School news of the week: Show of support, safer schools, memorable field trips

Amazing things happen in our schools every day — if you know where to look! Do you know some school news others would love? Let us know at [email protected].

Harrisburg and O’Gorman high school volleyball players put competitiveness aside for compassion as the Tigers dealt with the tragic loss of a student.

Cheers for a safer walk to school. Added safety precautions have been installed on Six Mile Road near Fred Assam Elementary. Crosswalk warning lights will flash when manually activated by the push of a button. Students needing to cross Six Mile Road can alert traffic to stop, allowing them to cross safely to school.

St. Lambert Elementary fifth and sixth graders hit the playground to make sure all students were safe at play this week! They raked the wood chips on their playground to make sure they were evenly spread so no one falls — a great service project.

This outdoor classroom at John Harris Elementary makes us want to go back to class!

We’re also a little jealous of the eighth graders at Sioux Falls Lutheran School who got to go on a Black Hills field trip last week.

And at Memorial Middle School, seventh graders “traveled” without leaving home on a Siberian wilderness ​adventure. A group of students took on the role of cartographers, mapping the location of gold deposits, while their partners, as geologists, entered an underground mine and learned about the history and value of gold. When the geologists returned to the classroom to search for the gold deposits, the only tool they could use was their partner’s map. Students enjoyed their “field trip” to Siberia and learned the importance of creating detailed, accurate maps.

It’s never too soon to plan for a career. O’Gorman Junior High students are learning about future careers and exploring their interests through a Career Exploration class, using a youth entrepreneurship curriculum.

Nicely done, Black Hills Federal Credit, for outfitting Lowell Elementary students with supplies this year.

Can we hire them for our office? Through “Brewing Independence,” RISE students at George McGovern Middle School are learning fundamental life skills while delivering delicious coffee drinks to the staff.

And finally, the Sioux Falls School District is spotlighting high school seniors. Meet Roosevelt High School’s Matt Goehring! He excels in three varsity sports, is a member of the National Honor Society and is taking three Advanced Placement classes his senior year. “He’s a leader on the field, in the classroom and in the hallways of Roosevelt High School,” the district said.