Pepin Area Schools

Welcome back for another great school year in Pepin! The summertime sure does go quickly, but we are getting geared up and ready for students to return to the building very soon. By the time you read this, we will have coaches and many student-athletes in full preparation for their upcoming seasons; the hallways will all be sparkling and ready for traffic; the classrooms will all be prepared and ready for learning; and our building rewiring project will be complete for expanded technology and learning opportunities.

The summer is always a very busy time around the school as it can be challenging to do some of the work and projects necessary to keep the building and grounds open and available for students and staff without impeding the access to what they need. I do want to thank Dale Fayerweather and the Dashir custodial staff for their hard work this summer in getting the building ready for business once again. In addition to our rewiring project, the final four rooms in the upstairs were abated this summer, the old asbestos tile was removed, and new vinyl flooring is being installed. We also had both gym floors resurfaced as well. These projects created a large “work around” for our custodial staff, but they have done great work to date in clearing out every room and cleaning every square foot of classroom and learning space.

Last spring we saw three longstanding educators say farewell and head off into retirement; congratulations to Mrs. Jill Auth, Mrs. Lori Tulip, and Mrs. Debra Larson! We thank them all for their many years of service to public education, to the youth of Pepin, and to our community. They all leave a legacy of excellence behind, and we wish them all well in their retirement. Pepin is blessed to have many longstanding educators and staff members who have dedicated most, if not all, of their career to the community of Pepin and we thank them all for their dedication and service to our community.

At the same time, we are excited to welcome some new faces to our district. Joining our Eagle family this year are:

• Karen Capper - MS/HS English

• Brittany Duwell - 3rd Grade

• Bus Driver(s) - TBA

Mrs. Capper, who has lived in the community for years, comes to us from the Ellsworth School District and brings with her many years of experience. Mrs. Duwell, a common face in the building as a substitute teacher, joins us as a new educator in the elementary school. We ended last school year short on bus drivers, but over the summer we were able to recruit several people interested in driving a school bus. We are working on getting them trained and ready for the road.

Additionally, we graduated 27 seniors in May; our largest class in the district. We wish the Class of 2025 the very best as they venture out and create new opportunities for themselves and their families. Every class leaves behind a “mark,” and this past senior class left some big shoes to fill. They seemed to excel at everything they did, from academic achievement to the arts, to the athletic forum, and beyond. They will be missed, but their exit from our building leaves the opportunity for future classes to step up and fill that void. As a school community, we look forward to seeing our younger students grow and develop into true leaders.

Losing such a large number of students will pose future challenges for our small district, as we are, and have been, experiencing declining enrollment. Few communities across our state are immune from this, and the solutions are few and often very complex. Looking ahead, the Board and I will be working to strategize and plan for the future as we know the value that our school provides to our rural communities. Our strength as a small public school lies entirely in our connected community. When families step up, our students thrive, and our educators flourish. From volunteering and attending events to joining committees or keeping an open dialogue with teachers, every bit of support counts. Education is a team effort, and your involvement is the heart of what makes our school so special.

Starting a new school year is always thrilling, but it can definitely feel a bit hectic! Rest assured, we’re right beside you every step of the journey. Our main focus is—and always will be—delivering a secure, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating environment for all students. I can't wait for our halls and classrooms to come alive with enthusiasm and passion from students and staff alike. We have an amazing year in store, and I'm full of optimism about what we'll accomplish as a team.

Welcome back, everyone! Together, as a team, we will make this a great year!

Go Eagles!

-Mr. Anderson

2026-2027 Family Handbook

Here is a link to the NEW handbook for students and families. We downsized from having separate student handbooks for each building to one Family Handbook with a Table of Contents. Our goal is to provide you with a “one-stop shop” that streamlines the process for most questions that you may have.

