February 2025

Community Education News

Sixteen young people completed the 30 hours of classroom instruction for driver’s education. Their next step is to take the permit test when they are 15 in order to start practicing behind the wheel. The six hours of behind the wheel instruction takes place during the summer months and consists of four sessions of one and a half hours. Sign up will start in the near future for students to choose the week they want to be scheduled.

Read MoreCommunity Education News

Dyckman Free Library News

“We have an app for that!” That’s right, in addition to the Libby ebook/eaudiobook app, we now have TdS on the go. This app will take you directly into the library catalog so you can search for titles or authors within the Traverse des Sioux library system. The app also will allow you to see the items you have checked out, their due date and if there are renewals available. Checking if your requested item is in transit or waiting on the holds shelf for check out will also be available at your fingertips. If you happen to incur a fine, you can even pay online with PayPal or a credit card. This app will be so convenient for those times when you are talking to friends about what book you should read next, instead of writing down titles you will be able to look them up and reserve them! Of course, you can still do all this on your computer but now you can take it with you as well. The first time you log into the app you will need your library card number and password (which is your last name, all lowercase letters). If you have any questions, please give us a call and we will be happy to help you.

Read MoreDyckman Free Library News

Letter to the Editor

It was with significant disappointment that I became aware that Governor Walz’s proposed budget for 2026 defunds some Minnesota students by eliminating nonpublic pupil aid. That money supports each student with funding for textbooks, testing, counseling, nursing and busing.

Read MoreLetter to the Editor

Retired astronaut Mike Hopkins speaks with St. Mary students about faith and space

St. Mary’s Catholic schools’ students had a lesson in faith and STEM with the visit from Colonel Mike Hopkins. He is a retired Air Force and astronaut; Hopkins started his career in the Air Force in 1992, he was assigned to the Kirtland Air Force base in Albuquerque New Mexico, where he worked on advanced space system technology. Throughout his career, he attended pilot school and spent 5 years testing aircrafts before working at the Pentagon with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. In 2009, Hopkins was selected to be one of nine members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He went to the International Space Station twice, once in 2013 and once in 2020 for a total of 333 days in space and conducted 5 spacewalks totaling more than 32 hours “outside” the International Space Station.

Read MoreRetired astronaut Mike Hopkins speaks with St. Mary students about faith and space

Speech team excels at Tyler and Montevideo tournaments

The River Valley speech team competed in two tournaments this past week. On Thursday, February 22, the junior high speakers competed in the RTR Junior High Invitational in Tyler. Christina Reindl (creative expression), Sophia Simon (prose), and Levi Johnson (storytelling) earned first place champion titles in their categories. Jozie Pingeon (extemp reading), Kyla Peichel (great speeches), and Trenton Johnson received second place runner-up in their respective categories. A third place finish in great speeches was awarded to Aiden Grausam. Sixth place finishes went to Randee Dombeck (creative expression), Ryker Schmidt (discussion), and Ezri Mathiowetz (drama).

Read MoreSpeech team excels at Tyler and Montevideo tournaments