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May 31, 2023
Special education reports now available online
Information regarding school districts' performance on improving the educational outcomes of students with disabilities is now available online. The Special Education Report is released annually by June 1.
May 23, 2023
Action postponed on dual credit rules
The Board of Education Standards voted unanimously to postpone action on the proposed dual credit rules until its July meeting.
May 18, 2023
Teacher apprenticeship pilot to launch next fall
The Department of Education, and its partners, announce the new Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway pilot, which will begin in the 2023-24 school year. The program's intent is to take successful para-educators, or teacher aides, and help them pursue certification to become fully accredited teachers.
May 16, 2023
Regional Teachers of the Year announced
Congratulations to the newly announced Regional Teachers of the Year. One of these individuals will be selected as the South Dakota Teacher of the Year later this fall and will represent the state in the national competition.
Administrators
May 16, 2023
Grants to support homeless youth now available
The Department of Education is seeking public school districts to apply for McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth discretionary funds for the 2023-24 school year. These federal grants are to be used for facilitating the enrollment, attendance, and academic success of homeless children. Interested districts must submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by June 2.
May 8, 2023
New competitive grants for addressing chronic absenteeism available
A new competitive grant, Addressing Chronic Absenteeism, is now open, and applications are due June 16. Public school districts that meet the grant's definition of high-need local education agency (LEA) are eligible to apply. Grant awards will range from $100,000 to $1,500,000 and must be obligated prior to June 30, 2026.
April 11, 2023
Apply now for 21st Century School Library Award
The South Dakota State Library formally and annually recognizes schools with libraries that meet the characteristics of a 21st century school library through place, professionalism, and programming. Libraries that complete this voluntary process are recognized as Effective, Enhanced, or Exemplary based on the South Dakota School Library Guidelines. Deadline to apply is May 1.
April 11, 2023
Extraordinary Cost Fund application now open
The Extraordinary Cost Fund (ECF) is a fund set aside to assist school districts with extraordinary expenses incurred in providing special education programs or services to one or more children with disabilities. A district must meet certain eligibility requirements before accessing this funding. For any school district that is eligible and interested in applying for funds for SY 2022-23, the application is open through April 28.
Teachers
April 4, 2023
Updated Social Studies standards available
An updated version of the proposed Social Studies standards (titled "Revised Proposed 3/30/23") has been posted on the department's website. The document reflects changes made since the board's last meeting, including adding Juneteenth to kindergarten standard K.SS.4. The final public hearing on these standards takes place April 17 in Pierre.
March 20, 2023
Taking public comment on proposed rule changes related to student teachers
The Board of Education Standards will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to ARSD 24:28:09 (Educator Permit Requirements) at its April 17 meeting in Pierre.
Feb. 15, 2023
Encourage students to apply for National Youth Science Camp by Feb. 28
The National Youth Science Camp is a free, residential honors program for two accomplished high school graduates from each state, Washington, D.C., and select international countries. The first five days of this year's camp will be virtual, with the remaining days in-person at Camp Pocahontas in West Virginia. In addition to a broad range of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics and outdoor adventure activities, students travel to Washington, D.C., where they can tour museums and attend a panel discussion held at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Find more information at apply.nyscamp.org.
Feb. 15, 2023
Teachers encouraged to enter students' work in South Dakota State Fair
The South Dakota State Fair and the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources encourage teachers to submit student education entries in the Arts & Education building for the 2023 South Dakota State Fair. Project areas include various mediums of art, literature, computer graphics, and more. Entry forms are due to the State Fair office by April 14. Teachers are encouraged to use the online entry process this year.
Food Service
May 16, 2023
Summer Food Service Program: Grab and Go meals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released guidance to allow non-congregate, Grab and Go meals, in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Operations (SSO) this summer. This option is available to rural sites. If you are interested in offering Grab and Go meals, please contact the Department of Education's Child and Adult Nutrition Services at (605) 773-3413 with questions. To find a site operating a summer feeding program this year, visit the USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder.
Feb. 8, 2023
Proposed Updates to the School Nutrition Standards
In an effort to provide children the right balance of nutrients for healthy and appealing meals, USDA's Food and Nutrition Services has proposed changes to the school nutrition standards and meal patterns for Child Nutrition Programs. The proposed updates reflect the most recent Dietary Guidelines, as required by law, and build in plenty of time for planning and implementation to ensure the school meals community and the kids they serve have the best chance for long-term success. These updates are now available in the Federal Register. USDA will host a one-hour webinar on Feb. 21 for School Food Authority Staff (Register). Find more information on the USDA FNS webpage.
Jan. 24, 2023
Schools receive $260,000 in School Nutrition Program grants
The department recently announced 16 school systems across South Dakota have been granted more than $260,000 in grants available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grants are to purchase new equipment or to renovate/replace existing equipment in School Nutrition Programs.
Jan. 23, 2023
Supply Chain Assistance funds available for eligible districts
Superintendents of schools that operate the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program will receive a DocuSign email around Feb. 2 regarding the availability of Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) funds. You will need to indicate whether you accept or decline these funds. The deadline to accept funding is Feb. 17. Any school that wishes to accept funding must attest to supply chain disruptions and must use the funding to purchase only domestic, minimally or unprocessed foods. DOE's Child and Adult Nutrition Services team will hold an informational webinar on this topic Jan. 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Central). Questions can be directed to CANS staff at DOE.SchoolLunch@state.sd.us or (605) 773-3413.
Counselors
May 8, 2023
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Department of Education makes available a variety of resources for educators on this topic. Check out this one-page summary of resources for educators or visit our Mental Health webpage to learn more.
April 4, 2023
Hagen-Harvey Scholarship applications due April 14
The Richard Hagen-Minera Harvey Memorial Scholarship is for enrolled members of American Indian tribes. Funds are to be used for students attending a public or non-public accredited university, college, or technical college in South Dakota. Deadline to apply is April 14.
Feb. 6, 2023
Save the date for South Dakota Week of Work
The 2023 South Dakota Week of Work is set for April 3-7. This timeline is intended to help you prepare your school and community. This week is the perfect time to host interactive opportunities connecting students with local businesses. It's also an opportunity to publicly celebrate the wonderful things your school does for work-based learning all year long. There will be a celebration kit coming soon to https://weekofwork.sd.gov/ with printable templates and resources. The website also has a library of virtual career videos that can be used on demand. Questions about Week of Work? Email Kristin Larson at DOE.
Feb. 1, 2023
SD-STARS Reports Overview for School Counselors
Don't miss out on a webinar offered specifically for school counselors by SD-STARS staff on reports that may be useful in the school counseling setting as it pertains to making data-informed interventions and decisions. This webinar is part of a three-month SD-STARS webinar series covering a variety of topics. The webinar will be recorded. For questions, contact Jay Lamb.
- Feb. 15, 3-4 p.m. CT Register