District Dialogue

At tonight's annual meeting, current board members Carly Reiter and Nan Baker were sworn in and will start their three-year terms on the Sioux Falls School Board. This will be Carly's sixth term and Nan's third.

Other changes include a new School Board President and Vice President.

During their presentation to the Board, Principal Sharping and teachers Megan Horkey, and Kenzie Erickson shared information about a new Summer Academy program they launched in June for PHMS kids going into sixth or seventh grade who may need additional support socially and/or academically.

Students chosen to be part of the new program were provided experiences they don't typically receive during the normal school year. Experiences included going to City Hall where they got to meet Mayor TenHaken and other city officials, going out to a restaurant to learn social etiquette, a trip to Stensland Farms, helping to learn how to navigate the city bus system, and many more! The unique experiences gained through this Summer Academy provided students a way to build connections with not only their peers but with outside community members as well. Overall they saw a great amount of success during this inaugural year and are hoping to continue and expand next summer.

Each year, all schools in the District submit their School Improvement Plan to the School Board for approval prior to sending to the state. SIPs are a requirement for school accreditation through the South Dakota Department of Education, as well as for accountability for Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The SDDOE is in the process of revising criteria to identify schools for Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) status. The criteria are expected to be announced in August or September of 2022. Schools identified for TSI will revise their SIPs to focus on identified areas in need of support.

As required by the SDDOE, all plans must measure the degree of growth in student performance, a set of interventions selected to cause student growth to occur, and a professional development plan to ensure that all staff are equipped to implement the plan. The impact of SIPs will be noted in the annual achievement update to the Board in the fall.

View the full Executive Summary by clicking below.

As a requirement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), every public school district in the country must submit plans to its state agency to describe how it will address the requirements of ESSA, as well as provide an outline of the specific activities the District will implement with funds allocated under Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV.

• Title I is designed to help students achieve academic proficiency with an emphasis on improvement to basic programs, migrant education, and to provide additional services to neglected and delinquent children.
• Title II supports efforts to ensure that every student is taught by a highly effective educator in an effective learning environment.
• Title III provides funding intended to help English Learners meet high academic standards.
• Title IV-Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE), a program established under ESSA, provides funds for student support and academic achievement.

SFSD's Consolidated Application is due to the SD Department of Education by July 1 each year.

View the full report by clicking below.

After hearing from stakeholders at a public hearing on the District's FY23 budget on April 11, 2022, the board tentatively approved the spending budget. Tonight, they unanimously approved a full adoption of the budget.

View the full report by clicking below.

We have exciting news to share with you! As of the July 2022 benefit month, your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will be administered on an enhanced HealthEquity proprietary platform! This communication informs you of important information about participating in these benefits.

📌 Important Transition Information 📌

See below for key dates and activities that may affect you during the transition period.

Current Plan Year Accounts | 7/1/2021 – 6/30/2022

• You will continue to submit claims and receive reimbursements through the run out period and grace period on the current system, if applicable. Visit TakeCareWageWorks.com to access your account. Your plan will remain on the Take Care by WageWorks platform for processing.
• If you have a Take Care by WageWorks debit card, it will remain active through the end of your current plan year of 6/30/2022.
• If you have FSA with the grace period, you will have access to your account through the grace period end date.
• You will need to submit Pay Me Back claims through MyFlexOnline, mobile application, fax, or mail during the grace period and/or run-out to access your account on the TakeCare by WageWorks platform.

New Plan Year Accounts | 7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023

• You will receive a new HealthEquity Healthcare debit card approximately 10-15 business days after your Employer processes enrollments if your plan allows for debit cards and you have an eligible election.
• You can begin to access your FSA funds on the HealthEquity healthcare card or submit for any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred. For a listing of eligible expenses, see our website at HealthEquity.com/WageWorks.

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

Whether you are considering retirement, new to the SDRS program, or have questions about your SDRS benefits, representatives will be available to answer all of your questions at the dates below. Appointments may be scheduled In person, by phone, or via virtual meeting.

Call 1-888-605-7377 or 605-773-3731 to schedule your appointment.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when your body starts to lose the ability to regulate its core temperature. Excessive exposure to heat can cause many symptoms, including:dizziness, fatigue, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting.

1. Stay hydrated - Staying hydrated is key to maintaining a healthy body temperature, particularly during exercise. Drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of physical activity. During exercise, keep a drink handy that contains salt, electrolytes, and small amounts of sugar, such as Gatorade or Powerade to replenish those substances you have lost while sweating.
2. Avoid outdoor activities when the heat is the highest - Keep in mind the time of day you’ll be outside, as early mornings and late evenings are the coolest times of the day. And always check the heat index, or the combination of the temperature and humidity levels, on a mobile app or online. When you see heat indexes in the high 90s or above, be especially careful about the amount of time you spend outside.
3. Wear appropriate clothing - Limit sun exposure when you’re outside by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and light, loose-fitting clothing. Also consider bringing an umbrella, awning, or overhang to protect yourself from the sun.
4. Slowly adapt your body to the heat outside- If you spend most of your time in the air conditioning and suddenly try to run five miles outdoors, your body might not be ready for that kind of heat exposure. It’s safer to gradually expose yourself to activity outside during the summer.

Adapted from MedStar Health