Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Dreaming of a white Christmas??

This week, I've got a look at how the Sioux Falls School District is looking to create more after-school options for middle schoolers, as well as before-school care for elementary kids. And, in the spirit of end-of-year look-backs, I've got a little year in review of what went down this year (like, remember that week when the whole town was infested with mosquitoes?? That was wild.)

And now, news:

EDUCATION

How Sioux Falls is looking to expand before- and after-school options for kids

Simplified: The Sioux Falls School District is looking at ways to make sure older students have access to after-school clubs, tutoring support and recreation by expanding it's Community Learning Center program to middle schools.

A family sits at a table working on an art project during family night at a Sioux Falls Community Learning Center.
Family night at a Community Learning Center. Photo: Sioux Falls School District

Why it matters

  • Over the last few years, the district has implemented a new Community Learning Center (CLC) model at all elementary schools. But part of that plan involved taking over city community centers that previously provided open recreation space for older kids, too.
  • Now, district officials are looking at ways to bring CLCs to all middle schools – including new facilities, in some cases.
  • The district is also looking to build on the existing elementary programs by adding an option for before-school care.
  • Early data on the elementary side shows the kids participating in the after-school programs at the CLCs are scoring higher on tests and having better attendance rates.
"There’s a strong desire to continue to expand programing for middle-school kids in the city," said Paul Keizer, CLC executive director.

Tell me more: What is a CLC?

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • No ice ribbon this winter. Due to construction delays, weather and some "consultant feedback," the Jacobson Plaza Ice Ribbon will no longer open this winter, City Recreation Manager Jackie Nelson said Wednesday. That said, the goal is to open other outdoor ice rinks around the city on Dec. 20, if weather allows.
  • But Great Bear is open. It's ski season, friends! Great Bear opens today. To start, there are limited runs open, and passes must be purchased online. Get the latest details here.
  • Record demand for blankets. The Sioux Falls School District has had 1600 requests for blankets as part of its annual Project Warm Up, but right now only 375 have been made. You can help by going to Sonia Sotomayor Elementary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and tying blankets. You can also help with a monetary donation via Venmo (@gotfleece) or by dropping off materials (fleece fabric) to Sonia Sotomayor Elementary. More details here.
  • Another school bond on the horizon. Sioux Falls school board members last week discussed future construction plans in the district, including plans to issue a bond to fund a new Whittier Middle School in the coming years. The process moving forward will look similar to what the district did back in 2017-18 when planning the $180 million bond that funded the new Jefferson High School, Ben Reifel Middle School and Marcella LeBeau Elementary School. More to come on that in the new year.

COMMUNITY

A look back on what happened in Sioux Falls in 2024

Simplified: It feels trite to say a "lot of stuff happened" over the course of an entire year, but it's also true that a lot of stuff happened in Sioux Falls this year. And before we dive into a new year with its own triumphs, challenges, weather events and weird cultural moments, it only seems right to reflect on how far we've come as a community in 2024.

What did happen this year?

Let's break it down by category, for the sake of organization, starting with some city news.

Riverline District progress

It was early February when Mayor Paul TenHaken first unveiled the vision to build a new convention center on the Riverline District property downtown – nearly a year after it was initially pitched as the site for a potential sports stadium.

  • That conversation progressed with the City Council approving $8 million to purchase the land, which just this week got a green light from the Riverline Steering Committee.
    • Don't be surprised if a public vote on whether to move forward with a convention center in that space is set (or has already occurred) by this time next year.

Big changes on City Council

In April, the City Council turned over half of its members and welcomed four newcomers: Miranda Basye, Jennifer Sigette, Ryan Spellerberg, and Richard Thomason (who won a run-off election against Jordan Deffenbaugh two weeks later.)

Small wins for childcare, but mostly waiting

The City Council started the year talking about the importance of acting quickly in helping solve the childcare crisis in Sioux Falls, but at the end of the year it's still been a lot more talk than action on that front.

  • Likely the biggest win on the city front was a new $450,000 scholarship fund to help cover the costs of an associate degree for students pursuing early childhood education.
  • Beyond that, it's been a lot of waiting – largely because the city is waiting on the state.

We also learned thousands of kids who are eligible to receive childcare assistance are missing out on that opportunity. Councilors have asked the state and legislature to take a look at regulatory changes/law changes that could help make that program more accessible.

Growth, and lots of it

Here's a list of just some of the current and future development projects discussed in the city this year:

Some heartwarming news along the way

Sioux Fallsians have a way of showing up when there's a need, and that was no different this year.

  • A Little Help. The inaugural Sioux Falls Simplified 'A Little Help' campaign raised $5,000 for Journey of Hope, a nonprofit that provides hygiene products for those in need, as well as art therapy for incarcerated kids.
  • A truly rad namesake. Sioux Falls is now home to one of the largest skate parks in the country, but it's not named after a famous skater or a big donor. It's named after a middle school teacher whose love for her students resonates decades later.
  • A call for inclusion. When a 12-year-old girl was denied access to sing backup for Foreigner with her choir mates because she uses a wheelchair, the community rallied behind her in support.
  • A life remembered. Sioux Falls community members also came together late this summer to host a funeral for an infant who was found abandoned at the recycling center. A number of local organizations and religious leaders then banded together to give the child a proper memorial – and even a name.

Also, some weird stuff

Remember the mosquitoes? Or the 911 outage? Or learning the word "Lallycooler"? Or that time we all got really excited about P!nk, and she flaked?

What happens next?

Let's circle back on this after the new year. ;)

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

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