FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Nov. 5, 2007
CONTACT: Chelle Somsen, (605) 773-5521, Chelle.Somsen@state.sd.us

State Historical Society-Archives again offers school census project

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota State Historical Society is again offering a census project for fourth grade students throughout South Dakota. The goal is to get 1,000 fourth grade students to take the census this year. Last year, 542 fourth graders in 26 schools took the census. The State Archives is administering the project.

“The South Dakota State Historical Society is very grateful to those teachers who used their time to give the census to their students,” said Matthew T. Reitzel, manuscript archivist and creator of the fourth grade school census program. “This is a completely voluntary project. The number of fourth grades who have participated in the census program has increased over time. Hopefully, we will have more fourth graders take the census this year.” 

To help reach the goal, the State Archives will offer a free presentation of historical images of South Dakota to one of the fourth grade classes that takes the census.  

“Hopefully, a presentation of historical images will offer a little extra incentive to have fourth grader teachers join our census program,” Reitzel said.

There are 20 questions for the students to answer. Some of the questions included:  Have you been to Mt. Rushmore? What is your favorite food? What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you left-or right-handed? and What is your favorite subject in school? 

While not a scientific poll, this census offers some insight into fourth grade students throughout South Dakota. Some teachers use the census in their classrooms, specifically in teaching math and history.

“The census teaches fourth grade students the importance of collecting census data,” Reitzel said. “Censuses are vital historical resources which hold useful data for researchers and genealogists. Statistical figures offer greater insight into our ancestors. The fourth graders will learn how to collect census information and see how data is compiled.” 

For more information, visit the State Historical Society’s website at www.sdhistory.org. The materials for the school census are found under the “In the Spotlight” column in the “4^th Grade School Census” link.  

The South Dakota State Archives is located in the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The archives is open Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Contact the archives by phone at (605) 773-3804 or by e-mail archref@state.sd.us