Watchdog Nation,
Welcome. Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! The "First Day of School" for all students will be Thursday, August 20, 2026. Your child’s building-level principal(s) will send and post school-specific information the first week of August.
Open House. Join us on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, for our elementary and middle/high school open houses. Our open houses will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Expect more information from your child’s school regarding open house logistics. Our open house experience allows parents and students to connect with teachers and administrators. This year, we will also have picture day be a part of open house. Before or after meeting with teachers, head to the gymnasium at your child’s school to get your child’s picture taken. Picture retake day will be Wednesday, September 30, 2026. During the open house timeframe, high school students are also expected to check out their iPad.
Fall Activities Meeting Reminder. Our 7-12 fall activities meeting will occur on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (BHS Gymnasium). Parents and students will have a chance to connect with activity coaches and advisors after a brief orientation meeting led by Mr. Reinalda and Mr. James. If you or your child cannot attend, please do not hesitate to contact your child's activity coach or advisor. Please remember that your child must have a completed physical before practicing/participating. Below are links to the 2026-2027 physical form from the South Dakota High School Activities Association.
2026-2027 Physical Form (English)
2026-2027 Physical Form (Spanish)
Pardon our Progress. During the summer, we resurfaced our track, updated our restrooms in the lobby of Beresford Elementary, added additional swings and playground equipment at Beresford Elementary, resurfaced/sealed the asphalt at the elementary playground, and replaced floor tile in high school classrooms to match the hallways at Beresford Elementary and Beresford Middle/High Schools. With construction taking place at the South Campus, we knew the building project would be completed in phases. At the time of this publication, we are fairly “on track” with each phase. The concession stand and restrooms in the remodeled multipurpose room will not be available until mid-September (we will be able to use the lobby space for lunch service). We expect the new activity entrance and kitchen updates to be completed so we can be operational when our learners arrive on Thursday, August 20, 2026. We expect the auxiliary gymnasium space to be completed by mid-November. The new lobby space, secure academic entrance, and offices linked to the new entrance should be done by mid-December.
South Campus Entry Points. Students and staff will be able to enter school through the new activity entrance until 8:30 a.m. After 8:30 a.m., students, parents, and stakeholders will need to enter the building through the middle school entrance. Stakeholders will be able to exit the new activity entrance at all times. During games and events, stakeholders will be able to enter through the new activity entrance on the west side of the building.
Save the Dates -Homecoming, Hall of Fame, and the Watchdog Marching Festival. Homecoming week will take place the week of September 14, 2026. The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026. The ninth Watchdog Hall of Fame banquet starts at 6:00 p.m. (Bridges of Beresford), and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. (open to the public). If you are interested in attending the banquet, please contact Vanessa.Lounsbery@k12.sd.us to purchase your banquet ticket(s) for $35. The Watchdog Marching Festival will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Be Safe. Be Well. Go Dawgs!
/s/ Dr. Dustin Degen