Colt Connection

We have had a fantastic start to the school year! Thank you to parents for your involvement and feedback, including presence at events, conversations with teachers, and overall support of your children and our school district.

Our parent survey received 96 responses which represents about half of our families. 96% reported fair and respectful treatment and 91% indicated that staff care for and support their children. Feedback also highlighted opportunities to strengthen family input, communication about decisions, and students’ sense of belonging.

We will use these results alongside student achievement, classroom observation, and other feedback data as we prepare for this year’s district accreditation visit, part of North Dakota’s required five-year accreditation cycle.

Thank you for sharing your perspectives and helping guide our continued improvement.

The Richland #44 School Board is currently seeking applicants for two open positions on the Richland #44 School Foundation Board starting January 2027. The Foundation’s seven-member board is comprised of one school board member, the school superintendent, and five at-large members.

Per Foundation bylaws, the Richland #44 School Board appoints the members of the Foundation Board, terms are three years in length, and at-large members must reside in the school district or have children currently enrolled.

The application will is due on Wednesday November 18, 2026. To access the application, click here.

Due to state and federal guidelines, schools must account for any additional items sold a la carte in the lunch program. This includes second entrees, PB & J sandwiches sold in addition to the meal, and extra milk.

Unfortunately Free & Reduced status of families does not count when looking at the cost of these items in the program. This often makes it hard for families who are on Free & Reduced to keep current on balances.

Several years ago Richland #44 started a program called the PB & J Fund to accept donations to help offset these charges. It has grown over the years to not only help cover PB & J sandwiches, but also seconds, extra milk at lunch and milk break, and deficient lunch accounts for those in need.

One way to donate to this fund is to request a current hot lunch CREDIT to be donated. Additionally, cash or check donations are accepted all year long to help fund this program.

If you are interested in donating, funds can be sent to either school with a note to PB&J Fund.

As winter weather approaches, Richland #44 remains committed to keeping students and staff safe. Weather-related decisions regarding delays, early releases, or school closures are based on road conditions, current weather, and forecasted impacts throughout the district.

Families will be notified through text message, email, social media, the district app, and local news stations. If weather-related cancellations occur, designated make-up days may be used, with virtual learning considered if additional days are needed.

As temperatures drop and winter weather arrives, we want to remind families that proper winter attire is required for all students riding district transportation during the winter months.

All students riding district transportation should come dressed for North Dakota winter conditions in the event of unexpected delays or emergencies.

Students riding the bus must wear:

• A warm winter coat or jacket
• A hat or other protective head covering
• Mittens or gloves
• Winter boots or other weather-appropriate footwear

Taking a few extra moments each morning to ensure students are dressed for the weather helps keep everyone safe and comfortable throughout the winter season.

As we phase away from eFunds, please begin making hot lunch payments through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Please check Infinite Campus for your current lunch balance. Balances displayed in eFunds are outdated because the systems have not synced since our transition to Infinite Campus. eFunds currently serves only as a payment tool, with office staff manually recording those payments in Infinite Campus.

For help setting up payments, please see our Parent Portal Guide starting at page 6.

Feel free to reach out with any questions and thank you for helping us make this transition!

Kendra Dockter, Business Manager

We want to make sure all families receive important school updates and notifications through Infinite Campus!

If you are not receiving text messages from the school, please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal and check the following:

• Phone Number: Make sure your cell phone number is entered in the Cell Phone field, NOT the Home Phone field. If your cell phone number is listed as a home phone, your text messaging preferences may not save correctly.

• Communication Preferences: Check that you have opted in to receive text messages from the school (select General, Priority and Emergency).

Thank you for reviewing your information so you don't miss important school communications! If you need assistance, please contact the school office.

For a full view of the district calendar, click the calendar image.

It has been a busy and exciting fall at Richland Elementary! Our students continue to grow as learners, strengthening their reading, writing, and math skills. Our classrooms are filled with engaging, hands-on learning opportunities each day!

October brought several fun activities, including Red Ribbon Week and a field trip to see Sleepy Hollow at NDSCS. We also enjoyed connecting with families during Parent-Teacher Conferences and Coffee with Kids.

Looking ahead, we invite community members to join us for our Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 10, at Richland Elementary School in Abercrombie. The program will include student performances, the Galchutt American Legion Color Guard, and special Quilts of Valor presentations honoring two veterans.

We are proud of our students' continued growth and grateful for the support of our families and community!

At Richland Elementary, we recognize students who go above and beyond to make our school a great place! Our VIP Hall of Fame celebrates students who demonstrate positive character, kindness, leadership, and our school expectations. We are proud to recognize these outstanding Colts for being positive role models and making a difference each day.

