
We’re going to see STARS! For the month of December the classroom which has the best attendance for their grade level will win a Karaoke Party during a music class in January. Then the stars are REALLY going to come out! More details to come.


On Monday we were so excited to have author and illustrator Mark Mindt here. He talked to the students about his comic books, Koda the Warrior, as well as Native culture, story telling, and Indigenous language. Mark packed 30 minutes with wisdom and good stories. Thank you!







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!


Join us for the Community Learning Center Health & Wellness Fair on December 3rd in the Oyate gym from 4:30 to 7 pm.
There will be amazing door prizes! Each participant will be given the opportunity to enter into door prize drawings as they arrive. Most of the door prizes are over $50 in value. Vendors are also will be welcome to host their own drawings at their tables.
Scorecards will also be used to earn prizes! Participants will be given a Scorecard when they arrive to encourage participation in a wide array of booths and activities. Vendors will initial/sign/mark/stamp cards when a participant visits their booth. When participants complete their Scorecard by visiting 16 booths, they are entered into a separate drawing for a special prize.


A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, November 27th, through Friday, November 29th. This season reminds us how much we have to be grateful for, especially our amazing students, staff, and families! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving break!


There will be no school November, Wednesday the 27th through Sunday, November 30th. We will be back at school Monday, December 1st at usual time.


Great job Garfield families! We achieved over 93% attendance for the week of November 18th through November 22nd. That’s TEN weeks in a row we have exceeded 91% attendance. Second grade led all grade levels at a rate of over 95%. Way to go 2nd graders and your families! All grade levels were at 91% or better.


Garfield students have earned an additional 309 Leader Cards last week bringing the total to over 80% of our goal of 5,000 Leader Cards. When that goal is achieved we will have a DANCE PARTY as reward for all our students’ hard work.


It’s time for our Family Bingo Night on the evening of Thursday Nov. 21st! There will be pizza for the first 250 people starting at 5:30 and bingo starts at 5:45. The evening last until 7:00 pm. We can’t wait to see you! B-I-N-G-O!!


Join us December 3rd for a FREE Community Health & Wellness fair at Garfield Elementary. The fair lasts from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. There will be vendor booths from around the community, kids activities, health screenings, family games, community resources, activity registrations, door prizes, and much more. Bring your family and come and go as you please.


Help shape the future of the Sioux Falls School District by completing a survey about the most desired qualities of the next superintendent. The SFSD School Board is using an educational leadership search firm to gather input. https://hyasurvey.com/SiouxFalls


Great job Garfield families! We achieved over 92% attendance for the week of November 11th through November 15th. That’s NINE weeks in a row we have exceeded 91% attendance. Second grade led all grade levels at a rate of over 95%. Way to go 2nd graders and your families! All grade levels were at 90% or better.


It’s time for our Family Bingo Night on the evening of Thursday Nov. 21st! There will be pizza for the first 250 people starting at 5:30 and bingo starts at 5:45. The evening last until 7:00 pm. We can’t wait to see you! B-I-N-G-O!!


When we say “school starts at 8 a.m.” we mean learning starts at 8 a.m. Our teachers have the entire day packed with learning starting when the first bell rings at 8 o’clock. We have been seeing some sleepy students lately. The time change, fewer hours of sunlight, and other factors can lead to an occasional sleepy student, but if your student is sleepy every day they simply need to go to bed earlier. It is recommended that elementary school students get 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Seems like a lot but when their bodies are growing and they are learning so much during the day, their energy reserves are quickly used. A successful day at school often starts the night before.


Garfield students have earned an additional 853 Leader Cards last week bringing the total to about 75% of our goal of 5,000 Leader Cards. When that goal is achieved we will have a DANCE PARTY as reward for all our students’ hard work.


Great job Garfield families! We reached over 93% attendance for the week of November 4th through November 8th. That’s EIGHT weeks in a row we have exceeded 91% attendance. For the third week in a row 3rd grade led all grade levels at a rate of 96%. Way to go 3rd graders and your families!


Students from Sonia Sotomayor (pictured in this photo) and the rest of the Sioux Falls School District would like to wish you a Happy Veteran's Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
South Dakota public schools proudly recognize and support the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Their sacrifices and dedication have upheld the values and freedoms we cherish, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to protecting our nation.
Our schools are committed to instilling respect and appreciation for veterans among our students, helping them understand the importance of service and dedication. We invite our community to join us in expressing heartfelt gratitude and respect for our veterans.
Thank you to all our veterans for your service and sacrifice!


REMINDER! Sioux Falls School District schools and offices will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11, in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Thank you to all who have served! Especially SFSD staff members who proudly serve(d) in our schools and on the front lines. 🇺🇸


We had our monthly leader assembly on Monday and we were able to celebrate our October Leaders of the Month. These students were chosen by their teachers for their outstanding leadership and following the 7 Leader in Me Habits:
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
Habit 2 - Begin With the End in Mind
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6 - Synergize
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Join us in congratulating these current and future leaders!








Garfield students have earned an additional 392 Leader Cards last week bringing the total over 60% to our goal of 5,000 Leader Cards. When that goal is achieved we will have a DANCE PARTY as reward for all our students’ hard work.
