Tuesday, December 3rd is #GivingTuesday - a national day of generosity where individuals and organizations around the country make a huge charitable impact. As this season's #Giving Tuesday, please consider making a gift to the Ripon Education Foundation. A gift to the Foundation is not just a gift in support of our RASD schools, but a commitment to each and every student.

Since the Ripon Education Foundation's inception in 1997, the Foundation has contributed more than $400,000 to the Ripon Area School District to fund innovative teaching and learning and special projects that have turned educational wishes into realities for teachers and students alike. In addition, the Foundation has awarded over $230,000 in scholarships to more than 270 students.

The Foundation relies on countless doners, volunteers, teachers, and community members like you to make sure our students continue to benefit from these opportunities year after year.

How can you be a part of #GivingTuesday?

CONSIDER MAKING A GIFT:

Through the handy donate button on the Ripon Education Foundation Website 

or

By snail mail to: Ripon Education Foundation, P.O. Box 395, Ripon, WI 54971

Spread the word on your social media using the hashtag #REFSupports

Take photos demonstrating why you support Ripon students and the Ripon Education Foundation

and send them to RASD staff member Jolene Meyer at [email protected] to be featured on the Foundation and District social media

Do something kind for another person and consider other ways to give that support our Ripon community.

With your support, the Ripon Education Foundation can continue

to provide innovative learning opportunities and scholarships for Ripon students.

Ripon students have dusted off their alarm clocks, pulled out their backpacks and are breaking open their books. That’s right— school is back into full swing and the next month is jammed packed with tons of events for not only current students, but for alumni and community members as well.

What is Ripon Tiger Nation up to this fall? Check out some recent news and highlights, along with some upcoming events, from the Ripon Area School District and our community:

Homecoming 2019:  September 27

RASD is celebrating Homecoming the week of September 23 - 27. The Homecoming Parade will take place on historic Watson Street on Friday, September 27 starting at 4:00 pm.  The parade will feature floats from RHS clubs, community clubs, the Ripon Middle School and Ripon High School Marching Band, the 2019 Distinguished Alumni, Fall sports teams, RHS alumni, the RHS cheerleaders, and of course the Ripon Tiger Mascot.

Afterward, parade-goers can continue with Homecoming fun at the Community Tailgate Party at the Ingall's Field parking lot. This family-fun event will feature DJ music and orange & black spirit items. Those attending can set up their own tailgate area and decorate with their best Tiger swag or grab some delicious food at the Ingall's Field FFA Concession Stand. The event is brought to the community by the Ripon Touchdown Club. The RHS Football team will be taking on Kettle Moraine Lutheran with kickoff set for 7:00 pm.

Join retired RHS teacher and Alumni Coordinator, Sue Mokler for a Community and Alumni Tour of the renovated high school and new middle school facility on Saturday, September 28 at 10:00 am. Plan to meet at the Joy St. entrance to RHS.

2019 Distinguished Alumni Award

The Ripon Area School District is proud to announce that the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award has been awarded to Jason “Biggie” Mansmith. Serving the Ripon community in a variety of ways, Jason is an ambassador for his hometown.

Jason was born, raised and educated in Ripon, graduating from Ripon High School in 1992. After earning his BA in Radio-TV-Film from UW-Oshkosh, he was hired as a broadcaster for Radio Plus, known as WCWC at the time and now WRPN. He served as the program director and morning show host for 17 years.

In addition, he is the voice of Ripon Tiger athletics, from the football field to the basketball court as well as the voice for Ripon College Red Hawks athletics.  Beyond the Ripon community, he has covered events for the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). 

Jason was active in the drama department in high school. In 2009, he returned to a familiar high school venue, as he was hired to manage the auditorium.  He continues to keep the theater running smoothly and sharing his knowledge with generations of students interested in drama and the performing arts.  

As Executive Director of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce since 2013, Jason is highly visible as an effective leader promoting his hometown, something he is passionate about.  Jason works closely with area businesses and entrepreneurs to promote and develop platforms for their success and growth. Furthermore, his strong organizational skills have led to highly successful community events, such as Cookie Daze, Septemberfest, and Dickens of a Christmas. 

Being an integral part of the community is also important to Jason.  He has served on many community and civic committees including Diverse Options, Ripon Area United Way, City of Ripon Park and Rec Committee and Cable TV Advisory Committee, Veterans Memorial Committee, and Riponfest.  

