Jill Beck is a new friend at Garfield! This is what she has to say about being at Garfield: “I am excited to be at Garfield for the first time this year! I have taught in various elementary schools in Sioux Falls my entire teaching career. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone here! I will teach SIPPS to some first graders in small groups. They will learn foundational reading skills such as sounds, blending sounds into words, sight words, writing decodable words, and of course reading fun stories! Children of ALL ages can become even better readers when they read regularly at home or have someone read to them! I grew up on a farm where my parents lived for 53 years! Since going to college at Augustana, I have lived in Sioux Falls my entire adult life with my husband and 2 cats. I really enjoy spending time with friends and my family (we have 2 sons who are both married), camping, bike riding, reading, and going to concerts, musicals, games and movies.”
Mrs. Schildhauer has been a friend at Garfield for a while; she is now in a new role. Here’s what she has to say about herself and her new role: “I am teaching 2nd grade this year. This is my 12th year of teaching. I've spent the last nine years as an EL teacher here at Garfield and I've also taught first and second grade in Sioux Falls. I'm originally from Minnesota and came here to go to Augustana. I am passionate about our diverse culture here at Garfield and promote a world wide understanding of all students! My one word for this year is GROWTH, both from myself and my students!”
Trisha Frerichs is a new friend at Garfield! She will be teaching 3rd grade. Trisha says this about who she is and what she believes about education: “I am going into my 5th year of teaching! I have my master’s degree in education. I believe we are all life-long learners, and I aim to instill a love for learning in my students. It is so rewarding watching my students learn and grow. I use growth mindset alongside the habits of a healthy kid to guide my students to success. At Garfield it is my goal to create solid relationships with my students and their families to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Madison Pauli is a new friend at Garfield! This is what she has to say about coming to Garfield: “Hi! I grew up in Madison, South Dakota. I went to college at Augustana University and just graduated this spring with my degree in Elementary Education. I am so lucky to start my teaching career here at Garfield in 1st Grade. One of my main goals for this school year is to build a strong classroom family with my students and to support them while they achieve their wildest dreams. I'm so excited to join the Garfield family and can't wait to start learning!”
Payton Anderson is a new friend at Garfield! This what she has to say about coming to Garfield: “I am excited to be teaching 5th grade at Garfield Elementary. I am originally from Brookings, SD, and graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Recently, I moved from Houston, TX, to be closer to my family. As an educator, my goal is to establish meaningful relationships and create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every child feels valued and inspired to explore their potential. I am thrilled to be a part of this school community and eager to support students' growth and learning!”
The 2024-25 school year begins. We are so excited to have all our friends here! We are set and ready to GO!
GO!
We had a particularly joyful celebration at our meeting Wednesday morning! We were able to celebrate the 40th year our friend Jane Eilertson has graced us as a teacher at Garfield, the longest time of any teacher in the Sioux Falls School District. Thank you Jane for your excellence, your kindness, your hard work, and mostly, thank you for being a great friend!
Full stomachs make for better learners!
Garfield is partnering in the BackPack Program with Feeding South Dakota. Children up to 18 years of age may receive a bag of nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods during weekends and holidays when school is not in session. If you would like your child to receive a weekly BackPack bag, please let us know and we will get you the needed, simple form.
Feeding South Dakota also offers mobile food distributions across Sioux Falls. If your family, or someone you know, needs food assistance you are welcome to visit any one of these sites once every 30 days to receive a variety of fresh and frozen produce, dairy, meat, bread, and other non-perishable food items. The most accessible site for our Garfield families is The Point is to Serve at 506 N Kiwanis Ave at 2:30-3:30pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month. You can find other sites at www.feedingsouthdakota.org/mobile .
The Eat Well Sioux Falls Mobile Market is at the corner of 15th and Garfield every Thursday from 1 to 6 pm. You can learn more or see additional stops at siouxfallsthrive.org/eatwell/ .
Your friends at Garfield want everyone to have access to the nourishment they need!
The first day of school is just over a month away! More info on open houses to come soon, but for now, please save these dates! If you haven't yet completed the Annual Student Information Update, please do so here. https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/school-registration
See you soon!
LAST CALL for Camp Invention! Secure your child's spot TODAY!
Thursday May 23rd is the last day of the 2023-24 school year. We will miss you all and we will be counting off the days until we see you again!
SEVEN WEEKS AND COUNTING! WOW! This is awesome Garfield families. 93% percent attendance for the week of May 13th through May 17th. Seven weeks in a row of over 90% attendance. Plus, each of our grades were over 90% attendance overall with 5th grade at whopping 95%. Way to go Garfield families!
Six weeks and counting! That’s right, we have had 6 weeks of over 90% attendance. And to top it off, the week of May 6th through May 10th we were at a huge 92% attendance overall with 4th grade at 94%. In fact all grades were over 90% that week. Way to go Garfield families!
For the second year in a row, the Sioux Falls School District is proud to be called one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association for Music Merchants Foundation. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the commitment of our students, and to the close ties that have grown together over the years in our music education community. As we celebrate this recognition, let us also celebrate the power of music to inspire, educate, and unite us all.
Wow! SFSD is so grateful to the Sioux Falls STORM, LEVO, and media partners KELOLand TV for supporting Operation Hope & Caring where $18,417 was raised to support elementary schools that don't have PTAs/PTOs. We had a great time at the game and especially enjoyed the WIN! ❤️
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10 and we have a lot of reasons to be appreciative here at Garfield. Our teachers go above and beyond on a daily basis to not only educate our students, but to care for them, support them, and to put them on an educational and personal path of success. Join us saying thank you.
The week of April 29th through May 3rd was our 5th week in a row of having met our attendance goal of 90%. And not only did we meet our goal, we again surpassed it at 91%! Fifth grade were our leaders by showing up at over a 93% clip. Way to go 5th grade, and way to go Garfield families by getting up and showing up for school.
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!
Wednesday, May 1st is National Principal Day! Join us in wishing our own principal, Mrs. Skogstad, a very happy Principal’s Day. Every student and staff member at Garfield is blessed to have her here!
