Park River Area School District #8

Park River Area High School is proud to announce the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on April 15 at 7:30 PM in the Elementary Gym! 🏆 This special event will recognize outstanding students who exemplify the four pillars of NHS: ✨ Scholarship – Commitment to academic excellence 📚 ✨ Service – Dedication to helping others and making a difference 💙 ✨ Leadership – Guiding with integrity and inspiring peers 🌟 ✨ Character – Upholding high standards of ethics and responsibility 🙌 At this program, new members will be inducted into the National Honor Society, joining a prestigious group of students dedicated to excellence. Our NHS members actively volunteer in classrooms each week and lead service projects that positively impact our school and community. Their hard work and dedication truly make a difference! Can't attend in person? Watch the livestream here: 🎥. https://youtube.com/live/aCiIagbTQfk?feature=share Join us in celebrating these remarkable students and their achievements! 👏 #ParkRiverProud #NationalHonorSociety #NHSInduction

📚 Spotlight on Our School Library Program & Librarian! 📚 ✨ Happy National Library Week! ✨ At Park River Area School, our Library/Media Specialist, Mrs. Rochelle Kovarik, is dedicated to creating a vibrant and welcoming learning environment where students develop a love for reading, learn how to navigate the digital world responsibly, and become skilled researchers. Our School Library Program focuses on three key areas: ✨ Personal Literacy – Building a love for reading Curating a collection of books that support the curriculum and engage all readers Hosting author studies and virtual author visits to inspire students Organizing exciting events like the Book Fair and Mock Caldecott to introduce students to outstanding literature Coaching students for Battle of the Books, promoting teamwork and reading skills 💻 Digital Citizenship – Navigating the online world safely Teaching students how to use digital tools appropriately and safely Encouraging reflection on balancing online and offline activities Modeling critical thinking skills to help students become responsible digital citizens 🔍 Information Literacy – Becoming smart researchers Collaborating with teachers to show students how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively Teaching search engine and database skills to support research and learning Empowering students to be critical and ethical users of information With Mrs. Kovarik leading the way, our library is more than just books—it’s a hub of curiosity, discovery, and lifelong learning! 📖💡 Join us in celebrating National Library Week by taking a moment to appreciate the role libraries play in education and the dedicated staff who make them special! #NationalLibraryWeek #ParkRiverProud #SchoolLibrary #ReadingMatters #DigitalCitizenship #ResearchSkills

Best of luck to the Park River Area Aggies in the 2025 North Dakota Class B spring baseball season. The Aggies will open up their season tomorrow on the road in Bismarck with a game vs Bottineau at 12:00 PM and Velva-D-A at 2:00 PM. All Aggies baseball games this season can be found on GameChanger. A GameChanger Community Plus Pass has already been purchased by the Aggies for each of their fans this season. http://web.gc.com/teams/WY39aT0WWgu8/live

🎓📚 Meet the High School History and Math Team! 🏀➕📖 At Park River Area School, we’re proud to have a team of passionate educators who go above and beyond—both in the classroom and beyond it! Let’s introduce three of our outstanding high school teachers who set the bar high for learning and lead by example. 👨‍🏫 Mr. Bob Young – High School Social Studies Teacher & Head Boys Basketball Coach Mr. Young brings history to life with his engaging teaching style and deep knowledge of the world around us. Whether he's leading a lively classroom discussion on government or coaching from the sidelines, he’s known for setting high expectations and teaching students the value of discipline, strategy, and hard work. His impact reaches far beyond the court! ➗ Mr. Jon Berg – High School Math Teacher, MathCounts Advisor & Head Girls Basketball Coach Mr. Berg is all about numbers, problem-solving, and pushing students to achieve their best. He’s a steady and encouraging presence in the classroom and inspires students to think critically and meet challenges head-on. Outside of math, you’ll see him mentoring student-athletes with that same commitment to excellence and integrity. 📐 Miss Morgan Porter – High School Math Teacher & Coach (Volleyball & Basketball) Miss Porter brings a calm, consistent presence to her classroom and teams. With her encouraging nature and warm smile, she supports students through challenges and celebrates their successes. Whether she’s teaching math or coaching, her steady guidance helps students grow in confidence and skills. Together, these educators model the importance of dedication, high expectations, and supporting students in every aspect of their high school journey. 👏 #ParkRiverPride #MeetTheStaff #HighExpectations #RaiderStrong #StudentSuccess #MathAndSocialStudiesStars

📚 BOOK EXCHANGE – Donations Needed! 📚 Park River Area Elementary is hosting a Book Exchange this May, and we need your help! We're collecting gently used children’s books for students ages 3-12 to swap and discover new stories. 📖 How You Can Help: 👉 Donate gently used children's books (ages 3-12) 📍 Drop-off location: Elementary School Office 📅 Deadline: May 10th Your donation will help foster a love of reading in our students! Let's work together to make this event a success. 💙 #BookExchange #ReadMore #ParkRiverElementary #DonateBooks

