Pikeland Teacher Boot Camp
Sixty educators from eight different school districts came together last week for a dynamic and hands-on Teacher Boot Camp designed to prepare them for a strong start to the new school year. Thirty-seven of the teachers were from Pikeland!
The event was hosted by Pikeland CUSD and moved to the John Wood Southeast Campus due to the overwhelming response of participants.. The one day professional development event focused on the essential elements of the first week of school, including classroom procedures, student engagement strategies, and communication.
New and experienced teachers alike participated in the boot camp, collaborated in breakout sessions, shared best practices for fostering structured positive classroom environments with seamless procedures.
“This boot camp is about more than just decorating bulletin boards,” said Pikeland Leadership Coach, Mr. D. Todd Fox and Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Angie Ruebush . “We’re helping teachers create safe, welcoming, and structured environments where learning can thrive from the very first bell.”
The boot camp is part of a broader initiative to support teacher readiness and student success through intentional planning and professional growth. We are already planning for our 2026 Pikeland Teacher Boot Camp.
The 2025-2026 Pikeland Transportation Team met this morning for their annual Back to School Meeting.
1. You are looking at some of the most dedicated-difference makers in our district.
2. We have 245 years of experience in the Pikeland Transportation Department!
3. Our team is looking forward to greeting their new students each day.
4. Bus stops are being placed in neighborhoods this afternoon.
5. Please contact your student's school if his/her transportation needs have changed.
#Saukee Strong
Angie Ruebush
Assistant Superintendent
1. You are looking at some of the most dedicated-difference makers in our district.
2. We have 245 years of experience in the Pikeland Transportation Department!
3. Our team is looking forward to greeting their new students each day.
4. Bus stops are being placed in neighborhoods this afternoon.
5. Please contact your student's school if his/her transportation needs have changed.
#Saukee Strong
Angie Ruebush
Assistant Superintendent
The Pikeland staff is excited to welcome everyone back to the new school year!
Invitation to Dr. Tepen's Reception
Teacher Boot Camp.
Things Great Teachers Do.
July 29, 2025.
Todd Fox.
1. Great Teachers Love First, Teach Second, And In That Order. Every child deserves a champion. Love your students even when they do not deserve it and even when you do not feel like it. Your students will not learn until they feel loved first.
2. Great Teachers Have High Expectations For Themselves. Even the worst teachers have high expectations of their students and their coworkers and their parents and their administration. But, the best teachers have higher expectations for themselves.
3. Great Teachers Are Encouragers. Encouragement changes everything. It is a game changer. Everyone needs encouragement.
4. Great Teachers Are Passionate. Teachers who are passionate make learning exciting and fun for their students. Their energy helps students feel more interested and motivated to do their best. When teachers care deeply about what they teach, students can tell and often work harder because of it.
5. Great Teachers Are Communicators. Communication is making the complex seem simple AND connecting with people. Sometimes, educators take the simple and make it complex. Communicators take the complex and make it simple. Stop trying to impress and just connect.
6. Great Teachers Think Differently. Not talking about IQ or intellect. Great teachers believe that there is always an answer. Poor teachers believe there is always an excuse. Victor vs Victim.
7. Great Teachers Are Extremely Good Classroom Managers. 75% of teaching is classroom management and 75% of classroom management is your opening days, your procedures that become routines, and your consistency. The main purpose of our Boot Camp was to help with that 75% (classroom management).
Things Great Teachers Do.
July 29, 2025.
Todd Fox.
1. Great Teachers Love First, Teach Second, And In That Order. Every child deserves a champion. Love your students even when they do not deserve it and even when you do not feel like it. Your students will not learn until they feel loved first.
2. Great Teachers Have High Expectations For Themselves. Even the worst teachers have high expectations of their students and their coworkers and their parents and their administration. But, the best teachers have higher expectations for themselves.
3. Great Teachers Are Encouragers. Encouragement changes everything. It is a game changer. Everyone needs encouragement.
4. Great Teachers Are Passionate. Teachers who are passionate make learning exciting and fun for their students. Their energy helps students feel more interested and motivated to do their best. When teachers care deeply about what they teach, students can tell and often work harder because of it.
5. Great Teachers Are Communicators. Communication is making the complex seem simple AND connecting with people. Sometimes, educators take the simple and make it complex. Communicators take the complex and make it simple. Stop trying to impress and just connect.
6. Great Teachers Think Differently. Not talking about IQ or intellect. Great teachers believe that there is always an answer. Poor teachers believe there is always an excuse. Victor vs Victim.
7. Great Teachers Are Extremely Good Classroom Managers. 75% of teaching is classroom management and 75% of classroom management is your opening days, your procedures that become routines, and your consistency. The main purpose of our Boot Camp was to help with that 75% (classroom management).
Teacher Boot Camp.
Thank You's.
July 29, 2025.
Todd Fox.
On Tuesday, we had over 60 teachers from more than 8 school districts attend our Teacher Boot Camp. Obviously, lots of things we will do different next year...but pretty dang cool seeing that many teachers trying to get a little bit better.
Mrs. Ruebush and I want to thank the following:
1. JWCC
2. Pikeland District Office Team.
3. Betty Hayden - Food Service.
4. Noah Mendenhall - Maintenance.
Pikeland families,
As we begin the registration process, please be aware we would like each family to stop by the food service table to check to see if you need to fill out the Household Eligibility Form. The HEF will help us determine your family's eligibility for the breakfast and lunch programs. Please let us know if you need assistance with this paperwork.
