Rice Lake announces bus routes

Bus routes for the transportation of all eligible children within the Rice Lake School District were announced today by Patrick Blackaller, Business Manager. All will be transported on the same basis as regulated by previously adopted rules and regulations of the Board of Education. A total of 29 buses will be needed to transport approximately 2,400 students presently scheduled. Students are asked to be at the end of their driveway ready to board the bus when it arrives. No bus is allowed to wait for a student or to come into the driveway except in the case of a turn-around. In some cases, students will be asked to walk short distances to corners. All of this is intended to shorten riding time of students as much as possible on their way to and from school. Buses will not come to a complete halt at each stop unless children are present or are on their way to the bus stop. Buses will be in operation from 6:20 to 8:15 a.m. Parents are asked to have their children ready a little earlier the first few mornings until the routes are adjusted. Route times are estimates and can be adjusted when needed. Once adjusted, buses should not vary more than 3 minutes from any stop along the route. The actual routes will be very similar to those traveled last year, with a few minor exceptions where adjustments are already apparent. In the case of small children, it would also help all concerned if a small tag giving their name, school attended and grade were pinned on their outer garment for the first few days. This would assure that each student is dropped off at his respective school, and would assist the teachers in properly locating them in their rooms once at school. Parents should also remember the bus number their child rides. Please do not allow students to carry medications on the bus except inhalers or allergy kits. In the event these may be necessary, please contact the transportation office so your driver will be aware of your child's possible needs. Buses will drop students off at a baby-sitter's if along an established route. Buses will not vary from their route to drop students off, nor will they drop students off at more than one location during the week. Once students have boarded afternoon buses they will not be allowed off without proper authorization anIf your child needs to ride a bus other than the assigned one, he/she will be required to have the following written information: Date, student's full name, complete address where he/she is going and phone number where parent/responsible adult can be reached at bus time. Students will NOT be allowed to ride without providing the required information to the bus driver. The forms are available at all school offices and from bus drivers. Changes in bus transportation should be made only when no other option exists. Once again, students within the city and more than a mile and three quarters from their respective schools will be transported. Buses will follow the same routes within the city as in previous years. Bus #17 will be transporting students on the South side of Rice Lake and will make two runs. The first run will commence at 7:15 a.m. and will transport Middle School and High School only. The second run will be limited to elementary school students only, and will not make as many stops. No changes will be made after ... Click headline for full article Thursday, August 26, 2010

Summer program participation jumps

The Rice Lake Board of Education hired a new assistant principal at the high school and heard about new Boys & Girls Club programming for the upcoming school year at its meeting last week. Replacing Chad Brakke, who left the district to take an elementary principal position, is Kimberly Centers. She has been a high school and middle school English teacher in the Weyauwega-Freemont School District in East Central Wisconsin. Centers has also completed her administrative internship and served as lead summer school principal in the Weyauwega District. She has extensive experience in curriculum development and worked on numerous projects for her building principal including revamping testing practices. She was among 68 candidates who applied for the position. Her annual starting ... Click on headline for full story Thursday, August 19, 2010

Seniors earn while helping kids learn

Those on Social Security and living in the Rice Lake School District have a chance to step up and help the next generation to succeed in school and life. The Senior Tax Exchange Program begins its eighth year with the start of the 2010-2011 school year. The program is a win-win situation allowing property owners to earn a tax credit based on their hours of mentoring assistance. Volunteers are matched with students based on their preferences of age and subject matter. The application form allows potential volunteers to list their special talents and interests. The volunteer is then assigned to a teacher or staff member who has identified a special need. Assignments have included crafts, tutoring, clerical work, sharing a trade, reading with students, assisting in drama and chaperoning field trips. Students referred to the program can be just starting their education, nearing graduation or anywhere in between. Coordinators of the program are Don and Joann Clemens of Rice Lake. Don explained how the program got its start. "As retirement approached, we were presented with an opportunity ... Click headline for full story Thursday, August 12, 2010