Education - Pierce County Journal

Mark Meydam and Katrina Larsen, both UW-River Falls alumni and former longtime staff members, stand on the steps in the University Center in December. The couple recently announced an estate gift estimated at $1.5 million to support scholarships for agricultural education students and professional development for UWRF Athletics staff.

$1.5 million estate gift will support UWRF ag ed students, athletics staff

RIVER FALLS – When Mark Meydam, a 1985 University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduate and former staff member of nearly 40 years, was being inducted into the … more

12/26/25

UW-River Falls marketing communications students raised $3,500 for Have a Heart, Inc. at their Gift and Thrift event on Dec. 9.

UWRF students raise money for local charity with fifth annual Gift and Thrift event

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls marketing communications students raised $3,500 to benefit River Falls-based charity Have a Heart, Inc. at the fifth … more

12/26/25

UW-River Falls students and staff celebrate earning first place in the Focus on Energy Higher Education Kit Challenge for the second time. The win reflects the strong campuswide commitment to sustainability, and the university received a $5,000 award to support a future energy efficiency project. The award was presented Dec. 10.

UWRF wins statewide sustainability challenge from Focus on Energy

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by winning the Higher Education Kit Challenge for the … more

12/26/25

A Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials chart shows the history of special education reimbursement percentages in Wisconsin districts.

State special education reimbursement trending downward from approved lofty increase

RIVER FALLS — After the state increased special education reimbursement funding for schools, many celebrated what would come as a relief for districts in Wisconsin. That relief has begun to turn … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/26/25

Superintendent’s column: Community Survey Results

I am writing to provide you with an update and results from our community survey efforts in relation to the upcoming operational referendum in the spring of 2026. The current operational referendum … more

By Brian Nadeau Ellsworth Community School District | 12/26/25

CVTC selected for initiative to close manufacturing gaps

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) is one of only 18 colleges in the nation to join a new initiative to close advanced manufacturing industry gaps through the EmployED Initiative. Managed … more

12/26/25

Portrait of Father Christmas Reading letters from children in his grotto.

St. Bridget Parish School Letters to Santa

Season’s greetings to all our dear readers! Each year, we ask area first graders (or other grades who want to participate) to write letters to Santa or holiday wishes. This year, some kids … more

12/23/25

Prescott Intermediate School, 125 N. Elm St., will no longer house students beginning in Summer 2027 after a Dec. 17 Prescott School Board vote.

Prescott schools will consolidate buildings

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board voted unanimously Dec. 17 to consolidate schools in Summer 2027, moving fourth and fifth grades to Prescott Middle School and eighth grade to Prescott High … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 12/23/25

Kurt Torgersen, senior lecturer in chemistry and biotechnology and 2025 recipient of the UW-River Falls Distinguished Teaching Award, addresses students during the fall Commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 in Page Arena. 308 students received their degrees.

308 graduates receive degrees at UW-River Falls Commencement Dec. 13

RIVER FALLS – More than 300 students received their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during the fall Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Page Arena in the Falcon … more

12/17/25

Prescott High School junior Lilly Hillebrand is the Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Dec. 17.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Lilly Hillebrand

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Dec. 17 is Prescott High School junior Lilly Hillebrand, nominated by English teacher Jessica Olson. “Lilly is a driven, hardworking student … more

12/17/25

After a community survey with a 20% response rate, an Ellsworth operational referendum did not see large support. Without a referendum, the district may face cuts and a reduced fund balance.

Referendum survey sees low support levels

Ellsworth’s operational referendum survey did not see significant support from the public, as the school board heard during a Dec. 10 presentation With 1,180 survey respondents, the response … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/17/25

Elmwood takes the district report card crown

Overall Score Elmwood: 85.7 (Significantly Exceeds Expectations) Spring Valley: 83.1 (Exceeds Expectations) Prescott: 81.5 (Exceeds Expectations) River Falls: 76.2 (Exceeds … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/17/25

2020 River Falls graduate Dakota Nyberg of DMM Productions created four award-winning teacher recruitment videos for the district.

SDRF earns top communication honor for video series produced by alum

RIVER FALLS — The School District of River Falls was recently honored by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) with a Spectrum Award of Excellence for its work in school … more

12/12/25

Sean Mormino, 33, of River Falls, is preparing to graduate from the nursing program at Chippewa Valley Technical College this month after heartbreaking loss and health concerns.

Pushing through: CVTC nursing student to graduate after enduring heartache, brain surgery

RIVER FALLS – After heartache, perseverance and a previous teaching career, Sean Mormino will receive a nursing degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College during commencement on Thursday, … more

By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College | 12/12/25

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Sam Nance

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Dec. 10 is Prescott High School junior Sam Nance, nominated by teacher Helena Yanish. “Sam is an exceptional young man with a genuine … more

12/12/25

Viola Johnson (left) and Gage Biagii were chosen as St. Joseph Parish School’s November Students of the Month for displaying gratitude.

GALLERY: St. Joseph Parish School of Prescott November news

St. Joseph Parish School in Prescott had a very busy November with All Saints Day, National Principals Day, Veterans Day, learning nursery rhymes, a family fun night and the start of a school … more

12/12/25

The Ellsworth High School November Students of the Month are (from left) senior Yosselyn Lozano, junior Alivia Maher, freshman Teagan Huppert and sophomore Benjamine Thein.

EHS honors November Students of the Month

ELLSWORTH – Congratulations to the following Ellsworth High School November Students of the Month. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. Teagan Huppert Grade : 9 Parents : Aaron … more

12/11/25

St. Croix Valley Foundation opens regional grants supporting early childhood, the Arts

HUDSON — Nonprofits across the St. Croix Valley region now have access to two regional funding opportunities aimed at strengthening families and fueling creativity. The St. Croix … more

12/11/25

Students file out of UW-River Falls Page Arena after receiving their degrees at Commencement in December 2024. This year’s ceremony is set for Saturday, Dec. 13.

UW-River Falls Commencement set for Dec. 13

RIVER FALLS – More than 300 students will receive their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during the fall Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 … more

12/3/25

Nicole Bateson, 34, of Chippewa Falls, attends Chippewa Valley Technical College in River Falls, and will graduate with a degree in nursing.

CVTC nursing student juggles priorities, digs deep to graduate

RIVER FALLS – It’s no surprise that Nicole Bateson will graduate from Chippewa Valley Technical College this month as a registered nurse. For the better part of a year, she has been the … more

By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College | 12/3/25