SFSD Resources

The Sioux Falls School District put together a number of resources for families during this virus outbreak.

CDC Resources

The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) continues to put out helpful resources and information regarding COVID-19. These resources provide guidance on how to manage anxiety and stress for you and/or your loved ones, along with information on how to keep children healthy while schools out.

​Managing Anxiety & Stress:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html#reducing-stress

​Children and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/children.html
​Sioux Falls Lincoln Activities: all events currently listed on our calendar from March 23 through the end of May. The link will update when events are added, updated or cancelled. 
​SF LIncoln Activities

Academic Tips


Dr. Lindsay Erickson, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Augustana University, offers the following helpful recommendations for online learning:
  • Make and keep a schedule.  If you are able, keep the same schedule for "class time" that you did before break.  If you aren't, map out at least two weeks of how you are going to utilize your time to get all of your assignments accomplished.  You may need to map out additional time, especially at first.  This is just to get used to the new logistics that many classes now have in place.  My most successful students online were ones who kept to a schedule.
  • Get ahead.  Likely some of your professors have given you a modified schedule that maps out the rest of the semester.  Anytime you finish one assignment early, get a jump start on the next by doing the reading or watching the next video, especially when you are in the mindset for good studying.​
  • Your best work will be how you work best.  Many of you have more experience with online learning than your professors have with online teaching.  If they make 45 minute videos for you, but you can only sit for 20 minutes at a time, just watch those 20 minutes, take some sort of short break, and then get back to it.  You will be more successful if you follow your natural rhythms.  If you've done #1, you've likely already accounted for this.
  • Form virtual study groups.  Nothing says you cannot work with classmates.  In fact, you should.  If you always met with 3 friends to work on your math homework, see if you can still meet with those same friends.  If you want to but don't have one formed yet, ask your professor to put out a call to the class.  There may be others in your same boat.  Set up a Google Hangout or a Zoom meeting to compare notes and answers.  Continue to learn from each other just as you always did.  
  • Read your book!  If you never took your assigned reading seriously before, now is definitely the time to crack that thing open.  You will not get everything you need to be successful from simply watching video lectures.  You need multiple perspectives.  For that matter, seek out other videos.  The internet has a video for anything you could ever want to know. 
  • Just ask.  That 12-point email your professor sent still missed something you were wondering about.  Maybe you're having trouble accessing a system.  Maybe you don't have access to a book.  Send an email.  Don't guess.  We're expecting to have 200 emails a day from students.  It's ok, and it's your right.  
  • Offer suggestions.  Again, you may have more experience with online learning than we do online teaching.  If you have a pro tip that will make things run more smoothly, please let us know.  We're likely very happy to hear from you what is working and what isn't.  And we've modified this much, why not a little more, right?
  • Now is not the time to procrastinate.  As a seasoned procrastinator myself, I can tell you that if something can go wrong at the last minute when you're trying to finish up an assignment before a deadline, it will.  Don't wait to send in that paper.  Don't wait to log into the homework system or figure out how to take an exam with a lockdown browser.  Test things out before you need to submit.
  • Check in often.  Your professors care about you and want to see you succeed.  We cannot help you unless you tell us something is wrong.  Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know what is going on.  ​


​Netiquette
As you may have already experienced, communications in text or writing are easily misinterpreted, and to avoid such difficulties, our class will abide by a series of netiquette guidelines for all communications. Netiquette, or internet etiquette, refers to basic practices for respectful communication between people online, and appropriate use of online resources. 
  • The golden rule?  Only say, share, or do things to another person online that you would also be perfectly comfortable and unashamed to do face-to-face.
  • Use standard professional language.
  • Feel free to disagree, but never disrespect
  • Avoid text message acronyms (e.g., LOL).
  • Be sensitive to how your words could be interpreted by others; sarcasm and teasing are difficult to detect without also hearing the tone of voice, and can be easily misunderstood.
  • Be sensitive to culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and other personal beliefs of others. 
  • Avoid slang, never use profanity or vulgar and suggestive language.
  • Avoid caps lock. ALL CAPS implies yelling. Exclamation points can also be interpreted this way. If you do not intend to yell, use lowercase letters.  Do not yell at others online. Therefore, avoid using ALL CAPS and be cautious of your use of exclamation points.
  • Praise in public, correct in private.  If you have an issue with someone, communicate with them privately and not in a public forum where others will witness it.
  • Check your spelling and grammar before you send anything.  Always.
  • Assume nothing is private and nothing can be removed once emailed or posted online.


​ACT Free Resources:

Parent Resources

PreparedforSuccess.org - ​With school closures, social distancing, and self-isolation, parents across the country are trying to keep their families safe and sane, all while playing the roles of teacher, parent, and employee. Set your family up for success with these bite-sized tips and routines. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for daily tips and activities, along with stories from families from across the country who are putting these strategies in action.
Challenge Success: provide schools and families with the information and strategies they need to create a more balanced and academically fulfilling life for their kids. 
​Helping students stay on task with a social media contract
Tutorial for Google Classroom
​Sioux Falls School District Remote Learning Resources - information on chromebook "how to"