The Future of South Dakota

Do you know what lies ahead in South Dakota? The clearest way to envision what the future holds is to take a look at our children.

Thank you to Tom Holmes, former educator, former state legislator and current stakeholder for Early Learner South Dakota for this piece about the future of South Dakota, published by South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the Argus Leader.

Early Learner SD Makes Strategic Plan

Statewide stakeholders have met several times, gathered data and insight and have met to develop a strategic plan. The release of the final strategic plan will be announced in mid-October to all of our stakeholders. Early Learner SD encourages any who would like to get involved at a committee level to reach out at any time. 

One of the newest Early Learner communities, Custer, has jumped in head first with fun activities for their early learners. During the 4th of July celebration in Custer, they hosted an Early Learning scavenger hunt. They laminated QR codes and taped them up at various locations around town. Overall, 50 children and their families participate over two days.

They were generous enough to share with us the clues and QR codes they created. They hope it inspires other Early Learner Communities to do fun, interactive activities for children in their communities.

The Huron Preschool Partnership has been actively working to enroll children in preschool and pre-kindergarten classes. Preschool Partnership has been actively involved in the community since 2008 by providing assistance for families who do not qualify for Head Start. Seven quality Early Learner programs are available in Huron for 3, 4, and 5 year old children and, to date, over 500 children have had the opportunity to attend at least one year of preschool/pre-kindergarten prior to Kindergarten. People’s Transit, another Early Learner Huron partner, is providing transportation to and from preschool for qualifying families.

Linking Fences

Northern Hills Alliance for Children partnered with CAT Scratch Studios to bring the Linking Fences project to Lead-Deadwood. The pre-k and preschool classrooms at NHAC participated in art mini-lessons with Lead artist at the center, Cary A. Thrall. Several communities have been part of this work over the past 5 years and many community groups as well. This fence is the 13th installation in South Dakota. It is located at the Manuel Brothers park in Lead, SD and is part of an outdoor gallery of several other Linking Fences installations.

This work is unique to the community and is developed in collaboration from the spark of inspiration to the completion of the public art installation. The children had the opportunity to create their own artwork that connects in imagery and theme to the final artwork.

Children’s Day at the Capitol and Early Learner Week

January 17th-21st

Day at Capitol

January 20th