Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7

It has arrived! A Better Way to Stay Connected

We’re excited to announce that Elk Point-Jefferson is launching Rooms, a new way for families to connect directly with their child’s teachers, coaches, and school staff, all within the Elk Point-Jefferson app.

Throughout the year, Rooms will become the go-to place for classroom updates, one-on-one conversations, group messages, and important announcements. This allows us to give you one secure place to stay informed and connected to Elk Point-Jefferson.
Say hello to even more in the EPJ APP!

Receive instant notifications. Receive instant notifications of new messages and announcements, even if you haven't downloaded the district app.
Get one unified hub. All school and district communication, updates, and alerts conveniently located in one single app and web experience, with one single login.
Read updates in your preferred language. All messages, announcements, and updates will be automatically translated to your preferred language.
Message staff in one click. Easily connect with teachers, coaches, counselors, and more and see all of your messages in one inbox.
Families will automatically begin receiving messages once the platform launches. You’ll be able to view and respond to messages right from your mobile phone - through our the Elk Point-Jefferson app or mobile web.

Download for Android: Android EPJ App
Download for iPhone: Apple EPJ APP

about 13 hours ago, EPJ School District

7th grade math had fun with graphing today. Check out those great mustaches!! Our theme?? I Mustache You a Question!!

about 16 hours ago, Marcee Irlbeck

EPJ's Unified Life Fitness class is a course that integrates students with and without disabilities into a shared physical education and wellness setting. The purpose of the class is to promote inclusion, peer relationships, and lifelong healthy habits. Students participate in a variety of activities that focus on: Developing strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. Enhancing teamwork, communication, and leadership through peer partnerships. The unified model emphasizes collaboration and equal participation, allowing students of all abilities to work together in an encouraging and supportive environment. This approach not only promotes physical well-being but also cultivates acceptance, belonging, and positive school culture.

1 day ago, Cassandra Schmith

📣🐾 Introducing Fan of the Day! 🐾📣 This year, your Elk Point-Jefferson Cheerleaders are kicking off a brand-new tradition: Fan of the Day! At every home football game, select home volleyball games, and throughout winter sport seasons, we’ll be recognizing fans who show outstanding sportsmanship-like conduct and positive support for our Huskies! Winners will receive a Huskies Grab Bag filled with fun goodies like snacks, beads, temporary tattoos, and more! Some prizes are even sponsored by our amazing local businesses, starting with Union Bean Coffee; thank you to Union Bean for being the first sponsor of our Fan of the Day program! Each Fan of the Day will also get a picture with our cheerleaders to celebrate their Huskies spirit! 👉 Remember: only those who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship-like conduct and positive cheering for the entire game will be selected. Let’s show everyone what it means to be a Husky: loud, proud, and respectful! 🖤💙🩶 If you are interested in being a sponsor, please reach out to Shayla.Leichtenberg@k12.sd.us via email.

1 day ago, Shayla Leichtenberg

Holly Jolly Huskies are back!! Santa, the Elves and Reindeer are coming to town and you get to decide who!! The 5 linemen, 5 volleyball players and 5 running backs who receive the most donations will each play Santa, an Elf and a Reindeer for the Elementary School Christmas parties. We’ll have donation tables set up at: Home Football Games: 8/22, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17 Home Volleyball Games: 9/4, 9/16, 10/7, 10/24 Or you can donate during the school day in the HS Office. Here are our candidates: Santas (our linemen): Jace, Keaton, Nathan, Blake, Connor, AP, Ben S., Calen, Andrew, Drew Elves (our volleyball players): Molly, Kinley, Paige, Cera, Hailey, Camryn, Laney, Addie, Audyn, Reghan Reindeer (our backs): Beau, Anthony, Charlie, Luke, Levi, Brody, Dawson, Aiden H., Owen B., Grady All funds raised will be donated to local Elk Point–Jefferson groups. Brought to you by the Elk Point - Jefferson High School Student Council

2 days ago, Melanie Norris

Today we tested which eggs were raw and which eggs were hard boiled. Then we dropped them on the floor! Thank goodness we guessed right! 😂

2 days ago, Valerie Neuharth

To engage student's on the first day of school and to get them thinking like a scientist the students in Mrs. Stabe's Ecology and Biology classes were challenged to create the tallest marshmallow tower with limited supplies. After the task was completed they reflected on how this activity was similar to the way scientists work on experiments. It was a fun ice-breaker activity that the students enjoyed!

3 days ago, Karlene Stabe

First day of school called for J's Nutrition delivery! Yixian and other students of the SLC classroom delivery J's Nutrition orders every Tuesday and Union Bean orders every Friday to those in the district that order!

