BACK TO SCHOOL 2023-2024

NOTICE:  Jefferson and Kennedy Elementary Schools will hold their Open Houses on Monday, August 14th.  Buchanan Elementary School will postpone their Open House to a later date due to construction.  

School Start Dates & Calendars

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!  All schools in the Pierre School District start classes on August 17th.

Online Student Registration

Parents and guardian of students currently enrolled in the Pierre School District must complete Student Registration for each of their children through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.  Reviewing your contact information is an easy process that takes just a few minutes to complete!  We appreciate your prompt attention to completing Student Registration.  

Student Registration opens July 1st, 2023.

Please complete Student Registration by logging into Parent Portal OR click the “New Student Registration” link below.  Please review the information closely and make any necessary changes. 

Instructions - Current/Returning Students

Instructions - New Students

Can’t remember Parent Portal account OR need account created?  Please reach out to Jeff Hegge our Infinite Campus Specialist to request account information and/or create new account.

Infinite Campus Specialist

Middle School & High School Athletics

Athletic Department Contact Information

Athletic Parent/Athlete Meeting

Date:  Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Time:  6:00PM

Location:  T.F. Riggs High School - Main Gym

The Athletic Parent/Athlete Meeting is for the parents of all Geogia Morse Middle School, and T.F. Riggs High School, student athletes who plan to participate in an athletic activity for the 2023-2024 school year.  During this time, coaches for all fall sports will have short meetings with parents and athletes to discuss the start of the fall athletic season.  All athletic paperwork (Physical & Interim/Athletic Packet) needs to be turned in to the Riggs Athletic Office by this time.

Annual Interim/Athletic Packet, Physical Exam Form, & Concussion Testing

The Annual Interim/Athletic Packet must be completed and submitted annually to the Riggs Athletic Office for all middle school and high school student athletes.  All GMMS and Riggs students planning to participate in school athletics must have a current physical form on file with the Pierre School District.  The Pierre School District does now offer student athletes the option for "Triennial" physical exams.  Parents can log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view when their student athlete's current Physical Exam expires.  Instructions on accessing this information are below.  All in-coming 6th Grade student athletes will need to have a Physical Exam completed.  Please print off the Exam Form and schedule an appointment with your family physician to get this completed prior to the July 20th Athletic Parent/Athlete Meeting.

Please select, print, and complete this form if you do not need to complete a Physical Exam for the 2023-2024 school year.  You may also stop by the the Riggs Main Office over the summer to pick up a paper copy of this packet.

Please select, print, and complete this form if you do need to complete a Physical Exam for the 2023-2024 school year.  You may also stop by the Riggs Main Office over the summer to pick up a paper copy of this packet.

All GMMS and Riggs student athletes are required to complete the concussion testing prior to practice starting.  ImPact Baseline Concussion Tests are valid for 2 years.  Parents can log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view when their student athlete's current ImPact Baseline Concussion Test expires.  Instructions on accessing this information is below.

Instructions on Accessing Athletic Information in Infinite Campus Parent Portal

To know if your student athlete needs an updated Physical Exam and/or ImPact Baseline Concussion Test, or to see if their Annual Interim/Athletic Packet has been submitted, parents simply need to log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal, select their child from the upper Right dropdown menu, select More from the Left menu, and then Activities.

Available Sports for Student Participation & Start Dates

Below is a list of sports available for your student athlete to participate in for the 2023-2024 school year.  Also included is the practice start date of each fall sport.

CLICK HERE for a listing of coaching assignments for this year.

6th Grade

7th & 8th Grade

9th-12th Grades

Student Accident Insurance

The Pierre School District is not responsible for any accidental injuries that occur to students while under the school’s supervision or participating in interscholastic sports.

Our School District has partnered with Student Assurance Services to give families the opportunity to purchase accident insurance for their student(s). When enrolled, this coverage provides financial assistance with your out-of-pocket medical expenses should your student sustain an accidental bodily injury.

Student Assurance Services Flyer (ENG)
Student Assurance Services Flyer (SPAN)

Reasons to consider coverage for your student:

To enroll you student and review medical benefits visit www.sas-mn.com.

