You hear it from teachers and students alike, the 2014-15 school year is starting off with a strong sense of community at Independent School District 361.
Three preschool classrooms are full of new, eager learners with the expansion of the program at no cost to families. The popular Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, which builds excitement and investment in a positive school community, has been expanded to the high school and has been warmly embraced by the older students.
The district has invested in technology updates to improve and expand WiFi capabilities and place more mobile learning devices at the hands of teachers and students which can connect them to the broader world.
The community is investing in our schools, as well. Springing off an idea from a Blue Ribbon Panel meeting from last winter, Kelly Gordon, with the generous support of several businesses and individuals in the community, organized the effort to mount the large Bronco emblem on the north side of Falls High School which welcomes the community and other teams to the Home of the Broncos.
This October, with a packed house, the Mr. Pete Foundation raised over $20,000 to support creative and engaging teacher projects to honor the legacy of an effective and beloved teacher. This fall, Boise/PCA donated $1,000 to the I Falls PIE Wishing Willow program helping us provide extras to elementary classrooms from books to every day or special project supplies. Staff and students are feeling the support and hear the message that this community values education.
Promoting a sense of community and engaging academic activities via fundraising, volunteering and improved communication has been the focus of I Falls Partners in Education members for the past three years and we look forward to continuing our efforts this year. Through the Wishing Willow program, Bronco Pride clothing sales, the Reindeer Run 5k/1k, Cookbook sales and book drives, I Falls PIE has raised nearly $10,000 to support the schools. We strive to share volunteer needs and important information with families and the community via newsletters, the school website, our Facebook page, emailing members and the monthly PIE Speaker Series.
I Falls PIE members value the bridge we provide between the school and community and know there are so many ways to make this connection stronger. If you believe in our efforts, want to support our district and have time or resources to share, please consider helping the I Falls PIE members continue these efforts. We volunteer support to keep and expand our programming. If you can help from home or in person, check out volunteer opportunities listed on the School’s PIE link, email us at ifallspie@gmail.com, or attend one of our bimonthly meetings.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities include helping younger students during their library classes, supervising and open computer lab for sixth graders to work on writing activities, and assisting with planning the Reindeer Run scheduled for the morning of Christmas Eve. Each week there are ways to volunteer from home or at the school. The investment of volunteers is noticed and appreciated by students and staff alike.
Sending out a big Bronco cheer for the Falls community for supporting the students and staff in the district this year.
Falls High School students who attended the We Day celebration are not pictured in order: Gary Harala, Tommy Emanuel-Roche, Lexi Emanuel-Roche, Ethan Alleman, Wyatt Amdahl, Anna Levene, Colton Hasbargen, Meggan Crosby, Jenica Wendler, Tori Hell, Megan Nemec, Olivia Holm, Simon Palm, William Harala, Taylor Wilson-Tilander, Remi Vellieux, Grace Haanen, Kristina Remus, Connie Bragg, Kenzie Wenberg, Libby Miggins, and Shelby Layman. The group was chaperoned by Kayla Gilbert, Jessica Crosby and Rachel Amdahl.
Several Falls High School students were among 18,000 of their peers from around the state last week at the second annual We Day celebration in St. Paul.
According to a release, We Act is a comprehensive service learning program that supports schools and youth groups in taking tangible action to make a difference in the world. Groups take on one local and one global action to earn their way to the We Day event. More than 550 Minnesota schools participated.
“This was such an empowering event for our young people,” said Rachel Amdahl, FHS student council adviser. “It made a huge impact on how they view volunteering in their own community as well as helping people across the globe. I am excited to see the changes they are going to make both here at school and in the service projects they have chosen to do this year. We have some very compassionate youth who are eager to do good in the world.”
Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed Nov. 12 We Day Minnesota, in honor of the volunteer blitz. The celebration featured several famous inspirational speakers including: Magic Johnson, National Basketball Association legend; Martin Sheen, Emmy and Golden Globe award winning actor; The Band Perry, a country music group; JR Martinez, actor; Lennon and Maisy Stella, actresses; Kweku Mandela, grandson of President Nelson Mandela and others.
The release said each speaker gave an encouraging message to motivate young people to become leaders of change for their respective communities and in the world.