Registration is now open for BIO Girls! Girls in grades 2–6 are invited to join us for our 9th season, beginning in February. BIO Girls focuses on building confidence, strengthening connections, developing resilience, and learning healthy emotional coping skills in a fun, supportive environment.

We look forward to welcoming both new and returning BIO Girls!

Season Details:

• Start Date: February 23

• Meeting Day: Tuesdays, 5:30–7:00 PM

• Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Colfax

• Finale 5K: May 5

• Season Ends: May 11

Registration now - spots will fill up fast: BIO Girls Registration Link

Girls in grades 2–6 are encouraged to register and be part of another amazing BIO Girls season!

The first quarter at Richland Jr./Sr. High School has been filled with student accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. Our students have experienced success in a variety of extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Both our band and choir earned Star ratings at this week's Large Group Contest, our volleyball team qualified for next week's Regional Tournament, and nine cross-country runners competed at the State Meet. Additionally, our FFA Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) team earned a Gold Award at the National FFA Convention. These are just a few examples of the many accomplishments of our students throughout the first quarter, see more highlights throughout the Colt Connection.

Learning opportunities have also extended beyond the classroom, including a recent trip to the MSUM Planetarium for our 7th and 8th grade students to further their learning about space and astronomy. The 7th graders also attended Eco Day at Bagg Bonanza farm in September and earned the highest score on the post trip assessment! We look forward to taking the freshman class to the Career Expo at the FargoDome on December 1st and to our annual Colts Care day on December 18th.

Best of luck to our winter sports as they begin their seasons!

Thank you to our students and staff for their hard work and dedication, and to our families and community for their continued support. We look forward to a strong finish to the semester. Go Colts!

Richland #44 celebrated another unforgettable Homecoming Week filled with school spirit, fun, and community pride! From creative dress-up days and hallway decorating to the energetic pep rally and big game under the Friday night lights, students and staff showed what it means to be a Colt.

Congratulations to King Cody and Queen Janna, along with the entire Homecoming court! These students represented Richland well with a week full of competitions and fun.

A huge thank you to all students, staff, parents, and community members who helped make Homecoming 2026 a week to remember. Once again, the Colt spirit ran strong—proving there’s no place like home in Colt Country!

Each month the Southeast Region Career and Tech Center recognizes students with the Award of Excellence. This award is set up to recognize students who demonstrate academic excellence, outstanding service, a positive work ethic, and achievements above and beyond the call of duty.

Colton D. received this award in August after being nominated by Mr. Boehm, Ag Ed teacher.

In the nomination, Boehm shared numerous positive remarks regarding Colton's dedication, leadership, and commitment to high-quality work. Having competed in FFA, continuing to grow as a leader, and representing the chapter as an officer for the past three years. And most recently being on the State Champion ENR team.

Each month, the high school faculty votes on the Rotary Student of the Month. The Student of the Month is selected from the junior class. The faculty looks at students who excel in many areas including academics, extra-curricular activities, character, and community involvement. On the third Tuesday of the month, students are recognized at a luncheon put on by the Wahpeton Rotary Club. Congratulations to the following on being named Student of the Month:

One-Act is hosting a community performance of "No Show" on Friday, November 6th at 7:00 PM in the New Gym at Richland High School. This performance is FREE and open to the public!The team will compete at the Regional One-Act competition Wednesday, November 11th at Kindred High School. Best of Luck to our student-performers!

Congratulations to the FFA Environmental and Natural Resources team for taking 9th place in the nation at the National FFA Convention last week. Ethan S. and Colton D. earned silver awards while Eli R. and Cody B. placed gold. Members conducted skills tests in soils, GPS, wildlife identification, water quality analysis, and data analysis. For fun they attended a concert, rode scooters around downtown, ate lots of food, and attended Indianapolis's largest haunted park.

Also Congratulations to Nick W. for receiving his American FFA Degree.

Cody said the contest offered a unique learning experience, particularly through its focus on ecology and wildlife. “I thought that this week was a really great time and I was excited to go to National Convention again. The ENR contest was the most unique contest I’ve done because of all of the different parts and I was glad to learn about ecology and wildlife since its something that is talked about very little in the classroom outside of ag."

Eli noted that the convention gave him opportunities to meet people and learn more about the benefits of FFA. "I met many great people and learned much. FFA is very fun and opens many opportunities for your future. I think involvement in FFA is one of the most valuable experience that someone can get from community service and leadership skills to education in numerous career fields."

Colton said the convention also helped him connect with other students who share his interest in career development events, or CDEs. "National convention really brought me out of my shell, being able to talk to people who enjoy the same CDE's as me was awesome. Even if those people were across state lines, the conversations I had will always unite us."

🍝 Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser! 🍝
Join us for a fun afternoon supporting Richland High School Close Up!

📅 Sunday, November 22

🕓 10:00am – 1:00 PM

💲 Free will Donation

📍 Richland #44 High School (enter at doors #1 or #2 on the East side of the building)

Enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner and take part in our silent auction filled with amazing items. Every plate and every bid helps send Richland students on an unforgettable Close Up experience in Washington, D.C. Bring family, invite friends, and help us make an impact — your support matters!

This was a great year for Richland Colt football. From the first kickoff to the final whistle, these boys competed hard every week and put themselves in a position to make the playoffs, ultimately falling just short. While the season didn’t end exactly how we had hoped, the growth this team showed from last season to this year, and throughout the season itself, was something to be proud of. That improvement didn’t go unnoticed, as opposing coaches consistently complimented our team on how much better we had become.

We opened the season with three tough matchups in the first three weeks. In Weeks 1 and 3, we showed what we were capable of but came up short of the wins we were working toward. The team responded the right way, putting together an impressive three-game winning streak in which we outscored our opponents 115–8. We finished the season with three hard-fought losses, but this group continued to compete, battle, and give everything they had each week.

Overall, I couldn’t be more proud of this team. The growth, effort, and determination these boys showed throughout the season are a testament to their hard work and commitment to one another. They represented Richland well and continued to build on the foundation of Colt football. While we came up just short of our postseason goal, the progress this team made gives us plenty to be proud of and something to build on moving forward.

A huge thank you to our seniors for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to this program. Thank you to our parents for everything you do behind the scenes, from organizing meals and snacks to painting the field and supporting us at every game. Your time and effort make a tremendous difference. Finally, thank you to our fans for showing up, cheering us on, and supporting these boys throughout the season. Go Colts!

We are proud of the work these Junior High athletes put in this year. Through sickness and injury, they continued to show up and improve throughout the season. This year we had to be flexible with playing different positions on the field, but each athlete took on that challenge with a growth mindset. Each of them improved immensely and grew not only as athletes, but as young men.

We ended our Junior High season 3-2, with an additional two hard fought Junior Varsity Games against Hankison. Our highlight of this year was our last game against Wyndmere Lidgerwood. Every player made an impact, doing the little things right and using what they learned throughout this season to take down the Warbirds in a dominant 38-12 win. We have been blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work with these young men and are excited to see what the future of Colts Football holds in store.

-Submitted by Coaches Nicholas Wulfekuhle & William Egan

Colts Volleyball Season

The Colts Volleyball program had a great season this year, and we are proud of the growth we saw across all three teams! Having enough girls to field three teams is something special, and it gives us the opportunity to continue building our program. Every athlete brings something unique to the team, and it was fun to see each group grow both as players and as teammates throughout the season.

Our varsity team finished the season with a 16-8-1 record and continued to elevate its level of play throughout the year. One of the highlights was competing in several close matches against the top seeds in our district, including a big win over the No. 1 seed, Hankinson. These matches showed how much our team grew and how well the girls competed against strong competition.

We also celebrated some outstanding individual accomplishments this season! Sophie P. reached 1,000 career assists, Janna T. broke the school record for most kills in a match with 24, while Kenley A. broke the school record for most digs in a match with 40. These accomplishments highlight the dedication and effort our athletes bring to the court each day. We are proud to celebrate these milestones!

One of the best parts of this season was seeing how our players pushed each other to improve. Our seniors stepped up and owned their roles, while our younger athletes brought energy and a willingness to challenge their teammates to be better. That combination helped create a competitive environment where everyone had a role in our success.

Overall, the Colts Volleyball program took a big step forward this season. We saw growth in individual skills, team connections, confidence, and competitiveness across all three teams. We are proud of the work these athletes put in and the way they represent our school and community. Thank you to our families, fans, and community members for supporting Colts Volleyball throughout the season. It was a great year, and we look forward to continuing to build on this momentum!

What an incredible season for our Junior High volleyball teams; both of our 7th and 8th-grade teams finished their seasons undefeated!

While the record is exciting, the true success of this season lies in the immense growth of these athletes. The improvement in their technical skills was massive, but even more impressive was their growth in communication. They learned to trust one another, speak up on the court, and lift each other up through every rally.

Beyond their athletic talent, this group brought an unforgettable energy to the program. Getting to know their unique personalities was an absolute highlight of my season. Whether we were adjusting strategies during a timeout or listening to them sing at the top of their lungs on the bus rides home from away games, they kept the energy high and the smiles constant.

Thank you to the parents, fans, and school community for your unwavering support. It was a season a great season and I already cannot wait to see what next year brings! -Coach Olson

The 5th and 6th grade volleyball teams had a great season filled with hard work, growth, and teamwork! Throughout the season, the girls challenged themselves to try new things, improve their skills, and become better volleyball players. They showed determination by pushing themselves to work hard, learn from their mistakes, and continue improving each day. Both teams demonstrated great sportsmanship, encouraged one another, and stayed positive on and off the court.

Thank you, girls, for your dedication, positive attitudes, and willingness to challenge yourselves this season! We are proud of your hard work and growth!

What a season it’s been for our cross-country runners! This team embraced every opportunity to challenge themselves, grow, and compete. All 12 junior high and high school runners took on the varsity 5K distance at some point this season, showing determination, grit, and a willingness to push beyond their comfort zones.

One highlight of the season belonged to junior Ina G, who earned a spot in the top ten at the Andrew Nelson Meet in Fargo, claiming a place on the awards stand among some tough competition. At the Mayville meet, the team turned in its fastest collective performance of the season, with Evie R, Avery B, Brynne O, Sara C, and Aden E, all recording personal-best times. Milo S and Laiken A balanced the demands of being varsity dual-sport athletes while continuing to deliver strong performances. Laiken capped off the season with her quickest race at the regional championship in Cooperstown.

Eighth grader, Lauren K, set a goal to finish the season with a 5K race after running several 3K races throughout the year—and she made it happen! Her progress is a wonderful reminder that this sport is about setting goals, working hard, and celebrating every step forward.

Elementary runner, Peter G, joined the team for two meets, competing the elementary one-mile race and giving us a glimpse of the promising future ahead for our program!

Teamwork was on full display throughout the season, especially at the state meet in Jamestown. Owen R and River H pushed one another stride for stride in an exciting, neck-and-neck finish, crossing the line less than a second apart. Their race perfectly captured the spirit of this team: competing hard while bringing out the best in one another. Max S also finished the season on a high note at state, posting his career-best time on one of the most challenging courses of year.

While personal records and top finishes are always exciting, the greatest highlight of this season may be the way these runners supported one another. Every runner and every race had its own special moment, and the encouragement never stopped.

They ran with each other, and they ran for each other. Whether spread out across the course or cheering from the sidelines, they ran as one.

Congratulations, runners, on an outstanding season! Your hard work, perseverance, and team spirit made this a season to remember. We are proud of each of you and can't wait to see what next season brings! -Assistant Coach, Katie Selstedt

A Season of Learning and Hard Work

The Richland #44 5th & 6th grade girls basketball teams wrapped up their season this past week. The girls had a great season filled with learning new skills and putting them into action on the court. They worked hard in practices and games, building their understanding of basketball and the importance of teamwork.

Congratulations to our young Colts on their effort and dedication throughout the season!

THANK YOU, COLTBACKERS MEMBERS!

We want to give a HUGE thank you to all of our amazing Coltbackers members!

Your support means more than you know. Thank you for believing in our mission to support our student-athletes, create opportunities, and give them the best possible experience throughout their years at Richland #44!

Because of YOU, we are able to continue investing in our athletic programs, supporting our teams, and creating memories and opportunities that go far beyond the game.

We truly couldn’t do what we do without our incredible members, families, businesses, and community!

Your membership makes a difference, and we are so grateful to you!

Hendrickson Scholarship Applications Due November 18

Richland #44 seniors and their parents are reminded that Hendrickson Scholarship applications are due November 18, 2026. The Richland #44 School Foundation encourages students to begin early and allow plenty of time to complete their applications.

Made possible through the generosity of the late Darrel Hendrickson, the scholarship provides up to $10,000 to help eligible graduates continue their education. Applicants must have successfully completed at least three of their four high school years at Richland #44 and be enrolled, accepted, or considering continuing education at an accredited postsecondary institution or program.

An interview component has been added to the application process. Applications will be reviewed at the Foundation’s December 2026 board meeting, with interviews scheduled for early 2027. Applicants whose submissions are deemed exceptional may have the interview requirement waived.

Students and parents can find the application and complete eligibility requirements at richland44schoolfoundation.org/what-we-do/.

• **Click the links below for event flyers and additional information**

  • Nov. 6 - One-Act Play Performance 7pm, Richland High School
  • Nov. 10- Elementary Veterans Day Program - Richland Elementary 2pm
  • Nov. 11: No School
  • Nov. 12: School Board Meeting 5:30pm
  • Nov. 22 - Closeup Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction
  • Nov. 26-27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Wondering where to find something? Most items can be found on our website and app!

Website:

• Lunch menu
• Home game livestream
• Events (all)
• Athletic events
• Daily Announcements includes upcoming meetings, events, community items, job postings, and more. Use the link to read today's announcements and/or to get signed up for daily emails.
• Much more!

Do you follow our group organizations on Facebook??

• Coltbackers Facebook
• PTO Facebook
• FFA Facebook
• Dollars for Scholars Facebook
• Richland #44 School Foundation

Visit the app store today on Apple or Android devices and search "Richland 44 School".