February is CTE month! CTE - short for Career & Technical Education is an educational approach focusing on providing secondary students with academic, technical and employability skills for high-demand, specialized careers.
RCAS offers CTE courses in the areas of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Business, Entrepreneurship & Hospitality, Construction & Technical Trades, Engineering, Health Services, Human Services & Education, Information Technology and Visual Arts & Design.
Last week, the Introduction to Health Services students from Central & Stevens attended Scrubs Camp. The camp was held at WDT. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and hear from industry professionals in Athletic Training, Dentistry, Nursing, EMT/Paramedic, Surgical Technology, and Wound Care. Students also participated in Healthcare Jeopardy and heard from a panel of post-secondary representatives from WDT, SD Mines, and SDSU about post-secondary options in healthcare at their institutions.
A special thanks to WDTC for providing the space, lunch, and extra support for the sessions. Thanks to Black Hills Surgical Hospital, Delta Dental of SD, the USD School of Nursing, the West River Area Health Education Center, SD Mines, and SDSU for providing additional breakout sessions for students.
Check out Rapid City Area Schools' January Newsletter! https://rcas.edurooms.com/engage/rapid-city-area-schools/newsletters/rapid-city-area-schools-january-news
On Tuesday, students from the Introduction to Engineering class at Central & Stevens attended an engineering Camp at SD Mines. Students engaged in hands-on activities in the areas of Hydraulics, Physics, Cyber Physical Science, and Civil/Mechanical Engineering. During lunch, students also heard from a panel of students about careers, courses, and other engineering-related topics.
Special thanks to SD Mines for sponsoring and hosting this event for our students and for providing lunch and door prizes.
Special thanks to SD Mines for sponsoring and hosting this event for our students and for providing lunch and door prizes.
On Thursday, January 22, the intro to construction and technical traits classes from Central and Stevens High Schools participated in a trades experience day. Students participated in hands-on activities with various local businesses that are part of the Black Hills Construction Trades Workforce Connection group here in western South Dakota.
Students were able to learn more about residential plumbing, general contracting, setting up concrete forms, metal fabrication, fire suppression, servicing plumbing and HVAC systems, and electrical and HVAC fabrication.
A special thanks to the Black Hills Construction Trades Workforce Connection for their time and dedication to our students.
Due to weather conditions, Rapid City Area Schools will not send basketball teams to Watertown or Brookings this weekend. To ensure student safety while maintaining competition opportunities, the following schedule adjustments have been made.
Basketball Schedule Change:
The games against Central High School, originally scheduled for Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, have been rescheduled to Saturday, January 24, and will be played at Carold Heier Gym.
Game Times
Sub-Varsity: 3:30 p.m.
Girls Varsity: 6:00 p.m.
Boys Varsity: 7:30 p.m.
We appreciate the flexibility and understanding of our students, families, and staff as we continue to prioritize safety while supporting extracurricular opportunities.
Basketball Schedule Change:
The games against Central High School, originally scheduled for Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, have been rescheduled to Saturday, January 24, and will be played at Carold Heier Gym.
Game Times
Sub-Varsity: 3:30 p.m.
Girls Varsity: 6:00 p.m.
Boys Varsity: 7:30 p.m.
We appreciate the flexibility and understanding of our students, families, and staff as we continue to prioritize safety while supporting extracurricular opportunities.
Mark your calendars! You’re invited to the Third Annual Student Art Auction!
Join us for a student-led event celebrating creativity while supporting an important cause in our schools.
Date: March 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Dahl Arts Center, 713 7th Street
This event benefits RCAS student lunch debt, helping ensure students are ready to learn without barriers.
• Live music from the Central & Stevens Jazz Bands
• Food and drinks available
• Hosted by the Youth City Council and Student School Board
Come bid on incredible student artwork, support our students, and enjoy a great community event for a great cause.
For more information, contact Kristin Kiner at (605) 310-4400 or Kristin.Kiner@k12.sd.us
Join us for a student-led event celebrating creativity while supporting an important cause in our schools.
Date: March 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Dahl Arts Center, 713 7th Street
This event benefits RCAS student lunch debt, helping ensure students are ready to learn without barriers.
• Live music from the Central & Stevens Jazz Bands
• Food and drinks available
• Hosted by the Youth City Council and Student School Board
Come bid on incredible student artwork, support our students, and enjoy a great community event for a great cause.
