Friday, March 31st was the last day of our Everybody Reads campaign. The project was a partnership with Siouxland Libraries and Reach literacy with one goal in mind: to spread the joy of reading to our community.

Last week the numbers were all tallied up and we are so happy to announce that we reached our goal!!

Throughout our schools and community, from March 13-31, we read a total of (drum roll please)...331,121 books! Since we met (and surpassed) our goal of 300,000 books read, a donation will be made to REACH literacy so they can continue their important work of spreading literacy in our community.

Schools throughout the SFSD filled up with stars during this time, one star for each book read. This shows our students that when we reach for the stars, we can achieve our goals!

Thank you to everybody who read a book, contributed to our total, and made this project a success!

Dom attacks each day with a positive attitude. He is always willing and excited to learn new things in an effort to support his team. He has also shown to be a strong mentor for our new team members - constantly checking in with them to ensure they are succeeding in their new role. Dom is also always analyzing current processes and highlighting areas that could be improved. Overall, he is an essential asset to the HR team.

Dom goes above and beyond every single day in every single thing he does. No matter how seemingly little or big the task may be, Dom takes it in with grace and a smile. He is an innovative and thoughtful team member, always making sure anyone he talks to on the phone, responds to via email, or meets in person is taken care of and make a top priority. Even if he does not know the answer, Dom not only will ensure he helps find the answer, he takes it to the next level to learn and understand the answer for himself as well! Dom brings a top-notch level of integrity and motivation to the department that is unmatched! He is essential to our team and the District!

For 150 years, SFSD has provided a high-quality public education to hundreds of thousands of students. Student success is heavily dependent upon the adults who guide learning, develop expectations, and personally display a positive attitude and caring spirit. This award celebrates staff members who embrace the mission/vision of SFSD with excellence and professionalism, and who leave their mark without fanfare.

The Library Advisory Committee will serve as an advocate for the library program. The committee will help determine policies and procedures to guide library services as changing technology impacts available services. When a request for reconsideration of library materials arises, the committee will review the materials and make a recommendation to the superintendent regarding the continued use of the materials.

The SFSD is forming a Library Advisory Committee, and we are looking for members to fill the following roles: Classroom Teacher, Librarian, Parent, Administration.

Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to participate in daily living or live better with injury, illness, or disability.

By taking the full picture into account, occupational therapy assists people in:

• Achieving their goals
• Functioning at the highest possible level
• Concentrating on what matters most to them
• Maintaining or rebuilding their independence
• Participating in the everyday activities that they need to do or that simply make life worth living

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are experts in helping people perform the occupations they need and want to do every day. Thank you to all occupational therapists for helping our students live their best lives!

The school board approved the recommended change to move the final day for students to Friday, May 26th, 2023. For teachers, Tuesday, May 30th will be a Teacher Workday and Wednesday, May 31st thru Friday, June 2nd will be District Inservice time.

The school board approved the one change that was recommended to the 2023-2024 school year calendar. This change moves a parent teacher conference from Tuesday, October 24th to Monday, October 16th, 2023.

The school board approved the proposed school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. Recommendations for this calendar year include:

• Concluding the school year prior to Memorial Day weekend.
• Consideration of E-Learning or remote learning for inclement weather days, as opposed to addition of snow days.
• Starting school on August 22nd, 2024.

With the help from Human Resources and Staff Development we are excited to launch the new Staff Portal! This site replaces some of the current InSite pages and will be your one-stop-shop for everything employment related. You can access this site from the district website using any of the links under the “Staff” tab or feel free to bookmark this URL:

https://siouxfallssd.sites.thrillshare.com/o/careers

We have been listening to your requests and will continue to build and improve on this site. Stop back often to read new stories and find awesome events that showcase all the District has to offer!

InSite will still exist for any secure information. You will see the link in the “Quick Hit Bar” at the top to help direct you to the InSite log-in page. We look forward to seeing this site grow into a helpful tool for all our current and future employees.

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!

The deadline for Teachers requesting a leave of absence for Fall 2023 is April 15, 2023. This leave is not available for staff pursuing formal study or other employment. With the exception of Long-Term Health Leave, long term leaves will only be approved for Teachers in or beyond their fourth year of employment. The Leave of Absence contract language begins on page 40 of the Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement.

1. To request a leave of absence: Go to HR Records: https://sf.tedk12.com/records
2. Log in
3. Go to “Available Forms”
4. Select Long-Term Leave of Absence Form. Complete and Submit. This form will route to the HR Department.
5. Teachers can continue insurance benefits while on a leave of absence. Teachers are covered as employees through August 31, 2023. On September 1, 2023, Teachers begin paying the COBRA Rate for coverage. Below are the COBRA rates for Medical Insurance while on Leave of Absence.
6. If you have further questions about benefits, please connect with Jessica Engdahl at benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us or Jessica.engdahl@k12.sd.us or 605-367-7662.
7. Teachers are required to inform the HR Department of their intent to return to teaching by March 1, 2024, for Fall 2024. Teachers will be assigned to a teaching position for which they qualify. HR can take Teacher assignment preferences into consideration.

Questions about a leave of absence can be directed to Becky Dorman, Sr. Director – HR, 605-367-7661.

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

• Wednesday, April 12th - 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Parenting Your Teen: Managing Conflict and Problem Solving
• Wednesday, May 10th - 12:30pm - 1:30pm - A Balancing Act for the Work and Personal Life Seesaw
• Wednesday, June 14th - 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Healthy Living: Navigate Life’s Transitions

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

Interested in Flexible Spending for 2023-2024 or Making a Change to Your Benefits?

If you are interested in flexible spending for 2023-2024 or want to make any changes to your benefits, you must do so during open enrollment. Please note, you MUST go through the ENTIRE open enrollment. Use the attached enrollment guide to help you through the enrollment.

Not Interested in Flexible Spending for 2023-2024 and Not Making Any Changes?

No action is required if you have no benefit changes and are declining flexible spending. Open enrollment is only for those who have/need to elect flexible spending and/or are interested in making changes to any of their benefits.

• Questions? Contact benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us

Why see a counselor?

Do you ever feel too overwhelmed to deal with your problems? If so, you’re not alone. In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4%) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Personal or psychological counseling offers you the opportunity to talk about social, emotional, or behavioral problems that are either causing you distress or interfering with your functioning. Counselors are trained professionals who can respond to your concerns in an objective and non-judgmental manner. The counseling relationship is unique and provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s neutral and empathetic. You and your counselor will work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.

Some of the most common problems that people seek help for include:

• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks, depression, or lack of motivation
• Family, relationship, or work problems
• Procrastination and other self-defeating behaviors/habits
• Issues of grief and loss, or coping with traumatic events
• Difficulty managing stress
• Domestic violence/assault
• Anxiety or acute panic attacks
• Problems with alcohol or other drugs
• Issues with eating behavior and/or body image
• Problems with anger and compulsive behaviors

Adapted from Uprise Health

Until the end of April, District staff can bring in their badge and purchase 3 infrared sauna sessions for only $30. What a great way to spend time relaxing and improving your health at an infrared sauna!

Benefits:

1. Detox at cellular level
2. Relax & stress relief
3. Boost immune system
4. Ease pain & tension
5. Lower blood pressure
6. Improve circulation

View the linked document below to learn more!

3 Degrees Promo Information

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 can be purchased for $25 each here: www.bit.ly/SFSDBanquet2023.

Ticket Deadline Extended!

The last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, April 11th

Questions? Contact Kate DiPasquale at kate.dipasquale@k12.sd.us

This week join us in celebrating Jacqueline Beile, Jeanne Hoff, Kris Kelley, and Rose Olinger! 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, Jeanne, Kris, and Rose – thank you for a lifetime of making a difference and congratulations on your upcoming retirement!