Bronco Beat

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, I am excited to share some important and promising changes to the schedule at FHS. Beginning next year, we will transition to a trimester schedule an update that opens the door to new opportunities and greater flexibility for our students.

One of the most exciting benefits of the trimester system is the ability to expand our course offerings. With additional scheduling flexibility, students will have access to a wider variety of elective courses, allowing them to explore new interests, develop skills, and personalize their educational experience in meaningful ways.

In addition, we are proud to announce an enhanced opportunity for students to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree through our College in the Schools courses, in partnership with Lake Superior College. This pathway provides students with the chance to earn college credits—and even a full degree while still in high school, helping them get a strong head start on their postsecondary goals.

The trimester schedule also offers several other benefits. Students will be able to focus on fewer classes at a time, which can lead to deeper engagement and improved academic performance. It also creates more opportunities for students to recover credits if needed, try new courses, and adjust their schedules throughout the year.

We recently completed our registration process for next year and were grateful to receive valuable feedback from both students and families. Their input is helping us refine and improve the process to make it even more user-friendly and effective in the future. We appreciate the partnership of our school community as we continue to grow and improve.

We are truly excited about what these changes will mean for our students and the expanded opportunities ahead. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience at FHS.

Above you will find the Board approved calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. This calendar reflects our commitment to providing a structured and enriching educational experience for our students.

Below you will see the layout of the calendar and color coded assigned days for the year.

-Start Date: School will commence on September 1, 2026

(Information - HF1124: School year allowed to start before Labor Day for the 26/27 & 27/28 school years only - https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/Info/HF1124

-Last Day of School: The last day of school is scheduled for May 27, 2027

-Graduation Date: Please note the graduation date will be determined and communicated at a later time. We will actively seek feedback from the students, families and school community due to the unique year of calendar dates and holidays.

We hope the early release of the calendar will help support any family vacation and appointment planning around school days.

In addition, the school board approved the elimination of Wednesday early-outs. The 26/27 school hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:50 pm. For any questions, feel free to reach out to your building principal or the superintendent.

Thank you for being an integral part of the ISD 361 Bronco Community!

Thank You for Helping Keep Our Broncos Safe

We want to take a moment to thank all of our parents and families for working hard to follow our pick-up and drop-off procedures each day. Your cooperation makes a big difference in keeping our students safe and ensuring that arrival and dismissal run as smoothly as possible.

At the same time, we know there is always room for improvement. It is March and unfortunately we are continuing to have unsafe situations created by families who are dropping off and picking up in front of Falls High School. By working together and making a few small adjustments, we can continue to increase safety and efficiency for everyone. Please take a moment to review the reminders below and help us make our school a safe and welcoming place from the moment students arrive until the time they head home.

Parent Drop Off/Pick Up:

• Before and after school parents should use the lane in the student parking lot that goes along the poolside doors for both drop off and pick up for students in grades 7-12.
• Busses will drop off in the front of the school.
• For everyone's safety, please do not use the front of the school for student drop-off or pick-up before and after school. This area is reserved for buses only. When cars stop here, it creates a serious safety concern because students walking to their rides cannot see oncoming traffic, and drivers cannot easily see them. To keep all of our Broncos safe, we ask that families use the designated pick-up and drop-off lane.

Tony’s story is one of struggle, transformation, and purpose. After battling addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, he rebuilt his life and dedicated himself to helping youth, families, and communities understand the realities of substance use, and the power of recovery.

Who should attend: Parents, Grand Parents, Youth (ages 12 and older), families, law enforcement, medical and healthcare staff, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, public health professionals, local leadership (Mayor, City Council, County Commissioners), Business & Employers, Educators & School Staff, Civic and Volunteer Groups, anyone who cares about the wellbeing and future of our youth.

Please Register:
Your registration helps us make sure the event is welcoming, well‑prepared, and meets the needs of everyone attending.
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5KSSWNV

Regular attendance is essential for student success, and we appreciate your partnership in helping students arrive at school on time each day. If your student will be absent, please remember to report the absence as soon as possible. To report an absence at Falls High School, dial 218-283-2571, press 1 to reach FHS, then press 1 for attendance and leave a detailed message. Thank you for helping us support consistent learning and a strong school community!

Every day counts when it comes to learning! Missing just two days a month adds up to nearly 18 days a year — almost a full month of lost instruction. Even when absences are excused, they can make it harder for students to keep up, build strong relationships with teachers and classmates, and stay confident in their learning.

Chronic absenteeism — missing 10% or more of the school year — can have lasting impacts on academic success and emotional well-being. Regular attendance helps students develop important habits like responsibility, perseverance, and teamwork, and it shows them that their education is valued.

We know mornings can be busy and life happens, but small changes at home — setting routines, planning ahead, and staying connected with teachers — can make a big difference. Together, we can help every student succeed, one day at a time!

This is a reminder that registration forms are now due. If you have not yet turned in your completed form, please do so as soon as possible. All forms should be brought to Mrs. Rolando in the Guidance Office. Thank you for your prompt attention to this!

Congratulations to our recent participants at the MIEA Ojibwe Quiz Bowl. Our students finished in 3rd place!

In August, our staff had the opportunity to learn from “Tall Cop Says Stop,” a nationally recognized expert on current drug trends and youth substance use. His presentation shed light on the ever-changing landscape of dangerous and emerging substances that young people may encounter. As caregivers and educators, it’s essential that we stay informed and maintain open conversations with our students about the risks they may face. We encourage families to take a moment to explore the Tall Cop resources linked below and to continue talking with your children about making safe, healthy choices. Staying aware and connected is one of the most powerful tools we have in keeping our students safe.

We were excited to welcome the mill manager from PCA to speak with our 7th and 8th grade careers classes. During the visit, students had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and gain valuable insight into the mill’s daily operations, the variety of departments that keep everything running, and the important role the mill plays in supporting our local community. It was a meaningful experience for our students to connect with a local industry leader and learn more about potential career pathways. We are grateful for the time and willingness to engage with and inspire our students!