Jason considers his greatest accomplishment to be helping individuals and businesses become successful and making Ripon a better community. He really enjoys working with the youth he has mentored and seeing them become leaders in their communities. Jason is a true servant leader.

Ripon Education Foundation's Great Conversations

Ripon Students and Alumni Continue Making News!

It’s easy to forget about school in these warm summer months, but Ripon Tigers continue to make headlines by excelling at what they do best: making our community proud. 

We like to keep you periodically updated on the exciting things happening in our community to build connections and share news with our alumni, supporters and community members. Check out some recent highlights:

Former Ripon standout joins new Wisconsin pro basketball team

Alumnus Taylor Wurtz (‘09) has returned home to Wisconsin to join the new women’s professional basketball team, the Wisconsin Glo. Wurtz set the all-time scoring record at Ripon, then went on to play five years at the University of Wisconsin Madison, redshirting her freshman year. After college, Wurtz went overseas, playing in Sweden and Luxembourg, and is currently playing for a league in France. 

The Wisconsin Glo are based in Oshkosh and play in the Global Women’s Basketball Association. This will be the team's inaugural season.

RHS alum receives poetry honor

Recent grad Elizabeth Stanfield (‘19) received the Council for Wisconsin Writers Young Writer Award for her poem “Hand-Me-Downs.” Stanfield has been writing poetry since middle school. She was also a National Honor Society member, trumpet player, soccer goalie and was the lieutenant governor of Badger Girls State, a prestigious youth government and leadership organization. 

Tigers reach podium at state track & field

Ripon Tiger boys had a solid showing at the 2019 WIAA State Track & Field Championships in La Crosse. Sophomore Hunter Cook finished in a three-way tie for fourth in the pole vault, clearing a height of 13-6. Cook holds the Ripon record for boys’ pole vault at 13-9. 

Junior Carter Hahn also earned a spot on the podium in the 100-meter dash, breaking his personal record with a time of 11.09 seconds and placing fifth. Junior Alex Rodriguez placed 16th in the shot-put. Congrats to these Tiger student-athletes!

National Honor Society students recognized

Ripon High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society finished out the school year by inducting the newest members into the ranks. The ceremony included lighting a candle for NHS’ four areas of excellence—scholarship, service, leadership and character—and presenting current members with gold cords and pins. New members signed into Ripon’s decades-old register of NHS students. 

Ripon's Schmidt receives outstanding FBLA adviser honor

Ripon teacher Sheri Schmidt received the honor of being the Wisconsin Outstanding Local Chapter Adviser for Future Business Leaders of America at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio. Schmidt was honored onstage at the conference during the Parade of States. 

To stay up to date with the latest news coming out of the Ripon Area School District, be sure to stay tuned to Tiger Nation. We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook. Thank you for your ongoing support!

When you serve as a mentor, you can pass on your knowledge, wisdom and advice to students as they learn and grow. More than that, it also allows you to give back to the educational institution that helped you get to where you are today. It speaks volumes about your character and can even help you grow and develop as a leader and professional.

Mentorship is something that’s valuable both ways. More than the good feeling you get from teaching and encouraging someone your junior, that individual is gaining access to a wealth of understanding and experience. Mentees often go on to do big things, thanks in part to the person who took time to be their mentor. They may even go on to become a mentor themselves—creating a legacy of giving back.

How mentoring benefits students

For students, having a mentor brings with it numerous, long-lasting benefits. Let’s take a look at five ways Ripon students benefit from mentorship:

1. Students gain practical, applicable advice that might not be taught in the classroom, which can be applied throughout their personal and future professional lives. They’ll enter college or the job force a leg up on pure classroom learners.
2. Mentorship creates a bond that may benefit everything from professional networking to personal growth—especially at a pivotal time in a high school student’s life. A mentor is a guide for students facing uncertainty in their future and someone on whom they can rely.
3. Mentees get one-on-one attention that helps them to better understand and retain information, while also connecting that knowledge to classroom lessons. They’ll benefit from more focused learning and a stronger grasp on content.
4. Students get a better understanding of real-world expectations and applications, direct from someone who has experienced them firsthand. This necessary dose of reality will shape their understanding of the world outside the classroom.
5. Mentorship is free! It affords students access to a crucial resource for development that’s not hidden behind a financial barrier. For students unable to afford tutoring or those disadvantaged by a lack of available programs, mentoring is an incredibly valuable experience.

