Next week is National Public Schools Week! A great time to celebrate the important role public schools play in our communities. As dedicated educators and staff, you make a different every day. You work tirelessly to ensure that all students have equal access to high-quality education, opportunities, and support.

We want to hear from YOU! Tell us what you love about our public schools and the impact they have on students, families, and the community. Your words may be featured in upcoming District communications and on social media as we celebrate public education.

Join us tomorrow, February 18th, at Air Madness for Operation Hope and Caring! Your $25 (plus tax and jump socks) entry fee for jumping, gaming, Ninja Course, Extreme Foam Pit, King of the Beam and laser tag goes to help our elementary schools who do not benefit from a PTA/PTO.

The fun goes from 10 am to 7 pm – we hope to see you there!

📍Air Madness:

310 W. Industrial Road

Harrisburg, South Dakota, USA 57032

Robert Frost art teacher, and this week's Staff Star, Mollie Bolton doesn't just teach art, she elevates it!

In just three years at Robert Frost Elementary, she has hosted annual all-school art shows, become a trusted leader among fellow art teachers, and continually innovates to inspire students of all levels.

Nominated by Instructional Coach and Art Teacher, Kathy Dang, Mollie is known for integrating technology, cross-curriculuar connections, and creativity into her classroom. At a school that houses the Challenge Center, she excels at personalizing learning and encouraging students to explore their unique artistic voices.

Thank you, Mollie, for making the art room a place of creativity, connection, and endless possibilities!

A bag of this bold coffee is priced at just $10 a bag, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to our schools!

You can order and pay through this link or scan the QR code and pick up at IPC (see Vicky Vetter in the CLC) or request the coffee be sent to your school office.

Join us on Friday, March 14, to connect with the University of South Dakota and explore your journey to becoming a teacher! Whether you're pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in elementary, secondary, or special education, this is your opportunity to learn about your options, ask questions, and take the next step toward a rewarding career.

Bring a friend and discover how you can turn your passion for education into a fulfilling future!

Know someone who might be interested? Share this with them so they don’t miss out!

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

Are you interested in representing your fellow teachers on the SDRS Board of Trustees? Here are some important things to know about the SDRS Board of Trustees and their responsibilities:

• The SDRS Board of Trustees is the governing body of SDRS.
• Elected representatives serve a four-year term beginning July 1 of the year elected.
• Our 17-member board typically meets four times per year. Meetings are usually held at the SDRS Campus in Pierre.

If you are interested, please click below to download a Memo, Notice, and Petition for the position.

2025 Election for a Teacher Representative to the SDRS Board of Trustees Notice, Memo, and Petition

To be considered, your completed Nomination Petition must be in the SDRS Executive Director’s office by 5:00pm (CT) on February 24th, 2025.

Information regarding this year’s election is also available on the SDRS website at: Election Information

Questions? Please contact Dawn Smith of SDRS at (605) 773-4596

This week we celebrate Kim Bowman, Kevin Dick, Matt Kiesow, 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.

Kim, Kevin, Matt, 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!

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/.

• Plant Maintenance Supervisor - 1.0 FTE at Operational Services - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4985813

• Behavior Facilitator - 1.0 FTE at Bridges Horace Mann - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4980621
• Resource Education Assistant - 0.875 FTE at Edison Middle School - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4980661

• Occupational Therapist - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4980585

• High School Science Teacher - 1.0 FTE at Axtell Park - https://sf.schoolspring.com/?jobid=4986436

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

When it comes to your heart, what you eat matters. Follow these tips for heart-healthy eating:

• Eat less saturated fat. Cut back on fatty meats and high-fat dairy products. Limit foods like pizza, burgers, and creamy sauces or gravy.
• Cut down on sodium (salt). Read the Nutrition Facts label and choose foods that are lower in sodium. Look for foods labeled “low sodium” or “no salt added” — like some canned soups, canned vegetables, packaged meals, and snack foods.
• Get more fiber. Eat vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains to add fiber to your diet.

Take this list with you the next time you go food shopping.

Vegetables and Fruits

Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits — including options that are fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. Try:

• Fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, okra, edamame, and carrots
• Leafy greens like Romaine lettuce, spinach, bok choy, and kale
• Canned vegetables that are low in sodium
• Frozen vegetables without added butter or sauces, like broccoli or cauliflower
• Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, mangoes, guava, and papaya
• Canned, frozen, or dried fruit without added sugars
• Farmers markets are great places to buy vegetables and fruits that are in season.

Dairy

Look for fat-free or low-fat options like:

• Fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk Fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt
• Fat-free or low-fat cheese or cottage cheese
• Fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt

Whole Grains

For products with more than 1 ingredient, make sure whole wheat or another whole grain is listed first in the ingredient list. Look for products that say 100% whole grain. You might try:

• Whole-grain bread, bagels, English muffins, and tortillas
• Whole-grain hot or cold breakfast cereals with no added sugar, like oatmeal or shredded wheat
• Whole grains like brown or wild rice, quinoa, or oats
• Whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta and couscous

Proteins

Choose a variety of foods with protein. Options include:

• Seafood — fish and shellfish
• Poultry — chicken or turkey breast without skin or lean ground chicken or turkey (at least 93% lean)
• Lean meats — like pork shoulder, beef sirloin, or lean ground beef (at least 93% lean)
• Beans, peas, and lentils — like black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• Eggs
• Unsalted nuts, seeds, and nut butters — like almond or peanut butter
• Tofu

Healthy Fats and Oils

Replace saturated fat with foods that have healthier unsaturated fats — like seafood, nuts, seeds, avocados, and oils. Try these healthy swaps:

• Vegetable oil (canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, or sunflower) instead of butter for cooking
• Low-fat or light mayonnaise instead of full-fat mayo Oil-based salad dressings like balsamic vinaigrette or Italian instead of creamy dressings like ranch
• Vegetable oils are usually healthy choices — just avoid coconut and palm oils, which are high in saturated fat. Some margarines and other soft spreads may have less saturated fat than butter — check the Nutrition Facts label and look for options with less saturated fat.

Content sourced from: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services