Reminder that daylight saving happened this weekend! We sprung forward this time, so be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour to keep everyone on time for school on Monday! ⏰
Happy Social Worker Week!
In the Sioux Falls School District, every student's journey is unique. For many of the kids we serve, our school social workers are there every step of the way! Whether offering a listening ear, connecting families to resources, or advocating for students' well-being, their dedication ignites hope and creates lasting impact in our schools.
This year's theme, Unite to Ignite: Celebrating Our Impact, is a perfect reflection of how our social workers bring people together to create brighter futures for students.
THANK YOU to our incredible school social workers for your compassion and care!
We are still celebrating last night's wonderful Teacher of the Year event! So many amazing educators to celebrate! Congratulations again to 2025 Teacher of the Year, Bruce Rekstad, who left with a $4,000 check, courtesy of our friends at Vern Eide. Also, a huge congratulations to the other four finalists, Jennifer Aerts, Bryan Aukerman, Scott Amundson, and Jessica Foley. New this year, thanks to the generosity of the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation, these four finalists walked away with $1,000 each. So many wonderful memories were shared last night! We are so grateful to everyone who attended, from nominees and their friends and families to past ToY winners, past educators, school board members, SDEA friends, and SFSD administrators, it truly was an unforgettable night! Were you at the event? Feel free to get your photos here! https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3KKk You can watch the full video of the event here! https://youtu.be/D-60TEv2ijA
Tonight is the night! The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at an event starting at 7:00 PM. Watch live with us here! ---> https://youtube.com/live/MnFs9wL28Oo?feature=share
A recent Facebook post regarding Washington High School falsely claimed a routine request for a birth certificate was related to immigration status.
State Law (SDCL 13-27-3.1-3.3) requires all public school students to have a birth certificate on file within 30 days of enrollment. When required records are missing from student files, school staff regularly attempt to contact families before sending the required information to the State’s Attorney.
These requests are made solely to ensure compliance with State Law and to maintain complete student records. They are in no way related to immigration enforcement. We are committed to protecting the privacy of our students and their families.
Please reach out to your child’s school or the district office with any questions rather than relying on social media for accurate information. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping student records up to date.
Do you or someone you know have a child who will be 5-years-old on or before September 1st? If so, Online Registration for the 25-26 school year is now open on the Sioux Falls School District website or through the Parent Portal. Start your child off on the right foot this upcoming school year and get them registered now! https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/school-registration
Happy New Year from everybody at SFSD! Here's to another year of opportunities and possibilities. We are excited to welcome back students and staff TOMORROW, January 2nd, 2025! We can’t wait to see everyone!
Lincoln High School's Student Council is hosting its first-ever Winter Carnival this Saturday, December 14, from 1-3 PM, and you're invited!
This free event is designed for elementary-aged students to enjoy holiday-themed activities, games, and crafts. Families are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to help spread some Christmas cheer to other students in need.
📍 Lincoln High School
🗓️ Saturday, December 14th | 1–3 PM
We can't wait to see you there! 🎁✨
Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond to inspire their students? Now is the time to make sure they get the recognition they deserve!
The Sioux Falls School District’s Teacher of the Year program celebrates outstanding educators who make a lasting impact in and out of the classroom. Applications are open through Monday, January 13, at 5 pm, and we want to hear about the amazing teachers who make our schools shine.
Visit: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/teacher-of-the-year-program to learn more and submit your application!
Help us celebrate the incredible work our educators do to shape the future. Tag a teacher or share this post to spread the word!
A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, November 27th, through Friday, November 29th. This season reminds us how much we have to be grateful for, especially our amazing students, staff, and families! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
Help shape the future of the Sioux Falls School District by completing a survey about the most desired qualities of the next superintendent. The SFSD School Board is using an educational leadership search firm to gather input. https://hyasurvey.com/SiouxFalls
Students from Sonia Sotomayor (pictured in this photo) and the rest of the Sioux Falls School District would like to wish you a Happy Veteran's Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
South Dakota public schools proudly recognize and support the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Their sacrifices and dedication have upheld the values and freedoms we cherish, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to protecting our nation.
Our schools are committed to instilling respect and appreciation for veterans among our students, helping them understand the importance of service and dedication. We invite our community to join us in expressing heartfelt gratitude and respect for our veterans.
Thank you to all our veterans for your service and sacrifice!
REMINDER! Sioux Falls School District schools and offices will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11, in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Thank you to all who have served! Especially SFSD staff members who proudly serve(d) in our schools and on the front lines. 🇺🇸
October 10th is World Mental Health Day!
Here are some ideas and info about being Mindful.
Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It's a great way to improve your mental well-being, and it's something that everyone can benefit from. Mindfulness is popular in schools as a great way to improve mental wellbeing, and it's something that we can all benefit from regardless of our age or experience level.
There are lots of simple mindfulness and well-being activities that you can do with your pupils to help them relax and focus on the present moment. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Breathing exercises: Focusing on your breath is a great way to bring your attention to the present moment. You can try out different breathing exercises with your students, such as 4-7-8 breathing (breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, breathe out for 8 counts) or belly breathing (place one hand on your stomach and breathe so that your hand rises and falls with your breath).
2. Sense scavenger hunt: This is a great activity for young children. Get them to pay attention to all of their senses by going on a scavenger hunt around the classroom or school grounds. They can tick things off their list as they find them, such as something that smells nice, something that feels soft, etc.
3. 5 things you can see/hear/touch: This is another mindfulness exercise that is suitable for all ages. Get your students to close their eyes and think of 5 things that they can see, 5 things that they can hear, and 5 things that they can touch. This exercise will help them to focus on the present moment and notice the world around them.
4. Gratitude journal: Encourage your students to start a gratitude journal where they write down 3 things that they're grateful for each day. This could be anything from having a delicious dinner to being able to play with their pet dog. Focusing on the positive things in our lives is a great way to boost our mental well-being.
5.Strengths spotting : This activity is all about focusing on our strengths and the positive things about ourselves. Get your students to think of 3 things that they're good at, 3 things that they're proud of, and 3 things that make them happy. This exercise will help boost their self-esteem and confidence essential for mental health and wellbeing
https://youtu.be/-znMTLcsgio
"Report, Don't Repost." Parents, students, and the community are asked to take 3 minutes to hear an important message from Superintendent Jane Stavem and Police Chief Jon Thum. School safety is everyone's responsibility!
Sioux Empire Smiles is putting on a FREE One Day Children's Dental Clinic!
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Great learning is underway! Students are working on building classroom relationships as well as academic skills.
Welcome back, SBA EAGLES, students, and parents!
We hope you all had a wonderful summer break and are ready to learn, explore, and grow together at our new 2024-25 school year!
The first day of school is just over a month away! More info on open houses to come soon, but for now, please save these dates! If you haven't yet completed the Annual Student Information Update, please do so here. https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/school-registration
See you soon!
LAST CALL for Camp Invention! Secure your child's spot TODAY!
