A Sweet Thank You!
A huge THANK YOU to Grey Burzlaff and his family for treating our Sonia Sotomayor staff to some absolutely delicious donuts! Yesterday was Grey's birthday and he wanted to bring treats to our staff. How sweet is that??
Your kindness and generosity brought so many smiles to our morning and made our staff feel extra appreciated. We are so grateful for families like the Burzlaff family who help make our school community so special!
Thank you for helping us keep #UnaManada strong!
First Day Fun at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary!
What a way to kick off the school year! Our first day was filled with smiles, excitement, and plenty of school spirit!
Pep Rally on the Playground!
Our students and staff came together to celebrate the start of an amazing new school year. The energy was contagious!
Lobos Launch!
After families dropped off their kindergarten student, they joined our principals, Dr. Vik and Ms. Ries in the Outdoor Classroom for some delicious treats from Zest Social House (owned by the grandparents of a kindergarten student) and coffe from the Source (owned by a first grade family)! Parents mingled, shared some stories, asked questions and got to know other kindergarten parents! It was a nice time meeting new faces and catching up with returning families.
Here’s to a wonderful school year filled with learning, laughter, growth, and unforgettable memories!
#SSE #FirstDayOfSchool #PepRally #KinderCoffee #SchoolSpirit
SKATE PARTY AT SKATE CITY!
Sonia Sotomayor Elementary families, students, and staff — come join us for a fun night of skating, pizza, and school spirit!
📅 Wednesday, September 2nd
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Skate City Sioux Falls
Let’s come together, have some fun, and support our school!
Our goal is 200 skaters — help us reach it and earn $1,000+ directly for Sonia Sotomayor Elementary!
Bring your family and friends and roll in for a great night!
#SoniaSotomayorElementary #SkateParty #SchoolSpirit #FamilyFun #SkateCitySiouxFalls
Recently several of our teachers attended the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) Conference online, learning from and with educators across the country!
Our very own Dr Vik gave the keynote, Dr Jennifer Castello provided a session, and Dr Vik and parent, Brenda Nour gave a panel presentation! We are proud of our staff for spending time learning during their summer break!
A huge thank you to the Lynott family not only for the thoughtful treats, but also for the incredibly kind notes shared with our staff and teachers. Messages like these truly mean the world to us.
Watching students grow in confidence, character, and Spanish skills over the years is such a privilege, and we are so grateful to have been part of your boys’ journey these past 8 years.
Thank you for your love, support, and generosity.
Happy National Speech-Language Pathologist Day to Jordan Werwinski!
We want to thank Jordan for all her hard work, patience, and encouragement she gives to each of her students every day. Jordan helps her students grow their communication skills and confidence, and the positive impact she makes is truly incredible!
Thank you for helping your students learn and grow, Jordan. Sonia Sotomayor Elementary is so lucky to have you, and your students love seeing your smile every day!
#lobos #onepack #SSE
We want to thank Jordan for all her hard work, patience, and encouragement she gives to each of her students every day. Jordan helps her students grow their communication skills and confidence, and the positive impact she makes is truly incredible!
Thank you for helping your students learn and grow, Jordan. Sonia Sotomayor Elementary is so lucky to have you, and your students love seeing your smile every day!
#lobos #onepack #SSE
What a special experience for our 1st and 2nd grade students!
Today, Augustana Spanish students put on a wonderful play for our classes, bringing language and culture to life in such a fun and engaging way. We were especially excited to welcome back one of our former students, Cade Whiting!
Thank you to the Augustana students for sharing your talents and making this such a memorable experience for our young learners!
#SSE #lobos #unamanada
Today, Augustana Spanish students put on a wonderful play for our classes, bringing language and culture to life in such a fun and engaging way. We were especially excited to welcome back one of our former students, Cade Whiting!
Thank you to the Augustana students for sharing your talents and making this such a memorable experience for our young learners!
#SSE #lobos #unamanada
A huge thank you to the Hall family for this incredibly thoughtful surprise for our Sonia teachers and staff!
Your kind words and generosity truly mean so much to us. We are so grateful for the support, appreciation, and partnership from families like yours. It is a joy to help create a warm and caring environment for Bennett, Oliver, Flynn, and all of our students each day.
Thank you again for making our staff feel so valued and appreciated!
Happy National School Nurses Day!
