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< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back September 2018 Artist of the Month Brooke Richards Brooke Richards, daughter of Angie and Paul Richards, was recently named September Artist of the Month at Royalton High School. Richards attended Sacred Heart and St. Katharine Drexel for elementary school and came to Royalton in 7th grade. "When I came to tour the school back in 6th grade, the first thing that stood out to me was Mr. Halverson’s Art room" said Richards. ""I walked into the classroom and was in awe of all the amazing tile paintings on the ceiling. I knew then that this was the right school for me and that I wanted to take classes with this teacher who allowed his students to express their creativity in such unconventional ways. I started yearbook not knowing what to expect and quickly found that I loved every aspect of it. From ad selling, to taking pictures, to laying out pages, then putting it together and handing them out at the end of the year, it was all enjoyable. We have a fantastic mentor and teacher in Mr. Halverson, who guides us, while at the same time, gives us enough freedom to make our projects our own. I’ve met some great people along the way which I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t enjoy going to class." Josten's yearbook representative, Paul Sorenson, had these words to say about Richards and the yearbook program at Royalton High School. "My sincere congratulations on some new milestones and creative achievements. The yearbook business, and yes it's a business, has many facets that make it great. Brooke Richards, and your staff need to be commended for not only achieving their goals for the book, but knocking them out of the park. Old Saying, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." "Royalton, not the biggest town on the map, but the quality and program you put together is at the top with the biggest and the brightest. Your book needs to be sent in for consideration against some of Josten's best books nationally!" "Brooke has broken every record that exists in the history of yearbook advising that I've seen for the more than 30 years."" stated RHS Yearbook Advisor and Visual Arts Instructor Carl Halverson. "And I've had the pleasure to work with hundreds of exceptional and gifted students. In yearbook, our first goal is to raise enough money in ad sales to afford all of the bells and whistles that this project may afford. Brooke shattered the all-time Ad Sales record, which not only gives us a yearbook that visually competes with the best, but also keeps the total cost of our yearbook down for our entire student body. She broke the total number of completed pages record last year by designing 34 pages, and will break her own record again this year as she designs the cover, ad pages, endsheets, senior section and sports templates. As the lone Senior Editor, she is in charge of funding this business project, designing graphically, everything from the theme to the cover, and editing the 100 pages inside the book. This is not a make-believe project for a competition. This is the ""Real Life"" model that carries with it, the responsibilities of real world issues. With her three year Royal Yearbook experience, which includes; sales and marketing, project design, business management, graphic illustration, and quality team leadership abilities, Brooke has created the kind of portfolio to compete at the next level at any post-secondary institution that she may apply to. Thank you Brooke for stepping up to the plate all three seasons of the year, and using your extraordinary gifts to create Royalton High School's most historically significant, and memorable project of the year, 2019.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment September 2025 Student of the Month Kimberlie Randt Kimberlie Randt, daughter of Michael and Jennifer Randt, has been named the September Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). Kimberlie has a sister, Rose, who is an 8th grader at Royalton. Kimberlie's favorite class is Composition I and II with Ms. Menden. "Although the class was challenging, it developed my writing and critical thinking abilities in a way that an online class simply cannot fulfill. Ms. Menden truly cares for her students, and although her curriculum is challenging, it prepares them for life beyond high school and even college. The writing, comprehension, and storytelling skills I have gained from her class will stick with me for the rest of my professional life." Among her favorite teachers, Kimberlie wrote, "There were so many teachers who impacted my educational journey. Starting at the elementary level, Ms. Carlson, Ms. Scott, and Ms. Hoheisel aided in the fundamental development of my educational abilities, along with shaping the person I am today. High school is by no means easy, and it took a toll on my mental well-being. Ms. Wensmann, Mr. Koenig, Ms. Noerenberg, and Mr. Coppicus were always there to make sure I was okay and to provide support when I wasn't. I am forever grateful for their impact on my life, and I truly would not be here today if it weren't for them. I am especially grateful for Mr. Coppicus, who opened the door to music and my passion for the activity." Outside of the classroom over the past few years, she participated in Student Council, Minnesota Honors Society, Royal Ambassadors program, Business Professionals of America, YES! Club, Jazz Band, Honors Band, Trap Shooting, and Softball. "These activities have given me knowledge in time management, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. The club that has provided the largest impact on my life is Student Council, which has made me a better communicator, planner, and team member. I have also met countless role models within the club who helped shape my goals both personally and academically. Some activities that I participate in outside of school include reading, painting, cooking, and trap shooting. I enjoy reading because it offers an escape from the suffocating grasp of reality. In addition to shooting trap for school, I also shoot trap for a league over the summer. Last year, I helped my team place first overall, along with placing first in the individual youth division. The best activity that I have been involved in is Jazz band, specifically, our