Serving as a mentor

For mentors, being able to pass along wisdom to a younger generation is a truly gratifying experience. We invite you to sign up as a volunteer and see for yourself the profound effect mentorship can have on a student.

Stay up to date on all that is happening in our schools by following us on Facebook and Twitter. The month of May is jam-packed with concerts, art exhibitions, Senior class events, field trips, Playschool, ACE (formerly DARE) Graduation, French Adventure and more!

RHS Choir Director Adam Minten rewrote the RHS alumni song into four-part harmony and the choir performed the song at their Spring Concert. Senior choir students were honored during the performance of the song. Kudos RHS Music Department! Check out their performance on our Facebook page.

News, Updates and Highlights from Ripon Schools

It's finally spring here in the Ripon area! As we look to finish the 2018-19 school year strong, we are pleased to share some great news and updates from the Ripon Area School District. Below are some recent highlights, milestones and accomplishments for our schools, students and staff:

Graduation rate climbs at RHS

Our four-year graduation rate continues to rise in the district, hitting a mark of 94 percent for 2018 RHS and Lumen Charter High School students. This places us well above the state average of 89.6 percent. We remain committed to delivering the academic opportunities our students need to be successful and constantly working to improve graduation rates on a year-by-year basis.

District announces charter proposal

The district recently introduced a charter proposal for Barlow Park Elementary School. If approved, the charter proposal would give staff and teachers at Barlow Park the freedom to develop creative curricula to provide creative and flexible learning experiences to students. The school board is currently requesting input from parents on the charter proposal.

Tigers boys' basketball team makes it to regional final

The Ripon High Schools boys' basketball team capped off a great 2018-19 season with a run to the regional title game. The Tigers beat Wautoma and Luther Prep to get to the final, where they fell a little short against Waupun. This year's team demonstrated an incredible level of dedication and hard work. Congratulations for a terrific season!

If you want to stay up to date on all the latest out of the Ripon Area School District, stay tuned to Ripon Tiger Nation. Go Tigers!

Why Should You Stay Involved with Your Alma Mater?

If you're like most people, you may not have the tightest connection with your high school alma mater. It's typical for graduates to go out into the world, heading off to college, trade school, the workforce or the armed forces. It’s the beginning of adult life.

As time goes on, we tend to lose a strong sense of connection with the schools we attended in our formative years. But more than any yearbook, class ring or Facebook group, staying engaged and involved with your alma mater is a great way to keep that connection—and even help out current students in meaningful ways.

Even if you are someone who put considerable distance between your high school and your current life, you can still stay involved. And, a good place to start is by joining Ripon Tiger Nation.

Why should you stay connected?

There are many beneficial reasons to stay involved with your high school as an alumni—more than just for nostalgia’s sake. Here are just a few examples:

• High schools are always looking for examples of successful alumni. From mentorships and speaking engagements to a feature in the newsletter, your alma mater wants to see that its students have gone on to achieve something.
• Panels, workshops and seminars are all popular with staff and parents. Schools often seek leaders and contributors for these events and frequently find the best option is an alumnus.
• Reconnecting with former teachers and peers through an alumni network helps grow your personal and professional circles. There’s no telling what opportunities will come from simply reaching out to those who were important to you from your past.
• You can have a voice. If you’re someone in a position to donate time or money to your alma mater, being an active alumnus can afford you all sorts of benefits. This includes having key input when it comes to the future direction of the school district.
• It’s fun! You’ll get the chance to connect with current students and staff and involve yourself in numerous ways. You might work directly with student organizations or assist administrators as they enrich a school's programs or services.

Your high school days may be behind you, but your opportunities to involve yourself in the future of your alma mater have just begun. Reach out to Ripon High School through our alumni network and explore the many possibilities for affecting real, positive change.

Ripon Alumni: You're Invited to These Upcoming Events

As our students, staff and families get ready to finish out the school year strong, they are also preparing for a variety of great spring events here in the Ripon Area School District. These include everything from concerts and theater performances to athletics and more.  

We would like to send a special invitation to our alumni, supporters and community members to attend these winter and spring events:

Ripon High School Musical: "Oklahoma"

February 14, 15 and 16

Ripon High School

The RHS/Lumen Drama Department performs a colorful Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. For showtimes and other event information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2319087861661392/.

Empty Bowls

Friday, February 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Ripon High School Commons

Support the Rippon Art Department and get a delicious meal while you’re at it.