From ice packs to expert care, Mariana keeps our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn. We are so grateful for the dedication and heart you bring to our school!
If you see Mariana soon, give her a quick thank you!
#SSE #Lobos #onepack
From ice packs to expert care, Mariana keeps our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn. We are so grateful for the dedication and heart you bring to our school!
If you see Mariana soon, give her a quick thank you!
#SSE #Lobos #onepack
Happy National Physical Education and Sport Week!
Thank you to Heather Conrad & Nikki Nyhaug for helping our students stay active, build healthy habits, and have fun while doing it. Your impact goes far beyond the gym!
#Lobos #SSE #onepack
Thank you to Heather Conrad & Nikki Nyhaug for helping our students stay active, build healthy habits, and have fun while doing it. Your impact goes far beyond the gym!
#Lobos #SSE #onepack
Happy Lunch Hero Day!
Today we celebrate our amazing nutrition staff who go above and beyond every single day to keep our students nourished, happy, and ready to learn. Their hard work, kindness, and dedication do not go unnoticed!
Because little minds can’t learn without fuel—thank you for being true heroes in our school!
Shoutout to Dawn, Char, Karen, and all who help make the lunchroom a welcoming place for our students. We appreciate you!
Today we celebrate our amazing nutrition staff who go above and beyond every single day to keep our students nourished, happy, and ready to learn. Their hard work, kindness, and dedication do not go unnoticed!
Because little minds can’t learn without fuel—thank you for being true heroes in our school!
Shoutout to Dawn, Char, Karen, and all who help make the lunchroom a welcoming place for our students. We appreciate you!
Today is National Principals Day, and we want to recognize and thank Dr. Vik for the leadership, dedication, and care she brings to our school each day. Thank you for being such an impactful leader and for motivating our students (and all of us!) to keep striving for success. We truly appreciate the time, energy, and heart you put into making our school a positive, supportive place for everyone.
Dr. Vick shared what she loves about being a principal:
"I absolutely love being an elementary principal—it’s truly the best job in the world. Every day, I get to walk into a building filled with more than 700 incredible people, which is a dream come true for this extroverted “people person”!
What makes it even more special is the heart of our school. Our staff shows up each and every day ready to give their very best, creating an environment where students feel supported, cared for, and genuinely valued. That kind of dedication is something you can feel the moment you walk through our doors.
I am so proud of the community we’ve built at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary. We’re known not only for strong academics and kind, respectful students, but also for the way we show up for others through acts of service. We believe deeply that every single person has the power to make a positive impact—and we see that belief come to life in big and small ways every day.
I love this school, and I am incredibly proud to serve as the principal of Sonia Sotomayor Elementary." - Dr. Tracy Vik
Dr. Vick shared what she loves about being a principal:
"I absolutely love being an elementary principal—it’s truly the best job in the world. Every day, I get to walk into a building filled with more than 700 incredible people, which is a dream come true for this extroverted “people person”!
What makes it even more special is the heart of our school. Our staff shows up each and every day ready to give their very best, creating an environment where students feel supported, cared for, and genuinely valued. That kind of dedication is something you can feel the moment you walk through our doors.
I am so proud of the community we’ve built at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary. We’re known not only for strong academics and kind, respectful students, but also for the way we show up for others through acts of service. We believe deeply that every single person has the power to make a positive impact—and we see that belief come to life in big and small ways every day.
I love this school, and I am incredibly proud to serve as the principal of Sonia Sotomayor Elementary." - Dr. Tracy Vik
Join us in celebrating the wonderful teaching career of Sra. Esperanza Langle! Today, 3-5pm in our library!
Wow!! Way to ‘pull’ together and get those tabs in! We dropped off another 69.9 pounds today! We even had a special visit from our Superintendent, Dr Nold, with a delivery from the crew at IPC!! Thank you all!
Check this out!!
Samantha Tucker, 4th grade student at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, collected 94.1 lbs of pop tabs for our Pop Tab Pandamonium contest to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of SD!! This girl asked her family and friends, dumpster-dived for cans wherever she went, and asked people at her parents' workplaces to save tabs; her mom posted it to social media... She absolutely CRUSHED it!!
Thank you, Samantha, for your hard work in collecting tabs for the RMHC!!
Remember, all tabs MUST be turned in to school by the end of the day on April 30th! We can DO this!!
