🌟 As we close out Teacher Appreciation Week, the Elk Point-Jefferson School District is proud to celebrate this year’s outstanding district award winners! 🌟
👏 Doug Brusseau – EPJ Husky Pride Award
For decades, Mr. Brusseau has been a dedicated part of the EPJ family, building lasting relationships with students, staff, and the community. In the past ten years, he’s been a tireless advocate for bus drivers, coordinating countless sporting events and activities, creating opportunities for community groups, and this year, skillfully navigating the transition to a new bus company.
👏 Sydney Bosquet – EPJ Education Support Professional of the Year
“One of the most impactful people I’ve ever worked with. Her insight into students helps teachers motivate and support them every day. Over the past two years, she’s been an absolute lifesaver in my classroom.”
👏 Donna Mau – EPJ Support Staff of the Year
“Selfless service is the backbone of every great organization—and Donna lives this every day. She never seeks the spotlight, but she deserves it. She serves with pride, passion, and purpose. Donna is a cornerstone of the EPJ community, and we are lucky to have her.”
👏 Larry Wilcox – Helping Hands Award Winner
Mr. Wilcox’s love for students shines through in every interaction. He often brings newspaper clippings of students’ achievements, celebrating their successes in heartfelt ways. No one is more deserving of the Helping Hands Award than Mr. Wilcox.
👏 Community Circle of Excellence – Union Bean Coffee & Structured Learning Center
Through this powerful partnership, students gain hands-on vocational experience, build customer service and communication skills, and develop confidence in real-world settings.
👏 Shayla Leichtenberg – MS/HS Outstanding Educator
“She exemplifies a rare combination of passion, dedication, and creativity that lifts our entire school community. Shayla goes above and beyond to cultivate a vibrant artistic culture, organizing art shows and projects that give students meaningful opportunities to express themselves.”
👏 Valerie Neuharth – Elementary Outstanding Educator & District Teacher of the Year
“She does an amazing job connecting with students, creating fun, exciting, and engaging lessons. Valerie is humble—but let’s be clear: she’s not just a good teacher… she’s a GREAT teacher.”
🎉 Join us in celebrating these incredible individuals who make EPJ a truly special place! 🎉
Yesterday kicked off Educators Rising Annual Fundraiser called "GIVING DAYS".
Many of the activities for the students are funded by the state. To help the state continue providing these activities at no cost to the EPJ students and others around the state on May 6th thru May 8th the SD Chapter will be hosting their once a year "GIVING DAYS" Their goal is to fill 480 backpacks—and each backpack represents an entire year of leadership development, career exploration in education and attendance at the state conference at no cost to the members.
What’s inside a backpack?
Each one is packed with opportunities and resources, all made possible by a $50 donation. We’re asking five people to each give just $10 to pack one backpack or to donate however much you would like to. Once a back pack is filled the extra money comes back to our EPJ chapter. Below is a breakdown of how the state spent their funds this year:
How Educators Rising SD Reinvest in Their Members:
Covered $15 national memberships for all members ($7,500)
Co-hosted and funded nine learning expos ($5,000)
Hosted a fall leadership event ($10,000)
Organized the state conference, including member gifts and the Sunday night social ($20,000)
Awarded TEACH SD scholarships to three seniors ($3,000)
Provided travel scholarships for national conference competitors ($15,000)
We would love for you to join us in raising the funds to continue to help support this organization. It is super easy to help out. Here is the link to click on to make your donation. Again, any amount helps. Thank you for your consideration!
https://www.flipcause.com/secure/fundraiser/MjI3OTUw/106484
High School Spring Concert on Monday, May 12 at 7:00 pm in the middle school gym.
Congratulations to Andrew Quiett, AnnaBeth Porter, and Carter Heckathorn on being selected for the 2025 SDACDA Senior Honor Choir! They are three of 112 singers from across South Dakota selected for this prestigious honor.
