YOU CANNOT LIVE A PERFECT DAY WITHOUT DOING SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE WITHOUT WANTING ANYTHING IN RETURN

Aside from opposable thumbs, big brains, straight femurs.....we are obviously different than the the other species and sub-species living around us - despite sharing most of the same DNA, we have remarkably unique traits and direction.  Perhaps debatable, but one characteristic presides over all others in comparison to the organisms we share this world with...we have a need to serve.  Our self-awareness, our cultural development, our creativity, compassion, language all seem to be motivated by the need to affect other lives positively.  It is what produces an undefinable satisfaction and fulfillment.   Aiding someone else profoundly changes our outlook on the instinctual survival motivations, releases us to a placated and confident path of enlightenment and transformation.  You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return.  And Harrisburg, last week, had many perfect days for many people.  The outpouring of kindness for the Schroeder family is just another example of how the people of this community enjoy perfect days, every day.  And it is not about the over 10,000 dollars  that was raised, the simple acts of good will all week, that are commonplace here, lead to a reassurance that is not like anywhere else....Although she would prefer I not, I have to select one who leads with action every moment to the end of a better day for others.  Mrs. Bicknase, a tireless force in the success of last week's fundraiser with her family, examples her way to assisting all of us in being more self-aware.  More considerate.  More positive.   This past week was just a more public display of what she does and is every day.  For years, her cheerful and caring substance, have given comfort and uplift to students and staff at Harrisburg High and the community.  Her attention to all others' needs and willingness to meet any expectation with enthusiasm and insight are an irreplaceable positive in our school and city.  And she does all of this without any thought of herself or her gain.  She just does the right thing because it is the right thing.  She just finds a way for all to have a better day because she believes in them, is loyal to them and finds her power in the deeds she is capable of.  Many have said this before, but where would we be without her?  She is living perfect days, every day and all of us are the benefactors.  Thank her when you see her.  Not for what she has likely just done for you, but what she has done for this place and all of us..always.

Teachers...we need more of them...more of those with the capacity to do this job, and serve our culture with the immortality of the gifts given.  The University of South Dakota is hosting an education conference for high school students that may be thinking of entering the teaching profession.  Twelve Harrisburg students will take a trip to Vermillion on the 27th and find out more about education as a career.  The sign up will continue through the 27th.

Prom is a long way off - but the juniors have already begun their planning with the magazine fundraising.  If you have a subscription to renew or are preparing to begin a subscription, please contact a junior of Mrs. Keppen.

Don't forget, our school newspaper is now published in the Sioux Valley News.  Congratulations again toe Mrs. Kroger and her publications class for the first edition of the Tiger Times last week.  If you want to keep up with Harrisburg High news, get a subscription for just $20.

Homecoming is now just three weeks away.  The theme this year is "Once Upon a Fantasy".  The days planned are Superhero day, Dynamic Duo day, Magic Mayhem day, Generation day and School Spirit day.  Details are being confirmed.  Hope you will be a part.

Keep checking the DDN Parent Portal for your son or daughter's academic progress.  Teachers should also have their website linked to the staff page if you wish to see lesson plans for the week and assessment plans for the semester.  Most include syllabi as well that outline the course expectations and schedule.  A reminder that the week of mid-terms(Sept. 22), any students doing poorly in any course will be expected to remain after school Thursdays and Fridays for Extra Help.  At that time they may go see teachers and receive extra attention.  Should a student not progress, they will be assigned Saturday School to try and catch up.  This process will last through the quarter and begin again at mid-term each quarter this year.   It is the hope that this extra time will result in improved performance.  If the DDN for your student is not up-to-date, please contact the instructor.

FFA(Future Farmer's of America) and FCCLA(Family Career and Community Leaders of America) have begun organizing and beginning meetings.  If your son or daughter has an interest in these groups, have them contact Mr. Marks or Mrs. Kern.  These are vital groups to our school culture and we have two superb advisors and fantastic student leaders.

Project-based learning(PBL) allows students to attack relevant problems in the development of necessary skills and knowledge for later success.  We have eight teachers utilizing this method in their classes this year.  Mrs. Nyenhuis,  Mr. Hansen, Mr. Genrich, Mrs. Gross, Mrs. Kern, Mrs. Thill, Mr. Stearns and Mrs. Vander Sanden have all taken on the challenge of producing innovative lessons within the PBL format.  Mrs. Janelle Carda is assisting the process as well as our Education Service Agency(ESA).  If you have any questions, just let me know.  Personally, I am an advocate for this instructional movement as I believe we can move students toward independent decision-making by using this system and the resulting change in thought of how we educate.  The vision will be for these eight teachers to help others who can in turn make Harrisburg High a leader in contemporary strategies that drive students to be better equipped for whatever they pursue.  

September 29th, at 7:00, will be the first Parent/Principal Connection(PPC) night.  This is a night the principal will be available for any questions you may have.  No agenda, no schedule.  Just a time for any of you that may be interested to come to the high school commons, share your insight and hopes for our school.  I will host one of these each month.  I hope you can attend.  We will conclude by 8:00.

