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
Those "aha moments" when students make a connection to their learning are just as exciting for 2nd grade teacher Laurie Thompson as they are for the student! Ms. Thompson is ready to bring her energy to the classroom to spark a love of learning in her students this fall. Welcome to Marcella LeBeau Elementary Ms. Thompson!
First grade will be super fun with Ms. Creviston at Marcella LeBeau Elementary! This first year teacher is ready to embrace her students and lead them in their learning! Ms. Creviston will see YOU on the first day!
Warm smiles from Ms. Schaffner will greet students on the first day of school this fall at Marcella LeBeau Elementary! She's looking forward to getting to know each of her students and to helping them feel successful in their learning. Every day is an opportunity for growth! Welcome, Ms. Schaffner!
First year and first grade! McKayla Hanson will definitely be making students her #1 priority at Marcella LeBeau Elementary! (OK, her husband and her dog rank right up there, also!) Her warm smile is sure to ease first day fears for any student walking in the new building this fall! Please welcome, Mrs. Hanson!
Marcella LeBeau 5th Grade students will soon be greeted each school day by teacher Abby Bruck, who is in her third year in the classroom! Ms. Bruck says she is inspired by a current coworker. "The positivity, motivation and innovation she brings to the classroom is a true testament to the saying 'if you love what you do, it is never really work.'" Ms. Bruck also coaches swimming and she loves the drive and determination of others with whom she coaches. Welcome to the Marcella LeBeau Elementary Family, Ms. Bruck!
A sweet treat and sunshine make this teacher tick! We are excited to bring Linden Hiller in to the Marcella LeBeau Elementary Family! She will teach 4th grade and brings 12 years of experience into the classroom. Welcome, Ms. Hiller!
One of her fondest memories as a student was putting on a play for parents about the US Constitution! Next fall, Kayla State will be creating more happy moments for special education students at Marcella LeBeau Elementary. We're excited to welcome this veteran teacher to the family of educators at our newest school! Welcome, Ms. State!
Future Marcella LeBeau Elementary students can be thankful that Kaytlyn Mulford did not pursue a career in ultrasound technology! Instead, she found her happy place in the Kindergarten classroom! She'll be in her fourth year of teaching our youngest learners and we can't wait for you to meet her! Welcome, Ms. Mulford!
It was an opportunity to mentor a younger student during her senior year of high school that inspired Brittany Anderson to pursue the education profession. Not only did Ms. Anderson provide academic support for this student, but she also developed a friendship that seemed to improve the young man's outlook on life. We're happy to have her supporting Marcella LeBeau students in the future! Welcome, Ms. Anderson!
Marcella LeBeau's school counselor Kelsey Beznoska is inspired by the learning and growing that takes place each day in schools - both for her students and for herself! This passion fuels her desire for deep connections with her students so she can support them in their success! Welcome, Ms. Beznoska!
Introducing... the Marcella LeBeau Team! Everyone knows the "glue" that holds a school together is the office staff! Meet Courtney Dummer - she will be the first, friendly face students, families, and guests see when arriving at Marcella LeBeau Elementary in the Fall! Welcome, Courtney!
Reminder that daylight saving happened this weekend! We sprung forward this time, so be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour to keep everyone on time for school on Monday! ⏰
Happy Social Worker Week!
In the Sioux Falls School District, every student's journey is unique. For many of the kids we serve, our school social workers are there every step of the way! Whether offering a listening ear, connecting families to resources, or advocating for students' well-being, their dedication ignites hope and creates lasting impact in our schools.
This year's theme, Unite to Ignite: Celebrating Our Impact, is a perfect reflection of how our social workers bring people together to create brighter futures for students.
THANK YOU to our incredible school social workers for your compassion and care!
In addition to Marcella LeBeau Elementary being the newest school to open in Sioux Falls this fall, it will also have something unlike any other school in the city - a SmartLab! We are excited to provide the STEM tools that allow students to interact with the science, technology, engineering and math skills they are learning!
We are still celebrating last night's wonderful Teacher of the Year event! So many amazing educators to celebrate! Congratulations again to 2025 Teacher of the Year, Bruce Rekstad, who left with a $4,000 check, courtesy of our friends at Vern Eide. Also, a huge congratulations to the other four finalists, Jennifer Aerts, Bryan Aukerman, Scott Amundson, and Jessica Foley. New this year, thanks to the generosity of the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation, these four finalists walked away with $1,000 each. So many wonderful memories were shared last night! We are so grateful to everyone who attended, from nominees and their friends and families to past ToY winners, past educators, school board members, SDEA friends, and SFSD administrators, it truly was an unforgettable night! Were you at the event? Feel free to get your photos here! https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3KKk You can watch the full video of the event here! https://youtu.be/D-60TEv2ijA
Tonight is the night! The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at an event starting at 7:00 PM. Watch live with us here! ---> https://youtube.com/live/MnFs9wL28Oo?feature=share
Patrick Purdy will be the first principal of Marcella LeBeau Elementary School when it opens in August 2025. Mr. Purdy is working behind the scenes to get staff hired, communicate with families, and get all of the equipment ordered for a successful school year. We look forward to hosting events in August to meet all new families!
Happy New Year from everybody at SFSD! Here's to another year of opportunities and possibilities. We are excited to welcome back students and staff TOMORROW, January 2nd, 2025! We can’t wait to see everyone!
Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond to inspire their students? Now is the time to make sure they get the recognition they deserve!
The Sioux Falls School District’s Teacher of the Year program celebrates outstanding educators who make a lasting impact in and out of the classroom. Applications are open through Monday, January 13, at 5 pm, and we want to hear about the amazing teachers who make our schools shine.
Visit: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/teacher-of-the-year-program to learn more and submit your application!
Help us celebrate the incredible work our educators do to shape the future. Tag a teacher or share this post to spread the word!
