There will be no school from Monday, December 23rd, 2024, to Wednesday, January 1st, 2025. We look forward to seeing you again on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025!

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!

Please complete the staff survey that was emailed to you on Wednesday, December 4th! If you haven't yet completed this survey, please try to do so soon. Hearing from staff is invaluably important, and this is the perfect opportunity to let SFSD know how you feel. The survey is totally anonymous, so please be completely honest and transparent in your completion.

Please complete the survey by THIS FRIDAY, December 20th..

We look forward to hearing from you!

This week’s All Star is Jamie Cota, 8th grade science and biology teacher at George McGovern Middle School!

Nominated by colleague Heidi Freese, Jamie is described as an exceptional teacher and a tireless leader in the school community. In addition to inspiring her students in the classroom, Jamie coaches four sports, leads the student council, organizes the school yearbook, manages the school’s social media, and runs both the WEB and Empowered programs."Her dedication and versatility are truly remarkable," Heidi shared.

Thank you, Jamie, for your commitment to excellence and for making such an impact on George McGovern Middle School!

High school is a time for students to explore their passions and discover their community. For many, theater provides a unique space for growth, creativity, and connection.

In this month’s episode of the SFSD Podcast: Spotlight, we’re taking a closer look at the Roosevelt High School Theatre program. Hear how this performing arts community helps students build lasting friendships, develop confidence, and create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime!

After a decade of buying and building bikes for kids in need, the local non-profit Chariots for Children delivered its last shipment this week to schools and other non-profits in Sioux Falls. The Ingalls and Broadbent Families began the charity ten years ago and are moving on to support other needs in the future. Schools receiving the bikes use them as incentives for improved attendance and give them to children who need to get themselves to school. The Community Learning Centers also received a large shipment of bikes that will, in part, be raffled off during their family wellness fairs.

(Please note, you are unable to click on PDF links through smore. Access the links below OR download the full PDF by clicking the button below.)

AI Spotlight:

revision history

Additional Resources:

Sources include the University of Kansas, An Empirical Study of AI, & Control Alt Achieve.

AI Update provides regularly updated information regarding AI in the Sioux Falls School District. Ready to learn more about AI? Reach out here.

Ticket purchasing details coming soon!

All school personnel certified through the Department of Education, including teachers and administrators, are required to complete youth suicide awareness and prevention training as outlined in South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 13-42-71. This initiative supports the state’s commitment to addressing student mental health. According to the law, educators must complete an approved training program before beginning employment and at least once every five years thereafter.

Effective July 1, 2024, the South Dakota Department of Education transitioned the responsibility for tracking youth suicide awareness and prevention training from the Certification Office to the Office of Accreditation. Consequently, training records are no longer maintained by the state; it is now the responsibility of individual districts to track their certified educators.

To comply with this requirement, please complete the following steps:

1. Submit your training certificate by uploading it through this brief Google form.
2. Complete the required training (if not already done). A list of approved online training options is available at South Dakota Suicide Prevention Resources. The training takes approximately two hours.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Human Resources at (605) 367-7661.

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.

New for 2025! As of January 2025, SandCreek will be using the WebEx Platform for their webinars. Multi Language closed captioning will be available at that time!

For many individuals and families, managing finances can be a challenge. If you reach the end of the month and feel like money controls every aspect of your life, this session is for you. Participants will learn essential skills to take control of their finances, communicate effectively about money, and develop a personalized plan to achieve their financial goals. Join us to gain confidence in your financial decisions and start building a path toward financial success.

Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Register Online!

In this seminar, participants will reflect on the challenges of the past few years and explore how adversity can fuel personal growth. We’ll dive into what it means to be mentally tough, how to find the positive in negative situations, manage ambiguity, and react with agility to change. Finally, we’ll explore the concept of “grit,” as defined by Dr. Angela Duckworth—passion and sustained persistence toward long-term goals. This essential skill is crucial for personal and professional success in today’s fast-paced world. Join us to strengthen your resilience and cultivate the grit needed to thrive!

Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Register Online!

The SFSD wellness program platform is getting a fresh new look, launching at the beginning of the year. Navigate Wellbeing Solutions, the partner that brings you your wellbeing platform, embarked on a mission to enhance the platform's user experience.

What you need to know about this update-seamless transition!

Navigate is committed to making this switchover as smooth as possible. The experience itself should help you feel like the platform is very familiar and will function as you expect as you work on your wellbeing goals.

Visit www.sfsdwellness.com to view your portal!

Take Nature Walks

Weather permitting, schedule time during the day to enjoy nature. Take a stroll around a safe neighborhood or park.

Monitor the Weather and Plan Ahead

Weather forecasts give several days' notice to prepare your week. Be sure to monitor the weather, dress appropriately, and plan your winter activity accordingly.

Wear Layers

Wear several layers of comfortable clothing so that items can be removed easily as you become warmer. Layers will help guard against overheating, sweating, and eventually becoming colder.

Workout Online

Consider tuning into a TV, online, live Zoom, or Instagram workout class. Find free or low-cost exercise videos online to help you do aerobics, dance, stretch, and build strength.

Do Some Chores

When bad weather keeps you from going outside, look for ways to be physically active indoors. Housework such as vacuuming, sweeping, and cleaning all count towards your physical activity goals. And you'll knock out some items on your to-do list while gaining health benefits. Walking or running up and down stairs in your home can be a great workout, too.

Volunteer in Active Ways

Help others while helping yourself. Look for volunteer opportunities that involve physical activity, such as walking dogs for elderly neighbors or shoveling snow.

Adapted from the CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention