Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Less rain.
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A Little Help update: You lovely people have raised more than $4,500 for Journey of Hope!! That means our $5,000 goal is well within reach, and with five days left in June, I'd love to exceed it! Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's cool that you support the people in our community doing cool stuff. ❤️
This week, I'll introduce you to a group of parents who are trying to take a more low-tech approach to learning. You'll also find the latest information on flooding cleanup efforts. Plus, don't miss our weekly event guide! And be sure to watch for Friday's issue for one last A Little Help feature as well as a round-up of local 4th of July celebrations.
And now, news:
EDUCATION
Don't want your kid staring at screens all day? This is the group for you.
Simplified: A group of parents are advocating for a more low-tech approach to education – from delaying smart phones and social media at home to banning cell phones in classrooms. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- "Low Tech Families of Sioux Falls" started a couple months back with a group of four moms who were concerned about the amount of screen time their kids were experiencing both at home and in the classroom. The group has since grown to nearly 100 parents and is now looking for representatives at each of Sioux Falls' schools.
- Their goal isn't to take all technology out of classrooms, parent Jessie Halverson said. Rather, the hope is to ask the district to evaluate its 1:1 technology initiative and make sure screen time is effective, not distracting.
- And outside of the classroom, these parents are looking for solidarity – fellow like-minded parents looking for ways to protect their kids from the potential dangers lurking on the internet, from pornography to social media.
"If you saw someone's kid was going to be hit by a car, you'd be like, 'There's a car coming,'" parent Mel Murray said. "We're seeing (technology) is hurting kids globally, and if people knew, they would want to do something."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Everything you need to know after last week's flood. The city has a web page with all of the details on park closures, tips on flood cleanup, permit requirements for rebuilding and more. Find those details here.
- Cattleman's Foundation donates to Feeding South Dakota. During the annual Prime Time Gala, the foundation presented Feeding South Dakota with a check for more than $303,000, bringing the total donation $2.7 million over the last 11 years.
- Central Sioux Falls gets a new brunch spot. Perch Neighborhood Kitchen opened earlier this week in a renovated building at the corner of Ninth Street and Grange Avenue. Learn more here.
- Camp Leif Ericson needs help. The camp was underwater last week, and the devastation is "beyond anything we have ever experienced," the camp said in an email. The camp is looking to raise $100,000 for immediate repair, and as of Tuesday evening, they were more than halfway to meeting that goal. Follow along and donate here.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: June 26-July 2
- See some lions. The two new lions at the Great Plains Zoo are ready to make their debut this week. The first people who will get a chance to see them are attendees at the zoo's annual Zoofari event happening Thursday evening. Then, the exhibit will have a grand opening Friday morning. Get your Zoofari tickets here.
- Support young entrepreneurs. Kids age 6 to 17 will be promoting their very own businesses and selling things they've made at the Acton Children's Business Fair on Thursday afternoon. Support budding entrepreneurs by shopping at nearly four dozen startups. Details here.
- Summer camp, but for websites. Hey, Carl! is hosting a "Website in a Weekend" event on Saturday to help business owners get the tools they need to launch their website. Learn more and sign up here.
- A movie date, but with plants. Oakridge Nursery is hosting an "Oakridge After Dark" movie night on Friday with a showing of "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs." Bring your own chairs and be ready to eat lots of popcorn. Movie starts at 7 p.m. – details here.
- Party with coffee and flowers. InFlower and Daylily Coffee are teaming up for a Midsummer Party to celebrate the two new businesses' locations on Eighth Street. Grab a cup of coffee, make a flower crown and support local businesses. Details here.
- Barre3 (Taylor's Version). Breathe, stretch, relax and channel your inner Swiftie listening to "The Tortured Poet's Department" during a Barre3 class on Sunday morning. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
How Journey of Hope is helping kids process trauma through art
It’s not about being “good” at art or completing a project to get a good grade, said Lisa Brunick, a longtime art teacher and licensed art therapist who leads the art session. It’s about feeling your feelings.
Megan Raposa
Get smart about yoga with Sarah Lindemulder
Sarah Lindemulder has been teaching yoga since 2012, and last year, she opened her own studio – Joy Collective Yoga.
Megan Raposa
What should it cost to use public pools?
The cost to use proposed new indoor pools and recreation centers is too high, several City Councilors told Sioux Falls Simplified this week.
Megan Raposa
WANT TO FEEL THIS SMART ALL THE TIME?
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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 hydrangeas to megan@sfsimplified.com.
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
