Mrs. Rudolph wrote: Mara has always been a dedicated student, but it’s her personality that truly shines. She transformed from an outgoing, spirited ninth grader into the determined, hardworking senior we see today. She has overcome challenges with humility and grace, emerging stronger each time. Her maturity, leadership, and unwavering commitment have made her a role model both in and out of the classroom. Future Broncos will undoubtedly look up to the example she has set. I am incredibly proud of her.

Mrs. Hamers wrote: Cooper is the kind of student that makes each day in the classroom an enjoyable one—Cooper is charismatic, hardworking, and always respectful. He balances his academic schedule with a part-time job, never cutting corners or complaining. His sense of humor makes even the most stressful or serious moments lighter, and he treats his teachers, classmates with respect and is always the first one to greet someone or help out. Cooper's work ethic, passion for what he's good at, personality, and strong character will ensure that he is successful in the future, and it also will make his presence truly missed next year at FHS.

We are shining a SPOTLIGHT on these incredible students who have been recognized by our staff for showing PBIS Bronco PRIDE! Their positivity, optimism, welcoming attitude, engagement, and respect set a shining example for their peers. We’re proud to have them as part of our Bronco community!

10th grade students had a Valentine’s Day “Speed-dating” debate to review fun topics about “The Great Gatsby” and have some Valentine’s treats!

The wood shop projects from the first semester are finally getting finished up and taken home by students. All of the students designed and constructed a table out of pine or ash, each student was able to modify the table to the size that they needed for their home.

These two students made ash sofa tables and finished them with a Dark Walnut stain and clear coat finish.

The students in Welding 2 are using their skills to construct some furniture and safety items for the new shop addition that will be built this summer. They are working on two gas cylinder holders that will be attached to the wall to safely store oxygen and acetylene cylinders when the shop is completed. The students are also building a table for the CADD lab to act as a desk and workstation in the room. They are designing and building the table to reuse a countertop that was taken out of a different classroom.

Please watch for information coming out this week regarding registration for next year's classes! We can't wait to show you what we have available for next year!

It can be challenging to know what the future holds. Thinking about the career pathways, combined with interests and lifestyle goals can help!

Try the following LINKS to help you think about your future!

Hey Bronco Fans! 🎉 Click the link below to explore our amazing collection of Bronco gear! Show your school spirit while supporting the 2025 FHS PROM! 🐴 A portion of every purchase goes directly to the PROM committee, helping them create an unforgettable event!

This week in Introduction to Engineering the students worked on reverse engineering a computer hard drive. Each student was given a hard drive to take apart. They had to write a description of the process so they could put it back together properly if needed at the end of the lesson. The students then learned how to measure to .001 (one thousandth) of an inch using calipers. They measured 20 different parts of the hard drive and will compare their measurements to the others to see if they are accurate.

Please keep scanning those receipts! We just received a check for $25 from Box Tops at the high school! Thank you~ These funds support all of our students here at FHS!

If you have a student who attends grades 6-12 and have not joined Box Tops, please consider.

Select your birthday month to get extra bonus points!

There are so many everyday items that qualify that may likely be on your receipts. So easy! You just scan and the App does the work for you, to find the eligible items.

The scent of fresh flowers filled the air as the Student Council hosted a Valentine's Day fundraiser. Students had the opportunity to order flowers to be delivered during first hour to their Valentine! The event added a special touch to the day, creating a warm and festive atmosphere throughout the school.

The fundraiser was a huge success, spreading both love and school spirit. It was a wonderful way for students to express their affection and support a great cause at the same time.

More photos showcasing the incredible dedication and hard work of our staff and students in support of Mental Health Awareness. These projects not only highlight their efforts but also spark meaningful conversations about this important topic, fostering awareness and understanding.

February is mental health awareness month. Ms. Staples's junior high classes participated in the Stick it to the Stigma competition by learning about mental health issues and strategies that you can use to cope with these issues. Students read a short story called Heartbeat, where a young man was struggling with self-confidence and self-esteem. Students made a text-to-self connection and wrote about things that they liked about themselves. As a class, we also read the Greek myth Daedalus and Icarus. In this myth, a father had to deal with the death of his son. Students created a T-chart about things that you should and should not say to someone who might be grieving. Lastly, we read Broken Crayons Still Color and I am Stronger Than my Anxiety. Students filled out a worksheet which helped them to recognize the good that was happening in their lives. They also identified that music can help you cope with different emotions that they might be having. As a class, we decorated our classroom door with all of these activities. Ms. Staples appreciated their hard work and bought them bracelets that they could wear to the Stick it to the Stigma hockey game on February 13, 2025.

Messages of affirmation can be shared to empower students, fostering a positive mindset and reinforcing that they are valued, supported, and capable. Regular encouragement helps build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, creating a nurturing environment where students feel motivated to grow and succeed.

The FHS Cheerleaders are taking an active role in promoting mental health awareness within the school and community. Through their visibility and leadership, they help create a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to prioritize their mental well-being and seek help when needed.

Mental health awareness is essential for fostering a society that values well-being, understanding, and support. By breaking the stigma surrounding mental health struggles, we create spaces where individuals feel safe seeking help and expressing their emotions without fear of judgment. Prioritizing mental health is just as important as physical health, and access to resources, education, and compassionate conversations can make a profound difference. Together, we can promote resilience, empathy, and a culture of care that uplifts everyone.

Congratulations to Mrs. Line's classes who have won the Stanley Cup and pizza parties as awarded by Northland Counseling! Thank you to everyone who participated in getting the message out about mental health.

