Aurora Elementary Students in Mrs. Bramstedt’s sixth-grade class tackled the art of research writing by drafting informative and well-structured papers. Students focused on building strong paragraph frameworks to organize their ideas effectively, honing both their critical writing and research skills.
They began the process by using a visual organizer to structure their research, including supporting evidence, facts, main ideas, and a clear thesis. This comprehensive approach empowered students to craft polished, insightful papers while mastering essential academic skills.

Aurora Elementary Students in Mrs. Bramstedt’s sixth-grade class tackled the art of research writing by drafting informative and well-structured papers. Students focused on building strong paragraph frameworks to organize their ideas effectively, honing both their critical writing and research skills. They began the process by using a visual organizer to structure their research, including supporting evidence, facts, main ideas, and a clear thesis. This comprehensive approach empowered students to craft polished, insightful papers while mastering essential academic skills.

I attended my first SD Robotics Competition this week. Our students from AES, MES, DES, & SDMS were working hard and having fun! - Supt. Ross #SuccessDriven #GrowExcelAchieve

I attended my first SD Robotics Competition this week. Our students from AES, MES, DES, & SDMS were working hard and having fun!
- Supt. Ross
#SuccessDriven
#GrowExcelAchieve

Here is this week’s edition of the Knightly News!
#SuccessDriven
#GrowExcelAchieve

The featured staff member of the week is Ms. Becky Strasemeier. Ms. Strasemeier is a proud South Dearborn alumna (Class of 2006). After graduation, she attended Purdue University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. This is her fifteenth year in teaching and her thirteenth year at SD. For her first eight years at SD, she taught at Moores Hill Elementary School and for the last five years (including this school year), she has taught at Dillsboro Ele...mentary School, where she currently teaches second grade. DES is where Ms. Strasemeier also attended elementary school.
Ms. Strasemeier is a proud mom of three boys—her ten-year-old and twin seven-year-olds—all of whom attend DES. She also has two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family (especially her boys), reading, going on hikes, going to coffee shops, trying new restaurants, and traveling (especially to the beach). A fun fact about Ms. Strasemeier is that she once swam with stingrays in the Cayman Islands. We are so blessed that Ms. Strasemeier has blessed our Bobcats and Bulldogs with her teaching talents!
#SuccessDriven
#GrowExcelAchieve

The featured staff member of the week is Ms. Becky Strasemeier. Ms. Strasemeier is a proud South Dearborn alumna (Class of 2006). After graduation, she attended Purdue University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. This is her fifteenth year in teaching and her thirteenth year at SD. For her first eight years at SD, she taught at Moores Hill Elementary School and for the last five years (including this school year), she has taught at Dillsboro Elementary School, where she currently teaches second grade. DES is where Ms. Strasemeier also attended elementary school. Ms. Strasemeier is a proud mom of three boys—her ten-year-old and twin seven-year-olds—all of whom attend DES. She also has two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family (especially her boys), reading, going on hikes, going to coffee shops, trying new restaurants, and traveling (especially to the beach). A fun fact about Ms. Strasemeier is that she once swam with stingrays in the Cayman Islands. We are so blessed that Ms. Strasemeier has blessed our Bobcats and Bulldogs with her teaching talents! #SuccessDriven #growexcelachieve

SD Bus Driver Tulsa Henderson went to Barrel of Monkeys Childcare today to show his bus off to the kiddos. They were excited to see the lights and learn about bus safety. This is a great way to get them ready for Kindergarten! Thanks for doing this Mr. Henderson!
- Supt. Ross
#SuccessDriven #GrowExcelAchieve

SD Bus Driver Tulsa Henderson went to Barrel of Monkeys Childcare today to show his bus off to the kiddos. They were excited to see the lights and learn about bus safety. This is a great way to get them ready for Kindergarten! Thanks for doing this Mr. Henderson! - Supt. Ross #SuccessDriven #GrowExcelAchieve

Mrs. Stanley’s South Dearborn Middle School students watched Neil Gaiman read his story “Click-Clack: the Rattlebag” as they reviewed strong paragraph structures. This short story is about a young man who tells a scary story to a child before bed. Mrs. Stanley also introduced her class to PEEL, an acronym to help students remember the elements of a well-crafted paragraph. PEEL stands for point, evidence, explanation, and link. As the students listened and read along to the story, they took notes on how the author’s writing exemplified PEEL. Their notes on Neil Gaiman’s techniques will help aid them in their next writing composition assignment.

