For two years, the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation and the Huether Family Foundation have been working to ensure students’ basic needs are being met. With a $10,000 donation from the Huether Family Foundation in 2018, the Education Foundation launched the Student Success Fund. Through this fund, school social workers and other staff are able to provide clothing, personal hygiene products, bus passes, emergency food assistance, GED scholarships, and school supplies for students who do not have access to these materials.
After the pilot year, the Huether Family Foundation donated another $10,000 at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Since August, students in 25 schools have benefited from the Student Success Fund. Through this public/private partnership, the Education Foundation has been able to fill gaps and collaborate with school staff members to better serve all students. In addition to the $20,000, the Huether Family Foundation also partnered with Karl’s to purchase and install washers and dryers in three elementary schools.
Dr. Brian Maher, superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District, Kylie Huether, spokesperson for the Huether Family Foundation, and Allison Struck, executive director of the Education Foundation, will speak at the press conference at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th at the Instructional Planning Center (201 East 38th Street).