Top 25 Reasons ASDTop 25 Reasons ASDis a is a GREATGREAT

School DistrictSchool District

ONEONE

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

TWOTWO

Four Elementary Schools have met the Four Elementary Schools have met the Department of Education’s criteria for Department of Education’s criteria for being named a being named a Distinguished SchoolDistinguished School::– C.C. Lee ElementaryC.C. Lee Elementary – 2004 through 2007 – 2004 through 2007– May Overby ElementaryMay Overby Elementary – 2005 -2006 – 2005 -2006– O.M. Tiffany ElementaryO.M. Tiffany Elementary – 2004 - 2006 – 2004 - 2006– Simmons ElementarySimmons Elementary – 2003 through 2007 – 2003 through 2007

THREETHREE

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

FOURFOURASD teachers and coaches have ASD teachers and coaches have consistently received recognition at the consistently received recognition at the State levelsState levels::– Michelle AdamsMichelle Adams – 2007 Asst. Gymnastics – 2007 Asst. Gymnastics

Coach of the YearCoach of the Year– Merle AskeMerle Aske – 2007 Asst. Wrestling Coach of – 2007 Asst. Wrestling Coach of

the Yearthe Year– Dianne BrendenDianne Brenden – 2004 Middle School – 2004 Middle School

Counselor of the YearCounselor of the Year– Gene BrownellGene Brownell – 2004 Athletic Director of the – 2004 Athletic Director of the

YearYear– Stacy CharronStacy Charron – 2006 Asst. Volleyball Coach – 2006 Asst. Volleyball Coach

of the Yearof the Year

FOUR continuedFOUR continued– Connie Diebert Connie Diebert – 2007 Middle School Coach – 2007 Middle School Coach

of the Yearof the Year– Rose DesCampsRose DesCamps – 2005 SD History Day – 2005 SD History Day

Teacher of the YearTeacher of the Year– Jon Frey Jon Frey – 2002 Milken Educators Award– 2002 Milken Educators Award– Missy HillMissy Hill – 2006 Special Olympics Coach of – 2006 Special Olympics Coach of

the Yearthe Year– Bruce KleinsasserBruce Kleinsasser – 2003 Spirit Coach and – 2003 Spirit Coach and

2007 Cheer Coach of the Year2007 Cheer Coach of the Year– Colleen Meisenheimer Colleen Meisenheimer – 2007 SD Forensic – 2007 SD Forensic

Coaches’ Association Asst. Coach of the YearCoaches’ Association Asst. Coach of the Year

FOUR continuedFOUR continued– Joell Rachel Joell Rachel – 2007 Aberdeen Area Arts – 2007 Aberdeen Area Arts

Council Educator of the YearCouncil Educator of the Year– Georgia RamosGeorgia Ramos – 2004 Special Education – 2004 Special Education

Director of the YearDirector of the Year– Jill Stephenson Jill Stephenson – 2007 Multi-Level – 2007 Multi-Level

Counselor of the YearCounselor of the Year– Sandy Ullrich Sandy Ullrich – 2007 Presidential Award for – 2007 Presidential Award for

Excellence in Math and Science TeachingExcellence in Math and Science Teaching– SueAnn Yonkovich SueAnn Yonkovich – 2007 SD History Day – 2007 SD History Day

Teacher of the YearTeacher of the Year

FIVEFIVEASD students and employees are actively ASD students and employees are actively involved throughout Aberdeen in involved throughout Aberdeen in volunteering and community service volunteering and community service events.events.– The Chamber of Commerce awarded ASD the The Chamber of Commerce awarded ASD the

2004 Community Involvement 2004 Community Involvement ABBY Award.ABBY Award.– HMS students are actively involved in HMS students are actively involved in SOS SOS

(Serving Others and Self), an organization (Serving Others and Self), an organization that promotes generosity and compassion.that promotes generosity and compassion.

– SMS’s Youth Power earned the Chamber’s SMS’s Youth Power earned the Chamber’s STAR AwardSTAR Award in 2005. in 2005.

SIXSIX

Central High School seniors have earned Central High School seniors have earned over over $9 million in scholarships$9 million in scholarships since since 2001 (Hehn era).2001 (Hehn era).– CHS’s class of 2001 was the first to surpass CHS’s class of 2001 was the first to surpass

the $1 million mark in scholarships.the $1 million mark in scholarships.– 246 students in CHS’s class of 2007 earned 246 students in CHS’s class of 2007 earned

$1,699,137 in scholarships.$1,699,137 in scholarships.– Three students earned Three students earned National Merit National Merit

ScholarshipsScholarships in 2007, more than any other in 2007, more than any other ESD school.ESD school.

SEVENSEVEN

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

EIGHTEIGHT

Aberdeen School District students are Aberdeen School District students are scoring exceptionally well on NCLB testsscoring exceptionally well on NCLB tests..

