NOTICE: COVID-19 Precautions.
At this time, SFIS will have face-to-face classes for Fall SY22-23.  However, the SFIS campus may close WITHOUT notice in response to RST Orders or if the safety of students and staff need to be protected.  ALL visitors to the campus must wear a mask and social distancing protocols will be followed. SFIS will follow the guidelines of the CDC and the RST Covid 19 task force to help stop the spread in our community.  If you have any questions or concerns call the school nurse at 605-747-2297 or SFIS Administration office at 747-2299.  SFIS will issue notifications when the situation changes.

School Buildings will be cleaned on Monday, Aug 3 and Tuesday, Aug 4.  Please stay clear of the school buildings during this time.

TO PARENTS OF ST. FRANCIS INDIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS:

THE ST. FRANCIS INDIAN SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION PROVIDES NOTICE TO PARENTS OF SFIS STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHO MAY CONSIDER SFIS AS THE SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILD(REN).

ON MAY 11, 2020, THE RST PRESIDENT’S OFFICE AND THE RST COVID-19 TASK FORCE BEGAN UTILIZING THE SCHOOL’S GYMNASIUM AS A COVID-19 QUARANTINE FACILITY. AS A RESULT, ALL SCHOOL FACILITIES (CLASSROOMS, OFFICES, GYMS, ETC.) HAVE BEEN INACCESSIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES. THE TASK FORCE HAS SINCE ADVISED SCHOOL OFFICIALS IT PLANS TO CONTINUE UTILIZING THE FACILITY FOR QUARANTINE PURPOSES UNTIL DECEMBER, 2020.

THIS OCCUPATION LEAVES THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH ONLY A COUPLE OF OPTIONS REGARDING SCHOOL IN THE FALL: 1) VIRTUAL EDUCATION; 2) NO SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS DECIDED TO BEGIN THE PLANNING PROCESS TO OFFER CLASSES THROUGH VIRTUAL EDUCATION IN THE FALL, 2020.

THE SFIS SCHOOL BOARD BELIEVES STUDENTS BELONG IN SCHOOL, HOWEVER THESE COVID-19 RELATED CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT NORMAL AND ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. OF COURSE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS LOGISTICAL DETAILS TO BE FIGURED OUT WITH THIS UNIQUE SITUATION. THE ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL BOARD WILL KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED AS IT PROCEEDS TO DEVELOP A PLAN THAT WILL MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE SCHOOL WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBE EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES TO IT’S STUDENTS. CHROME BOOKS WILL BE PROVIDED AND IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE COMMUNITY BUILDINGS WILL HAVE TO BE UTILIZED TO PROVIDE WIFI, SUPERVISION AND MEALS. NO ONE REALLY KNOWS RIGHT NOW WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE, BUT IT CAN STILL BE FUN AND EXCITING. THERE ARE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS AT THIS TIME WITH REGARD TO OTHER ACTIVITIES THE SCHOOL NORMALLY MAKES AVAILABLE TO ITS STUDENTS SUCH AS SPORTS, CLUBS, ETC.

THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS OUT OF CONTROL IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL BE JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE MORE AND MORE EFFECTS OF THE VIRUS. THE SFIS SCHOOL BOARD BELIEVES THIS VIRUS IS REAL AND NOT A HOAX AND IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO CHANGE HOW STUDENTS ARE SAFELY EDUCATED IN THE FUTURE. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OR VACCINE AVAILABLE SO THE TRADITIONAL MODEL OF EDUCATING CAN’T BE SAFELY IMPLEMENTED OR WITHOUT HIGH RISK OF INFECTION AND CONTAMINATION. COVID-19 IS DANGEROUS AND DEADLY! THE BOARD ENCOURAGES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO CONTINUE TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEARING MASKS AND FREQUENT HAND WASHING. PLEASE BE A RESPONSIBLE RELATIVE!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING!

SINCERELY,

THE ST. FRANCIS INDIAN SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION

TO PARENTS OF ST. FRANCIS INDIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS:
THE ST. FRANCIS INDIAN SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION PROVIDES NOTICE TO PARENTS OF SFIS STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHO MAY CONSIDER SFIS AS THE SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILD(REN). Click here for FULL notice.

BIE COVID Reopen Survey

The Burea of Indian Education wants input about reopening. Surveys are due July 17.  Please choose School Staff survey or Parent/Guardian survey.  Thank you.
Survey for school staff. 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BIEReopenstaff

Survey for parents/guardians.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BIEreopenparents

SFIS COVID Reopen Survey
SFIS is working with RST-Ed concerning COVID-19 Safe Reopening.
Students, Parents/Guardians and Teachers, please complete the survey that best describes you.

Student Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSTStudents
Family survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSTFamily
Teacher survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSTTeachers

Thank you for your time and thoughts to keep everyone safe.

Summer Food Program

The Saint Francis Indian School Summer Food Program will start June 15, 2020.  Any person between 0-18 yrs of age can receive a free breakfast and lunch together in one  container.  Meals will be available from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in the parking lot at Digmann Hall.  For the protection of SFIS staff, delivery will be a grab and go.   There will be a table set up where you can come up and grab a bag or container, give your name and age and go.  Parents can pick up for their children. We will need their name(s) and age(s).

Please be safe and wear a mask when you pick up a meal.  No meals will be served on campus.  SFIS campus is closed to the public.

**High School Graduation Update**
Administration and staff are working with students to ensure the current seniors will receive the appropriate credits and graduate accordingly. At this time, School Administrators and the School Board are in the process of developing a graduation plan. The proposed date is June 28, 2020. The ceremony will be done in a manner in which diplomas can be delivered safely. All scholarships and other awards will be provided and students and families will be notified of this process as soon as it is finalized.

SFIS continues on Closed Campus Status
Due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases in the local area, SFIS is on closed campus status to May 29th. We are following the guidelines of the CDC and the RST Covid 19 task force to help stop the spread in our community. Only authorized Essential staff are allowed on campus.

Meal delivery will be discontinued during this time. There will be no meal delivery to communities starting May 7 until further notice.  SFIS will keep parents/guardians informed about future meal delivery.

If you have any questions or concerns or need access to the school please let us know. Call 605-747-2299 between 9 am and noon. Be safe during these unprecedented times.
Acting CEO, Theresa Young
Safety Officer, Leon Oosahwe

SFIS is on Closed Campus Status - May 7, 2020
Due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases in the local area, SFIS is on closed campus status for the next 14 days. We are following the guidelines of the CDC and the RST Covid 19 task force to help stop the spread in our community. Only authorized Essential staff are allowed on campus.

Meal delivery will be discontinued during this time. There will be no meal delivery to communities starting May 7 until further notice.  SFIS will keep parents/guardians informed about future meal delivery.

Student Study at Home - All certified staff will continue to work with students and families to close out this semester and give grades.  If your student has any paper worksheets at home, please put the name of the teacher on the work and mail it back to the school asap.  No further school work will be sent to students.  Address: Saint Francis Indian School, ATTN: Homework, PO Box 379, St Francis, SD 57572.

If you have any questions or concerns or need access to the school please let us know. Be safe during these unprecedented times.
605-747-2299
Acting CEO, Theresa Young
Safety Officer, Leon Oosahwe