The Explorer

The school year is quickly moving along with winter knocking at our door. Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather. The playground does not have any coverage from the wind. It is important to monitor the wind chill – the “feels like” temperature.

Thinking ahead for when we start to see the snow, students who want to play in it need to have the proper snow gear: winter coat, snow pants, snow boots, gloves, and hat/hood. When the temperature and/or wind chill is zero or below, students will be inside before school and during recess. Also, please be sure to read the inclement weather information included in this newsletter, along with the Remote Learning information.

Reminder - If you are going to meet your student on the playground or by their classroom door after school, please park in the parking lot or on the street. Do not park your vehicle in the circle drive. The circle drive is for drop off only.

Students will be off from school for a few days in honor of Thanksgiving. We hope you have a wonderful holiday with many things to be thankful for!

Mr. Dan Fischer, Principal

The 2025-26 SFSD Calendar is also attached below.

• Nov. 11 - No school in observance of Veterans' Day.
• Nov. 13 - 4th grade field trip to the Premier Center for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for men’s and women’s Curling from 10:45 am - 2:30 pm.
• Nov. 17 - 5th grade orchestra/band concert at 6:30 pm.
• Nov. 20 - 5th grade vocal concert at 8:30 am, 1:45 pm, and 6:30 pm.
• Nov. 24 - Discovery Skate Night at Skate City from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
• Nov. 26 - No school for a compensatory day.
• Nov. 27 - No school for Thanksgiving break.
• Nov. 28 - No school for Thanksgiving break.

It is important to be prepared for the winter storms and extreme cold that every South Dakota winter brings. Please read the following information so you are aware of the procedures for school-related cancellations and postponements. School officials use their best judgment about school closings, late starts, or early dismissals; however, please remember that a parent has the right to keep children home or to pick them up from school early if they feel weather conditions require this action.

LATE START OR CANCELLED

In the event that school needs to be cancelled or delayed, families will be alerted via a phone call. You can also check the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us for updated information. Announcements will also be made on local radio and television stations. Please avoid calling the school or the Instructional Planning Center. Phone lines are needed for emergency communications.

• If school is one hour late, breakfast will be served.
• If school is two hours late, breakfast will NOT be served.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Storms occasionally move in during the day. If school is dismissed early, families will receive a phone call and the information will appear on the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us. Dismissals will be referred to as “one hour early” or “two hours early” due to the number of different building schedules. It is very important that every family has a plan for early dismissal. Be sure your student knows where to go in case no one is at home. Talk to your student about his/her safety during winter weather emergencies. Make sure students are properly dressed for predicted weather conditions: walking home, waiting for the bus, or being delayed on a bus in a weather-related situation.

The SFSD will continue learning on Emergency/Weather Closure Days - see expectations attached below. Remote Learning on Emergency/Weather Closure aims to continue student learning and growth while students are away from school.

Discovery’s online spirit wear store is now open! To order, go to https://stores.inksoft.com/discovery_explorers/shop/home. The store will close at noon on Friday, November 21.

Looking for care outside of school time? Our Community Learning Center (CLC) is enrolling now! Fill out the following form and a CLC team member will contact you: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1p_Ro1wG5uae92dYnlipm65d9NPXnoZaV_oVxhI7vdTc/edit

211 Holiday guide - If you are looking for resources or a way to give back, the 211 Holiday guide is a great place to go: https://www.helplinecenter.org/2-1-1/resource-guides/create/?templateid=703071.

Students continue to become Kelso's Choices Experts! They are getting so good at trying at least two Kelso's Choices to solve small problems, but reporting BIG problems to an adult right away when someone feels hurt or scared.

In 4th Grade, students are learning about the Wellness Triangle. The Wellness Triangle has three parts: Social Health, Physical Health, and Mental+Emotional Health. Students learned that if any side of the triangle is out of balance, then it affects the other parts. Students shared how well they do in each category and set one tiny SMART goal of how to improve their Wellness Triangle. Students learned that the Wellness Triangle is a tool that they can use to check in with their wellness.

Email: Daniel.Fischer@k12.sd.us

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jodi DeHaven

Email: Jodi.DeHaven@k12.sd.us

Location: 1506 South Discovery Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-3530 Fax: 605-362-3535