Top 25 Reasons ASD is a GREAT School District

ONE Aberdeen School District has a proud history, yet continues to be known throughout South Dakota and beyond for a student-centered philosophy, innovative programs, and the exemplary education it provides.

TWO Four Elementary Schools have met the Department of Education’s criteria for being named a Distinguished School: –C.C. Lee Elementary – 2004 through 2007 –May Overby Elementary – –O.M. Tiffany Elementary – –Simmons Elementary – 2003 through 2007

THREE ASD attracts outstanding teachers from the upper Midwest. Teachers in ASD have an average of 15 years of teaching experience and 43% have a Master’s degree or higher.

FOUR ASD teachers and coaches have consistently received recognition at the State levels: –Michelle Adams – 2007 Asst. Gymnastics Coach of the Year –Merle Aske – 2007 Asst. Wrestling Coach of the Year –Dianne Brenden – 2004 Middle School Counselor of the Year –Gene Brownell – 2004 Athletic Director of the Year –Stacy Charron – 2006 Asst. Volleyball Coach of the Year

FOUR continued –Connie Diebert – 2007 Middle School Coach of the Year –Rose DesCamps – 2005 SD History Day Teacher of the Year –Jon Frey – 2002 Milken Educators Award –Missy Hill – 2006 Special Olympics Coach of the Year –Bruce Kleinsasser – 2003 Spirit Coach and 2007 Cheer Coach of the Year –Colleen Meisenheimer – 2007 SD Forensic Coaches’ Association Asst. Coach of the Year

FOUR continued –Joell Rachel – 2007 Aberdeen Area Arts Council Educator of the Year –Georgia Ramos – 2004 Special Education Director of the Year –Jill Stephenson – 2007 Multi-Level Counselor of the Year –Sandy Ullrich – 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching –SueAnn Yonkovich – 2007 SD History Day Teacher of the Year

FIVE ASD students and employees are actively involved throughout Aberdeen in volunteering and community service events. –The Chamber of Commerce awarded ASD the 2004 Community Involvement ABBY Award. –HMS students are actively involved in SOS (Serving Others and Self), an organization that promotes generosity and compassion. –SMS’s Youth Power earned the Chamber’s STAR Award in 2005.

SIX Central High School seniors have earned over $9 million in scholarships since 2001 (Hehn era). –CHS’s class of 2001 was the first to surpass the $1 million mark in scholarships. –246 students in CHS’s class of 2007 earned $1,699,137 in scholarships. –Three students earned National Merit Scholarships in 2007, more than any other ESD school.

SEVEN CHS’s Class of 2007 scored above the National and State averages on all test areas of the ACT as well as the national composite average.

EIGHT Aberdeen School District students are scoring exceptionally well on NCLB tests. YearProficientSub-GroupsPercentProficient /110100% /10891% /10895%

NINE ASD utilizes Foster Grandparents throughout the District to help promote community relations and cross- generational understanding.

TEN ASD’s Foundation has forged partnerships with local businesses who have generously supported our District’s mission to empower all students to succeed. –The Foundation recognizes graduates and contributors on its Hall of Fame and at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet. –Endowments, Daktronics project, field house lockers, landscaping, mini-grants, Phonic Ear systems, fine arts projects

ELEVEN As a result of prudent fiscal management (Janish era), ASD has completed the past five years “in the black.” –The District is fiscally responsible and accountable to its taxpayers.

TWELVE 151 students took Advanced Placement courses in , up from 107 the previous year. –Just under 70% score 3 (out of 5) or above on their AP tests.

THIRTEEN CHS’s athletic teams have finished in the top three of the ESD Conference All Sports Competition six out of the last seven years (Brownell era). –In any given year, 40% of ASD’s Middle and High School students participate in athletics. –Students involved in activities averaged a 3.2 GPA vs. 2.2 GPA for those not involved. –ESD Conference, established in 1927, is the oldest continuous conference in South Dakota. –In 1998, all ASD schools became Eagles.

