Thank you Volunteers

School Volunteers Play a Key Role in Connecting Schools to our Community

Every day, students in our district are supported by a dedicated group of volunteers. These individuals plan, organize, supervise, and lead memorable activities that would not be possible without their invaluable contributions.

Our volunteers:

This year alone, volunteers have supported over 88 different events.

• chaperone field trips
• facilitate service learning
• tutor students
• advise student clubs
• organize book fairs
• conduct senior interviews

• support school events
• read in classrooms
• guide art projects
• assist our marching band
• help at lunch
• and so much more.

Each April the School District honors our volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week. We are fortunate to have a volunteer program that fosters strong family and community involvement. Our volunteer program enriches classrooms by allowing parents and community members to share their time, skills, and talents with students.

The coordination of volunteers would not be possible without the leadership of the district’s volunteer coordinator, school secretaries, teachers, and paraprofessionals. These dedicated employees are responsible for promoting volunteer opportunities, maintaining a database of eligible volunteers, and organizing volunteer events. We are proud to report a significant increase in volunteer participation over the past two years, with 827 approved volunteers this year.

If you're interested in learning more about how you can contribute, please visit our website at https://www.rfsd.k12.wi.us/community/volunteer.cfm or contact lesley.schradle@rfsd.k12.wi.us.  

This month we dedicate time to showcase, celebrate, and honor our school volunteers. A heartfelt thank you goes to each volunteer who has generously found time to support our students. Volunteers are essential to our success, and their contributions make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, staff, and community.

Respectfully,

David Bell, Superintendent

Important Dates

May 1 HS & RCA Parent-Teacher Conferences

May 15 RCA End of Year Celebration

May 16 No School (Teacher In-Service)

May 26 No School (Memorial Day)

June 1 RFHS Graduation (1-3pm)

June 6 Last Student Day of School

The Board of Education meetings are streamed on the district YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/schooldistrictofriverfalls

2024-25 BOARD MEETINGS: May 19, June 16

*School board agendas are available the Friday before each meeting.

Facilities Projects Update

WHAT’S NEW?

RIVER FALLS HIGH SCHOOL WORK

• Exterior precast walls are set and ready for structural steel in the addition.
• Currently removing ductwork and lights in the Fitness Room, grouting bottom of the precast walls, and laying out and installing structural steel layout for Main Level.
• Upcoming work in building includes installing structural steel and decking in existing vestibule, pouring concrete floor on top of stairwell decking, installing mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-ins for vestibule and Fitness Room.
• Upcoming work in addition includes setting the precast plank on top of the structural steel, building the CMU bearing walls for the Storage Room, setting structural steel and decking for the roof.

TRANSPORTATION CENTER

• Exterior precast walls are now set. Catch basins are set in the garage section.
• Currently installing interior underground and in-wall plumbing rough-ins and building the CMU bearing walls along the office spaces.
• Upcoming work includes setting the precast plank on top of the CMU bearing walls, setting structural steel and decking for roof, installing in-floor heating, final interior grading and pouring concrete floor, and installing mechanical/electrical/plumbing in-wall rough-ins.

RFHS exterior precast walls are set and ready for structural steel.

Transportation Center exterior precast walls are now set. 

April drone footage!

Key Recaps from April 21, 2025 School Board Meeting

• RF4C Coordinator Becky McAleavey shared an update on the River Falls 4 Children program. Incoming 4K students took part in a half-hour screening assessing development, speech, vision, hearing, and motor skills. Held at the public library with community partners, the event helps identify early needs and connect families with resources. Each child received one-on-one attention from 4K teachers and support staff, and families went home with a "Jump Start" bag filled with educational tools and activities.
• Student board representative Addie Reisdorfer provided an update on the high school prom week, last week’s day of service by juniors and seniors, and Senior Give Back events that continue to take place to help support the May 30 Senior Party. 
• Student Services Director Mark Inouye updated the board on Student Services goals, including sharing mid-year data on testing goals conducted in AIMSWeb+, FastBridge, and STAR. 
• Superintendent Dave Bell recognized our volunteers in celebration of Volunteer Recognition Week. 
• Election Report: Lindsey Curtis and Mike Miller were elected to new 3-year terms on the Board of Education.
• Action Items: Meeting Minutes, Minutes from April 7 Special School Board meetings, bills, employment recommendations. Approved.
• Updates were given by the Educational Programs Committee, Finance & Facilities, Personnel Committee and various school board policy first and second readings were approved. 

To watch a recording of the meeting visit YouTube. For meeting materials, please visit Boardbook.

Empty Your Backpack - free event on April 28

Join us April 28th for Empty Your Backpack — an inspiring evening centered around mental health, kindness, and anti-bullying. 

April 28, 6-8 pm, Meyer Middle School.

All are invited to hear Sam Demma, nationally recognized speaker and author, as he connects with youth and powerful messages that help individuals release their burdens and walk away feeling uplifted and empowered about their past, present, and future.

River Falls Student Art Show

Stop by the River Falls Student Art Show at the RF Library to see the many different art pieces from talented students throughout our district. The show is free and open during library hours until May 15.

We appreciate our Wildcat Family!

April is a month with LOTS of recognition days! So here we go....

Thank you paras!

Recently we celebrated Paraprofessionals Day. We greatly appreciate all our dedicated paras and all they do to support our students and district!

Thank you Kids Club team!

Shoutout to our amazing Kids Club team for After School Professionals Week, who care for 300+ students daily, logging 900+ hours a year of games, learning, and life skills.

Thank you bus drivers!

Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Day to all of our wonderful bus drivers (& bus garage staff) who ensure the safety of our precious cargo. Here are just a few of our dedicated drivers:

Thank you administrative professionals!

Finally, we must recognize our incredible admin staff for Administrative Professionals Day!

These dedicated professionals keep our district organized, welcoming, and running strong.

Nearly 200 people stopped by to meet our district’s robotics teams and learn more about the exciting opportunities in our expanding robotics program at the recent Robocat Open House.

GW teacher publishes book

Shoutout to Anna Clark, 2nd grade teacher at Greenwood, who wrote a children’s book, "Coby has the C-Word," to help guide conversations about cancer in a loved one. She has shared her experience in this book that will make a difference in the lives of others. Learn more about Anna's book.

Serving our community

RFHS juniors and seniors stepped up and gave back during their Day of Service, where they cleaned parks and storm drains, planted flowers, helped local nonprofits, and spread kindness through letters and cards. These Wildcats make River Falls a better place.

#RFCommunity

Camp Invention: Discover!

Community Ed is partnering to offer this exciting, week-long summer program for students entering grades K-6 where students develop inventive solutions to real-world challenges. Join us for fun, interactive activities that inspire creativity, problem-solving, and a love of innovation.

Aug 11 - 15

9 am - 3:30 pm

Camp is held at the Renaissance Academy

Please register at: invent.org/camp

View our Mission, Vision & Strategic Plan.

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.

www.rfsd.k12.wi.us