S.Falls School District to Begin Remote Learning Days This Winter

Old Man Winter be a coming, and we're already getting a taste of what South Dakota has to offer over the next few months in terms of weather with the below-normal temperatures we've been experiencing these past few days.

This year the Sioux Falls School District is taking steps to become less reliant on having to issue snow days when Mother Nature decides to give us a few of her infamous winter weather snow jobs.

Dakota News Now reports that the district has finished laying the groundwork to begin using remote learning days in the event of inclement weather this school season.

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The pandemic forced many school districts throughout the country to begin utilizing remote learning days, and now the Sioux Falls School District is ready to embark down that same path by replacing snow days with e-learning days whenever possible.

According to Dakota News Now, the district wanted to make sure Sioux Falls students had everything they needed physically before making the switch.

Assistant Superintendent Teresa Boysen, told Dakota News Now, “We used the summer to develop how this would roll out. We have Canvas as our learning management platform, and our teachers will post their assignments and everything in that platform by 9:00 in the morning. And then be there to support our students and families throughout the day with any questions, or additional materials they might need,”

The district plans to keep a close eye on long-range weather forecasts throughout the winter months. If it looks like we'll get hit with a severe winter weather storm, the district plans to send students home with electronic devices the day before.

As Dakota News Now reports, the final call will be made the following morning on whether students will stay home and do remote learning or come into school for the day.

Those of us who live in South Dakota know all too well that the weather can be and often is unpredictable. That is why the Sioux Falls School District knows that still having to issue snow days is not out of the question. Should a severe winter weather storm pop up out of nowhere, and students don't already have the necessary devices needed for an e-learning day in hand, the district would then issue a traditional snow day.

With any luck, the new remote learning plan the Sioux Falls School District is now ready to embrace should help prevent the school year from spilling into the early summer.

Source: Dakota News Now

10 Wild South Dakota Snowstorms

Even though snow is blanketing the Sioux Empire, some snowstorms still do not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlighted ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the road during the winter. South Dakotans are well aware of the fact that the state’s winters can be harsh which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Gallery Credit: KXRB

11 Things You’ll Only Understand After Living in South Dakota

From soda to pop to sloppy Joes, different parts of of the country have their own local quirks and language. Simple phrases can have totally different means, local events may seem weird, and food may go by a unique name.

If you're new to South Dakota here is a sort of translation guide for some odd things you may see or hear.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns