This week is National School Counseling Week 2024!!!! Let's celebrate the incredible efforts and unique contributions of our phenomenal school counselors! 🌟
👥 School counselors help students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
🌈 Let's take a moment to express our gratitude to the amazing counselors we have here at ECSD! 🤗 Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and unwavering support. Your influence goes beyond the classroom, and we're truly fortunate to have such inspiring professionals shaping the future of our students. 🌟
💜💜Spread the love, share your stories, and let's make this National School Counseling Week a memorable one! 💜💜
Thank you to Ms. Wiskow & Mr. Smith at the high school, Mrs. Kyllo & Mrs. Fiala at the middle school, and Mrs. Groh, Mrs. Zimmer, & Mrs. Bennett-Deiss at EES.
Mrs. Johnson's class embarked on a powerful journey through a hunger simulation. Each student was randomly assigned a level upon entering the classroom, shedding light on the stark realities of poverty and inequality.
📜 Here are the assigned levels:
Level 1 - Students sat on the floor, sharing whatever rice was available. Women graciously allowed men to serve themselves first, mirroring customs in many countries.
Level 2 - After going through a line offering beans and rice, students sat on the floor. Again, women waited until the end of the line, following cultural norms.
Level 3 - Students shared a table with Fried Rice, vegetables, and scrambled eggs.
Level 4 - Seated and served a lavish meal of Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad, Kool-Aid, and dessert. A reminder to eat as much as they pleased.
Throughout the simulation, the class engaged in meaningful discussions about poverty and inequality. They explored the challenges of moving through these levels, acknowledging that it often takes several generations for a family to transition from Level 1 to Level 4. However, the key message was one of hope – it IS possible to overcome these challenges and move towards a more equitable society.
Let's continue to educate ourselves and others on the realities faced by many, fostering empathy and working together to create positive change. 🌎💙
🌸✨ Blooming Talents in Floral Design! ✨🌸
A round of applause for Mrs. Christensen's incredible Floral Design students who showcased their creativity in the final floral client project with Mr. Nehls! 🌿🌼 This talented bunch crafted stunning centerpieces for the Chamber of Commerce Meeting last week. 🎉
Let's give a shoutout to these budding florists and their beautiful creations:
🌷 Gage Kokesch
🌺 Brady Knutson
💐 Chrysler Huron
🌸 Genevieve Cady
Positive Parenting Stepping Stones: Virtual Seminars for Parents with Children (0-12) with Disabilities.
Contact instructor with any questions: Hannah White-McGinn, hannah.whitemcginn@wisc.edu or 715-629-0476
SIGN UP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVA4OQtkcIpuDxNtQJFKpVo5iPMBISmYiP6EHzQiSlPiQwpA/viewform
The registration deadline for these community education classes is fast approaching. To register for these classes please fill out the form on our community education website. https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/community-education
💜ECSD IS SEEKING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS💜
The need for substitute teachers is at an all-time high!
GrandParent Guardians Support Group
Join us as we navigate the journey of grandparent guardianship together—finding strength, understanding, and a sense of belonging in the company of those who truly comprehend the joys and challenges unique to the grandparent guardian role.
For more information or to sign up please email Melinda, Savannah, or Olivia
casperm@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
waynes@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
carlsono@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
EHS Students of the Month for Compassion
Residents of the Ellsworth Community School District recently received a mailing from the district with introductory information about our upcoming April 2, 2024 Facilities Referendum. Over the course of the coming weeks there will be many more communications that provide residents much more information about the middle school and high school projects being addressed.
Upcoming planned communications included videos, mailings, social media posts, and attendance at many school and community events to answer any questions residents may have. In addition, we have a referendum information page up and running on our school district website at www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us. We encourage residents to visit this page to see the latest information.
Over the coming weeks I will also be writing a number of short articles that individually address the various projects along with financial impacts and visioning for the district. I hope that these articles are beneficial for all residents to best understand the rationale related to these projects and our long term vision.
As always, our staff is always available to address any questions residents may have. I strongly encourage residents to connect with me by phone (715) 273-3900 or by email at cainb@ellsworth.k12.wi.us.
Lastly, we are also available for tours of our facilities so that residents can see the planned projects firsthand regardless of the size of the group. Just let us know and we can make it work for you!
Thanks and look for much more information to come!
Barry Cain
Superintendent
The February Lunch Menu is now available! Time is flying, and we can't believe how fast this school year is going.
❄️Explore, Learn, and Grow with Ellsworth Community Education this Winter! ❄️
Looking for enriching activities to fill your winter days? Look no further! Ellsworth Community Education is excited to announce a diverse range of classes tailored just for you!
🎨📖 Whether you're interested in unleashing your creativity, expanding your knowledge, or simply trying something new, we've got you covered.
🗓️ When: Classes are scheduled throughout the winter season, offering flexibility to fit into your busy schedule.
Ready to embark on a journey of discovery and personal development? 🚀 Explore the full list of classes and find the perfect fit for you on our website: https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/community-education
Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this winter a season of growth and fun! 🌟 Enroll today and join us in building a vibrant and engaged community.