Ms. Warren’s third-grade class at Manchester Elementary School took a hands-on approach to mastering equivalent fractions. Using fraction pieces, students worked in pairs to complete a worksheet designed to deepen their understanding of fractions while building teamwork and collaboration skills. This engaging activity not only strengthened their math foundations but also fostered problem-solving and peer learning!

South Dearborn High School students in Mrs. Pettit’s Marketing Fundamentals class put their creativity and business acumen to the test by designing their very own toothpaste product and packaging. This hands-on project challenged students to focus on key marketing elements such as crafting clear and persuasive advertising messages, ensuring proper punctuation and spelling, developing a unique brand identity and slogan, and highlighting the product’s health benefits. In addition to showcasing their marketing expertise, students honed their presentation skills by pitching their innovative products to their classmates. This engaging project gave students a real-world glimpse into the exciting world of branding and product marketing! 🪥

Students in Mr. Ridlen’s fourth-grade social studies class at Dillsboro Elementary School brought Indiana history to life by crafting wampum belts using intricate beadwork. This hands-on activity allowed students to delve into the rich cultural heritage of the Shawnee Native Americans, who lived in Indiana during the 1700s and 1800s. Through this project, students not only gained a deeper appreciation for the Shawnee’s artistry and the significance of wampum belts—used to symbolize treaties, record events, and preserve history—but also applied important STEM skills like measuring, patterning, and algorithms to create their own designs. It was a unique and engaging way to connect the past with practical skills for the present!

January is School Board Appreciation Month. Please join me in recognizing our School Board Members and their selfless contributions to our school community. Thank you SDCSC Board for all that you do! - Supt. Ross #SuccessDriven #GrowExcelAchieve

The featured staff member of the week is Mrs. Wendy Berninger. Mrs. Berninger graduated from East Hills High School, located just outside Sydney, Australia, where she was born and raised. After high school, she attended Wollongong Teachers College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught for three years in Australia before meeting her husband, who was in the U.S. military and from Aurora, Indiana. Together, they had two children, and one of her sons has since married and blessed her with a granddaughter. Mrs. Berninger enjoys spending time with her family, watching professional tennis (especially Roger Federer), and solving word puzzles. She was also an avid tennis player in her younger years. A fun fact about Mrs. Berninger is that she has completed the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb—proving she definitely doesn’t have a fear of heights! We are so blessed to have had Mrs. Berninger serve our AES Red Devils, DES Bulldogs, and MES Shiners as a paraprofessional for the past 38 years. Nearly four decades of dedication is truly amazing! #SuccessDriven #GrowExcelAchieve

Fourth grade students in Mrs. Edwards’s class at Aurora Elementary School reviewed their recent geological lessons to better understand land and water formations. They created detailed study resources to deepen their understanding. These efforts culminated in an exciting hands-on project: designing classic treasure maps on aged paper, seamlessly blending scientific knowledge with artistic creativity. This engaging activity not only reinforced their geological studies but also sparked their imaginations, bringing a touch of adventure to the classroom!

Mr. Malott’s social studies class at South Dearborn High School is delving into the timeline of events that led to World War II. Their studies include examining the policy of appeasement by European leaders, which allowed Hitler’s early invasions to go unchecked, beginning small but eventually spiraling out of control. Through this exploration, students are gaining a deeper understanding of the pivotal actions that shaped global history.

It was great seeing our 7th & 8th Graders play well against Batesville Monday night! - Supt. Ross #GoKnights!