If you have a child participating in Sioux Falls Neighborhood Soccer this year, be sure to stay up to date on schedules, locations, and important updates by visiting their Facebook page!
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Sioux Falls Neighborhood Soccer
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Sioux Falls Neighborhood Soccer
A wonderful article from Teach Kindness
A Place of Safety, Belonging, and Care
Hawthorne Elementary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serves about 250 students. Counselor Morgan Towner says one of the school’s central commitments is making sure students and families experience school as a place they can trust.
That trust is built through steady outreach. Once a month, Towner and her team host Living in the Circle family nights, where families share a meal, do activities together, and talk with staff. Parents whose own school experiences were difficult sometimes arrive cautious, but the family nights give them a reason to come through the door. “We’re really trying to make that connection between school and home,” Towner says, “and be one cohesive team.”
The school grounds much of its culture in the Circle of Courage framework, built around belonging, generosity, mastery, and independence. Those values show up in how staff respond to students who are struggling. Towner tells the story of two students who arrived at different times during the year and seemed standoffish, never quite engaging. Rather than labeling them as difficult, staff kept investigating. Both students turned out to have undiagnosed vision problems. The school connected them with eye care and glasses. “We never would have figured that out had we not used the strategies that we teach kids all the time: take a step back, try to examine the situation,” Towner says.
That same patience showed up in how the school’s fifth graders handled the unexpected loss of a teacher midyear. In the months that followed, students practiced the skills they had been learning, naming their own grief and giving grace to the adults around them who were grieving too. One student told a teacher, “I can understand how hard that is. I wish that you wouldn’t hurt so much. I care so much about you.” Towner says that students would not have been able to say that a year ago.
Kindness also extends beyond the classroom. Through the school’s Ubuntu Leaders program, students make tie blankets for classmates and families facing homelessness, loss, or other major hardships. Towner puts her philosophy simply: “If you take nothing else away from our school, I want you to take away the skills on how to be a good person and how to show up for your community.”
https://weteachkindness.org/
A Place of Safety, Belonging, and Care
Hawthorne Elementary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serves about 250 students. Counselor Morgan Towner says one of the school’s central commitments is making sure students and families experience school as a place they can trust.
That trust is built through steady outreach. Once a month, Towner and her team host Living in the Circle family nights, where families share a meal, do activities together, and talk with staff. Parents whose own school experiences were difficult sometimes arrive cautious, but the family nights give them a reason to come through the door. “We’re really trying to make that connection between school and home,” Towner says, “and be one cohesive team.”
The school grounds much of its culture in the Circle of Courage framework, built around belonging, generosity, mastery, and independence. Those values show up in how staff respond to students who are struggling. Towner tells the story of two students who arrived at different times during the year and seemed standoffish, never quite engaging. Rather than labeling them as difficult, staff kept investigating. Both students turned out to have undiagnosed vision problems. The school connected them with eye care and glasses. “We never would have figured that out had we not used the strategies that we teach kids all the time: take a step back, try to examine the situation,” Towner says.
That same patience showed up in how the school’s fifth graders handled the unexpected loss of a teacher midyear. In the months that followed, students practiced the skills they had been learning, naming their own grief and giving grace to the adults around them who were grieving too. One student told a teacher, “I can understand how hard that is. I wish that you wouldn’t hurt so much. I care so much about you.” Towner says that students would not have been able to say that a year ago.
Kindness also extends beyond the classroom. Through the school’s Ubuntu Leaders program, students make tie blankets for classmates and families facing homelessness, loss, or other major hardships. Towner puts her philosophy simply: “If you take nothing else away from our school, I want you to take away the skills on how to be a good person and how to show up for your community.”
https://weteachkindness.org/
Average Daily Attendance
Thank you to Avera Health, Washington Pavilion, and Sioux Falls Fire Rescue for the wonderful puppet show on fire safety!
Our Hawthorne kindergarten students had a blast dressing up in fire safety gear and learning how to stop, drop, and roll. 🚒🔥🧯
Our Hawthorne kindergarten students had a blast dressing up in fire safety gear and learning how to stop, drop, and roll. 🚒🔥🧯
The Sioux Falls School District is proud to share that Superintendent Dr. Jamie Nold has been selected as South Dakota’s “Rookie of the Year” by the South Dakota School Superintendents Association (SDSSA).
This award recognizes superintendents in their first three years who demonstrate exemplary leadership and make an impact on their school districts through new programs, ideas, and initiatives that positively influence students, staff, and the broader community.
