The Harrisburg Times H om e of the Tig er s
De c e mber 20 18
Presorted Standard ECRWSS US Postage Paid Permit #1 Harrisburg, SD 57032 To Current Resident
Harrisburg School District Seeks Partnerships with Area Businesses JOANNE VERMULM & ADAPTED FROM SD DEPT OF EDUCATION The Harrisburg School District is seeking out area businesses to add to its growing list of intern opportunities for HHS students.
and this is a barrier to economic growth. We have companies that do not expand, or that turn away business, because they cannot hire enough skilled workers to do the work. Almost any business owner will identify workforce as a significant concern.
Career Launch is a program established under the leadership of Governor Dennis Daugaard to increase student awareness about career opportunities in their communities and help meet South Dakota’s demand for a skilled workforce. Daugaard says: “We are encouraging high schools to expand the availability of workbased experiences, such as apprenticeships, internships or job shadowing during school. The best way for young people to learn about careers and find fields they like - or don’t like - is to experience them. In addition, these work experiences help our young people learn how to arrive on-time, how to dress
appropriately for the job, how to interact with co-workers and customers.”
Career Launch Background There are two inter-related workforce problems in South Dakota. From the perspective of businesses and employers, our state does not have enough workers in many skilled fields,
But we must also see this from the perspective of our young people. We want them to receive an education that allows them to find well-paying, fulfilling jobs, here in South Dakota. We have an excellent education system in our state, but we must help all of our young people achieve this goal. Additionally, high school student engagement and youth participation in the workforce has declined dramatically over the past two decades. This reduced opportunities for students to gain exposure to a variety of occupations and develop foundational employment skills.
If You’re Standing Still, You’re Falling Behind MAYOR JULIE VANLUVANEE
Here we are again at the end of another calendar year. Over the past year, I used this column to challenge all readers to find their purpose, strive to get involved in our community, embrace change and realize how blessed we all are to have the opportunities that if we don’t like where we are, then we have the power to change it. I read Mr. Holbeck’s comment in the School District’s Annual report and couldn’t agree more with his sentiment that standing still in life is actually an act of falling behind. We all know that actions are much more effective that words, and I applaud Mr. Holbeck and the School Board members over the past 10 years for their leadership and vision of not just cranking out quantity, but of focusing on creating quality. It takes some brilliant minds and risky moves to stay ahead of the curve and to
be thinking past just buying more textbooks and chairs. Thank you and congratulations to them for not only their hard work but for the entire school district staff for working through all the challenges of change including a shift in attitude, thinking and motivation. Ultimately, the population of Harrisburg and thousands of students’ lives have been set on a completely new trajectory. While this success seems overwhelming for some, it should also serve as an example that regardless of the enormity, hurdles and obstacles in the way, it can be done. One just has to not lose sight of the vision and believe that the outcome is worth it. What is your vision for next year? Does it include becoming debt free? Or repairing a relationship? Or ending a toxic relationship? Maybe it’s even promising yourself that you’ll follow those who were elected across our country last month and hold them accountable for gaining (or not)
your vote. I am not one to advocate for New Year’s Resolutions, but I am a huge advocate for setting goals and then striving to hit them. Many of you many remember Zig Ziglar’s quote “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” That’s true. I saw a quote that read, “You think I think too big. I think you think too small.” In some cases, that’s true too. Goals are an important part of dealing with change, and to quote John F. Kennedy, , “For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” It’s the end of another year. Are you in the same place you were last year? I hope not, but what’s done is done. The bigger question is: Are you going to be in the same place next year as you are now? Only you can answer that and the only one that can change that. Christmas Blessings to all!
Although not reflective of the Harrisburg population, the above chart depicts a sample of 100 South Dakota public school students who entered high school in 2006. As may be seen, 77 graduated, with only 52 graduates entering a post-secondary school. Only 23 completed. This lack of work experience can lead students to make costly decisions about their futures lacking sufficient real-world context. Without this context, young adults may learn too late that their chosen pathway either is
not a good fit or they still lack the skills employers need. If you are interested in providing opportunities for HHS students, please contact Travis Lape, Innovative Programs Director, at 605-743-2567 extension 3392.
Harrisburg Community Library Book of the Month Is... ROBIN ANDERSON
Please join the Harrisburg Community Library Book Club on December 18th at 7 pm in the community room across from the library. The book for December is “Luckiest Girl Alive” by Jessica Knoll. All are welcome! The library will be closed on December 25th and January 1st. Holiday hours are 9am-1pm for December 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 31st.
Parking on the Street’s Snow Joke During Storms The City of Harrisburg will declare a “Snow Alert” when an accumulation of 2” is either forecast for the city or should the city have no prior forecast warning, when the snow plows are dispatched. This could also include blowing or drifting snow that would require plowing. All on-street parking shall be prohibited on both sides of the streets. Vehicles, trailers and other appurtenances left on the street are subject to ticketing during the entire duration of the snow alert. Parking may resume after the snow alert has ended, not after it has been plowed. The City publishes the beginning time and ending time of the snow alert on both our city website and Facebook page.
Per city ordinance no person shall deposit any snow or ice on to any street, alley, right of way or sidewalk. This means it is against the law and you could be ticketed for blowing or shoveling any snow or ice on to the street during or after a snow event. If you haven’t had a chance to sign up to receive CodeRED announcements, please do so. CodeRED will notify you via telephone call, text message or email, your choice at no cost to you when a snow alert is in effect. Check out our city website at www.harrisburgsd.gov to sign up NOW!