Bronco Beat

As we move into the heart of the school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the many positive things happening at Falls High School. Our students continue to demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and resilience behaviors that build a strong and supportive school community. This time of year offers a wonderful reminder of the importance of gratitude, and I am grateful every day for the positive choices our students make and the partnership we share with families in fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all.

We are proud to congratulate our Bronco Bowling team on their exciting trip to the State Bowling Meet—an outstanding accomplishment that reflects dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. We also extend our appreciation to all of our fall athletes and coaches for their successful seasons. Your efforts, sportsmanship, and school pride were evident at every game and meet. As winter sports get underway, we look forward to cheering on our athletes and celebrating the opportunities these activities bring for growth, teamwork, and leadership.

As the weather turns colder and routines become even more important, we want to highlight the value of consistent school attendance. Being present in class each day has a direct impact on academic success and helps students stay connected socially and emotionally. We ask for your continued support in encouraging regular attendance and timely communication when absences are unavoidable. Together, we can ensure our students finish the semester strong and continue building positive habits that will serve them well throughout the year.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We wish all of our Bronco families a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season.

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 the end of November and wee 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.

We’re thrilled to announce that Falls High School is launching its very own Robotics Team! This exciting new opportunity will allow students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on, creative way building, coding, and competing with robots they design themselves. We’re eager to get this program off the ground and can’t wait to represent the Broncos at upcoming robotics competitions later this year.

We encourage students and families to get excited and get involved! Sign-ups for the Robotics Team will be opening very soon, so stay tuned for details on how to join. Whether you’re interested in engineering, programming, teamwork, or just love a good challenge, the Robotics Team is the perfect place to learn new skills and have fun doing it. Help us make this inaugural season a huge success!

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!

We’re continuing to build momentum around our developing partnership with Lake Superior College (LSC), and we’re thrilled about the potential opportunities this collaboration will bring to our students. Work is actively underway to align coursework that would allow Falls High School students to pursue an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree through a combination of College in the Schools classes and LSC offerings. While details are still being finalized, we want families to know that this initiative is moving forward and holds great promise for expanding college-ready pathways right here at FHS. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months as we continue shaping this exciting opportunity!

Join us Dec. 10 from 5:30–7:30 PM at MN North – Rainy River (SS135)!

Bring 2024 taxes + your FSA ID.

Get your ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch (Do this 3 days early!)

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.

Mrs. Line’s FACS class is bustling with activity as they prepare delicious pies for the Elks Thanksgiving dinner.

This initiative not only teaches valuable baking skills but also emphasizes the importance of community involvement and giving back. The students are fully engaged in the class, showcasing their culinary talents while contributing to a meaningful cause.

It's a wonderful example of how partnerships within the community can foster learning and service, and the pride in being Bronco Bakers!

Thank you, Mrs. Line, for creating a learning space that is engaging and enjoyed by all!

Congratulations to our Bronco Bowling team on qualifying for the State Bowling Meet! We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and strong performance throughout the season. Their achievement reflects countless hours of practice and teamwork, and we wish them the very best as they represent Falls High School on the state stage. Go Broncos!

In light of the food insecurities we’re seeing, our schools are coming together to Fill the Shelf!

We know that some of our very own students within ISD 361 could use a little extra support - and we’d love your help.

If you’re able, please consider donating nonperishable food items to help us stock our shelves and ensure that no student goes without. Every item makes a difference!

Together, we can make sure our Broncos are cared for - both in and out of the classroom

Questions: Please reach out to Mrs. Shermoen, Mrs. West, Ms. Tate, Ms. Larson or Mrs. Line.

FHS Spanish students recently created vibrant sugar skulls as part of their study of Día de los Muertos traditions. This hands-on project helped students explore the cultural significance of honoring loved ones who have passed, while also discovering the artistry and symbolism behind this meaningful celebration. Their creativity brought the lesson to life and offered a deeper appreciation for this rich cultural tradition.

We are proud to recognize our Elk’s Students of the Month, an honor awarded to students who consistently demonstrate outstanding character, strong academic achievement, and a commitment to positively contributing to our school community. These students lead by example, showing responsibility, kindness, and dedication in all they do. Please join us in congratulating our honorees for representing the very best of Bronco pride!

September : Bre, Missing Cheznee

October: Emmitt and Carter

November: Piper and Kyle