FOURTEEN CHS’s debate team (Frey era) consistently finishes at or near the top in upper Midwest competi-tions and ranks Nationally in the top 1%. –State Team Champions 3 of the last 4 seasons –11 Individual State Champions since 2002 –Team Sweepstakes Champions at the National Tournament Qualifier in 2006 and 2007 –37 National Tournament Qualifiers since 2002

FIFTEEN ASD’s outstanding music program offers many talented students the opportunity to learn and be recognized. –CHS’s Jazz Central has won the Outstanding Performance Award (highest honor) at the University of Mary International Jazz Festival from 2000 through (McDermott era) –CHS’s A Cappella Choir and SMS’s band have been invited to perform at the SD Music Educators’ State Conference three times since 2004.

FIFTEEN continued –CHS’s A Cappella Choir will represent the six- state region as one of 15 out of 200 auditions to perform at the American Choral Director’s Association Conference in March (Owens era) –Singronicity, CHS’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, has won regional competitions in SD, IA, MN, and ND –CHS is one of only two high schools since 1951 to be represented each year at All-State Band –CHS’s Symphonic Band has earned superior or superior plus ratings each year since 1984 (Letcher era)

SIXTEEN CHS’s Drama Department is consistently one of the best in South Dakota. –The past three years, CHS’s One-Act Plays have earned 3 superiors. –Since 2002 (McCafferty era), actors have earned 14 Outstanding Ensemble Awards and 15 Outstanding Individual Acting Awards.

SEVENTEEN ASD’s School Board’s vision to update facilities has enabled our District to provide outstanding learning environments. –Central High School campus is currently the best facility in South Dakota. –The Simmons Middle School addition makes this school equitable with HMS. –C.C. Lee’s gymnasium, kindergarten room, and activities room allow improved delivery. –The developing Master Plan for elementary schools will impact accommodations for years to come.

EIGHTEEN Hub Area Technical School provides vocational courses not available to most South Dakota high schools. –Building trades –Automotive technology –Electronics and computer repair –Graphic Communications –Health Occupations –Radio and TV production –Machine tool technology

NINETEEN Grades 2-5 enjoy learning from members of the business and industry community through Junior Achievement. –In only six years, Aberdeen’s JA program has grown to become the third largest in South Dakota.

TWENTY ASD’s Special Education Department (Grote era) has been an innovative leader in South Dakota. –Reverse inclusion at Lincoln Elementary –Transition Learning Center at Presentation –Therapy dogs are used for students with autism. –The Opportunities Classroom (HMS) and the TLC have been given a Promising Practices Award. –ASD is a Special Education Model School for the Infinite Campus program.

TWENTY-ONE School Safety and Drug/Alcohol Prevention are taken very seriously. –D.A.R.E. program in grades 5 and 7 –School Resource Officer (SRO) at CHS –Community panel discussion on drug testing –Annual physical improvements to keep staff and students safe Blinds, locks, intruder drills, reunification plan

TWENTY-TWO ASD now has All-Day-Every-Day Kindergarten in each elementary school. –Reading scores are being impacted.

TWENTY-THREE ASD’s partnerships with Northern and Presentation benefit our students –Lab schools at MO and SE (NSU) –Reading Clinic for CHS students (NSU) –Swisher Activities Complex (NSU, City, ASD) –40 Students in Rising Scholars program (NSU and PC) –Transition Learning Center (PC) –Student teachers (NSU) and Nurse interns (PC)

TWENTY-FOUR ASD enjoys success due to dedicated parents’ involvement in our schools. –PTA –Booster Clubs –AIPAC –School Improvement Committee –Principals’ Advisory Committees –Parent Portal

TWENTY-FIVE …because of the incredible students with whom we interact on a daily basis. Throughout the year we see numerous acts of courage, compassion, generosity, empathy, creativity, and enthusiasm from our students. Their tremendous efforts and progress continue to be on display scholastically, artistically, and physically. –Andrea Prehn, Asst. Principal, HMS