Here is that link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pj3-NctcXc0VhhHWUrjflqKjnKjh64jkHfdgNmmgDo0/edit?tab=t.0

📸We love to share and publicize all the awesome things that our students and staff are up to! Classroom activities and school events are often photographed or videotaped by the school or media groups (newspaper, television, district public relations, etc.) In addition, the district may want to post articles, video, or photography on the district website, newsletter or social media.

If you DO NOT want your child’s photograph, video, and/or electronic image to be published for news media or school publicity purposes, please complete this form by August 25, 2026.

By NOT completing this form, we are assuming you give permission for your child's image to be published for district use.

How to Order?

All galleries will be delivered to parents via email 2-5 business days after picture day. There will also be paper order forms available at the school, if you would like to order your students' school headshot with a gray background with cash or check. All paper order forms must be given to the photographer on Picture Day.

Cahill Studios will be sending you a picture day reminder a week before picture day from the following email address: no-reply@imagequix.com so keep a lookout. You'll be able to view their 100+ FREE background options so you can best coordinate your students' outfit! Don't forget to dress head to toe and get your haircuts done.

Don't like your first day photos?
Wait to purchase photos, and your child can have their picture taken on Retake Day: October 13th.

Please note - The email with your link to order may go to your junk, spam, or promotions folder. It is a secure link and it will allow access to your student's gallery. If you don't get an email within 5 business days after picture day, please reach out to Cahill Studio's customer service team.

Email: service@cahillphotostudio.com
Office Number: 715-268-9363
Toll-Free Number: 866-229-0135

Our Summer School staff provided students with exciting, hands-on learning experiences that made the three weeks of Summer School both engaging and impactful. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team of educators and support staff for their creativity, energy, and unwavering commitment to student growth throughout the session.

Would you like to be part of a group determined to assist and enrich the learning environment of the Pepin Elementary utilizing parent driven leadership? We would love to have you consider joining our Family Resource Council!

Our group meets on the second Monday of the month at 5 p.m. We will meet in person and use zoom if that’s more convenient for you to participate. We currently sponsor several monthly events that are family friendly. These activities offer opportunities for parents of our community to get to know one another, as well as, time for children to enjoy.

If you are interested in learning more about our group or joining us, please contact Emily Post. She can be reached during school hours at 715-442-2391 or emilyp@pepin.k12.wi.us.

We would love to have you join us! See the image below listing this years activities and dates.

Welcome back! I’m so excited for the kids to return to the building. We’re going to have a great year!

Who Is My School Counselor?

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Danni Noel and I am the 4K-12 Counselor. I graduated from PHS and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. I live in Pepin with my husband and son. We enjoy traveling, riding horse, and spending time on Lake Pepin.

What Does My School Counselor Do?

Classroom Lessons

• I participate in the specials rotation for 4th, 5th, & 6th grade every Thursday. Your students will receive a Social/Emotional Learning lesson during this time. This year we will be rolling out a new curriculum called Character Strong, which encourages three main goals for all students: Be Kind, Be Strong, and Be Well.

• 7th grade receives approximately 6 Academic & Career Planning lessons throughout the year.

• 8th grade will complete Careers 8 during quarter 4.

• All 11th grade students will complete Careers 11 during semester 1 or 2.

• All other grades receive classroom lessons on an as needed basis.

Individual Counseling

• Both teachers and parents can refer students for individual counseling.

• Referrals should occur after classroom strategies have been implemented (exceptions would be family or safety concerns).

• Students typically meet with counselor for 6-8 weeks.

• Students might see me for individual counseling to work on organization, anger management, friendship skills, or another concern.

• You can email me, call me, or stop by my office if you would like to refer a student for individual counseling.

• Senior meetings will be held during September & October. Parents are invited to attend with their student.

• Junior conferences are held in the spring. Parents are invited to attend.

Small Group Counseling

• If data demonstrates there is a specific need for a small group within a grade level, a small group counseling opportunity may be available.

• Small groups meet for 20 minutes for approximately 6 sessions.

School Support

• Some of my other roles include crisis support, student scheduling, teacher consultation, and district testing coordination.

