Sioux Falls after-school care will change next fall

A new partnership starting next fall will change the way the Sioux Falls School District offers after-school care.

The district announced today it will be using a Community Learning Center model at all elementary schools “with plans to expand in the middle and high schools in the future.”

The plan builds on several pilot initiatives already underway and is designed to create coordinated, structured, safe and licensed after-school care among multiple partners.

Those include Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, YMCA, Volunteers of America-Dakotas and EmBe. Additional community partners will further enhance programming through unique learning opportunities, the district said.

“Consistency is key when working with children,” Superintendent Jane Stavem said in a statement.

“The Sioux Falls School District is eager to launch the Community Learning Center model so our students and families can grow and learn beyond the school day,” she said. “We are grateful to the city for providing opportunities through the community centers for more than four decades. We are also excited to enhance offerings with strong support from our community partners.”

The community centers, which are part of the city of Sioux Falls, will transition to support the Community Learning Center model.

The district already owns the spaces. The revised joint-cooperative agreement maintains shared use of school and city spaces for years to come while also securing the city’s use of community center gyms for existing adult sports leagues.

Mayor Paul TenHaken said it makes sense to use the facilities after school for more structured programing.

“Time with recreation, tutoring, mentoring opportunities, homework support and additional classes,” he said. “That’s a big shift because the city historically has been in the community center game … but are we providing the biggest benefit to kids with recreation space? Do they need to play kickball or do they need homework help?”

The new model offers some of both.

Students will receive academic enrichment opportunities, coordinated by nonprofits, along with activities designed to complement what is taught during the traditional school day. That will include supplemental programming in science, technology, art, music, sports and community service.

The plan will need to be approved by the School Board and City Council.

Elementary students enrolled in the program will engage in small and large group activities, citywide field trips and life-skills development. Families choosing to participate must enroll their K-5 student through the Sioux Falls School District. Scholarships and tuition assistance are available for eligible families to attend at little to no cost.

Families currently enrolled in Kids Inc. or any of the partner agency programs will have the option to continue enrollment in the district’s Community Learning Center program. Students not currently enrolled may apply.

Enrollment for the elementary program is required. Registration begins in January. The district said it will provide detailed information to families leading up to the enrollment window. The district doesn’t have specific availability for each site because it depends on staffing and where the need is highest. The plan is to move available staff to sites with the highest need to increase capacity.

Middle school students previously using the community center spaces are encouraged to enroll in the existing YMCA after-school program located at their school or the Downtown Community Youth Center, operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs, located at 220 S. Minnesota Ave. — formerly the YMCA. Transportation to the Downtown CYC is available at most middle school locations. High school students also are encouraged to use the Downtown CYC or engage in interest clubs at their respective schools.

Changing approach to Sioux Falls after-school care hinges on partnerships