Education - Pierce County Journal

(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

Bring the World Home! Host an international exchange student!

The River Falls Rotary Club is seeking families to host a 15-year-old girl from Spain for the 2024-2025 school year. Could your family provide a friendly, caring home for a period of 14 … more

5/29/24

The Ellsworth Community School District Foundation’s EXCELL grants fund initiative such as St. Francis School’s trout study and release at the Trimbelle Nature Area.

Taste of Tuscany debuts new online auction

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Community School District Foundation’s annual Taste of Tuscany fundraiser, set for May 31, has debuted new mobile bidding for its silent auction. Attendees can also … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/29/24

Retirees this year from the Ellsworth Community School District are (from left): Vicki Boyd, Anita Peterson, Lynne Hamilton, Lynn Loesch and Barry Cain. Not pictured: Mary Hanson.

ECSD honors six retirees, celebrates years of service

The Ellsworth Community School District honored its six retirees, as well as celebrated years of service milestones and a former school board member during its Recognition Dinner on May 21 at the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/29/24

Ellsworth’s Class of 2024 moves their tassels to symbolize their official status as high school graduates.

GALLERY: Ellsworth Class of 2024 waves goodbye to high school, enters next chapter

Ellsworth High School Class of 2024 held its commencement ceremony Friday, May 24. more

5/29/24

Cain column: Referendum projects move forward as designs begin

Since the passage of the facilities referendum in April, our staff, construction professionals, and finance professionals have been working hard to move the project forward. We have great … more

By Barry Cain | 5/29/24

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

Ellsworth Middle School students raised more than $11,000 for the EMS Parents Club by gathering pledges for the annual Color Run. Students took off at the starting line at 2:45 p.m. Friday, May 17.

GALLERY: EMS Color Run raises record amount

Ellsworth Middle School students raised money for the EMS Parents' Club by gathering pledges for the annual Color Run. Principal Oran Nehls said a record amount of $11,799 was raised. This was … more

5/22/24

Dawn Koch has taught at St. Francis School for 39 years, primarily teaching second grade and kindergarten.

‘A cornerstone’: Koch retires after 39 years at St. Francis

ELLSWORTH – Since 1985, students have entered the doors of St. Francis School every day to learn from teacher Dawn Koch. This ranges from students still attending the school to people currently … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/22/24

Prescott Community Club member Tara Buechner presents the PCC scholarship to Ava Franco Wednesday, May 8.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Ava Franco

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for May 22 is Prescott High School senior Ava Franco, selected by the Prescott Community Club. “Ava was chosen by the Prescott Community … more

5/22/24

PHS teacher is quarterfinalist for a Grammy educator award

PRESCOTT – Prescott High School Band Director Jason Canfield was among 215 music teachers selected as quarterfinalists for the GRAMMY Museum and Recording Academy’s 2025 Music Educator … more

5/22/24

Malone Intermediate School Principal Mike Kosmalski May 15 addressing the recent GOP lawsuit and counter claim by Gov. Tony Evers.

Prescott School Board approves final operational budget cuts

PRESCOTT – At the May 15 Prescott School Board meeting as in past meetings, much time was spent discussing how to cut the operational budget after the failed referendum, and this time the Arts … more

By Nicole Rogers | 5/22/24

Two UWRF faculty members honored for their work with students

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty members David Bonko and Chris Hergenrader are being honored for their outstanding work with students and helping prepare them for … more

5/22/24

Michael Gilmer, dean of students at UW-River Falls, interacts with a student during a Mental Health Mondays event at the university. Gilmer has spent much of his time during his first semester at UWRF helping address programs regarding student mental health.

Meeting the challenge: New UWRF dean of students helps address mental health needs

RIVER FALLS – When Michael Gilmer accepted the job as dean of students at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, he expected to learn, bit by bit, how to best ensure and enact services to … more

5/16/24

Ellsworth High School’s Forensics team (back, from left): Jonathan Dawley, Axel Simonson, Lilly Clark, Cyrus Cook, Josie Pechacek, Katie Pederson, Mason Tri, Lander Levers; (middle, from left): Madelynn Flynn, Carolyn Trannel, Taylor Franklin, Ngoc Nguyen, Madeline Saver, Rebecca Dendinger, Kendra Aufderhar, Maya Bueso; (front, from left: Andrea Esterby, Piper VanNocker, Breana Blanch, Bridget Dendinger, Lily Vesely, Emma Helgeson and Nora Novek.

State Speech Contest announces school awards

LA CROSSE – Thirty-one Wisconsin schools received recognition for their overall performance at the Wisconsin State Speech Festival. The event was held this year at DeForest Area High School as … more

5/15/24

Ellsworth School Board at its May 13 organizational meeting. Pictured are (front, from left): President Julie Lundstrom, Vice President Susan Beck, Steve Mark; (back, from left) Mark Stoesz, Treasurer Michael Petersen, Gary Kressin and Clerk Kurt Buckner.

Ellsworth SB approves projects including scoreboard, reorganizes

The Ellsworth School District Board of Education approved 2024-25 action for maintenance, technology, transportation and athletics projects during the May 13 meeting. The projects include … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/15/24

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

Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 Commander Jerry Thompson presented Elmwood High School senior Ryan Rupakus a $1,000 scholarship May 1.

Elmwood American Legion, Auxiliary award scholarships

ELMWOOD – Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 and Auxiliary Unit 207 participated in the Elmwood High School Awards Banquet the evening of May 1 to present scholarships and awards. Legion … 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

UW-River Falls honors outstanding alums, special contributor

RIVER FALLS – Four University of Wisconsin-River Falls alums and a long-time supporter of the university were honored at the UWRF Evening of Excellence, Friday, May 3, in the Riverview Ballroom … more

5/8/24