April-May 2013 - Meade School District

Studentsmakebarn quiltsAs part of Whitewood's125th birthday celebrationthis summer, kindergartenstudents at WhitewoodSchool including AidenErlandson and Alex Holler,pictured to the right, havebeen making barn quilts.The students' quilt, whichconsists of painted squareson plywood, will be mountedat the school. Others inthe community are alsomaking barn quilts to bedisplayed throughout Whitewood. According to Mary Gallup-Livingston, above left, who is spearheadingthe project, the barn quilts are being made in honor of the pioneer women who helped settle Whitewood.RETIREES: Continued from Page 7Margaret Heckaman hasbeen a teacher for 33 years, 32with Meade School District. Herfirst six years were at WhitewoodElementary and then she taughteight years at the rural schools ofUnited, Wetz, Lakeside and Alkali.She then began her 18-yeartenure at Piedmont and Stagebarnschools. For the past four yearsshe has taught sixth grade atPiedmont. One of her most lifechanging experiences occurredwhile teaching at Whitewood whena student, Tige Cooper, was accidentallyshot and killed. She knewhim very well because he hadbeen her student in three differentgrades. "After his death, I struggledto finish that school year," she said."The next year I went out into thecountry and taught which is justwhat I needed to mend my heartand mind, and I was able to continueas a teacher until now. Becauseof his death I am even more soreminded that life is too short andwe have a very special job thatenables us to work with youth, ourfuture."In retirement, Margaret intendsto become a therapeutic ridinginstructor so she can still be withchildren and her horses.Jean Kusser has beenemployed by Meade School Districtfor 19 years, 16 as a teacher andthree years as a paraprofessional.She has taught at Sturgis WilliamsMiddle School and Sturgis BrownHigh School. She primarily workedin special education but was also aneighth grade math teacher for twoor three years.Prior to becoming a publicschool teacher, Jean was a militaryinstructor in the South DakotaArmy National Guard. Her retirementplans include relaxing,spending time walleye fishing atthe river, and helping out with hergrandson Zach. "A favorite eventfor me," she said, "is when formerstudents come see me, update meon their activities and thank me."RETIREES: See Page 13April-May 2013 In Touch 9