School news of the week: Welcoming class of 2035, ‘book tasting’

Amazing things happen in our schools every day — if you know where to look! Do you know some school news others would love? Let us know at [email protected].

Can you believe it: We’re about to welcome the class of 2035. Kindergarten registration has started in Sioux Falls, and schools rolled out the welcome mat for these future elementary students. Here’s a look from Terry Redlin Elementary.

We always love to celebrate a McTeacher of the Month! Congratulations to Mrs. Ebert of Tri-Valley School District, who wins $100 for her classroom and free McDonald’s coffee for a year.

Learning “took flight” for sixth graders at Ben Reifel Middle School, who learned about  air pressure, air density, wind direction, wind speed, temperature and more in order to properly fly a hot air balloon.

What a great lesson for the kids at Fred Assam Elementary. The school came together along with Cub Scout Tiger Den Pack 212 and lots of adult supporters to raise $4,300 for Midwest Honor Flight.

You’re never too young to learn with music. Sioux Falls Lutheran School has started incorporating its Suzuki-based violin program in the Fantastic Fives classroom. Last week, students learned how to follow a cue and bow, which hand is for the bow and which hand is for the violin, and practiced clapping and chanting their first violin rhythm “Mississippi stop stop.”

What an interesting event at Memorial Middle School: a World War II “book tasting.” An eighth grade classroom was set up as a cafe with mood lighting, tablecloths, place settings, candles and dinner mints. Students had WWII books covered with black paper so they didn’t “judge a book by its cover.” They had two minutes with each book to read the back descriptions and the first few pages. Then, they voted on their favorite and were assigned the book to read for the coming week.

Superintendent Jane Stavem hosted nearly 50 future educators for “Bagels With the Boss.” Student teachers working in Sioux Falls School District classrooms joined her to learn about job opportunities, hear about the support offered by the district’s instructional coaches and connect with leadership.

We had to share this student artwork. A student from St. Lambert Elementary drew God’s light shining down on her.

Does anyone really lose in a cake war? Check out the winning creation for the Jefferson High School Booster Club’s competition. The winning team: girls soccer.

And finally, have you heard about Everybody Reads? It’s a new effort between the Sioux Falls School District and Siouxland Libraries. Find out more here.