Last call for Nothing Bundt Cakes bundtlets (miniature bundt cakes) sold by the cheerleaders! Order will be submitted 5/7 at 3:15pm. There are 11 flavors available; see the attached image for details.
Cheerleaders will pick up their bundtlets to deliver on Friday, May 16th - just in time for graduation! Please contact Shayla.Leichtenberg@k12.sd.us if you need help finding a cheerleader to order through; we can do Venmo if needed!
7th grade Math students are building a mini golf course to gain practical knowledge of angles.
7th grade FACS students made their first sewing project!
Academic Awards Night is Monday, May 5 at 7:00 pm in the HS gym. Here is a link to the event if you cannot make it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsLB9oHmJS4
Concert tonight! 7pm tonight come on out to the 5-8 grade band and vocal concert in the middle school.
Educators Rising Elk Point-Jefferson
Educators Rising is an organization at EPJ for students grades 9-12 who are interested in pursuing or learning more about a career in Education. Ed Rising provides students at EPJ with opportunities to explore the field of education and develop character, service and leadership skills. Our EPJ Ed Rising chapter consists of 20 students led by Mrs Stabe. This year 4 students will be attending a national competition in Orlando, Florida. One of the students will be competing in the Job Interview category, another in Teacher Created material where they designed fidget aprons made for students in the special education classrooms. EPJ also has a student who was elected as a state officer this year for the SD Ed Rising chapter. Many of the activities for the students are funded by the state. To help the state continue providing these activities at no cost to the EPJ students and others around the state on May 6th-8th the SD Chapter will be hosting their once a year "GIVING DAYS" Their goal is to fill 480 backpacks—and each backpack represents an entire year of leadership development, career exploration in education and attendance at the state conference at no cost to the members.
What’s inside a backpack?
Each one is packed with opportunities and resources, all made possible by a $50 donation. We stretch that $50 to provide maximum impact for our students! The best part? You don’t have to do it alone. We’re asking five people to each give just $10 to pack one backpack.
How Educators Rising SD Reinvest in Their Members:
• Covered $15 national memberships for all members ($7,500)
• Co-hosted and funded nine learning expos ($5,000)
• Hosted a fall leadership event ($10,000)
• Organized the state conference, including member gifts and the Sunday night social ($20,000)
• Awarded TEACH SD scholarships to three seniors ($3,000)
• Provided travel scholarships for national conference competitors ($15,000)
Together, we can make a huge impact.
Thank you for your leadership, energy, and commitment to your local chapters and students!
Band and Vocal Concert tonight for grades 5-8. 7 pm in middle school gym.
After conferring with schools involved as well as the National Weather Service, we have decided that we will send our JH Track team to Beresford tonight for their scheduled meet. Events will begin at 3:45 pm tonight in Beresford.
The cheerleaders are selling Nothing Bundt Cakes bundtlets (miniature bundt cakes) as a
fundraiser through May 6th. There are 11 flavors available; see the attached image for details.
Cheerleaders will pick up their bundtlets to deliver on Friday, May 16th - just in time for
graduation! Please contact Shayla.Leichtenberg@k12.sd.us if you need help finding a
cheerleader to order through.
Update to softball schedule for the DAK XII tournament today in Sioux Falls. EPJ will play SFC at 9 am and West Central at 12 pm in pool play
Softball is in Sioux Falls today at the Pentagon fields for the DAK XII Conference Softball Tournament. EPJ plays SFC at 9:00 am and West Central at 1:30 pm in pool play. Pool winner will advance to the championship round.
Girls golf is at Two Rivers today for the Dakota Valley Girls Golf Invitational starting at 9:00 am. Here is the GGID if you want to follow the event 25DVGIRLS
Both track meets scheduled for tomorrow- Thursday, April 24 - have been cancelled due to weather. Varsity will not go to Freeman and Junior High will not go to South Sioux City.
7th grade FACS students are learning to sew!
