District Dialogue

Dakota TESOL's Mission is to provide professional development and networking opportunities for ESL/EL professionals so they, in turn, can better meet the needs of those they serve.

Congratulations, Emily!

The Washington Pavilion held its 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last Friday evening before the Parade of Lights, which saw its largest crowd ever. A handful of Whittier Middle School students were the honored guests who got to flip the official light switch on the tallest tree in Sioux Falls to kick off the holiday season.

Reminder that nominations are open for the 35th Annual Dr. John W. Harris Teacher of the year Award!

The award is named for beloved Sioux Falls educator and former superintendent, John W. Harris who said “Human contacts are the key element to education. What we are really trying to do is open doors and expand horizons. The horizons are different and the doors lead to different opportunities… but what we are about has not changed.”

Nominations are due Monday, January 16, 2023 by 5 pm.

Teacher of the Year Celebration is Monday, February 27, 2023

More information can be found here ---> https://siouxfallssd.sites.thrillshare.com/page/teacher-of-the-year-program

A committee of Sioux Falls School District administration, two School Board members and various staff has developed the proposed budget guidelines for the FY24 budget of all funds of the District.

The guidelines require most General and Special Education cost centers to include three levels of funding:

• Level Three: 100% of prior year program
• Level Two: 99% of prior year program
• Level One: 96% of prior year program

Read the full report by clicking below.

Immediately following high school, 55% of 2021 Sioux Falls School District graduates went on to further their education at a postsecondary institution. While over half of the 2021 graduates enrolled in a postsecondary program immediately following high school, data from 2014 to 2021 shows another 6% of graduates will enroll any time within two years post-high school. More graduates choose to enroll in out-of-state institutions compared to previous years, which caused a slight decrease in in-state institution enrollment.

Read the full report by clicking 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/

Nominate a staff member - veteran or new - who embraces the mission/vision of the Sioux Falls School District with excellence and professionalism. This is a staff member who leaves their mark without fanfare – an unsung hero – the person you would like to clone due to attitude, efficiency, and reliability. This person looks for ways to improve the school environment for students and staff while also improving themselves. Someone you're proud to work beside each day.

Our Place is a bittersweet one-hour show about how one location, on a dock, can bring so much meaning to various people.

Showtimes are as follows:

• Thursday, December 1st: 7 pm
• Friday, December 2nd: 7 opm
• Saturday, December 3rd: 2 pm and 7 pm

* Tickets may be purchased up to a half hour in advance in front of the auditorium

Come support the 14 cast members and roughly 40 crew members who have taken part in the preparation.

From now until Friday, December 2nd at 5:00 pm, when you purchase a new Flex Book you will get two (2) additional vouchers FOR FREE and ONE FREE TICKET LEVEL UPGRADE! That’s 12 total flex vouchers for the price of 10, which are all good to be used in any increment for any of the remaining Stampede Home Games this season, which goes all the way until April 2023. That’s over $20 per ticket in savings through our Flex Books!

Call (605) 275-4625 or visit sfstampede.com to purchase

A new year brings new health goals, and we’re making it easier to prioritize your health in the new year. All SFSD employees and their spouses that are on the SFSD medical plan have a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card by participating in our Personal Health Assessment and wellness activities.

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

• Wednesday, December 14th: 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Family Dynamics During the Holidays
• Wednesday, January 11th: 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Managing Your Money in Tough Times

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

The Human Resources Department will be offering an informational meeting on the District Retirement Incentive outlined in the SFEA Collective Bargaining Agreement via Zoom. This meeting is for Teachers (SFEA) only. Guests are welcome. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded and sent out via District Dialogue.

Join Zoom Meeting:

Tuesday, December 13th – 4:10 – 5:00pm

Tuesday, January 10th – 4:10 – 5:00pm

https://sdk12.zoom.us/j/2539207779

Please contact benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us with questions.

November is National Diabetes Month. This is a time when communities across the country bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on managing diabetes. Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. It has also been linked to certain cancers. It affects about 37 million Americans. Knowing your diabetes ABCs will help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Diabetes ABCs

A for the A1C test - The A1C test shows your average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months. The goal for many is an A1C below 7 percent.

B for Blood Pressure - The blood pressure goal for those with diabetes is 140/90 mm HG.

C for Cholesterol - You have two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. Too much bad cholesterol can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your blood vessels. Ask your health care team what your cholesterol numbers should be.

Choosing fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, chicken, fish, lean meats, and nonfat milk and cheese can help manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Making physical activity part of your daily routine can also help manage your diabetes.

Managing diabetes isn’t easy, but it’s worth it!

Adapted from NIH

‘Tis the season of holiday cooking and baking! Share your favorite recipe(s) with us to have them featured in our District community cookbook. Recipe submissions will be accepted until Tuesday December 20th. To submit, fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/J4ByLmxsPDw6oSgW6.

Questions or troubles submitting the Google form? Contact Kate DiPasquale at kate.dipasquale@k12.sd.us.

Each week we want to introduce you to some pets in our Sioux Falls School District community. Say hello to Bella & Saffy, Boy, Captain & Bucky, Charlie & Phineas, Cooper & Tucker, Daisy, Duck, Finn, Izzabella & Maggie, Jason, Kix, Kota, Lola, Lulu & Zola, Mickey & Rosie, Nova & Wrigley, Oakley, Odin, Ollie, Rory & Reese, Rosie, Sully, Tilly, Tucker, Wilson, and Winyfur!

Thank you to everyone that submitted their pets! We are going to continue to showcase those that were submitted but are no longer accepting new submissions.