Please help us extend a HUGE congratulations to Bruce Rekstad, Očéti Šakówiŋ Owáuŋspe Instructor at Washington High School, who was named the 37th Annual, Dr. John W. Harris, Teacher of the Year tonight!

Bruce's nominator shared this about him, “He tailors his lessons to be culturally relevant and engaging for Native American students, using methods that create a sense of belonging and respect for their heritage. He doesn’t just teach; he listens and learns about their struggles, dreams, and family lives. His dedication extends beyond academics—he tracks students’ progress throughout high school, offering encouragement and support when needed. By consistently showing that he cares, Mr. Rekstad empowers his students to believe in themselves and aspire to greater achievements. He understands that many of his students face significant obstacles, so he works tirelessly to create an inclusive atmosphere where every student has the opportunity to succeed. His methods are rooted in compassion and a deep belief in the potential of every student. His approach transforms lives and provides a model for how culturally responsive education can make a lasting impact. By weaving heritage into the curriculum, he creates a space where students feel connected and proud of their identity. Mr. Rekstad not only educates the broader school community but also instills pride and confidence in his Native students, showing them that their culture is valued and celebrated. His work ensures that Native traditions are not only recognized but are shared in a way that builds understanding and appreciation among all students, making a lasting impact on the school’s culture.”

THANK YOU, Mr. Rekstad, for your many years of dedicated service to education and the Sioux Falls School District!

A HUGE thank you to the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation for the incredible generosity in recognizing outstanding educators! New for this year, the Foundation awarded each of the remaining four Teacher of the Year finalists a gift of $1,000!

We appreciate their support in helping our educators feel valued and celebrated for the extraordinary impact they make on our students every day!

Everybody Reads is a collaborative initiative with Siouxland Libraries, and Augustana University, designed to inspire a love of reading in our schools and the broader community.

Throughout March, we will track the number of books read, and for every book logged, a piece of candy will be added to the candy machines at our schools and libraries.

If we reach our goal of 350,000 books, we will celebrate by making a donation to our friends at REACH Literacy!

Our 2025 themes is "Reach for a Sweet Read" - watch the video above to learn more, and get ready to see candy popping up all over our schools!

As the legislative session winds down, we get another update from Todd Vik on the status of all the bills relating to SFSD matters. Click the link below for a full rundown on the state off all the bills SFSD has been watching go through the capitol this season.

On Friday, March 14th meet with the University of South Dakota to explore your path to becoming a teacher! Whether you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in elementary, secondary, or special education, this is your chance to learn about your options, ask questions, and take the next step!

Bring a friend and discovery how you can turn your passion for education into a rewarding career!

Check your license - is it time to renew? If so, be sure to start your renewal process as soon as possible to avoid having your certification lapse!

To apply for your renewal, visit https://www.sd.gov/educator and log-in to the account you previously used for your certification. Once logged in, click “Apply” in the red bar at the top of the screen and locate the application titled “Educator Renewal Application.” Complete the application and include all requested documents.

Certification Renewal Links:

• Educator Portal (application website): https://www.sd.gov/educator
• Educator 411 (check your certification’s expiration date): https://www.sd.gov/411
• Renewal Requirements for Teachers: https://doe.sd.gov/certification/documents/RenewalRequ-teacher.pdf.
• Renewal Requirements for Administrators: https://doe.sd.gov/certification/documents/RenewalReq-Admin.pdf

Questions on Certification Renewal? Contact Kate Rovang at kate.rovang@k12.sd.us!

The City of Sioux Falls is looking to grow their Mosquito Control Team for this summer.

• Flexible full and part time positions available April-October
• Flexible start dates
• $18.12 per hour
• All training provided
• Science background preferred, but not necessary

Learn more here: City of Sioux Falls Mosquito Control Team

This week we celebrate Emily Lafrentz, Helen Loeffler, Chris Provance, and Deanna Strenge and their incredible careers with the Sioux Falls School District. Their dedication has been a guiding light, helping students and colleagues shine brighter along the way. Now they’re stepping into a well-earned retirement, leaving behind a lasting constellation of excellence.

Take a moment to stop by their classrooms or send an email to share your well wishes as they reflect on their journey and step into this new season of life.

Emily, Helen, Chris, and Deanna - thank you for a lifetime of guiding, inspiring, and making a difference. Your impact will forever be part of the SFSD universe. Congratulations on your retirement!

Save the Date! Our 64th Annual Employee Recognition Banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00pm at the Country Club of Sioux Falls. Ticket purchasing details coming soon!

Just a reminder the wellness program will need to be completed by March 1st, 2025, to qualify for the wellness discount. Below is the link to the wellness program and the physician form to bring to your wellness visit.

https://sfsdwellness.com

Preventative Care Form

Once your Preventative Care Form is complete, you must upload it into your portal at www.sfsdwellness.com. Navigate is unable to accept completed forms via fax.

Questions? Contact the Benefits Office at (605) 367-7662 or at benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us

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.

Demonstrating human compassion is essential for respecting others, fostering psychological safety, and creating healthy, high-performing teams. This training offers a moment to embrace the incredible opportunity we have every day to make a positive difference in the lives of others simply by showing up, tuning in, and practicing compassion. Together, let’s explore how we can be the change we wish to see in the world and how this compassionate approach can significantly enhance the success of your business in the process.

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

Register Online!

We’ve all made excuses to eat "junk" or "fast" food when life gets busy, but it doesn’t have to be that way! In this seminar, participants will learn realistic strategies to eat well, even with rising food costs in mind. We'll explore which items are worth paying a premium for and when it’s best to opt for organic products. Together, we’ll uncover practical steps to eating healthy while staying within your financial means. Join us to learn how to make smart, budget-friendly choices that support your health without sacrificing taste or quality!

Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Register Online!

Below are new opportunities posted within the last week. Be sure to check them out and apply online (at the link provided) if you’re interested! Please note, most job postings are open until filled. If you click on a link and receive an error message (“No matching records found”), it may mean the position has been filled. To view all Sioux Falls School District openings, please visit https://sf.schoolspring.com/.

• Assistant Gymnastics Coach at Washington High School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4997098
• Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach at Roosevelt High School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4997100
• Sophomore Volleyball Coach at Roosevelt High School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4997102
• Freshman Volleyball Coach at Roosevelt High School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4997105

• 2025-26 Elementary Lead Clerical - Class III - 10 Month -1.0 FTE at Horace Mann Elementary - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4993253
• Lead Clerical - 1.0 FTE at Lincoln High School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4994096

• Howard Wood Field Groundskeeper I/Plant Maintenance Technician - Grade LX - 1.0 FTE at Howard Wood Field - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4994252

• Child Nutrition General Worker - 0.5 FTE at Ben Reifel Middle School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4990347

• Transition Community Facilitator - 0.96875 FTE at Community Campus @ Axtell Park - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4952717
• 2025-26 Behavior Facilitator - 0.875 FTE at Lowell Elementary - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4964706

• 2025-26 School Psychologist - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4991622

• 2025-26 Assistant Choir Director - 1.0 FTE at Lincoln High School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4970763

• 2025-26 8th Grade Math Intervention Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Memorial Middle School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4990361
• 2025-26 7th Grade English Language Arts Intervention Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Memorial Middle School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4990365
• 2025-26 Assistant Middle School Choir Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Memorial Middle School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4990367

• 2025-26 Middle School Special Education Resource / Reading Teacher - 0.88 FTE at Memorial Middle School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4991580

• Summer Tutor - Community Learning Center (CLC) - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4999018
• Teacher - Substitute Early Childhood Birth to Three at the Learning Lab - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4999182

Questions? Contact Kate Rovang at kate.rovang@k12.sd.us.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in four people dies of it each year. But there’s a lot you can do to live a heart-healthy life—and connecting with others can make your efforts even more successful.

