June 30, 2024

July 8, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

July 11, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

July 15, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

July 18, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

July 22, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

July 25, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

July 29, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 1, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

To find out more information or to register a student, please contact Jon Wallner at jon.wallner@usd.edu or call (605) 357-1516. Information on other employment and workplace opportunities is available on the South Dakota Parent Connection website.

Don't Blink

You're probably saying to yourself, already? We haven't even celebrated July Fourth and we are talking about back-to-school. It is never too late to think about preparing your child for that day this fall when they return to school.

While summer is a time for relaxation and fun, it's also a great opportunity to help your child prepare for the upcoming school year. Balancing enjoyable activities with educational preparation can ensure your child is ready to hit the ground running when school starts. Consider some of these activities.

• establish a routine
• encourage reading, math practice, and writing exercises
• provide multiple educational games
• include healthy habits such as regular physical activity and incorporating a balanced diet, and
• most importantly, provide positive reinforcement, stay involved, and be flexible.

South Dakota Parent Connection staff are looking forward to helping you and your child ease back into the routine at these back-to-school events:

• July 27th, Ellsworth Air Force Base: Back-To-School Round-Up, sponsored by Ellsworth Air Force Base.
• August 17th, Sioux Falls: Celebrating Families Back -to-school Fair, sponsored by Prairie View Prevention Services
• August 17th, Rapid City: Back-To-School Resource Fair, sponsored by South Dakota Parent Connection. We are currently inviting location organizations and community providers to join us at this annual event held at Uptown Rapid City. Deadline for vendor applications is August 7th. Please contact us at sdpc@sdparent.org if you are interested in providing an informational booth for this event.

For more information on these and other events happening in your area, visit our website.

A Celebration of Change

Our website is retiring, but this isn't goodbye--it's a new beginning! We are excited to introduce a new digital home that will bring more resources and better support. Stay tuned for the big reveal coming in July!

Learn More

Here is information on some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from parents and professionals at South Dakota Parent Connection.

• School Avoidance & Refusal: Root Causes and Strategies for Parents and Educators
• Summer To-Dos for Next School Year

Upcoming Events

Here are some educational opportunities offered by South Dakota Parent Connection and by other organizations that can help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at ww.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, and 13: Special Olympics Young Athletes: New Directions and Special Olympics is bringing you a Young Athletes summer program! This is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7 years old. You will meet every Tuesday from 6-7 pm from July 9th to August 13th at the Special Olympics gym for fun and fitness.

July 10 - 11, 2024 Transition Summer Institute 2024: The Transition Summer Institute provides high school special educators and directors valuable information regarding the topic of transition to adulthood for students with disabilities. Don't miss the South Dakota Parent Connection presentation led by Betsy Drew and Kris Sellers.

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by U.S. Department of Education, HRSA, HHS, or the Federal Government.