Education - Pierce County Journal

Documentary filmmaker to discuss regenerative grazing at UW-River Falls

RIVER FALLS — Documentary filmmaker Peter Byck will discuss his documentary series, “ Roots So Deep ,” and present an abridged screening on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the University … more

8/19/26

ECSD’s preliminary budget shows 7.3% expense decrease for 2026-27

ELLSWORTH — The 2026-27 preliminary budget for the Ellsworth Community School District was presented at the Aug. 17 board meeting, which includes a 5.32% decrease to revenues (from $23,866,358 to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/19/26

Ellsworth Community School District hosted orientation for new staff members last week.

Ellsworth welcomes new staff to its ranks

Ellsworth Community School District is pleased to welcome the following new staff members for the 2026-27 school year. Jacob Ball Position: Second grade teacher Hometown: Lino Lakes, … more

8/19/26

Spring Valley SD wins 2026 Rosie Award

NASHVILLE – The School District of Spring Valley has been named a 2026 Rosie Award winner by Health Rosetta, earning national recognition for delivering a health plan that outperforms the market on … more

8/19/26

Northwest Journey's Prescott location is housed at 125 Elm St. N. The company would like to expand programming at the site to include ages 14-17.

Northwest Journey wants to expand Prescott program

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board heard a presentation from Northwest Journey at its July meeting; the program wants to expand its services to 14-17-year-olds in its Prescott location, which is … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/5/26

Champion Traditional Dancer Shane Mitchell at the Bear River Pow Wow.

Community Ed trip to Lac du Flambeau largest ever

The largest summer delegation in the 25-year history of Prescott Community Education's trip to the Lac du Flambeau Reservation traveled to northern Wisconsin earlier this month, continuing a … more

8/5/26

UW-River Falls Assistant Professor of Marketing Communications David Bonko and Benjamin Gust, a professor of social media and digital communication at THM, a university of applied sciences in Giessen, Germany, pose for a photo at THM in May. Bonko and Gust visited each other’s respective universities and gave guest lectures as the two schools explore further cooperation through the Hessen Wisconsin Partnership, an exchange designed to enhance international knowledge, cultural competencies and linguistic skills among the peoples of the two sister states.

Building bridges: Hessen Wisconsin partnership brings UW-River Falls and German university THM together

RIVER FALLS — A longstanding partnership between Wisconsin and the German state of Hessen will help provide rich academic and cultural experiences for students and faculty at … more

8/5/26

UW-River Falls senior Annie Loss is getting a head start on her career working as a chemical operator at Crystal Finishing Systems while completing her degree. Loss was connected to the opportunity through the University Business Collaboration Center (UBCC) at UWRF.

Falcon Futures: UW-River Falls biochemistry student gets an early start on career

RIVER FALLS — When Annie Loss from Brainerd, Minn., began working on her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, she was expecting to have a bit of a wait to … more

8/5/26

Students recently completed beautiful art projects inspired by the intricate silver jewelry and designs of the North African Amazigh people in Ms. Asmus’ summer school class. Through this Mediterranean Folk Art lesson, students explored another culture while creating their own unique masterpieces using bold patterns, shapes, and metallic details.

Ellsworth Community School District Summer School offers something for everyone

While summer break gives students and staff a chance to relax and recharge, the halls of Ellsworth Elementary School were still buzzing with activity during the district's 15-day summer school … more

7/29/26

UW-River Falls finance major Stephanie Garcia Villagomez is working as a business technology intern for the Metropolitan Council in the Twin Cities region this summer. Garcia has built an impressive resume by working an on-campus job, studying abroad and participating in student organizations, including serving as president of the Women in Business Club.

Falcon Futures: First-generation college student is making her mark

RIVER FALLS — Stephanie Garcia Villagomez of Rogers, Minn., a finance major at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, is not passing up any opportunity to prepare for a successful career in … more

7/29/26

UW-River Falls Stage and Screen Arts Professor Erik Johnson shows an example of a fake news social media post. Johnson teaches students in his media literacy course how to use media more deliberately and avoid being fooled by fake content generated by AI.

