Sioux Falls Schools Welcome 25,000 Students This Week

With more than 25,000 students returning to 38 different schools this week (Thursday), the City of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Police Department, and Sioux Falls School District are reminding drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to slow down, stay alert, and prepare for increased traffic and activity near schools and neighborhoods.

Drivers should obey posted speed limits, watch for children and pedestrians, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and allow extra travel time during school arrival and dismissal. Residents also should plan for street construction and temporary traffic changes that may affect school-day routes.

Traffic Safety Around Schools

The city uses rectangular rapid flashing beacons, or RRFBs, at some pedestrian crossings. The pedestrian-activated beacons are designed to make pedestrians more visible to drivers but do not replace stop signs or traffic signals.

Pedestrians using a crosswalk with an RRFB should:

Press the button to activate the beacon before entering the crosswalk
Wait for approaching traffic to yield
Look both ways before crossing
Cross in the marked crosswalk

Drivers approaching a crosswalk should watch for pedestrians and follow traffic laws, including posted signs and signals. Drivers also should check for pedestrians before backing out of driveways and remain alert for children who may be walking or bicycling.

Bicyclists should follow traffic laws and watch for turning vehicles and pedestrians at intersections and crossings.

Plan for Construction and Traffic Changes

Street construction and temporary traffic changes may affect routes to and from schools. Drivers should check current construction information, allow extra travel time, and use caution in work zones.

At Iinterstate 229 and Cliff Avenue, work is underway on the east side of Cliff Avenue, south of the interstate. One lane remains open in each direction. Drivers should expect potential delays, particularly during Lincoln High School arrival and dismissal times.

Report, Don’t Repost

Students, parents, staff, and community members are encouraged to follow 'Report, Don’t Repost,' an initiative used by the district to address threatening content on social media. Anyone who encounters threatening content should report it to law enforcement rather than reposting, sharing or otherwise spreading it. Reporting allows law enforcement to investigate the content and determine whether further action is needed.

For an immediate safety concern, call 911.

School Visitors and Safety

The district has safety and security procedures in place to protect students and staff.

Visitors are welcome in school buildings but must follow school check-in procedures during the school day, including presenting a photo ID.

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Flashback 1992: Inside Sioux Falls Old Washington High School

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Who Is Ben Reifel And Why Is A Sioux Falls School Named After Him?

Sioux Falls has a new middle school named Ben Reifel Middle School. It just opened for the 2021 fall school year.

If you've traveled the east side of Sioux Falls you've probably noticed the progress in the school's construction. It is located at Faith Ave. on the cites east side just northeast of Harmodon Park off 41st Street.

Sioux Falls' newest middle school bears the name of Benjamin Reifel, also known as Lone Feather. So who is Ben Reifel?

Gallery Credit: Ben Davis