The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation will host its annual “State of the School District” (formerly known as the Innovation in Education Breakfast) tonight from 6-7 p.m. The event will be live streamed via the Education Foundation’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SFPSEF/).

At the virtual event, the Education Foundation will celebrate the 49 educators who received Public School Proud Grants this spring, feature previous grant winners and see how they are using creative materials in the classroom, and finish up with a fireside chat with Dr. Jane Stavem, the Sioux Falls School District’s new superintendent. This event is sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, First PREMIER Bank/Bankcard, SDN Communications, and The Event Company.

The Education Foundation operates three main programs: First Time Teacher Grants, Public School Proud Grants, and the Student Success Fund. Every first-time, first-year teacher receives $200 to purchase materials to equip their classroom (bulletin board supplies, classroom sets of books, games, puzzles, organization kits, etc.) Any teacher in the Sioux Falls School District can apply for up to $10,000 to purchase hands-on, immersive materials that will positively affect student engagement. Educators have used funds to purchase robotics kits, garden growing labs, drones, 3D printers, musical instruments, specialized books for English language learners, virtual reality headsets, photography equipment, and so much more. Through the Student Success Fund, the Education Foundation provides basic needs (emergency food assistance, gas gift cards, clothing for families fleeing domestic violence, personal hygiene products, etc.) to families living in crisis.

This is one of the largest fundraisers for the Education Foundation. To make a gift to support the 25,000 students and 1,800 teachers served through our programs, please use our secure transaction portal: https://sfpsef.kindful.com/