The Harrisburg Times H om e of the Tig er s
May 2 0 1 8
Presorted Standard ECRWSS US Postage Paid Permit #1 Harrisburg, SD 57032 To Current Resident
The Tail End of Two Tigers’ Journeys Harrisburg Teachers Reflect on Their Careers in Education TESSA PEDERSON
Michele Mathiesen, Title I Reading teacher at Journey Elementary, retires at the end of this year. This year in the Harrisburg School District two teachers are retiring: Patricia Kroger, a second-grade teacher at Journey Elementary, and Michele Mathiesen, a teacher in the Title I Reading Program at Freedom Elementary. Both teachers have been working in the school district for most or all of their teaching careers. Throughout their time at Harrisburg, the two teachers have seen the school grow tremendously. These women
started teaching in the school district when it was one school that housed K-12. They are both amazed by the school’s growth and the district’s management of the flourishing number of students. Ms. Kroger has been a teacher in the district since 1986, mostly teaching second grade throughout her career; in addition, she taught in the Title I Program for a few years. In 2002, Ms. Kroger received her
Sharing Life and Building Community Throughout the Seasons ADRIENNE MCKEOWN, PRESIDENT, HARRISBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE As I’m sitting down to write this, we are experiencing a good ol’ South Dakota blizzard. The wind is howling, the snow is furiously coming down, and my family and I are hunkered down for the day in the safety and warmth of our home. Did I mention it’s April? Make that mid-April. The winter weather that has stretched into spring this year might leave us wondering why— of all the places in the world—we choose to live in South Dakota. There are many reasons, I’m sure. Enjoying clean air, safe neighborhoods, a low cost of living, and having family nearby are reasons that likely make it onto the lists of many people. However, when reflecting on a few recent experiences I’ve had here in Harrisburg, I would argue that it’s the people we share life with here—the community we are building—that make the unpredictability of the weather tolerable. Before the storm hit this weekend,
I ventured to Fareway to stock up on essentials, lest we find ourselves snowed in and without provisions. Apparently, many of you did, too. The store was so full of customers that I had to park out in the farthest row. All of the check-out lines were open, and all of them were busy. Mike, the meat market manager, told me that they were busier that day than the days before Christmas. Normally, I wouldn’t describe this as a pleasant shopping trip. But that’s what was funny; I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the grocery store! I waved at a neighbor across the store, chatted with some friends and fellow Harrisburg South Middle School parents, learned about an upcoming barbecue event at Shalom Lutheran church, discussed Chamber events and vacation plans with the checker, and talked to someone I’ve seen at our church but haven’t had a chance to visit with before. It was a social event to go to the store, and being there among neighbors and friends gave me a sense of community that you just don’t get when shopping in the big city. It was about more than getting
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5, SHARING
Patricia Kroger, Journey Elementary 2nd Grade teacher, retires at the end of this year. Master’s degree, which she felt furthered her teaching abilities and helped her adapt her teaching style to the changing curriculum and expectations. Although Ms. Kroger is shocked by the growth of the school, she says she does miss the days of being a smaller district. Once the year is over and Ms. Kroger retires, she plans to stay home and help care for her future grandchildren.
Ms. Mathiesen has worked in several different positions throughout her career; she worked as a SPED teacher while attending college, a third-grade teacher for twenty-four years, and she currently works in the Title I Reading Program. Besides teaching in the district, Ms. Mathiesen taught in Springdale, Arkansas, for one year. One element that has impacted Ms. Mathiesen throughout her years in
Harrisburg involves the different technology. She feels that these advancements have been very rewarding after the hard work and practice with it. Moreover, Ms. Mathiesen says she has been greatly impacted by her fellow staff members and that they have been an honor to work with throughout her years as a teacher. Her plans for retirement include spending lots of time with her family.
Spring Has Sprung! City Facilitates Opportunities to Get Your Yard and Home Ready Annual Clean Up Day Loads of Fun
Now that the snow is officially gone on spring break, it’s time to gather all the items you’ve been wanting to haul away and get them take them to the citywide annual clean up day refuse site on Saturday, May 5th, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Items can be taken to the City Maintenance Facility Complex located at 801 S Prairie Street. Dumpsters will be available for refuse deposit and gates will open at 8:00 am and close at 11:00 am. All refuse will be accepted except for the following: * No toxic waste containers or paint containers * No Appliances * No Recyclables * No Tires * No Electronics * No Hazardous Materials
Celebrate Arbor Day With Us!
Harrisburg residents are cordially invited by the City Park Board to attend the City’s third annual Arbor Day Celebration at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Liberty Elementary School (200 E. Willow Street). This event will include a tree planting demonstration, a seedling give away, activities for kids (fun walk/run on our new trail, a reading corner for the younger crowd, kite flying, and building bird feeders), and a free lunch. Come hug a tree with us!
Compost Site
Compost site hours will be coming in June. Stay tuned for next month’s issue of the Harrisburg Times for further information.
Photosynthesis has returned!
You may have thought you’d never see green grass again after the long wait to spring we’ve had, but warmer weather is here which means your grass will soon be growing like crazy! Please keep your lawn mowed and the weeds pulled or sprayed. Remember that you are responsible to mow and maintain the boulevard or ditch area between your yard and the adjacent street driving surface. The City of Harrisburg will issue tall grass violation notices when grass exceeds eight inches in height. This can result in the issuance of a citation for a $150 fine and/or abatement of the nuisance at your expense (and abatements are very expensive). We also issue violation notices for concentrations of weeds and noxious weeds. Let’s all do our part to keep our community looking sharp this spring!