For more information, contact Kristin Kiner at (605) 310-4400 or Kristin.Kiner@k12.sd.us
FREE Coats for Kids
Rapid City Area Schools, through our McKinney-Vento Program, is excited to partner with Subaru Loves to Help to provide free winter coats for kids in our community.
📏 Sizes available: Youth 4 – Junior XXL
📍 Location: Rapid City Alternative Academy
625 Columbus Street, Rapid City, SD
📅 Date: January 15
⏰ Time: 3:30–6:00 PM
Thanks to the generosity of Courtesy Subaru, families are invited to stop by and pick up a warm coat for their child while supplies last.
Help us spread the word—no child should go without a warm coat this winter!
Rapid City Area Schools, through our McKinney-Vento Program, is excited to partner with Subaru Loves to Help to provide free winter coats for kids in our community.
📏 Sizes available: Youth 4 – Junior XXL
📍 Location: Rapid City Alternative Academy
625 Columbus Street, Rapid City, SD
📅 Date: January 15
⏰ Time: 3:30–6:00 PM
Thanks to the generosity of Courtesy Subaru, families are invited to stop by and pick up a warm coat for their child while supplies last.
Help us spread the word—no child should go without a warm coat this winter!
🎉 Student Achievement Spotlight 🎉
On the Spring 2025 South Dakota Science Assessment, Breken Neff earned a perfect score—a rare and commendable accomplishment that places him among an elite group. Breken is one of only 51 students statewide to achieve this distinction.
On the Spring 2025 South Dakota Math Assessment, Sophia Li (not pictured), John Davies, and Wilson Maung each earned a perfect score. This outstanding achievement places them at the very top in the state, with only 16 students statewide reaching this level of excellence.
We are proud to recognize and celebrate these students for their remarkable achievements, which exemplify the high standards our district strives to uphold every day.
👏 Congratulations to Breken Neff, Sophia Li, John Davies, and Wilson Maung on this incredible accomplishment!
On the Spring 2025 South Dakota Science Assessment, Breken Neff earned a perfect score—a rare and commendable accomplishment that places him among an elite group. Breken is one of only 51 students statewide to achieve this distinction.
On the Spring 2025 South Dakota Math Assessment, Sophia Li (not pictured), John Davies, and Wilson Maung each earned a perfect score. This outstanding achievement places them at the very top in the state, with only 16 students statewide reaching this level of excellence.
We are proud to recognize and celebrate these students for their remarkable achievements, which exemplify the high standards our district strives to uphold every day.
👏 Congratulations to Breken Neff, Sophia Li, John Davies, and Wilson Maung on this incredible accomplishment!
Due to continued power outages at Corral Drive Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, Southwest Middle School, and North Middle School, school will be cancelled at these buildings today, December 19th.
At this time, power has not been restored, and these buildings cannot operate safely.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Corral Drive Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, Southwest Middle School, and North Middle School will have a late start tomorrow morning due to a power outage.
We will provide an update early tomorrow morning if any of these schools are unable to hold classes because power has not been restored. If power is restored, classes will begin at their late start time and buses will run on their late start schedule.
Parents of students at schools that are in session may use their discretion when deciding whether their child will attend, including student needed to help with supervision of younger siblings or students. Please just call you student school to excuse them if needed.
We will provide an update early tomorrow morning if any of these schools are unable to hold classes because power has not been restored. If power is restored, classes will begin at their late start time and buses will run on their late start schedule.
Parents of students at schools that are in session may use their discretion when deciding whether their child will attend, including student needed to help with supervision of younger siblings or students. Please just call you student school to excuse them if needed.
Due to high winds resulting in power outages, downed power lines, and fallen trees, school for RCAS is canceled today, December 18. This decision was made with the safety of our students, families, and staff as our top priority.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
📣 Title VI PAC Meeting Update
Due to a lack of quorum, the PAC meeting scheduled for tomorrow night has been cancelled.
🗓 Next Meeting: January 21
📍 Location: Rapid City Alternative Academy
🍽 Meal: 5:30 PM
🕕 Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you in January!
Due to a lack of quorum, the PAC meeting scheduled for tomorrow night has been cancelled.
🗓 Next Meeting: January 21
📍 Location: Rapid City Alternative Academy
🍽 Meal: 5:30 PM
🕕 Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you in January!
