Sioux Falls School District - Educate and prepare each student to succeed in a changing world

Happy American Education Week! 🍎🥳📚 This week, we are celebrating all the incredible people who make our schools special places for students to learn and grow! From teachers and counselors to nurses, nutrition pros, education assistants, administrative staff, custodians, substitutes, and so many others, you all are the heart of what makes our schools thrive. Thank you for everything you do to make a difference in the lives of our students. Let's celebrate YOU this week and the amazing future we are building together!

Help shape the future of the Sioux Falls School District by completing a survey about the most desired qualities of the next superintendent. The SFSD School Board is using an educational leadership search firm to gather input. https://hyasurvey.com/SiouxFalls

On Friday, Washington High School hosted its first Indigenous Lunch and Learn event, featuring Mato Wayuhi! Mato, an Oglala Lakota artist originally from South Dakota, is a true force of creativity. He’s the musical composer for the award-winning FX/Hulu series Reservation Dogs and was recently honored on the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Hollywood & Entertainment. His powerful message resonated with the roughly 25 students who attended the event. The students asked thoughtful questions and even shared parts of their own journeys. Seeing the students engaged across the two lunch sessions filled our hearts with hope and pride for the future. This event marks the beginning of a monthly series hosted by Washington High School in collaboration with the Sioux Falls School District Office of Indian Education. Each month, speakers will highlight the importance of mental health and share their paths to success, aligning with the core values of the Circle of Courage: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. Stay tuned for more stories and inspiration from this incredible series!

Join experts from SFSD and Avera Behavioral Health for our next Family Forum focusing on "parenting with a purpose: vaping, alcohol, and drug use." We'll see you on Tuesday at 6 pm. Watch for the link in your email.

Looking for something fun to do next weekend? Look no further! Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School Theater presents, “A Christmas Story: The Play!” Join us for this classic tale filled with holiday nostalgia, laughter, and iconic moments. Will Ralphie get his Red Ryder BB gun? Only one way to find out! We “triple dog dare you” to be there! Showtimes: 📌 Thursday, November 21st, at 7 PM 📌 Friday, November 22nd, at 7 pm 📌 Saturday, November 23rd, at 2 PM Come support our talented student performers and get into the holiday spirit! (Scan the QR code on the poster to purchase tickets or buy at the door!)

This week, the Sioux Falls School District proudly celebrates National School Psychology Week, where we recognize the invaluable contributions of our school psychologists! Our school psychologists help foster positive learning environments and support students' mental health and well-being. Their expertise and compassion help build student resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and reach their highest potential. THANK YOU to all our school psychologists for playing a crucial role in our schools. Your talents make a lasting difference in the lives of our students, staff, and families. Happy National School Psychology Week!

Students from Sonia Sotomayor (pictured in this photo) and the rest of the Sioux Falls School District would like to wish you a Happy Veteran's Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 South Dakota public schools proudly recognize and support the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Their sacrifices and dedication have upheld the values and freedoms we cherish, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to protecting our nation. Our schools are committed to instilling respect and appreciation for veterans among our students, helping them understand the importance of service and dedication. We invite our community to join us in expressing heartfelt gratitude and respect for our veterans. Thank you to all our veterans for your service and sacrifice!

In honor of Veteran's Day, Welding, Auto Body, and Auto Tech students at the CTE Academy had the incredible opportunity to hear from local veterans during a special presentation during their first and second blocks yesterday. The special guests shared powerful stories about their military service, the training they received, and how they applied their skills after returning to civilian life. They also honored local Medal of Honor recipients and gave a moving demonstration on how to properly display and retire the POW/MIA flag for ceremonies. We are grateful for the veterans' service and for the meaningful experiences they shared with our students! 🇺🇸

Sonia Sotomayor Elementary continued its long-standing tradition of honoring the brave individuals who have served in the armed forces with its annual Veteran’s Day assembly celebration. Students welcomed current and former service members into the school, allowing students and staff to show their respect and gratitude. The gym echoed with cheers as the veterans filled the elementary gym. The assembly began with a presentation of the colors from Lincoln High School’s Marine Corps JROTC and a performance of the National Anthem from the Edison Middle School Inventions choir. Students learned about the history of Veteran’s Day and enjoyed a special patriotic performance by the 3rd graders. As the veterans exited the gym, students shared smiles and high-fives, thanking them for their service! We are so grateful for the sacrifices of all veterans who make our freedom possible! See the full assembly from today here ---> https://youtu.be/bM4dRNS1vwU?si=NylR4AjS3FyXarAH

REMINDER! Sioux Falls School District schools and offices will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11, in honor of Veteran’s Day. Thank you to all who have served! Especially SFSD staff members who proudly serve(d) in our schools and on the front lines. 🇺🇸

Happy National STEM Day! Every day, teachers across the Sioux Falls School District bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to life in their classrooms. Engaging lessons and creative problem-solving help to spark student curiosity and encourage critical thinking. Thanks to the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation's Public School Proud Grant program, educators can enhance these lessons with hands-on, immersive opportunities that make STEM even more impactful. Teachers have brought in tools like 3D printers, virtual reality headsets, programmable robots, drones, and more through these Public School Proud Grants. These resources allow students to explore STEM concepts in real-world ways, helping to inspire a love for discovery! Today, we are celebrating educators and students making strides in STEM each day!

Congratulations to our newest All Star Angie Carda! ✨ As a teacher in the Learning Adventures preschool program at Robert Frost Elementary, Angie has a very special gift for creating a warm and welcoming environment where our youngest learners feel safe and excited to come to school each day! From teaching the little learners colors and numbers to building social skills, Angie has a special presence in the classroom. She is always smiling and full of joy! Angie was nominated by her colleague, Stacy Felt, who celebrated Angie for her unwavering positivity and the care she shows each child. Stacy shared, “She brightens up the room every time she walks in, and the kids trust her completely. Her enthusiasm, love, and respect for students is unmatched!” Thank you, Angie, for the positivity and compassion you bring to your students and school community! See Angie's magic in action here! ---> https://youtu.be/JwLc7NBhmpU?si=BkrlrDQEVtZECbip

It’s Election Day! 🗳️🇺🇸🗳️ Today is especially exciting for many of our high school students, as they cast their ballots for the very first time in a government election! These students have been working hard to prepare, researching national and local candidates as well as amendments and measures, ensuring they’re informed when they step into the voting booth. For several of them, voting feels like a milestone. Washington High School senior Chase Sayabath shared, “Voting really does matter. Voicing your opinion is always important, and pushing for what you believe in is always valid. It’s good to try to make a difference where you can.” Join students like Chase, James, Joe, Teonna, and Emily in doing your part as a U.S. citizen today, VOTE! It's not just for our future but for the future of our students.

Meet our most recent SFSD All Star, Rose Ruffinott! ✨ Rose is a superstar first-grade teacher at Lowell Elementary. She was nominated for the award by her colleague, Debra Rodgers, who describes her as “the epitome of a perfect first-grade teacher.” Her kindness, empathy, and dedication to her students are felt every single day. Whether it’s waiting with a student whose ride is late, or bringing creativity to life by involving her students in decorating the classroom door, Rose always goes the extra mile to make her classroom a welcoming and creative space. Please help us congratulate Rose on this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for all you do, Rose!

Discovery Elementary 5th grade student council set out with a BIG goal - to collect 1,000 pairs of new socks to be donated to the Bishop Dudley House. Not only did they meet their goal, they surpassed it! On Friday, the council celebrated as they proudly handed over a whopping 1,081 pairs of socks to help those in need! Did you know, since 2007, the month of November has been recognized as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month? As many as 2.5 million youth experience homelessness per year. Representatives from the Bishop Dudley House were in attendance on Friday to collect the donated socks. Student council members had the opportunity to meet with the representatives to learn more about Bishop Dudley's mission and how their donation will make a difference for the people in our community. They asked thoughtful questions, learned about the impact of their efforts, and even helped load the socks up for delivery! Thank you to these young leaders for showcasing the power of kindness, generosity, and community!

A friendly reminder that daylight saving time ends this weekend! Make sure to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night to keep everyone on time for school on Monday!

What could a retired Marine and a third-grader possibly have in common? Their shared love for the Sioux Falls School District lunch truck, of course! You might remember these familiar faces from a heartwarming story we shared over the summer. Child Nutrition professional, Lonny Meno made one of his biggest fans’ dreams come true by creating and gifting a custom toy truck modeled after the SFSD lunch delivery truck to Michael, a third-grade student at Rose Parks Elementary. Michael, who has a special passion for vehicles, especially the SFSD lunch truck, was overjoyed when he received the gift! Fast forward to Halloween, and Lonny’s kindness has warmed hearts once again. Yesterday, he wore a custom SFSD lunch delivery truck costume, lighting the lunchroom with hundreds of smiles from students and staff alike! Lonny’s commitment to making students feel seen and valued is just one of the many ways he goes above and beyond for our school district. Thank you, Lonny, for “showing up” in extraordinary ways and making a difference every day. Your compassion and creativity remind us all of the joy that simple acts of kindness can bring! See Lonny & Michael's story here: https://youtu.be/eqVyNZ9rGI4?si=ZrN90j9Jiuk7qnfw

Sioux Falls students are the future of our community. When we show up for kids, we show them their education matters and help them prepare the build a brighter tomorrow for everyone. #ShowUpSF

🌟 Dreaming of making a difference? Start your teaching journey with the Sioux Falls School District! In this video, two of our dedicated teachers share how their experience as student teachers gave them real-world classroom skills and helped them land full-time roles with the District. SFSD offers a supportive community, professional growth, and the chance to shape future generations. Ready to take the first step? Watch their stories and imagine the possibilities. https://youtu.be/F20MHbf8-w0

Lights On Afterschool is a nation-wide initiative that puts a spotlight on the importance of out-of-school-time care. Community Learning Centers celebrated with parties at sites across SFSD, inviting in families to see what goes on after school on a day-to-day basis. In this episode of "Spotlight" we hear from some CLC experts on how they celebrated, the power of partnerships, and their plans for the future. Tune in on YouTube or Spotify! https://youtu.be/yDLPfPgvBiQ