|
My heart is heavy today as we mourn the tragic shooting at Abundant Life School in Madison on Monday. As I write this, I am struggling to find the words to express the ache and despair felt for this school community. As a school leader, I am frustrated and angry that school violence is something that students, families, and schools must confront so often. Schools should be a place where students feel safe, secure, and welcomed.
Commitment to Safety
As we have communicated to students and families in the past, the district implements multiple measures to mitigate potential threats. The most important strategy is to report threats or threatening behavior you observe or hear about to the school or local police. With training and support, educators and support staff play a key role in our efforts to keep our schools safe. We take this responsibility seriously. Below is a summary of some of these measures:
Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO) Anonymous Reporting System: Research shows students know of peers’ plans to engage in violence 80% of the time, but reports are made less than 50% of the time. Encourage kids to report concerns to trusted adults at home or at school. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) found in the quick links section of our district website, or through the SUSO app.
Secure Buildings: All buildings have locked exterior doors and monitored main entrances. Visitors may experience brief delays in our buildings as office staff confirm the purpose of visits.
School Resource Officers: Our two skilled police officers build positive relationships with students, teach age-appropriate safety and crime prevention, and provide leadership in emergency situations.
Training and Drills: We practice responses to various school emergencies on an annual basis to ensure safety for our students and staff.
Student Relationship: Strong relationships with students allow us to stay focused on learning and recognize student behavior changes.
School Supervision: Administrators, School Resource Officers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff work together to ensure our schools are well supervised.
Resources for Families
We know that kids, teens, and adults alike will process news like this in different ways. Counselors are available at each of our buildings to assist students who may need some extra support. We encourage students to stop by the counseling office at any time. The following resource from the Wisconsin Department of Instruction could help you process grief and trauma as a family. In addition, these resources may help you address this topic with your child.
Please join me in keeping the students, staff, and families of Abundant Life Christian School in our thoughts at this time.
David Bell
Superintendent
| |
|
We are in the midst of another busy holiday season. It can be hectic, turbulent and emotional. However, it is a time to reflect and express gratitude and appreciation for those who go out of their way to offer support, kindness, and service to others.
In this column, I wanted to take time to express gratitude to the students of our schools. Generally, when you hear an adult talk about ‘kids these days’ it can invoke negative perceptions of young people. In my interactions and observations, ‘kids these days’ are actually pretty amazing. Over the past few weeks, I have been particularly impressed by students' service to the community.
A few highlights:
| |
RFHS FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) students ring the Salvation Army bell at Family Fresh Market. | |
- Multiple organizations and athletics teams volunteering to ring bells for the Salvation Army
- Toys for Tots collection campaigns
- Meyer Middle School Penny Wars and Food Drive competitions
- The student-led Sunshine Fund providing support to families experiencing hardships
- Local heroes and faculty recognition at sporting events.
Clearly this is not an exhaustive list; our students are very active and have a positive impact on the River Falls community. I would also like to express gratitude to students who do the little things that make River Falls schools such a great place to be. Students who put up and take down the flag each day, clean up classrooms and hallway spaces even if the mess was not theirs, volunteer to help students who need assistance between classes, or welcome new students to the district. These interactions do not go unnoticed and represent our students’ commitment to living our valued character traits.
With Gratitude,
David Bell
Superintendent
| |
|
District Earns ‘Exceeds Expectations’ Rating on 2023-24 DPI Report Card
The School District of River Falls received an ‘Exceeds Expectations’ school report card rating from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the 2023-24 school year. The annual school report card evaluates achievement, growth, target group outcomes based on proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics on annual state assessments. In addition, the report card measures attendance, graduation rates, and other educational milestones that predict postsecondary success. The ‘Exceeds Expectations,’ or 4-star rating, is the second highest designation for a school district. The School District of River Falls also received a 4-star rating in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and continues to perform above the state average in all report card measurement areas.
This achievement score places the district above 83.4% of all other districts in the state, while its growth score is equal to or exceeds 65.3%. For the 2023-24 school year, all six rated schools in the district received either an "Exceeds Expectations" or "Meets Expectations" rating. The school district uses school report card data, along with other student performance indicators to review and revise curriculum and instructional strategies on a regular basis.
“Through authentic teacher collaboration, high quality instructional practices, guaranteed and viable curriculum, and an exceptional staff, we will continue to prioritize academic growth for all students while supporting their individual college and career goals,” said Academic Services Co-Director MaryBeth Elliott.
The state School Report Card can be found on the district website:
https://www.rfsd.k12.wi.us/about/district-report-card.cfm
| |
Weather Plan
As we approach winter, here is a reminder of how we will notify you of school closures:
-
Automated Phone Calls and Email Notifications: Notifications are sent through our automated calling service, followed by email and text messages. Please ensure your contact information in Infinite Campus is accurate and up to date. Contact your school's front office if you need help with this.
-
District and School Websites: Updates will appear on the School District of River Falls website after a decision is made.
-
District Facebook Page: Information will also be shared on the district's official Facebook page.
