Dell Rapids Community Haven Archives - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

New Director for Dell Rapids Haven

September 16, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Community Haven program will have a new director at the end of the month. The Dell Rapids School Board officially approved the hire of Rachel Scholten as the new Haven Director effective September 20th. This was approved at the board’s regular meeting on Monday, September 13th.

Taylor Delker’s resignation as the current Haven Director was accepted at the same school board meeting. The resignation will be effective on September 30th. Delker has been serving as the director since September 2020. Prior to being promoted to the director position, Delker was the Haven Activities Coordinator.

Dell Rapids Community Fund Awards Two Grants

July 22, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo submitted by Dan Ahlers. Pictured are Dan Ahlers, Pam Schmitt, Bryan Timperley along with Haven students

The Dell Rapids Community Fund awarded two grants on Wednesday, July 21st. The two groups that received grant dollars are Dell Rapids Community Haven and Dell Rapids Society for Historic Preservation.

Dell Rapids Community Haven was awarded $300 to go towards the purchase of new games.

The Dell Rapids Society for Historic Preservation was awarded $1,300 to help with costs in replacing their furnace and air conditioning units.

The Dell Rapids Community Fund is an endowment. The gifts made to the fund provide grant money for innovative community projects both today and in the years to come. A committee of Dell Rapids residents recommends annual distributions from the fund. Because only a portion of the income is distributed each year, the endowment is never depleted. This year the Dell Rapids Community Fund has granted $8,350 to local organizations. Donations can be made to the community fund by clicking this link.

Currenlty, Dan Ahlers is the president of the board. Pam Schmitt, Bryan Timperley, Paige Krumm, Jill Anderson, Susan Kahler, and Melissa Van’t Hof are board members.

Photo submitted by Dan Ahlers. Pictured are Jean Rave, Alice Chamley, Megan Abbott, Evelyn Huntimer, Pat Sward, Judy Walters and Craig Kumerfield. Bryan Timperley, Pam Schmitt, and Dan Ahlers

Summer Haven Registration Now Open

March 19, 2019 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Summer Haven Registration is open! Forms can be picked up at Haven (613 State Ave) or at the Dell Rapids Elementary School. We have full-time and part-time enrollment available to meet the needs of all children. If you don’t need summer care, consider having your child join us each day for the Summer Rec program. Those enrollment forms are also available. Registration is due April 30th!

Dell Rapids Chamber Partners with Haven for Field Trip

March 30, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Haven program to provide a field trip for the Haven students on Monday, March 28th. The Haven students were able to travel to Sioux Falls to watch the Sioux Falls Stampede play in a scrimmage game. The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce donated the tickets to the event, reducing the price of the field trip to just $2.00 per child to cover transportation costs.

Each child who attended the field trip also received a free ticket to a Sioux Falls Stampede game on Sunday, April 5th.

Thirty-three Haven students and five chaperones attended the event.

Sheltered Reality Performs for Dell Rapids Elementary Students

May 2, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Elementary School students were treated to a program by Sheltered Reality on Tuesday, April 28th. Sheltered Reality, started in 1996, uses choreographed drumming to help spread their message of “Success” to the students. The drummers for the program at Dell Rapids included six students from Dell Rapids Elementary that participate in the Haven program. The other students were from the Tea after school program.

The program centered around the message of “Success”. The group shared about personal success and success in helping others. They gave the students four points to being successful:

Take a chance to learn something new
Never give up on hard work
Do whatever it takes
Be legit – own who you are and be proud of it

The entire assembly was webcasted and can be viewed on the webcast page in the archive section.

Haven Butter Braids on Sale

October 29, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

It is that time of the year again – Butter Braids are here!! This annual fundraiser is done to purchase materials for the Haven’s Before School, After School & Summer Programs.

Butter Braids come in seven scrumptious flavors: Cinnamon, Blueberry-Cream Cheese, Strawberry-Cream Cheese, Apple, Bavarian Crème, Cherry & Carmel Rolls. Loaves sell for $11 each and are perfect for family get-togethers, holiday events or gifts! They are extremely convenient to store and easy to make. Loaves come frozen, and need to stay frozen until ready to use. To make, simply unthaw on a greased pan for 8-12 hours, then bake for approximately 20 minutes to produce a delicious breakfast or dessert entrée. Butter Braids are 22 oz and contain 0 grams of trans-fat.

Place your order by November 7 with any Haven staff member, board member, participating family, or by calling 366-8612.

Orders will be ready for pick-up on Thursday, November 20 from 3:00-6:00pm; just in time for the holidays!

Haven Changes Inclement Weather Policy

September 10, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

During the Dell Rapids School Board meeting on Monday, September 8th, an update to the Dell Rapids Community Haven inclement weather policy was reported to the school board. According to Haven Director Jessica Ostwald, they have had many requests to be open more during inclement weather, and because of those requests, the school attorney had to be included in those discussions. Haven was then informed they cannot be open when school starts late, gets out early, or is cancelled due to weather. The Dell Rapids Community Haven program operates under the auspice of the Dell Rapids School District, therefore, Haven must follow the same guidelines as all school employees. The change to policy will take effect immediately.

Here is the new policy:

HOURS OF OPERATION

Before School Program:
- Operates each day public school is in session starting at 6:45 am.
- If the Dell Rapids School District announces a “late start” on a particular day due to the weather or other emergency, the Before School Program will be closed.
After School Program:
- Operates each day public school is in session until 6:00 pm.
- The After School Program will be open on all public school scheduled early dismissal days beginning when school is dismissed until 6:00 pm. (The after school fee for early release day will be determined based on the number of hours of operation.).
- If the Dell Rapids School District announces “early dismissal” due to inclement weather, the After School Program will be closed.
The Haven Program will be closed on snow days.
Administration may close program for severe weather or other emergencies. Parents will be contacted to pick-up their child as soon as possible.