📣 Thanksgiving Break Announcement 🦃🍂
.
"Over winter break, students recorded their reading for a chance to win a prize. These lovely readers won a handmade quilt for their efforts! Keep reading and stay warm. --Ms. Becker ❤️📚"
📚💯 100 Days Strong!
On Monday, February 2nd, we celebrate the 100th Day of School—100 days of learning, friendships, and growth.
We’re so proud of our students!
On Monday, February 2nd, we celebrate the 100th Day of School—100 days of learning, friendships, and growth.
We’re so proud of our students!
A quick stroll through the halls of Hawthorne is always a great reminder of the joy, creativity, and learning happening every day. So proud of our students and staff!
• A big thank you to the South Dakota Symphony for an incredible musical experience for our Hawthorne 3rd & 4th grade students. Music has a powerful way of inspiring young minds! 🎼
The Sioux Falls School District, along with our friends at Vern Eide and the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation, is proud to announce that 105 outstanding educators have been nominated for the 38th Annual Dr. John W. Harris Teacher of the Year Award!
These teachers were nominated by students, parents, and colleagues who see firsthand the difference they make every day.
A judging committee will meet soon to select this year’s finalists. Finalists will be notified, and the 2026 Teacher of the Year will be announced on Monday, February 23rd!
Please join us in congratulating all of our nominees—and thanking them for the important work they do for our students and community!
View the full list of nominees here: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/teacher-of-the-year-program
Application Window Open for Facility Task Force Members
The Sioux Falls School District is accepting applications for community members to serve on a 30-person task force to consider future facility needs. The task force will be made up of a cross-section of stakeholders who bring various perspectives and will meet four times in the months of April and May to learn more about enrollment, growth potential, and existing facilities.
Task force members could be current or future parents, non-parents, community members, business owners, or any other interested party who lives within the boundaries of the Sioux Falls School District. Members must be available for the following meetings:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Task Force members will consider recommendations made by the 2018 SFSD Facilities Task Force, which suggested that a replacement would soon be needed for the 100+ year old Whittier Middle School. Other renovations to bring schools up to current facility standards will also be considered.
The task force is the first step, with community listening sessions and a community survey, planned in the Fall 2026. Any recommendation made to the school board for large-scale projects requiring a bond referendum would be brought to a public vote in Spring 2027. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 13, at 11:59 pm. Apply here: https://edu.sogolytics.com/survey/form?k=SsXRVPsQRVTsPsPsP&lang=0 or use the QR Code.
The Sioux Falls School District is accepting applications for community members to serve on a 30-person task force to consider future facility needs. The task force will be made up of a cross-section of stakeholders who bring various perspectives and will meet four times in the months of April and May to learn more about enrollment, growth potential, and existing facilities.
Task force members could be current or future parents, non-parents, community members, business owners, or any other interested party who lives within the boundaries of the Sioux Falls School District. Members must be available for the following meetings:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - IPC at 5:30-8pm
Task Force members will consider recommendations made by the 2018 SFSD Facilities Task Force, which suggested that a replacement would soon be needed for the 100+ year old Whittier Middle School. Other renovations to bring schools up to current facility standards will also be considered.
The task force is the first step, with community listening sessions and a community survey, planned in the Fall 2026. Any recommendation made to the school board for large-scale projects requiring a bond referendum would be brought to a public vote in Spring 2027. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 13, at 11:59 pm. Apply here: https://edu.sogolytics.com/survey/form?k=SsXRVPsQRVTsPsPsP&lang=0 or use the QR Code.
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
Thank you to Sioux Falls Skyforce players Bez Mbeng and Gabe Madsen for stopping by Hawthorne to visit with our students! We also loved that they spent a few minutes in the office giving Harley some extra attention. 🐾🏀
1st Grade participated in the Dept of Ed's Farm to School science lessons. These young chefs created a healthy and delicious berry salsa.
.
Lots of visitors = lots of love for Harley 🐶💛🐾 He’s soaking up all the love from students and staff across the building.
❄️ Winter Carnival is back!
Lincoln High School
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Open to the public • Fun for elementary kids & families!
Lincoln High School
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Open to the public • Fun for elementary kids & families!
.
...
Our 3rd grade Lunch Bunch engaged in a Science Olympiad lesson on microscopes, learning both the structure and operation of the instrument. They applied these skills to observe plant and animal cells, demonstrating impressive focus and curiosity.
Thank you to everyone who supported our 4th grade students during their 3D printing challenge.
Every box showcased impressive creativity, making voting a challenge.
🥁 And now for the results…
Congratulations to the top place finishers in 402!
These student-designed boxes will be included in a display at a future Parent Night/Science Night (date TBD).
Every box showcased impressive creativity, making voting a challenge.
🥁 And now for the results…
Congratulations to the top place finishers in 402!
These student-designed boxes will be included in a display at a future Parent Night/Science Night (date TBD).
Does the bedtime routine look "alarming" at your house? A CDC study says many children are struggling to focus because they're not getting enough sleep. This month's Avera Family Forum simplifies sleep strategies to help every parent recommit to a better bedtime routine for their student. Watch now: https://youtu.be/IPlHgJt7CZc
💛❤️ 1st Grade Heart Words Practice ❤️💛
Families, here are this week’s Heart Words to practice at home:
could, would, should, there, where, or, for, who, by
Heart Words are words kids need to know by heart because they appear often in reading and writing.
💡 Here are a few fun ways to practice at home:
- Rainbow Write: Have your child write each word using 3–4 different colors.
- Say, Spell, Say: Say the word, spell it out loud, then say it again.
- Find & Read: Look for the words in books, signs, cereal boxes, or anywhere around the house.
- Flashlight Hunt: Tape the words up around a room and have your child find them with a flashlight!
- Quick Quiz: Say a sentence and have your child write or point to the word that fits.
Thank you for practicing at home—every little bit helps build strong readers!
Families, here are this week’s Heart Words to practice at home:
could, would, should, there, where, or, for, who, by
Heart Words are words kids need to know by heart because they appear often in reading and writing.
💡 Here are a few fun ways to practice at home:
- Rainbow Write: Have your child write each word using 3–4 different colors.
- Say, Spell, Say: Say the word, spell it out loud, then say it again.
- Find & Read: Look for the words in books, signs, cereal boxes, or anywhere around the house.
- Flashlight Hunt: Tape the words up around a room and have your child find them with a flashlight!
- Quick Quiz: Say a sentence and have your child write or point to the word that fits.
Thank you for practicing at home—every little bit helps build strong readers!
