Board OKs 5th graders’ proposal for learning space

What started as a hands-on learning project for Rib Lake fifth graders will provide educational opportunities for years to come.

When school reopened in Rib Lake last fall, the district utilized outdoor classes whenever possible to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks and give students and staff a break from wearing masks.

According to district administrator Rick Cardey, the school district borrowed picnic tables from the village to make learning spaces, doing what they needed to in order to allow school to continue.

Students in Barb Anderson and Garrett Anderson’s fifth grade classes felt the outdoor spaces should be made permanent with the design and construction of a shelter that would allow additional use in spring, summer and fall. This prompted an ongoing project with the students researching and coming up with designs for a structure. Periodically through the project the students would present their ideas to Cardey as “the boss” who would provide feedback and set budget guidelines.

On May 13, a group of students presented their proposal to the Rib Lake School Board, explaining the process and the tools they used to set a preliminary design, location and cost estimates.

The students explained that they used the building game Minecraft to come up with some design ideas. Cardey compared these early designs to the Taj Mahal, but noted that as the students learned more about building costs and what was involved, the plans got scaled back and more realistic.

The students used Google Earth to locate a spot near the kickball field that was flat and could accommodate the shelter. They also explored different types of surface material for both the shelter and the path leading to it as well as the seating needs. The students recognized that while stepping stones or other types of surfacing may look nice, they would not be accessible for fellow students and staff members with mobility issues, and said that granite or asphalt would be the best options.

In addition, they asked that the shelter have electricity and access to the school’s WiFi in order for Chromebooks and educational devices to work properly.

Students also noted that even if they were not involved in a specific part of process, they would still also contribute in discussions on it. “It let us embrace 104239_2

our creativity,” one of the students said of the project. Others noted that it helped with leadership skills as they worked collaboratively.

The project emphasized communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. For his part, Cardey said he thought the efforts of the students were well done and asked the board for their support in making it a reality. He noted the district had previously approved some parking lot work, and suggested that it would not be much to add to that to do the site work for the outdoor learn center’s base. Board members quickly agreed to that suggestion and were enthusiastic in their support of the project as a whole.

As far as the structure itself, the district is looking to have building trades students help with the construction process. For now, the fifth graders will be involved, in looking at seating options and well as helping as the area is measured and laid out for the work.

“I think it would be cool if they were involved in it,” Cardey said.

Reading program

The Rib Lake school board is investing in the future of the district’s reading program.

Aimee Blomberg, the district’s elementary reading specialist, asked the board to invest in a summer professional development opportunity using the LETRS reading program. She explained that the program is based on the science of reading. She said the goal of the program would be to learn a “common language” about what it will take to improve reading skills in district students.

She noted the district took a similar approach to math in recent years and saw positive results. “We would like to see the same thing in reading,” she said, describing reading as being a foundational skill for the education of students.

She said the program is researchbased and includes a focus on what is appropriate at each grade level.

Elementary principal Jon Dallmann said that when Blomberg brought it up to the building leadership level he was impressed with the buy-in from other teachers willing to take on the summer professional development. “When you talk about professional development in summer, you don’t typically have overwhelming support,” he said. He said the district’s reading scores were already good, but that there was always a drive to continue to want to get better. He said he was proud of the school staff for wanting to improve like that.

Blomberg’s proposal includes providing the training for the sixth through eighth grade English Language Arts teachers as well.

Cardey noted the cost would include the program as well as stipends to staff members for their time. He said the costs of the program would be covered under the federal ESSER 2 funds and noted that he would want to see an implementation component before stipends were paid.

Board members approved moving ahead with the staff development proposal.

In other business, board members:

_ Elected new officers following the spring general election. Stacy Tlusty was selected as board president. Jason Dananay will serve as board vice president. Jackie Mohr will serve as clerk. Amanda Treffinger will serve as board treasurer. The board also adjusted committee assignments as Nicole Glenzer replaced Steve Martin representing the town of Rib Lake on the board.

_ Received an update on graduation and prom. The prom itself will be held off-site and will be officially hosted by a parent group. The district will be holding a post-prom from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the school on the night of the prom. As far as graduation, weather permitting it is planned for an outdoor ceremony on May 28. The school will make the call on if it will be held inside or outside on the Thursday before. Students will have a limited number of tickets for an indoor ceremony.

_ Approved tapping into federal grant dollars and local funds to make major technology improvements including the replacement of 13 Promethean boards in the three buildings, installation of upgraded fiber between the high school and elementary school to improve internet access in the building, replacement of 15 desktop computers in the business classroom. It was noted that items being replaced were at least seven to eight years old and were no longer functional. “So you are going to drag us into the 21st century,” Thums said. “I am trying,” replied Gayle Perrin, district technology coordinator.

_ Received a report on the reality fair held at the high school last week. The event, which was open to 11th and 12th graders was designed to give them an idea of the costs associated with being in the “real world.” Principal Kirsten Budimlija said it was an eye-opener for many of the students who did not realize the cost of such things as childcare.

_ Received an update on plans for the class schedule for next year. The high school and middle school are considering whether to return to the traditional eight-period days from prior years or go to a modified block schedule with three eight-period days and two block days per week. A staff recommendation will be presented at the June board meeting.

_ Formally adopted changes to the athletic code to cover the WIAA sports that will continue beyond spring break. This change will put additional weight on the fourth quarter grades and their impact on eligibility in the month of June.

_ Reviewed a proposal for major summer projects including the potential replacement of the middle school gym floor. The floor was original to the building in 1981 and came with a 20 year guarantee at the time. It has now been 40 years and floor is showing its wear. “It is basically linoleum on concrete now,” Cardey said. He suggested using a poured in place rubberized flooring since the room is also used as a lunch room. However, he was hesitant because the price of that flooring system has jumped to $108,000. He noted that the wood floor that was priced at $64,000 a year ago is now at $96,000. “I don’t like $108,000 but we owe it to the district to do something to make it the way it should be,” Thums said. Board members directed Cardey to continue researching options and to bring it back to the board.