Dear SFHS Falcon Families,

The first semester of the 2024-25 school year has concluded successfully.

The start of the second semester presents a valuable opportunity for our students to set new academic goals, embrace new challenges, and approach the remainder of the school year with renewed enthusiasm. Our dedicated teaching staff is committed to supporting each student in achieving their full potential.

Throughout the second semester, we have planned various engaging activities, events, and opportunities for students to connect with their peers and teachers. We encourage you, as parents and families, to remain actively involved in your child's education and utilize the numerous resources available at Sheboygan Falls High School. Parent-teacher conferences will be held on Monday, February 17th. Be on the lookout for registration information soon.

Mr. Berlin and Mr. Nikson would like to highlight the growth mindset of our High School Student Council. February 22nd was initially planned to be our 1st Annual talent show. However, very few students signed up. The Student Council and Ms. Tews quickly changed plans and are now facilitating a SnoBall Dance instead. They are also adding a community service aspect, incorporating a food drive during the dance (more details coming soon). Mr. Berlin and Mr. Nikson are incredibly proud of how our students care for each other and contribute to our community.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding second semester.

Go Falcons!

Mike Nikson, SFHS Principal

Brian Berlin, SFHS Associate Principal / Athletic Director

Interested in what's happening at the other schools? Take a look at the Elementary and Middle School newsletters:

Elementary School Communicator

Middle School Messenger

And, check out these other ways to keep connected!

Tuesday & Wednesday, January 28th & 29th: Course Registration Information distributed to all 9-11 graders for the 2025-26 school year

Friday, February 14th: Course Registration Forms due in Counseling Office

Monday, February 17th: No School for Students (Staff Professional Development)

Monday, February 17th: Parent / Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, March 12th: ACT Testing (Juniors Only - More Information to Come)

Friday, March 21st: End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 24th - Friday, March 28th: No School (Spring Break)

Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Spotlight - JANUARY: What were students working on for their ACP in January?

• 9th Graders - Focused on Careers of Interest

• 10th Graders - Xello Lesson on how to get experience in the workplace

• 11th Graders - Focused on Skills Lab - skills needed for the workplace

• 12th Graders - Documented their Plan A and Plan B for after high school

Please see HERE for the forms needed for your child to participate in sports during the 2024-25 school year. These forms can also be found on our High School website under athletics and SFHS athletics registration HERE. All forms should be turned into the High School office.

Board of Education Updates

The School District of Sheboygan Falls will hold its next monthly regular board meeting on Monday, February 17th 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.

Single Referendum Question Proposed to Address Critical Needs & School Improvements

You may have heard the news!  On Thursday, January 16th, the Sheboygan Falls School Board voted to present School District voters with a significantly revised facilities referendum on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The proposed single question referendum project provides urgent space and critical capital improvement needs at the elementary school and addresses safety, aging building systems, and outdated, inefficient learning spaces at the high school.

In response to voter feedback, the revised facilities plan has been reduced to a not-to-exceed total project cost of $70 million. The School Board has eliminated the second question proposed in November 2024, which included building a new auxiliary gym, new multi-sport field, and new track for $21.5 million. They have reduced the first question focused on elementary and high school improvements by more than $8 million by removing space for childcare and further prioritizing projects at both buildings.

The proposed $70 million project includes the highest-priority projects, focused on providing space at the Elementary School, investing in existing buildings, and improving learning environments. “As a District, we feel it very important to return to our community with a revised plan that demonstrates we have heard them, and that we have listened,” noted District Administrator Zach Pethan. “The immediate facility and space needs we have at the elementary and high schools are not going away and neither is our goal to create facilities that align with our promise to Expect the Exceptional in Sheboygan Falls.”

Revised project highlights are detailed on our website HERE.

The revised total project cost of $70M (reduced from $99.8M for both questions) translates to an estimated annual maximum tax rate for debt increase of $0.25 per $1,000 of equalized (or fair market) property value compared to the 2024 tax bill. That means that, if the referendum project is approved, for every $100,000 of property value, property owners would see an increase of $25 per year. For example, a property valued at $250,000 would note an estimated increase of $62.50 per year or approximately $5.21 per month.  

The School District of Sheboygan Falls will continue to provide more information about the revised plan and proposed work at both schools in the coming weeks, prior to the April 1, 2025 Spring General Election. For up to date information, please don’t hesitate to contact District Administrator Zach Pethan via email or 920-467-7893 or visit the referendum website HERE.

During the month of January, the High School conducted a fire drill on January 27th.

The inter-district public school Open Enrollment program allows parents to apply for their children to attend public school in a school district other than the one in which they reside or to remain in their current district in the event that they move out of the district before the start of the 2025-26 school year (Moving? See HERE for more information on remaining in the District through the school year). Open Enrollment will allow student(s) to continue attending school in the School District of Sheboygan Falls. Please call Lisa Berg at 920-467-7893 for additional information or check the Department of Public Instruction Website at: https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment (also check the 2025-26 Open Enrollment Regular Application Period Brochure).

There is no tuition cost for students participating in the Open Enrollment program, but parents are responsible for transporting their student(s) to and from school.

The open enrollment period for the 2025-26 school year is from February 3rd until 4:00 p.m. on April 30th, 2025.   

Applications must be done on the DPI (Department of Public Instruction) website at https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment. A link to this site will also be available on the school web site during the application period at: www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us. The DPI website will be active from February 3rd until 4:00 p.m. on April 30th, 2025.  

If you anticipate a possible move out of the School District of Sheboygan Falls, please complete the Open Enrollment application as soon as possible. You have the right to cancel your application at any time and are not bound to enrollment. If you are currently attending under a Tuition Waiver, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment application for the upcoming school year.

It is the time of year when we start to see a variety of illnesses in the community.  Norovirus is one of the viruses that is currently on the rise.  Many people think of norovirus as the stomach flu, however, it is not related to the flu (influenza).  Some of the most common symptoms of influenza are fevers, coughs, headaches, sore throats, runny or stuffy noses, body aches, and fatigue.  

Norovirus causes diarrhea and vomiting and the virus can spread quickly through homes, schools, healthcare facilities, sports teams, child care centers and nursing homes. Each year, there are approximately 2,500 reported outbreaks in the U.S.  Most people recover within 1-3 days, but the virus can be spread even after a person starts feeling better.   

The best way to minimize the spread of norovirus is to wash hands thoroughly!  See HERE for more information.  Stay healthy!

Deanna Timler, RN, BSN

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.