District Dialogue

The big announcement that Sonia Sotomayor was named one of only 297 schools across the nation as a Blue Ribbon School for 2022 came last Friday morning where students and staff gathered on the playground to take what was thought to be an all-school photo, but was actually the lead into the exciting announcement! Following the photo, students and staff gathered into the gym where Principal Tracy Vik made the announcement that they received this distinguished recognition based on the school's overall academic performance. The gym erupted with claps and cheers!

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

A celebratory assembly with administrators, school board members, former educators, parents, and community members will take place in the next few weeks.

Congrats to Principal Vik, and all the staff members at Sonia Sotomayor!

The Sioux Falls School District has seen a lot of technological advances in the last few years. From new Viewboards in classrooms, laptops for all staff, several new software implementations, a brand new website, and the regular day-to-day tasks, our IT department has gone the extra mile.

Please help us say thank you tomorrow, September 20th, to all of our IT staff who keep SFSD a technology-forward district!

The United States has designated September 15 through October 15, 2022 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Starting in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was initially observed as Hispanic Heritage Week and has since extended to a full month starting in 1988. During this time we recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

If your school, classroom, or student group is celebrating this important month in a unique way, we would love to see it! Send us a picture(s) and a brief description by clicking the button below! We will share them in District Dialogue and on social media throughout the month.

This Education Assistant (EA) at our Joe Foss program at Axtell Park goes above and beyond for students and staff alike. She's a reassuring presence, a willing helper, and a dedicated professional who brightens the days of everyone around her. Get to know Pam below!

A reminder that the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is offering grants to teachers who have innovative ideas for classroom projects through the Excellence in Education initiative.

The Excellence in Education initiative has funded hundreds of programs and activities created by teachers throughout the Sioux Falls area looking to provide an enriching educational experience to their students.

Grants for up to $1,500 will be awarded to successful proposals. The selection panel will consider proposals for —
* Projects or activities that teach concepts in an innovative and creative way
* New curriculum or enhancements to existing curriculum
* Projects or activities that are implemented school-wide or in one classroom
* Projects or activities that will be completed by the end of the school year

Submissions must be received by September 30, 2022 at midnight.

• As of 7/1/2022, your reimbursement account(s) are now being administered on our enhanced HealthEquity platform. Submit your claims with dates of service beginning as of the date above or after on our new platform at healthequity.com/wageworks.
• For claims with dates of service prior to the date above, continue to submit them to the TakeCare platform, at takecarewageworks.com, through 08/31/2022 to spend down your account balance.
• Effective 8/31/2022, you will no longer have access to your accounts on the TakeCare by WageWorks platform. Please be sure to download any statements or any other documents you may need.
• Between 9/1/2022 and 9/15/2022, your account and remaining balance will move to the new HealthEquity platform. We ask that you do not submit any claims during this blackout period.
• Effective 9/16/2022, all claims may be submitted on our new platform and you have until September 28th, 2022 to submit any remaining claims.

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

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

Click the links below to register for Sand Creek EAP’s live October webinar.

• Wednesday, October 12th: 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Recognizing the Signs of Depression in a Team Member.

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

Stretching is a component of fitness that many people find a way to skip, but there are many benefits of stretching that might just make you add it to your daily workout routine. People who make time for stretching may find that it helps their workouts and daily life.

Benefits of Stretching

1. Improves flexibility – Stretching can help increase your range of motion.
2. Can help you better recruit your muscles when working out – Stretching can help increase your performance when working out.
3. Makes day-to-day life feel easier – Increasing flexibly can make everyday life better too. Many daily tasks involve some level of flexibility.
4. Primes you for your workout – Dynamic stretching before a workout can prepare your body to both produce and absorb high forces.
5. May decrease your risk of injury – Warming up before a workout can help reduce your risk of injury.
6. Helps calm your body after exercise – Stretching at the end of your workout helps lower your heart rate, calm your breathing, increase blood flow, boost oxygen levels, and help deliver nutrients to your body and your muscles.

Adapted from Self.com

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2022-2023 to protect yourself, your family, and your community from flu. The more people vaccinated; the more people protected. Please do your part and get a flu vaccine this fall.

Dates & Times of Flu Shot Clinics that will take place in the IPC Board Room

• Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 12:00 pm (Noon) to 6:00 pm
• Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm