School news: Students make Thanksgiving dinner, superintendent serenades, remembering band leader

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].

Thanksgiving dinner came a bit early for Sioux Falls School District leaders, community members, staff and friends who enjoyed a turkey meal with all the fixings prepared and served by staff and students in the RISE program at Ben Reifel Middle School. RISE stands for “Reaching Independence through Structured Education.”

Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum went back to his roots at Lowell Elementary. The former Lowell Bulldog visited with  Student Council members about his job and how one can succeed with hard work and following a dream.

Ladies, it’s a good look on both of you. Meet the accidental twins at Discovery Elementary.

Taking ownership of the school at O’Gorman Junior High.

Superintendent Jane Stavem joined the team at Rosa Parks Elementary for breakfast, and while the staff ate, she serenaded them with piano music.

They received the breakfast for being the first school to have all staff participate in the Sioux Empire United Way campaign.

Eugene Field Elementary starts open enrollment Dec. 1. If you know someone who would like their child to attend a school that focuses on the multiple intelligences through an arts-integrated curriculum, contact the school for information at 605-367-6160.

Black Hills Credit Union and the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood stepped up and donated several coats for Lowell Elementary students.

The Sioux Falls School District’s latest edition of “Staff Stars” features Robert Bennett, Washington High School’s student success coordinator. “Today’s high school students come to school with struggles we couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago. Keeping them focused on their education, which is the key to their successful future, takes work, kindness, authenticity, dedication, compassion and drive,” the district wrote. “Roberta fills her large number of roles with genuine positivity and a gracious sense of humor, which builds lasting relationships that make all the difference.”

And finally, we never forget those educators who leave a lasting impression on us, and even years later, we hate to lose them. The O’Gorman community is honoring Jim “Smitty” Smith, longtime band director at O’Gorman High School, who died last week.

Smitty was band director from 1982-2009 and impacted bands across the state of South Dakota and around the region. “Smitty was beloved by so many students through the years, and he will be deeply missed in the O’G community,” the school said.