As we move into the final stretch of the school year, Dr. Stavem shares a timely message about navigating change. From shifts and the federal and state levels to transitions within our own District. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities change brings, whether it’s adjusting to a new budget, adapting to leadership changes, or supporting students through growth and challenges. With spring assessments and graduation on the horizon, we are reminded to stay flexible, focused, and committed to helping our students thrive!

Watch her full message at the link above!

Elise was nominated by her colleague Abby Anderson, who shared how Elise goes above and beyond to support her students. She diligently manages IEP and 504 accommodations, advocates for student success during integration meetings, and follows the school's special Tier 1 checklist with dedication. Elise collaborates with fellow educators to create impactful social skills activities, fostering connections and growth among middle and high school students.

Her classroom embodies the values of PRIDE (Positive, Respectful, Independent, Determined, and Engaged) setting a standard of excellence for her students and her student teacher.

Thank you Elise for your commitment to creating equal opportunities for all students! You are an inspiration! ✨

Congratulations to these recent Public School Proud recipients:

• Alexandra Locy and Megan Knust from Susan B. Anthony.
• Rachel Philips, Cait Haug, Justin Stanford, and Angie Klopstad from Discovery Elementary.
• Hannah Grapevine, Darcy Cunningham, and Casie McFarlane from Anne Sullivan Elementary.
• Melissa Guebert, Becky Josephson, Amanda Hotchkin, Josee Biberdorf, Sara Wiebelhaus, Lindsey Hinsch, and Amy Staples from Oscar Howe Elementary.
• Heidi Black and Kristi Vanderlip from Harvey Dunn Elementary.

🥳🥳🥳

Starting April 1st, stop by the second floor of the Washington Pavilion to see unique, one-of-a-kind masterpieces created by Harvey Dunn Elementary students! Their artwork will be featured as part of the "Off the Fridge" program, showcasing the creativity and talent of our young artists.

The weather is getting nicer and each day we inch a little closer to the end of the school year. And we all know, nice weather + closer to the end of the school year = NEED MORE/STRONGER COFFEE!

Well you're in luck! For only $10, you can get yourself a big bag of coffee that will 'perk' you right up! And even better, ALL PROCEEDS of the sale go back to our schools.

You can order and pay through this link and pick up at IPC (see Vicky Vetter in the CLC) or request the coffee be sent to your school office.

Our 64th Annual Employee Recognition Banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00pm at the Country Club of Sioux Falls. Join us for an evening celebrating staff with 25-years of service and our retirees! Tickets are $25.

Ways to Purchase:

🎟️ Online via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/EVNLLTA88J6WA

🎟️ In-person at the Instructional Planning Center (check payable to Sioux Falls School District or exact cash only)

This week we celebrate Judy Dick, Karen Kayl, Chuck Ridgway, and Kathy Sundvold and their incredible careers with the Sioux Falls School District. Their dedication has been a guiding light, helping students and colleagues shine brighter along the way. Now they’re stepping into a well-earned retirement, leaving behind a lasting constellation of excellence.

Take a moment to stop by their classrooms or send an email to share your well wishes as they reflect on their journey and step into this new season of life.

Judy, Karen, Chuck, and Kathy - thank you for a lifetime of guiding, inspiring, and making a difference. Your impact will forever be part of the SFSD universe. Congratulations on your retirement!

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

SandCreek, our Employee Assistance Program, is free, confidential, and available to ALL Sioux Falls School District employees and their family members. As a part of their extensive list of offerings, SandCreek offers FREE monthly webinars that cover a variety of topics. Below are a couple upcoming ones!

To register for a SandCreek account, visit www.SandCreekEAP.com and click the “Sign Up” link just below the Log In button. Enter siouxfalls as your company code and complete the signup process! A confirmation email will be sent to complete the registration.

We’ve all made excuses to eat "junk" or "fast" food when life gets busy, but it doesn’t have to be that way! In this seminar, participants will learn realistic strategies to eat well, even with rising food costs in mind. We'll explore which items are worth paying a premium for and when it’s best to opt for organic products. Together, we’ll uncover practical steps to eating healthy while staying within your financial means. Join us to learn how to make smart, budget-friendly choices that support your health without sacrificing taste or quality!

Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Register Online!

Below are new opportunities posted within the last week. Be sure to check them out and apply online (at the link provided) if you’re interested! Please note, most job postings are open until filled. If you click on a link and receive an error message (“No matching records found”), it may mean the position has been filled. To view all Sioux Falls School District openings, please visit https://sf.schoolspring.com/.

• High School Assistant Principal at Jefferson High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5029916

• Head Cross Country at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5038797

• Custodian - Level GX - 1.0 FTE at Washington High School (Permanent): https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5034491
• Roving Substitute Custodian - Grade JX (Tuesday through Saturday) - 1.0 FTE (INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY): https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5035308
• Roving Substitute Custodian - Grade JX (Monday through Friday) - 3.0 FTE (INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY): https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5035312
• Custodial Engineer - Grade KX - 1.0 FTE at Axtell Park (INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY): https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5035344

• Breakfast / Personal Education Assistant - 0.875 FTE at Hayward Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4918799
• Lunch / Resource Education Assistant - 0.875 FTE at Hayward Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5035385

• 2025-26 School Psychologist - 1.0 FTE: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5034466

• 2025-26 Anatomy and Biology Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Washington High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5031432
• 2025-26 Physical Education Teacher with Coaching - 1.0 FTE at Roosevelt High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5036976
• 2025-26 High School Math Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Jefferson High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5038783
• 2025-26 Marketing Teacher with School Store - 1.0 FTE at Jefferson High School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5038796

• 2025-26 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Patrick Henry Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5031381
• 2025-26 Middle School Social Studies Teacher (with or without Team Lead) - 1.0 FTE at Whittier Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5035244
• 2025-26 Middle School English Language Arts Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Whittier Middle School: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5035259

• 2025-26 Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Eugene Field A+ Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5031409
• 2025-26 Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Hayward Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5031420
• 2025-26 Early Childhood Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Harvey Dunn Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5031476
• 2025-26 Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Harvey Dunn Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5031478
• 2025-26 Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Robert Frost Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5034510
• 2025-26 Special Education Resource Teacher - Team Lead - 1.0 FTE at Oscar Howe Elementary: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5034517

• Extended School Year Behavior Facilitator at Axtell Park: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5028659
• Extended School Year Special Education Teacher at Axtell Park: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5028675
• Extended School Year Behavior Specialist at Axtell Park: https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5028688

Questions? Contact Kate Rovang at kate.rovang@k12.sd.us.

If you are under a tornado or severe weather warning now:

• Go to NOAA Weather Radio and your local news or official social media accounts for updated emergency information. Follow the instructions of state, local and tribal officials.
• Go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
• Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
• Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter.

Preparing for a tornado:

• Know your area’s tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes.
• Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone.
• Pay attention to weather reports. Meteorologists can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado.
• Identify and practice going to a safe shelter such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• Plan for your pet. They are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan.
• Prepare for long-term stay at home or sheltering in place by gathering emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies and medication.

Staying safe during a tornado in a car or truck:

• There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car, just slightly less-dangerous ones.
• If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado.
• If you are caught by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes.
• Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.
• If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
• Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.

Stay safe during thunderstorms and lightning:

• When thunder roars, go indoors! Move from outdoors into a building or car with a roof.
• Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
• Avoid using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
• Avoid running water.
• Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Content sourced from: Ready.gov - Department of Homeland Security