District Dialogue

Over the weekend South Dakota held its first State eSports tournament, and we are proud to say that Sioux Falls School District students took home first place! The Sioux Falls Doges (their team name, a reference to a niche crypto-meme, IYKYK) won the championships for the games "Rocket League" and "League of Legends". The Championships were held in Brookings with 16 teams. A total of 20 teams participated in the state-wide pilot ahead of the games becoming sanctioned by the South Dakota High School Activities Association next year. The SFSD team is made up of students from all four high schools. Congratulations Doges!

For the past 4 years SFSD has worked to increase starting pay for both new AND veteran teachers. This fall, new teachers begin at $51,700 (up 36% in 4 years) with the possibility of an even higher increase.

Additionally, an MOU has been signed that will again place an additional .75% on the top of the negotiated salary increase. Further, veteran teachers on several steps will be advanced if years in SFSD and years of teaching requirements are met as outlined in the MOU. Most Extra Duty/Extra Pay positions will see an increase, as well.

Nearly $2 Million in additional funding is being added to teacher salaries and extra duty/extra pay assignments beyond what was negotiated. All staff, except for administration, will receive the extra .75% on top of their negotiated raises for the next school year.

Shane Wuebben gave an update on the Fine Arts curriculum at Monday evening's school board meeting. The Fine Arts Steering Committee has been meeting since 2022 to develop mission and vision statements that would guide the curriculum study. The curriculum study was done for all levels K through 12 and broken down into elementary, middle and high school sections.

Click the attachment below to view the full report.

The students of the Sioux Falls School District will make up one (1) of the two (2) days missed due to weather and their final day of school will be Thursday, May 23, 2024. The staff will have a Teacher Workday on Friday, May 24, 2024 and will complete the final one (1) day of contractual time by completing an 8-hour District provided virtual training.

Click the attachment below to view the full report

It may seem like a long time from now, but it will be here before you know it. The calendar is tentatively set for for the 2025-26 school year. Click the attachment below to view all the details.

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation has been busy, and will continue to stay busy, as they begin to deliver the good news of Public School Proud Grants to teachers throughout the District! Since 2008, the Education Foundation has been encouraging and funding innovative solutions to enrich education in all SFSD schools. This year they will see their total distribution of funds through Public School Proud Grants surpass the $1,000,000 mark! Congratulations to everybody involved!

There were nine new Public School Proud Grants given out over the last week! These funds will go towards purchasing things like 3D printers, reading games, sewing kits, store simulator supplies, iPads, greenhouse supplies, sensory supplies, and so much more! Congratulations to all the PSP grant recipients! Thank you for going above and beyond for your students!

Click the button below to see a list of all the 2024 Public School Proud Grant recipients!

Join us Saturday, March 30th 7:00 pm at Sanford Pentagon for the Skyforce season finale against the Stockton Kings.

Tickets are only $15.00 ($25 value) with $5.00 going back to support the TeamMates Mentoring program of Sioux Falls, when you use the following link to purchase your tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Teammatesfamily

Until the end of April teachers and educators can bring in your teacher badge to purchase a $20 sauna session! Take some time for yourself to relax, boost your immune system and rejuvenate in the comfort and privacy of your own sauna suite.
Call us to schedule your appointment today
605.275.5565
*Session to be purchased and used same day

*This offer will be honored for ALL SFSD staff

We officially reached our goal for the third annual Everybody Reads community reading initiative! A big thanks goes out to every student and community member who read a book and filled out a raindrop during the past three weeks.

And the grand total is (drumroll please)..................318,617 books read!

That means we can make a donation to REACH Literacy to help in their mission of promoting literacy throughout the community. Just because we've met our goal doesn't mean the fun has to stop! It looks like today would be a great day to cozy up with a book. Remember: Rain (or snow.....or ice) or Shine, Everybody Reads!

April 3rd, 2024 is the American Heart Association National Walking Day! Walking is one of the best ways to get some much needed movement in throughout the school day to keep our bodies healthy and reduce stress.

To access the links in these photos simply click the attachment below. The PDF has hyperlinks to let you access the information contained within.

We are excited to announce that Friday, May 3rd will be the official Sioux Falls Storm game to support Operation Hope and Caring! The Sioux Falls Storm will be taking on the Green Bay Blizzard at 7:05 PM at the Denny Sanford Premiere Center, and a portion of tickets purchased at https://www.levo.org/operation-hope-and-caring will go to help our schools that don't benefit from a PTA/PTO. You can click the link below to purchase tickets directly and make the biggest impact for our students!

For the past several years, Levo and the Sioux Falls STORM have teamed up for Operation Hope & Caring – a fundraiser to level the playing field for all schools and students, especially those without PTAs/PTOs. As a new twist, we are adding a tshirt to the many options staff have to support this important partnership. Please see the link below to purchase your shirt (and more for your friends and family)! Consider how you can support these schools TODAY!

How cool is this!? 100% of the proceeds from LEVO's Perky Coffee will go to Operation Hope and Caring, which has a direct impact on our schools. Click the button below to get your bag today!

Girls wrestling has been steadily gaining popularity nation-wide over the past several years, and SFSD is happy to be part of this trend! Whenever you ask a young woman who participates in this sport what she likes about it, you're sure to hear words like confidence, grit, self-esteem, strength, and resilience. In the latest episode of "Spotlight: Conversations from the Sioux Falls School District," superintendent Dr. Jane Stavem sits down with an 8th grade girl who loves life on the mat, and is getting ready to participate at the high school level. Take a listen!

And while we're at it, here are a few more videos which highlight all the positive aspects of this rapidly growing girl's sport!

This week join us in celebrating Marta Benson, Jeff Dixen, Debra Grimm, Cindy Jones, Kurt Skogstad, and Colleen Stavig! Be sure to take a moment to greet them in their classrooms or send them an email with your best wishes as they reflect on their career journey with the Sioux Falls School District and make their transition to retirement.

Marta, Jeff, Debra, Cindy, Kurt, and Colleen – thank you for a lifetime of making a difference, and congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

Join us on Tuesday, April 9th at the 63rd annual recognition banquet as we celebrate our retirees and employees with 25 years of service!

Last chance to buy tickets! Tickets are on sale until Thursday, March 28th. Tickets can be purchased for $25 per ticket online through PayPal (www.bit.ly/ExpeditionExcellence) or with cash or check at the Instructional Planning Center. Please have all checks written out to the Sioux Falls School District. Also, please note, we are unable to provide change so cash payments must be for the exact amount.

Working and Living with Someone with Neurodiverse Challenges - April 10, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

In celebration of the diversity in which we live and work, join us as we recognize our neurodiverse colleagues and family members. We will explore resources, tools and strategies for helping to maximize the talents, goals and passions of these exceptional individuals in both the workplace and at home.

Handling a Family Crisis- May 8, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

This class was created for managers supporting employees experiencing a family crisis. For employees going through a family crisis, this class will cover how to manage expectations and emotional exchanges that may occur while having challenging conversations. Participants will learn healthy coping mechanisms during times of transition, as well as how to address and get support with potential financial challenges.

SDRS 101: 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 disability benefits, and more.

• April 3, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm - Register via Zoom

SDRS Financial Literacy: 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.

• April 17, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm - Register via Zoom

Q&A Session: Ask your questions and get answers from SDRS staff. Every session will have unique questions from our members, so feel free to tune in often.

• March 27, 2024 - 7:00 PM CT/6:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM

Open Enrollment is coming in early April. 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

Get ready to prioritize your well-being! Our NEW employee wellness program launces April 1st! Watch for an email on April 1st for more information.

Coming April 1st, Included Health will be replacing our WellVia telehealth services.

• See a doctor fast with 247/7/365 access to board-certified doctors.

• Get prescriptions sent to a local pharmacy of your choice.

• Connect anywhere, anytime virtually from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

*Included Health is available to all SFSD employees covered on the medical plan.

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

Walking is a low-impact cardio activity that can provide many of the same benefits as jogging. Walking burns calories, trims the waistline, and is important for your lymphatic and immune systems.

Walking for fitness can help you:

• Manage your blood pressure.

• Reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

• Manage your diabetes.

• Manage your weight.

• Reduce the risk of heart attack.

• Manage stress and improve your mood.

• Stay strong and active.

• Improve balance and coordination.

• Increase core strength.

Follow these 5 steps when getting started walking:

1. Start slowly - Start with a gentle 5 - 10 minute walk and slowly build up over time.

2. Set goals - Set realistic goals for yourself, such as 20 - 40 minutes of walking 5 days a week.

3. Plan continually - If you’re busy, still make time for short walks to keep your plan on track.

4. Don’t let the weather get you down - If the weather is not the best, consider walking indoors.

5. Plan several different routes, and make walking a social event - Add variety to your walking by taking several routes and invite friends to join you

Adapted from Mayo Clinic Health System