Wait, WHO was running the city last week?? Memorial Middle School 6th graders?? Just kidding!
But thanks to Junior Achievement’s BizTown, these students did get the chance to step into real-world roles like CEO, banker, and even mayor (watch out, Mayor TenHaken 👀), working together to run a fully functioning mini-city. From managing paychecks and budgets to making big decisions about spending and saving, students got a hands-on look at how our communities work.
This unique experience was piloted at Memorial this year, and we’re excited to expand it to all middle schools next year!
See more pictures from the day here! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMWL2
But thanks to Junior Achievement’s BizTown, these students did get the chance to step into real-world roles like CEO, banker, and even mayor (watch out, Mayor TenHaken 👀), working together to run a fully functioning mini-city. From managing paychecks and budgets to making big decisions about spending and saving, students got a hands-on look at how our communities work.
This unique experience was piloted at Memorial this year, and we’re excited to expand it to all middle schools next year!
See more pictures from the day here! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMWL2
Friday, January 23, 2026, will be a Remote Learning Day in the Sioux Falls School District!
iPads and Chromebooks were sent home with each student earlier today. We will not have in-person learning in the schools, but students are expected to connect to their Canvas account from home for assignments and learning resources. They have practiced this at school and know what is expected of them.
Additional information for Students and Families can be found here: https://app.smore.com/n/wgz62
iPads and Chromebooks were sent home with each student earlier today. We will not have in-person learning in the schools, but students are expected to connect to their Canvas account from home for assignments and learning resources. They have practiced this at school and know what is expected of them.
Additional information for Students and Families can be found here: https://app.smore.com/n/wgz62
Students at Discovery Elementary recently got a surprise lesson in civics from the the man who knows it best, Mayor Paul TenHaken!
Tuesday, November 25th was the last day before Thanksgiving break, and the energy amongst the Discovery Explorers was flying high. The excitement was only amplified when they found out their guest speaker for the morning was none-other than the mayor of Sioux Falls! Mayor TenHaken talked to students about what a leader does in government, not just at the city level, but also state, national, and at the school level (shoutout to you, Principal Fischer!). The mayor talked about responsibility and all the things a mayor is responsible for, and how great it is to be a resident in our wonderful city. He took plenty of questions at the end, and the students left with a better understanding of what it means to be a leader, and how we can all be helpful, responsible residents of our cty. Thank you, Mayor TenHaken, for always taking time out of your schedule to share your story with SFSD students!
Tuesday, November 25th was the last day before Thanksgiving break, and the energy amongst the Discovery Explorers was flying high. The excitement was only amplified when they found out their guest speaker for the morning was none-other than the mayor of Sioux Falls! Mayor TenHaken talked to students about what a leader does in government, not just at the city level, but also state, national, and at the school level (shoutout to you, Principal Fischer!). The mayor talked about responsibility and all the things a mayor is responsible for, and how great it is to be a resident in our wonderful city. He took plenty of questions at the end, and the students left with a better understanding of what it means to be a leader, and how we can all be helpful, responsible residents of our cty. Thank you, Mayor TenHaken, for always taking time out of your schedule to share your story with SFSD students!
On this month's episode of "Spotlight: Conversations From The Sioux Falls School District" we sit down with Allison Struck, executive director of the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation.
Allison has served as director since 2018, but the Education Foundation has been around since 2008. In this episode you'll hear a bit about the history of how it came to be ,and how it has been helping to lift up students and staff ever since!
Check it out here! --------> https://youtu.be/0J4r8Am25bA
Allison has served as director since 2018, but the Education Foundation has been around since 2008. In this episode you'll hear a bit about the history of how it came to be ,and how it has been helping to lift up students and staff ever since!
Check it out here! --------> https://youtu.be/0J4r8Am25bA
Join in the fun of Youth in Music day in Minneapolis, Minnesota with the RHS and WHS marching bands!
View the experience with RHS here: https://youtu.be/fs6CoWl_ZI4
And WHS here: https://youtu.be/hDcuJrS0VUU
View the experience with RHS here: https://youtu.be/fs6CoWl_ZI4
And WHS here: https://youtu.be/hDcuJrS0VUU
The street is cleared and ready for the Native American Day Parade! Several SFSD schools will have a presence in today's parade, and Dale Chasing Hawk (a longtime SFSD school psychologist) is the grand marshal! Congratulations to everybody involved!
Follow along at our livestream of the parade here--------->https://youtu.be/1DQzLs1o3DI
It’s a beautiful day for Festival of Bands!
Marching bands from across the region will be filling the streets of downtown Sioux Falls with music all morning.
If you’re not able to join the fun in person, feel free to follow along on our livestream here ————-> https://www.youtube.com/live/CRMvoYUJBCU?si=5DWikB8deKd2nqxg
On Tuesday, September 30, students and staff across the Sioux Falls School District wore orange in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. Observed annually on September 30, this day honors Native American children who were forcibly removed from their families and cultures and placed in residential boarding schools, which operated across North America from the mid-19th to the late 20th century.
At Ben Reifel Middle School, participation was especially strong, with a large number of students and staff choosing to wear orange. Members of the BRMS Očéti Šakówiŋ Owáuŋspe program created posters and shared information about the tragic history this day commemorates, while also honoring the resilience of Indigenous communities and reflecting on the importance of healing, remembrance, and hope for the future.
At Ben Reifel Middle School, participation was especially strong, with a large number of students and staff choosing to wear orange. Members of the BRMS Očéti Šakówiŋ Owáuŋspe program created posters and shared information about the tragic history this day commemorates, while also honoring the resilience of Indigenous communities and reflecting on the importance of healing, remembrance, and hope for the future.
