🐾 October Hometown Legacy | Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!
For our October Hometown Legacy feature, we're highlighting two more BSD staff members who graduated Brookings High School and have returned to work in the district!
Courtney Honkomp, BHS Class of 2018, is an Instructional Assistant at Mickelson Middle School.
Jennifer Lacher-Starace, BHS Class of 1992, is an 8th Grade Reading Teacher at Mickelson Middle School.
From favorite school memories and influential educators to working alongside former teachers and inspiring today's students, Courtney and Jen share what makes returning to their alma mater so meaningful.
Check out their October Hometown Legacy features to learn more about their experiences and what it means to come full circle.
There will be no school Friday, October 9, due to all-day Parent/Teacher Conferences and no school Monday, October 12, in observance of Native American Day. Enjoy the long weekend, Bobcats!
October is National School Principals Month!
Today, we're highlighting Sarah Wiebersick, Principal at Dakota Prairie Elementary School. Sarah shares what she loves most about being a principal and building a strong team at Dakota Prairie. Thank you, Sarah, for your leadership and all you do for our students and staff! 🐾
National School Custodian Appreciation Day
Today, we recognize the 25 dedicated custodial staff members who care for our schools across the Brookings School District!
Their hard work happens every day, often behind the scenes, to keep our buildings clean, safe, welcoming, and ready for students and staff.
Please join us in thanking our incredible custodial team for everything they do for our schools and our Bobcat community. We appreciate you!
October is National Principals Month!
We're kicking off the month by recognizing the principals and assistant principals who lead our schools and support our learners, staff, and families each day.
Thank you for all you do for the Brookings School District! 🐾
Homecoming Throwback: Day 5
We're wrapping up our Homecoming Throwbacks with a look back at Friday Night Lights through the years!
Tonight, the Bobcats take on the Spearfish Spartans at 7:00 PM at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. See you under the lights, Bobcats!
For families who utilize the Boys & Girls Club, please also note that the Club will be closed Friday, September 25 for staff training.
Homecoming Throwback: Day 4
Today we're looking back at Bobcat pep rallies and spirit assemblies through the years!
Do you recognize anyone in these throwback photos?
Homecoming Throwback: Day 3
Today we're throwing it back to Homecoming dress-up days in 1987, 1998, and 2008!
Some things change over the years, but Bobcats going all-in for Homecoming dress-up days apparently isn't one of them!
Take a look at today's throwback and see if you recognize any familiar faces!
Homecoming Throwback: Day 2
Today's Homecoming Throwback takes us back to Homecoming Olympics!
With photos dating from 1971 to 2007, these throwbacks show that a little friendly competition has been part of Bobcat Homecoming for decades. And judging by some of these pictures, the events have definitely evolved over the years!
Check back tomorrow for another look back at Bobcat Homecoming history!
Homecoming Throwback
There's nothing quite like Bobcat Homecoming traditions! In honor of Homecoming Week and tonight's BHS Coronation and Burning of the B, we're taking a look back at a few Bobcat Homecomings from years past.
Some traditions just stand the test of time! 🐾
We'll be sharing a Homecoming throwback each day this week, so check back tomorrow for another look back at Bobcat Homecoming history!
Homecoming Week starts tomorrow!
Don't forget to show your Bobcat spirit during our Homecoming Dress-Up Days this week!
Reminder: School will dismiss at 12:00 PM on Friday, September 25 for the Bobcat Homecoming Parade, beginning at 2:00 PM downtown.
Interested in participating in the parade? Parade Entry Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw5INT4k1HDRIPxvjV3X3C8OCZtaiBdDHR3yVXK7u_s7K7zw/viewform
Go Bobcats! ❤️🖤
This month, we're highlighting two Brookings High School graduates who have returned to BSD to help make a difference for the next generation.
Lynsey Magnus, BHS Class of 2009, serves as an Instructional Assistant at Dakota Prairie Elementary and Assistant Girls' Soccer Coach.
Zach Thomas, BHS Class of 2010, serves as Principal at Brookings High School.
Both share a special connection to the district they grew up in and the educators who helped shape their experiences. Now, they're continuing that legacy as members of the BSD team.
Take a look at their September Hometown Legacy features to learn more about their Bobcat roots and what brought them full circle.
Morning Drop-Off Options:
Parking and Walking In
You are welcome to park in the designated parking lot and escort your child to the front doors of the school. Please note that staff will not be available to supervise at the front entrance, as they will be assisting students who arrive without a parent or guardian.
Curbside Drop-Off
If you prefer to drop your child off at the curb, please ensure that they are ready to exit the vehicle promptly when you pull up. For the safety and efficiency of all, we ask that parents remain in their vehicles during drop-off. If children can exit on the left side of the car closest to the school, they can get right onto the sidewalk. This allows the traffic line to move smoothly and helps us avoid unnecessary delays.
Thank you for taking this matter seriously.
Today is National IT Professionals Day!
We're celebrating the Brookings School District IT Department and the work they do each day to keep technology running across our schools!
Our four-person IT team manages more than 4,900 devices, supports approximately 3,400 students and nearly 500 staff members, and closed 1,435 technology support tickets last year. Together, they have an incredible 58 years of service with the Brookings School District!
Thank you, Grant Sunne, Travis Vlaminck, Jason Smidt, and Adam Vaux, for everything you do to keep our schools connected! ❤️🖤
Pictured left to right: Grant Sunne, Travis Vlaminck, Jason Smidt, and Adam Vaux.
You may have seen several communications about the Manners Moose Fun Run happening this Friday, September 11, 2026. This is a new fundraiser our PTA is trying this year to raise enough money to add an additional playground at Dakota Prairie. We need your help in reaching our goal of $25,000!
If we reach that goal, the students get to slime me! 🎉
After you sign your learner up at mybooster.com, follow the prompts to share and request donations from family and friends via text, email, or social media. Your family and friends can donate to support Dakota Prairie no matter how far away they live. The kids will celebrate while they walk/run/dance at the fun run. Each grade will participate at staggered times to ensure they have time to take school pictures and participate in the fun,
Here’s how to help:
- Sign up at MyBooster.com
- Share your student’s page
- Give a donation
We’ve already raised $8,603. Every donation gets us closer!
We can’t wait to celebrate! 🎉
Thank you for your support!
PTA and Sarah Wiebersick
It's Homecoming time, Bobcats!
The 2026 Bobcat Homecoming Parade is Friday, September 25, at 2:00 PM in downtown Brookings!
Want to be part of the parade? School groups, organizations, businesses, and community groups are invited to enter. Last year we had more than 70 entries—let's make this year's parade even bigger!
Parade entries are due by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22.
👉 Learn more and register for the 2026 Bobcat Homecoming Parade!
GO BOBCATS! ❤️🖤
REMINDER: No School Monday, September 7
Brookings School District schools and administration office will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 8.
Tuesday, September 8th we're excited to launch our UPDATED School-to-School transfer service! Please visit the BSD Transportation Page on the Brookings School District Website for more information.
https://www.brookings.k12.sd.us/page/transportation
