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! ❄️📚
We're thrilled that 30 of our talented 8th-grade band & choir students were selected to participate in the SCVEMA District Honors Festival! 🎼🎤 This incredible opportunity has brought them together for lots of rehearsals, culminating in a spectacular concert last Saturday! 🎶🎉
8th-grade science students designed crash cushions to reduce the forces that act on a vehicle during a collision with a wall and used the sensors to view the impact acceleration values.
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
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
7th grade science has been exploring thermal energy the last couple weeks with using our new pocket lab thermo sensors. This week students designed and built thermos to try to keep water hot for the longest amount of time.
The middle school Forensics/Speech team did outstanding at their first practice meet on Tuesday, January 16. All five participants placed first in their categories. Aria Mennenga and Esemerelda Johnson scored the blue ribbon for the duo in Play Acting; Bennie Thien received his for News Broadcasting (radio); Luke Lundstrom for Prose, and Kendra Maas-Zielger for Non-Original Oratory.
The team's first invitational meet is at Viking Middle School on Thursday, January 25!
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.
We are looking for a minimum of 36 VOLUNTEERS for April 30th and May 14th!!!
On April 30th the 7th grade class, and on May 14th the 6th grade class will be attending Junior Achievement, a unique experiential education program. This on-site visit is one of the concluding activities to the curriculum.
To ensure a successful visit, we need at least 18 adult volunteers to accompany us to Junior Achievement in St. Paul and help facilitate the simulation activities. The role of the volunteer will be to guide the students as they work on their simulation. Volunteers who offer to assist during the on-site visit must participate in an online training session to prepare for their work with the students. This training provides volunteers with the opportunity to understand the in-class curriculum as well as the on-site schedule and procedures. They will gain understanding about their role in assisting the students. Junior Achievement suggests parents not be placed with their child, although there will be time during lunch and shopping breaks for parents to connect with their child.
All volunteers must be on the approved volunteer list for Ellsworth Community Schools (the form is attached and is also available in the Middle School office or online). Volunteers will be required to complete an online orientation session one week prior to our visit to Junior Achievement. Volunteers will also be required to arrive one hour before the students, on the morning of our simulation to receive instructions from the JA staff. Junior Achievement is located at 1745 University Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104. Volunteers will need to drive themselves or ride with other volunteers in order to attend the required training before the students arrive.
If you'd like to volunteer please contact Buena Farrell at farrellb@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
💜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
EMS December Students of the Month
Thank you to the EMS Parents' Club for sponsoring the 6th Grade 3D cell model project! Student groups were able to choose if they wanted to create a plant or animal cell and which supplies they would use to represent each cell organelle.
The 6th-grade ski field trip for today has been postponed and rescheduled for January 26th.
Coriander Living Collective is hosting a grief workshop for free at the River Falls Public Library on February 8th from 6:30 - 7:30. Here is the info: https://www.corianderlivingcollective.com/workshops-retreats/grief-stephanie-larson-river-falls-library
Camp Pepin Summer Registration: Would your student be interested in attending summer camp? The Red Wing YMCA runs both day camps and overnight camps throughout the summer. These are at reduced costs through the Ellsworth School District Outside of School Grant.
If you have any questions, please email pechaceka@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
https://redwingpepin.campintouch.com/ui/unrestricted/pricing/DatesAndRates
The deadline for Empower Ellsworth is approaching!!
If you have a great idea for a service capstone project and need funding for some component, please consider applying for the Empower Ellsworth Grant. This is a way for EHS students to get start-up money for an idea. See the link below, and ask Mrs. Pechacek if you have any questions! Application info is here. All the money stays in the Ellsworth community! Apply today! https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/empower-ellsworth
Exciting News from ECSD Community Education!
Get ready to unlock your hidden talents with our upcoming community education programs! 🌟 Registration deadlines are approaching, so don't miss out on these fun and enriching classes. 🎉
1️⃣ Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People 🎹
Have you ever dreamt of playing the piano but thought you were too busy? Join us for an instant piano course tailored for the hopelessly busy! Discover the joy of making music effortlessly. 🎶 Deadline for registration: 1/18/24
2️⃣ Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People 🎸
No time to spare, but always wanted to strum the strings? Our instant guitar class is designed just for you! Unleash your inner rockstar without the hassle. 🤘 Deadline for registration: 1/18/24
3️⃣ Valentine Sock Gnomes Workshop ❤️
Spread love and get crafty with our Valentine Sock Gnomes workshop! Create adorable gnomes using socks and share the love this Valentine's Day. 💖 Deadline for registration: 1/26/24
Don't let time slip away – secure your spot now! Visit https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/community-education to sign up and embark on a journey of learning, creativity, and fun. 🌈📝
