The playground at Willow River Elementary school got a makeover this week. Volunteers from Faithworks at Faith Community Church repainted the Unites States map, trimmed shrubs, pulled weeds and added some new shrubs and flowers.

Pictured above: Front row, left to right, Tim Sackett, Caleb Prince (a Willow River Elementary student), Nancy Youngman, and Leslie Redner. Back row, left to right, Phil Mach, John Brink, Tim Prince (Willow River parent and Pastor for Missional Community at FCC), Darcy Prince (Willow River parent) and Daniel Redner.

Pictured above: Volunteer Nancy Youngman and her granddaughter, Brianna Youngman, trim shrubs near the school building.

Pictured above – Volunteers plant new shrubs and perennials in front of the Willow River Elementary School sign at the corners of Fourth and Oak Streets.

Faithworks contributes a week of service to support short-term projects across the St. Croix valley. It is a cross-generational experience that brings together more than a 100 volunteers daily to assist with painting, yard work, and more.

A statewide congratulations was issued on Tuesday, April 16, to Willow River Elementary. Willow River Elementary was awarded a Wisconsin Title I School of Recognition Award for demonstrating high-progress. 

Since 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has recognized Title I schools that have demonstrated success in educating students. To be eligible, schools must receive federal Title I funding to provide services to large numbers or high percentages of economically disadvantaged children and meet other achievement criteria (see criteria below).
These awards recognize the work of students and their parents along with teachers, school administrators, and school staff members to break the link between poverty and low academic achievement. Their efforts help us ensure that every student graduates college and career ready.

More specifically, Willow River Elementary was recognized as a High-Progress School. This means Willow River Elementary:

• falls within the top 10 percent of schools experiencing student growth in reading and mathematics for elementary and middle school students or the top 10 percent of schools with the greatest improvement in high school graduation rates
• has achievement gaps that are less than three (3) percentage points between student groups or show evidence of reducing gaps greater than three (3) percentage points

Willow River Elementary Principal Kimberly Osterhues and Reading Specialist Laurel Anfinson display the Title One Recognition Award in front of the Wisconsin state capitol building.