District Dialogue

Last Thursday was School Resource Officer (SRO) Day! But we celebrate our amazing SROs every day for their hard work in keeping our schools safe and building positive relationships in our educational communities.

SROs are carefully selected, specifically trained, sworn law enforcement officers assigned by the Sioux Falls Police Department to work with schools using community-oriented policing concepts. Thank you for all your hard work today and every day!

February marks the month-long celebration of Love the Bus, a time to show gratitude towards the dedicated professionals who ensure the safety of students on their journey to and from school. This initiative is a meaningful way to recognize the diverse group of individuals who make the yellow school bus experience possible for students. SFSD is proud of our partnership with School Bus Inc. and we are truly grateful for their commitment to getting students to school safely.

Black History Month is a time to recognize and honor the achievements, contributions, and history of African Americans. It is a month dedicated to acknowledging the significant impact that Black individuals and communities have had on the nation’s history, culture, and progress. Schools and classrooms across SFSD have ben having important conversations and celebrations during this month, and the lessons learned through these recognitions go well beyond the month of February and into our everyday interactions.

Our school board meeting was last week, so we celebrated them then, but we'll make one more quick mention that this week is School Board Appreciation Week (because our school board members are great and deserve the recognition!). We said it last week and we'll reiterate it here: school board members do so much more than just show up to school board meetings. They are active throughout the SFSD community and know the in's and out's of what's working and what needs attention. So THANK YOU to all our current (and past) school board members. SFSD wouldn't have the success it does without you!

International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21. The first observance was organized by UNESCO as a celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity. Mother Language Day is important because it celebrates linguistic heritage, which leads to celebrations of the broader cultures therein, which leads to stronger and more vibrant communities! According to the 2023 SFSD Demographic Report there are 86 languages spoken throughout the Sioux Falls School District. There is strength in our diversity!

The second Community Learning Center Health & Wellness Fair is happening tomorrow (2/20/24) at Oscar Howe Elementary from 4:30-7:00 PM. The last event at Terry Redlin was a great success and it was wonderful to see so much community participation! Thank you for all your hard work in making our communities stronger, CLC team!

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!

For the past several years, Levo and the Sioux Falls STORM have teamed up for Operation Hope & Caring – a fundraiser to level the playing field for all schools and students, especially those without PTAs/PTOs. As a new twist, we are adding a tshirt to the many options staff have to support this important partnership. Please see the link below to purchase your shirt (and more for your friends and family)! Consider how you can support these schools TODAY!

How cool is this!? 100% of the proceeds from LEVO's Perky Coffee will go to Operation Hope and Caring, which has a direct impact on our schools. Click the button below to get your bag today!

This week's SFSD All-Star is Hanna Summers at Horace Mann Elementary! She was nominated by her colleague Jennifer Aerts, who had this to say, "She goes above and beyond to help her class. Coming back from maternity leave she jumped in like she never left. Differentiating instruction to meet the academic and social needs of all her students. Each having a large caseload for IEP and being at all different levels in support. She helps where she can without hesitation. She is on leadership team and always has amazing input and help to push Horace Mann to be an amazing place for both staff and students alike!" Thank you for being a shinning light in SFSD, Hannah!

Eating Right for Life - March 13, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

If donuts for breakfast, candy bars for lunch, and constantly making impulse decisions while eating on the run sounds familiar, then this is the class for you! Participants in this seminar will learn the benefits of nutrition, including the importance of making informed food choices to develop and maintain sound eating habits. Expect to leave this interactive session understanding what your body needs for optimal health and the key nutritional guidelines to follow.

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• March 12, 2024 - 12:10 PM CT/11:10 AM MT – Register via ZOOM

Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the students of the Sioux Falls School District. Your commitment to public education is unmatched and worthy of celebration!

The 403(b) Plan is a valuable retirement savings option that is available to our employees. This notice provides a brief explanation of the provisions, policies, and rules that govern the 403(b) Plan.

403(b) Authorized Investment Providers

Meaningful Notice

District Staff participating in the Wellness Program have deadlines fast approaching. In order to earn the Wellness Credit for the 2024-25 school year, all Wellness Program requirements need to be completed by March 1, 2024.

The three requirements for earning the Wellness Credit for 2024-25 are listed below:

1. Complete the Personal Health Assessment in the Uprise Health Wellness Portal
2. Schedule a wellness visit with your doctor and submit a completed Preventative Care Form.
3. Complete ONE Wellness Program Activity:

• Participate in the Wondr Health Program
• Participate in a Fitness Challenge
• Complete 3 Digital Health Workshops
• Complete 3 sessions with a Health Coach

If you have not already scheduled your wellness physical with your doctor, call your doctor’s office now to get scheduled before the March 1st deadline!

For assistance or questions, please email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us

Join us on Tuesday, April 9th at the 63rd annual recognition banquet as we celebrate our retirees and employees with 25 years of service!

Tickets are on sale NOW! Tickets can be purchased for $25 per ticket online through PayPal (www.bit.ly/ExpeditionExcellence) or with cash or check at the Instructional Planning Center. Please have all checks written out to Sioux Falls School District. Also, please note, we are unable to provide change so cash payments must be for the exact amount.

February is National Heart Month. Now is the perfect time to learn about your risk for heart disease and what you can do to help your heart.

4 Habits for a Healthy Heart

• Keep cholesterol in check

• Several practices can help lower your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while improving HDL (the good cholesterol), including: physical activity, limiting sugar and alcohol, and Mediterranean eating patterns.

• Be mindful of your blood pressure and sodium intake
• Lowering your salt intake can keep your blood pressure healthy.
  
• Watch waist circumference
• A high waist circumference is strongly associated with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes risk. Guidelines recommend less than 40 inches for men and less than 35 for women. But what’s most important is that every inch lost lowers your heart risk.
  
• Be savvy about symptoms
• Beyond chest pain, be aware of these other heart attack symptoms (most commonly experienced by women): weakness, faintness, or shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; back, stomach, shoulder, or jaw pain. If you have these symptoms, DON’T wait-seek medical attention right away.
  

Did you know this Heart Health Fact? Our Wellmark Health Plan makes certain Tier 1 cardiovascular drugs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 diabetes drugs, and diabetic supplies FREE to covered members. Learn more by contacting Wellmark, then, talk to your doctor. www.wellmark.com or 1-800-774-0384.

Don’t Forget! The Wellness Program offers telephonic health coaching to District employees on the medical insurance. Health coaching will help you get inspired and engaged toward a life-changing journey for your health and well-being.

To connect with a personal certified health coach, call 855-888-2145 and schedule an appointment.

Adapted from Wondr