District Dialogue

It's never too early in the year to celebrate your co-workers! The Sioux Falls School District is looking for nominees for our various "Star" awards for the 2022-2023 school year.

New this year, we have combined the video program formerly known as the Staff Stars into the All-Star category to eliminate confusion. The traditional All-Star award launched last year (including a balloon and Starburst candy) is delivered to the work location by the Superintendent. The video All-Star Award will feature the nominee doing their job. All of our All-Stars will be entered into a monthly drawing for a free car wash package from our partners at Silverstar Car Wash!

⭐2021-2022 All-Star winners can be found here ---> https://www.smore.com/v25c3

⭐2021-2022 Staff Star videos can be found here ---> https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmNVZDDoZjRqLnJP8BBY_XrLwW-QHa095

In-building awards like the Blazing Star and Rock Star award will also be available again this year.

The first of two t-shirt pick up days is tomorrow, Tuesday, August 15. Starting at 9 am, a drive-through line will be set up on the east side of IPC between the IPC parking lot and the Robert Frost Elementary lot until 1 pm. We will have two one-way lanes for staff to enter to drive-through and "order" your size. Please see the detailed map below for a better visual.

The second drive-through date will be next Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 9 am to 1 pm.

If you cannot make either of the dates work in your schedule, the shirts will be available for pick up in the lobby of IPC after 1 pm on August 23rd.

If you intend to pick up a shirt for a co-worker, please communicate/coordinate with them first, so we make sure to have enough for those who want one. (Please note that you are not required to take one.)

More information about REACH Literacy can be found here ---> https://www.reachliteracy.org/

Papa Murphy's is celebrating the start of the new school year with an exclusive offer for Sioux Falls School District teachers and staff! Enjoy 50% off one regular-price pizza by using the code BTS1722.

This special "Back to School" promotion begins Thursday, August 17, and is valid through Tuesday, August 22, 2022.

This offer begins Friday, August 18 and runs through Monday, August 21, 2022. Bring your school I.D. to redeem this exclusive offer.

You are invited to Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation Night at the Birdcage on Saturday, August 27th! This is also a fundraiser for the Foundation, so by purchasing a ticket, up to $5 per ticket goes back to the Foundation for our public schools. Game time is 6:05 pm.

Enjoy this special discounted ticket at $17.

Wellness Program Guides have been mailed out by HMC HealthWorks for employees who had medical insurance as of July 1st, 2022.

Employees who had their insurance start after July 1st, 2022, will receive their Wellness Program Guide in the next couple of months.

How Do I Get Started?

1. Go to https://hmchwwellness.com/SFSD
2. Click the “Sign Up” icon
3. The Participant Sign Up window will appear, and you will need to enter:
1. Last Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Last four digits of your SSN

IMPORTANT: Please sign up using your own last name, date of birth, and social security number, even if you are not the primary on the health plan.

Questions about the Wellness Program? Email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us.

At times, all of us face personal or work-related struggles in our lives. The District is pleased to offer the Sand Creek Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help employees and their families find support and the necessary resources when difficult situations arise. Additionally, the EAP is an excellent option for webinars, articles, and other resources to help support our well-being. Our EAP through Sand Creek is free, professional, and confidential. Read on for more information about our Sand Creek Employee Assistance Program.

Preventative health care can sometimes cost a little money and time, which can be hard for some when they are feeling completely healthy. With that being said, here are some reasons why preventative health care is a must:

Improves your health in the long-term. Preventative care can catch potential problems before they become real problems.

Increases lifespan. Preventative care can increase your lifespan because it allows you to catch things early and treat them.

Avoid high medical expenses. It is a lot less expensive to get preventative health care than to wait until there is a health problem.

Preventative health care is included as part of our Wellmark Medical Plan, with most services at no cost to you! It’s also one of the three requirements for the 2022-2023 Wellness Program.

Adapted from Noora Medical Center