District Dialogue

The numbers are in… and as of 4:30 pm today, we have read an incredible 404,786 books, surpassing our goal of 350,000 books in this year’s Everybody Reads challenge! 🍬👏

With a few hours left until the official end of the month, book totals are still being added, which means our final count could climb even higher!

Because we hit our goal, we will be making a donation to our friends at REACH Literacy. (Stay tuned!)

A huge THANK YOU to every student, staff member, and family who participated, and an extra round of applause for our amazing school librarians for making this initiative such a success! Your dedication helped foster a love of reading across our community once again.

Nurse Jill has been going above and beyond for SBA students since the school first opened a decade ago. Nominated by Principal Sheets, Jill is an integral part of the school community by building strong relationships with students, staff, and families while providing expert medical care.

Beyond tending to daily health needs, Jill plays a vital role in the school's RISE program, collaborating with teachers and therapists to support students with diverse needs. Her compassion shines through in the special bonds she has formed, especially with students who rely on her for comfort, care, and connection.

In a school year focused on "showing up" for kids, Jill exemplifies that commitment every day.

Thank you, Jill! SBA and SFSD is a better place because of you!

This month, we proudly recognize the incredible impact of Sioux Falls School District Occupational Therapists! These dedicated professionals work in our schools every day, empowering students from birth to age 21 to succeed, no matter the challenges they face. By helping students build essential skills, they create lasting opportunities for success in school and beyond.

Thank you to our amazing team of OTs for your commitment to our students and schools!

+ April 15th | Laura B Anderson Elementary | 6-7 PM

+ April 17th | George McGovern Middle School | 6-7 PM

+ April 22nd | Roosevelt High School | 6-7 PM

Open to everyone in the district and community.

Get food you can feel good about on the table in 2 minutes flat with Factor. Behind every heat-and-eat meal is a team of dietitians and chefs, working to create delicious, nutritious options for keto, low-carb, and plant-based meals that are delivered directly to your door.

Our 64th Annual Employee Recognition Banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00pm at the Country Club of Sioux Falls. Join us for an evening celebrating staff with 25-years of service and our retirees!

Ways to Purchase:

🎟️ Online via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/EVNLLTA88J6WA

🎟️ In-person at the Instructional Planning Center (check payable to Sioux Falls School District or exact cash only)

Please help us celebrate our 25 Year Honorees!

Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the students of the Sioux Falls School District. Your commitment to public education is unmatched and worthy of celebration!

Open Enrollment is coming soon, so right now is the perfect time to review your benefits and decide if you need to make changes for the new plan year!

Please visit this link to be taken to the Benefit Enrollment page: https://boonchapman.benselect.com/Enroll/Login.aspx?Path=SFSchoolDistrict

• Your username is your employee number.
• Pin: last 4 of your social security number and last two in year you were born

Questions? Email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us

SandCreek, our Employee Assistance Program, is free, confidential, and available to ALL Sioux Falls School District employees and their family members. As a part of their extensive list of offerings, SandCreek offers FREE monthly webinars that cover a variety of topics. Below are a couple upcoming ones!

To register for a SandCreek account, visit www.SandCreekEAP.com and click the “Sign Up” link just below the Log In button. Enter siouxfalls as your company code and complete the signup process! A confirmation email will be sent to complete the registration.

We’ve all made excuses to eat "junk" or "fast" food when life gets busy, but it doesn’t have to be that way! In this seminar, participants will learn realistic strategies to eat well, even with rising food costs in mind. We'll explore which items are worth paying a premium for and when it’s best to opt for organic products. Together, we’ll uncover practical steps to eating healthy while staying within your financial means. Join us to learn how to make smart, budget-friendly choices that support your health without sacrificing taste or quality!

Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Register Online!

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 | 7:00pm to 8:00 pm

Take a more detailed look at the system and its benefits, including how retirement benefits are calculated, understanding your annual Personal Benefits Statement, availability of survivor and disability benefits, and more.

Register Online: https://www.sd.gov/cs?id=event_details&event_id=e2f21c5c474c2210854b61d2e16d43d3

Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 | 7:00pm to 8:00 pm

Additional personal savings will be key to having a financially successful retirement. Learn more about how the SDRS Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) can help you save more for your retirement so you can achieve your financial goals. Information will also be presented on the SDRS Special Pay Plan (SPP), an additional personal savings program funded by an employee’s termination pay.