CLICK HERE for additional information.  If you have any questions regarding this voluntary student accident insurance program, please contact Student Assurance Services at (800) 328-2739.  You will speak with a live person who can assist you with your questions.

School Pictures

School pictures will be taken on check-in day at each building.  Schools, dates, and codes are listed below.  Interstate Publishing pictures will need to be ordered online, or payment needs to be sent with your child on check-in day.

T.F. Riggs High School

Georgia Morse Middle School

Buchanan Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School

Kennedy Elementary School

Immunization Requirements for School Attendance

South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-7.1 (Rev. 2016) requires that any pupil entering school or an early childhood program in this state shall, prior to admission, be required to present to school authorities certification from a licensed physician that the child has received, or is in the process of receiving, adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola (measles), rubella, mumps, tetanus, meningitis and varicella (chickenpox), according to the recommendations of the State Department of Health.

This law applies to ALL children entering a South Dakota school district for the first time. This would include children in early intervention programs, preschool, as well as kindergarten through twelfth grade. Children under 4 need to be age-appropriately immunized.

For more information, or questions, on minimum immunization requirements for kindergarten through twelth grade students, please visist the South Dakota Department of Health's website.

Kindergarten Vaccination Requirements (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

6th Grade Vaccination Requirements (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Pierre School District Nurses

Birth Certificate Records

All students entering into the Pierre School District are required by South Dakota Law to submit a copy of an official birth certificate at the time of school registration, or as soon thereafter as possible.  Families entering into the district can drop off a copy of their child's birth certificate with their Building Registrar.

Please visit the South Dakota Department of Health's Certificates & Records webpage for more information on obtaining certified birth certificate records. 

T.F. Riggs High School | Check-In Days, Big Green Welcome, & Freshman/New Student Orientation

Check-In Days 

Seniors:  Thursday, August 3rd | 8:00AM to 1:00PM
Sophomores & Juniors:  Friday, August 4th | 8:00AM to 1:00PM
Freshman & New Students:  Friday, August 11st | 8:00AM to 1:00PM
Any Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors unable to attend their scheduled check-in day may come in on Friday, August 11th from 8am to 1pm.  

During this time students will have an opportunity for the following:

Big Green Welcome

Freshman & New Students:  Thursday, August 10th | 4:30PM to 6:30PM | Riggs Main Gym
Parents of Freshman & New Students Orientation:  Thursday, August 10th | 5:30PM to 6:30PM | Riggs Theater

The Gov-to-Gov mentor program will host the "Big Green Welcome" for all freshman and new students starting in the Main Gym at Riggs High School.  There will be a variety of activities to help familiarize students with Riggs High School.  Tours will be given, and students will have an opportunity to interact with upper-classman and ask questions about Riggs.  Pizza will be provided!  

Riggs High School Principals, Counselors, and the Director of Native American Student Programs will host an orientation for parents of incoming freshman and new students in the theater.  Parents will get an overview and introduction of T.F. Riggs High School, as well as optional tours of the building.  

Georgia Morse Middle School | Check-In Days, Course Registration, Orientations, & Open House

Check-In Days

8th Grade:  Monday, August 7th | 8:00AM to 1:00PM
7th Grade:  Tuesday, August 8th | 8:00AM to 1:00PM
6th Grade:  Wednesday, August 9th | 8:00AM to 1:00PM

During this time students will have an opportunity for the following:

New Student Class Registration

Wednesday, August 2nd & Thursday, August 3rd | 9:00AM to 3:00PM

Students that are new to the Pierre School District can come in on these days to register for classes, drop off Birth Certificates and immunization records, and complete any additional paperwork/forms.  Parents will want to have completed Online Student Registration prior to coming in.  

6th Grade WEB Orientation

Thursday, August 10th | 1:00PM to 3:00PM

The GMMS 7/8th Grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Leaders will host this event for all incoming 6th Grade students starting in the Main Gym at Georgia Morse Middle School.  There will be a variety of activities to help familiarize students with Georgia Morse Middle School. 

6th Grade Parent Meeting

Monday, August 7th | 5:45PM

Parents of 6th Grade Students entering Georgia Morse Middle School are welcome to attend our 6th Grade Parent Meeting in our Main Gym.  The GMMS Principals and Guidance Counselors will provide parents with an introduction to Georgia Morse Middle School, as well as provide a self-guided tour of the building.

