Education - Pierce County Journal

Supt. column: Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat

The purpose of this letter is to announce my formal retirement as superintendent of the School District of River Falls, effective June 30, 2024. My overriding feelings are those of gratitude and … more

By Jamie Benson | 10/19/23

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Eliott Cook

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Oct. 18 is sophomore Eliott Cook, nominated by math teacher Jenna Kadlec. “Eliott demonstrates excellence in the classroom,” … more

10/19/23

PAC Nights meant to bring school and families together

Ellsworth Community School District is hosting Parent and Child Nights for families of 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds not in school in order to nurture family and school partnerships. PAC Night … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/19/23

ECSD expects to present almost balanced budget

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Community School District electors passed a resolution Monday, Oct. 9 at the annual meeting to levy $7,217,355 in property taxes for general school purposes, $2,208,910 … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/12/23

Prescott Schools budget is a ‘gut check’

For the first time in nine years, the Prescott School District will present an unbalanced budget to electors at the annual meeting and budget hearing, scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 in the … more

By John McLoone | 9/28/23

The Ellsworth High School addition would provide a fitness center and classroom and expanded tech ed/career areas. A small number of parking spaces would be lost south of the school, but more added to the west.

Facilities survey coming to ECSD mailboxes soon

ELLSWORTH – The way public school funding in Wisconsin is structured doesn’t allow districts to take on multi-million-dollar maintenance and building projects without going to the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/21/23

Elmwood celebrates new school staff

The following people were hired at Elmwood School District for the 2022-2023 school year. Hailey Baier Position: Agriscience/middle school science teacher Hometown: Mondovi … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 9/14/23

Ellsworth SB raises lower level officials’ pay

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth School Board voted at its Sept. 11 meeting to raise pay for event workers and game officials in hopes of retaining and recruiting those who make games happen for … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/14/23

What does an Extension family educator do?

Parenting can be really tough and sometimes families could use a little extra help. Many people don’t realize the resources available right here in Pierce County through University of Wisconsin … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/7/23

Artist Moz Rude, a May UWRF graduate, paints a base layer Tuesday at the intersection of Main and Division streets in River Falls in a collaborative street painting project in partnership with the City of River Falls. The project is designed to make the busy intersection safer and more attractive.

UWRF graduate oversees collaborative art project

RIVER FALLS – During their time as an art student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Moz Rude drove past the intersection of Main and Division streets in River Falls each school day on … more

8/31/23

Staff members new to the Ellsworth Community School District participated in orientation Thursday, Aug. 17.

Ellsworth schools see many new staff this year

Ellsworth Community School District will welcome multiple new staff members who are ready to jump into the 2023-24 school year. From music to math, meet your new Panther educators. Jared Blaeser … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 8/24/23

The old Moody’s car dealership at the corner of Highway 65 and Cascade Avenue in River Falls is undergoing a transformation to provide more programming space to Chippewa Valley Technical College. The remodel should be completed by the end of August.

CVTC building renovations lead to workforce solutions

RIVER FALLS – Chippewa Valley Technical College at River Falls faculty, students and staff anxiously await the completion of renovations to the college’s acquired building at the … more

8/10/23

There were no seats to spare at the River Falls School Board meeting Monday, July 24 as around 30 community members gave their public comments, with many more in attendance.

RF School Board’s gender diverse student policy proposal moves forward

RIVER FALLS – Nearly an hour of River Falls’ July 24 school board meeting was dedicated to public comment on the district’s proposed changes to the “Gender Diverse … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/3/23

Pictured are (front, from left): Rian Engeldinger (Prescott), Shay Stenroos (Prescott), Rebecca Styles (St. Croix Falls), Michelle Jensen (River Falls); (back) Hallah Jensen (Hudson), Kieran Lapcinski (Prescott), Parker Hince (St. Paul), Brecken Styles (St. Croix Falls), Jeff Ryan (Prescott), Chris Frey (Albert Lea, Minn.), Tanya Sponholz (Prescott).

Prescott Community Education Trip #21 to Lac Du Flambeau

Travelers from four different communities came together this past weekend to participate in the 21st Prescott Community Education sponsored trip to the Lac Du Flambeau Indian … more

Staff report | 7/13/23

SV School Board plans facilities amid budget battle

SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley School Board tackled financial topics during the June 28 special meeting, discussing the expected state funding to the district from the biennial budget and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/6/23

Teacher Mike Thomley watches over as student Avery Braun drills a hole for a birdhouse.

Middle school STEM students raise hundreds through birdhouses

PRESCOTT – Teacher Mike Thomley and the STEM students at Prescott Middle School rose to the challenge when they were tasked with creating 40 bluebird houses for local visitor center Freedom … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/25/23

The 2023 RFHS Forensics team celebrating its state tournament victory with a classic River Falls fire truck welcome home.

RFHS Forensics: Winning titles and building confidence

RIVER FALLS – For many, the term “forensics” brings to mind visions of detectives examining evidence from a crime scene. But the 60 or so members of the River Falls High School … more

By Beth Cedarholm | 5/4/23

"The Drowsy Chaperone" will be performed at Prescott High School March 31 through April 2.

‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ hits Prescott’s stage

PRESCOTT – Get ready for a night of comedy, laughter, music and fun as Prescott High School presents the musical farce “The Drowsy Chaperone” this weekend. Director Thomas … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/30/23

The cast for Spring Valley High School’s “The Legend of Robin Hood . . . Sort Of:” (back row, from left) Caleb Bartko, R.J. Hybben, Trista Falde, Avery Huebel, Zoe Larson, Hannah Adams, Lana Erickson, Parker Hannack; (front) Trevor Forester, Lauren Bigaouette, Jacob Andreus, Danielle Nyhus, Emma Buck, Dani Ramirez, Abigail Wines, Sam Miller. Missing: Tanner Dicus, Cade Stasiek.

SVHS presents ‘The Legend of Robin Hood … Sort Of'

SPRING VALLEY – Spring Valley High School will present “The Legend of Robin Hood . . . Sort Of” March 31 through April 2 at the Stagehands Theatre (S234 McKay Ave.) … more

3/16/23

Ellsworth High School’s phy ed locker rooms have changed little since 1961. They will be renovated this spring/summer to become ADA compliant, modern and asbestos free.

Ellsworth School Board talks locker room financing

ELLSWORTH – In preparation for the upcoming Ellsworth High School phy ed locker room remodel, school board members talked about how to pay for the project, plus others looming on the horizon at … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/16/23