Episodes
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Episode 10: What is Family Engagement?
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
The Fam Jam is a podcast about family engagement... but what exactly is "family engagement?" That's the tricky topic that Morgan and Dana tackle in the kickoff episode for season 2. Hear from experts and long time advocates about what it is and why it's so important for student success.
Guests:
- Lori Laughlin
SDSFEC Co-Project Director with West River Foundation - Rhonda Kludt
Tiger Afterschool Program Coordinator and retired Kindergarten Teacher for Huron School District - Stephanie Owens
Former President of South Dakota PTA
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Tuesday May 04, 2021
Episode 09: Summer Slide
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Summer Slide is the tricky topic for May's episode of the Fam Jam. It's an informal term for summer learning loss or when students regress in skills from the end of one school year and the start of another. In this episode, hear from a great panel of guests about how to keep kids learning over the summer and have fun while they're doing it!
Guests:
- Josh Thomas
3rd grade teacher at Sioux Falls Garfield Elementary - Lindsay Hammer
Mother of four from Brookings - Karla Johnson
Executive Director of South Dakota Afterschool Network - Katie Wiedrich
School Program Coordinator at Outdoor Campus West
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Episode 08: Post-Secondary Transition
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
The transition out of high school is just as important as the transition into elementary school. As students near the end of their K-12 journey, they can feel underprepared and overwhelmed if they don't have a plan and supports in place. In this month's episode of the The Fam Jam, Morgan and Dana visit with professionals and a university student to discuss the tricky topic of Post-Secondary Transition.
Guests:
- Melissa Miller Kincart
Director of Strategic Partnerships and College and Career Readiness at Rapid City Area Schools - Kendra Burshiem
High School Counselor/Transition Counselor at Flandreau Indian School - KC Burshiem
High School Counselor at Flandreau Indian School - Brittney Huschka
Recruiter at Western Dakota Technical College - Keeza Leavens
- Former Rapid City Central Student and Current Student at University of Montana
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Episode 07: Kindergarten Transition
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Starting kindergarten can be a very stressful for both parents and children. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can help all families be successful in transitioning their children into kindergarten and starting their school-based learning journey. Early education experts and a parent join Morgan and Dana as they dive into the tricky topic of Kindergarten Transition.
Guests:
- Jodi Berscheid
Head Start State Collaboration Director, South Dakota Department of Education - Darbi Hunt
Birth to Five Learning Specialist, South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center - Sam Oviatt
Parent of two from Rapid City - Melissa Crouch
Kindergarten Teacher at South Canyon Elementary, Rapid City Area Schools
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Episode 06: Community Partnerships
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
For February, Dana and Morgan tackle the tricky topic of Community Partnerships. The community is a vital component to a successful school. Your neighbors, local businesses, support agencies, and more can provide crucial assistance to schools and families with money, time, and connections. In this episode, Morgan and Dana learn about some successful community partnerships in South Dakota.
Guests:
- Dana Haukaas
Principal at Todd County Middle School - Steve Hildebrand
Founder of Promising Futures Fund - Heidi Gullickson
Executive Director of Brookings Area United Way - Char Green-Maximo
Mother and Chair of Sioux Falls Native American Day Parade
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
Episode 05: Communication
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
This month Dana and Morgan discuss the tricky topic of communication. Effective school and family communication involves not only sending information to families, but also hearing from them about ideas, concerns, and hopes for their child. In this episode, Morgan and Dana learn about how different schools and communities are communicating across South Dakota.
Guests:
- Shawnda Carmichael
Principal at Lemmon Elementary - Mercia Schroeder
English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher for Plankinton Schools - Rachel Temple
English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher for Rapid City Area Schools - Kristen Williamson
Mother of three from Rapid City
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Episode 04: Mental Wellness
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Dana and Morgan discuss the tricky topic of mental wellness. They discover what mental wellness means, and why we're struggling to help teens get the mental health supports they need. Hear from students, a school-based mental health provider, and a community advocate in this month's episode.
Guests:
- Claire
SD High School student - Jayda
SD High School student - Angelo
Recent SD High School Graduate and current College Student - Sarah Zimmerman
Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator for Rapid City Area Schools - Mallory Kloucek
Ending the Silence Coordinator for NAMI South Dakota
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Episode 03: Building Relationships
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Dana and Morgan discuss the tricky topic of building relationships. They visit with families, educators, and advocates to learn why relationships are key to strong partnerships and how to cultivate them.
Guests:
- Janet Whiting
High school teacher, parent, and foster parent from Porcupine - Carla Miller
Executive Director of SD Parent Connection - Chabli Hodge
Social Worker for Vermillion School District - Jeanne Burckhard-McKenna
Whole Child Coordinator for Rapid City Area Schools
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Episode 02: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Dana and Morgan discuss the tricky topic of parent/teacher conferences, examining the who, what, when, where, and what's next for this long established annual event in education.
Guests:
- Erica Boomsma
4th Grade Teacher at Huron Washington Attendance Center - Dave Swank
Principal at Canyon Lake Elementary - Robin Curtis
Principal at Lyman Middle-High School
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Episode 01: Attendance
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Dana and Morgan discuss the tricky topic of attendance to learn why coming to school is so important, what gets in the way, and what families and schools can learn from each other.
Guests:
- Jessa Zimmer
1st grade teacher at Aberdeen Lincoln Elementary - Barb Hansen
Principal of Tea Area Frontier Elementary - Amanda Diers
Mom of three from Rapid City - Peyton
10th grade student from Rapid City