In Ms. Jaksa’s science class, 8th graders had a blast this Valentine’s Day learning about phosphorescence through a hands-on slime experiment! They created their very own glow-in-the-dark slime and tested it under black light, bringing a fun and educational twist to their holiday lesson. The glowing slimes illuminated the classroom, as students explored the science behind light absorption and emission in this exciting and festive activity!

Hi! I'm Cassidy Christensen. I was born & raised in International Falls where I graduated from Falls High School in 2014. I took a little break from Minnesota & moved to North Eastern Louisiana for about three years. I'm happy to be back & to be raising my own family right here where I grew up. Fun fact - I am getting married this summer to my amazing other half, Tyler Lehman, of almost twelve years! We are blessed to have our two children - Averie (9) & Krew (2). We share our home with our German Shepherd, Tucker and our two cats, Louie & Dori. We also have many chickens!

I completed the Practical Nursing program through the Itasca/Rainy River cohort. That led me to my job here at ISD 361! This is my third school year being here & I absolutely love it. I work in the nurse's office at both Falls Elementary & Falls High School. My favorite part of my job are the connections I get to build with not only the students, but also their families. It is very rewarding! Being there to support each & every student on many levels, on a daily basis, is one of the greatest feelings.

When I am not at work, I enjoy being home with my kiddos or planning our next adventure. During the summers we spend most of our days outside & in our pool. Right now we are keeping busy with my daughter's volleyball.

Hi, my name is Don Rolando, and I am the Dean of Students at Falls High School (ISD 361). I graduated from Falls High School in 1984, then went on to earn my Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University and a Master’s of Education from Capella University. I’m happily married to my amazing wife, Nikki, and together we have two wonderful children, Easton and Ella, who are our pride and joy. The best part of my job is working with such a great group of educators and staff at FHS. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family on Rainy Lake and out at our shack. One fun fact about me is that I was a head basketball coach for 13 years—two at FHS, five at Rainy River, and six at Coon Rapids.

Hi! My name is Leah Bacon. Right after high school graduation, I started the practical nursing course at RRCC (Now Minnesota North - Rainy River Campus - and graduated with my practical nursing license in 1998. I decided to go back to school after 18 years and graduated with an Associates of Science degree in nursing from Hibbing Community College in 2016. After taking another year off, I enrolled at Bemidji State University and graduated with my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 2019, which proves it’s never too late to further your education.

I've been blessed to share nearly 25 years of marriage with my husband, Chad. Both of us are proud graduates of FHS, just like our two adult sons, Ben and Gavin. Our family also includes our daughter Eleanor, who is currently in 8th grade and on her way to becoming the next FHS graduate. Our home is filled with love, laughter, and the company of our two dogs, Bella and Jasper, along with our cat, Haley.

When I’m not running around in scrubs, I indulge in some good-old-fashioned escapism through reading—particularly psychological thrillers that keep me guessing! I also like to test my brainpower with trivia, riddles, and crossword puzzles. Thrift store shopping is my jam; there’s something oddly satisfying about hunting for bargains that would make any extreme "couponer" green with envy (yes, that’s my dream job ). I have an immense appreciation for well-timed jokes and witty puns; they’re like the sprinkles on my cupcake of life!

One of the perks of this gig? Building up fantastic relationships with students and their families throughout their educational journey. I get to know the students at FES, and by the time they swing by FHS, I already know most of their names… talk about a head start!

Oh, and did I mention I also get to be the instructor for the nursing assistant class? It’s the perfect launching day pad for aspiring nurses—!

Students are culminating their Plate Tectonics unit by drawing a Global Plate Tectonic Cross Section through the entire World. They start at the Indonesian Trench and traverse through the 4 subduction zones, trenches (including the Mariana Trench), the Hawaiian Hotspot, three mid-ocean ridges, and two continents. Their cross sections really force students to view the Earth as a composite dynamic plate tectonic system and creates a science supported narrative for why things like mountain ranges, volcanoes, earthquakes, continents, oceans, etc are where they are, and additionally, how they formed.

Falls High School Teachers will now be available for Homework Help. Some of the help is during the day if students have open hours or if finished with work they may request a pass to see one of these teachers. Some of sessions are being offered outside of the school day. Please continue to watch for changes/additions to these sessions. Feel free to reach out to teachers with questions!

• 1st Hour Daily~ Mrs. Staples Room 204 (English)
• 1st Hour Daily~ Mr. Sandberg Room 113 (Social Studies)
• 2nd Hour Daily~ Mrs. Boyle Room 203 (English/Writing 6th Graders)
• 2nd Hour Daily~ Mrs. Mannausau Room 212 (Math)
• 3rd Hour Daily~ Mr. Dowty Room 108 (Math)
• 4th Hour Daily~ Mr. Awe Room 210 (Math)
• 5th Hour Daily~ Mr. Kaviuk Room 104 (Social Studies)

After School Homework Help (any subject) ~ Mr. Hemstad Room 115 M-Th

After School Homework Help (any subject) ~ Ms. Groom (Library) Mondays 3:20-4:20

Before School Extra Credit/Science ~ Ms. Jaksa Room 121 Fridays

Watch for changes and/or additions as the year goes on!

Please talk to a trusted adult if you or a friend are struggling with conflict, bullying. We have attached some resources below as a guide. When we bring a community together, conflicts inevitably arise. If the conflict persists into bullying or harassment it is imperative that students and adults work together to make it stop. At FHS we take this seriously and will thoughtfully and carefully investigate each incidence, help resolve conflict, and address bullying. Everyone deserves to feel safe at school!

Conflict and bullying are issues that need adult intervention and support. Please see the following resources!

Please watch for more LINKS to be added in the future!