Exciting News from the 6th Grade! Today, our 6th grade students had the special opportunity to meet Plower Ranger and his driver, Jared Carlson, thanks to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). The name Plower Ranger was selected as part of NDDOT’s “Name the Snowplow” contest — congratulations to Ben for submitting the winning name! Adding to the excitement, North Dakota and South Dakota are currently competing in the Blades of Glory Contest, and Plower Ranger has advanced to the Final Four! We’d love your support — please cast your vote using the link below: 🔗 Vote Here Let’s help Plower Ranger bring home the glory!

🌱 Exciting News for Park River Area School! 🌱 We are thrilled to announce that our Early Learning Center has been selected as one of 35 projects funded through the North Dakota Farm to Early Care and Education Garden Grant! With over 240 applications, we are incredibly proud to receive this support. Through this grant, we will be purchasing a hydroponic garden center, allowing our youngest learners to explore hands-on gardening and sustainability in a whole new way! 🌿💧 This opportunity, made possible by the USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program and the ND Department of Agriculture, will provide not only funding but also ongoing technical assistance, garden webinars, and educational support throughout the project. A huge thank you to the North Dakota Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition for investing in the Park River Area! Thank you to Mrs. Gudmundson for securing this grant for our students! We can’t wait to see the impact of this project in our classrooms. Stay tuned for updates as our hydroponic garden grows! 🌾🌱 #ProudMoments #ParkRiverStrong #FarmToSchool #HydroponicsInTheClassroom

🩸💙 Give the Gift of Life – NHS Blood Drive! 💙🩸 Park River Area School’s National Honor Society is making a difference! Join us for our upcoming NHS Blood Drive, where we come together to save lives and support our community. 📅 Date: April 11, 2025 📍 Location: Elementary Gym ⏰ Time: BY APPOINTMENT Donating blood is a simple act of kindness that can make a life-changing impact for those in need. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular, your generosity can help hospitals, emergency patients, and those battling illness. Let’s show the strength of our school and community—roll up your sleeves and be a hero! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ 🔗 SIGN UP LINK: https://shorturl.at/pan2g #ParkRiverProud #NHSGivesBack #BloodDrive #SaveLives #BeAHero

Congratulations to our high school band and chorus on earning NDHSAA Team Scholar Recognition!

🏆🥈 Park River Area Acalympics Team Shines at State! 🥈🏆 What an incredible day for our Park River Area School Acalympics team at the State Acalympics competition in Bismarck! 🎉 Out of six teams competing in the Class B Large School division, our team showcased their knowledge, confidence, and teamwork, securing an amazing 2nd place finish! 👏👏 🔹 Round 1 (English): 3 points ✍️ 🔹 Round 2 (Science): 6 points – Took the lead! 🔬 🔹 Round 3 (Social Studies): 8 points – Held the lead! 🌎 🔹 Round 4 (Math): 12 points – Kept the lead! ➕➖ 🔹 Round 5 (Electives): 16 points – Still leading! 🎭🎵 🔹 Round 6 (Current Events): 18 points – Maintained the lead! 🗞️ After dominating the first rounds, our team advanced to the intense Lightning Round ⚡️ with Surrey and Dickinson Trinity. This rapid-fire round of 25 questions required quick thinking and confident answers, where one wrong move could cost points!😱 Our team battled hard, and while the competition was fierce, they secured an incredible 2nd place overall! 🎊 👏 Congratulations to our talented team for your hard work, dedication, and impressive performance on the state stage! We are so proud of you! 🎉 💛💛 PRA PRIDE! 💛💛 #PRAAcalympics #StateSuccess #ProudAggies

🌟 Meet Our Elementary Title I Team! 🌟 At Park River Area School, our Title I team plays a crucial role in providing targeted reading and math interventions to help students build a strong academic foundation. These dedicated educators work closely with students to ensure they get the support they need to succeed! 📚 Mrs. Shannon Markusen – Title I Teacher Mrs. Markusen provides math and reading interventions for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. She is passionate about helping young learners develop confidence and skills in early literacy and numeracy. In addition to her Title I role, she teaches summer school and is actively involved in our Extended School Program (ESP), supporting students beyond the regular school day. 📖 Mrs. Jenna Sobolik – Title I Teacher & MTSS Coordinator Mrs. Sobolik works with students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, providing math and reading interventions to strengthen their skills. She also wears many hats in our school, teaching 8th-grade social studies and serving as the High School Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Coordinator. In this role, she helps high school staff analyze and interpret data to ensure students receive the best academic support possible. ✏️ Mrs. Amber Nelson – Title I Paraprofessional Mrs. Nelson is a key part of our intervention team, supporting small group instruction alongside Mrs. Markusen. She is also actively involved in summer school, the Extended School Program, and even provides transportation for student-athletes. Her dedication and flexibility make a huge impact on our students and school community! We are so grateful for our Title I team and the difference they make in helping students grow and succeed every day! 💙 #ParkRiverProud #TitleITeam #SupportingStudentSuccess #DedicatedEducators

