Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, It’s a pretty well known fact that as Juniors and Seniors are sifting through the career choice list, Lunch Lady/Lunch Guy isn’t screaming out at the top. With that being said, we do have quite a bit of fun in the kitchen. And this year I feel like one of the most privileged parents in the universe. Not only have our children been given the opportunity to be attending in-person school, but I, as a Lunch Lady, also have had the opportunity to be inside.  I’m writing this little bit in order to pass along what I have personally witnessed inside school walls this past year. (I haven’t physically been in the parochial schools, but I’m positive it’s safe to apply there as well)  Dedication. From Day One, and for months before vaccines were readily available, our teachers have shown up despite the risk of getting sick and putting their or a loved one’s life in danger. Perseverance. Spontaneity. Flexibility. Sometimes right in the middle of teaching, classes have had to be whisked and shuffled in order for deep cleaning to take place, or kids sent home, switched to virtual format for a couple of weeks, and then back again. All of this while trying to give students the same academic push they would have in a normal year. Exhaustion. Our teachers are human after all and this year has taken its toll, yet it doesn’t show in front of the children. Kind. Hopeful. Inspiring. Despite the overwhelming Covid cloud that has hung over the year, as I walk the halls and hear snippets from classes, our kids are consistently being encouraged, taught, and loved. We as parents, families, and community members in the district cannot thank you enough for showing up and serving us all, especially this past year.  Teachers, enjoy your summer...it is ever so close!!! Gratefully, Emily Butteris Plain   Dear editor, The school bus industry in the United States is in crisis. That crisis is evident in the River Valley School District (RVSD) which encompasses 298 square miles. It matters not which company manages the district bus service when no one is interested in becoming a bus driver. Despite a $1,500 bonus for newly hired drivers, applicants are not knocking at the door. Despite the fact that all training is paid for, applicants are not knocking at the door. Despite the fact that drivers can bring their small child to work with them buckled in on the bus they drive, applicants are not knocking at the door. School bus drivers earn less per hour than other Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) class drivers. They work split shifts, early morning and late afternoon, limiting the number of hours they can work as well as the pay. Extra work such as driving for field trips or sports events is paid at a much lower rate. This is in essence part time work yet, due to the hours required, anyone wanting or needing another job to earn enough money to support themselves or their family won’t be able to get it because no one will hire them to accommodate such a schedule. Few school bus drivers are offered health or any other benefits. Even if they are, the premiums are so high they are unaffordable. Seniority among drivers seems meaningless. Bus drivers on the job are bailing out due to administrators not backing them up when parents complain, policies don’t support drivers, and disciplinary actions are perceived as inequitable. It almost takes an act of God for children to be disciplined for unsafe behavior on the bus. The stress of driving results in a myriad of chronic health problems for drivers. Winter weather in Wisconsin and poor decision making on the part of school administrators about when to close schools endangers the lives of the drivers, the children and everyone else on the road. Early outs are particularly dangerous because it puts the busses on the road in the midst of the worst possible driving conditions. The RVSD has lost many drivers this school year due to death, life threatening diseases, inability to pass the mandatory physical exam, frailty due to aging and burnout. There have not been anywhere near the number of applicants needed to replace the current number of lost drivers and more drivers have already made the decision not to return next year. It is time to rethink the entire concept of school. Too many children are spending too many hours being transported to and from a specific building. It is not the building that educates the child. Closing the Arena and Lone Rock schools now appears to have been a colossal mistake. Think of all the children who could come off of busses and walk or bike to school. Now the damage is done. Fewer bus drivers means fewer busses on the road, more children on each bus, more miles for each bus to travel and much more time for each bus to be on the road. All of this results in more bad behavior from children, more complaints from parents and school staff, more stress for drivers and more drivers quitting. Every RVSD resident had best be pushing for and supporting broadband internet connectivity. Without bus transportation only a select few are going to be able to get to a school building to get an education. Virtual learning will have to become the norm for everyone else. Dawn Kabot  Spring Green   Dear editor, During Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 3-7, the River Valley School District Endowment Board wishes to acknowledge the excellent work of our teachers, administrators, and staff. We are in awe of the tremendous job they have done this year during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our students engaged and learning.  We thank them for their dedication and perseverance during these very trying times and for going above and beyond for the River Valley School District. We are proud to assist their efforts in providing creative and innovative experiences for our students.    Also, while the 2020-2021 RVSDE grants were put on hold for a year due to COVID-19 restrictions in the classrooms, we received a few additional requests that were granted and will be added to those open grants. It is our pleasure to announce the following Endowment Grant Awards for 2021-2022: Tim Wunnicke - RVMS Laser Engraver, Lisa Roelke/Jackson Thier (student) - RVHS Development of Frisbee Golf Course  and Rhonda Licht (and fellow PLC teachers) for 4K and Kindergarten - ELC Multicultural/Diversity Materials. We look forward to working with all of the grant recipients as they implement their plans over the coming year.    “It’s All About the Children.” Jean Alt, Nancy Baenen, Lisa Brown, Loren Glasbrenner, Tom Gloudeman, Joe Gorman, Fred Iausly, Jennifer Kraemer, Mike McDermott, Bryan Quigley and Kay Taylor   Dear editor, The River Valley SADD organization held a raffle in lieu of the normal Post Prom event.  The group sends a big thanks to all the raffle donors: Advanced Family Dental, American Players Theatre, Arcadia Books, B-Style Floral and Gifts, Baron Brooks, Brides N’Belles Bridal Boutique, Classic Auto Body & Speedy P’s/Ringbrothers, Culvers, Curran & Pfeil, LLC, Foster Plumbing and Repair LLC, Gauger Salvage & Refuse, George’s Auto Body, INC., Hottman Plumbing, Jewell Associates Engineers, Inc., Kraemer Brothers, The Kraemer Company, Lands’ End , North Earth Gifts, OM Studio Design LLC, Pamela’s Fine Jewelry, Plain Ambulance Service, Plain Volunteer Fire Department, Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home, River Valley Veterinary Clinic, Royal Bank of Spring Green/LR, S&D Builders LLC, Spring Green General Store, Spring Green Lions, Spring Green Pharmacy, Spring Green Vision Center, St. John’s Home & School Association, Stephens Insurance and Retirement Services, The Hanor Company, The Peoples Community Bank, Thermo Dynamics, Tri-County Building Supply, Upland Hills Health, Village Family Dental Associates, Westbrook Associated Engineers, Inc., Wisconsin Riverside Resort, WRCO: Fruit Broadcasting , Zwettler-Nelson Rual Mutual Insurance, The Peoples Community Bank, Richland Hospital, Cardinal CG, Subway, Prem Meats , Final Touch Finish Carpentry, Knights of Columbus Council No 3450, American Family Insurance - Michael D. Olson Agency and Lamers Bus Lines. River Valley High School SADD Spring Green