September 25th, 2024
A Message from the Principals
Dear SFHS Falcon Families,
The 2024-2025 school year is off to a wonderful start at Sheboygan Falls High School! Our returning staff, along with a group of enthusiastic new teachers, are bringing a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the classroom.
One of our key initiatives this year is to enhance access to assessments for our students. We’re working diligently to ensure that all students have the resources and support they need to succeed academically.
Our students have been a pleasure to work with and their positive energy and dedication are inspiring. The musical is well underway, with rehearsals in full swing. Our marching band has also been hard at work and our fall sports teams are off to a strong start. Additionally, our Robotics team is gearing up for the preseason and our construction classes are busy building a hoop house at Nourish.
We’re excited to announce that Homecoming Week is coming up from September 30th to October 5th. Please stay tuned for more information about the exciting events and activities planned.
I invite you to our Parent/Teacher Conferences on Monday, October 7th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please REGISTER HERE for times to meet with your child’s teachers. We look forward to seeing you on October 7th!
Mr. Berlin and I want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone for contributing to such a positive and successful beginning to the school year. We look forward to a continued partnership with our parents and community as we work together to provide our students with a quality education.
Go Falcons!
Mike Nikson, SFHS Principal
Brian Berlin, SFHS Associate Principal / Athletic Director
Mark Your Calendars
Friday, September 27th: NO School for Students (Inservice for Staff)
Week of September 30th: Homecoming Week
Tuesday, October 1st, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Community Information Session at Sheboygan Falls High School (More Details Below)
Thursday, October 3rd, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Community Information Session at Sheboygan Falls Elementary School (More Details Below)
Saturday, October 5th: Homecoming Dance
Monday, October 7th: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4pm-8pm – REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, October 15th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Community Information Session at Sheboygan Falls Elementary School (More Details Below)
Thursday, October 17th: Picture Retake Day
Friday, October 18th: NO School for Students (Inservice for Staff)September 27: Professional Development Day (No Students)
Tuesday, October 22nd, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Community Information Session at Sheboygan Falls High School (More Details Below)
Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Spotlight – SEPTEMBER:
What were students working on for their ACP in September?
In grades 9-12 during SOAR Homeroom, all students explored all the Activity and Club opportunities that SFHS has to offer. We also went through how to log any volunteer/service hours on our PATHWAYos platform on Classlink. Here is an instructional step-by-step for how to use PATHWAYos.
Referendum Update
Dear Families,
The School District of Sheboygan Falls is a big point of pride in our community. With our promise to Expect the Exceptional at the forefront, we strive to be a School District of choice. At the same time, we have a series of facility-related challenges that we must address soon.
Over the past two years, the Board of Education has been evaluating the District’s facility needs and investigating possible solutions. This work is part of the District’s long-range facility planning process.
On Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, our community will vote on two proposed capital referendum questions. If they are approved, the District will move forward making key facility improvements at both our Elementary School and High School.
Question #1 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $78.3 million. These funds would go toward Elementary and High School improvement projects, including:
- Addition of a Community Fitness Center
- Addition of a 4-year-old kindergarten and childcare space at the Elementary school
- Addition of an expanded career and technical education wing at the high school
- Replacement of basic building systems
- Safety and security upgrades
- Upgrades to educational spaces
- Improvements to building finishes
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
If the first question is approved by voters, the estimated annual tax impact would be $1.33 per $1,000 of equalized property value.
Question #2 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $21.5 million. These funds would go toward recreation and athletic improvement projects, including:
- New auxiliary gymnasium ($14.9 million)
- Improvements to outdoor athletic facilities ($6.6 million)
If the second question is approved by voters, it would have an estimated annual tax impact of 90 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value.
If both questions are approved, the tax impact will be $2.23 per every $1,000 of equalized property value in our community. A home valued at $300,000 would see a property tax impact of $669 per year (or $55.75 per month), starting in the 2024-25 school year.
We are committed to providing as much information as possible and answering our community members’ questions ahead of election day. We would like to invite you to our upcoming Community Information Sessions and School Tours, which will be focused on our facility-related challenges and the proposed solutions. Below are the dates, times, and locations:
Tuesday, October 1st, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Sheboygan Falls High School
Thursday, October 3rd, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Sheboygan Falls Elementary School
Tuesday, October 15th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Sheboygan Falls Elementary School
Tuesday, October 22nd, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Sheboygan Falls High School
We invite you to learn more about the District’s facility needs and the proposed solution on the ballot this November by visiting www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/o/sfsd/page/referendum.
We look forward to sharing more information and continuing to engage our community around these important issues in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Zach Pethan, Superintendent
Board of Education Updates
The School District of Sheboygan Falls will hold its next monthly regular board meeting on Monday, October 28th at 6:00 pm. Please join us! You can find more information about upcoming meetings, your Board Members and more HERE.
Can’t make It? You can view the Board Agendas and Minutes at BoardDocs.com HERE.
Safety Update
The monthly fire drill was held on September 13th. The students did a great job of evacuating the building and getting a few minutes of sun.
Reminder: Canvas Observer Accounts
A reminder that Canvas Observer Accounts are ready to go! If you’d like to monitor your child(ren)’s digital coursework, you can create a Canvas Observer Account. Step-by-step instructions can be found on the District’s website HERE.
SFHS Life Lately
Connections Mentors and 9th graders connecting the first day of school
REMINDER: The WI Department of Health has released new school immunization requirements for the 2024-25 school year. These changes will improve protection for children across the state by protecting them against vaccine-preventable illnesses, including meningitis and chickenpox. Please see the linked information and check with your children’s health care provider to make sure immunizations are up to date.
District and Related Employment Opportunities
Looking for part-time work? Full-time work? Flexibility?
The District and Related Organizations have some great opportunities!
SCHOOL DISTRICT OPPORTUNITIES: Opportunities within the School District can be found using the below links. Note that if you are looking for flexibility, we are actively seeking Substitute Teacher positions which can be found under the Certified Positions.
Certified Positions – https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicCertified/3472
Assistants / Aides – https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicSupport/3472
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY: Afterschool program fees are waived for children of parents who work at the Boys & Girls Club! If you are interested in part-time work, your child can be enrolled in the afterschool program for FREE while you work for the Club. Learn more about available opportunities or apply at www.ThePositivePlace.com/careers.