Since joining the Sioux Falls School District, Dr. Nold has led with a clear focus on student success, strong schools, and positive community engagement. His leadership continues to make a difference across the district, and this recognition reflects the positive momentum underway.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Nold on this well-deserved honor!
This award recognizes superintendents in their first three years who demonstrate exemplary leadership and make an impact on their school districts through new programs, ideas, and initiatives that positively influence students, staff, and the broader community.
Since joining the Sioux Falls School District, Dr. Nold has led with a clear focus on student success, strong schools, and positive community engagement. His leadership continues to make a difference across the district, and this recognition reflects the positive momentum underway.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Nold on this well-deserved honor!
Average Daily Attendance
We had another wonderful start to our day thanks to Rainy Day Coffee Co. and the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation! This gathering provided a great opportunity for our staff to come together, share stories, and continue building on our theme of Belonging—because at Hawthorne, we know we’re better together.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation for generously supporting this event and helping us honor the incredible work our staff does each and every day for our students and families. Your partnership truly makes a difference in our school community!
A heartfelt thank-you to the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation for generously supporting this event and helping us honor the incredible work our staff does each and every day for our students and families. Your partnership truly makes a difference in our school community!
Now open! It's time to complete the Annual Student Update! ⏰
Every child who will attend school in the Sioux Falls School District for the 2026-2027 school year must complete an annual update. This is required every year to ensure that student information, such as data privacy, emergency, and health information, is correct and up to date.
Complete the update using your desktop or laptop computer in just a few minutes through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account that can be found here --->https://siouxfallssd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/siouxfalls.jsp
Need help with the update? Please call your child's school or the Student Records and
Registration Office at 605-367-7952.
These two turkeys clearly missed the memo… no feathers allowed in class today! Nice try though!!!
If you have a child that will be attending Kindergarten - 12th grade this fall please read regarding immunizations:
South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-7.1 (Rev. 2016) requires that any pupil entering school or an early childhood program in this state shall, before admission, be required to present to school authorities certification from a licensed physician that the child has received, or is in the process of receiving, adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola (measles), rubella, mumps, tetanus, meningitis and varicella (chickenpox), according to the recommendations of the State Department of Health.
This law applies to ALL children entering a South Dakota school district for the first time. This would include children in early-intervention programs and preschool, as well as kindergarten through 12th grade. Children younger than four need to be age-appropriately immunized.
Minimum immunization requirements for kindergarten through 12th grade are defined as receiving at least:
Four or more doses of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus-containing vaccine, with at least one dose administered on or after age four. Children seven years or older needing the primary series only need three doses. Children receiving six doses before age four do not require any additional doses for kindergarten entry. The maximum a child should receive is six doses. If a child seven years or older has an incomplete DTaP primary series, please contact the Department of Health for assistance.
Four or more doses of poliovirus vaccine, at least one dose on or after age four. (Although not the recommended schedule, if a child has three doses of polio with the third dose administered on or after the age of four and at least six months after the second dose, no other doses are required.)
Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR or MMRV). The minimum age for the first dose is 12 months. Administer the second dose routinely at age four through six years. The second dose may be administered before age four, provided at least 28 days have elapsed since the first dose.
Two doses of varicella vaccine (Varicella or MMRV). The minimum age for the first dose of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is 12 months. The history of disease is acceptable with a parent/guardian signature. Administer the second dose routinely at age four through six years. The second dose may be administered before age four, provided the minimum interval between the two doses is three months.
https://doh.sd.gov/topics/immunizations-vaccinations/immunizations-required-for-sd-school-entry/
Every Body Reads grand finale:
Goal REACHED: 10,211 books read from March 1-31, 2026
⭐Classrooms with over 1,000 books read: 201, 101, 102, 302
🎉WINNER OF CLASSROOM CHALLENGE: 201 with 1,224 books read!! 🍿🎞️
Goal REACHED: 10,211 books read from March 1-31, 2026
⭐Classrooms with over 1,000 books read: 201, 101, 102, 302
🎉WINNER OF CLASSROOM CHALLENGE: 201 with 1,224 books read!! 🍿🎞️
Now open! It's time to complete the Annual Student Update! ⏰
Every child who will attend school in the Sioux Falls School District for the 2026-2027 school year must complete an annual update. This is required every year to ensure that student information, such as data privacy, emergency, and health information, is correct and up to date.
Complete the update using your desktop or laptop computer in just a few minutes through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account that can be found here --->https://siouxfallssd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/siouxfalls.jsp
Need help with the update? Please call your child's school or the Student Records and Registration Office at 605-367-7952.
Every child who will attend school in the Sioux Falls School District for the 2026-2027 school year must complete an annual update. This is required every year to ensure that student information, such as data privacy, emergency, and health information, is correct and up to date.
