Woods Fuller Supports Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation
The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation is an organization which serves 24,000 students and 3,400 staff members at all 37 sites in the Sioux Falls School District. For several years, Woods Fuller has been a champion of the three main programs: First Time Teacher Grants, Public School Proud Grants, and the Student Success Fund.
Earlier this month, HR Director Stephanie Keizer was on hand to help deliver the grant dollars to some of this year’s recipients.
Sara Brosz from Ben Reifel Middle School received a $376.47 Public School Proud Grant for her proposal, “Social and Communication Skills through Gaming and Puzzles.” She will use funds to purchase games, puzzles, and mindfulness supports for 50 students in the PSI (positive student interactions) class. In the proposal, she wrote, “Students in PSI class work on developing social and emotional skills, developing awareness of their actions, creating a positive self-concept, and learning skills to manage emotions. With puzzles, games, and mindfulness cards, students will work on their listening skills, good sportsmanship, taking turns, socializing with others, problem solving, following rules, and flexible thinking. I can use the games and puzzles when I work individually or in small groups with students to get them talking about triggers, things that are happening at school or at home, and to identify ways to help them with appropriate self-regulation.”
Rachael Anderson, Lindsey Carmon, and Nick Stansbury from Ben Reifel Middle School received a $750 Public School Proud Grant for their idea, “Moving Towards Mental Health.” They will purchase weighted jump ropes and lap pads, kick and resistance bands, an arm and foot bike, shape shifting boxes, visual puzzle games and other materials that will give students a brain break during the day. In the application, they wrote, “There is a current mental health crisis in our nation’s schools including rising rates of depression and anxiety. These issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic, disrupting learning and relationships. With this grant, we would like to purchase tools that help students develop healthy emotional regulation skills. Physical activity can have a significant influence on a student’s mental health. We would like additional resources within the counseling office to offer physical activity opportunities to help students focus and function in school and at home.”