School news you’ll love: Legendary coach, school lunch pitches, giving back

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 info@pigeon605.com.

Big congratulations to Washington High School basketball coach Jim Trett on being named to the Hall of Shrine for the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association. He coached high school basketball for 33 years in Luverne, Minn., and at Sioux Falls Washington, ranking 10th all-time in South Dakota for victories with 577.

We could all take a cue from John Harris Elementary! In honor of March Madness, students and staff have written a personal or academic goal on a basketball to aim for this month. And we love the reminder every time they walk by: Give it your best shot!

What a cool class project! Students at New Tech High School developed pitches for a school lunch and delivered them to Child Nutrition Services judges. They learned about macromolecules, cellular respiration and how hard it is to meet the national lunch standards!

These Sonia Sotomayor Elementary students got a great lesson in giving last week, stopping by Avera McKennan to drop off blankets from Project Warm-Up, mainly for the pediatrics wing.

“This picture doesn’t do it justice; the bag was huge! Though we were only allowed into the lobby, the Avera child life specialist met us with a wagon and told us how needed and appreciated this donation was. She told us how special it is to give a sick and scared child a soft and cuddly blanket from a community that cares,” teacher Jill Biggar wrote in a Facebook post for the school.

“These girls listened attentively and respectfully, asked some insightful questions and were just a ray of sunshine to all of the hospital staff they encountered! I have to tell you that it sounds like all three of these girls are headed for a lifetime of helping and encouraging others.”

The fifth graders at Rosa Parks Elementary have a big goal ahead — collect 1,000 boxes of cereal by their 1,000th day of school! Only one week left, in case you’d like to help.

Miss the Teacher of the Year celebration? You can watch the program below.