Beartales

February 3rd - 100th Day of School

February 13th - Valentines' Day Parties

February 16th - No School- Professional Development Day

Hello Bear Families,

February is underway, and our school community is continuing to build strong learning habits and positive momentum. We’re excited to continue the momentum as we move into the second half of the school year!

As winter continues, please be sure your child comes to school dressed for the weather with warm coats, hats, gloves, and appropriate footwear. We go outside whenever temperatures allow and being prepared helps students stay comfortable and ready to learn.

This month, classrooms will focus on continued academic growth, small-group instruction, and progress monitoring. Teachers are using student data to adjust instruction and provide support and enrichment where needed. Be on the lookout for updates from your child’s teacher about learning goals and ways to support practice at home.

Important Date Reminder:
There will be no school on February 16th due to Professional Development for staff.

We also encourage families to keep attendance a priority. Consistent attendance makes a meaningful difference in student progress and confidence.

Thank you for your continued support, communication, and involvement. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a strong and productive February together.

Mr. Preston Fischer

School will not be in session on Monday, February 16 due to staff professional development.

Stay connected with family-friendly activities, programs, and clubs in the community through Virtual Backpack. The e-newsletter, which includes information from various Siouxland organizations, is sent out monthly to all district families. Or, view the most up-to-date lists of events and activities on the Virtual Backpack website.

As a parent or guardian, you have the right to decide to keep your child home on any day you feel it is unsafe for your student to be in school because of weather conditions. When a two-hour late start is called, please be aware of the following:

- No Beyond the Bell before school

- Breakfast is not served

- School starts at 10:30 a.m., staff are not available until 10:00 a.m.

- Preschool start time is 10:30 a.m., staff will be at the door around 10:25 a.m.

The District provides every student with a device to enhance the overall learning experience. When a student receives their device, it is their responsibility to take appropriate care of the device. Unfortunately, the District has hundreds of devices damaged or destroyed each year.

Damage to devices or lost devices could result in fines and reduced Internet access. Detailed information on fees is available in the Parent/Guardian and Student Handbook on the District website. We encourage you to remind your student about the responsibility that goes with having a device.

The District’s mobile app provides quick and convenient information at your fingertips. Download the mobile to receive push notifications from the District about closings and cancellations and stay updated on today’s school lunch menu, upcoming events, and school news. Look for Sioux City Community Schools in your app store today!

Studies show a strong connection between eating breakfast and improved academic performance. To support a healthy learning environment, our school provides breakfast daily in addition to lunch. Breakfast is served at our building from 8 am to 8:30 am (elementary school) OR 7 am to 8 am (middle and high school).

Visit the District's website for more information on the District’s breakfast and lunch menus.

Connect with your student’s teacher! TalkingPoints is a communication tool that allows you and your student’s teacher to easily communicate via text message. Text messages will be sent to you in your family’s primary language. Watch for a text from your student’s teacher or contact your student’s school if you have any questions.

Have you reviewed the 2025-2026 SCCSD Parent/Guardian – Student Handbook? The handbook includes important information to help students reach their fullest potential at school. Families are encouraged to review the handbook with their students to make sure they are aware of what is expected of them as a student in the Sioux City Community School District.

Click here to view the 2025-2026 Parent/Guardian – Student Handbook.

Safe + Sound Iowa offers students and families a convenient way to anonymously report safety concerns related to our school. Trained dispatchers will share the information with appropriate school administrators and/or law enforcement so help can be given to those in crisis or at risk.

Visit Safe + Sound Iowa for more information.

The safety of our students and staff is paramount. The District uses Standard Response Protocol or common terms to communicate our actions and response to an emergency situation. The terms Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter are used so students, staff, and first responders understand the situation and how best to respond.

We encourage families to become familiar with these terms to better understand our school’s response and what to expect in a crisis situation. For more information on safety preparedness within the District, visit siouxcityschools.org.