📣 Go Aggies! 🎉 Today is the big day! Our incredible Park River Area School Acalympic team is competing at the State Acalympic Competition in Bismarck! 🏆📚 The event kicks off at 5:30 PM. We are so proud of our students for their hard work, dedication, and teamwork. Can’t make it in person? No worries! You can catch all the action LIVE on the BEK Network at the following link: 📺 https://www.bektv.plus/videos/2025-03-25-wbektv Let’s cheer on our Aggies as they showcase their knowledge and competitive spirit! Drop a 💛💛 in the comments to show your support! 👏💪 #AggiePride #Acalympics #GoAggies #ParkRiverArea Event sponsor by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals

Congratulations to Henry Sveen for punching his ticket to the state speech tournament! This weekend he pre-qualified with his Entertain speech. Way to go, Henry!!

Congratulations to the varsity girls basketball team, varsity boys basketball team, and the speech team on earning the NDHSAA Team Scholar Award for the 2024-2025 winter season!

⚡⚡⚡ UPDATE ⚡⚡⚡ 🎥 Can't attend in person? Watch the Grand March LIVE from anywhere! 📺 Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/6nzELOnhL4Y You're Invited to the Grand March! Park River Area School and Fordville-Lankin School are excited to invite the community to join us for a special evening as we celebrate Prom 2025 with this year’s theme, "Meet Me at Midnight." Come watch our students shine at the Grand March on Saturday, March 29, at 8:00 PM as they make their grand entrance in style! This is a wonderful opportunity to support and cheer on the students of Park River Area and Fordville-Lankin Schools as they create lasting memories. We encourage family, friends, and community members to attend and be part of this exciting tradition. Your support makes this night even more special for our students! We look forward to seeing you there!

🎶✨ Join us for a Night of the Arts! ✨🎶 📅 March 18 🕕 6:00 PM - 📍 Park River Area High School Come celebrate the incredible talents of our students in music, FACS, and speech! Enjoy live performances from the Small Group Music Contest and our Competition Speech Team, plus amazing presentations from our FACS students. Don't miss out — it's happening before the High School Music Concert! See you there! ❤️ #NightOfTheArts #PRAHS #StudentTalent #SupportTheArts

Third graders at PRAS had two amazing guest speakers to bring their human body studies to life! Katie Skorheim, a Physical Therapist from First Care Health Center, visited to share what her job entails at the hospital, helping patients regain strength and mobility. She brought special tools she uses in her work and even let students test their muscle strength! Her visit impressed upon students that taking care of our bodies is important for people of all ages. Gerald Byron, a member of the ND Association of the Blind, also visited to share an inspiring story and a special donation. He gifted the class Grandpa’s White Cane, a heartwarming book that helps young readers understand visual impairment and the importance of accessibility. Byron engaged students with stories from his own experiences, encouraging empathy and awareness. His visit left a lasting impression, reminding everyone that challenges can be overcome with resilience and support. These real-world experiences have added depth to our human body unit, connecting what we’ve learned about the nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems—as well as the eyes and ears—to real-life careers and experiences! 🧠👀🦵 #FirstCareHealth #PhysicalTherapy #HandsOnLearning #PRAS #HumanBodyInAction #InclusionMatters

PRAS Almost Spring Concert Grades 9-12 March 18 at 7:30 Live Stream Available at The Stable on Youtube https://youtube.com/live/xtT-e1yTu3c?feature=share

PRAS Almost Spring Concert Grades 6-8 March 17 at 7:30 Live Stream Available at The Stable on Youtube https://youtube.com/live/PDtcPOiXWRo?feature=share

🏆🎉 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ACALYMPIC REGION CHAMPS! 🎉🏆 A huge shoutout to Nevin, Brennan, Allison, Tanner, Cutter, and Drake for bringing home the Regional Acalympics Championship! 👏👏👏 For those who might not know, Acalympics is a prestigious academic competition hosted by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals. It challenges high school teams to showcase their knowledge in English, math, social studies, science, electives, and current events. Teams answering questions in six categories — and the top teams advance to a high-stakes lightning round! 💡🧠 Our team showed incredible teamwork, knowledge, and composure under pressure — what an amazing achievement! 🎯💥 Way to represent Park River Area with pride! Let’s hear it for our champs! 👏👏👏 #ProudAggies #AcalympicsChamps #AcademicExcellence