Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7
Showing Pride...Taking Action
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! 😂
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!
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!
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
Card towers #teambuilding #science
## 📣 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.
---
### 📅 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)
---
### 🚌 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
---
### ❤️ 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!
---
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
---
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.
---
### 📅 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)
---
### 🚌 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
---
### ❤️ 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!
---
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
---
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!
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/
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.
Here is the golf apparel site. Orders due by 20th at 10AM.
https://epjgolf25.itemorder.com/shop/home/
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
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.
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.
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!
The EPJ Booster Club apparel store website is now live and will close on Sunday, August 17th at 11:59 PM.
Use the link below to order your apparel.
https://cfpromo.chipply.com/epjhuskiegear/?action=viewall
Here is the 2025-2026 EPJ Newsletter.
https://aptg.co/BtxLmx
https://aptg.co/BtxLmx
The cheerleaders are selling Poppin' Popcorn through August 22! This is an all-digital fundraiser. Please reach out to a cheerleader for a referral link or email Shayla.Leichtenberg@k12.sd.us for one to shop; your order ships straight to your door! There's more than just popcorn available; check out candy, cookies, snacks, and seasonal treats, too! 🍪🍬🎁
Thank you for supporting EPJ Cheer!
The Elk Point-Jefferson School District utilizes Infinite Campus "Campus Parent" to put school information at your fingertips with real-time access to announcements, assignments, attendance, grades, schedules, and more.
Yes, even online payments and details of lunch account activities!
https://kb.infinitecampus.com/help/food-service-my-cart
The 2025-2026 school year is now active in Infinite Campus, and you can see this school year's information with your own Infinite Campus login.
There are 2 ways to login:
Campus Parent App (iPhone App Store or Google Play Store)
iPhone App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/campus-parent/id1384542785
Android Google Play Store -https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.infinitecampus.parent.campusportalhybrid&hl=en_US
Web browser (computer) using this specific URL (Also found on the school's website)
https://elkpointjeffersonsd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/elk_point_jefferson.jsp
Login information was sent out in an email from Infinite Campus in case you don't remember your login. The email will come from NoReply@elkpointjeffersonsd.mg.infinitecampus.org.
*Note if the forgot password feature isn't working, you either entered a different email into the Security Email section or you never confirmed that email, so that feature will not work until you confirm that email. If you can't get logged in and the Forgot Password Feature isn't working, please email ElkPoint-JeffersonTechHelp@k12.sd.us and someone will assist you as soon as they can.
**🎉 Hello, Huskies! 🎉**
The **High School Student Council** invites **ALL JK–12 HUSKIES** to our **WHITE OUT Night** on **Friday, August 22nd**!
🟦 Wear **WHITE** to the game and join us as **ONE HUGE HUSKY FAMILY**!
🟦 We’ll gather before kickoff to distribute **color powder bags** and toss them into the air **at kickoff** to celebrate together!
**🎨 Color Bags: \$2 each**
Bags will be sold **until Thursday, August 14th**.
⚠️ A limited number of extras will be ordered — **NO late orders accepted!**
---
**How to Order: (Choose ONE option)**
1. **Email:** [Melanie.Norris@k12.sd.us](mailto:Melanie.Norris@k12.sd.us)
2. **Drop Off:** Return your completed order form to the **HS/Elementary Office (after August 4th)**
3. **In Person:** Order at **Open House** on **August 14th** (3:00–7:00 PM in the Lunchroom Hallway)
---
**Payment Options:**
* **Venmo:** [@Melanie-Norris-16](https://venmo.com/Melanie-Norris-16)
* **Cash/Check:** Drop off at the **HS/Elementary Office**
* **In Person:** Pay at **Open House**
---
Let’s WHITE OUT the stands and show our **Husky pride** at the first big game of the season! 🐾💪
The **High School Student Council** invites **ALL JK–12 HUSKIES** to our **WHITE OUT Night** on **Friday, August 22nd**!
🟦 Wear **WHITE** to the game and join us as **ONE HUGE HUSKY FAMILY**!
🟦 We’ll gather before kickoff to distribute **color powder bags** and toss them into the air **at kickoff** to celebrate together!
**🎨 Color Bags: \$2 each**
Bags will be sold **until Thursday, August 14th**.
⚠️ A limited number of extras will be ordered — **NO late orders accepted!**
---
**How to Order: (Choose ONE option)**
1. **Email:** [Melanie.Norris@k12.sd.us](mailto:Melanie.Norris@k12.sd.us)
2. **Drop Off:** Return your completed order form to the **HS/Elementary Office (after August 4th)**
3. **In Person:** Order at **Open House** on **August 14th** (3:00–7:00 PM in the Lunchroom Hallway)
---
**Payment Options:**
* **Venmo:** [@Melanie-Norris-16](https://venmo.com/Melanie-Norris-16)
* **Cash/Check:** Drop off at the **HS/Elementary Office**
* **In Person:** Pay at **Open House**
---
Let’s WHITE OUT the stands and show our **Husky pride** at the first big game of the season! 🐾💪
Thank you, seniors, for all your dedication and time spent in the weightroom.