YearYear ProficientProficient

Sub-GroupsSub-Groups

PercentPercent

ProficientProficient

20052005 110/110110/110 100%100%

20062006 98/10898/108 91%91%

20072007 103/108103/108 95%95%

NINENINE

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

TENTEN

ASD’s Foundation has forged partnerships ASD’s Foundation has forged partnerships with local businesses who have with local businesses who have generously supported our District’s generously supported our District’s mission to mission to empower all students to empower all students to succeed.succeed.– The Foundation recognizes graduates and The Foundation recognizes graduates and

contributors on its contributors on its Hall of FameHall of Fame and at the and at the annual annual Hall of Fame Banquet.Hall of Fame Banquet.

– Endowments, Daktronics project, field house Endowments, Daktronics project, field house lockers, landscaping, mini-grants, Phonic Ear lockers, landscaping, mini-grants, Phonic Ear systems, fine arts projectssystems, fine arts projects

ELEVENELEVEN

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

accountable to its taxpayers.accountable to its taxpayers.

TWELVETWELVE

151 students took 151 students took Advanced Placement Advanced Placement coursescourses in 2006-07, up from 107 the in 2006-07, up from 107 the previous year.previous year.– Just under 70% score 3 (out of 5) or above on Just under 70% score 3 (out of 5) or above on

their AP tests.their AP tests.

THIRTEENTHIRTEEN

CHS’s athletic teams have finished in the CHS’s athletic teams have finished in the top three of the ESD Conference top three of the ESD Conference All Sports All Sports CompetitionCompetition six out of the last seven years six out of the last seven years (Brownell era).(Brownell era).– In any given year, 40% of ASD’s Middle and In any given year, 40% of ASD’s Middle and

High School students participate in athletics.High School students participate in athletics.– Students involved in activities averaged a 3.2 Students involved in activities averaged a 3.2

GPA vs. 2.2 GPA for those not involved.GPA vs. 2.2 GPA for those not involved.– ESD Conference, established in 1927, is the ESD Conference, established in 1927, is the

oldest continuous conference in South Dakota.oldest continuous conference in South Dakota.– In 1998, all ASD schools became In 1998, all ASD schools became EaglesEagles..

FOURTEENFOURTEEN

CHS’s debate team (Frey era) consistently CHS’s debate team (Frey era) consistently finishes at or near the top in upper Midwest finishes at or near the top in upper Midwest competi-tions and ranks Nationally in the competi-tions and ranks Nationally in the top 1%.top 1%.– State Team Champions 3 of the last 4 seasonsState Team Champions 3 of the last 4 seasons– 11 Individual State Champions since 200211 Individual State Champions since 2002– Team Sweepstakes Champions at the National Team Sweepstakes Champions at the National

Tournament Qualifier in 2006 and 2007Tournament Qualifier in 2006 and 2007– 37 National Tournament Qualifiers since 200237 National Tournament Qualifiers since 2002

FIFTEENFIFTEEN

ASD’s outstanding music program offers ASD’s outstanding music program offers many talented students the opportunity to many talented students the opportunity to learn and be recognized.learn and be recognized.– CHS’s CHS’s Jazz CentralJazz Central has won the Outstanding has won the Outstanding

Performance Award (highest honor) at the Performance Award (highest honor) at the University of Mary International Jazz Festival University of Mary International Jazz Festival from 2000 through 2007. (McDermott era)from 2000 through 2007. (McDermott era)

– CHS’s CHS’s A CappellaA Cappella Choir and SMS’s band have Choir and SMS’s band have been invited to perform at the SD Music been invited to perform at the SD Music Educators’ State Conference three times since Educators’ State Conference three times since 2004.2004.

FIFTEEN continuedFIFTEEN continued

– CHS’s CHS’s A Cappella A Cappella Choir will represent the six-Choir will represent the six-state region as one of 15 out of 200 auditions to state region as one of 15 out of 200 auditions to perform at the American Choral Director’s perform at the American Choral Director’s Association Conference in March 2008. (Owens Association Conference in March 2008. (Owens era)era)

– SingronicitySingronicity, CHS’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, has , CHS’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, has won regional competitions in SD, IA, MN, and NDwon regional competitions in SD, IA, MN, and ND

– CHS is one of only two high schools CHS is one of only two high schools since 1951since 1951 to be represented each year at All-State Bandto be represented each year at All-State Band

– CHS’s CHS’s Symphonic BandSymphonic Band has earned superior or has earned superior or superior plus ratings superior plus ratings each year since 1984each year since 1984 (Letcher era)(Letcher era)

SIXTEENSIXTEEN

CHS’s Drama Department is consistently CHS’s Drama Department is consistently one of the best in South Dakota.one of the best in South Dakota.– The past three years, CHS’s One-Act Plays The past three years, CHS’s One-Act Plays

have earned 3 superiors.have earned 3 superiors.– Since 2002 (McCafferty era), actors have Since 2002 (McCafferty era), actors have

earned 14 Outstanding Ensemble Awards and earned 14 Outstanding Ensemble Awards and 15 Outstanding Individual Acting Awards.15 Outstanding Individual Acting Awards.