Keeping an eye out for AI: UW-River Falls professor offers media literacy tips to spot fake news

RIVER FALLS — What content are you scrolling through? Where is it leading you? Is any of what you see real? Those are some of the questions University of Wisconsin-River Falls Stage and Screen Arts … more

7/29/26

The School District of River Falls was awarded the 2026 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award from FOCUS ON ENERGY.

RFSD awarded Energy Efficiency Excellence honor

RIVER FALLS — The School District of River Falls received the 2026 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award from FOCUS ON ENERGY. At the July 20 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent David Bell … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/29/26

UW-River Falls student Mason Steele, a triple major in finance, economics and mathematics, is putting his skills to work as an intern for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis this summer.

Falcon Futures: UWRF student puts finance, economics and math skills to work for internship at Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

RIVER FALLS — Mason Steele of Hudson, a triple major in finance, economics and mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, had a goal in his junior year: to land a competitive summer … more

7/29/26

Cori Olson, a communication sciences and disorders graduate student at UW-River Falls, interacts with a child at the Montego Bay Autism Center during a service trip to Jamaica in January 2025. UWRF and the nonprofit Traveling with a Purpose will collaborate on their next trip in August.

Traveling with a purpose: UWRF and nonprofit team up to bring speech and hearing help to children in Jamaica

RIVER FALLS — When Sarah Smits and Tonja Lesmeister first became acquainted in River Falls as parents of kids around the same age, it may have been hard to imagine that their chats would lead to … more

7/29/26

The Prescott travel group in the glowing cityscape of Tokyo.

More than a trip: Prescott students discover Japan—and a new perspective

"It will be a trip I will never forget. The places we visited and the people made it a great experience." Those simple words from Prescott High School student Rowan Bauman capture what 24 … more

7/29/26

Spring Valley High School Class of 2026 graduate Addison Neidermyer is the recipient of a $3,000 renewable college scholarship from the Boyd Midwest Family Private Foundation.

SV grad awarded renewable college scholarship

SPRING VALLEY – The Boyd Midwest Family Private Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of Addison Neidermyer as the recipient of a $3,000, renewable college scholarship, beginning with the … more

7/22/26

Superintendent David Bell, Zac Solum (Maintenance Tech), Joe Haselman (Director of Building & Grounds), Lynette Coy (Director of Finance & Facilities), Ron Giordan (Focus on Energy), Marcus Hawkins (Commissioner) Todd Burnap (Transportation Director), Jenny Ames (Director of Community Ed & Communications), Stacy Johnson Myers (School Board Chair).

River Falls schools earn statewide energy efficiency honor

RIVER FALLS – The School District of River Falls was recently recognized by FOCUS ON ENERGY® with a 2026 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award for its commitment to saving energy, improving district … more

7/22/26

Prescott School Board considers ‘bell-to-bell’ cell phone ban

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board heard a first reading of Policy 5136: Personal Communication Devices at its July 16 meeting; staff is asking for cell phones to be locked up and inaccessible … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/22/26

UW-River Falls political science student Madeline Nelson (left), stands with Congressman Tom Tiffany in the U.S. Capitol in 2025. Financial support from the UWRF Political Science and International Studies Internship Fund helped Nelson complete an internship working in Tiffany’s Washington D.C. office.

Scholarship supports internship opportunities for UW-River Falls political science and international studies students

RIVER FALLS — In 2023, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Political Science Professors Moira Lynch and Davida Alperin (now retired), recognized a need. “Political … more

7/15/26

Winners of the UW-River Falls Chancellor’s Employee Excellence Awards. Top row L-R: Rachelle Harolds, Becky Pribnow, Joni Rose. Bottom row L-R: Steve Stocker, Jolene Summers, David Toles, Dan Waletzko.

UW-River Falls staff recognized with Chancellor’s Employee Excellence Awards

RIVER FALLS — Seven University of Wisconsin-River Falls staff members have been honored with the Chancellor’s Employee Excellence … more

7/15/26