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March 2024

History will record public investment 

There are times in life when our individual and collective actions change the course of history.  In the case of voter support for our two referendum questions, history will record this as a time of community investment in our children. Now that our community has supported both referendum questions we embark on a future that will look bright for public education here in River Falls – thank you for the investment.


History will show that even among times of economic instability, national political/societal division, and even amid pockets of misleading local propaganda, our community made the choice to place the best interest of our schools, and the students we serve, above those political distractions.  Thank you for understanding the truth and making an informed local decision while disallowing outsider political money misrepresent our local district financial facts. 


Voters changed the arc of history to show an upward path of advancing school experiences for our students.  You chose to not allow the failed state school funding formula to cause a downward trajectory of cuts to programs, staffing levels, services, and facilities.  I am proud of, and deeply appreciative for, our community’s decision to invest in the quality of our students’ learning opportunities.


Let’s be honest, the referendum questions were a “big ask” not only in light of the political climate but also because of tax implications. The operational question passed by a significant margin while the facility question passed by a smaller margin. At the end of the day, the majority of voters supported both investments, which will improve educational conditions into the future.  


The district will work hard to over-achieve on the promises made when explaining referendum details to the public prior to the vote. Moving forward, our district will continue to recognize the importance of being good stewards of public tax dollars while also attempting to over-deliver on your investment.  


Our next steps will include: 

  • Working with architect (LHB) and construction management (Kraus-Anderson) firms detailing design specs, developing bid packages, and creating timelines for the construction process. Some work will be done this summer but the lion's share will be done in 2025.
  • Safety/security facility improvements will be prioritized.
  • Bond debt (facility loan repayment schedule) will be structured to minimize the tax impact. We hope to lock down our bond at lower than conservatively projected rates, which could slightly reduce the anticipated tax impact.


  • The operational referendum passage will allow the district to remain competitive in attracting and retaining high quality professional staff; maintain advanced course offerings; maintain reasonable class sizes; help students and families secure mental health supports and resources; update curriculum and instructional resources; and uphold our current levels of co-curricular experiences for students.

Thank you again for your generous investment in our school system. What an amazing community!


Respectfully,


Jamie Benson

Superintendent 

School board election is April 2

Four candidates are running for three open positions in the April 2, 2024 school board election. View a recording of the Feb 29 School Board Candidate Forum hosted by AAUW to learn more about the candidates.

Community members attended the February 22 School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

For information on polling locations and hours, visit myvote.wi.gov.

Important Dates


March 18-22 No School (spring break)

April 2 RF School Board elections

April 4 End of Quarter 3 (secondary level)

April 5 No School (teacher inservice)

April 16 Kindergarten open house and registration


2023-24 BOARD MEETINGS

March 25, April 15, April 22 (Board reorganizational meeting), May 20, June 17

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

Preschool screening & RF4C registration

Children who will be four years old by September 1, 2024 can participate in the district's River Falls 4 Children 4k program (RF4C) in the upcoming school year.


Registration opens on April 8, 2024. The current preschool screening session is full, but an additional one is being added. Complete the required questionnaires to be contacted and scheduled for screening. Visit our website for more information.

Summer school registration

Summer school is a great way to support students' continued academic and social growth. It's free of charge, and open to all students in the district. Classes are filling quickly. Learn more here.

Kindergarten registration open house


When: April 16

Time: 4:30-6 pm

Where: Your neighborhood school


Meet the kindergarten teachers, turn in paperwork, ask questions, see the school.

Online registration will open April 8. 

We're hiring!


Current certified staff openings: Health Teacher, Special Education Teachers, Upper Elementary Montessori Teacher, and Director of Human Resources and Leadership Development

Support staff positions: Grounds Workers, Second Shift Custodian, and Special Education Paraprofessionals for support, Kids Club summer staff

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

#rfpride

State School of Character Designation

Three schools from our district have been recognized by character.org.

Meyer Middle School received a State School of Character designation, and Rocky Branch and Westside earned Honorable Mention designations. Character.org certifies schools and districts each year that have developed and implemented an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of the school life.

Westside has spirit!

It is Spirit Week at Westside! These friends are rockin' the 70's/80's for Decade Day!

Math competition season is here!

Our incredible students have been putting their skills to the test. Here are a few of the talented Wildcat math students:

The Montessori (RFPME) fourth grade Math Masters team attended their first math competition.

Meyer Middle School (MMS) sixth graders headed to Hammond for the Math Masters Regional Competition.

MMS students Brady and Colton recently represented the NW region at the Wisconsin State MathCounts competition.



RFHS students competed in February at the UWEC Math Competition.


Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

March 2 was Theodor Geisel's birthday, and RF4C children celebrated him with a wacky week filled with many Dr Seuss books.


Science + burgers = lunch!


River Falls High School (RFHS) students in Mr. Kapitz's Welding class tried out their rocket stoves and grilled some tasty burgers. They used wood scraps from the woodshop to fuel their fires! 🍔

 

Each month a few RFHS students from Wiley's Common Grounds head over to Our House Senior Living and share free coffee, hot cocoa, conversation and warm smiles with the residents!

Meyer Middle School's (MMS) Girls Who Give Back crafted cozy tie blankets to provide comfort to kids entering foster care in Pierce County.

Mrs. Follstad's class at Rocky Branch worked in groups and used their imaginations to create a one-of-a-kind mini golf course.

Students and families celebrated at the Greenwood Carnival last month 🎉

Our Winter/Spring 2024 Community Education catalog offers a variety of learning opportunities for our community. Register here.


Look for our upcoming summer catalog in early April!

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.

Contact us:

Email: communications@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Website: rfsd.k12.wi.us

Location: 852 East Division St, River Falls

Phone: 715-425-1800

www.rfsd.k12.wi.us

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