Jefferson opened in the fall of 2021, and the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation was thrilled to award four Public School Proud Grants to educators at Sioux Falls’ newest high school. Arlene Smith, Native American Connections teacher, received $1,500 for her proposal, “Tiyóspaye Owáyawa – Inclusive Drum Circle.” She will use funds to purchase…

Krystine Reavis received $2,249.25 for her proposal, “Go, Robot, Go!” She will use the funds to purchase Dash robotics kits that will be used by 200 students in the library during their Makerspace time. With the Dash robots, students learn to code and they then have the opportunity to apply their programming skills in a…

Becca Frahm, Cailey Linn, Donnetta Warrington, and Emily Dilly received $4066.79 for their proposal, “Increasing Regulation.” They will purchase emotions boards, light filters, kinetic sand kits, a sand and water table, therapy balls, and sensory sacks that can be used by students throughout the building in the sensory room. In the application, they wrote, “Sensory…

Tina Slade received a $1,726.77 Public School Proud Grant for her proposal, “The Learning Connection.” She will purchase alphabet books, phonics little readers, magnetic number tiles, learning locks, letter crayons, picture magnets, feelings and emotions dough maps, and a peaceful kids yoga kit. In the application, she wrote, “The Learning Connection will support the bridge…

Rhonda Wilson received $1,255.04 for her grant, “Come Play in Junior K!” She will use funds to purchase step and balance stones, activity balls, bean bags, wrist ribbons, the knock down number challenge game, a play tunnel, and a swing and catch cup set. These activities will help Rhonda incorporate gross and fine motor play…

Zhozeta (Zoey) Karapetyan received a $3,998 Public School Proud Grant to purchase four 3D printers for students at Rosa Parks Elementary. This is the fourth grant the Education Foundation has awarded for 3D printers. Lowell Elementary, R.F. Pettigrew, and Ben Reifel Middle School also have 3D printers. In the application, Zoey wrote, “The printers will…

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation awarded two grants at Axtell Park. Dawn Marie Johnson, Brent Thurlow, and Connor Bergh received $1,030.31 for their grant, “Fortitude Foss: JoeCast.” They will purchase podcasting equipment for students at Joe Foss. In their application, they wrote, “The podcast system will provide a hands-on experience for students by…

Allyssa Krull, Josee Mendel, and Kelsey Pick received $2,034.35 for their grant, “Diversity Matters.” In the application, they wrote, “Our goal is to buy multicultural and diverse books that include characters and storylines with whom our students can connect. Our population has become more diverse, and we want books that reflect our students and their…

Six teachers from Jane Addams Elementary received Public School Proud Grants from the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation. Sheila Pike, Heidi Williams, Tanya Rausis, Eliza Leloux, Alexa Nelson, and Lindsey Gray received $1,443.47 for their grant, “S.O.A.R. Into Family Time.” They will purchase STEM materials, board games, snap circuits, and puzzles, and students will…

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation awarded a Public School Proud Grant to Kelly Myrlie and Annie Selken at Whittier Middle School. The two teachers received $3,000 for their proposal, “Creativity is Just Intelligence Having Fun.” They will use the funds to create an art enrichment center in the classroom, benefitting 600 students. In…