Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warm and windy
This week, Sioux Falls school board members got together to talk about a wide range of topics – including the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. You'll also find some Super Simplified stories about McKennan Park pool improvements, a new bus route and a local visionary who'll be laid to rest in the coming days.
And now, news:
EDUCATION
How schools are talking about AI in the classroom
Simplified: The Sioux Falls School District is starting to explore how teachers are using artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, and administrators are drafting a document to offer guidance on if – and how – students should be allowed to use AI in their schoolwork.
Why it matters
- Artificial intelligence is becoming more and more prominent across industries. It only took five days for AI chatbot Chat GPT to reach one million users after it launched in late 2022.
- Assistant Superintendent Kirk Zeeck told school board members this week that many teachers in the district say they're already using AI in some way, according to survey results taken last spring. Though about half of teachers say they aren't using it at all.
- It's also important for students to understand the limitations of AI, said Jefferson High School English teacher Michele Wheeler. Wheeler said she had her students draft a short story using AI's help – with characters and settings written by the students.
- During the exercise, students became frustrated when they realized how similar each of their AI-generated stories were.
"AI can create, but it is not creative," Wheeler said.
What's the AI policy in Sioux Falls schools?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How businesses are backing the zoo's future plans
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium is planning for a future where the campus includes an aquarium, butterfly house and more education space, and it's a plan that has full endorsement from the Greater Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Here is what you need to know about the ongoing Community Appeals campaign.
Why it matters
- A Community Appeals campaign is a way for a nonprofit organization to share its story with businesses throughout the community in the hopes of raising funds to support their work. The Sioux Falls chamber only selects a couple of projects each year for these fundraising efforts.
- The Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House and Aquarium merged into one organization two years ago, and the goal is to get both organization's onto the zoo's campus in the coming years. The Community Appeals campaign is one of the first steps in fundraising, and all funds raised by the zoo will be matched up to $25 million by philanthropist Denny Sanford.
- Since the Community Appeals campaign started in November, it has already raised $800,000 toward its $1.3 million goal (and $2 million stretch goal), Development Director Kate Johansen said. It's all funding that'll ultimately bring more money to the community through tourism and other economic impacts, she added.
"Not only is it going to be this impressive and wonderful new place for families to continue making lifelong memories, but it's going to have all these tangible impacts to the community," Johansen said.
Tell me more about the long-term vision
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Lacrosse this one off the list.* Don't miss your chance to sign up for youth lacrosse at the Sioux Falls YMCA. Registration for the spring travel teams is open now. Boys and girls in grades 6 through 12 are eligible to participate, and kids of all skill levels are welcome.
- The YMCA also offers scholarships to ensure all kids, regardless of background, are able to participate. Learn more and register here.
- "Our mission is to make lacrosse accessible for everyone and to create a supportive community where kids can thrive both on and off the field," Youth Lacrosse Coordinator Cooper Doyens said.
- Local development leader dies. Craig Lloyd, co-founder and owner of Lloyd Companies died this week at age 76. SiouxFalls.Business has a fitting tribute to Lloyd, who's described as "instrumental in making this city what it is today. Visitation will take place Sunday afternoon with a funeral scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
- More bus options. Sioux Area Metro next week is expected to announce several upgrades to the city's public transit services. That will include a new Black Route which will run to and from the airport, as well as a few routes starting as early as 6 a.m. Learn more on current routes and timetables here.
*Denotes a paid story. This one is sponsored by the Sioux Falls YMCA.
More Super Simplified Stories
- Do you wanna be a lifeguard? The city parks and recreation department is looking to hire 500 seasonal workers by May 1. The jobs all have wages from $15 to $19 per hour, and jobs available include lifeguards, park maintenance and recreation staff to help run programming and events throughout the summer. Find details and a full list of positions here.
- Big pool energy. The plans for a new wading pool at McKennan Park just got bigger thanks to a $2.5 million donation from Pierce and Barbara McDowell. Their donation will add an expanded concessions area, shade structures, architectural elements to the concessions/operations building, additional spray features in the pool and other amenities like benches, plants and artwork.
- The city has already approved $4.7 million to replace the existing wading pool, and construction is expected to begin this summer.
SODAK SIMPLIFIED
Two things from Pierre:
- A new lieutenant. Gov. Larry Rhoden has named Tony Venhuizen, a Sioux Falls lawmaker who's worked previously in both Gov. Kristi Noem and Gov. Dennis Daugaard's administrations. Venhuizen's appointment leaves a vacancy in District 13,
- School choice-less. Two bills aimed at increasing school choice in South Dakota through education savings accounts effectively died in the House Education Committee this week. Bill opponents said they fear the bills would divert tax dollars away from public schools, and supporters say the conversation is not over yet. South Dakota Searchlight has the details.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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