We were extra blessed today at Hayward.
Mr. Bob Thimjon catered in lunch for the staff today as a thank you for all we do, but right now it's us who are extra thankful for the wonderful gift of a delicious meal and his company.
Our hearts are full ♥ Thank you Bob!!
And with a blink of an eye, we are already a quarter way through the 2022-2023 school year! The second quarter is here, and it’s a busy one! While this time of year tends to get chaotic, it’s important to remember how crucial student attendance is. Chronic absenteeism is a serious problem in South Dakota - a problem SFSD is committed to improving. Missing just two days a month can hurt a student’s grades and increase their chance of dropping out. Make sure your student is on the path to a bright future – and that starts in the classroom!
Today marks the 23rd Annual Lights On Afterschool event! Launched over 20 years ago, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities.
In honor of this event, Kids Inc. staff at all locations will be hosting celebrations throughout the next two weeks for students and families to participate in. Activities include talent shows, cookie decorating, pumpkin paintings, dance parties, art shows, scavenger hunts, and carnivals! These events are meant to bring awareness to the importance of quality after-school programs for kids.
Please help us say thank you to our Kids Inc. staff who play a MAJOR role in so many of our students' education journeys. We are incredibly thankful for each and every one of them for their dedication to the District and our students!
JOIN US IN 15 MINUTES for our second Family Forum Series virtual webinar! Tonight's topic will focus on anxiety.
💻📱 Click this link to join ---> https://bit.ly/3TyJjen
Important note: If you choose to join using a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone, you will be prompted to download the Microsoft Teams App. The app requires you to type a name. You can use a first name, nickname, or a made-up name. The anonymous platform does NOT allow us to see user names. It only allows us to see the number of viewers.
Check out our online book fair and stock up your home book shelves with new books!
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/haywardelementaryschool2022
There's some sweet strumming going on in 3rd grade!
Excuse us while we brag for a minute… Our Superintendent is pretty talented! Dr. Jane Stavem is an accomplished pianist, vocalist, trumpet player, French horn player, percussionist, xylophone player… oh, and she also plays harmonica! 😉 These talents, along with her deep love for all things Fine Arts, earned her the honor of Parade Marshal for Festival of Bands 2022! We are proud to be lead by someone who values the role extracurriculars play in “preparing each student to succeed in a changing world!”
Updated breakfast and lunch pricing, how to re-apply for free and reduced meals, who gets low fund balance notifications, and an easy and delicious snack mix recipe to try at home. It's all in the October edition of the "What's the Scoop" newsletter from our Child Nutrition Services!
Read it here! ---> https://www.smore.com/g09r2
Happy Fall Y'all!!
It's the official start of the fall season today, so here are 10 fun facts about fall to entertain you as you sip that pumpkin spice latte!
-Americans call autumn "fall" because of the leaves falling from trees.
-The sun rises perfectly in the east and sets perfectly in the west on the first day of autumn.
-People who live near the equator don’t have an autumn season. The temperature stays almost the same all year.
-Scarecrows have been used for thousands of years to protect crops.
-Bees are busy in the fall. They need to make and store enough honey for winter.
-Monarch butterflies will migrate from the United States to Mexico in autumn.
-When squirrels are hiding nuts for winter, their brains get bigger. This helps them remember where they hide their food.
-All the hidden nuts that squirrels can’t find help forests regrow.
-In autumn, the leaves finally turn into their real colors. The real colors hide behind the green in spring and summer.
-One gallon of apple cider needs as many as 40 apples.
The two-way immersion program has been a success in the Sioux Falls district and plans are in place to extend the program through middle school and high school.
Please join us on September 27th at 12pm or 6pm (meal provided). We would love your thoughts and ideas to help guide the future of the program!
Our first couple weeks of school have passed and we are starting to dive into academics. This can be stressful at times for students and staff. There is a lot to remember and do!
But learning how to reset our emotions and stay regulated can help work through hard times when we are feeling anxious, on edge, upset, or that we just aren't doing good enough.
Check out this book "I Am Peace" read by author Susan Verde with your students to learn what mindfulness means and find new ways to stay calm.
https://youtu.be/hXA3837uv3w
Parenting is hard. So is growing up! Join SFSD and Avera experts as we team up virtually on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm for topics that strengthen families.
National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off tomorrow, September 15th and goes until October 15th. The day of September 15th is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
We are encouraging our students to wear shirts or clothing that represents any Hispanic or Latin America country!
Want to know more? Check out https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/?
School drop-offs and pick-ups can be messy! Take your time, stay alert, and obey the rules of the road. A safe and orderly process makes the day start and end on a positive note for both students and parents!
Check out the first "What's the Scoop" newsletter for the 2022-23 school year! This month's newsletter from our Child Nutrition department includes important reminders and everything you need to know as we kick off this new school year! ---> https://www.smore.com/a35r9
The countdown is ON! We are so excited to welcome students back for another great school year! Staff have been busily preparing their classrooms, brushing up on instructional skills, and revisiting the always-important-topic of customer service! See you soon!
For families who's students use the community center after school:
The MariCar Community Center will open for after school activities on September 19th from the hours of 2:45-6:00pm. Students must be aged 7 to attend.
Until the community center is open, please make plans for after school and communicate them in advance with your student(s).
We will be hosting our Welcome Back Open House at Hayward Elementary on
Tuesday, August 23rd from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Come and meet your teacher and get familiar with the building layout.
We can't wait to see you all!
A new app for parents of bus-eligible students is coming soon! The FREE Stopfinder app allows parents/guardians/daycare providers to see pick-up and drop-off times, the location of the bus, and other features in a secure app. More information will be coming soon, including an invitation to set up your child's account in Stopfinder. If you are the primary household of a bus-eligible student, please check your email for more information.
What better way to start August than some "inspired" learning? SFSD staff members are sharpening their skills to help your student(s) achieve!
