Happy Friday! Megan here.

First things first: This issue is brought to you by SiouxperCon.

  • SiouxperCon, a Sioux Falls 501(c)3 nonprofit, hosts the largest pop culture event in South Dakota - donating 100% of their event proceeds to support other local charities. This year's event will take place Sept. 25-27 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Find more details here.

Weather check: Hope you enjoyed the last couple of days because the heat is BACK

This week, you'll learn about a new initiative to help improve student literacy. Plus, Mayor Christine Erickson (anyone else wanna portmanteau this to "Mayor-ickson? Just me? Cool.) also shared updates on her first week on the job.

And now, news:

EDUCATION

How you can help improve literacy rates for Sioux Falls kids

Simplified: A new program will give the community a direct way to support early literacy in Sioux Falls. Here’s what you need to know about Community Literacy Allies.

boy's writing on book
Photo by Andrew Ebrahim / Unsplash

Why it matters 

  • Only 50% of kids in the Sioux Falls School District test as proficient in reading, according to data from the state department of education. Superintendent Jamie Nold notes that "proficient" is a higher bar than "literate," but even still, literacy by third grade is a benchmark often cited as a marker for future success. 
  • Meanwhile, in a district of 24,000 kids, only about 1100 have mentors who meet with them on a regular basis, according to Chamber of Commerce board chair Tamien Dysart. That’s why Dysart wanted to look at ways the business community can do more to support young kids. 
  • He shared his idea with Sioux Falls Superintendent Jamie Nold, and the two men came up with the idea for the new Communjty Literacy Allies program, in which volunteers meet regularly to provide additional, targeted literacy support to kindergarten and first graders.
“If we want a solid workforce, if we wan't solid leaders for tomorrow to come from any section of our community, we need to make sure that students can be literate by third grade," Nold said. "This is going to be a step in that direction."

Tell me more

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

Add this 'staycation' to your summer bucket list

This is a paid piece from the Children's Museum of South Dakota.

Simplified: You don't have to go far to make lasting memories with your family this summer. The Children's Museum of South Dakota provides a world-class museum experience less than an hour's drive from Sioux Falls, and you can even make a weekend out of it to enjoy all that Brookings has to offer.

Why it matters

  • As costs continue to rise, more folks are opting to stay closer to home this summer – choosing shorter "staycations" over flights and weeklong trips. Data from the state tourism department shows 58% of visitors travel within 150 miles of home.
  • For families in the Sioux Falls area, the Children's Museum is not only easy to get to, but it's also affordable. Admission is $12.50, and you can come and go all day as you please (break for lunch at Nick's Hamburger Shop, anyone?).
  • The museum also provides a space to join kids in play. Museum member Lisa Swanson drives up from Vermillion to Brookings to spend time with her young granddaughter, Juliet, exploring the museum and having fun together on their weekly "Gramma Day."
"We’ve been doing this every week for over a year, and her parents bring her there outside of Gramma Day … and she is never bored. Ever," Swanson said.

Tell me more about the museum

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Mayor Erickson wants to hear from you. Mayor Christine Erickson held her first media briefing as mayor this week, sharing updates on her transition team, her work on the budget and her first days on the job. One of the big takeaways? She's ready to listen – especially knowing how tight the election was.
    • "I don't want anyone to feel like their voice ended when the ballots were counted," Erickson said. "The next 100 days will define how we lead by listening first."
    • Erickson is expected to deliver the budget address next week, and she's also meeting with city departments and City Council members to better understand the needs of the city.
    • "What's important for me is to bring the public alongside," she said. "I want to hear more from you."
    • See her full remarks on the city's YouTube channel.
  • ⚽ Soccer with the Y. Sioux Falls Neighborhood Soccer will become an official YMCA program, per an announcement from the YMCA and Empower Sioux Falls earlier this week. Neighborhood Soccer started in 2021 as a way to close the gap for kids who may not otherwise be able to join sports teams. Additional info on the upcoming season, volunteer opportunities and more are expected in the coming weeks.
  • Get a crash course in entrepreneurship.* Startup Sioux Falls is hosting a two-day bootcamp next month designed to help you launch your business. You'll get the tools, roadmap, and community you need to take the leap, including guidance from facilitators Jon Oppold, founder of Sunny's Pizzeria and co-founder of the Orion Pub, and Megan Raposa, founder of Sioux Falls Simplified (hi!). Bootcamp runs Aug. 22-23, and you can apply to attend on the Startup Sioux Falls website.
  • Meet the studio that delivers clarity before creative.* Salt & Serif is a strategy-first creative studio helping growth-stage companies say what they mean and look like they mean it. From brand positioning and messaging to identity systems, websites, and campaigns, the team builds brands with teeth: sharp, honest, and never average. Every project starts with strategy, because brands don't have creativity problems. They have clarity problems. Ready to get clear? See the work at saltandserif.com.

*Denotes a paid partnership

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

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Your TL;DR headlines for the week.
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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Oh, by the way

Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️

Special thanks to SiouxperCon!

Save the date for the largest pop culture event in South Dakota. It's all going down at SiouxperCon on Sept. 25-27 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Details here.