The Fam Jam South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center

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 LaughlinSDSFEC Co-Project Director with West River Foundation
Rhonda KludtTiger Afterschool Program Coordinator and retired Kindergarten Teacher for Huron School District
Stephanie OwensFormer President of South Dakota PTA
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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 Thomas3rd grade teacher at Sioux Falls Garfield Elementary
Lindsay HammerMother of four from Brookings
Karla JohnsonExecutive Director of South Dakota Afterschool Network
Katie WiedrichSchool Program Coordinator at Outdoor Campus West

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 KincartDirector of Strategic Partnerships and College and Career Readiness at Rapid City Area Schools
Kendra BurshiemHigh School Counselor/Transition Counselor at Flandreau Indian School
KC BurshiemHigh School Counselor at Flandreau Indian School
Brittney HuschkaRecruiter at Western Dakota Technical College
Keeza Leavens
Former Rapid City Central Student and Current Student at University of Montana

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 BerscheidHead Start State Collaboration Director, South Dakota Department of Education
Darbi HuntBirth to Five Learning Specialist, South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center
Sam OviattParent of two from Rapid City
Melissa CrouchKindergarten Teacher at South Canyon Elementary, Rapid City Area Schools

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 HaukaasPrincipal at Todd County Middle School
Steve HildebrandFounder of Promising Futures Fund
Heidi GullicksonExecutive Director of Brookings Area United Way
Char Green-MaximoMother and Chair of Sioux Falls Native American Day Parade

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 CarmichaelPrincipal at Lemmon Elementary 
Mercia SchroederEnglish as a New Language (ENL) Teacher for Plankinton Schools
Rachel TempleEnglish Language Learner (ELL) Teacher for Rapid City Area Schools
Kristen WilliamsonMother of three from Rapid City