-
Media Channels: View our list of media channels and find more school closure information on our website.
| |
|
Important Dates
Dec 23-Jan 1 No School (Winter Break)
Jan 13 RFHS Course Registration/College Fair Night (5-8pm)
Jan 20 No School (MLK Day)
Jan 20 School Board Meeting
Jan 24 End of Quarter Two (secondary level)
Jan 27 No School (Teacher In-Service)
The Board of Education meetings are streamed on the district YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/schooldistrictofriverfalls
2024-25 BOARD MEETINGS: Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 24, Apr 21, May 19, June 16
*School board agendas are available the Friday before each meeting.
| |
Facilities Projects Update | |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
November was another productive month with a lot of detailed coordination between the district, Bray Architects, the engineers, and Kraus-Anderson. The project remains on schedule with construction documents set to be released in early December at which point Kraus-Anderson will seek bids on behalf of the district.
The tennis courts are on schedule and the work planned for 2024 has been completed. The remainder of the work will be completed in spring 2025.
| |
|
Planning and Design Update
Bids documents sent out to bidders: Friday, December 6
Bid period: Friday, December 6 through Friday, December 20
Pre-bid walk throughs: Tuesday, December 10
Bid due date: Thursday, December 19
Guaranteed maximum price (GMP) issued to district: Monday, January 6
Update provided to Finance & Facilities Committee: Monday, January 13
| |
CONCEPTUAL RENDERING: RFHS MULTIPURPOSE ROOM | |
|
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
#rfpride
| |
|
|
|
RFHS Senior Exit Interviews
119 senior exit interviews took place last week, thanks to 60+ amazing community volunteers and hardworking RFHS staff! Students shared their portfolios, experiences, and future plans. We’re so proud of our students and grateful for our incredible community!
The second round of interviews takes place on Friday, January 17th. Volunteers needed! Sign up here to help: Senior Exit Interviews 1.17.25
| | | |
|
Elementary Chess Club
During the 2022-23 school year, our enrichment program was awarded two grants to fund enough chess boards to begin Chess Clubs at three of our elementary schools. It has been wildly popular ever since!
Players from 3rd-5th grade at Westside, Greenwood and Rocky Branch get together weekly to play chess, learn strategy and teach others to play.
| |
|
|
Wildcat RFHS Students of the Term
These outstanding students were chosen by staff as individuals who exemplify our district's character traits.
Landon G, Leonardo G, Dominic H,
Katie W, Addison F, Brady L, Colton B, Owen K, Shad D,
Hattie D, Kylie S, Kaylee D, Devon F, Nicholas T, Oliver T, Alejandro C
Not pictured: Kjersten R
| |
|
Community Diaper Drive Success!
Goal: 15,000 diapers
Result: 47,665 diapers and thousands of wipes!
Thanks in part to the incredible efforts of students at Greenwood, Westside, Rocky Branch, Montessori, and St. Bridget Parish, along with the leadership of Linda Yde and the River Falls Rotary Club, the River Falls Community Diaper and Baby Wipes Drive was a resounding success!
The diaper and wipe donations will support local families through the St. Croix and Red Cedar Valley United Way Diaper Bank.
| |
|
|
🏁 Cardboard Boat Races at RFHS!
Physics students learned about buoyancy, then designed and built their own cardboard boats to race. Creativity, teamwork, and fun! And lots of wet cardboard!
| |
|
|
Successful Meyer Middle School (MMS) Penny Wars & Food Drive
Mrs. Fletcher's TA (6 Gold) was the overall Penny Wars winner with an impressive positive total of $841.47 and a total amount raised of $1,166.67!
Thanks to the amazing generosity of MMS staff and students, a total of $7,831.76 was raised for the River Falls Community Food Pantry!
Mrs. Olson's TA won the Food Drive Competition with 591 points! Their reward? Helping load, unload, and stock the donated items at the food pantry this morning, plus presenting the monetary donations!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making a difference in our community!
| |
|
The fourth-grade students from Greenwood Elementary continued their partnership with the Wisconsin DNR and local Trout Unlimited KIAP-TU WISH Chapter this past Friday. This marks the fifth year of service learning where GW students restore and protect habitat along the Kinnickinnic River by removing invasive buckthorn and box elder. | |
|
|
Interested in being more self sufficient? Looking for a new hobby?
Here's a chance to learn! Sign up for the Green Skills Sampler, sponsored by Hope for Earth, UWRF Sustainability Office, Earth Fest Planning Team, West CAP, Energy Concepts, and River Falls Community Education.
Session include mushroom identification, cheesemaking, blueberry production, backyard composting, sourdough for beginners, beekeeping, small engine repair, and more!
Date: Saturday, Feb 1
Time: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Location: River Falls High School
Learn more and register here.
| |
In partnership with families and the community, the School District of River Falls is an innovative PK-12 grade educational leader committed to the academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being of every student. | |
Our district e-newsletter is one way we hope to increase connections and communication between the School District of River Falls and our community. We'll periodically share our "good news" and other important information about our district in this publication. You are receiving this district communication because you are a School District of River Falls parent/guardian, staff, or Community Education participant. Individuals who do not currently have students in our district can still receive this communication by subscribing to it. | | | | |