I am here to help all of our kids succeed. Please reach out if there’s anything I can do to support your student. Let’s have a great year!

Danni Noel

School Counselor

dannin@pepin.k12.wi.us

715-442-2391 ext 225

Students, I am looking forward to seeing you all in the classroom or hallway real soon!

Middle School students, I am so excited to share that I received a grant from Project Lead the Way that is allowing me to add some new offerings for the 7th and 8th grade students! This year, all 7th and 8th grade students will be taking part in the Design and Modeling course with another new and exciting course to be added in the 27-28 school year, Medical Detectives! You will notice this change in the schedule and this will be changing up how the STEM course used to look. Through this course, you will discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in your lives. You will then be challenged to use and apply what you have learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other exciting projects throughout the course and I will still find time to incorporate some of the most talked about STEM projects!

High school students, you will notice that my offering of General Math 1 & 2 has changed to Integrated 1 & 2. Us middle and high school math teachers have been working hard to find a new curriculum that we think will allow for the most success in our students, and we believe we have found just that. Throughout Integrated 1 & 2, you will find that we will be learning topics from Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry as we work through these two classes together! I am looking forward to another successful year with you all!

Welcome Back to Music!

I’m excited to begin another year of making music with our elementary students! Vocal music will be at the heart of our K–5 music program as students learn to use their voices with confidence, expression, and healthy technique. Each class will work as a musical team of singers, learning how to listen to one another, contribute their own voice, and create something together that no individual singer could create alone.

Students will also move, play instruments, listen, create, and build age-appropriate skills in rhythm, melody, and music literacy. Through all of these experiences, they will develop musicianship, cooperation, creativity, and the understanding that every member of the ensemble matters. I look forward to a joyful year of singing and making music together!

-Mrs Rundquist

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In compliance with the Wisconsin Immunization Law, students are required to be up to date on vaccinations. Typically, if the student is up to date, this means that before Kindergarten they will need to get 3 immunizations (Polio, MMR and Varicella). Certainly, this could look a bit different if they are behind schedule.

For those entering 7th grade, a Tdap (Tetanus/whooping cough) and Menactra (meningitis) is due.

For those entering 12th grade, a booster Menactra is due. The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) is not required for school, but recommended. To be compliant with the school law, parents must provide their child’s school with proof of immunization or sign a waiver for religious or personal conviction reasons.

As always, if you have questions or would like me to look up your child’s immunization record, I am here to help. I ask that if possible, you get the needed vaccines (and submit proof to the school) over the summer so we are all set in the fall.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn Pepin Area School District offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs PK-5 $2.55, 6-12 $2.95; lunch costs PK-5 $3.60, 6-12 $4.00 and milk only $0.40. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch. This packet includes an application for free or reduced-price meal benefits, and a set of detailed instructions. Below are some common questions and answers to help you with the application process.

1. WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS?

• All children in households receiving benefits from FoodShare, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or W-2 cash benefits are eligible for free meals, when listed on the application.
• Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
• Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
• Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.

FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART For School Year 2026-27

Household size Yearly ($) Monthly ($) Weekly ($)

1. 29,526/ 2,461/ 568
2. 40,034/ 3,337/ 770
3. 50,542/ 4,212/ 972
4. 61,050/ 5,088/1,175
5. 71,558/ 5,964/1,377
6. 82,066/ 6,839/1,579

7. 92,574/7,715/1,781
8. 103,082/ 8,591/1,983

• Children may qualify to receive free or reduced-price meals if your household income is at or below the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

2. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS HOMELESS, MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY? Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe

children in your household meet these descriptions and have not been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail Craig Anderson Ruskin at 715-442-2391 or craiga@pepin.k12.wi.us

3. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD? No. Use one Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Dawn Terpstra, 510 Pine Street, Pepin, WI 54759 or dawnt@pepin.k12.wi.us

4. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS? Please read the letter you received carefully and follow the instructions. If your letter indicated you qualify for free meals, then no application is needed. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Dawn Terpstra immediately. If your household was notified it qualified for reduced price meals, we encourage you to complete an application to potentially qualify for free meals based on household size and income.

5. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF MY CHILD ATTENDS A COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION (CEP) SCHOOL? If your child attends a school that participates in CEP, receipt of free breakfast and lunch meals does not depend on returning this application. However, this information is necessary for other programs and may be used to determine if your household is eligible for additional benefits.

6. MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A NEW ONE? Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year, through October 14, 2026, or when a new eligibility is determined. You must submit a new application unless the school tells you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not submit a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.

7. I GET WIC. CAN MY CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but it is based on income. Please submit an application.

8. MY CHILD PARTICIPATES IN BADGERCARE PLUS OR MEDICAID. CAN MY CHILD GET FREE MEALS? Children participating in BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but it is based on income. Please submit an application.

9. WILL THE INFORMATION I GIVE BE CHECKED? Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.

10. IF I DON’T QUALIFY NOW, MAY I APPLY LATER? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who become unemployed or experience a financial hardship may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

11. WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE SCHOOL’S DECISION ABOUT MY APPLICATION? You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Craig Anderson Ruskin, 715-442-2391, craiga@pepin.k12.wi.us

12. MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN? Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals.

13. WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

14. WHAT IF SOME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE NO INCOME TO REPORT? Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write a 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.

15. WE ARE IN THE MILITARY. DO WE REPORT OUR INCOME DIFFERENTLY? Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Do not include any combat pay resulting from deployment as income.

16. WHAT IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE ON THE APPLICATION FOR MY FAMILY? List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper and attach it to your application.

17. MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP. ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR? To find out how to apply for FoodShare or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 1-800-362-3002.

18. IF THIS APPLICATION IS APPROVED WILL MY CHILD RECEIVE SUMMER EBT BENEFITS? Yes. An approved Household Application for Free or Reduced Priced Meals qualifies your household for summer EBT benefits. More information is available at https://dpi.wi.gov/school-nutrition/programs/SummerEBT .

If you have other questions or need help, call 715-442-2391

Sincerely,

Dawn Terpstra

The Birth to Three Program is Wisconsin’s early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. A federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provides a framework for a comprehensive program and coordinates developmental, health, and social services with the community. The Birth to 3 Program is for children ages 0 to 36 months. Eligibility is based on a diagnosed disability or significant delay in one or more areas of development. The team evaluates the child’s ability to learn (cognitive development); move, see and hear (physical/motor development); communicate and understand other’s communication (speech and language development); play and interact with other (social development); and eat, dress and care for daily living needs (adaptive development).A Birth to 3 Teacher/Service Coordinator helps the family understand and participate in the evaluation process. The Birth to Three Program continues to remain firmly committed to being a family-centered service for young children and their families.

Who is eligible?

Anyone may contact the Birth to Three Program if they have questions regarding their child’s development. Other family members, pediatricians, day care providers, and other community agencies may also make referrals to the Birth to Three Program. If appropriate, and with parental consent, additional screening and/or evaluations may be completed to help determine if a child is eligible for Birth to Three services. A child may be found eligible for early intervention services in the following ways: 1) demonstration of a 25% delay or greater in one or more developmental area; 2) demonstration of atypical development; or 3) having a diagnosed condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. If a child is found eligible, the child’s family may choose to enroll in the Birth to Three Program. They, together with other Birth to Three team members, would develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to outline goals and services. Participation is entirely voluntary.

How do I apply?

If you have questions/concerns regarding your child’s development, or would like to make a referral, contact the Pepin/Buffalo County Birth to Three Program at (715) 672-8941. The Program Coordinator will be happy to assist you.

Email: info@pepin.k12.wi.us
Website: www.pepin.k12.wi.us
Location: 510 Pine Street, Pepin, WI, USA
Phone: 715-442-2391
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepinareaschoools