
Students from Sonia Sotomayor (pictured in this photo) and the rest of the Sioux Falls School District would like to wish you a Happy Veteran's Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
South Dakota public schools proudly recognize and support the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Their sacrifices and dedication have upheld the values and freedoms we cherish, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to protecting our nation.
Our schools are committed to instilling respect and appreciation for veterans among our students, helping them understand the importance of service and dedication. We invite our community to join us in expressing heartfelt gratitude and respect for our veterans.
Thank you to all our veterans for your service and sacrifice!


In honor of Veteran's Day, Welding, Auto Body, and Auto Tech students at the CTE Academy had the incredible opportunity to hear from local veterans during a special presentation during their first and second blocks yesterday.
The special guests shared powerful stories about their military service, the training they received, and how they applied their skills after returning to civilian life. They also honored local Medal of Honor recipients and gave a moving demonstration on how to properly display and retire the POW/MIA flag for ceremonies.
We are grateful for the veterans' service and for the meaningful experiences they shared with our students! 🇺🇸


Just a heads-up: there’s no school on Monday, November 11th, as we honor Veteran's Day—a time to recognize and thank all the brave men and women who’ve served in the military. Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Tuesday, November 12th!


REMINDER! Sioux Falls School District schools and offices will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11, in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Thank you to all who have served! Especially SFSD staff members who proudly serve(d) in our schools and on the front lines. 🇺🇸


✈️ The Aviation I and Human Services students took an exciting field trip to the SD Air National Guard's Career Day on October 29th! They got to hear from F-16 pilot Logan "ET" Frost, experience the thrill of watching F-16s launch, and connect with professionals from a range of career fields available right here in South Dakota. What an inspiring day for our future leaders in aviation and beyond!

Curious, college-bound, accounting and a student that is passionate about learning. Meet Chloe Christensen, a senior from Brandon Valley High School. Chloe's learning journey at the CTE Academy can be captured in those three words. “I plan to go to college for accounting and become an accountant,” Chloe shared. Her Accounting teacher, Mrs. Brunken, remarked, “Chloe’s passion is evident in her enthusiasm and eagerness to delve deeper into the subject. Keep that curiosity alive!”
Driven by a desire for specialized knowledge, Chloe is honing her skills in financial management, earning her the “See the Vision” award for her commitment to learning. Congratulations, Chloe!


🔨 Our Carpentry students are hard at work, putting the finishing touches on the roof of the Habitat for Humanity house! This project is coming together fast, thanks to their dedication and teamwork. Amazing job, everyone—keep up the great work! 🏠






We're grateful to Sands Wall Systems for their continued partnership with our Carpentry program! Derek and Jared stopped by to inspire our students with the endless possibilities in commercial wall construction and finishing. We would love to see any student reach out and possibly become a member of the 100% employee owned company!





A cloud of dust fills the air as students battle dents and dings. Armed with sanders, body filler, and a whole lot of elbow grease, they're turning automotive nightmares into automotive dreams.






Hey Sioux Falls School District families! Just a heads-up: there’s no school on Monday, November 11th, as we honor Veteran's Day—a time to recognize and thank all the brave men and women who’ve served in the military.


Congratulations to Angelica Petersen and Olivia Welsh, who have been selected to receive FFA jackets through the Blue Jacket Program! A huge thank you to Sioux Valley Energy for sponsoring these jackets—they’ll certainly be put to good use!


Reminder, everyone! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this weekend on Saturday night, November 2nd! Enjoy that extra hour of sleep, and we’ll see you bright and early on Monday!


"Straight up a great student!" That’s how Mr. Kortemeyer describes his student, Kaydason Somsawat. A 9th grader from Washington High School, Kaydason chose Auto Body because, in his words, "I like doing something that is real-world experience." Known at both the CTE Academy and Washington HS for his helpfulness in the classroom and Auto Body shop, Kaydason consistently brings a positive attitude and dedication to his repair projects. Mr. Kortemeyer commends his strong work ethic and willingness to support others. Kaydason, we’re excited to see you continue your journey at the CTE Academy—it's clear you’re on the road to success. Congratulations! You are a “See the Vision” winner!


Skya Ness has been named our first “See the Vision” award winner for the 2024-25 school year, recognized for her outstanding work in Introduction to Human Services. She exemplifies the CTE Academy's values of attitude, effort, and excellence. Her teacher, Mrs. Drummond, shares that Skya consistently brings dedication and a positive outlook to class, making it a pleasure to have her as a student. The CTE Academy is excited to see all that the future holds for this remarkable young woman. Congratulations, Skya!


🎃👻 Happy Halloween from the Toy Story crew at the CTE Academy! We’re here to add a little magic, a lot of fun, and plenty of smiles to your day. Have a spooktacular Halloween, and remember—trick or treat! 🍬🧡
Check out our video below!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bktmJkO2kNycn6ceW1tqHkNd7xl5Vqax/view?usp=sharing


The Baking and Pastries class gave a huge shoutout to five superstar students for September! These awesome kids were selected for acing all the criteria: zero phone distractions, perfect attendance, and every assignment turned in right on time. Their reward? An autographed copy of Chef George Geary’s cookbook and a fabulous dinner at Cooks & Bakers Kitchen, where owner Joanne Bogus wowed everyone with a delicious meal!
“If you haven’t visited her store, you need to! We’re so lucky to have such amazing support from the Sioux Falls food community,” said Mrs. Whempner.
And the cherry on top? Next month’s incentive will be… dinner at Morrie’s Steakhouse! Stay tuned!











When asked what she enjoys most about the CTE Academy, Yanmi Leiva Juarez highlighted “meeting students from other schools, hands-on learning, and friendships.” Her answer reflects her natural ability to connect with others—a quality that shines in both her work and relationships. Yanmi, a senior from Jefferson High School, brings infectious energy and a positive attitude to her Health Careers class every day. Her teacher, Mrs. Drummond, sees a bright future for Yanmi, noting that she will be a valuable asset to the healthcare field. Known for her hard work and warm personality, Yanmi's people skills will serve her well as she moves forward in her career aspirations. Congratulations to Yanmi on her “See the Vision” award!


It's National Cat Day, and our purr-fect little family is growing! Momma Cat and her kittens are doing paw-sitively amazing. Stay tuned for the cutest names ever, chosen by our talented staff and students







Our CTE Speech classes have just successfully completed their visual support speeches, showcasing impressive effort and creativity. Up next: persuasive speeches with a research component! Great job to all involved!


Aspiring healthcare professionals in Biomedical Science classes recently completed essential Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR training, equipping them with critical life-saving skills. These dedicated students are not only preparing for promising careers in the medical field but are also gaining the expertise to make a meaningful impact in emergency situations. 🚑🩺
#CPRTraining #BLS #FutureHealthcareHeroes #MedicalScience #STEM


