District Dialogue
Keeping you informed the week of April 28-May 2, 2025
Good News Report
Marcella LeBeau Bears!
A committee of staff, parents, and students is taking the first steps in creating the school culture at Marcella LeBeau Elementary School, which will open this fall. After thoughtful discussion and support from students, the group selected the school mascot and color palette. The school will be known as the Marcella LeBeau Bears, with early artwork reflecting the strength and resilience of the bear, qualities important in Native American culture. The committee also decided a color scheme featuring blues, greens, and purples, inspired by the natural South Dakota landscape and the flag of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, where Marcella LeBeau served as a council member and Lakota elder. The chosen greens and purples will also align with the colors of Jefferson High School and George McGovern Middle School, where Marcella students will continue their education after elementary school.
Celebrating 19 National Merit Finalists
Congratulations to our 19 National Merit Finalists for the 2024-2025 school year! Students celebrated at a reception with parents and District leaders prior to tonight's meeting where they were recognized as part of the meeting's Good News Report.
JHS Student Named U.S. Presidential Scholar Finalist
Jefferson High School senior, Landon Gross, has been named a semifinalist in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Landon is one of just 621 students nationwide, and one of only six from South Dakota to receive this incredible honor! The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest recognitions for high school seniors, celebrating academic excellence, leadership, character, and contributions to school and community. Congratulations, Landon!
Fine Arts Update
The Sioux Falls School District has launched a new K-12 Fine Arts curriculum, aligned with updated South Dakota standards for dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. Developed over three years with input from teachers, administrators, parents, and community members, the curriculum focuses on consistent, high-quality instruction and clear, District-wide assessments. Professional development for teachers began this summer and will continue throughout the year, supported by a music coach and a visual arts coach. Thanks to this work, students are building the skills and confidence to enjoy and pursue the arts throughout their lives.
A reminder that you can see the incredible talents of our art students at the High School Art Exhibition happening TOMORROW at IPC. The exhibition includes pieces submitted to the SDHSAA State Art Competition, including several award-winning works! The gallery will be open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm with a reception from 6-7:30 pm.
View the full report below.
All Star, Diana Martinez! π
This week's All Star is Diana Martinez, a first-grade teacher at Renberg Elementary!
Diana is the kind of teacher and coworker everyone hopes to have. Sheβs kind, caring, always sees the good in every situation, and her smile can light up the whole building! Her colleague Amber Beck says Diana has the biggest heart for her students, their families, and the Renberg team. Diana has been part of the Renberg family for four years and was part of SFSD even before stepping into the classroom as a teacher.
Thank you, Diana for making Renberg and the Sioux Falls School District a special place! β¨
Thank you, Barrel House!
In case you haven't heard the great news, thanks to the generosity of the Barrel House and their nonprofit Hungry Hearts (and other community donors!), we officially reached our $200,000 Angel Fund goal! At the Power of Partnerships event last Tuesday, Barrel House representatives Mark Fonder and Jesse Severson presented SFSD a check for $110,000 to help students who can't afford school meals. Last November, The Barrel House pledged to match up to $100,000 in community donations and true to their spirit of kindness, the went above and beyond by adding an extra $10,000 to help us cross the finish line.
Teacher Appreciation Week Special! (May 5-9)
Congratulations to these recent Public School Proud grant recipients!
Jenn Breidenbach at Laura Wilder
Molly Wilson at Laura Wilder
Maggie Moeller at Horace Mann
Kristina Erickson at Garfield
The Sioux Falls School Board election is coming up on Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Four candidates are running for two open seats: Elizabeth Duffy, incumbent Nan Kelly, Patricia Ringold, and Thomas Werner. Current School Board President Carly Reiter will not seek reelection.
To help voters get to know the candidates, the League of Women Voters is hosting a School Board Candidate Forum on THIS Wednesday, April 30th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at IPC.
This is a great opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their priorities for our schools. Can't make it to the forum? We'll provide a recording after the fact. Stay tuned!
Polls will be open on May 13 from 7 AM to 7 PM
Voters who reside within the Sioux Falls School District may cast their ballot at any one of the 13 votes centers.
Purchase your tickets before it's too late!
The Jefferson Symphonic Band is teaming up with the Dallas Brass for a special concert on Tuesday, May 6 at Jefferson High School!
This unique performance will take audiences on a musical journey through American history, featuring everything from Dixieland and Swing to Broadway and Patriotic favorites.
Even better, one of the Dallas Brass trumpet players, Luis Cardenas Casillas, is a 2009 Roosevelt High School graduate!
Join us for a great night of music! Purchase your tickets here! ---> https://drive.google.com/.../1q5hfscf2CpnauKLCpzb8CC.../view
Staff Recognitions!
School Principals Day - May 1
School Lunch Hero Day - May 2
SDRS Virtual Events
SDRS 101
Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 | 4:15 pm to 5:15 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/sdrs?id=event_details&event_id=42f350dc474c2210854b61d2e16d43a9
SDRS - SRP 101
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 | 4:15 pm to 5:15 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 employeeβs termination pay.
Register Online: https://www.sd.gov/sdrs?id=event_details&event_id=fdd6dc90478c2210854b61d2e16d4335
SDRS Steps to Financial Success
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 | 4:15 pm to 5:15 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/sdrs?id=event_details&event_id=34885454478c2210854b61d2e16d4332
AllOne Health Webinars
AllOne Health (previously 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, AllOne Health offers FREE monthly webinars that cover a variety of topics. Below are a couple upcoming ones!
To register for a AllOne Health account, visit https://allonehealthmemberportal.mylifeexpert.com/ and click the βSign Upβ 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.
Fear and Anxiety: Moving Forward
Fear and anxiety can hold us back from being fully present and enjoying our lives. In this class, participants will dive into the similarities and differences between fear and anxiety, and how they can impact productivity and comfort. Weβll explore how to harness the power of our thoughts to successfully manage these feelings. Youβll also learn practical coping strategies and resources to help you move forward with confidence. Join us to transform fear and anxiety into opportunities for growth!
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Teamwork - The Essentials
Effective communication within teams is crucial for achieving personal and professional goals. In this session, participants will dive into team dynamics through discussions, hands-on exercises, and insightful debriefs. Weβll explore proven strategies for fostering collaboration and resolving conflicts, while learning how to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios. By the end of the seminar, participants will walk away with practical tools and resources to inspire their teammates, enhance teamwork, and ensure seamless collaboration to achieve shared objectives.
Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm
AllOne Health - Employee Assistance Program
AllOne Health can help you reduce stress, improve mental health, and make life easier by connecting you to the right information, resources, and referrals.
All services are free, confidential, and available to you and your family members. This includes access to short-term counseling and the wide range of services listed below:
- Mental Health Sessions
- Life Coaching
- Financial Consultation
- Legal Referrals
- Work-Life Resources and Referrals
- Personal Assistant
- Medical Advocacy
Click HERE to learn more about these services!
Get started today at www.sandcreekeap.com using company code: siouxfalls
April 21st through April 27th, 2025
Below are new opportunities posted within the last week. Be sure to check them out and apply online (at the link provided) if youβre interested! Please note, most job postings are open until filled. If you click on a link and receive an error message (βNo matching records foundβ), it may mean the position has been filled. To view all Sioux Falls School District openings, please visit https://sf.schoolspring.com/.
ATHLETICS / ACTIVITIES
- Head Oral Interp Coach with or without Teaching at Jefferson High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112745
- Assistant Varsity Boys Wrestling Coach with or without Teaching at Jefferson High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112778
- Middle School Football Coach at Ben Reifel Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5082067
- Middle School Football Coach at Patrick Henry Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124122
- Middle School Girls Wrestling Coach at Patrick Henry Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124132
- 7th Grade Volleyball Coach at Patrick Henry Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124145
CLERICAL
- Library Clerical - 1.0 FTE at Whittier Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112996
- High School Parking Lot / Welcome Window Attendant - Clerical I - 1.0 FTE at Washington High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5120109
EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
- Education Assistant - 1.0 FTE at Joe Foss at Axtell Park: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112772
- Elementary Library & Lunch Education Assistant - 1.0 FTE at Anne Sullivan Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112814
FOOD SERVICE
- Child Nutrition General Worker - 0.5 FTE at Washington High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112788
- Registered Dietitian - 1.0 FTE at Child Nutrition Services: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5113669
TEACHING - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Elementary Instructional Coach - 1.0 FTE: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5113690
- 2nd/3rd Grade Blend Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Rosa Parks Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5116514
- 5th Grade Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Rosa Parks Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5120017
- Gifted Education Teacher - 0.5 FTE: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124102
TEACHING - MIDDLE SCHOOL
- 7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Edison Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124142
TEACHING - HIGH SCHOOL
- High School Family and Consumer Science - Foods Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Jefferson High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5112972
TEACHING - SPECIAL EDUCATION
- Transition Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Community Campus: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5121437
- Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Terry Redlin Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124126
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher - Extended Day - 1.0 FTE at Cleveland Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124160
Happy in your current role but know someone looking for new opportunities? Please feel free to share these postings with them and encourage them to apply!
Questions? Contact Kate Rovang at kate.rovang@k12.sd.us.
Empower Your Wellbeing: Self-Guided iCBT Therapy
AllOne Health, our FREE Employee Assistance Program, is excited to offer self-guided therapy through internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) courses, thoughtfully developed by their clinical team.
These online courses are designed to help you take charge of your mental health and well-being. Whether used as standalone tools or in partnership with therapy sessions, these courses provide effective strategies to enhance your mental health journey.
Getting Started is Easy
- Visit www.sandcreekeap.com
- To create an account and sign in, enter your email address and company code: siouxfalls.
- Navigate to the iCBT Courses section and choose the program best fit for you!
Click HERE to view the full informational flyer and learn more about these courses.
AllOne Health is a confidential and free resource for all Sioux Falls School District employees and their families.