Today is the day! 📣
We are excited to support The Barrel House's all-day Hungry Hearts Fundraiser benefiting the Angel Fund, which helps ensure every student in the Sioux Falls School District has access to a meal. Come out and enjoy some great food, fun activities (dunk tanks, bouncy house, axe throwing, and more!), and make a difference for our students! Hope to see you there!
📍The Barrel House 4701 E. 54th Street | 12-10 pm
Find more details and the full schedule of activities here! ---> https://www.facebook.com/share/175iWYEjfD/
We are excited to support The Barrel House's all-day Hungry Hearts Fundraiser benefiting the Angel Fund, which helps ensure every student in the Sioux Falls School District has access to a meal. Come out and enjoy some great food, fun activities (dunk tanks, bouncy house, axe throwing, and more!), and make a difference for our students! Hope to see you there!
📍The Barrel House 4701 E. 54th Street | 12-10 pm
Find more details and the full schedule of activities here! ---> https://www.facebook.com/share/175iWYEjfD/
There were high-fives, goodbyes, impromptu hugs, and LOTS of pictures on the first day of school at Lowell Elementary! Superintendent Dr. Jamie Nold stopped by greet Lowell students, staff, and parents - some of whom were his students when he was principal at Washington High School! Now parents themselves, they were surprised to see him on the playground! Talk about a full-circle moment! We're glad to be back!
Join us this Saturday at the Barrel House for a Hungry Hearts fundraiser!
📅 Saturday, August 23rd
📍 The Barrel House – 4701 E 54th St, Sioux Falls, SD
🕛 12 PM – 10 PM
Let’s come together for a day of community, fun, food, and fundraising in support of Hungry Hearts! ❤️
Activities throughout the day include:
🪓 Axe Throwing (12–3 PM)
🎯 Dunk Tank, Bouncy House, Face Painting, Kid’s Games (12–7 PM)
🎨 People's Choice Rib Contest (Starts at 12 PM – coins available for $20)
🛍 Silent Auction (Closes at 7 PM)
🦙 Zoo Mobile with live animals (1–3 PM)
🔥 Live Auction Closes (6:30 PM)
💍 Dream Wedding Winner Announced (7 PM)
Food (Starting at 12 PM):
🍔 Burgers, Brats & Sides (Free Will Donation – matched up to $20,000!)
🍧 Snow Cones & Cotton Candy (12–5 PM)
Live Music Lineup:
🎧 12–2 PM: DJ Dontai
🎸 2–4 PM: Simply Travis & Dan
🎤 4–6 PM: Connie McColl
🥁 7–10 PM: Funk Fuh Fried
❤️ 100% of the proceeds go to support local families in need through Hungry Hearts.
Bring your friends, your appetite, and your giving heart. Let’s make a difference together!
Did you know, the Sioux Falls School District offers FREE preschool opportunities for eligible families?
Give your child a strong start, right from the beginning!
Call to learn more and see if your family qualifies! 605-367-8488
One of our most anticipated events of the school year is happening NOW! Watch the 2025 Middle School Poetry Slam with us LIVE here! ---> https://www.youtube.com/live/oAAjG6_1SHg
A reminder that the High School Summer School registration deadline is next Thursday, May 22nd! ☀️
More information here! ---> https://bit.ly/3QoZDi5
In the midst of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are proud to celebrate two more vital groups who support our students every day!
Happy School Nurse Day! 🩺❤️
Today we are celebrating the incredible school nurses who care for our students and staff every single day! From bandaging scrapes to managing chronic conditions, our nurses are always there, listening, comforting, and keeping our school community healthy!
Please help us say THANK YOU to the nurses who make a difference every day!
In the midst of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are proud to celebrate two more vital groups who support our students every day!
Today is National Interpreter Appreciation Day! 🌍🤟
Interpreters are the voice between worlds, bridging languages and cultures with care and compassion. In the Sioux Falls School District, our interpreters are essential, not just to our work, but to the lives, stories, and communities they touch!
THANK YOU to all interpreters for powering connection and building understanding! We appreciate you!
Today is School Lunch Hero Day! ✨🍎🦸♀️🍊🦸✨
We have talked a lot recently about the generous donors in our community helping students receive nutritious meals no matter their economic status, but just as important are the incredible people who make those meals happen every day!
Our school lunch teams are true heroes, fueling learning with every tray they serve. Without them, none of this would be possible!
On this day, and every day, we say, THANK YOU to our child nutrition professionals for your hard work and big hearts!
May 1 is National Principals Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible school leaders who shape our schools every day! We are so grateful for ALL of our Sioux Falls School District principals, whose dedication creates thriving schools in our District!
And what better way to celebrate the day than by spotlighting the leader of our newest school?!
In the latest episode of the Spotlight Podcast, Superintendent Jane Stavem sits down with Patrick Purdy, the first principal of Marcella LeBeau Elementary, opening this fall! They discuss Patrick’s background, his vision for the school, and what it takes to launch a brand-new elementary from the ground up.
🎧 Listen here! ---> https://youtu.be/6VY1wE_6x24
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
From keeping our front offices operating seamlessly to making things run smoothly behind the scenes, our amazing team admin professionals are the glue that holds everything together! They are the calm in the storm, the masters of multitasking, and the heatbeat of our schools!
THANK YOU to all of our administrative professionals across the District! We appreciate you so much! ❤️
