District Dialogue

The final week of Everybody Reads has us so, so close to our final goal! Over the weekend we flew past our second goal of 200,000 books read and we are right on track to meet our final goal this week of 300,000 books read! This is great news for our partners at Reach Literacy, who will receive a donation for every 100,000 books read up to 300,000. The galaxies adorning the halls of schools throughout the SFSD are filling up with stars to represent each book that a student has completed. Be on the lookout for many of these photos in the coming week!

This Islamic holy month can have a big impact on our Muslim students. Please read these helpful tips and important reminders to support our students who are observing Ramadan.

• Ramadan is the muslim month of fasting. Practicing muslim students will be fasting from dawn-dusk (6 AM to 8 PM).
• Fasting means NO FOOD and NO WATER.
• Ramadan celebrations often involve prayers late into the night.
• It is not unusual to be up past midnight for prayers and then get up around 5 am to eat before dawn and pray.
• Ramadan 2023 will last approximately from March 22 - April 21. Ramadan is scheduled on the lunar calendar so it moves dates each year.

Muslim students may be tired, hungry and dehydrated in your classes - especially if they are with you late in the afternoon.

The Carbs for Kids 5k & Bake Sale is meant to support the kids and youth in our community.

Kiwanis is a community of members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children in Sioux Falls. Every child has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children and youth such as fighting hunger, improving literacy, and offering guidance.

Come support a great cause and start your weekend off right with a fresh baked goodie!

All funds raised from the race and bake sale stay local.

An updated K12 science curriculum was approved by the school board at tonight's meeting. The recommendation brought forth aligns with the SD Board of Education and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The selected curriculum encourages a range of strategies to engage students and creates opportunities for students to demonstrate their thinking and learning. Resources include hands-on, real-world learning opportunities, engaging lessons for new and accelerated learners, and exposure to advanced concepts like technology and engineering.

The new curriculum will be adopted for the 2023-24 school year.

Click on the link below to view the full report.

• Number of education related bills SFSD tracked: 57
• Number of bills considered key bills: 4
• The district supported 3 bills
• The district opposed 1 bill
• 2 of the 3 key bills supported by the district passed.
• HB1123 allows school boards to opt for 2 or 4 year terms instead of 3 to allow Boards to combine with their municipality or county for all regular elections.
• SB24 sees schools receiving a 7 percent increase in the general and special education state aid formulas.
• The one key bill the district supported that failed was HB1122, which would have allowed 10th-grade students to participate in the State's dual credit program.
• The 1 bill the district opposed failed. HB1234 would have provided vouchers for students attending private schools.

Click on the link below to view the full report.

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!

47% of school kids live in poverty. This means they might not have money for school lunch, school supplies, winter boots, field trips, or washing their clothes. But you can help level the playing field by participating in some fun and practical ways. Join Levo Credit Union, The Sioux Falls Storm and Air Madness in this great effort.

ATTEND THE GAME
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Enjoy some local football that supports local kids. Bring your friends and family out for a night of food, field goals and fanfare.

50% of net proceeds will be donated to Operation Hope & Caring.

*Group tickets are available. Please contact: Stephanie Richter at stephanie.richter@siouxfallsstorm.com

This spring, Human Resources is celebrating District staff reaching milestone anniversaries in the current fiscal year (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023) based on their District hire date!

This week, join us in celebrating our staff who reach 30, 35, 40, and 45 years this year!

This week join us in celebrating Christine Griebel, Cindy Grothmann, Eileen Prince, and Susan Waagmeester! 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.

Christine, Cindy, Eileen, and Susan – thank you for a lifetime of making a difference and congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

Join us on April 18th, 2023 to celebrate our retirees and employees with 25 years of service. Tickets are available for $25 each and can be purchased here: www.bit.ly/SFSDBanquet2023

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

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.

Open Enrollment is coming in early April. Right now is the perfect time to review your benefits and decide if you need to make changes for the new plan year.

Please visit this link to be taken to the Benefit Enrollment page: https://boonchapman.benselect.com/Enroll/Login.aspx?Path=SFSchoolDistrict

• Your username is your employee number.
• Pin: last 4 of your social security number and last two in year you were born

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

Walking is a low-impact cardio activity that can provide many of the same benefits as jogging. Walking burns calories, trims the waistline, and is important for your lymphatic and immune systems.

Walking for fitness can help you:

• Manage your blood pressure.
• Reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• Manage your diabetes.
• Manage your weight.
• Reduce the risk of heart attack.
• Manage stress and improve your mood.
• Stay strong and active.
• Improve balance and coordination.
• Increase core strength.

Follow these 5 steps when getting started walking:

1. Start slowly - Start with a gentle 5 - 10 minute walk and slowly build up over time.
2. Set goals - Set realistic goals for yourself, such as 20 - 40 minutes of walking 5 days a week.
3. Plan continually - If you’re busy, still make time for short walks to keep your plan on track.
4. Don’t let the weather get you down - If the weather is not the best, consider walking indoors.
5. Plan several different routes, and make walking a social event - Add variety to your walking by taking several routes and invite friends to join you

Adapted from Mayo Clinic Health System