District Dialogue

Thanks to the continued generosity of Architecture Incorporated and their associates, the 2022-2023 staff t-shirts are HERE and ready for pick up! Due to not having General Session this year, we will have two dates available in the coming weeks for you to pick up your shirt quickly and easily at the Instructional Planning Center.

A drive-through line will be set up on the east side of IPC between the IPC parking lot and the Robert Frost Elementary lot. We will have two one-way lanes for you to enter to drive-through and “order” your size. Please see the detailed map below for a better visual.

Drive-through Dates:
- Tuesday, August 16th from 9 am – 1 pm
- Tuesday, August 23rd from 9 am – 1 pm
(IPC is located at 201 E. 38th Street)

If you cannot make either of the dates work in your schedule, the shirts will be available for pick up in the lobby of IPC after 1 pm on August 23rd.

If you intend to pick up a shirt for a co-worker, please communicate/coordinate with them first, so we make sure to have enough for those who want one. (Please note that you are not required to take one.)

In part one of tonight's two-part Good News Report, former School Board President, Cynthia Mickelson was presented with the 2022 South Dakota Outstanding School Board Member of the Year Award, presented by Associated School Boards of South Dakota's Executive Director, Dr. Wade Pogany.

Pogany shared with the audience that Mickelson embodies what this award is. He described that her hard work, dedication, and tenacity makes her the quality leader this award is reserved for. Between overseeing a $190 million bond initiative, hiring a new superintendent, and boundary changes, Cynthia has been an outstanding leader for the Sioux Falls School Board.

Congratulations, Cynthia! Thank you for your work on the Sioux Falls School Board!

In other good news, Washington High School was shining bright as this month's school spotlight! Home to 1,895 students, 124 teachers, and 68 support staff, WHS was founded in 1908 and will be celebrating 100 years of its Orange Letter Days homecoming celebration. This year's Orange Letter Days will take place September 12-16, with several fun activities planned throughout the week.

In addition to upcoming celebrations, Principal Kari Papke shared information about Warrior Halftime, a new initiative piloted during the 2021-22 school year that is certainly worth celebrating. Warrior Halftime provided students 65 minutes during the middle of each day where students had the opportunity to access their teachers for additional academic support, make up missed work, or participate in enrichment work. The library and gym were also accessible during this time. Students could meet with study groups, have quiet study time, socialize with their peers or get in the gym to move their bodies. The pilot program decreased failures by 43% from the 2020-2021 school year!

The Sioux Falls School District is proud to employ nearly 3,600 unique individuals who offer their distinct strengths, skills, and talents to our students. SFSD is committed to developing each person's special abilities by providing growth opportunities for all staff. Professional development is an area of emphasis identified through the Sioux Falls School District Priorities. The goal is to support, train, and further develop staff members throughout their careers.

Several professional development opportunities have occurred over the summer, with more opportunities ahead. Click the link below to learn more.

A big thank you to all who attended the two-day Inspire Education Conference last week at Jefferson High School and helped make this first year a great success!

Since the beginning of August, we have welcomed 220 new teachers to our classrooms for the 2022-2023 school year! Of this group, 19 of these individuals were former SFSD teachers who have returned to employment with the District. Just over 40 percent of the new hires are new to the teaching profession. Approximately 68 percent have less than five years of teaching experience with the average years of service being 5.08 years. Additionally, 38 percent of new teachers possess a master’s degree or higher. SFSD saw an increase to the overall teacher diversity percentage, which currently sits at 5.08 percent.

The HR Department will continue to pursue ways to support staff, emphasize staff diversity and retention efforts, and prepare for the next hiring season.

To view the full report, click the file below.

in grades K-8 will receive an ID card they will use daily for the 2022-23 school year. It serves as a library card, lunch ticket, etc. and for those who ride the bus, it serves as their bus pass. Students will swipe on and off the bus to allow parents/guardians to track their child’s bus location.

The District, along with transportation partner School Bus Inc., will be launching a FREE app for bus eligible students and their families. Stopfinder provides easy-to-use, real-time information about schedules, delays, and student entry/exit points at bus stops. Students swipe their ID card to track ridership.

The primary parent listed in Infinite Campus will receive an invitation to set up a profile on August 17. As a measure of safety, ONLY the primary parent can give access to other parents, guardians, or daycare providers. SFSD and SBI do not have the ability to add additional users.

With 35 schools and 9,000 students receiving transportation services, implementation of the Stopfinder App is very complex. A staggered implementation will occur during the first two weeks of school to allow better management of call volume, troubleshooting, and questions as they arise.

REACH Literacy will offer walk in teacher grants August 15-18th, 2022. This offer will include 25 free books for your classroom, along with 20% off any book purchases.

To redeem this offer, bring your school ID.

Wellness Program Guides have been mailed out by HMC HealthWorks for employees who had medical insurance as of July 1st, 2021.

Employees who had their insurance start after July 1st, 2021 will receive their Wellness Program Guide in the next couple of months.

How Do I Get Started?

1. Go to https://hmchwwellness.com/SFSD
2. Click the “Sign Up” icon
3. The Participant Sign Up window will appear, and you will need to enter:
• Last Name
• Date of Birth
• Last four digits of your SSN

IMPORTANT: Please sign up using your own last name, date of birth, and social security number, even if you are not the primary on the health plan.

Questions about the Wellness Program? Email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us.

Benefits of exercise go beyond just physical well-being. Exercise can also help support emotional and mental health. So, the next time you are feeling stressed, or anxious, get up and start moving. Physical activity can help:

• Reduce feelings of depression and stress.
• Increase your energy level.
• Improve sleep.
• Empower you to feel more in control.

Adapted from All One Health