The Ripon Area School District recently launched an Alumni and Community Interest Survey, asking our former students to provide us with feedback and input on their impressions of the district and how we can best engage them.

In large numbers, alumni spoke to the positive outcomes for Ripon graduates, made possible by quality programs, teachers and facilities. The district's academics, fine arts, athletics, STEM program and recent facility enhancements also received high marks from survey respondents.

"Almost all of my family graduated from this wonderful school district," wrote one alumnus. "Our success as adults is due in part to our preparation from Ripon schools."

Another wrote: "I am proud to be a Ripon Tiger because it was in that school that I figured out who I am. Between the classes I took and the teachers who mentored me, it all led me down the path that I currently walk today."

Communicating with our former students

It was wonderful to read all the great responses and comments. However, we also received a lot of practical feedback that will help us as we work to connect with more alumni in the coming months.

For example, many respondents reported that they would like to receive alumni-focused news and updates via the Ripon Nation website, social media and email and e-newsletters. They also expressed interest in getting invited to more school- and alumni-related events and activities.

More than 70 percent of alumni said that they would find considerable benefit in keeping in touch with their former classmates through an online directory — something Ripon Nation provides. They also said that they would like more information on volunteer opportunities, along with guest speaking in classrooms and mentoring current Ripon students.

We would like to thank everyone who took part in this survey. It was a great experience for our district and staff, and we look forward to taking the results and brainstorming how we can best serve you, our alumni, as we move forward.

Homecoming is truly a special time of year in Ripon. In addition to being a fantastic experience for our current students, the week also allows our entire community—and especially our outstanding alumni—to come together in support of our schools. It's a wonderful tradition we have the honor of celebrating each fall.

This year was particularly special, as Tuesday brought with it the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the all-new RASD tennis courts! We're looking forward to many generations of students and community members enjoying the new facilities.

We were also pleased to name Tracy O'Brien with our 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award. Tracy is a Ripon High School graduate who taught fourth grade in the district for many years until his retirement in 2011. He is now on the Ripon Historical Society board of directors and serves as its education coordinator. Tracy has demonstrated a true commitment to education throughout his life.

On Friday, the Ripon High School hosted its annual Homecoming Breakfast, followed shortly thereafter by the Pep Assembly, where this year's homecoming court was announced. In the afternoon, the Homecoming Parade marched through downtown Watson Street, leading up to the varsity football game.

We would like to thank all of our alumni, community members and supporters who took part in the homecoming festivities this year. You are such a big reason of what makes Ripon a wonderful place to live, work and learn. #RiponNation

As part of our efforts to form greater connections with our graduates and the community, we are thrilled to launch this new online community: Ripon Tiger Nation.

Through this community, all Ripon School District alumni, supporters and community members will be able to stay connected and receive regular updates and news articles, along with a wide range of information on special events, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities. There's also an alumni directory where you can submit your name and connect with old friends and classmates.

In addition, we are also conducting an alumni and community interest survey, seeking feedback regarding the information, services and updates that are important to you. 

We want to hear from you

Ripon alumni and local residents are some of our most passionate supporters, and we believe we can do much more to keep all engaged in the challenges and opportunities of our community's public schools. Through this community interest survey, we hope to learn more about what it would mean for our school district to forge stronger bonds with our former students and all community members. In short, we are thrilled to move ahead with this exciting initiative.

Graduates of Ripon High School, former school district students, supporters and all Ripon-area residents may sign up for Tiger Nation and receive regular news and updates. This includes information on district news and events, community points of pride, class reunions and how alumni and residents can get more involved in Ripon schools. There will also be regular profiles on alumni who have gone on to serve their communities in notable ways.

We invite you to explore all that this online community has to offer. And, as always, Go Tigers!

Homecoming is the perfect time to reconnect with your former classmates and Ripon friends! We warmly invite you to attend any or all of our Homecoming Week (September 16-22) activities listed below.

The Homecoming Parade, a time-honored tradition in our school community, will begin at 4:00 p.m. down Watson Street on Friday, September 21. The parade will feature the 2018 Distinguished Alumni, the middle school and high school marching bands, members of the RHS fall sports teams, RHS clubs, youth football, and will highlight the Ripon Tiger Nation.

Following the parade stop by an old favorite place or check out one of our new restaurants in town to grab a bite to eat before heading to Ingall's Field for the game. The Tigers will be taking on Plymouth High School with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by the Ripon Tiger Nation table!

On Saturday at 3 p.m. come tour the Middle and High School.

HOMECOMING WEEK ACTIVITIES:

Sunday, September 16

• 6:00 p.m. - Bubble Soccer: Senior vs Junior Girls @ Ingalls Field
  

Monday, September 17

• 4:30 p.m. - Football: JV Game vs Waupun @ Ingalls Field
  
• 7:00 p.m. - Soccer: Varsity Boys Game vs. Omro @ Ingalls Field
  

Tuesday, September 18

• 3:30 p.m. - Official Ribbon Cutting for New Tennis Courts 
• 3:30 p.m. - Cross Country: Invitational @ Lake Breeze Golf Club Winneconne
• 4:00 p.m. - Tennis: Girls Varsity Meet vs. Plymouth @ Ripon High School

Thursday, September 20

• 4:30 p.m. - Soccer: Boys Varsity Game vs. Kettle Moraine @ Ingalls Field
• 5:30 p.m. - Volleyball: JV Game vs. Plymouth @ RHS
• 6:45 p.m. - Volleyball: Varsity Game vs.  Plymouth @ RHS

Friday, September 21

• 6:30-8:00 a.m. - Homecoming Breakfast ($5 per person/$3 age 3 and under) - HS Commons
• 8:00 a.m. - Pep Assembly - Court Announced
• 4:00 p.m. - Homecoming Parade - Downtown Watson Street, Ripon
• 7:00 p.m. - Football: Varsity Game vs. Plymouth @ Ingalls Field 

Saturday, September 22

• 3:00 p.m. - Tour of Middle and High School for alumni, supporter or community member
• 3:30 p.m. - Cross Country: Invitational @ Lake Denoon MS Muskego