SEVENTEENSEVENTEEN

ASD’s School Board’s vision to update ASD’s School Board’s vision to update facilities has enabled our District to provide facilities has enabled our District to provide outstanding learning environments.outstanding learning environments.– Central High School campus is currently the Central High School campus is currently the

best facility in South Dakota.best facility in South Dakota.– The Simmons Middle School addition makes The Simmons Middle School addition makes

this school equitable with HMS.this school equitable with HMS.– C.C. Lee’s gymnasium, kindergarten room, and C.C. Lee’s gymnasium, kindergarten room, and

activities room allow improved delivery.activities room allow improved delivery.– The developing Master Plan for elementary The developing Master Plan for elementary

schools will impact accommodations for years schools will impact accommodations for years to come.to come.

EIGHTEENEIGHTEEN

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

NINETEENNINETEEN

Grades 2-5 enjoy learning from members of Grades 2-5 enjoy learning from members of the business and industry community the business and industry community through through Junior AchievementJunior Achievement..– In only six years, Aberdeen’s JA program has In only six years, Aberdeen’s JA program has

grown to become the third largest in South grown to become the third largest in South Dakota.Dakota.

TWENTYTWENTYASD’s Special Education Department (Grote era) ASD’s Special Education Department (Grote era) has been an innovative leader in South Dakota.has been an innovative leader in South Dakota.– Reverse inclusion at Lincoln ElementaryReverse inclusion at Lincoln Elementary– Transition Learning Center at PresentationTransition Learning Center at Presentation– Therapy dogs are used for students with Therapy dogs are used for students with

autism.autism.– The Opportunities Classroom (HMS) and the The Opportunities Classroom (HMS) and the

TLC have been given a Promising Practices TLC have been given a Promising Practices Award.Award.

– ASD is a Special Education Model School for ASD is a Special Education Model School for the Infinite Campus program.the Infinite Campus program.

TWENTY-ONETWENTY-ONE

School Safety and Drug/Alcohol Prevention School Safety and Drug/Alcohol Prevention are taken very seriously.are taken very seriously.– D.A.R.E. program in grades 5 and 7D.A.R.E. program in grades 5 and 7– School Resource Officer (SRO) at CHSSchool Resource Officer (SRO) at CHS– Community panel discussion on drug testingCommunity panel discussion on drug testing– Annual physical improvements to keep staff Annual physical improvements to keep staff

and students safeand students safeBlinds, locks, intruder drills, reunification planBlinds, locks, intruder drills, reunification plan

TWENTY-TWOTWENTY-TWO

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

TWENTY-THREETWENTY-THREE

ASD’s partnerships with Northern and ASD’s partnerships with Northern and Presentation benefit our studentsPresentation benefit our students– Lab schools at MO and SE (NSU)Lab schools at MO and SE (NSU)– Reading Clinic for CHS students (NSU)Reading Clinic for CHS students (NSU)– Swisher Activities Complex (NSU, City, ASD)Swisher Activities Complex (NSU, City, ASD)– 40 Students in Rising Scholars program (NSU 40 Students in Rising Scholars program (NSU

and PC)and PC)– Transition Learning Center (PC)Transition Learning Center (PC)– Student teachers (NSU) and Nurse interns (PC)Student teachers (NSU) and Nurse interns (PC)

TWENTY-FOURTWENTY-FOUR

ASD enjoys success due to dedicated ASD enjoys success due to dedicated parents’ involvement in our schools.parents’ involvement in our schools.– PTAPTA– Booster ClubsBooster Clubs– AIPACAIPAC– School Improvement CommitteeSchool Improvement Committee– Principals’ Advisory CommitteesPrincipals’ Advisory Committees– Parent PortalParent Portal

TWENTY-FIVETWENTY-FIVE

……because of the because of the incredible studentsincredible students with whom we interact on a daily basis. with whom we interact on a daily basis. Throughout the year we see numerous Throughout the year we see numerous acts of acts of courage, compassion, courage, compassion, generosity, empathy, creativity, and generosity, empathy, creativity, and enthusiasmenthusiasm from our students. Their from our students. Their tremendous efforts and progress continue tremendous efforts and progress continue to be on display scholastically, artistically, to be on display scholastically, artistically, and physically.and physically.

– Andrea Prehn, Asst. Principal, HMSAndrea Prehn, Asst. Principal, HMS