Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: Heatin' up

Status check: How's summer going? Are we pivoting to school-supply-buying mode now? Give this email a thumbs-up at the bottom if you'd like to see another round of "where to buy the cheapest school supplies."

This week, I'll introduce you to a Sioux Falls mom whose Instagram community is raising hundreds of dollars for teachers. Plus, catch up on the latest Super Simplified stories and a round-up of local events. And don't miss Friday's issue, where I"ll have a summary of Mayor Paul TenHaken's 2025 budget proposal (and a very fun story from Siouxland Libraries).

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

How moms on Instagram are banding together for teachers

Simplified: A local community of moms connected via Instagram has raised nearly $1,000 in two days after a call to support teachers.

red apple fruit on four pyle books
Photo by Element5 Digital / Unsplash

Why it matters

  • Kelsey Whitesel started the Sioux Falls Mom Connection group on Instagram last spring as a way to connect parents to both each other and local resources.
  • Whitesel herself has a background in teaching, and she taught at both Axtell Park and George McGovern Middle School between 2012 and 2020. That spurred an idea to create a "Class Act" fundraiser to help out teachers who are spending hundreds of dollars each year out-of-pocket on classroom expenses.
  • Within 24 hours of her first Instagram post, the Sioux Falls Mom community had raised more than $400. By Tuesday afternoon, they were close to $1,000, far exceeding Whitesel's initial goal of $250.
"Everybody's got a kid in school or daycare," she said. "I think people love to show up for one another when it's personal like this. I'm not surprised by this, but I'm blown away."

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Howard Wood going cashless. The Sioux Falls School District this week will announce cashless ticketing at Howard Wood Field and details on the 2024-25 booster pass. Follow up on the district's website for more details later this week.
  • Get your tickets. Tickets are on sale now for the annual Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars event. Get the details on the Oct. 19 event here.
  • Commissioners stay the course. Minnehaha County Commissioners this week decided to drop plans to pursue a public vote on a new structure of government that'd mean fewer elected positions. The Dakota Scout has the full story.
  • Chamber 'can't fight this feeling.' The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce last week announced the details for their upcoming annual meeting – including a performance from REO Speedwagon. Find more details and tickets here.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: July 24-30

  • Celebrate Native American culture. Levitt at the Falls is teaming up with the South Dakota State University Wokini Initiative to present the 2024 Mitakuye Owas’iĆž All My Relatives Festival. Events kick off Friday evening with a concert, and continue all day Saturday with performances, a fashion show, lots of activities, vendors and a Supaman concert to round out the night. Learn more here.
  • Grab a beer. Remedy Brewing Company is celebrating its 7th anniversary with a "Backyard Bash" starting 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Enjoy beers, smoked meats, music and games. Details here.
  • Get a peek at the Steel District. The District Lofts and Pasque Boutique are teaming up for a pop-up shop and open door event on Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the new housing units, the views and the new boutique. Plus, the first 30 guests will get a complimentary bouquet from InFlower. More here.
  • Spread some Christmas cheer. It's Christmas in July, and the Sioux Falls Municipal Band is celebrating with holiday classics and carols at the McKennan Park bandshell on Thursday night starting at 7:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served, and it's free to attend.
  • Play grocery games. The Stockyards Ag Experience is hosting the "Grocery Olympics" on Saturday. Test your knowledge of grocery products for a chance to win prizes. Details here.
  • Learn under the sea. The Butterfly House & Aquarium is hosting a "Scoops & Seahorses" event Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get a free scoop of ice cream, do some crafts and learn more about seahorses. Get tickets here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Why Sioux Falls named its new skate park after a former teacher
“She didn’t see us like the rest of Sioux Falls did,” former student Jon Rood said. “She didn’t see skaters as outcasts.”
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
This program helps create a standard of care for poverty
The Helpline Center is working to bring a new model of social service to Sioux Falls – one that treats poverty like a medical condition rather than a character flaw. Here’s what you need to know about Transitions to Success.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Get smart about giving with Lisa Romkema
Lisa Romkema will begin her new job as CEO of Sioux Empire United Way (SEUW) at the end of this month. She sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified to talk about the importance of philanthropy, her experience in the nonprofit sector and how giving goes far beyond money.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or garden-fresh tomatoes to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.