As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of the many reasons we have to be grateful within our school community. This season encourages us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the people and experiences that brighten our days.

For our students, Thanksgiving is a chance to celebrate friendship and kindness. Whether it’s helping a classmate, trying something new, or sharing a smile in the hallway, small moments of connection and gratitude make our schools warm and welcoming places.

For our staff, it’s a time to acknowledge the dedication, creativity, and care that shape every part of our learning environment. From early-morning preparation to after-school support, our collective efforts help students grow, explore, and succeed.

As we head into the holiday, I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank someone who’s made a difference this year. Gratitude is powerful—and when we share it, our whole community grows stronger.

Wishing all of our students, staff, and families a safe, restful, and joyful Thanksgiving break! 🧡

Sincerely, 

Dr. Jami Jo Thompson 

Superintendent of Rapid City Area Schools 

The Board of Education has officially approved the 2026–2027 school calendars. The Calendar Committee will reconvene in January to begin developing the 2027–2028 school calendars. You can view the finalized calendars using the links below:

Rapid City Area Schools invites families and community members to the 2025 Mindset Matters Mental Health Conference, a free, two-part event focused on supporting youth and community mental health.

Friday, December 12 – Film Screening & Discussion (Youth and Adults)
My Ascension tells the powerful true story of Emma Benoit’s suicide attempt and her mission to share hope and awareness.
Time: 6:00–8:30 p.m. | Location: Central High School Auditorium
Youth are encouraged to attend with a caring adult.

Saturday, December 13 – Mindset Matters Conference (Adults Only)
Featuring keynote speakers Hollie Strand, Forensic Examiner, and Emma Benoit, Mental Health Advocate and subject of My Ascension.
Time: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Location: South Middle School
Lunch provided | Registration required

Families and community members are encouraged to attend, support youth in attending the Friday screening, and learn tools to strengthen mental health in our community. 

Our staff had a blast at Trivia Night, filled with friendly competition, delicious pizza, and plenty of laughs! Congratulations to our top teams for taking home trophies—and a big thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and made the night memorable.

Thank you to our amazing RCAS community for making our recent food drive a huge success! A special shout-out goes to our warehouse staff for their hard work in collecting and delivering the donations to Feeding SD.

The Public School Podcast, where real stories, real people, and real passion for education come together. Hosted by Sara Hornick, Executive Director of the Public School Foundation, and Bobbi Schaefbauer, Community Relations Manager for Rapid City Area Schools, we dive into the heart of public education.

Each episode, we sit down with community members, dedicated school staff, and passionate advocates to ask one simple but powerful question: Why do public schools matter? From classroom wins to community-wide challenges, the podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping our students’ futures and our shared tomorrow.

You can tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Get the latest news, school updates, and important notifications right on your phone. Download the Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) app today to stay connected with your student’s school, check calendars, and access resources anytime, anywhere!

Available on iOS and Android devices.

Questions?

Email the Communications Office at bobbi.schaefbauer@k12.sd.us