For this week's Memory Monday, we’re looking back at Lincoln Elementary School, one of Yankton’s most historic schools! 🏫
The first Lincoln Elementary building was constructed in 1882, serving generations of Yankton students and families. Lincoln School, as it exists today, was built in 1951 and contained 14 classrooms.
Over the years, the school has seen many changes, from the original building to the modern classrooms our students learn in today, but the heart of Lincoln has always remained the same: a commitment to learning and community. ✏️
As we celebrate 150 years of the Yankton School District, we honor the teachers, students, and families who helped make Lincoln Elementary such an important part of our story. 📚
Do you have memories from your days at Lincoln Elementary? Share them below! ⬇️
#MemoryMonday #YSD150 #YanktonSchoolDistrict #LincolnElementary
Can we take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come? From our youngest preschool learners to our graduating seniors, the Yankton School District now educates students from Preschool through 12th grade!
Our district has continued to grow and evolve over the years — always with one goal in mind: providing the best education and opportunities for every student. Check out this enrollment photo from 1895!
National School Lunch Week is October 13–17—and we’re celebrating our amazing Child Nutrition team next week, who have been fueling Yankton students for generations!
💭 Be honest… what was YOUR favorite school lunch? Pizza rectangles? Chili and cinnamon rolls? Maybe those legendary shakes from the 70s–2012? (We’re still sad about that one 🥤).
Fun throwbacks:
• 1958—students started eating in the YHS cafeteria in three shifts!
• Salad bars showed up in ALL schools (yes, even elementary).
• Punch cards turned into scan cards (goodbye lost lunch tickets!).
• Today, YSD serves 2,000+ lunches & 500 breakfasts every day!
• 💙 The Angel Fund was created to help families pay for meals—one of the first in the state.
👏 A huge THANK YOU to our Child Nutrition staff—past and present—for keeping generations of students full, happy, and ready to learn. ❤️
👉 Drop your favorite school lunch memory in the comments—we’d love to hear what you still remember!
Later, Dr. Ward gave the bell to the city, and it was placed on the high school building, where it rang to proclaim victory when students returned home from a successful competition. In 1913, the bell was taken to the Dakota Territorial Museum in Yankton, where it remained until February 2000.
A generous donation from First Dakota National Bank to the school district resulted in the construction of the bell tower in the fall of 2000. Fast forward to today, and it’s still all about celebrating victories. 🏆👏 Our athletic teams had an amazing week during Homecoming 2025! ❤️🤍🖤
📸 The picture below shows the original Victory Bell, which now proudly sits in front of Yankton High School.
#YanktonPride #VictoryBell #Homecoming2025 #150YSD
We’d love to have you join us in celebrating our 150th Anniversary by walking with the YSD float in the Homecoming Parade! 🎉
📍 Lineup: Levee Street starting at 2:00 p.m.
✨ Our float is #6 in the parade, right after the YHS royalty.
🚩 Parade Route: Begins at 2:30 p.m. at West Riverside Drive & Cedar Street → North to 3rd Street → East on 3rd Street → ending at Mulberry Street.
Come walk with us and be part of this special milestone in YSD history! ❤️🖤
On Friday, September 26, there will be an early dismissal for the YHS Homecoming parade. This early dismissal is for all Yankton School District students. If the parade is cancelled due to weather, school will still be dismissed as scheduled.
JrK and Kindergarten students will be dismissed from Trailhead Learning Center at 1:30 pm. There is no afternoon Preschool or Early Childhood Preschool at Trailhead Learning Center that day.
Students in 1st – 12th grade, who live in town, will be dismissed at 2:00 pm, so please make appropriate arrangements. All elementary students should return the parade notice to their teacher, so plans are known for the early dismissal.
Bus students who ride Yankton School District buses will load at their respective buildings. They will make the exchange at YMS and leave YMS at approximately 2:05. Parents of elementary students may pick up their bus-riding students at school at 2:00 p.m. if they are not riding the bus that day and have notified the school in advance.
The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. and start at West Riverside Drive and Cedar Street, go North to 3rd Street, then East on 3rd Street, and end at Mulberry Street. If inclement weather occurs, the parade will be cancelled, but school will still be dismissed as scheduled.
Homecoming week is September 22-26
Showing our Yankton Pride is more than just a tradition; it’s how we bring our school and community together! 🎉 What began as a parade of high school homerooms, teams, and activities has grown into a community-wide celebration. Share your favorite Yankton Homecoming Parade Memory in the comments!❤️
Go Bucks and Gazelles! 🏈🦌
Yankton School District #63-3 will be offering a free developmental screening for children 3 & 4 years of age. Parents who are residents of Yankton School District and have concerns about their child’s development are invited to schedule an appointment.
This special screening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025. To schedule an appointment for this screening, call Ashli at 605-665-3999.
Each fall, Yankton Pride swells during Homecoming Week—a tradition that began in 1924 with Arikara Days. This year, we’re proud to celebrate YSD’s 102nd Homecoming, September 22–26! 🎉
Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing highlights from our rich history and the many traditions that make Homecoming so special. ❤️🤍
Share your favorite memory of YHS Homecoming below!
#YanktonPride #YSD150 #Homecoming2025
🏟️ The concrete stadium was dedicated in 1926 and was originally home to the Yankton College Greyhounds (photo courtesy of Yankton College).
➡️ In 1969, the name was changed to Crane-Youngworth Field in honor of Carl Youngworth, a Yankton College graduate, coach, and athletic director.
➡️ A major renovation in 2018 brought turf, updated seating, and new life to the historic field.
⚽🏈 Today, Crane-Youngworth hosts Friday night Bucks Football, Bucks & Gazelles Soccer, and the YHS March to the Meridian Marching Band Competition. It’s also home to Mount Marty University Football & Soccer.
❤️ Everyone has a favorite memory at Crane-Youngworth—drop yours in the comments below!
When a school bus extends its stop arm and the red lights are flashing, all drivers must stop—whether you’re behind the bus or approaching from the opposite direction (unless there’s a divided highway).
These few seconds of patience protect children as they get on and off the bus. Let’s all do our part to keep our students safe! ❤️
#SchoolBusSafety #StopForTheBus #YanktonSchoolDistrict
🏫 Built in 1887 on the southwest corner of Sixth and Walnut, Central High served as Yankton’s high school for nearly 30 years. Generations of students filled its halls until 1916, when a new high school was constructed at Seventh and Walnut.
📚Though Central High was condemned in 1950 and later demolished in 1963, its legacy lives on in the memories of the students, teachers, and families who were part of its story.
❤️From the chalkboards of Central High to the classrooms of today, our community continues to build on the foundation of strong education and tradition.
When a school bus extends its stop arm and the red lights are flashing, all drivers must stop—whether you’re behind the bus or approaching from the opposite direction (unless there’s a divided highway).
These few seconds of patience protect children as they get on and off the bus. Let’s all do our part to keep our students safe! ❤️
#SchoolBusSafety #StopForTheBus #YanktonSchoolDistrict