#UnaManada #Juntos
Samantha Tucker, 4th grade student at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, collected 94.1 lbs of pop tabs for our Pop Tab Pandamonium contest to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of SD!! This girl asked her family and friends, dumpster-dived for cans wherever she went, and asked people at her parents' workplaces to save tabs; her mom posted it to social media... She absolutely CRUSHED it!!
Thank you, Samantha, for your hard work in collecting tabs for the RMHC!!
Remember, all tabs MUST be turned in to school by the end of the day on April 30th! We can DO this!!
#UnaManada #Juntos
Join us in celebrating the retirement of Esperanza Langle and honoring her remarkable teaching career!
After years of dedication, care, and inspiring students, we invite our school community to help us celebrate Esperanza and the impact she has made.
#RetirementCelebration #ThankYouEsperanza #SoniaSotomayorElementary #CelebratingEducators
After years of dedication, care, and inspiring students, we invite our school community to help us celebrate Esperanza and the impact she has made.
#RetirementCelebration #ThankYouEsperanza #SoniaSotomayorElementary #CelebratingEducators
Dear Parents and Staff,
The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) would love your input as we plan for the upcoming school year! Your feedback helps guide our events, fundraising efforts, and how we support our school community.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5BMW7JT
This survey is open to all parents and staff—whether or not you’ve attended a PTO meeting. Your voice matters, and we truly value your ideas and perspectives.
Thank you for helping us continue to build a strong and connected SSE community!
Sincerely,
SSE PTO
The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) would love your input as we plan for the upcoming school year! Your feedback helps guide our events, fundraising efforts, and how we support our school community.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5BMW7JT
This survey is open to all parents and staff—whether or not you’ve attended a PTO meeting. Your voice matters, and we truly value your ideas and perspectives.
Thank you for helping us continue to build a strong and connected SSE community!
Sincerely,
SSE PTO
🍎 Teacher Appreciation Week is Next Week! 🍎
The PTO has lots of special things planned to celebrate our amazing SSE teachers and staff, and they need your help to make the week extra meaningful!
On Tuesday, May 5th, let’s Fill the Lounge with Love
The PTO is asking SSE students and families to consider contributing items to help stock the teachers’ lounge with treats and encouragement.
✨ Ideas include:
💌 Words of affirmation or notes of appreciation!
🍪 Snacks & Sweet Treats
🥤 Drinks
🎨 Student Art
🎁 Anything that shows love and support!
📍 Please drop off items to the office before the 5th!
The PTO has lots of special things planned to celebrate our amazing SSE teachers and staff, and they need your help to make the week extra meaningful!
On Tuesday, May 5th, let’s Fill the Lounge with Love
The PTO is asking SSE students and families to consider contributing items to help stock the teachers’ lounge with treats and encouragement.
✨ Ideas include:
💌 Words of affirmation or notes of appreciation!
🍪 Snacks & Sweet Treats
🥤 Drinks
🎨 Student Art
🎁 Anything that shows love and support!
📍 Please drop off items to the office before the 5th!
Congratulations to Heather Conrad, who was selected as a 2026 American Student Council Association Exemplary Advisor!
We are so lucky to have Mrs. Conrad as an advisor for our Lobos Leaders, supporting them in their efforts of community service, student leadership, citizenship, and school spirit.
To learn more and see the other 25 Exemplary Advisors from across the nation, visit: https://www.naesp.org/for-students/american-student-council-association-asca/student-council-school-of-excellence-award/2026-exemplary-advisors/
We are so lucky to have Mrs. Conrad as an advisor for our Lobos Leaders, supporting them in their efforts of community service, student leadership, citizenship, and school spirit.
To learn more and see the other 25 Exemplary Advisors from across the nation, visit: https://www.naesp.org/for-students/american-student-council-association-asca/student-council-school-of-excellence-award/2026-exemplary-advisors/
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
Today we celebrate Andrea and Mary for all they do to support our students, families, and staff each day. Their kindness, dedication, and hard work help keep our school running smoothly. Thank you, Andrea and Mary, for all you do for our school community!
#Lobos #OnePack #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay
Today we celebrate Andrea and Mary for all they do to support our students, families, and staff each day. Their kindness, dedication, and hard work help keep our school running smoothly. Thank you, Andrea and Mary, for all you do for our school community!
#Lobos #OnePack #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay
