Aberdeen board spotlights students, names special‑education director of the year; Simmons Elementary reports reading, Spanish and math programs

The Aberdeen School District 06-1 board met March 9 and set aside time for a “good news” segment that featured students who qualified for national Educators Rising competitions, recognition of Nicole Olsen as South Dakota Special Education Director of the Year and a report from Simmons Elementary on three new or expanded student programs.

Students from the district’s Educators Rising program described competition entries and national qualifiers. “I went to the state for the lesson plan and delivery for kindergarten class,” said Macy, one of the students representing the program, adding she will refine her lesson before nationals. Advisor remarks said the group’s roster is about 25 and the district expects to send five or six qualifiers to nationals in Portland, Oregon, in mid‑June.

Coach Donnie Bowen introduced Owen, the district wrestling state champion at 190 pounds, and praised his perseverance after a come‑from‑behind win. “He just keeps after it, keeps after it,” Bowen said, describing the student’s work ethic and the team’s support.

Superintendent Dr. Guffin and board members recognized Nicole Olsen, who was named South Dakota Special Education Director of the Year at a state conference. Olsen thanked staff who submitted recommendation letters and said the honor came during a busy week that included the birth of her first grandchild: “It was quite a surprise to be nominated for that and last week was a pretty exciting week,” she said.

Principal Kim Almond presented Simmons Elementary’s three programs. The school’s 30‑minute phonics intervention, brought back after staff visited another district, uses district assessments and weekly grouping to target K–2 students this year and will expand to K–3 next year. “Students are doing skills at this point in the year that they haven't made in the past,” Almond said.

A volunteer‑run Spanish club, launched after staff submitted a proposal, drew about 80 students and meets twice monthly. First‑grade students Odin Lamberts and Fletcher Howard spoke briefly about the games and speaking practice they enjoy in the club.

Simmons also reported on Number Ninjas, an after‑school math program for grades 3–5 that uses a belt‑testing system and competitions. Teachers Taylor Weiser and Amanda Hudson and student participants described weekly practice, belt testing and district competitions designed to reinforce multiplication, decimals and pre‑algebra skills.

Board business during the meeting included routine approvals. The board approved the agenda and took voice votes to approve minutes from Feb. 9 and Feb. 23 (motion on the minutes by Burkard, second by Murphy) and to adopt the consent agenda (motion by Dr. Bortnham, second by Beckus). Counts were recorded as voice votes and no numerical tallies were specified on the record.

With no further business, the board moved to adjourn (motion by Sharp, second by Beccas).