages students and brings key science concepts to life. |
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