3 days ago, Cassandra Schmith

First home football game of 2025! Huskies host the Parker Pheasants on Friday, August 22 at 7 pm. Livestream will be through Fuller Digital Solutions using this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0zq_aQ5KQ

3 days ago, EPJ Activities

Card towers #teambuilding #science

4 days ago, Valerie Neuharth

## 📣 Welcome Back EPJ Families!

Dear Huskies,

I am truly excited to begin another school year with you at **Elk Point-Jefferson**. One of the reasons I love EPJ is the resilience, compassion, and strength of our community. We are committed to not only helping your child succeed academically, but also supporting the whole child—building resilience, safety, and connection. As Husky Educators, we believe in walking alongside our families, ensuring that every child has a safe and supportive environment to thrive.

### 🚧 Key Changes for 2025–26

**Kindergarten Drop-Off**

* Due to construction, **please park in the football field parking lot** and walk your child to the sidewalk.
* Exercise **extra caution driving** in this area.

**School App (Our #1 Communication Tool!)**

* Download by searching **Elk Point-Jefferson** in the Apple or Android app store.
* New this year: Watch this quick video to see our upgraded communication feature.
* The **App will be your hub** for classroom updates, calendar events, and alerts.

**Standard Response Protocol (SRP)**

* We’ve adopted safety language from the **“I Love U Guys” Foundation**.
*The Language your Child may hear*

* **Hold** (stay in classroom, keep hallways clear)
* **Secure** (get inside, lock outside doors)
* **Lockdown** (locks, lights, out of sight)
* **Evacuate** (move to a safe location)
* **Shelter** (weather or hazard safety)
* This shared language keeps communication clear, calm, and consistent.

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### 📅 Calendar Highlights

* **First Day of School:** Tomorrow, **August 19**
* **School Pictures:** **August 25**
* **No School:** Friday, **August 29**, and Monday, **September 1** (Labor Day Weekend)

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### 🚌 Attendance & Transportation

* **Attendance:** Call the office if your child will be absent.
* **Bus Routes:** Contact **Lance Simpson at Foreman** with questions. https://www.epj.k12.sd.us/page/bussing

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### ❤️ Whole Child Initiatives

* **Safe2Say**: Anonymous reporting system to help keep students safe. (Safe2Say has an app and more information can be found here: safe2say.sd.gov
* **Handle With Care**: Partnership with families to ensure staff know when a child may need extra compassion or support. (Please call administration if you feel there could be something impacting your child outside of school!

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We’re ready for a fantastic year at EPJ—rooted in resilience, safety, and community. Thank you for trusting us with your children.

Go Huskies!
**Dr. Philip Schonebaum**
Superintendent

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5 days ago, EPJ School District

EPJ's Special Education crew is ready to be back to school! They spent inservice soaking up education to make for the best year yet!

5 days ago, Cassandra Schmith

The SLC crew is ready for back to school!

Parents of girls in Grades 3-5: Don't forget to sign your girls up for Girls on the Run! It's a program through EMBE that empowers girls, emphasizes self confidence, and moving your body. https://www.embe.org/program/gotr/

5 days ago, Valerie Neuharth

If anyone is having trouble getting their child registered in Bound for athletics please stop in and talk to Mr. Clercx during Open House tonight. A computer will be set up for registrations and activity ticket purchases.

9 days ago, EPJ Activities

Here is the golf apparel site. Orders due by 20th at 10AM. https://epjgolf25.itemorder.com/shop/home/

11 days ago, Kelly Haberling

Free & Reduced Food Service Applications Now Open

You can now complete your Free & Reduced Meal Application through Infinite Campus online. Even if your child doesn’t eat school meals, submitting this form can help our district earn important state and federal funding for programs, resources, and services.

How to apply:
1. Use the Campus Parent app or log in at Infinite Campus Parent Portal - Click here for link
2. Click the three bars in the top left
3. Select More → Meal Benefits
4. Complete and submit the application

Your application helps every student in our district.
#EPJSchool #SupportOurStudents #ShowingPrideTakingAction

11 days ago, EPJ Business Office

Welcome to the start of the 2025-2026 school year. We are super excited to serve the communities of Elk Point and Jefferson this upcoming school year. This week a reminder we have open house from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday, August 14th. If your child is in grades JK-5 you should have received an email from their teacher to set up a quick visit to introduce yourselves to the teacher!
First day of school is August 19th! If you are new to Elk Point or Jefferson or are looking to enroll please stop in and register your child so we are ready for day one! Have a great day.

12 days ago, EPJ School District

Reminder: The annual Activity Booster Club Salt Drive will take place on Saturday, August 9 with deliveries beginning at 8:00 am. Athletes should report to the administrative parking lot by 7:45 am tomorrow.

15 days ago, EPJ Activities

The VB team is hosting a "Little Huskies Hangout" on August 16 from 11:30-7:30 pm. This is a baby sitting fundraiser for the program. The age range and price list can be found in the graphic below! Thank you so much for your support of our program! T-minus 23 days till first serve!

17 days ago, Alicia Loiland