Studies show that if you join forces with people at home, at work, in your community, or online, you have a better chance of staying motivated. Best of all, you don’t have to make big changes all at once. Small steps can get you where you want to go. Gather your friends and family and make a commitment to your heart health, together.

Here’s How to Start:

MOVE MORE

Get at least 2½ hours of physical activity each week—that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In addition, do muscle-strengthening exercises at least 2 days a week. Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Don’t chuck your goal, chunk it! Try 5, 10, or 15 minutes a few times a day. Some physical activity is better than none.

Be active, together:

Get creative. Invite a colleague to join you for regular walks or an exercise class and put it on your calendars—then text or carpool to make sure you both show up. Grab your kids and do jumping jacks, shoot some hoops or dance after you get home. For other low-cost activities, you can do together, check your local parks and recreation department, religious institution, or community center for classes and activities. People with friends or family who support their efforts to be physically active are more likely to be successful, studies show.

EAT HEALTHY FOODS

A healthy diet that is low in sodium and saturated fat is key to heart disease prevention. Try the highly rated Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. It recommends:

• Eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
• Eating fish, poultry, beans, nuts, vegetable oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products
• Limiting foods that are high in saturated fat and sodium
• Limiting sugar and other sweeteners. Find heart-healthy DASH recipes at: healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov/.

Manage weight, together:

A study of one popular weight loss program showed that participants who were the most connected with others in the program’s online community lost the most weight. Join a weight loss program with a buddy, or sign “social support” agreements with three family members or friends. Be sure your agreement includes ways to reduce stress, which affects energy and hunger and, if chronic, can make your body store more fat.

Eat healthy, together:

When you go out to eat with friends, nix the all-you-can-eat restaurant, where people tend to overeat. If you get fast food, ask for a salad instead of fries, and don’t get the “deluxe” sandwich. Bring a salad or veggie side dish to your next potluck, so you’ll have something healthy to fill up on.

Studies suggest that we tend to eat like our friends and family. Your healthy choices may inspire those around you.

AIM FOR A HEALTHY WEIGHT

Being overweight is hard on your heart. It increases your risk of having heart disease, a stroke, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Choosing heart-healthy foods and getting regular exercise will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Manage weight, together:

A study of one popular weight loss program showed that participants who were the most connected with others in the program’s online community lost the most weight. Join a weight loss program with a buddy, or sign “social support” agreements with three family members or friends. Be sure your agreement includes ways to reduce stress, which affects energy and hunger and, if chronic, can make your body store more fat.

QUIT SMOKING

The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your heart and blood vessels in many ways. Quitting is hard, but many people have succeeded, and you can too. Set a quit date and let those close to you know about it. Ask your family and friends for support in your effort.

Be smoke-free, together:

The websites BeTobaccoFree.hhs.gov and Smokefree.gov have many free resources, including apps and a chat line, to help you connect with others trying to quit.

To keep your hands busy and be with others when you get urges, consider joining a group that focuses on sewing, knitting, woodworking, or other such activities.

REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE SLEEP

Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart risks. Not getting enough sleep or regularly getting poor quality sleep increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions. Most adults need 7–8 hours of sleep a night.

Manage sleep and stress, together:

Practicing meditation, being more physically active, doing relaxation therapy, and talking with someone you trust can help you cope with stress and sleep better. Find a friend or family member who shares your goals. Together, take steps to lower your stress and follow healthy sleep practices, like having a regular bedtime and not eating late at night.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

Meet your heart health goals by keeping track of how much you exercise, your blood pressure, your blood cholesterol numbers—all of which can impact your heart health—and tell your doctor how you’re doing.

Track your heart health stats, together:

Keeping a log of your blood pressure, weight goals, physical activity, and if you have diabetes, your blood sugars will help you stay on a heart-healthy track. Ask your friends or family to join you in the effort. Check out NHLBI’s Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts: Tracking Your Numbers worksheet at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/high-blood-pressure

Adapted from SandCreek - Employee Access Center

Content Sourced From: NIH - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute