District Dialogue

November has been a busy month! Several schools have held events to honor Native American Heritage Month in our schools. Students at Washington are hosting a book drive for the second year with donations being delivered to Native American Reservations throughout the state. The Hawthorne librarian and art teacher collaborated on a project about Iktomi, the trickster in Oceti Sakowin culture. Student artwork was on display and all of the Iktomi books in the Hawthorne Library are already checked out! The Distric also highlighted the Fine Arts and Athletic accomplishments during the Fall Sports Season. All of our marching bands scored very well and ended with high placing. Many Fall theater performances were sell-outs. And, out of nine Fall sports, SFSD schools took home 5 championships! Congratulations to all!

The Sioux Falls School District offers academically rigorous Advanced Placement courses for students who wish to challenge themselves with college-level classes. AP courses are an integral part of the high school curriculum and every student is encouraged to take at least one AP class. SFSD also provides opportunities for students to earn college credits while still in high school through dual credit courses. The growth and evolution of these programs shows SFSD’s commitment to better preparing students for their futures while still in their traditional learning environment.

View the full report below.

A committee of Sioux Falls School District administration, two School Board members and various staff has developed the proposed budget guidelines for the FY25 budget of all funds of the District.

View the full report below.

The Sioux Falls School District School Board will have two vacancies next year when the terms of Kate Serenbetz and Marc Murren expire in July. A resolution was approved at tonight's meeting to designate April 9, 2024 as Election Day in conjunction with the Municipal Election for the City of Sioux Falls.

See the full report below.

SFSD is now seeking "ideas worth spreading!" Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2024 TEDx Youth Sioux Falls event! This event is open to any and all high school students who have a story or a passion to share. Last year's event was REMARKABLE, and this year we hope to build on that momentum.

We know there are a ton of great stories out there in SFSD high school classrooms! High school teachers/counselors/admin, please take a moment to encourage your students to consider this amazing opportunity to share their ideas with the world!

Your work-life balance and general well-being are as important to us as the work you contribute. That's why we’re excited to offer your savings marketplace, your one-stop shop for exclusive and convenient savings on the products, services, and experiences you know and love.

It’s cost-free and easy to enroll. Just visit https://sf.savings.workingadvantage.com and begin saving today on items like:

• Electronics

• Appliances

• Theme Parks

• Hotels, Flights, & Cruises

• Movie Tickets

• Rental Cars

• Gift Cards

• Apparel

• Cars

• Flowers

• Fitness Memberships

• Groceries

• Special Events

• And More!

The deadline to submit a proposal for funding consideration is Monday, December 4th at 12 p.m. noon.

Any educator (except administrators) can apply for up to $10,000 in funding to purchase materials that will give students hands-on, immersive opportunities. The smallest grant last year was $149, and the Education Foundation awarded two grants at the $10,000 level. The average award is typically around $2,500. Educators can submit a proposal for their classroom, their grade level, their building, or district wide. The Education Foundation will surpass $1 million in overall funding for this program during the 2023-2024 school year.

Please email (Allison.Struck@k12.sd.us) or call (605.367.4484) with questions.

Download the application below!

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher to Win $500!

Share the remarkable impact they have had on your life, and your favorite teacher could be awarded $500 to alleviate their out-of-pocket classroom expenses. Simply fill out the form to nominate your favorite teacher.

Nominations must be in by Friday, Dec 29, 2023. Winners will be announced by Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

SHINE stands for Scholarship, Honors, Innovation, Networking and Exceptionalism. We’re looking for stories we can tell about high school seniors, any-age students, staff (yes, you can and should absolutely fill out this form for yourself!), projects and programs. Have a new partnership that is benefitting the classroom? Win a grant you think the world should know about? Get nominated for or receive a state-wide, regional or national honor? Know a senior stand-out on a team, in the fine arts arena, or in the classroom? How about younger students who are leading by example, making giving to charity a priority, or are making the most of a bad situation? Should a program or portion of your school be highlighted? What about some current projects: experiments, field trips, new collaborative lessons?

Send your suggestions today, and keep this in mind for the days, weeks and months ahead!

Positive energy lets us be pro-active, and that lets us set our course on this journey called life. Sure, stuff will happen…guaranteed! But your ability to deal with it and heal from it will be much stronger if you choose positive energy more than negative. How can you generate positive, enthusiastic thinking instantly?

1. Use gratitude. It shifts energy almost instantly.

Count your blessings. Be grateful for each day. Wake up with a smile and be grateful for what will come! (Click here to review the ezine on gratitude.)

2. Use humor!

Have a joke in your hip pocket, watch something funny, read something humorous. (Click here to review the bonus ezine on humor.)

3. Choose positive words.

Watch your language. Choose positive greetings—to yourself and others! Look in the mirror and say, “You are amazing! You really are!” And say “Good morning!” with energy to others. (They’ll just wonder how great your evening was!)

4. Smile. Then smile some more.

It’s a universal language of caring and kindness and it's proven to have a positive impact on your energy.

5. Even on hard days, find one thing you want to do, just for you, and do it!

Let yourself feel the success, whether it’s folding paper or creating a new program. Success has a way of helping us create more success, and a good dose of positive energy! Eleanor Rooselvelt said, "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission." So don’t give anyone that permission. And to ward off those with that intention, take inventory of your strengths, the assets that make you an amazing person! Your positive energy is a choice you make every day. Remember: You are unique…you are special…you are amazing! Ethel Waters said, “Honey, God don’t make no flops.” My version as a 70’s kid: God don’t make no junk!

Own your power by choosing to be the most positive person you can be. If someone has stolen your energy, reclaim it. Just take it back. It’s yours to enjoy, nurture and grow. And that makes service—and life—pretty amazing!

Click the link below to register for Sand Creek EAP’s live webinars.

Wednesday, December 13th - 12:30pm - 1:30pm - Personal Fitness for Life

Wellness Program Guides have been emailed out to all employees who had their insurance start after September 1, 2023.

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:
• Last Name
• Date of Birth
• 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.

2023-2024 Preventative Care Form

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

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