GMMS Open House

Monday, August 21st | 6:00PM to 7:00PM

All GMMS families are welcome to come in to our Open House to meet our staff and tour Georgia Morse Middle School!

Elementary Schools | Check-In & Open Houses

Check-In Days

Kennedy Elementary School:  Monday, August 7th | 8:00AM to 3:00PM
Buchanan Elementary School:  Tuesday, August 8th | 8:00AM to 3:00PM
Jefferson Elementary School:  Wednesday, August 9th | 8:00AM to 3:00PM

New students registering to attend the Pierre School District for the first time should check-in on Wednesday, August 2nd at the school in their attendance area, and must bring their birth certificate, immunizations, and report card from the school they previously attended.

During this time students will have an opportunity for the following:

Open Houses

Buchanan Elementary School:  Postponed due to construction.
Jefferson Elementary School:  Monday, August 14th | 5:30PM
Kennedy Elementary School:  Monday, August 14th | 5:30PM

Students will get an opportunity to bring their school supplies in to their classroom, meet their teacher, and tour their school building!

School Supply Lists

T.F. Riggs High School does not put out a supply list since every student has a unique class schedule.

Some recommended items are:

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

The Pierre School District offers parents the option to sign up for access to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.  Access allows parents to complete their child's annual school registration online, and monitor their child's school records.

Please reach out to your child's school and work with the School Registrar to gain access to Infinite Campus Parent Portal.  

Signing up for SchoolMessenger Notifications

Opt-In Instructions:

To opt-in to SMS text message notifications from SchoolMessenger (which is highly recommended), simply send a "Y" or "YES" to short code 67587.

Parents and guardians must elect to opt-in to receive SMS text message communications from the Pierre School District.

The Pierre School District utilizes SchoolMessenger for phone, SMS, and email notifications to families.  Such communications may be for emergency, parental outreach, and student attendance notifications.  SchoolMessenger does not replace modes of communication between families and staff.  Administrations, teachers, and advisors across the district utilize multiple forms of communication with students and families. 

When completing student registration, parents are encouraged to ensure all telephone and email information is up-to-date.  If at any time contact information changes, parents are advised to notify the school immediately. 

School Meals

The PSD Food Service Team is passionate about fueling our students for success! We serve breakfast and lunch at every level, every day. The meals we serve meet the rigorous USDA nutrition standards and it is our goal to make meals not only nutritious yet tasty.

Please select the following link to view our parent packet with meal price information, and to view income eligibility requirements for free & reduced price meal benefits.

Application for Free & Reduced Price School Meals or Free Milk

We strongly encourage families eligible for free and reduced price meal benefits to simply fill out the Free & Reduced Meal Application, and submit the document to their school.  Below are links to the Free & Reduced Meal Application.  Families can also pick up a paper copy of the application at their school.  Each individual household application is held in strict confidence. 

School Lunch EZ Pay Account Setup

The EZ School Pay system is a great way to manage your child's school meal purchases.  The Pierre School District encourages all parents and guardians to sign up for the EZ School Pay system.  There are options for setting low balance notifications.  Families can deposit funds electronically into their child's account for school lunch, or breakfast, without the need to send cash or checks to school.  There are no fees for the EZ School Pay service. 

Select the following link for step by step instructions for EZ School Pay account setup.  You will need to reach out to your child's school to get your child's STUDENT ID # to complete the account setup.

Food Service Contact Information

School District Boundary Maps

Click Map Image to Enlarge

Click Map Image to Enlarge

Thank you for visiting the Pierre School District!

The Pierre School District prides itself on the quality of education it provides to children of the Pierre area. The teachers and support staff of the Pierre School District are of the highest caliber. Our students have great opportunities to learn and grow as a result of dedicated educators, directors, coaches, and quality programs and courses. As a district we take pride in our school and community. If you have any questions regarding the Pierre School District, please contact our Administrative Offices. We would like to hear from you! 

Contact Us

Phone:  (605) 773-7300

Fax:  (605) 773-7304

Mailing Address:
Pierre School District
211 South Poplar Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

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