AROUND The County

October 21, 2021 THE JOURNAL Page 3

School board listens as Spring

Valley Strategic Plan set in motion
By Melissa Thorud
SPRING VALLEY - The Spring
Valley School District is currently in
the process of creating a strategic
plan. This process began in Septem-
ber and the school board as well as the
rest of the community has gone
through several stages in order to
come to an end result.
The solidified strategic plan will
be decided on Tuesday, Oct. 19 during
a special school board meeting (after
The Journal’s print deadline). The last
step in the process included a commu-
nity listening session on Wednesday,
Oct. 13, where district residents could
share their perspectives and ideas for
future goals.
At this listening session, Dr. Bruce
Miles from Big River Group spoke to
attendees about the process thus far
and what is expected to come from
the strategic plan once it is in place.
“I think this is one of the most im-
portant things that school districts
have, so we’re not just going about
day-to-day hoping that good things
will be achieved, we are intentional
and driven towards multiple goals
based on the priorities the community
has given to make sure that we stay
the course and meet the goals,” said
School Board President Cristy
Peavey.
“As a new superintendent, this is
an awesome opportunity for me to
know what the community wants and
what our staff wants so the plan that
is developed will have impact for at
least the next five years and possibly
beyond that,” said Superintendent
John Groh.
A strategic plan is a vital part of
how a school district operates and
moves forward. Many school districts
have a strategic plan that is referred to
when making changes and progress
toward what the district’s leaders,
staff and community want within the
district.
The process included surveys for
both the faculty and the community
and encouraged input. The commu-
nity survey listed aspects of the dis-
trict that are working well as well as
places that could use improvements.
The survey indicated the district
has great staff, good communication
to parents and a great new elementary
school facility. Places the community
felt needed improvement were
COVID precautions, post-secondary
preparedness, athletic and activity fa-
cilities and more awareness around
bullying.
Aside from the community listen-
ing session and surveys, there were
also staff meetings to hear input from
the faculty and staff.
The strategic plan will be a big
step in the direction of continuous
progress for the district.
“Dream big for what you want for
this community, whatever that means
to you, because your kids and the staff
will benefit from it,” Groh said.
These are all considerations and
data the school board will take and
implement into the official strategic
plan, which will serve as a guide for
progress within the school district
going forward and will help with
changes in curriculum and operations.

HALLOWEEN
From Page 1
Treat: 5:30-7 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church (3337 Kingsbarn
Ave., River Falls). All are invited to join us for a safe, family
friendly night of costumed fun before Halloween! Trunks will be
lined up and decorated outside with special treats waiting for
you! Please be mindful of physical distancing, especially around
our little ones! ALL ARE WELCOME!
Community Trunk or Treat: 6-7:30 p.m., C3 Church
experience at Deadman’s Haunted Grave, located at the corner
of Lawrence and Jefferson streets in Prescott. The experience be-
gins at dark and is free to the public. The family will accept non-
perishable food donations for the Prescott Area Food Pantry. For
more information, join the “Deadmans Haunted Grave” group
on Facebook.
Prescott Trunk or Treat: 1-3 p.m., Prescott High School
(1010 Dexter St.)
Hosted by Prescott Community Education. Be on the lookout
for themed trunks, including (but not limited to) the Weiss Family
(Haunted Blood Bank), Hanken Contracting LLC (Frightfully
Fun Fishing), Stephy Jo’s (Witch), Girl Scout Troop 53762
(Space), Prescott Chamber of Commerce (Silly Monster Maze)
and more. To sign up, go to https://forms.gle/qXEtBgmDkxwe-
p.m. to 7:30 p.m. is recommended.
Bring a flashlight with you so you can see and be seen. Con-
sider wearing reflectorized clothing.
Stay in your neighborhood where you feel comfortable.
Watch for traffic as motorists can be distracted by children and
decorations. Use crosswalks when crossing the street. Never
cross a street from between parked cars, mid-block or run into
the street.
Only accept wrapped or packaged candy or treats and do not
eat any until it is thoroughly checked by your parent or other re-
sponsible party.
Use caution around pets and other animals to avoid being bit-
ten or other injury.
Avoid cutting through yards as there may be multiple hazards.

.
(W7562 U.S. Highway 10, Ellsworth). Calling all pumpkins,
Qhii8 Residents who wish to welcome trick-or-treaters should leave

princesses, and superheroes! Dress up the kiddos and join us for
treats, games, and refreshments in a safe, fun, family-friendly en-
vironment. Visit all the individual Halloween candy displays!
Plus, come see the boom and fire trucks, enjoy free hot dogs and
popcorn, and take a photo at the Fall Photo Booth. Refreshments
and a good time for parents, too. The entire community is wel-
come to attend, so invite your friends and neighbors.
us l,
Halloween safety
onThe River Falls Police Department would like to emphasize
safety this Halloween. Halloween and the trick or treating that
occurs can be a fun tradition. However, in order to help ensure
the safety of Halloween activities, the following tips are recom-
mended:
ly
an outside or porch light on. Children should be advised to only
visit homes with outside lights on.
Motorists should be extra cautious on Halloween night. Be
aware of children darting out from between parked cars or walk-
ing on roadways. Please be careful exiting and entering drive-
ways.
Parents should take special precautions to avoid children get-