Check out the Rapid City Area Schools November Newsletter!
https://rcas.edurooms.com/engage/rapid-city-area-schools/newsletters/november-news
https://rcas.edurooms.com/engage/rapid-city-area-schools/newsletters/november-news
🍁 A sure sign of fall at RCAS! 🍁
Ms. Macziewski's Jr. Kindergarten students at Valley View had a blast making their very own scarecrows with the help of their 4th-grade buddies!
From scarecrow dance warm-ups to crumpling newspaper for their creations, these students did great at every part of the activity. 🍂
We love seeing our students learn, create, and build connections across grade levels. Great job, Valley View! ✨
Ms. Macziewski's Jr. Kindergarten students at Valley View had a blast making their very own scarecrows with the help of their 4th-grade buddies!
From scarecrow dance warm-ups to crumpling newspaper for their creations, these students did great at every part of the activity. 🍂
We love seeing our students learn, create, and build connections across grade levels. Great job, Valley View! ✨
Today at South Park, Tara Kingi showed students hoop dancing and led 17 extraordinary young ladies in their beautiful regalia as they danced with pride and confidence! What a wonderful celebration of culture and courage. ✨💖
Next week 8th graders have a unique opportunity to learn more about careers that interest them. Thanks to our Silver Level Sponsors for their time, dedication and donation to the young people in our community.
On Wednesday, November 12th, RCAS College & Career Readiness Department will host its 9th annual 8th Grade Career Fair at The Monument. All 8th grade students from RCAS Middle Schools will have the opportunity to attend this event. With nearly 80 vendors registered, students will have the opportunity to learn about career options as well as post-secondary opportunities. It will be a fun, hands-on experience for the students. Thank you to our Bronze Level Sponsors!
📢Parents of High Schoolers, Mark Your Calendars! 📢
Join us for an incredibly insightful Parents' Night focusing on Responsibility-Centered Discipline™! This is a unique opportunity to learn practical techniques to help your student become a responsible, self-disciplined citizen.
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Rapid City Alternative Academy Historic Theatre (601 Columbus Street | Rapid City, SD 57701)
We're thrilled to host Joseph Cope, a RCD Certified Master Trainer and international coach, who will guide us through the "Give 'em Five" guided conversation to train educators and parents. Learn about:
Obedience-Based vs. Responsibility-Based
Why Time-Based Consequences Don't Work
Developing Self-Regulation Skills
Exits Off the Road to Responsibility
The Response-Ability Process
This program is being implemented in schools across 50 states and is proven to impact student behavior and morale positively. Don't miss out on these valuable strategies to foster growth and independence in your child!
For questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Brandi Christoffer at 605-394-4071.
Join us for an incredibly insightful Parents' Night focusing on Responsibility-Centered Discipline™! This is a unique opportunity to learn practical techniques to help your student become a responsible, self-disciplined citizen.
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Rapid City Alternative Academy Historic Theatre (601 Columbus Street | Rapid City, SD 57701)
We're thrilled to host Joseph Cope, a RCD Certified Master Trainer and international coach, who will guide us through the "Give 'em Five" guided conversation to train educators and parents. Learn about:
Obedience-Based vs. Responsibility-Based
Why Time-Based Consequences Don't Work
Developing Self-Regulation Skills
Exits Off the Road to Responsibility
The Response-Ability Process
This program is being implemented in schools across 50 states and is proven to impact student behavior and morale positively. Don't miss out on these valuable strategies to foster growth and independence in your child!
For questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Brandi Christoffer at 605-394-4071.
Reminder: ELA Curriculum Review Open House Tomorrow!
Rapid City Area Schools is in the process of reviewing high-quality instructional materials for English Language Arts (ELA). Our K–12 ELA Committees have worked to ensure alignment between South Dakota’s ELA standards, classroom instruction, assessments, and resources.
After a thorough evaluation, two instructional programs have been selected for pilot testing. A final recommendation will go to the RCAS Board of Education in spring 2026, with full implementation planned for fall 2026.
🗓 ELA Pilot Open House Dates:
October 21, 2025 | 4:00–5:15 PM | RCEC, Room 222 (625 9th St.)
November 18, 2025 | 4:00–5:15 PM | RCEC, Room 222 (625 9th St.)
📲 Can’t attend in person? Review the materials online through December 5, 2025: rcas.org/o/rcas/page/community-curriculum-review
Your feedback plays an important role in shaping the future of ELA instruction for our students—thank you for partnering with us!