Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Possible severe storms
This week, I checked in with our new friends over at Owen's Outfitters to talk about what the month-long "A Little Help" give-back campaign meant to them. You'll also find the results of Tuesday's school board election, important safety tips for young swimmers and a round-up of events coming up this week.
And now, news:
A LITTLE HELP
How SF Simplified readers showed up for Owen's Outfitters
Simplified: Sioux Falls Simplified's second annual A Little Help give-back campaign raised approximately $4,300 for medical device lending library Owen's Outfitters. Here's what that means for the nonprofit.
Why it matters
- Funding a nonprofit is tricky, co-founder Eleanor Turner said, especially when it comes to basic needs like paying rent or keeping the lights on. Often grant funding is very specific in how money can be used, she added.
- The unrestricted gifts from Sioux Falls Simplified readers will be used to help Owen's Outfitters continue their mission of providing necessary medical equipment at no charge to the folks that need it.
- In addition to the funds raised, Turner said the Sioux Falls Simplified give-back campaign helped the nonprofit connect with a commercial real estate agent who's found a potential new, larger location for Owen's Outfitters.
"That’s been something we’ve been trying to accomplish for the last year," Turner said. "This money is going to help us get into a larger property, and it's going to help us equip that property."
Tell me more
EDUCATION
Meet the new school board members
Simplified: The Sioux Falls School District has one new board member and one returning as a result of an election in which fewer than 3,000 people voted.
Why it matters
- Incumbent Nan Kelly, a 50-year-old business developer, will be returning for another term leading the state's largest school district, and joining her will be newcomer Elizabeth Duffy, a 42-year-old attorney, who's filling the seat vacated by longtime board member Carly Reiter.
- Of the more than 126,000 registered voters in the Sioux Falls School District, only 2.33% participated in this election. It's the lowest turnout in a decade, if not longer.
- For context, the last three standalone school board elections in 2023, 2021 and 2019 saw turnout at just over 6%, 5.13% and 3.86%, respectively.
- This election also marks the last standalone school board election after state lawmakers changed state law to require local elections to line up with either the primary or general elections. So, it's unlikely that low turnout will be repeated in future years.
"The optimist in me wants to say it's a sign that people like the direction of where the school district is and is going right now, and so they feel like they don't really need to make huge changes," Duffy said of the turnout. "On the other end of the spectrum, I wish more people were as excited about it as those of us who are really close to it are."
Tell me more about the winners
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Why you shouldn't wait to teach your kids to swim
This is a paid piece from SafeSplash Swim School - Sioux Falls.
Simplified: May is Water Safety Month, and as the weather warms up and folks prepare to spend more time in pools, lakes and rivers, it's a good time to remember the life-saving importance of swimming lessons for kids.
Why it matters
- Drowning is the leading cause of death for children age 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and every year in the United States, there are an estimated 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings each year.
- Because of these risks, experts at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) recommend that swimming be the first sport your kids learn. That doesn't mean your toddler needs to be able to swim laps – instead, the first goal of swimming lessons should be self-rescue.
- SafeSplash has perfected the programming to teach these essential skills, and their S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise guarantees your kid will learn the critical self-rescue skills needed to pass their water safety test in one year or less – or, SafeSplash will provide up to two months of free lessons to help them succeed.
"Water Safety Month is about knowing the layers of protection you should have in place to prevent drownings," said Dan Sobocinski, owner of SafeSplash's three Sioux Falls locations. "And making sure your kids know those self-rescue skills in the event they do fall into water is essential."
Tell me more about the S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- ICE agents target employees at South Dakota businesses. U.S. Immigration officials arrested eight people in Madison, South Dakota on Tuesday on charges that they are in the country illegally. South Dakota Searchlight has the full story here.
- In response, Sioux Falls-based nonprofit South Dakota Voices for Peace helped organize observers to document the government's actions. The nonprofit also has a number of resources to outline the rights everyone – regardless of immigration status – has when it comes to interactions with immigration enforcement officials.
- No phones in the hall. Sioux Falls School Board members voted earlier this week to update the cell phone policy for high schoolers. Students will be allowed to use phones on their lunch break, but – contrary to a plan discussed last month – they won't be allowed to use phones during passing periods between classes.
- It's art for walls. The Washington Pavilion announced a new partnership with the owners of the 300 building downtown that will create a new canvas for local artists: Art Walls. Artists can apply for a free permit to paint a mural on a segment of the building near the corner of Sixth Street and Dakota Avenue.
- The inspiration for the project came from Mayor Paul TenHaken's connection with local artist Jaden Brunz. TenHaken commissioned a piece from him after Brunz got in trouble for illegal graffiti around town.
- The Art Walls make space for those street artists to show off their skills in a designated area. Artists interested in applying for a permit can learn more here.
- Here's a look at some of the art already on the walls.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: May 14-20
- Bike to work. It's Bike to Work Week, and if you want to end the week of sweaty rides with a fun cocktail, you can participate in the Happy Hour Ride. Cyclists can meet at Spoke-N-Sport Friday afternoon, and the group will depart at 6 p.m. then head over to Hello Hi downtown. Plus, $1 of every drink purchased will support Falls Area Singletrack. Details here.
- Cheer on runners. The 8th Annual Sioux Falls Skedaddle half marathon will take place starting at 7 p.m. Sunday. There will be spots to spectate and cheer folks on at all of the aid stations (about every two miles) and at Fawick Park where the finish line will be. Learn more here.
- Drink craft beer. For those of us who are, perhaps, not as interested in Bike to Work Week (or those of us who contain multitudes...) it is also American Craft Beer Week. Severance Brewing is celebrating with events all week long.
- Watch some birds. The Sioux Falls Canaries kicked off their season this past week, and their home opener was Tuesday evening. They've also got games all weekend at the Birdcage. Find a full season schedule here.
- Refresh your closet. EmBe's spring closet sale will take place Thursday through Saturday, giving shoppers a chance to find new-to-them clothes, shoes and accessories. More details here.
- Grow your own pizza. Landscape Garden Center is hosting a "Pizza Garden Workshop" Thursday evening starting at 5:30 p.m. You can put together a container garden filled with basil, oregano, tomatoes, peppers and other perfect pizza toppings. Registration required – learn more here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
How a new innovative childcare solution will support teachers, future workforce needs
A state grant will support a new, first-of-its-kind partnership between EmBe and the Harrisburg School District to provide in-school childcare that supports educators.
Megan Raposa
How city grants are bringing art to Sioux Falls neighborhoods
Several neighborhood associations across Sioux Falls are using funds from a city grant program to bring more public art to their neighborhood. Here’s a closer look.
Megan Raposa
How the Premiere Playhouse is expanding to a creative hub
The Premiere Playhouse, a community theater company that’s been around for more than two decades, announced this week a new home, an expanded mission and a big fundraising goal to make it all happen.
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
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