School district ranked No. 1

With the school year winding down, Hill City School District superintendent Blake Gardner had some big news to share in his newsletter.

US News and World Report produced its annual rankings of the top schools in the each state, and Hill City High School was ranked number one in South Dakota.

“We are honored to be ranked number one,” Gardner wrote in his newsletter. “We have a great high school and a phenomenal feeder system. I have always felt that we are the best school in South Dakota, and I love when rankings like this support my beliefs.”

The ranking US News and World Report uses is based on criteria such as graduation rate, advanced placement participation and success and student achievement. Over the past three years, the high school has been ranked number one in 2019, number two in 2020 and then number one again this year.

The rest of the top ten was: Rapid City-Stevens, Arlington, Watertown, Dakota Valley, Sioux Falls-Washington, Sioux Falls-Lincoln, Ethan, Hamlin and Brandon Valley.

The week of May 3 is Teacher Appreciation Week.

“As superintendent of this district I am extremely proud of our teachers,” Gardner wrote. “Our teachers are professional, dedicated, selfless and amazing.”

Teaching can be challenging, Gardner added, but, to him, there is no more noble profession in the world. The district’s teachers get to inspire, motivate, educate and mold the lives of their students.

“I once read a study that the average teacher responds to over 500 questions in one day (everything from ‘Can I go to the bathroom?’ to ‘How do I do this problem?’),” Gardner wrote. “It is exhausting, but it is worth it. I personally want to offer a heartfelt thank you to our amazing teachers.”

May 12 will be a busy day, Gardner wrote, with senior breakfast in the morning to celebrate the Class of 2021 and their journey. Also, there will be a 10:30 a.m. parade of gowns for the kindergarteners and seniors.

Senior graduation will be held at 10:30 a.m. May 16 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

The end of the year, too, also means testing to assess growth, balance and proficiency, Gardner wrote. The third through eighth grade classes and the 11th grade class are all required to complete the Smarter Balance Assessment required by the South Dakota Department of Education. Students will also complete the Northwest Education Association (NWEA) assessment which allows the district to measure growth and evaluate success.

On May 12, the district will be conducting an A.L.I.C.E. (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate) drill. This will take place at the end of the school day, and Gardner stressed in his newsletter that this is only a drill.

“We are announcing it so that nobody is surprised,” he wrote. “We want this to be a great experience and a learning opportunity for all. We want all of our stakeholders to be prepared, not scared.”

The drill will begin with a lockdown and then proceed to evacuate the buildings. School Resource Officer Marcus Isakson and the school’s security team will be running the drill.

Gardner said do not hesitate to reach out if anyone has any questions.

May 17 from noon to 2 p.m. is the district’s field day at the football field for grades kindergarten through fifth.

During field day, Gardner wrote that Mrs. Swanson and Mr. Ginsbach have activities, races and competitions planned.

The elementary school grilling on the green is the last day of school — May 19. PIPTO will begin grilling at 10:30 a.m. with hot dogs, chips and water.

In closing, Gardner said they can see the light at the end of the tunnel and to finish strong.

“Thank you for your continued support this year,” Gardner concludes in his letter. “It has been a year unlike any other, but I am proud we maintained a sense of ‘normalcy.’ We were in person all year. We came together as a school and community and showed solidarity. I am extremely blessed to serve as your superintendent. We have an amazing district and amazing people. We are all on the same team with the same goal: the best education for our kids.”