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!
🎭✨ Calling EFA+ Alumni! ✨🎭
Are you a middle or high school alum who loves theatre behind the scenes?
EFA+ is looking for alumni students to join our backstage crew for Alice in Wonderland Jr.!
This is a great opportunity to:
🖤 Be part of a live production
🖤 Learn backstage and technical theatre skills
🖤 Support younger performers
🖤 Reconnect with the EFA+ community
If you’re interested, please fill out the application linked below. We’d love to have you back in the wings with us!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r3VIK7Va9qwJIKp_1_JPZUccNKyv0_WfzVWYeM_S_Qk/edit?usp=drivesdk
✨🎭
Kindergartners are working on developing facial expressions in Drama!
Through play, movement, and imagination, students are learning how faces help tell a story and show emotions.
As you can see, we have some future stars developing their skills! ⭐️
🎭✨ Lights, sound… ACTION! ✨🎭
Our 1st graders have been busy bringing science to life through an exciting puppet show all about light and sound!
During art-integration, students worked in teams to storyboard original stories: each one featuring an animal, a weather event, and a creative solution. They chose sound effects to add drama and excitement while practicing what they’ve learned about sound and vibration.
In science, they experimented with different techniques to build puppets and create lighting and sound effects. In drama, they wrote and practiced narration.
Soon they will perform their puppet shows for their classmates.
So much creativity, collaboration, and learning—all rolled into one show-stopping experience 🌟👏
So proud of our EFA+ alumni! 🎭✨
Congratulations on a wonderful run of Annie Jr. at Whittier Middle School. Your passion and commitment to the arts continue to inspire us—keep shining!
(Judah, Jaylen, Claudia, Colette, Grace, Keida, and Lily)
We hope you’ll join us tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3 at 6:30 PM in the multipurpose room for our PTA meeting. New faces are always welcome, and it’s never too late to get involved. Come as you are—we’d love to have you!
Our 2nd graders combined math and art in this creative place value lesson! 🎨➕
In Art Integration, students created place value pictures using circles to represent hundreds, tens, and ones. Afterward, they took time to observe each other’s artwork and used the place value “code” to identify the numbers shown.
