District Dialogue
Keeping you informed the week of January 15th-19th, 2024
Monday, January 15th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
We hope you've enjoyed the long (and frigid) weekend. On this day we take a moment to reflect on the man who made so much change in US history. MLK Jr. paved the way for future generations of change makers, and his legacy continues to inspire people to work towards a brighter future.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Legislative Season is Here
District leaders take an active role in following education-related bills introduced during the SD Legislative Session. Bills are tracked and a position of “support, oppose, or neutral” is noted to guide lawmakers in their understanding of the impact a law may have on schools. You can follow along at : https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/legislative-positionsand . You can actively write to your district’s lawmakers in the House or Senate here: https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Contacts/undefined.
Find a more detailed statement on the importance of legislative support of education from Dr. Stavem here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10TAGSNu6bjJg8irgZ2C5yzL1tINVrF3A/view
We Love Public Schools Day - Wednesday, January 17th
Simply right-click (or tap & hold) the image, save it to your computer or smartphone, and update your profile picture!
Click the link below to see a short video of all the things public schools stand for in SD, and why our support matters!
CLC Health & Wellness Fairs!
The Community Learning Centers are excited to invite you to our Health & Wellness Fairs. This is a great time to beat the winter blues and connect with community agencies, register for door prizes, enter the free bike raffle, take part in learning sessions and enjoy fun activities for the whole family!
Burger Battle Discount Opportunity!
CTE Student's Burger Featured at CRAVE!
This burger was a special collaboration between CRAVE and students at CTE Academy. The students crafted a burger that features a cherry Merlot sauce, arugula, puff pastry, brie cheese on a beef burger, finished with a little bit more of the sauce on a brioche bun.
Head to CRAVE and try it out for yourself!
Simply show your school ID when dinning at CRAVE to receive 10% the UnBrieable burger!
Mark Your Calendars!
Operation Hope & Caring
Use these COLD days indoors to plan your fun in February! Air Madness, SF STORM, and LEVO are teaming up over President's Break to support Operation Hope & Caring - a fund that levels the playing field for SFSD students! See you Tuesday, February 20, 2024!
Suggestions needed!
The Sioux Falls School District is now accepting suggestions for the name of the new elementary school in NW Sioux Falls that will be adjacent to George McGovern Middle School. The new elementary is set to open in the fall of 2025. A committee will be appointed by the Superintendent and will consider all names that are submitted based on the parameters of School Board Policy FF - Naming Facilities.
CLC Priority Enrollment for SFSD Staff!
We are pleased to announce that the Sioux Falls School District’s Community Learning Centers Summer 2024 and 2024/25 School Year program enrollment will begin on January 18th for SFSD staff!
Since you are a current SFSD staff member, you will be able to enroll during our priority enrollment period.
Registration will begin Thursday, January 18th and will run through Wednesday, January 31st.
To find out more about HOW TO ENROLL, rates, summer locations, payment calendar, etc., please click on the following link:
SFSD Savings Marketplace!
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!
🌟 SFSD All Stars! 🌟
HR Radar
Important Deadlines for Teachers
RETIREMENT NOTIFICATION DEADLINE: Teachers wishing to retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year must submit their letters of retirement by February 1st. The retirement letter (with signature) can be sent as an email attachment to Jessica Engdahl, HR Benefits Specialist, at benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us.
GRADUATE CREDIT/DEGREE ADVANCEMENT INTENT FORMS: Teachers planning to advance to steps requiring the BA+24, Master’s Degree, or Master’s + 24 must submit INTENT FORMS by February 1st. This process is online through HR Records. The INTENT FORM is found in the Available Forms section.
Contact Amira Lawrence in Human Resources at 605-367-4692 or amira.lawrence@k12.sd.us with Graduate Credit/Degree Advancement questions.
As a reminder, all coursework and programs need to be approved through the GCDA Pre-Approval Committee in order to be submitted for Lane Advancement. For more information on the Coursework Pre-Approval process and deadlines check out: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/o/careers/page/gcda-guidelines
SHORTAGE AREA - EARLY RESIGNATION STIPENDS $500: The District will provide a $500 bonus to any Teacher from an identified shortage area who is not eligible to receive or has not already received the District Retirement Benefit and/or Health Benefit, if the Teacher submits a resignation to the Human Resources Department by February 1st. Link to Resign https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfR0HFhrh4fHYC-S6flJL_lhn8yinerT6irPfSDZPKNU_hYKQ/viewform
Shortage areas included in this stipend are: Pre-K-12 Special Education, MS Math or Science, HS Math or Science, K-12 Art, Band, Vocal, Orchestra, World Language, Spanish Immersion, CTE
Upcoming Sand Creek Webinars
Click the links below to register for Sand Creek EAP’s live webinars.
