District Dialogue

Tonight's Good News Report came in two parts. Up first was our Sioux Empire United Way partners who were in attendance to share information about funding that allows District social workers to fill the gap for families in need of food.

United Way President Allan H. Turner II and Community Impact Director Christina Riss were recognized by the Board for the $100,000 in HyVee gift cards made available to school social workers and counselors who work directly with families in need. The gift cards are made available to SFSD employees with “boots on the ground” who work to reduce barriers to school attendance.

Following the Sioux Empire United Way Good News Report, The Education Foundation Executive Director, Allison Struck provided a quarterly update. One of the focus areas she presented on was the Pepper Entertainment guitar partnership.

See the success of the partnership in the video below!

Final fall student enrollment numbers are collected each year on the last Friday in September. This year's enrollment numbers show the Sioux Falls School District serves 25,231 students in grade pre-k through 12th grade. The District has seen an increase in student enrollment numbers for the second year in a row, indicating we are back on track after a slight decrease in 2020.

Broken down by grade level, enrollment numbers are as follows:

+ K-5: 11,317 (up 163 from 2021)

+ 6-8: 5,516 (down 86 from 2021)

+ 9-12: 7,398 (up 125 from 2021)

+ Junior Kindergarten: 60

+ Pre-K: 960

We are honoring our child nutrition lunch professionals during National School Lunch Week!

These excellent individuals remain dedicated to serving students healthy meals each day! This year’s fun and creative campaign theme, “Peace, Love & School Lunch,” highlights the importance of having nutritious foods available daily in our Sioux Falls Public Schools. From preparing meals, distributing meals, and serving meals to creating relationships with students as they walk through the lunch line, our child nutrition professionals go above and beyond for our District.

Please help us thank them for their hard work and dedication to fueling healthy minds in the Sioux Falls School District!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

With a culture centered around innovation, our District ignites the hearts and minds of not only our students but our staff as well. Each day we are inspiring individuals to choose their own path and chase their dreams. We have several staff working in our schools while pursuing their dreams of becoming a teacher. To share our appreciation for their dedication to serving our students, we want to recognize these individuals.

This week we celebrate Cameron Gage, Cathie Jaton, Hawa Mohamed, and Lindsey Thomas! Join us in recognizing them by connecting with them in your school, sending them a note of encouragement, or sharing your best study tips!

Are you currently pursuing a degree in teaching? Do you know someone who works in your school who is? Email kate.dipasquale@sf.k12.sd.us to be recognized or help recognize them!

A reminder that during the month of October, we are collecting your ideas to enrich student and/or staff experiences in SFSD. Submit your ideas, read and comment on the ideas of others, and vote for those you think need consideration. Watch your idea turn into action!

Categories this year include:

• Student Experience
• Staff Work Environment

We look to build on the success of last year’s campaign. The campaign this year will run from October 3rd through Oct 31st. Please submit your ideas by clicking the button below!

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation is currently accepting applications for Public School Proud Grants!

Teachers from all grade levels who are employed by the Sioux Falls School District are eligible to apply for up to $10,000. The smallest grant ever awarded was for $66, and the largest have been at the $10,000 level. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Foundation awarded 54 grants, totaling $120,000.

In the past, the Education Foundation has awarded grants for garden grow kits, musical instruments, programmable robots, outdoor weather stations, automotive technology equipment, math manipulatives, makerspace materials, Smithsonian Science modules, cardboard construction kits, sensory paths, health science simulation mannequins, self-regulation stations, 3D printers, specialized trikes for students with limited mobility, pickleball equipment, art supplies, neuroscience kits, and more.

Based on feedback from a focus group help with educators over the summer, the application process for this year has been simplified and streamlined. The application is three questions and should not take more than 15-20 minutes to complete.

Complete the Word Document attachment below and email the completed version to The Education Foundation's Executive Director, Allison Struck by Monday, December 5th at 5 pm.

Additional information can be found here: https://sfeducationfoundation.org/teachers/

Sam's Club is offering all Sioux Falls School District staff a year-long membership for only $20. In addition to the discounted membership, you will also receive an instant $30 credit. To receive this exclusive offer,

1. Scan the attached QR code from your Smartphone
2. Add the 1-year new club membership to your cart
3. Proceed to checkout
4. Once you have purchased the year membership, your $30 credit will appear in your account under rewards

This offer is only available for new members and will run through Friday, October 14.

*Please note, the QR code says 'teachers' but this offer is available to ALL staff!

The home opener for Stampede Hockey is taking place this Saturday, October 15th at the Denny Sanford Premier Center! The first 1,000 kids 12 and under will be given a replica youth jersey to celebrate! The team will be back home the following week on Friday, October 21st. Discounted tickets are available for both games for all SFSD staff members!

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. A limited number of suites are also available and if you are looking to bring a group of 10 or more, bigger discounts are available.

Discounted tickets can be purchased here:

October 15th ---> https://fevo.me/october15sg

October 21st ---> https://fevo.me/october21sg

*Please note, the link may not work on your district computer, it may be easier to purchase using a smartphone or home computer. You may also purchase via phone by calling Eric Oetken at 605-275-4625 or email him at eric@sfstampede.com

Notice from the Sioux Falls School District About Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare

*This notice applies to you or your covered family members who are or become eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage. If this notice does not apply to you, you can disregard it.

Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has information about your current prescription drug coverage with Sioux Falls School District and about your options under Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a Medicare drug plan. If you are considering joining, you should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and costs of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. Information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage is at the end of this notice.

Questions? Email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us

Monday, October 10th was World Mental Health Day. The overall objective of the day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to organize efforts in support of mental health. World Mental Health Day is not only about advocating for others, but it also provides an opportunity for YOU to check in on your own mental health. Close to one billion people have a mental disorder and anyone, anywhere can be affected. Some of the most common mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can be treated with therapy/counseling, medication, or a combination of these.

Services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sioux Falls School District helps to bridge that gap by offering our new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Sand Creek Workplace Wellness to all employees and their dependents. Sand Creek EAP has licensed counselors who can support you and/or your household members through difficult times with 24/7 crisis intervention and counseling sessions (up to four sessions of free service per topic). Use of the EAP is free, professional, and confidential.

The "On the Road to Financial Success" workshops target those members in the early and middle stages of their careers and offer a wide-ranging spectrum of money-related topics to promote personal financial awareness and increase retirement preparedness through budgeting and financial planning exercises.

Click the link to register: https://sdrs.sd.gov/events/earlymidcareer/schedule.aspx

Flu season is quickly approaching, and Included Health is there to help! Included Health matches your needs and preferences to top doctors in your network, in your neighborhood, or online with virtual visits. The Included Health care team finds you the right care, right away. Get started today by visiting www.includedhealth.com/sfsd or by calling 1-800-929-0926. Don’t wait to feel better!