Dakota Prairie School District

From the Desk of Mrs. Avdem:

The Dakota Prairie 4th Graders wanted to give back to their community, so they brainstormed ways they could. They really wanted a project that would incorporate the 3E’s (Engage, Empower and Excel) and from our class 7 Mindsets, we have been working on in our school. They came up with a Giving Hearts Chore Project, here they would do chores to raise money for the Nelson County Health Foundation. They really liked the idea of having their donation matched, so February 10, 2026, would be our deadline, Since February 12 is National Giving Hearts Day. They talked about setting a goal they wanted to reach or exceed, then what chores they could do, and a spreadsheet to hold them accountable. We discussed why we chose the Nelson County Health System that affects so many and even them, as they talked about going to the clinic for appointments, the hospital for emergencies, and the nursing home to visit family and friends.

Tuesday, February 10 came and so did their total amount of $300 from all of their hard work. They were so excited realizing with the matched funds they raised $600. We will be going to the hospital to meet with Kenzie Engen, she will show us around at the different areas where items are being purchased that we helped buy. I am so proud of these kids for all their hard work and big hearts, almost as proud as they are of themselves!

A Giving Hearts Update from 4th Grade- We went today (2/27) to see the machine Big Bertha that we helped buy- she even had a message for us! The kids were so excited and proud of themselves.

The March edition of the Knight Reader is available.

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4984/Dpsd/2479e060-22f2-4081-9112-6446f0a3963e/Knight-Reader-March-2026.pdf?disposition=inline

Join us for the Mid-Winter Follies play, The Jungle Book, presented by the 4th - 6th graders.

Congratulations to our February Knights of the Month!

Four Nelson County Charger music students participated in the Viking Vocal Days at Valley City State University. Annika Charles & Kendra Henke from Dakota Prairie High School and Ava Carlson & Emily Lovell from Lakota High School spent two days practicing with the college choir, had vocal lessons, and attended master classes. Friday evening, they took in a concert where the VCSU faculty performed solo pieces and different college choirs performed. Jamestown Community Women's Choir also performed. The two-day event ended with a concert on Saturday afternoon where they performed with the college choir and some high school students from other schools performed solos as well. It was two days of fun with a lot of singing and lots of laughter!

March is here and is busy with activity!

Be sure to check the website and the Chargers Nation Facebook group regularly for all events and updates.

Nelson Co. Spelling Bee Results:

3rd Grade:
Emmett Locken, 1st runner-up
Emiliano Ortiz Ramirez, champion

4th Grade:
Jaina Peavy-Roberts, 1st runner-up
Gracie Flom, champion

5th Grade:
Hendrix Dahl, 1st runner-up
Aubrey Ulland, champion

6/7/8:
Fiona Klein, 2nd runner-up
Pepper McKay, 1st runner-up
Hadley Strand, champion

Congratulations, spellers!
Thank you to all who helped make the spelling bee a S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

The Nelson County Spelling Bee is tomorrow at 12:15pm at the elementary.
Best wishes to our spellers representing Dakota Prairie!

Come join us in Petersburg!

Speech Results from Feb 21 in Park River:
Royce - 6th in Inform
Hayley - 7th in Poetry
Fiona - Top Novice in Humorous

It's another busy week at Dakota Prairie. Be sure to cheer on our students in their events and activities!

Have a great week!

Today is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. We "wheelie" appreciate our bus drivers! They get our students to and from school, practices, games, and events. We are so thankful for them!

If you would like to become a bus driver for Dakota Prairie, please contact either school office.

The Nelson County Spelling Bee has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 24th, at 12:15 PM at Dakota Prairie Elementary School. If your student is competing, please come out and support them as they compete with their peers.

Dakota Prairie Schools will go to Virtual Learning today, Thursday, February 19th due to road conditions throughout the district.

Dakota Prairie Schools and Buses will be 2 hours late tomorrow, February 19 due to weather conditions and no travel advised in district areas. Buses will travel where they are able to. If there are any changes an ALERT will go out by 8:00 AM.

Dakota Prairie schools will be virtual learning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18th, due to ongoing weather conditions.

Please help us spread the word!

2026 INSTEM student application is NOW OPEN.

Registration closes April 17, 2026.
You will find the application link and updated FAQs on the website: www.vcsu.edu/instem.