Due to the stormy weather, the Arbor Day Farm was closed on Friday, April 26. Upon notification of the closure, the 4/5 team, including room parents, worked with Mrs. VanDuyn to provide students with an alternate class trip! The students enjoyed renting out an entire theater at WestMall 7 to watch "Kung Fu Panda 4", enjoyed a fast-food lunch experience at Burger King, and showed off their agility and strength skills to parents, friends, and teachers at 605 Ninja that afternoon! A huge thank you to the 4/5 team, including the 4/5 room parents, for figuring out an alternate plan so students were still able to have fun and share great experiences making more ACE memories!
Tonight is THE night! Come out to support SFSD elementary schools without PTAs/PTOs as the Sioux Falls STORM take on the Green Bay Blizzard. It's also Star Wars night, so wear your gear and bring your lightsaber to this fun family event sponsored by LEVO Credit Union!
Happy PE Week! We appreciate all the efforts Mr. Borges (Mr. B) puts in to PE to make exercising fun! Thanks!
The 4th and 5th graders had their spring band and orchestra concert. They improved so much since the beginning of the year! Way to go!
Happy Principal's Day, Mrs. Van Duyn! We appreciate all of your time and dedication you put in to our entire school! We know how much you care about the students, staff, and families! Have a great day!
The Weather Service indicates the greatest threat of severe weather did not materialize in Sioux Falls. We will begin our bus routes at approximately 3pm, so there will be a slight delay in getting elementary and middle school students home. High School dismisses at normal time.
Due to the weather 4-30-24, SFSD will hold all elementary students who walk or ride the bus until the system passes. We expect the system to arrive about 2:45pm and be done around 3pm. Busses will not leave the elementary schools until it is safe to do so. This will also cause a delay in middle school bus routes, so plan accordingly. If wx is still an issue at high school dismissal time, we will encourage students to wait to leave until the system passes. Thank you.
Weather may cause some challenges at school dismissal time today. SFSD will make plans with your child's safety as our highest priority. If there are changes, parents/guardians will be contacted immediately. We ask that you please monitor your phone and email closely.
Football & Star Wars Fans Unite! Fri, May 3-7:05pm Sioux Falls STORM take on the Green Bay Blizzard to support Operation Hope & Caring, a fundraiser for SFSD elementary schools without PTAs. Wear Star Wars gear, grab a light saber, and get in on the fun!
The 1st and 2nd graders traveled to Jefferson High School to see their musical about Charlie Brown. They enjoyed the show!
The El Riad Shrine Circus is a fun time for all ages! The kids always look forward to going and getting to celebrate a year of working hard with their friends! Big thanks to the Steele family and Shriners for the tickets for all of the kids! Look at those smiles!
Congrats to two weeks worth of High Flyers! We are so proud of you!! Keep up the good work! (Note we are missing 4th and 5th grade due to their class trip.)
The 3rd-5th graders participated in the Adopt A Cow program again this year. The 3rd graders were able to live Zoom in to meet Ruby and the farmer that takes care of her on Friday. They got to ask questions and listen to what it all takes for her to grow up into an adult cow.
3rd graders in Miss Leloux's class got to visit the Fire Safety House. These fire fighters talk to the kids about a fire safety plan for your home, how to escape safely from a fire, discussing your safe meeting place, and practicing calling 911 in the event of an emergency. Discussing these things can be scary but very important to do with your entire family.
* Does your family have a fire escape plan set up in your home?
* Have you practiced it with your family?
* Does your family have a safe meeting place in the event of an emergency/fire to go to?
* Does your child know their address if they had to call 911?
* Do you test your smoke alarms/change batteries at least once a year?
If your family is in need of smoke alarms, the Sioux Falls Fire Department will provide up to 4 free ones for your home. Please call 211.
Happy Earth Day! On Saturday, the 4th and 5th graders did their service project at Elmwood Park by picking up trash! They joined the Friends of the Big Sioux River and helped clean up the park and riverbanks as well! Overall about 50 bags of trash were taken out of that park and these kids, staff, and ACE families worked hard! Way to go, ACE! Thanks to Ryan Kolbeck for helping to organize the event!
During Family time, we are rotating and playing 6 rounds of games. It teaches the kids how to have good sportsmanship and accept winning or losing with grace. These games were purchased through the years from grants from the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation.
Happy Administrative Professional's Day! We want to thank Sheri Glover for all she does in the office to help keep our school running smoothly! You are so appreciated!
Congrats to Miss Leloux!!
The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation awarded the 45th Public School Proud Grant to Eliza Leloux at Jane Addams Elementary! She received $403.80 for her proposal, “Let’s Get Regulated!” With the grant dollars, she plans to purchase Zenimals, yoga materials, mindfulness packs, a dance party brain break button, snap, match, and move games, and more to teach students self-regulation strategies. In the application, she wrote, “Throughout the day, students may face various challenges that make it difficult for them to successfully manage their emotions. Helping kids develop self-regulation skills involves providing them with strategies and support to manage their behaviors and thoughts effectively. I plan to create a calming space in our classroom where students can use fidgets, mindful mazes, and visual timers. We will practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques through yoga, tactile breathing cards, and listening to meditating music with a Zenimal. If students need a brain break, we will use a game with movement activities or the 30-second dance break button for added fun. Consistent practice and reinforcement of these strategies will contribute to their effectiveness and help students feel empowered to manage their emotions.”
Congrats to Miss Joffer!
Jenny Joffer from Jane Addams Elementary received the 44th Public School Proud Grant! She will use $1,600 for her proposal, “Cultivating Kids That Code.” She plans to purchase 16 Osmo coding kits that will be used in the classroom and throughout the building. In the application, she wrote, “Osmo coding kits will give students hands-on experience in the concepts of coding and will help develop their problem solving and logic skills. The tangible blocks and interactive games create an immersive experience. This fosters social skills, teamwork, and communication. Coding challenges kids to think critically and analyze situations from different perspectives. They learn to anticipate potential issues and consider alternative solutions. Overall, coding for kids provides a holistic learning experience, nurturing various cognitive and interpersonal skills essential for success in the 21st century. As technology continues to play a significant role in various industries, early exposure to coding is increasingly recognized as a valuable educational component.” Thank you, Sioux Valley Energy, for investing in projects like this that help students cultivate collaboration and critical thinking skills!
Congrats to Mrs. Pike!
We awarded the 43rd Public School Proud Grant to Sheila Pike at Jane Addams Elementary! She will use $748.76 for her proposal, “STEM Activities for Station Time.” With grant funds, she plans to purchase magnetic lab kits, magna tiles, and LEGO building blocks that will be used in the kindergarten classroom. In the application, she wrote, “Magnet STEM activities provide hands-on experiences, allowing students to interact directly with materials. This kinesthetic approach enhances understanding and retention. Exploring magnetism involves solving problems and making decisions. Students learn to analyze situations, make predictions, and find solutions, fostering critical thinking skills. Manipulating LEGO bricks helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This is especially beneficial for younger students who are still developing these abilities. LEGO building involves trial and error. When students encounter challenges or mistakes, they learn to problem-solve and find alternative solutions. LEGO sets often mirror real-world structures and machines. This allows students to apply their knowledge to practical, tangible examples, enhancing their understanding of concepts.” Thank you, Kouri Insurance Agency, for being a longtime supporter of our grant programs for teachers!