Events at Harrisburg this week:

Monday- Sept. 13  -  10:00 - Boys' Golf - Madison
                                  4:15 - JV Football - home - Lennox
                                  5:00 - Girls' Soccer at Vermillion

Tuesday - Sept. 14 - 7:00 - Music Trip to Texas - Parent Meeting

Wednesday - Sept. 15 - 7:30 - Tiger Nation Meeting
                            7:15 AM - Science Dept. Meeting

Thursday - Sept. 16 - 4:30 - 9th Football at Lennox
                                  5:00 - Volleyball at Sioux Falls Christian
                                   7:15 AM - Social Science Dept. Meeting
                                    2:30 - SSR

Friday - Sept. 17 - 9:00 - Boys' Golf at Elk Point
                              6:00 - Boys'/Girls' Soccer at Belle Fourche
                               7:15 AM - Communication Arts Dept. Meeting
                                2:30 - TAP

Saturday - Sept. 18 - 9:00 - Cross Country at Huron
                                10:30 - JV Football at Dell Rapids
                                  1:00 - Boys' Soccer at Douglas

Sunday - Sept. 19 - 1:00 - Tiger Nation Golf at Bakker's Crossing

Hard Work is it's own reward.....

Yes this is a time of great stress -  14.9 million out of work, maybe another 5-10 million who have stopped looking.  And for our high school students, then, an uncertain future.  For our parents, whose only wish is to give their children a chance at the best life possible, cloudy opportunity.  But the solace we can find is the very fiber of who we have been, are and always will be.  Our foundation is the hard work of our predecessors and the labor of today and tomorrow, the unending toil that has made us such the greatest civilization.  The richest.  The envied.  The admired.  For a time, I lived in the Netherlands, playing semi-professional basketball.  It was an exciting time and if there was one thing I took from the experience, it was the expressly significant difference in outlook of Americans and Europeans.  Americans' ambition easily trumped all of those I was in contact with in Holland and Germany and Belgium.  Great people, friendly, involved in the world, intelligent, caring and passionate.  But also satisfied.  Satisfied to reach only as high as their parents had.  And there is nothing wrong with that and most of those I knew were very happy...but much less driven than all of my contacts in the States.  Since our time of breaking free, pioneering and frontier-ing, I don't believe we have ever lost the manifest destiny built into our genes - that it will always be better and if we work hard enough, our dreams will be realized.  It is the engine of our country, and it will rev again.  A great example of our ethic and loci, even though only a very small percentage of our country, less than one percent, will ever pay an inheritance tax - a huge percentage of Americans are against this tax.  Why?  Since for so many it will never effect them.  Is it because they care so much for those who do have large inheritances?  No - it is because ALL of us believe that we will be in that one percent some day.  We are dreamers, and dreamers who know that if we just work a little harder, everything we ever wished for will be ours.  Celebrate our labors, and don't lose that vigorous pursuit of all we hope.....

TAP(Teacher Advisor Group began last week.  These groups are designed to do many things, but mainly another place to belong.   Last week was a review and discussion of some school processes like dress code, parking, cell phone policy, etc.  All school policies are in the student handbook, located on our website.  There were some great discussions and these groups will assist in a conduit of communication for students and staff.   In the future weeks, students will work on Career Cruising, Personal Learning Plans, and team building activities.  These groups double as the SSR(Sustained Silent Reading) sessions.  It is a pleasure to report that every single student had a book and were reading last week.  That is an incredible effort attributed to our staff and students.

FCA(Fellowship of Christian Athletes) began on Friday morning in the Little Theater with approximately 50 students attending.  These monthly meetings are open to all students, parents and community members.  The non-denominational group is a wonderful way to communicate and share spiritual growth, no matter the degree of faith.   Please watch for announcements if interested.  

Just a friendly reminder in regard to home activities.  Harrisburg High follows some simple rules that create a positive environment for all attending.  Parents of children at home events, you are responsible for their behavior.  Children not watching the contests should not be allowed to wander(and in most cases) run aimlessly around our facilities.  They will be asked to leave.  At home football games, playing tackle football and throwing the ball around is not permitted.  Certainly, kids should have a good time and can be with their friends, but the facilities we have are not playgrounds and the staff that supervise are not babysitters for a Friday night out on the town.   Finally, sportsmanship will be demonstrated at all times.  Last Friday was a good night, with most following great etiquette and proper courtesy for fellow fans.  Just a reminder, and as we head inside for more activities, more restrictions on behavior will need to be followed.  Thanks for your help ahead of time.

Sophomores and seniors, don't forget graduation and class rings.  Mr. Tostad from Josten's will be in and out through September and October, more than willing to address all needs you may have for making your high school experience memorable.  Mr. Tostad met with sophomores on Wednesday and will be back to take orders this week.

Newspapers live on subscriptions and advertisement.  Our school newspaper is now located in the Sioux Valley News.  This Wednesday will be our first installment.  Should this be a success, plans are for a larger "Harrisburg" section that could become a great benefit to our community.  A subscription is only $20 for the year.  Subscribe.  And if you have a business that may benefit from advertising on our high school page, please advertise.  

Juniors began selling magazines to help fund the prom.  If you are looking to re-up or get a new magazine, seek a junior.  

This week at Harrisburg High:

Tuesday - 1:00- Boy's Golf at Spring Creek
                   4:15 - Cross Country at Canton
                  4:15 - JV football, home vs. Tri-Valley
                  5:00 - Volleyball, home, vs Chester

Wednesday - Class ring ordering - Lunch

Thursday - Class ring ordering - Lunch
                    6:00 - Girl's Soccer, Home vs. West Central
                   SSR - last period

Friday - 6:00 - Boy's Soccer at Mitchell
                   SSR - Last Period

Saturday -   8:00 - Golf at Brookings
                   10:30  -  Football and Cheer camp - ages 5-14
                   12:30 - Volleyball, Home vs. Millbank
                    3:00 -  Bryce Schroeder Benefit Auction
                   4:30 - Whopper Tailgate Party
                   7:00 - Tiger Bowl, Football vs.  Lennox

Get all of your Tiger Wear at the TIGER DEN!!!!!