Four-year-old Kindergarten Registration Underway

The School District of Black River Falls is very excited to be able to offer four-year-old kindergarten (4K) to all four year olds starting this coming school year (2008-2009)

The 4K program will be offered at Forrest Street Early Learning Center, Western Dairyland Head Start/Learn and Play Daycare, Black River Area Child Care Center, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Registration for 4K is underway. To register your child, you need to attend one of the informational 4K sessions. Here you will learn more about the program and fill out the registration forms, prioritizing your preference of sites. The informational registration sessions are as follows:

The 4K program will be half-day (2 ½ hours), Monday – Thursday, for either an a.m. or p.m. session. Transportation will be offered by the school district to and from all 4K sites. Wrap around care will be offered at our off-site locations (Learn and Play/Western Dairyland Head Start and Black River Area Child Care Center), but families must arrange that with those providers.

The 4K program will provide a full range of support services and educate children by integrating the resources of the district, community agencies and daycare programs.  The curriculum will be child-directed and hands-on, using education play and interest centers to promote pre-reading, writing and math skills as well as social, emotional and life skills.

To be enrolled in the program, a child must turn four years of age on or before September 1, 2008.   

Get more information here...

Important Information for HS students

Seniors are reminded that School Board Policy 345.52 states: "Any student who has not completed his/her required schoolwork and has not satisfied all school obligations, including, but not limited to, course fees, fines, charges, food service obligations and replacement of books or equipment shall not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony."  Even though reminders will be sent out, parents and students are encouraged to check with the high school office to make sure all school obligations are satisfied.

Driver's Education reimbursement from the School District of Black River Falls will terminate on June 6, 2008.  Up until that time, students completing Driver's Education training by June 30, 2007, are eligible for partial reimbursement from the district.  Requests for reimbursement should be sent to the high school and must include verification of payment for the course and completion by June 30, 2007.  Any requests submitted after June 6, 2008, will be denied.

Electricity/Electronics Students Earn 1st Place at Boe-Bot Competition 

Hazy Wood, David Gebhardt, Shea Torkelson, Jaysen Sargent, Dalton Sweet and Kyler Abbott, high school Electricity/Electronics students, teamed up and attended the 3rd annual Boe-Bot Robot Competition at WTC in La Crosse on Friday, May 2.  The Boe Bot team showed hard work and determination entering this competitive event that involved 10 other schools.  Black River Falls High School was the underdog newcomer to the competition that was split into two events, a "Dead Reckoning" course and a "Maze" course.  

After failing to complete the Dead Reckoning course, the team knew they had to prove themselves in the second event.  The team decided to create a replica of the maze on the floor out of masking tape so they didn't have to wait in line for practice runs, a strategy no other team thought of.  This prepared the team for a great test run as they pulled through and earned first place in the "Maze" competition.  They completed the maze in a swift 28 seconds followed by Sparta's team with 42 seconds.  

Congratulations to the Boe Bot Electronics team for bringing victory home to Black River Falls High School!  Click here to watch a video of the Boe-Bot completing its first place run. 

National School Administrator Award
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Mr. Thomas Chambers selected to Represent Wisconsin at the National Level  

Exceptional school administrators encourage chapters and help students take advantage of the opportunities offered. Mr. Thomas Chambers, Assistant Principal for the Black River Falls High School , was selected as this years’ recipient of the Wisconsin nomination for the National School Administrator Award. Mr. Chambers was selected as Wisconsin ’s nomination because of his continued support of the local FCCLA program and student efforts.  This award recognizes and honors local administrators who give outstanding support to the FCCLA organization on the local, state, and national levels.  Mr. Chambers was presented this enormous honor at the Wisconsin FCCLA State Conference in Green Lake , WI by the Department of Public Instruction Family and Consumer Sciences Consultant, Mrs. Diane Ryberg.  

Read more FCCLA news...

Summer Construction Will Lead to Tennis Courts Open to the Public

The School District of Black River Falls is constructing new tennis courts at the high school during the summer of 2008. The tennis courts will be open to public use when not in use by physical education classes and/or athletic after-school tennis programs.  

The city Park and Recreation department in cooperation with various youth programs and the Black River Falls School District are in the process of creating a Community Tennis Association to organize and promote tennis for youth and adults in our community with support from the USTA (United States Tennis Association).  

See more and read about the new courts here... 

An Artistic Discovery  

The artwork of Black River Falls High School seniors, Kayelin Glasspoole, Amanda Wood and Marilee Preston were selected for the in “An Artistic Discovery,” the 12^th Annual 3^rd Congressional District Art Competition sponsored by Congressman Ron Kind and Mrs. Tawni Kind. The Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie is hosting this year’s exhibit 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. , from April 29 through May 4.  A reception for students and their parents will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. . An awards ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. where all of the students will be recognized by Congressman Kind. The winning entries will also be announced at that time.

Eighth Graders Visit Career Day

On April 11 , eighth grade students from Black River Falls Middle School participated in a Career Day.  The purpose of this day was to introduce students to a wide variety of careers available in our area and beyond.  It also gave students a chance to hear from employers about what kinds of skills and attitudes they expect from their employees.  All eighth grade students heard presentations from Jackson Correctional Institution, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Black River Memorial Hospital , Black River Fire Department, Scholze Ace Home Center , River Haven Salon & Spa, WEAU TV-13, Stahl Taxidermy and Courtesy Corporation.  Students were also able to visit booths set up in the gym by Wal-Mart, Western Technical College , UW-La Crosse, Mid-State Technical College , Black River Memorial Hospital . D & S, Lunda Construction, Jackson County Bank, Black River Power Sports and Al Muth’s Harley Davidson.   

Middle school students and staff had a very positive response to this event.  Career Day was organized by the following staff:  Joe Green, Michele Green, Brian Stemper, Troy Tande, Chad Stanley, and Wendy Ferstenou.  Thank you to the area businesses who participated in this event!