Time to celebrate National School Social Work Week 2023! This week we are guided by the School Social Work Association of America theme “We Rise.” School Social Workers work with students, families, and staff each day and every day to meet their challenges and do so with strength and resilience. School Social Workers rise up - supporting their students, families, and school communities. School Social Workers rise to share hope. They rise to listen and understand. They rise to challenge inequities. They rise to support all students. So celebrate the impactful work your social worker is doing with your families! District social workers are Samantha Bonn, Jen Cornett, Brandi David, Jennifer Eisele, Mary Gustafson, Paige Lange, Keri Meyer, Amber Pollmann, Devonne Powell, Allison Reuland, Marta Roberts, Ashley Ruppert, Hannah Schouten, and Michelle Sharpe.

The Sioux Falls School District is excited to partner with Siouxland Libraries again for Everybody Reads! From March 13-31, students, staff, parents, and community members are being encouraged to track how many books they read. The goal is to create a community of readers ages 0 –100! Starting March 13, you will see a rocket, astronaut and a galaxy begin to appear in the library. For the next three weeks, a new star will appear in the galaxy when a book is read. Once your student(s) completes a book, they will receive a star to add to the galaxy. We look forward to a bright galaxy with billions and billions of stars!

Hello Stampede Country,

Join the Sioux Falls Stampede for the first home games of March. Click on the links below to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. March 11th will be Stomp’s Birthday Bash. Stay tuned to our social media pages for more special things happening on this day.

Through this exclusive special, tickets are only $21 for gold level seats (rows 2-6), $16 for blue level seats (rows 7-14) and $13 for gray level seats (rows 15-21). Upgrades to the Club seating level is available.

Link for March 10th discounted tickets: https://fevo.me/dtomar10

Link for March 11th discounted tickets: https://fevo.me/dtomar11

Beds by Design appreciates the work you do to shape the next generation through education. They want to give back to teachers who sacrifice so much in the pursuit of educating our youth with an offer for all SFSD teachers and faculty. The event runs from March 3rd-12th and gives you access to:

$100 In store credit on all BBD products

-and-

Up to 40% off Mattress purchases

Print this coupon or pick up a physical copy in the school workroom and present it at Beds by Design with your school district ID card.

The SFSD would like to recognize any employee that has achieved an advanced degree or certification during the 2022-2023 school year. Please share your information through this link, as we would like to recognize your accomplishment and commitment to the field of education at an upcoming school board meeting.

Our friends at Levo are offering bags of Perky Coffee for $10/each with 100% of the money going to Operation Hope & Caring, which provides money for SFSD elementary schools without PTAs/PTOs. Mugs are $25 each, again with 100% of proceeds coming right back to our schools! Contact DeeAnn.Konrad@k12.sd.us to order yours today!

Help us celebrate our 2023 Retirees!

Over the next weeks, we want to take a moment to spotlight our Sioux Falls School District Retirees!

This week join us in celebrating Jacqueline Beilke, Julie Larson, Melonie Schumacher, and Joey Struwe! 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 inspiring career with Sioux Falls School District and make their transition to retirement.

Jacqueline, Julie, Melonie, and Joey – thank you for a lifetime of making a difference and congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

Join us on Tuesday, April 18th at the Country Club of Sioux Falls to celebrate our retirees and employees with 25 years of service. Tickets for the public will go on sale Monday, March 13th!

District Staff participating in the Wellness Program have deadlines fast approaching. In order to earn the Wellness Credit for the 2023-24 school year, all Wellness Program requirements need to be completed and received by March 15, 2023.

The three requirements for earning the Wellness Credit for 2023-24 are listed below:

1. Complete the Personal Health Assessment in the Uprise Health Wellness Portal
2. Schedule a wellness visit with your doctor and submit a completed Preventative Care Form.
3. Complete ONE Wellness Program Activity:

a. Participate in the Wondr Health Program

b. Participate in a Fitness Challenge

c. Complete 3 Digital Health Workshops

d. Complete 3 sessions with a Health Coach

For assistance or questions, please email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us.

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

If you are a retiring teacher, clerical, or administrator this year and want to cash in any eligible personal leave before retiring, you will want to submit your electronic Personal Leave Cash-In Form on Records by March 15, 2023.

HR Records: https://sf.tedk12.com/Records

When reporting injuries, District staff will be calling a new number. This number will connect employees to a Medcor nurse who will be able to assist with the workplace injury. RAS will still be the District’s worker’s compensation provider but Medcor will enable an easier reporting process for employees. Be watching for the new workplace injury sticker for the back of badges.

Report a workplace injury IMMEDIATELY!

1. Notify your supervisor & visit the nurse or building clerical.
2. Call: MEDCOR at 1-855-736-9482.

a. Follow the instructions.

1. If an emergency DIAL 911.

Click the link below to register for Sand Creek EAP’s live webinars.

• Wednesday, March 8th - 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Workplace Differences: A Matter of Style
• Tuesday, March 21st - 11:00am - 11:30am - Boundaries and Blindspots

Can’t attend a webinar? No problem! Visit https://allonehealth.com/blog/ to view all past webinars.

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 12th. Moving our clocks one hour ahead can affect productivity, concentration, and both physical and mental health. Your clock is saying 8:00am, but your body thinks it’s 7:00am. Adjusting to the time change is different for everyone. Some adjust quickly, but it can take some time for others.

6 Tips to Spring Forward This Weekend

1. Start getting to bed earlier. You can ease your body into the time change by starting your nighttime routine 15 minutes earlier in the day leading up to the daylight-saving time. Disruption in sleep can affect your mood, energy levels, concentration, and overall health.
2. Avoid drinking caffeine too close to bedtime. Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and may prevent your body from relaxing naturally at night.
3. Limit your screen time. Phone and computer screens emit high levels of blue light. This can negatively impact our sleep. Blue light affects your circadian rhythm and melatonin hormone levels, tricking your brain into thinking it is still daytime.
4. Change your clocks the night before. Smartphones and computers update automatically, but there are some clocks you will need to change manually. In the morning, you will be relieved to know all of your clocks have the correct time.
5. Take a cat nap. If you are feeling the effects of daylight savings time, it’s okay to take a quick nap. Just make sure it is only 20-30 minutes. Longer naps can disrupt your sleep patterns and leave you feeling more tired.
6. Create a nighttime routine. Having a routine each night can help signal your brain that it’s time to start winding down for the night. Taking a hot shower, sipping on a cup of sleepy time tea, or reading a book can help your mind and body settle down for a good night’s sleep.

Adapted from Health Partners