Register Online: https://www.sd.gov/cs?id=event_details&event_id=017650d0478c2210854b61d2e16d4309

Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 | 7:00pm to 8:00 pm

Build on your budgeting and savings skills and increase your awareness of the many challenges we encounter during our careers and into retirement. Be empowered to take charge of your finances and be more prepared for retirement.

Register Online: https://www.sd.gov/cs?id=event_details&event_id=baf71054478c2210854b61d2e16d431b

Below are new opportunities posted within the last week. Be sure to check them out and apply online (at the link provided) if you’re interested! Please note, most job postings are open until filled. If you click on a link and receive an error message (“No matching records found”), it may mean the position has been filled. To view all Sioux Falls School District openings, please visit https://sf.schoolspring.com/.

• Assistant Girls Tennis Coach at Washington High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5060128
• Assistant Boys Tennis Coach at Washington High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5060131
• Head Competitive Cheerleading Coach at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5063238
• Head Sideline Football Cheerleading Coach at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5063248

• RISE Behavior Facilitator - 0.875 FTE at Terry Redlin Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5056729
• RISE Education Assistant - 0.875 FTE at Terry Redlin Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5056747
• Behavior Facilitator - 0.875 FTE at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5057020
• IEP Facilitator - 1.0 FTE at Washington High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5060164

• Child Nutrition General Worker - 0.5 FTE at Ben Reifel Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5065499
• Lead Lunch Education Assistant - 0.90625 FTE at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5064509

• Enrollment Specialist (Community Learning Center - CLC) - 1.0 FTE at Instructional Planning Center: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5048700

• 3rd Grade Two-Way Immersion English Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Rosa Parks Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5023928
• 1st Grade Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Anne Sullivan Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5060027
• 4th Grade Two-Way Immersion Spanish Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Rosa Parks Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5060174
• 3rd Grade Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Rosa Parks Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5060185
• 3rd Grade Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Marcella LeBeau Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5063191

• Middle School World Language and Spanish I Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Memorial Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5055352
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Whittier Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5057041
• Elementary and Head Middle School Orchestra Director - 1.0 FTE at Whittier Middle School and Elementary TBD: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5057132

• High School Social Studies Teacher with Coaching - 1.0 FTE at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5055300
• High School Spanish Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5055311
• English Learner English Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5055319
• Art Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Axtell Park https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5065548

Questions? Contact Kate Rovang at kate.rovang@k12.sd.us.

Growing your own vegetables is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, healthy food while saving money. Whether you have a large backyard or just a small patio, starting a vegetable garden is easier than you think. Here are five essential tips to help you get started!

1. Choose the Right Location

A successful vegetable garden starts with picking the right spot.

• Sunlight: Most vegetables need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose a sunny location.
• Good Soil: Avoid compacted or rocky soil—loose, well-draining soil is best for root growth.
• Water Access: Place your garden near a water source for easy watering, especially during dry spells.

Tip: If space is limited, try raised beds or containers on a patio or balcony.

2. Start with Easy-to-Grow Vegetables

As a beginner, pick vegetables that are low-maintenance and fast-growing.

• Lettuce & Spinach – Great for quick harvests and continuous picking.
• Carrots – Easy to grow in loose soil and require little care.
• Tomatoes – One of the most rewarding vegetables, especially in pots.
• Cucumbers – High-yielding and perfect for small gardens with a trellis.

3. Prepare the Soil Properly

Healthy plants need nutrient rich soil to thrive.

• Remove weeds and debris before planting.
• Add compost or organic matter to improve soil fertility.
• Test your soil pH (most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0) and adjust if needed.

4. Water Wisely

Watering is essential, but overwatering can harm plants.

• Water in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases.
• Aim for deep watering (1 inch per week) rather than frequent shallow watering.
• Use mulch around plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds.

Tip: Stick your finger into the soil - if it’s dry 2 inches down, it’s time to water.

5. Protect Your Garden from Pests

Pests and weeds can ruin a garden if not managed properly.

Natural Pest Control:

• Plant marigolds near vegetables to repel insects.
• Use neem oil or soapy water spray for aphids.
• Hand-pick larger pests like caterpillars.

Weed Prevention:

• Apply mulch to block weeds.
• Pull weeds early before they spread.

Tip: Rotate crops each season to prevent pest buildup and improve soil health.

Adapted from AllOne Health.