Alphabet Soup: Enhancing your EI and WI - January 25th, 2024 from 11:00am to 11:45am
Emotional Intelligence, abbreviated and referred to as EI, has been studied extensively, but many do not understand it or effectively apply it. Combined with WI, Wellness Intelligence, we can expand our understanding two-fold, for an overall pursuit of higher satisfaction with self and others. Learn more as we explore the integration of EI and WI with our counseling and wellness experts.
The Sandwich Generation: The Ultimate Balancing Act - February 14th, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Caring for an elder is an enormous challenge by itself; combining elder care with care of children or adolescents and attempting to balance the demands of a career can seem overwhelming to even the most organized individual. In this session we will focus on establishing balance, recognizing negative emotions, adhering to priorities, and reducing stress
Upcoming South Dakota Retirement Events
The South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS) has created Retire Ready, a new virtual format for group presentations. The SDRS Retire Ready series will consist of four short presentations, all designed to increase your financial awareness and help you prepare for retirement. All SDRS members, at any stage of their career, will benefit from the information provided. These 45-60 minute presentations are held via ZOOM every Wednesday on a rotating-basis.
SDRS 101: Take a more detailed look at the system and its benefits, including how retirement benefits are calculated, understanding your annual Personal Benefits Statement, availability of survivor and disability benefits, and more.
- February 7, 2024 - 4:00 PM CT/3:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
- March 6, 2024 - 7:00 PM CT/6:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
SDRS-SRP & SPP: Retirement is expensive and additional personal savings will be key to having a financially successful retirement. Learn more about how the SDRS Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) and SDRS Special Pay Plan (SPP) can help you save more for your retirement.
- January 17, 2024 - 10:00 AM CT/9:00 AM MT – Register via ZOOM
- February 14, 2024 - 4:00 PM CT/3:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
- March 13, 2024 - 7:00 PM CT/6:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
Steps to Financial Success: Build on your budgeting and savings skills and take charge of your finances to be more prepared for retirement.
- January 24, 2024 - 10:00 AM CT/9:00 AM MT – Register via ZOOM
- February 21, 2024 - 4:00 PM CT/3:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
- March 20, 2024 - 7:00 PM CT/6:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
Q&A Session: Ask your questions and get answers from SDRS staff. Every session will have unique questions from our members, so feel free to tune in often.
- January 31, 2024 - 10:00 AM CT/9:00 AM MT – Register via ZOOM
- February 28, 2024 - 4:00 PM CT/3:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
- March 27, 2024 - 7:00 PM CT/6:00 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
SDRS Lunch and Learn
Grab your lunch and join us to learn more about SDRS, your benefits, ask questions, and more! Held on the second Tuesday of each month.
- February 13, 2024 - 1:10 PM CT/12:10 PM MT – Register via ZOOM
- March 12, 2024 - 12:10 PM CT/11:10 AM MT – Register via ZOOM
Get help with your student loan debt!
Sioux Falls School District partners with Horace Mann Insurance to bring you Student Loan Solutions – a program that can help you:
- Find out if you could save on your monthly student loan payment
- Determine if you may qualify for federal loan forgiveness
- Get access to loan coaches for one-on-one guidance and support
This program is available at no cost to you just for being a Sioux Falls School District employee.
Sign up for your complimentary account by visiting: https://www.horacemann.com/student-loan-debt-help/signup.
Student Loan Solutions loan coaches are available to help you via phone, chat and email. Our local Horace Mann representatives are also here to support you with one-on-one consultations. They can review your unique student loan situation, help find ways to save you money, and direct those savings toward your other life goals so you can get on a path toward a brighter financial future.
Feel free to reach out to them at:
Ryan Hofer
Ryan Hofer Agency
5010E Rosa Parks 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57110
605-339-0662
63rd Annual Recognition Banquet
Benefits Buzz
SFEA District Retirement Incentive Zoom Meeting
The Human Resources Department will be offering an informational meeting on the District Retirement Incentiveoutlined in the SFEA Collective Bargaining Agreement via Zoom. This meeting is for Teachers (SFEA) only. Guests are welcome. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded and sent out via District Dialogue.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Tuesday, January 16th – 4:15pm – 5:00pm
https://sdk12.zoom.us/j/8498365657
Please contact benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us with any questions.
Weekly Wellness
Getting Smart About Goals with Wondr
The secret to reaching your goals in the New Year? Make them SMART, write them down, make a plan, and share them for support.
- Specific - Make your goal precise. For example, “I will use the 10-5-10 timer at dinner every day this week.”
- Measurable - Make sure you can quantify it. “Three times this week,” “every day,” and “at 5 p.m. nightly” are all good examples.
- Relevant - Make sure it’s related to something that matters to you. For instance, you may be doing this so you can be healthier and feel your best.
- Attainable - Make it achievable. For example, starting with one meal a day may be more realistic than aiming to practice something new at every meal for a week.
- Timely - Give it a time frame. In our example, “this week” gives you a clear timeline.
Learn more by checking out this PDF! Getting Smart About Goals
Adapted from Wondr