SFSD COVID-19 Resource Center
Last Updated: 07/08 @ 8:30 AM
LATEST INFO FROM SFSD
Communication Sent 6/2/20:
Planning for Fall – Return to Learn
Now that the 2019-20 school year has wrapped up, we hope your family has begun to enjoy a slower summer routine. The Sioux Falls School District, however, continues to busily prepare for what school might look like in the fall as we prioritize your child’s ongoing education with the health and safety of all students, staff, and the greater community. Guidance is constantly changing. This requires schools – and families – to be vigilant and flexible in case it becomes necessary, at a moment’s notice, to change the way we deliver education.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of all is our highest priority. Experts continue to emphasize the need for social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. This means, school settings and routines will undergo some changes in the fall to reduce exposure. Some examples could include more cleaning and safety equipment, such as health screens, rearranging classrooms, and adding specific time slots for handwashing.
Delivery of Education
At this time, we DO intend to be back in the classroom, as scheduled, on Thursday, August 27, 2020. District leaders are preparing for three different educational delivery models that could occur this fall:
• Traditional Delivery – teachers and students maintain a normal daily schedule in classrooms, with modifications to space and practices
• Modified Delivery – a variety of educational models may be used in response to an increase number of COVID cases
• Remote Delivery – instruction is provided off-campus through technology or learning packets
Health and safety information will dictate the model that will be used to continue ongoing instruction. Please Note: There may be instances where MOST schools are using one delivery model, but some schools are using a different delivery model due to the need to clean facilities after a positive case of COVID-19. This change from one model to another could happen very quickly.
Just as families are encouraged to develop a plan for early dismissal of school due to a winter storm, it is very important for each family to have a plan for when it becomes necessary for schools to use a modified schedule or close for remote learning. Please use the summer to develop your plans and inform your student(s) – relying on family, friends, and neighbors to support you, if needed.
Flexibility is Key
The District will work with students and staff who have existing medical conditions that don’t allow for a safe return to school in the fall. Flexibility is key to our ability to “switch gears” for learning during this uncertain time.
Please know SFSD will do its best to clearly communicate when schedule changes are needed. The health and safety of students, staff, and the community will always drive decision-making. We are so grateful for all you have done and we look forward to continuing to partner with parents/guardians and the community during this uncertain time! Happy Summer!
Parents and community members have asked how they can assist with a clean and healthy school year. The Sioux Falls School District and the School Falls Public Schools Education Foundation would gladly accept donations for the following:
- Cleaning Wipes - must be EPA approved COVID-19 disinfectants, most major brands meet the criteria (i.e. Clorox, Lysol) | EPA approval information can be found here: https://cfpub.epa.gov/giwiz/disinfectants/index.cfm
- Hand Sanitizer - must contain at least 60% alcohol
- Cloth Face Coverings (recommended but not required for students) - in a variety of sizes, including those small enough to fit 5-12 year old’s. | Cloth faces covering information, including instructions on how to make them, can be found here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
Thank you for your generosity!
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SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT SUMMER ACTIVITES:
The Sioux Falls School District is committed to providing a safe environment for summer activities and will follow guidelines from the Sioux Falls School District, the City of Sioux Falls, the State of South Dakota, and the CDC.
All summer activities are optional, not required for school year participation.
Optional summer activities are scheduled to move to Phase 2 of the SFSD Return to Play Game Plan beginning on Monday, July 13, 2020, in athletics and fine arts. The pandemic is still a very fluid situation. All plans are subject to change quickly. Activity leaders at each school will continue to send updates in the coming weeks to keep individuals informed. Please watch your inbox.
There will be NO K-12 summer sports and fine arts camps at the high schools. If you have signed up for a summer camp, a refund will be provided. More info will be sent to you soon. if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the activity leaders at your respective school.
There has been a 1-year extension of all physicals with a date of April 1, 2019, or later. Any physical with a date prior to April 1, 2019 will need to be updated before open gym practice. Marching band students will not need to complete a physical. All students will need to complete an Annual Medical History Form and an Online Registration Form.
For more information regarding SFSD activities specifically related to sports, please refer to the SFSD Return to Play Game Plan (Phase 2) here ---> https://bit.ly/2VVIAZ2
For more information regarding SFSD activities specifically related to fine arts, please refer to the Fine Arts SFSD Return to Play Game Plan (Phase 2) here ---> https://bit.ly/2BKhv4t
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION/DRIVER'S ED
Starting June 1, Community Education classes held off Sioux Falls School District property (that can properly comply with social distancing guidelines) may resume. If a class you signed up for is canceled, you will be issued either a credit for a future class or a refund.
If the class you signed up for has not been canceled and will be held as normal, you will be contacted by the instructor.
All summer Driver's Education courses for the Sioux Falls Public School District have been postponed until further notice. No new courses will be scheduled until caught up with driving of students from the early/late spring.
Please sign up for the late summer/fall email notification list by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/3iB10rQ You will be notified once those classes are scheduled.
Please read the additional Driver's Education information after clicking on the link and if you have additional questions at that time, please contact Kelli Fahey at 367-4384 or Kelli.Fahey@k12.sd.us.
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Sioux Falls School District
Website: sf.k12.sd.us
Location: 201 East 38th Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiouxFallsSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @SFschools