Opening day magic! ✨
Alice in Wonderland Jr. is officially underway, and our EFA+ students kicked things off as an amazing first audience.
Only 3 shows left + limited seats—don’t wait!
🎟️ https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/efes
Former EFA+ students Nevaeh, Norah, and Ivy placed 1st in Junior Performance at the Regional National History Day competition and are advancing to State! 🎉
We are so proud of these talented scholars and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. Congratulations and best of luck at State! 👏📚
Students in 103 have been hard at work learning about the writing process! They wrote personal stories about their own lives, using feeling words and transitional words like first, next, and last to help tell their stories clearly.
They practiced self-editing by checking for punctuation, capital letters, and the correct spelling of their heart words. Today, students worked on partner editing, giving each other fresh eyes and helpful feedback on their writing.
Next, they’ll publish their stories with neat handwriting, a title, and a book cover. We can’t wait to see their finished books! ✏️📚
🌿Third graders are learning about inherited traits in science and how those traits can influence whether an organism is likely to survive. In this activity, students used droppers to represent the beak of a hummingbird as it tries to collect nectar. Each dropper presented a different challenge, helping students explore how certain traits can make it easier, or harder, for an organism to get the resources it needs to survive.
Yesterday the cast of Alice in Wonderland Jr. had their first rehearsal on the Axtell stage—and even got to enjoy a costume parade! We are getting so close to bringing the magic of Wonderland to life. ✨
Be sure to secure your tickets now!
🎶Yesterday the EFA+ 5th grade band, 5th grade orchestra, and 4th grade orchestra presented their spring concert. It was incredible to see the growth in these young musicians and celebrate all their hard work. 🎶
🎭✨ You’re invited down the rabbit hole! ✨🎭
Our talented 4th & 5th grade performers are ready to take the stage in Alice in Wonderland Jr.! After months of rehearsals, set building, choreography, and costume magic, these students cannot wait to share their hard work with you.
Join us March 19–21 for an evening full of imagination, music, and Wonderland fun. You’ll meet all your favorite characters, from Alice to the Queen of Hearts, and experience the creativity and confidence our students bring to life on stage.
🎟️ Get your tickets here:
https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/efes
Color, music, math, and a whole lot of creative thinking 🎨🎶➗
Our 5th graders recently explored triadic color schemes while creating vibrant arrays inspired by Wassily Kandinsky’s Color Study: Squares With Concentric Circles and Carl Strommen’s Like an Eagle.
But the learning didn’t stop with art. Students used their colorful arrays to connect visual patterns to music and math! In 4/4 time, they identified fractions that matched note values, found common denominators, and added fractions to equal four beats in a measure (with the quarter note receiving one beat).
It was a beautiful example of arts integration in action, where creativity and critical thinking work hand in hand. So proud of the way these students are making meaningful connections across subjects!
Today we celebrated Randy Ross Day at EFA+! 🎉🦅
For 32 years, Randy has been an important part of the EFA+ family, and he’s dedicated an incredible 41 years to the Sioux Falls School District. Today marked his final day at EFA+, and we made sure to honor him in true Eagle fashion.
Just like all of our EFA+ graduates, Randy completed the Graduation Walk as he heads into a well-earned retirement. 💙
We will miss the joy, laughter, and fun he brought to our halls each day.
Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle. 🦅
The spotlight is almost on, and our EFA+ musical cast has been hard at work bringing the magic to life! ✨
Join us for Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Axtell Park on March 19, 20, and 21, and watch our talented student performers take the stage in this whimsical adventure. You won’t want to miss it!
🎟 Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on February 26 through Hometown Ticketing.
Find show details and ticket purchasing information here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OMBPMMrW7x_SIjaMhqnFCv6eOYtezOtHPtKRy1CuxGQ/edit?usp=drivesdk
Our 2nd and 3rd graders stepped into the world of artist Jasper Johns as they explored how he transformed everyday images, like letters, numbers, and American symbols, into powerful works of art.
Students engaged in a Visual Thinking Strategies discussion of his painting 0–9, practicing careful observation, thoughtful interpretation, and respectful conversation.
Inspired by Johns’ work, each student created their own number composition using the digits from their birthday. They experimented with wax resist, salt, and rubbing alcohol techniques to create rich textures and layered effects in their watercolor paintings.
The results are bold, expressive, and unique, just like our young artists. 🎨✨
Students in Room 303 proudly shared their animal and habitat research writing with peers, showcasing their curiosity, creativity, and growing confidence as researchers and writers. 🐾📚
We’re so proud of former EFA+ student Finn Weber, who recently competed in his first MathCounts Regional Competition and earned 3rd place overall, advancing to the State Tournament in March. Congratulations, Finn—we love seeing our former Eagles soar! 🦅
A little choreography. A lot of joy. 💫
The Alice in Wonderland Jr. cast warms up to Taylor Swift’s “Wonderland” as a centering, team-building tradition before rehearsal. One month until they take the stage. 🎭✨
📚Students in 201 celebrated READING by designing Valentine's Day boxes inspired by their favorite books!
From colorful characters to imaginative story settings, each box reflects the book that the spark their love of reading. ❤️
✨💌 Happy Valentine’s Day & Presidents’ Day Weekend, EFA+ Community! 🇺🇸✨
We hope your long weekend is filled with love, rest, and quality time with those who matter most. 💕
We look forward to welcoming our students back on Wednesday, February 18th—ready for another great week of learning, creativity, and connection!
Enjoy the break! 💫
Fractions, teamwork, and a little mystery! 🔐➗ Our 4th graders tackled a Fraction Escape Room and crushed the challenge.
🎶✨ EFA+ Treble Makers Shine at the South Dakota Legislature! ✨🎶
Our EFA+ Treble Makers had an unforgettable day in Pierre for Arts Advocacy Day at the South Dakota Legislature! They joined voices with students from Buchanan Elementary (Pierre) and Philip Elementary to form the South Dakota Arts Ambassador Choir, performing beautifully in the Capitol Rotunda. What an incredible way to represent the power of arts education across our state!
Students also had the special opportunity to meet renowned South Dakota artist Dale Lamphere — especially exciting after viewing his sculpture Dignity on the drive to Pierre.
After their inspiring performance, students enjoyed a Capitol tour led by Mr. Mickelson (Ms. Mickelson’s father). The day continued with an exciting invitation into the Senate session, where our students were formally introduced to the senators.
We are so proud of our Treble Makers for representing EFA+ with talent, confidence, and heart. The arts matter — and our students are powerful advocates! ❤️🎵
🎭🌍
5th graders brought history to life in Drama by creating historical tableaus from the Elizabethan Age and the Age of Exploration.
Powerful poses, thoughtful details, and a whole lot of learning in action!
