Moisture Challenges

You’ll see in the news today some stories about moisture concerns which were discovered in a handful of Sioux Falls School District elementary schools.  While the reality of the situation does not necessarily warrant the media attention it received, we are pleased for the opportunity to further express our concern for the health and safety of our students and staff.

 An extended period of extreme heat and humidity, which has, nation-wide, caused everything ranging from power outages, highway blowouts, and livestock losses, to dozens of human deaths across the country, has just recently relented in South Dakota.  This weather system created the perfect opportunity for moisture build up inside some of our buildings.

 Some are quick to suggest that cost saving measures the Sioux Falls School District are taking in regards to heating and cooling might have something to do with this moisture issue, and indeed, the experts are evaluating minor changes which might help combat similar weather phenomena in the future.  We are thankful that our employees, who work diligently to save money, discovered the problem during routine school walkthroughs.

 On Monday, July 18, when the issue was discovered, District crews cleaned all affected areas and began the process of actively monitoring the levels of heat and humidity inside the schools.  Routine spot checks and air quality tests will be administered throughout these buildings to ensure, that when our staff and students return to school in a few weeks, any and all issues have been resolved.

 Our custodial crews work hard, all summer long, throughout 39 locations to make sure schools are safe, clean, and ready for our 22,000 students in the fall.  This summer is no exception.

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Ben, July 22nd 2011 | Posted in General, Health and Safety

Project SOS

These students are sweltering in a middle school classroom this summer for a good cause.  Be on the lookout for a new ad campaign for the Banquet’s Project SOS.

 Last year, the Banquet in Sioux Falls provided school supplies for more than 6,000 students through its Project SOS (Supply Our Students) program.  At least as many students will need help again this year.

 The Banquet started giving school supplies to Banquet guests 23 years ago.  Volunteers began by giving needed supplies to parents as they came to dine, and the program has blossomed into what it is today.

 Throughout the year, the Banquet takes donations for this program, which gets school supplies into the hands of kids in Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities, who might otherwise be unprepared for that first day of school.  In addition to the school supplies themselves, monetary donations can be made and volunteers are needed to sort, pack and deliver the supplies in August.

 Local partners have made it easier than ever to help students.  Click any of the images to make them larger, including the poster on the right, which lists the local vendors where school supplies can be dropped into clearly marked Project SOS boxes near entrances and exits.  Such a box is also in the lobby of the Sioux Falls School District’s Instructional Planning Center (IPC).  Donations are also always welcomed.  A $30 donation can get a student everything they need, including a backpack.  But anything you can contribute is helpful.  Picking something up from Lewis?  Grab a couple of notebooks and toss them in the bin on your way out the door.  Stopping at Shopko over lunch because you need new pens and sharpies for work?  Grab a couple of boxes of markers and drop them in the box.

 On the left, you’ll find the school supply list – everything that is needed.

 And don’t forget, volunteers are needed to get all the donations organized and distributed for kids.  Here is volunteer information:

 Please call ahead to sign up to volunteer for a shift so the Banquet knows how many people to expect.

 Packing Day-

Friday, August 19, 2011 at The Banquet, 900 E. 8th St. (High School Age and Adults only)

 Volunteer times.

10a-12p

1pm-4pm

 Distribution Day-

Saturday, August 20, 2011 Whittier Middle School, 630 E. 6th St. Gym entrance. (Adults only. No school Age)

The Volunteer times are as follows:

 7:30-11:00am

10:45-2:00pm

1:45-4:30 pm

 Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact The Banquet at www.thebanquetsf.org or call 605-335-7066.

 Every thing you can do helps our students.  The first day of school can be a stressful enough time for kids… imagine what it would be like not to have a backpack, glue, pencils, pens or notebooks… to be unprepared and embarrassed on top of meeting new teachers, making new friends, learning new rules and trying to succeed.  This program is a fantastic way to further support our students and help ensure they are able to do their best.

 6,000 students will thank you.

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Ben, July 18th 2011 | Posted in General

Summer School

When people think of summer and students, they think of days off, kids lounging at the swimming pool, TV watching, summer blockbuster success, and gaming consoles overheating from all-day use.  Perhaps they consider students on vacations, summer camps of all sorts, sunburns and freedom itself.

 But not all students have spent the summer relaxing.  The second session of summer school is in full swing.  High school students from all parts of Sioux Falls and surrounding communities meet each morning at Lincoln High School (this year), and compress an entire semester’s worth of learning into a few weeks.  Intense focus and long class periods help this transpire.

 Summer school is no longer the stuff of screwball 80’s comedies.  More and more students are realizing summer school is not only a way to catch up on a class they may not have had success in, but an opportunity to get ahead, to take a course which interests them that may not fit into their normal schedule, or to fill a requirement so that another class can be taken later instead.  It takes dedication to sacrifice the short summer in order to further oneself academically at an age when some peers are sleeping in until 1 p.m. each day.  These students must attend each class lest they miss four hours of instruction – close to what a student would miss in a week or more during the school year.  These students, as opposed to those who ARE sleeping in everyday, and playing video games the rest of the time, will be better prepared for the school year when it begins in just over a month.  They’ve been challenging their minds, learning new things and keeping their memories and problem-solving skills fresh.

 Summer school is just one more opportunity our students have to further themselves academically, and Sioux Falls School District students are taking advantage of it.

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Ben, July 15th 2011 | Posted in Classroom Projects, General

National Recognition

Remember when we told you about the Sioux Falls School District being selected as a Bronze Award winner in the USDA’s HealthierUS Challenge? 

 Joni Davis, our Child Nutrition Supervisor, will soon be traveling to Washington, D.C. upon invitation from the First Lady’s office for the HealthierUS School Challenge White House Reception.

 Joining her will be Cheryl Larson, retiring principal from Hawthorne Elementary, one of our 24 Sioux Falls School District Elementary Schools selected for the award.  Under Cheryl’s leadership, Hawthorne Elementary just completed its second year of the USDA’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, bringing healthy snacks each day into schools so students can try different fruits and vegetables and can educate their families about the long-term benefits of healthy eating choices.

Click here and check out the 2010-11 Ignite Magazine, which highlights the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program.

 Click here for more information on the HealthierUS Challenge.

 Congratulations, again, to our Child Nutrition Services Department and to all of our elementary schools for making health a priority!

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Ben, July 11th 2011 | Posted in General, Health and Safety, Staff/Student Achievement