2026-2027

We are thrilled to welcome our students back for another exciting year at Jefferson High School! We hope your summer has provided time to relax, recharge and create lasting memories with family and friends. As we prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we extend a heartfelt welcome to our returning Cavalier families and an open arms welcome to those joining the Cavalier Family for the first time!

At Jefferson High School, we believe every student belongs and every individual has a role in shaping our school community. We are committed to creating an environment where all students and families feel welcomed, valued supported and empowered to reach their full potential. Our Cavaliers live out our core values of Serve, Lead, Include, and Compete each day.

We Serve by supporting one another by giving back to the school and city community, recognizing that the work that we do, as staff and students, have a positive impact around us. We Lead by taking ownership, demonstrating integrity and inspiring others through our words and actions. We Include by embracing the unique strengths, experiences, and talents that every student, family, and staff member brings to the school. Finally, we Compete by challenging ourselves to pursue excellence in the classroom, in activities, in athletics.

Our dedicated team of educators, staff, and administrators is committed to supporting every student’s academic growth while also nurturing their social and emotional development. We believe strong relationships are the foundation of success, and we look forward to partnering with families to help every Cavalier thrive.

Together, through grit, determination, and resilience, we will continue to grow stronger as a community. We will be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today.

As we gear up for the year ahead, we are excited to invite you to two events prior to the school year: Cavalier Day and Gold Rush Night. Below are the dates of those two events as well as a reminder for the first day of school to get on your calendar.

We look forward to seeing all students at these events and on the first day of school! Thank you for your continued support and trust. Together, we can make the next chapter in student's lives a memorable and successful one! If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at (605)-367-6184. We are here to support your student and your family every step of the way!

Sincerely,

Jefferson High School Administration

Lance Siebenahler, Dolly Anderson, Jillian Thomas, and Chad Stadem

Cavalier Day

Cavalier Day 2026

For those new to JHS, Cavalier Day is where students complete the tasks of school pictures, parking passes, busing information and passes, chromebook insurance, activities passes, yearbook sales and more! The schedule for the day is below. To find the time in which your student should arrive for Cavalier Day, locate the grade in the top row and find the birth month of your child. Please make sure to come during your student's designated time.

Below the schedule you will find links to pre-register and pre-pay for various items. By pre-registering and pre-paying, you will significantly expedite the process and minimize the time spent waiting in line(s) at Cavalier Day. At the end of this newsletter, you will find step by step directions for both updating annual student information and how to purchase items through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. At Cavalier Day, we will accept cash, check, and credit/debit cards.

To alleviate congestion at Cavalier Day, students are given a time slot based upon their grade and birth month. ALL current JHS students are expected to attend.

Cavalier Day Stations

***REMINDER***

Purchasing through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal significantly cuts down on the amount of time your trip will take on Cavalier Day.

Student Parking

All vehicles parking in JHS Parking Lots must have a parking pass. Students need to register for Parking Pass here prior to being issued a permit: Parking Registration

Prepay on the Parent Portal or pay at Cavalier Day. Cost for the 26-27 School year will be $75 for a year parking pass and $40 for a semester.

Chromebook Insurance

Chromebook insurance is offered on a year-to-year basis. Prior to September 30, the cost is $30. After September 30, the cost will be $50. Purchase ahead of time on the Parent Portal.

District Chromebook Agreement

Activity Passes

An athletic pass will get you into all public SFSD home sporting events. (Excluding playoffs/state tournaments/President's Bowl).

Like last year, activity passes are digital! Beginning August 1st, students (and families) will purchase a pass online and have an "Electronic" Activity Pass. Purchase your pass HERE. To best utilize the "Electronic" Activity Pass, down the "Bound" App from your App Store.

Purchase a Yearbook

Secure your piece of history with the JHS Yearbook! Purchase your 2026-2027 yearbook. Check back at for a link to purchase the yearbook!

If you missed out on the 2025-2026 yearbook, copies will be available for sale. Quantities are limited and it will be first come, first serve. The cost is $80 and only cash or check will be accepted.

School Pictures

All students will take their picture and get their student ID. Picture orders will only be taken through Scherling. Pre-Order and Pre-Pay using this link: Pictures

School dress code must be followed, click HERE for reference. Students must have their full face showing for identification.

Busing Information

JHS will be offering Tripper Bus Services again this year. The amount of passes given out for Tripper Buses is limited, so students with a pass will be expected to ride the majority of days to school.

Click HERE to register your student for busing. Filling out the form does not guarantee a bus pass, but it puts them on the list to potentially recieve one.

For bus information, routes, and maps, please click HERE.

Open Lunch Form

Juniors and Seniors who qualify for open lunch MUST have an open lunch permission form on file with the school. A copy of this has been sent to the addresses on file. You may also print and bring to Cavalier Day, or fill out a copy at Cavalier Day.

JUNIORS & SENIORS ONLY

Permission Form- Paper Copy

Permission Form - Online Form

Cap & Gown

Senior Cavaliers: Even though it's the beginning of the year, it's never too early to start thinking about graduation. To purchase your Jefferson cap & gown, use this link:

Jostens Cap & Gown

For all other graduation packages, products, etc, please click here.

Student Schedules

After you pick up your schedules on Cavalier Day, walk-in schedule change requests will take place at Jefferson during the following days/times:

Tuesday, August 18th: Noon - 3:00

Wednesday, August 19th: 9:00-Noon

No appointment necessary.

Reminder, counselors cannot take requests for teacher or period preferences.

Don't forget to pick up your schedule on Cavalier Day: Friday, August 14th!

Presidents Bowl Tickets

Presidents Bowl tickets will be available for purchase at Cavalier Day. Stop by the JHS Booster Table to purchase.

Lunch Program

Lunch money can be deposited into your student(s) account at www.myschoolbucks.com or by bringing check or cash to Cavalier Day.

School Store

The JHS School store will be open for Cavalier Day! Stop by the school store to purchase all of your Cavalier gear for the upcoming school year!

"Gold Rush" PST /

Back-to-School Night August 20 5-9pm

As we prepare to kick off another exciting school year, we invite all Jefferson High School students and families to join us for our newly redesigned "Gold Rush" PST Back-to-School Night. This year's event is designed to help families connect, get informed, and feel confident heading into the new school year. Whether you are a freshman beginning your high school journey or a returning Cavalier family, there will be opportunities to learn, engage, and build connections throughout the evening.

Gold Rush Highlights Include:

Food trucks from 4:30–9:00 PM - With outdoor seating areas to relax and enjoy dinner with family and friends
Information sessions on relevant high school topics for students and families
Schedule walk-through opportunities to help students locate classes and become familiar with the building and opportunities to meet the teachers and learn about the classes
Incoming Freshman welcome session to help new Cavaliers start the year with confidence
Activity Fair featuring athletic programs, activities, fine arts, clubs, and organizations with opportunities to meet coaches, directors, and advisors and learn how to get involved

We look forward to welcoming you to Jefferson High School as we begin another great year together. At JHS, we believe that All Means All, People Matter Most, and that every student should have opportunities to connect, belong, and thrive.

At this time, we are still ironing out all of the specifics. We will update this section once those have been detailed. The only action you need to do at this point is save the date on your calendar!

Gold Rush Schedule: (Will appear below when completed)

Parent Portal Reminders

Step by Step to Annual Student Information Update

Log into Infinite Campus: https://siouxfallssd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/siouxfalls.jsp

Step by Step to Online Payment Options

Log into Infinite Campus: https://siouxfallssd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/siouxfalls.jsp

Infinite Campus can be used to pay for chromebook fees, AP exams, etc. In order to pay online, follow the steps below:

STEP 1: In your parent portal, click on the FEES tab located in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen.

STEP 2: You can pay any fees here that show up here

STEP 3: Click on OPTIONAL PAYMENTS

STEP 3: "Add to Cart" any fees you would like to pay

STEP 3: View your cart and check out/pay

First Days of School

The first day of school at JHS will be on Thursday, August 27th!

The school day starts at 8:00 am; please make sure you arrive by 7:50.

The day concludes at 2:55 pm. Please see the schedule below for the first few days of school!

Check back next week for the schedule for the first 4 days schedule for classes!

Freshmen Orientation

This year, JHS has transitioned to a Fast Pass throughout the summer! Fast Pass is a five hour orientation that provides information and activity. The building, the lunchroom, the schedule, and good counsel from upperclassmen are at the ready. The goal is to prepare freshmen to enter Jefferson ready to meet this new challenge. The cost is only $5 and includes lunch.

There are three sessions available to choose from with limited availability for each date: Thursday July 30th, Tuesday August 4th, and Tuesday August 11th. Register HERE.

Questions? Need more info? Click HERE to access EVERYTHING FRESHMAN, a one stop shop for everything your freshman needs to know to make the transition to JHS as smooth as possible.

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