Education - Pierce County Journal

Kindergarten entrance age policy changed by school board

RIVER FALLS – Entrance age for elementary students has been a topic of discussion for the River Falls Board of Education throughout its history, and the May 15 board meeting saw the topic at … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/25/23

Prescott Kiwanis Students of the Week: Ramsey Nicolay, Kelcey Hanson

The Prescott Kiwanis Student of the Week for May 17 was Prescott High School junior Ramsey Nicolay, nominated by teacher Dylan Larsen. “Ramsey has grown academically by leaps and bounds … more

5/25/23

Sports performance coach position coming to PHS

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board is on board with a plan to hire a head coach of sports performance who would start in August. The position won’t affect the district budget and … more

By John McLoone | 5/25/23

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

Elmwood class of 2023 swap their tassels from the right to the left of their caps, signifying they have officially graduated.

Elmwood Class of 2023 says goodbye to high school

ELMWOOD - The Elmwood High School Class of 2023 commencement ceremony took place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 19 at Elmwood Football Field. Their class motto was "Together, we have experienced life. … more

Staff report | 5/25/23

Spring Valley FFA was awarded a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities grant thanks to farmer Tony Shafer. Pictured are (back, from left): Ty Mader, Mattie Wilk, Tony Shafer, Maddie Shafer, Trista Falde (front, from left): Kaylee Eschenbach, Tatum Timm, Megan Wentlandt

SV FFA surprised with $5,000 grant

SPRING VALLEY – Local Farmer Tony Shafer recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to the Spring Valley FFA chapter. The Spring Valley FFA chapter … more

5/25/23

The UW-River Falls Crop Judging Team examined plants during competition as part of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Student Judging Contest in Modesto, Calif., April 12-15.

UWRF teams take top awards at national competitions

RIVER FALLS – Coryn Davidson and her three teammates on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Ag Business Team arrived at a national competition in Modesto, Calif., with high hopes. … more

5/18/23

(Left to right) Arlo L'Allier, Josh Muszynski, Elena Dexheimer and Derek Weissinger of River Falls High School; Myah Latour, Abby Lockrem, Danny Zolp and Owen Damkot of West Bend East & West High Schools; and Josie Tepp, Joshua Moberg, Ryan (Pouriya) Khalili and Alex Jurkuta of Waunakee High School, pose for a photo following the Wisconsin Civics Games state finals on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the state Capitol in Madison.

RFHS takes 3rd at Wisconsin Civics Games

MADISON – Four students from River Falls High School took third place at the third annual Wisconsin Civics Games, presented by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. They were among 62 … more

5/18/23

Ellsworth High School Valedictorian Holly Hufnagle (left) and Salutatorian RaeAnna Smith were honored at the May 8 Ellsworth School Board meeting.

PKC rates may go up for first time in 13 years

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth School Board will vote in June whether or not to increase Panther Kids Club rates for the first time in 13 years. In that time, operating costs have risen 90%, said … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/18/23

Prescott Kiwanis Student of the Week: Alee Warp

The Prescott Kiwanis Student of the Week for the May 10 is Prescott High School junior Alessandra (Alee) Warp, who was nominated by business education teacher Kaden Nosbush. “Alee is … more

5/11/23

(From left): Dean Olson, CAFES Interim Dean; UWRF Chancellor Maria Gallo; and David Lenzmeier, 2023 Distinguished Agriculturalist.

Lenzmeier named 2023 Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist

RIVER FALLS – David Lenzmeier has been named the 2023 Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at the University of … more

5/11/23

Keynote speaker praises UWRF graduates for overcoming obstacles leading to graduation

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have faced all sorts of challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic, and have worked hard to overcome them to graduate with their … more

5/11/23

Tim Buttles, 2023 CAFES Outstanding Faculty Awardee, and Roger King representing WAAE for the Outstanding Service Award.

UW-River Falls CAFES awards scholarships and recognizes outstanding faculty and service

RIVER FALLS – More than $229,000 was awarded to students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls at their Annual … more

5/11/23

Ellsworth students Abigail Crabtree, Amilya Hren, Leah Diercks, Kendra Maas-Ziegler, Juan Mateo Cordes and Lydia Selzler participated in Pierce County Youth Government Day on April 26.

Youth Government Day draws area students to Ellsworth

The 61 st annual Pierce County Youth Government Day, sponsored by the Pierce County Council of the American Legion and Auxiliary took place Wednesday, April 26 at the Pierce County Courthouse. … more

5/11/23

"The Poet X" is a book that has been included in the River Falls High School ninth-grade curriculum. Some parents want it removed.

Parents ask for ‘The Poet X’ to be banned

RIVER FALLS – Several parents spoke out against a book for its profanity, vulgar language and sexual references taught in ninth grade English at the April 17 River Falls School Board meeting. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/11/23

RF Supt. column: School funding at a crossroads

Short of significant state school funding repairs, future students in the School District of River Falls will not have the same educational experience as those of today. Each year the educational … more

By Jamie Benson | 5/4/23

UW System President Jay Rothman converses with UW-River Falls students Lauren Loock, center, and Linnea Milner Thursday as they presented their work during the National Conference of Undergraduate Research at UW-Eau Claire. Loock and Milner were among 31 UWRF students presenting research projects at the conference.

UWRF students showcase their research at national conference

RIVER FALLS – As soon as Ali Thome-Hough and Emma Etten entered the large room where they would present their research as part of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Friday … more

5/4/23

UWRF to honor outstanding alums, special contributors

RIVER FALLS – Three University of Wisconsin-River Falls alums and two longtime supporters of the university will be honored at the UWRF Evening of Excellence, Friday, May 5, in the Riverview … more

5/4/23

UWRF Rasmussen fellow documentary will focus on crime victim services in western WI

RIVER FALLS – A University of Wisconsin-River Falls student who is studying journalism and criminology has been named the latest recipient of the Donovan E. Rasmussen Broadcast Journalism … more

5/4/23

Prescott Kiwanis Student of the Week: Dylan Sterud

The Prescott Kiwanis Student of the Week for May 3 is Prescott High School senior Dylan Sterud, nominated by tech education teacher Logan Figueroa. “Dylan is a very positive and outgoing … more

5/4/23