Wear a comfortable costume that you can see well out of, that ting separated from a group.
Thursday, Oct. 28
is fire retardant and is not a trip hazard. Bright costumes are more If you are going to have a jack o’ lantern, consider a battery-
al a

Dress Up Storytime: 10:30 a.m., River Falls Public Library

e
visible than dark costumes. Props should also be safe without operated light or something similar rather than a real flame.
(140 Main St.) Wear a costume to storytime and enjoy a trick
sharp or dangerous ends. Consider face makeup as masks can There are many odd behaviors exhibited on Halloween. Please
from the library staff! Register at riverfallspubliclibrary.org
ci on

obstruct vision. don’t confuse them with behavior that may harm someone such
Halloween Storytime: 10:30 a.m., Prescott Public Library
Children should be supervised by a parent or responsible adult. as going somewhere with a stranger. Don’t approach a car if di-
(800 Borner St.) Wear your costume and join us outside under
However, if older children are allowed to go trick or treating rected or asked to by an unknown occupant.
the tree for stories, songs, activities and crafts!
without adult supervision (not recommended), there should be a We encourage everyone to please remind children of these im-
Elmwood Library Contest: While supplies last, pick up a
preplanned route and a set return time. portant safety rules to help ensure our community has a safe and
pumpkin at the library (111 N. Main St.), take it home to decorate
er rs

Stay outside of houses. There is no good reason to enter a res- fun Halloween! Please report any illegal or suspicious activity
or carve, then send the library a picture on Facebook or by email
idence for treats. Let the resident bring the treat to you. to the Police Department.
(director@elmwoodlibraryorg) by Oct. 28 to be entered into a
Trick or treat early to avoid being out when it gets too dark. 5
Halloween basket drawing.
m e

Friday, Oct. 29
Drive Thru Trick or Treat: 4:30-6 p.m., Pierce County Fair-
m rp

grounds (364 N. Maple St., Ellsworth). Join the Ellsworth Public

Library for a drive-thru trick-or-treat experience. Costumes and
REGISTERED NURSE
decorated vehicles are encouraged. Bring items for the Pierce $7,000 SIGN-ON BONUS
County Food Pantry and be entered into a drawing for a prize! Up to $36.40/hour
Enjoy spy sheets, treats and fun!
co Fo

River Falls Trick or Treat on Main, 1-5 p.m., downtown •

River Falls.
The River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau LICENSED PRACTICAL
is excited to once again facilitate the Trick or Treat on Main event
where participating downtown businesses will be open to trick
or treaters. Businesses will indicate their participation by hanging
NURSE
the official Trick or Treat on Main 2021 poster at their location $7,000 SIGN-ON BONUS
prior to and during the event. This is a great opportunity for fam- Up to $29.35/hour
ilies to enjoy fun and safe trick-or-treating, and kick off Hal-
loweekend! •
*Interested businesses: email info@rfchamber.com for more
information CERTIFIED NURSING
n-

Saturday, Oct. 30
Trunk or Treat! 10-11:30 a.m., Spring Valley Senior Living
ASSISTANT
& Health Care (S830 Westland Drive, Spring Valley). Get in the $3,500 SIGN-ON BONUS
no

spooky spirit and celebrate Halloween with us! We are looking Up to $21.50/hour
for people to come in costume and/or decorate their trunks, park
in our front parking lot and hand out candy to the residents. Chil- •
dren can come as well for the trunk or treat. Please contact Shan-
non if you are interested in attending. Up to $2,000
Halloween Spooktacular Trick or Treat, 12-5 p.m., Family
Fresh (303 S. Main St., River Falls). Enjoy our Trick or Treating
throughout the store, costume or no costume. Everyone is wel-
SIGN-ON BONUS
come. Dietary Cook and Dietary Assistant
Housekeeping/Laundry
Sunday, Oct. 31
Kids Costume Contest: 2 p.m., Mooney’s Rusty Horse Bar 1RQFHUWLÀHG$VVLVWDQW
& Grill (S211 S. McKay Ave., Spring Valley). All little ghosts, •
witches and ghouls are welcome to attend. There will be prizes,
candy, games and pizza specials. Get pictures with Bucky the Walk-in interviews
Tarantula!
St. Francis Trunk or Treat: 4-7 p.m., St. Francis School (244 available weekdays.
W. Woodworth St., Ellsworth). Put on your favorite costume and
stop by to enjoy trunk-or-treating with friends and neighbors at No appointment necessary.
this safe, family-friendly event in the St. Francis parking lot.
Trunks will be lined up and decorated outside with special treats
1505 Orrin Road
Please call for details
waiting for you! All are invited! Would you like to register a
trunk? Please contact Cheryl Kaufer, youth ministry leader, at
Prescott WI of sign-on bonus
goshawk@bevcomm.net
Deadman’s Haunted Grave
715-262-5661
The Herme family of Prescott hosts a spooky haunted house EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED

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