Complete the update using your desktop or laptop computer in just a few minutes through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account that can be found here --->https://siouxfallssd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/siouxfalls.jsp
Need help with the update? Please call your child's school or the Student Records and Registration Office at 605-367-7952.
⚽ Hawthorne Soccer League is back!
Join us Saturday mornings on April 18 & 25 and May 2, 9 & 16 at Terrace Park (1100 W 4th St).
📍 Registration: 8:45 AM
📍 Soccer: 9:15–10:30 AM
📍 Family lunch to follow
Scan the barcode to register or call/text 605-368-1956 with any questions.
A big thank you to empowersiouxfalls.com/soccer for supporting this program! 💙
Join us Saturday mornings on April 18 & 25 and May 2, 9 & 16 at Terrace Park (1100 W 4th St).
📍 Registration: 8:45 AM
📍 Soccer: 9:15–10:30 AM
📍 Family lunch to follow
Scan the barcode to register or call/text 605-368-1956 with any questions.
A big thank you to empowersiouxfalls.com/soccer for supporting this program! 💙
Is your child getting ready for school, but you're not sure if Kindergarten is the right next step? We are here to help!
All families that live within the Sioux Falls School District boundaries are invited to attend Junior Kindergarten Academy Screen Nights on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, from 4-6 pm at the three JKA elementary sites:
Terry Redlin | 1721 E. Austin Street 57103
JFK | 4101 S. Hollbrook Avenue 57106
Robert Frost | 3101 S. 4th Avenue 57105
These screening nights are a great opportunity to meet staff, learn more about both Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten, and get a better sense of what will best support your student's educational journey!
At Terry Redlin Elementary, families are welcome to stop by anytime between 4 and 6 pm - no sign-up needed.
At Robert Frost and JFK Elementary, families are asked to sign up in advance using the links below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4BAFAE2FA0FA7-62224852-robert#/
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EABA82FA5FD0-62194087-junior#/
Junior Kindergarten Academy is a free, full-day program designed to help children build confidence and foundational skills before entering Kindergarten. As with Kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026, to be eligible.
Kindergarten registration for Fall 2026 is now open, and staff will be available during the event to help answer questions and guide families through the process.
We hope to see you there!
All families that live within the Sioux Falls School District boundaries are invited to attend Junior Kindergarten Academy Screen Nights on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, from 4-6 pm at the three JKA elementary sites:
Terry Redlin | 1721 E. Austin Street 57103
JFK | 4101 S. Hollbrook Avenue 57106
Robert Frost | 3101 S. 4th Avenue 57105
These screening nights are a great opportunity to meet staff, learn more about both Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten, and get a better sense of what will best support your student's educational journey!
At Terry Redlin Elementary, families are welcome to stop by anytime between 4 and 6 pm - no sign-up needed.
At Robert Frost and JFK Elementary, families are asked to sign up in advance using the links below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4BAFAE2FA0FA7-62224852-robert#/
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EABA82FA5FD0-62194087-junior#/
Junior Kindergarten Academy is a free, full-day program designed to help children build confidence and foundational skills before entering Kindergarten. As with Kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026, to be eligible.
Kindergarten registration for Fall 2026 is now open, and staff will be available during the event to help answer questions and guide families through the process.
We hope to see you there!
Reminder no school:
1st - 4th grade and Early Childhood students had an exciting visit from Great Plains Zoo ! 🐾
Students learned about animals up close and even had the opportunity to pet a live snake and touch a real bear paw—what an unforgettable experience!
Thank you to the Great Plains Zoo for bringing such a fun and educational experience to our students! 🐻🐍✨
Students learned about animals up close and even had the opportunity to pet a live snake and touch a real bear paw—what an unforgettable experience!
Thank you to the Great Plains Zoo for bringing such a fun and educational experience to our students! 🐻🐍✨
Our 1st grade students had a special opportunity this week to pick out up to FOUR books each in a book fair-style experience—completely funded by generous donors! 📚💙
To make it even more meaningful, these donors joined our classrooms to read aloud to students and share just how important reading is to them. The smiles, excitement, and love of books were everywhere!
We are beyond grateful for our AMAZING donors who made this experience possible. Your kindness is helping build a lifelong love of reading in our students—thank you! ✨
To make it even more meaningful, these donors joined our classrooms to read aloud to students and share just how important reading is to them. The smiles, excitement, and love of books were everywhere!
