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

Now that we're in to our first full week of school for the 2024-25 school year, we're reminding drivers to be aware when school busses are on the road. Just remember this simple phrase when you come across a yellow school bus, "When the lights are flashing, no passing!" Not only is it common sense for the safety of students everywhere, it's the law.

Cheer may not be the first thing you think of when you hear "girls sports". But the dedication, passion, and athleticism that these girls posses is second to none! Sports offer huge benefits to the girls involved: Leadership opportunities, scholarship possibilities, and self-development are just a few. But perhaps most important - it's FUN to participate and spend time with friends old and new! https://youtu.be/FqvA-QZicEI

Work is steadily coming along at SFSD's newest upcoming addition, Marcella LeBeau Elementary! In this birds-eye view video you can also see progress being made on the new Boys and Girls Club addition to George McGovern Middle School. Exciting things are on the horizon for the northwest corner of the Sioux Falls School District! https://youtu.be/knjJiSDJ6F4

Earlier this week we heard from the WHS dance team about their preps for the season, now let's check in with the Roosevelt High School team! Sports offer huge benefits to the girls involved: Leadership opportunities, scholarship possibilities, and self-development are just a few. But perhaps most important - it's FUN to participate and spend time with friends old and new! https://youtu.be/kuwBULVkeUw

🏈📣 Get ready to cheer at the 2024 Presidents Bowl on Sept 14! 🥳 Join the Presidents Bowl Cheer Camp for a day of fun, cheers, and performance before the big game! Open to Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Register for $20 and get a camp t-shirt + game admission. 🎉 More info & sign up: https://gobound.com/sd/schools/presidentsbowl/camps #CheerCamp @SFPresBowl

Now that we're officially in week two of school, let's introduce this year's first 🤩🌟SFSD All-Star!✨💫 This week's All-Star is Stef Sage from Lincoln High School! She was nominated by her colleague Emily Koo, who had this to say, "I wholeheartedly nominate Stef Sage for the Staff Stars award. Her extraordinary ability to connect with students and families has a profound impact on our school community. Stef goes above and beyond to ensure students are prepared for success, from facilitating attendance to navigating complex paperwork like annual update forms, lunch applications, and medical update forms (dental and vaccines). She recently hosted an annual update event last Sunday, August 4th and despite the event "finishing" at 6, she stayed until after 8 assisting families. She is constantly over in hours because of all the extra work that needs to be done to make sure families get the assistance they need to start their students off on the right foot, especially at the high school level with the utmost importance placed on helping students meet cohort graduation deadlines by ensuring any transfer transcripts get sent to the registrar, and instilling the importance of good attendance in each family. In addition, Stef has an innate ability to build deep, lasting connections with the families on her caseload. Many students affectionately refer to her as their "school mom," a testament to the genuine care and support she provides. Stef possesses a unique talent for connecting with students on a personal level, fostering open communication and trust." Thank you for everything you do, Stef! The SFSD Experience wouldn't be what it is without people like you!

A new coach but a TON of veteran members combine for new opportunities this year at Lincoln High School. The foundations of this activity are trust, mutual support, and effort - everything falls into place after that. For many of these girls, cheer has been a major part of their lives, and it will continue to be... but the relationships that they've built through this sport are core to their being. https://youtu.be/fC5MFV5TI7I

When people think of dance, they don't always think of it as a sport. The Washington High School competitive dance team is here to show them otherwise! Sports offer huge benefits to the girls involved: Leadership opportunities, scholarship possibilities, and self-development are just a few. But perhaps most important - it's FUN to participate and spend time with friends old and new! https://youtu.be/KOnNhIcNd7s

Students who are chronically absent in one school year are 13x more likely to be chronically absent the next year. How can you help? Find out on our website, showupsf.com #ShowUpSF

Chronic absenteeism doesn't just affect a student's short-term academic success - it can also have lasting consequences on their future college and career prospects. Learn about the long-term impacts of missed school by going to showupsf.com #ShowUpSF

Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, August 30 or Monday, September 2 for Labor Day Weekend. Have a safe and relaxing time off!

Sports offer huge benefits to all the girls involved. The Lincoln High School Cross Country girls have been putting in the miles, and making friendships all along the way. Learn more here! https://youtu.be/aWNMB2qA8pk

Check in on all four SFSD high schools as they, along with Brandon, Brookings, Lennox, and O'Gorman work with clinicians throughout the day on August 24 at the 10th Annual RHS Marching Band Clinic! Hear from a couple of directors and students from each of our bands. https://youtu.be/Jq45C3OHth0

Teams have been practicing for a few weeks now, but fall sports are now in full swing! SFSD sports offer huge benefits to the girls involved: Leadership opportunities, scholarship possibilities, and self-development are just a few. But perhaps most important - it's FUN to participate and spend time with friends old and new! https://youtu.be/iuYpSetkTqM

Happy second day of school! 🏫 Let's make this a great year of learning 📓 and attendance🗓️. Chronic absenteeism is when a child misses 10% or more days of school. Did you know that the percent of students that were chronically absent increased from 14% to 21% from 2018-2023? Learn more on our website on how to help show up for these students. https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/o/sfsd/page/showupsf

And just like that...we're back for the 2024-25 school year! Hugs, photos, fist-bumps, beaming faces, shouts of excitement, you could feel the energy at schools all across SFSD this morning. Here's to a great year! Check out more photos on the SFSD Flickr page here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBEoQj

"This year our theme is simple, but powerful - Show up for kids. In a world that sometimes feels chaotic and uncertain, our purpose remains clear and unwavering - every day we have to show up to educate, inspire, and support our students." In this community message to students and families, Superintendent Dr. Stavem highlights some areas of interest for the year, and puts the focus back on our District Priorities. Let's start the year off with this uplifting message and get ready for tomorrow! https://youtu.be/3q882UUdnKs?si=CXlgl1kA_dlpWV21

This morning was a special day for staff at Garfield Elementary - 19. They were treated to a catered breakfast from the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation, but there was an extra surprise! The EF was also there to honor kindergarten teacher Jane Eilertson, who is the longest tenured teacher in the Sioux Falls School District. Jane has been teaching for 42 years, 40 of those years at Garfield Elementary! She says she still feels blessed to be able to serve the children of Garfield after all these years, and is looking forward to school starting tomorrow! Thank you, Jane, for you years of dedication and commitment to kids! Teachers like you are what make the SFSD Experience one-of-a-kind!

A big THANK YOU goes out to our partners at Architecture Incorporated for this year's SFSD t-shirts! Their generous donation allows for shirts to be distributed to staff District-wide, and they even helped hand some out this morning (in the rain)! These shirts represent the unity that is present throughout SFSD as we all work towards our shared goal: showing up for kids! Thank you Architecture Inc. for your continued support and commitment to staff and students!

If you have a student who went to open house at Hayward Elementary this evening, they may have the distinct pleasure of meeting Jen! Jen is new to the District and is ready to go for the first day of school in two days! Welcome to SFSD!