Education - Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth Community School District office staff surprised Superintendent Barry Cain with a fishing themed retirement party in May.

End of an era: Cain retires as Ellsworth superintendent

Ellsworth Community School District Superintendent Barry Cain considers himself lucky to have spent a big chunk of his career in his hometown. But all good things must come to an end: Cain’s … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/27/24

(From left): Landen McDonough, Nathan Winger and Luke Battaglia with a giraffe in the background.

EPC science students head to Africa

Not many people can say they’ve assisted scientists in Africa on a rhino horn trimming study – but a group of Elmwood/Plum City students can. Led by Elmwood High School science … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/26/24

River Falls Class of 2024 throws their caps in the air in celebration of their graduation June 2.

River Falls Class of 2024 turns the page at graduation ceremony

Another class of high school students saw their time at River Falls High School come to a close Sunday, June 2 with a pool of graduates celebrating their step into the next chapter of their lives. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/19/24

(From left): Recent Prescott High School graduates Nolan Thomley, Breckin Schommer, and Clinton Sizemore are receiving military scholarships, the most ever from one class in school history.

Triple threat: PHS grads earn military scholarships

There will be approximately 3.1 million U.S. students graduating with a high school diploma this year. Between four branches of the military (Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy), there will be … more

6/5/24

Ellsworth High School students went to Elsie’s Barnyard to help construct a play area for the goats.

Students take to the community for intergenerational interaction and more

ELLSWORTH – Alternative education students at Ellsworth have taken to the community to make an impact in many ways, including playing pool at the Ellsworth Senior Center and building a play … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/29/24

Pictured are the Spring Valley FFA officer team with Tony Shafer. (Back row, from left): Maddie Shafer, Addison Neidermyer, Tony Shafer, Kianna Nelson, and Jordan Lamb; (front row) Abby Thompson, Jaci Mader, and Megan Wentlandt.

Shafer surprises Spring Valley FFA with grant

Recently local farmer, Tony Shafer, surprised Spring Valley FFA with another $5,000 grant through Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities. The America’s Farmers Grow Communities is … more

5/15/24

Members of the Hearts and Minds group that has pushed to provide supplies and comfort items to schools in Ukraine.

EHS students fundraise for students of two Ukrainian schools

ELLSWORTH – The Hearts and Minds group at Ellsworth High School is aiming to assist students in Ukraine by sending school supplies and comfort items to a pair of Ukrainian schools during a time … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/15/24

The River Falls High School FIRST robotics team at the April competition in La Crosse. The team placed 41st out of 54 teams in its second year competing.

RFHS robotics team poised for future growth

RIVER FALLS – Imagine designing and constructing semi-autonomous competitive robots without a blueprint. Electronics, working with wood, programming, you have to do it all, with a few … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

Diversifying his operation including sheep farming is one of the many stories Michelle Stangler heard from this farmer in Ireland.

College student communicator hosts European agriculture discussion

RIVER FALLS – After studying and completing her final semester as an undergraduate college student in European countries including Ireland, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, Michelle … more

5/2/24

Outgoing school board members Cindy Holbrook and Bob Casey received Wildcat Pride awards for their years of service at the April 15 River Falls School Board meeting.

RFSB honors Casey, Holbrook for school board service

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board honored outgoing members Cindy Holbrook and Bob Casey with Wildcat Pride awards at the April 15 meeting. Casey has served on the board for four years, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/1/24

ECSD hires Nadeau as new superintendent

The Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education has selected Brian Nadeau to become the district’s next superintendent. Nadeau is completing his third year as the … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24

Athletic Director Andrew Caudill presents option 1 to the Prescott School Board, which eliminates all athletic C-teams to the school board.

Prescott School Board weathers aftermath of failed referendum

At the March 20 Prescott School Board meeting, President Mike Matzek had reassured all that what will happen to the operations of the district is not a scare tactic but is based on facts and drastic … more

By Nicole Rogers | 4/24/24

Ellsworth High School seniors Maya Bueso (left) and Josie Pechacek show the poster for their April 20 Earth Day event, to be held at E-Town Collaborative.

EHS seniors plan Earth Day event

ELLSWORTH – Community service and volunteering is an important curriculum component at Ellsworth High School, as evidenced by the number of service learning projects completed by students. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Ellsworth supt. search narrowed to 3

The Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education has selected three finalists for the position of School District Superintendent. Final interviews will be conducted on April 16, 2024. The … more

4/10/24

Elmwood MS/HS heralds 3rd quarter honor roll

ELMWOOD – Elmwood Middle/High School has released its third quarter honor roll for the 2023-24 school year. Congratulations students! A honor roll Seniors: Aaden Birtzer, Ericka … more

4/10/24

Participants at last year’s Ag Day on Campus at UW-River Falls learned about various aspects of agriculture at one of more than 20 information booths that were part of the event. This year’s Ag Day on Campus is April 11.

Ag Day on Campus at UWRF helps connect food to farming

RIVER FALLS – Agriculture is closely interwoven in the history of both the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and the state of Wisconsin, and organizers of this year’s annual Ag Day on … more

4/3/24

Shafer selected for prestigious scholarship

SPRING VALLEY – The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation announced that Madeline Shafer will be a recipient of one the organization’s 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative … more

3/27/24

The referendum video narrated by Prescott students stirred up emotions among the board members.

Prescott School Board explains what’s at stake for the kids

PRESCOTT – One of main discussions of the March 20 Prescott School Board meeting centered once again around the upcoming referendum. The board recommunicated what would be at stake if the … more

By Nicole Rogers | 3/27/24

UW-River Falls student Brandi Weiland and others have restarted a university chapter of Active Minds as part of efforts to address student mental health on campus. On Monday Weiland, wearing a pink sweatshirt, spoke with students visiting the Active Minds booth, an effort to connect with students and make them feel less alone.

Active Minds, Mental Health Mondays addressing mental health needs at UWRF

RIVER FALLS – Two years ago, as one aspect after another of her life unraveled, Brandi Weiland felt like she hit rock bottom. Her brother died in 2020, and that incident seemed to … more

3/13/24

Ave Maria Academy Middle School class: Braydon Diesing, Seth Holmstadt, Weston Bocksell, Bristal Books, Mary Peterson and Ava Bocksell.

Ave Maria Academy recaps ‘Hawaiian Luau Gala’

PLUM CITY – The weather was perfect as guests arrived at Molly’s on Main for the 2024 Hawaiian Luau Gala sponsored by Ave Maria Academy on Saturday, March 2. Guests were greeted in … more

3/13/24