Have an amazing week!
Dr. Tepen
Superintendent
As we begin the registration process, please be aware we would like each family to stop by the food service table to check to see if you need to fill out the Household Eligibility Form. The HEF will help us determine your family's eligibility for the breakfast and lunch programs. Please let us know if you need assistance with this paperwork.
Have an amazing week!
Dr. Tepen
Superintendent
Pikeland families,
Enclosed is a link to important information for the start of the 2025 Pikeland school year. We are very excited to be able to start the process to welcome our kids back to school. If you find you have any questions regarding registration or beginning of the year procedures, please contact your child's school and they will gladly assist you. See you all soon!
https://aptg.co/dK9c9T
Dr.Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Enclosed is a link to important information for the start of the 2025 Pikeland school year. We are very excited to be able to start the process to welcome our kids back to school. If you find you have any questions regarding registration or beginning of the year procedures, please contact your child's school and they will gladly assist you. See you all soon!
https://aptg.co/dK9c9T
Dr.Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Pikeland families,
We are very excited to announce our dates for school registration for the 2025-2026 school year. This year, all of our registration dates are in-person which will allow us to streamline the process, and will provide an opportunity to engage staff with questions you may have prior to the start of the year.
The following dates have been set for your convenience with this process:
July 29 8:00-12:00 and 4:00-6:00
July 30 8:00-12:00
July 31 8:00-12:00
August 1 8:00-12:00
Please contact your student's school if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at registration!
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
We are very excited to announce our dates for school registration for the 2025-2026 school year. This year, all of our registration dates are in-person which will allow us to streamline the process, and will provide an opportunity to engage staff with questions you may have prior to the start of the year.
The following dates have been set for your convenience with this process:
July 29 8:00-12:00 and 4:00-6:00
July 30 8:00-12:00
July 31 8:00-12:00
August 1 8:00-12:00
Please contact your student's school if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at registration!
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Saukees!
Today and tomorrow we have our surplus giveaway at all three of our schools. Many people have already stopped by and found something to fit their needs. If you know of a community group or organization that may need sturdy shelving or cafeteria style tables, let them know those items are still available! Pass the word and come by to see what we have. Thank you for your support with this project!
Saukee Strong!
Today and tomorrow we have our surplus giveaway at all three of our schools. Many people have already stopped by and found something to fit their needs. If you know of a community group or organization that may need sturdy shelving or cafeteria style tables, let them know those items are still available! Pass the word and come by to see what we have. Thank you for your support with this project!
Saukee Strong!
Pikeland Surplus Give Away!
We have a great deal of surplus inventory we are looking to pass onto a good home. The district has been able to get decades of use out of these items and no longer need them. We would like to offer them to anyone in the community who could repurpose these items.
All of the surplus items will be placed behind PCS and in the front of South Elementary School and Pittsfield High School starting Wednesday July 9. Each item is on a first come first served basis with no holds on items. Items will be available starting Wednesday morning and the process will be finished by the end of the day on Thursday.
Come by and see what we have!
We have a great deal of surplus inventory we are looking to pass onto a good home. The district has been able to get decades of use out of these items and no longer need them. We would like to offer them to anyone in the community who could repurpose these items.
All of the surplus items will be placed behind PCS and in the front of South Elementary School and Pittsfield High School starting Wednesday July 9. Each item is on a first come first served basis with no holds on items. Items will be available starting Wednesday morning and the process will be finished by the end of the day on Thursday.
Come by and see what we have!
Saukee Family,
It has been an amazing and exciting start to my tenure here at Pikeland! My exceptionally knowledgeable and dedicated team have been fabulous in assisting with my transition. This is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to learn and grow together as we establish Pikeland as a school district of distinction. Our partnership and shared dedication to our students will allow us to find solutions to any situation that may arise. I welcome and appreciate feedback you feel will help us become a better and stronger learning community. Please feel free to connect with me in a call, email or in person because we are in this together!
Saukee strong,
Dr. Russ Tepen
Pikeland Superintendent
School Buses for Sale
Due to the Weather, tonight's Operations and Maintenance Committee Meeting has been canceled. Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Thank you.-Todd Fox.
South Spotlight #2
South School Spotlight #1
The South School teaching staff would like to thank Farmers National Bank of Griggsville for their generous donation of Staples gift cards!
All South School Kindergarten students and their teachers were gifted a copy of the book 'If I Were a Moose' by its author Lisa Lemons. Ms. Lemons is a former graduate of East Pike High School in Milton. In addition, former South School librarian Peggy Ottwell donated a copy to the South School library and to Mrs. Allen. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity!
The South School Little Braves did an amazing job of supporting the community by donating food items for the PHS Food & Toy Drive. This was a great opportunity for the students to demonstrate kindness which is something we focus on frequently at South.
Congratulations to Mrs. Groom's class donating the most items and winning the class pizza party sponsored by the Little Braves Boosters! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Oitker's class on earning second prize and winning a cookie decorating party compliments of the Little Braves Boosters.
Thank you to the PHS Student Council who coordinated the Cereal Box Domino Challenge - the students loved lining the hallways and watching the boxes fall!
South Spotlight