Let's make this winter a time of learning, laughter, and new connections! ❄️📚
This year the Ellsworth High School prom will be held on April 27th, 2024. The theme is “Starry Night”, and the colors are navy, silver and white. Following is a list of information for anyone interested in attending this year’s prom as a student or spectator.
Prom goers (student) tickets will be sold from April 1st thru April 12th in the high
school office. No tickets will be sold after April 12th. The tickets will be
$100/couple (includes 6 spectator tickets) and $50/single (includes 3 spectator tickets). This also includes:
🌟Dinner at the Little Log Cabin, Pioneer Village, Hastings.
🌟D.J. Entertainment/Dance.
🌟Transportation to and from the dinner/ dance.
Mrs. Johnson's Food Service class went on a gastronomic adventure to Hanisch Bakery, Common Man Tap & Table, and Lolo American. Thank you to these local businesses for opening their doors to our students!!
Not-On-Tobacco~ A Proven Teen Smoking and Vaping Cessation Program
THE GROUP WILL BE STARTING FEBRUARY 1ST FROM 1-2 ON EVERY THURSDAY.
This is a voluntary program that you can sign yourself up for if you are looking for help with your tobacco use. Unlike other cessation programs that simply modify adult curriculum, N-O-T was designed with teenagers in mind and addresses issues that are specifically important to you!
This is a 10-session program:
Session 1: Reasons for Quitting
Session 2: Why I Smoke/Vape
Session 3: Nicotine Addiction and Triggers
Session 4: Effects of Smoking/Vaping
Session 5: Physical, Psychological and Social Benefits of Quitting
Session 6: Quitting Nicotine Use
Session 7: Overcoming Obstacles to Quitting
Session 8: How to Deal with Stress
Session 9: Myths of Big Tobacco
Session 10: Staying Committed to Quitting
These confidential, small group meetings will be run by Kathy Asper from Arbor Place and Ms. "Hutch" Hutcheson. We will start the group on February 1st from 1-2 at the high school and will be held 1x/a week. We want to be clear that we are offering these groups to support you~ not to judge, shame, or discipline you!
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jRlBh4Vg3gxprXgWraPQf7s6PK9QHJvB9UidpFoCo3Y/viewform?edit_requested=true
💜 It's always wonderful to see older students sharing their love of reading with younger ones. Mrs. Traynor’s high school class visited EES students to share their love of reading! Thank you to the high schoolers and Mrs. Traynor for visiting.💜
On January 29, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 River Falls HS will be hosting a college and career fair. The event is free. This is a great opportunity for you and your parents to explore post-secondary opportunities. An email will be sent to all parents also making them aware of this opportunity. We are letting you know that we will also be taking a bus if transportation is an issue at not cost. We need to know on/before 3:30 on Friday, January 25 if you intend on taking the bus and how many people will be going. You do not need to take the bus to attend the event.
If you would like to attend and ride the bus, at no cost, please fill out the below form on/before 3:30 on January 26.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTD4cqa-ImcBVTldQb_A1qu0x0RRiXAcW7lwZkjIKQSWs8Bg/viewform
Ms. Poulos’ first block PE 10 class made their very own playbooks for flag football! Each play highlights different player’s strengths and are then going to be used in game play against other teams!
At this event, all students in 8th-11th grade can visit booths representing each academic department and have the opportunity to speak with teachers about the best class selection for their potential career path (and acquire signatures as requested).
Student registration for the 2024-25 school year will take place at this event.
Parents are invited but not required to attend.
💜ECSD IS SEEKING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS💜
The need for substitute teachers is at an all-time high!
At the January board meeting, the Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education officially approved the resolution to move to a $25.445 million Facilities Referendum at the upcoming April 2, 2024, election.
A year ago, the district contracted for the completion of an in-depth facility study to best identify our most pressing facility needs. This study provided important information regarding the life cycles of aging infrastructure of our facilities such as mechanicals, flooring, doors, windows, parking lots, roofs, etc.
Following the facility study, a community-wide survey was conducted last fall to measure support for various elements of what were defined as the items of highest priority. In all, $40.4 million in projects were tested. The results of the survey showed little support for projects that included outdoor athletic field improvements and a childcare facility. The survey also demonstrated that the cost of all of the projects was a concern.
As a result of the survey, the projects were narrowed down in scope and cost with the elimination of the athletic field projects and the childcare facility. The projects now include:
◼️Addressing aging infrastructure at the nearly 30-year-old middle school along with light remodeling of the locker bays, science labs, and Career and Tech Ed area.
◼️Addressing aging infrastructure at the high school.
◼️Remodeling and expansion of the 1970’s era Career and Tech Ed area at the high school in order to promote careers in the trades, agriculture, engineering, food service, and business.
◼️Expansion of the inadequate weight room and physical fitness area at the high school to meet the needs of our physical and athletic programs along with the expansion of the main gym lobby.
In the coming weeks leading up to the referendum, we will be publishing much more information about the referendum to best inform the public about the proposed projects. We have also launched a referendum project page on our website at https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/facility-referendum-2024