We are beyond grateful for our AMAZING donors who made this experience possible. Your kindness is helping build a lifelong love of reading in our students—thank you! ✨
Thank you to Falls Community Health Dental for helping our Hawthorne students keep their smiles healthy and bright! 🦷✨ We appreciate your support in teaching the importance of good dental care!
Ready to Start Kindergarten – Summer Program
If you have a child who will be attending Kindergarten in Fall 2026 and has had little to no prior preschool experience, they may be eligible for the Ready to Start Kindergarten summer program.
Special Thank You to Sioux Empire United Way for funding this great program.
📅 June 15 – July 16
🗓 Monday–Thursday
⏰ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Susan B. Anthony Elementary
If you think your child may be eligible, please scan the QR code to sign up.
If you have a child who will be attending Kindergarten in Fall 2026 and has had little to no prior preschool experience, they may be eligible for the Ready to Start Kindergarten summer program.
Special Thank You to Sioux Empire United Way for funding this great program.
📅 June 15 – July 16
🗓 Monday–Thursday
⏰ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Susan B. Anthony Elementary
If you think your child may be eligible, please scan the QR code to sign up.
March is a time to celebrate reading across the Sioux Falls School District!
Schools throughout the district are marking the month with a variety of activities that highlight the joy and importance of literacy. Read Across America Week, held March 2–6, also coincided with the kickoff of the community reading initiative Everybody Reads!. This year’s theme, “Tales on the Trails,” is already making an impact across the community. Libraries throughout Sioux Falls are beginning to fill interactive maps connected to the program, encouraging readers to explore stories while exploring the community.
At the elementary level, one of the most popular ways schools celebrate reading is by inviting guest readers into classrooms and libraries. At Hawthorne Elementary, volunteers from Reach Literacy recently visited students during their library time after the organization connected with school librarian Sarah Becker to arrange the opportunity. Becker said the partnership helps students build meaningful connections with adults while reinforcing the joy of reading. “When students have a caring adult who takes time to read a book with them, it’s a perfect model of how enjoyable reading can be,” Becker said.
Those sentiments are shared by Allan Idjao, senior instructor and community education manager for Reach Literacy. “Our mission is to empower our community to thrive through literacy education, and being in schools is one of the most effective ways we can do that,” Idjao said. “It makes reading fun, social, and valued. Early positive experiences are one of the strongest predictors of lifelong literacy.” Creating fun and engaging reading experiences is a key focus throughout the month of March. During the Hawthorne visit, students eagerly checked out books and spent time reading alongside volunteers.
Molly O’Connor, executive director of Reach Literacy, said opportunities like this align naturally with the organization’s mission. “This partnership fits naturally within Reach’s mission by strengthening literacy at every stage of life,” O’Connor said. “By helping children experience the joy of reading today, we are helping build a more literate and thriving community.” Partnerships like this create benefits for everyone involved. Volunteers build connections with students, and students gain positive experiences that reinforce the excitement and value of reading, helping develop the readers who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
Schools throughout the district are marking the month with a variety of activities that highlight the joy and importance of literacy. Read Across America Week, held March 2–6, also coincided with the kickoff of the community reading initiative Everybody Reads!. This year’s theme, “Tales on the Trails,” is already making an impact across the community. Libraries throughout Sioux Falls are beginning to fill interactive maps connected to the program, encouraging readers to explore stories while exploring the community.
At the elementary level, one of the most popular ways schools celebrate reading is by inviting guest readers into classrooms and libraries. At Hawthorne Elementary, volunteers from Reach Literacy recently visited students during their library time after the organization connected with school librarian Sarah Becker to arrange the opportunity. Becker said the partnership helps students build meaningful connections with adults while reinforcing the joy of reading. “When students have a caring adult who takes time to read a book with them, it’s a perfect model of how enjoyable reading can be,” Becker said.
Those sentiments are shared by Allan Idjao, senior instructor and community education manager for Reach Literacy. “Our mission is to empower our community to thrive through literacy education, and being in schools is one of the most effective ways we can do that,” Idjao said. “It makes reading fun, social, and valued. Early positive experiences are one of the strongest predictors of lifelong literacy.” Creating fun and engaging reading experiences is a key focus throughout the month of March. During the Hawthorne visit, students eagerly checked out books and spent time reading alongside volunteers.
Molly O’Connor, executive director of Reach Literacy, said opportunities like this align naturally with the organization’s mission. “This partnership fits naturally within Reach’s mission by strengthening literacy at every stage of life,” O’Connor said. “By helping children experience the joy of reading today, we are helping build a more literate and thriving community.” Partnerships like this create benefits for everyone involved. Volunteers build connections with students, and students gain positive experiences that reinforce the excitement and value of reading, helping develop the readers who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
