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Wisconsin Rapids Superintendent Rasmussen and Principal Tina Wallner sit down with James J. Malouf on Mid-Day Magazine.
By Laura BerghWisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – The interview opens with Wisconsin Rapids Superintendent Ron Rasmussen and Grove Elementary Principal Tina Wallner having a discussion about how the school year has been going since it’s early September start. The group took the opportunity to issue a reminder. Imploring citizens to stay aware when driving during the start and end of school days, to watch for kids walking to and from schools and bus stops.
Tina Wallner then gets a chance to update the community on Grove Elementary. She explains that the school is trying new and exciting ways to get families more involved in the school and activities. They have already had a couple of events to promote this in the short time since school began. Grove has an upcoming Halloween Dance, and a Pizza and Pastry event. Both of these are aimed at building familiarity and community with the staff, students, and their families. This concept is incredibly important to the school leadership and seems to be valuable to the families of Grove as well. Wallner took the opportunity to encourage families to reach out if they have ideas, or questions, and expressed the need for ongoing communication with school leadership. Malouf then asked what makes Grove exceptional, when compared to other elementary schools in the community. Wallner promoted the new playground, the community location, and the emphasis on fine arts, which seems to be less available elsewhere in the community.
Malouf then turns back to Rasmussen to ask about the increased visibility on social media this year. Rasmussen mentions that he noticed parents seeming more engaged on the items that had been shared on social media in previous school years and chose to build on it. They are also using a newer method of communication with parents via an app. Which allows for direct communication with teachers, and other leaders in the schools. Increasing the ability to communicate with the families and other community members proves to be as important as always, just with an updated method to better suit the times. The conversation then turns to Lincoln High School Homecoming coming up. The Homecoming Dance will be on October 5th. Rasmussen thanked all alumni for stopping by to visit during this time, but asks that you reach out beforehand to make sure someone will be available to speak with you.
The interview closed with a reminder to be attentive drivers. With the school year in full swing, remember to watch for kids walking to and from school. Also look for them later as they walk home from sporting games and events like Homecoming.
To listen to this interview on Mid-Day Magazine you can find it on our website and by clicking the link here.
For more information on Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools you can visit their website here.
To learn more about Grove Elementary you can visit their website here.