Big Band Jazz Concert

Saturday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Ripon High School Commons

Refreshments and live music provided by the RHS jazz band featuring classic and contemporary jazz hits. Bring your dancing shoes! More information available at https://www.facebook.com/events/1090129074524743/

Varsity Baseball

Friday, March 29 at 4:45 p.m.

Barlow Park Baseball Diamond

Cheer on the Ripon varsity baseball team as the Tigers open the season against Laconia.

Ripon Middle School Musical: "Annie"

April 4, 5 and 6

Ripon High School

Our middle school students put on this classic musical, which follows the story of an orphan named Annie living a “hard-knock life" at the New York City Municipal Orphanage. Find more information and showtimes at https://www.facebook.com/events/625884134513809/.

RHS Spring Band Concert

Monday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Ripon High School

RHS Spring Choir Concert

Monday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Ripon High School

RHS Graduation

Saturday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Ripon High School

Celebrate the Class of 2019 as students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.

Mark your calendar with these upcoming events and celebrate the season of new beginnings with our incredible community here at the Ripon Area School District. You can also learn more by checking out our online events calendar. Go Tigers!

When you serve as a mentor, you can pass on your knowledge, wisdom and advice to students as they learn and grow. More than that, it also allows you to give back to the educational institution that helped you get to where you are today. It speaks volumes about your character and can even help you grow and develop as a leader and professional.

Mentorship is something that’s valuable both ways. More than the good feeling you get from teaching and encouraging someone your junior, that individual is gaining access to a wealth of understanding and experience. Mentees often go on to do big things, thanks in part to the person who took time to be their mentor. They may even go on to become a mentor themselves—creating a legacy of giving back.

How mentoring benefits students

For students, having a mentor brings with it numerous, long-lasting benefits. Let’s take a look at five ways Ripon students benefit from mentorship:

1. Students gain practical, applicable advice that might not be taught in the classroom, which can be applied throughout their personal and future professional lives. They’ll enter college or the job force a leg up on pure classroom learners.
2. Mentorship creates a bond that may benefit everything from professional networking to personal growth—especially at a pivotal time in a high school student’s life. A mentor is a guide for students facing uncertainty in their future and someone on whom they can rely.
3. Mentees get one-on-one attention that helps them to better understand and retain information, while also connecting that knowledge to classroom lessons. They’ll benefit from more focused learning and a stronger grasp on content.
4. Students get a better understanding of real-world expectations and applications, direct from someone who has experienced them firsthand. This necessary dose of reality will shape their understanding of the world outside the classroom.
5. Mentorship is free! It affords students access to a crucial resource for development that’s not hidden behind a financial barrier. For students unable to afford tutoring or those disadvantaged by a lack of available programs, mentoring is an incredibly valuable experience.

Serving as a mentor

For mentors, being able to pass along wisdom to a younger generation is a truly gratifying experience. We invite you to sign up as a volunteer and see for yourself the profound effect mentorship can have on a student.

A great education is critically important for our children, community and society as a whole. Ripon area students, parents and alumni are well aware of the impact a strong K-12 education can have in preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.

During this season of giving, you can make tax-deductible charitable contributions to support the Ripon Area School District, just like you would any other organization or cause important to you. Our donors allow us to expand our programs and services, providing our students with the best educational experiences possible from pre-K through high school.

If you’re thinking about making a contribution to support Ripon area schools, now is the perfect time of the year to do so. Not only does charitable giving in December give you the opportunity to spread some holiday cheer, but it also allows you to enjoy some benefits come tax time in April.

Charitable donations to the Ripon Education Foundation support the mission of our district and enable us to enhance the programs, events and academic opportunities we can deliver to our students. You can make a gift online using a credit card or send a check by mail to the Ripon Education Foundation Office. Donations are tax deductible.

You can also help support the Ripon Area School District by shopping with Amazon Smile. When you select the Ripon Education Foundation on Amazon Smile, .5 percent of your purchase will be donated to the foundation. It really adds up in the long run!

You can also contribute to Ripon area schools as a volunteer. We have a variety of great volunteer opportunities in which you can participate, whether you’re interested in hosting an event, serving as a mentor or simply supporting our schools on social media.

No matter how you choose to help out Ripon's students, we encourage you to get involved and contribute to all the incredible things happening in our schools and community. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to learn more.