performance at Solo Ensemble Contest last year. Our group received a superior rating of 39/40, which is the highest score Mr. Coppicus has received in his 11 years at Royalton. Being a part of this ensemble stood out to me not only because we achieved such a feat, but also because of the people I met along the way. The relationships I formed within this group will last a lifetime." Her favorite high school memory would be during last year's trip to Duluth for honors band. "Several students, including myself, accompanied Mr. Coppicus to the College of Saint Scholastica for our annual honor band event. Last year, we were able to visit Minnesota Point, where we took pictures and froze on the cold beaches of Duluth. It was a trip filled with laughter, several sarcastic comments, and lasting memories." After high school, Kimberlie plans "to attend college for two potential career paths: music education and the medical field. I have always been impressed by the power of music when bringing people together and expressing emotions. Being involved in the various music programs at Royalton has shown me the significance music education can have on a student's life. I would love to become the kind of teacher who inspires students the way that Mr. Coppicus has inspired me. At the same time, I am also drawn to healthcare, specifically in the field of anesthesiology. I am intrigued by the complexity of the profession and the impact it can have on patients. Although I have yet to decide which path I plan to follow, I am excited to find the best way I can make a difference in the world around me." In 10 years, "I see myself working in a career that gives me the chance to help others, either through music or medicine. If I pursue music education, I hope to be directing ensembles and encouraging students to express themselves through music. If I end up following the medical route, I can envision myself working in a hospital as either an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist, providing a vital role in both patient care and comfort. Regardless of what path I choose, I hope to be impacting people's lives and changing them for the better." Advice she leaves for high school freshmen: "The advice that I would give to high school freshmen is to ask for help and advocate for themselves, even if they think it's hopeless to do so. I cannot count how many times I have sacrificed my success because I failed to ask for help when I truly needed it. Even if you simply need clarification, just ask! The people in this building are rooting for your success, even if it doesn't seem like it. There is not a single person in this building who wants to see you fail!"

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back December 2019 Artist of the Month Autumn Larson After Christmas break, Royalton High School named Autumn Larson as December's Artist of the Month. Larson, a junior, is the daughter of Coralynn and Jesse Martin of Rice. She has been "doodling" characters on lined paper for as long as she can remember, and now is focused on turning these characters into something more than just a hobby. "As soon as I could pick up a pencil or a brush, everything that I had been thinking about fades away and I focus only on my artwork until I put the pencil down. During this time, it's a weightless feeling of freedom that I've never felt with anything else despite trying to replicate it with other activities," said Larson. "For a very long time, I've dreamed of creating a world that compares to the numerous books that I have read in the early years of my life. It was this year in my Design class that Mr. Halverson asked us to find an idea that we could really invest ourselves into as the Final Design project. My Ultra Violet project started in my freshman year with Sophie as the main character. She made her slow journey over the years into a shape-shifting creature with 200 years of fictional history behind the world that she lives in. The plot of the storybook will tell the reader how simply that Sophie went from Earth to Lyvida, the fairytale world that her story is set in. In one frame, Sophie is shown at her birthday party, and in the next, she is waving goodbye to her friends. As the story progresses, she discovers that if she wishes to become a fairy, she will need to grow wings. The rest of the story will show snapshots of her future adventures and the characters, like her "adoptive" father, Jinn, who will help her reach her destination in life." "While working with at all of the talented, student-artists who take art classes at Royalton High School, it sometimes is a tough task to select just one student who earned the Artist of the Month honor," stated Visual Art Instructor Carl Halverson. "December had a few artists who could have been selected. It was clear to me after seeing the time and dedication that Autumn Larson put into her original storybook, that she had clearly earned the honor. It's not just a rendered copy of a subject in which a student showcases their improvement in skills that are practiced in an art class. In this case, it is the development of a character that is totally original, never seen before, that comes to life in the artist's choice of medium. The Design goes one step further in the fact that no one knows the storyline until the artist decides where they will take you on their journey. I have an Albert Einstein quote hanging in my room which reads, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." I can teach a student the Knowledge of subject matter through the Elements and Principles of Design or by studying Art History. I can improve a student's technical abilities through the daily exercise and practice of drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media or photography projects. But I can't teach a student the "Imagination" piece that it takes to create the Original work that Autumn has shared with us in her Final Design project. This piece is a gift that never stops giving through the work created by these exceptional young people that I have had the privilege of working with for all of these years. " "I'm very grateful for the teachers that I've had, like Mr. Halverson, who have pushed me to travel down the road of Visual Art," added Larson. "I'm also very grateful for my Mom for believing that my "doodles" would one day be something so much more."

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back February 2020 Artist of the Month Isaac Kasella Isaac Kasella, son of Steve and Colleen Kasella, was recently named February Artist of the Month at Royalton High School. Kasella, a senior, has taken many art classes at the middle and high school, and was also named this year's Most Valuable Editor on the 2020 Yearbook Staff. "I have taken as many art classes as I could since I was in 7th grade," said Kasella. "My love for the outdoors and hunting and fishing was one of the main things that I would draw in my art classes. It was a way that I could take my mind off of school and be thinking of what I might be doing when I was out of school. My sophomore year, Mr. Halverson introduced me to yearbook during a Design class. Creating the yearbook was very interesting and after the past three years, I was the Lead Senior Editor." Kasella added. "Isaac Kasella is one of the most "hard-headed" young people who I have ever had the privilege to work with," stated RHS Visual Arts instructor Carl Halverson. "I mean that as a compliment actually. When Isaac was a sophomore, I had about a dozen students in his class who had different sets of skills. Some had photography skills, some had writing, and a few had really good leadership skills. I have been doing yearbook as a class for over thirty years and we've won many different awards from three different publishing companies. One thing remains constant through all of these years. The student who might not have the most talent or ability just might surprise you as he becomes the best leader in the entire class. While other classmates would get frustrated about trivial problems that would make most people give up, Isaac Kasella simply wouldn't throw in the towel. Farm folks might refer to this as "Hard-headed" or "Stubborn." I actually see many students like this who became the owners of local businesses simply because they refused to lose. There are many second and third generation farmers who now own and run the entire operation who also prove my point. Isaac's drawing skills have also surpassed those who didn't commit to the hours needed to reach their true potential. He finished proofing the last few pages of our yearbook the other day. All I could do was say "Thanks," as he walked out the door. Thanks to a graduating senior who will rise to the top, no matter which career he chooses." Kasella will be attending Alexandria Technical and Community College where he is enrolled in the Diesel Mechanics program.

Student Services Total Special Education System (TSES) This document serves as the Total Special Education System Plan for Royalton Public School District in accordance with Minnesota Rule 3525.1100. This plan also includes an assurance for compliance with the federal requirements pertaining to districts’ special education responsibilities found in United States Code, title 20, chapter 33, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, part 300. This document is a companion to the Application for Special Education Funds – Statement of Assurances (ED-01350-29). To read the document in its entirety CLICK HERE . Section 504 Section 504 Coordinator Leah Roske is the person responsible for assuring the school district is in compliance with Section 504. She can help you with the regulations regarding the identification, evaluation or placement of students under Section 504. Should you have any questions please contact her at leah.roske@isd485.org or (320) 584-4267. The school address is 120 S. Hawthorn Street, Royalton, MN 56373. As the parents/guardians, you may also meet with the principals to resolve any objections to the evaluation or educational placement of your child. Section 504 FAQ Click here to learn more about Section 504. Policies and Forms Employee Disability Nondiscrimination Policy Student Disability Nondiscrimination Policy Nondiscrimination Report Form Grievance Procedures Procedural Safegards NOTICE OF PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS Notice of Parent/Student Rights in Identification, Evaluation, and Placement of Individuals with Disabilities In compliance with the procedural requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, hereinafter Section 504, the following Notice of Parent/Student Rights in Identification, Evaluation, and Placement shall be utilized in the Royalton School District. This document is provided to ensure that you are aware of the regulations regarding the identification, evaluation or placement under Section 504 that may pertain to your child. Should you have any questions, contact Eric Goodrich, the Section 504 coordinator. As the parents/guardians, you may also meet with the superintendent or a designee and/or the local school board to resolve any objections to the evaluation or educational placement of your child. I. Section 504 is enforced by the U. S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). If you need information about Section 504, the contact information is as follows: Office for Civil Rights, Chicago Office (Region V) U. S. Department of Education 500 W. Madison Street Suite 1475 Chicago, Illinois 60661 (312) 730-1560 FAX: (312) 730-1576 TDD: (312) 730-1609 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov II. The following is a description of some of the rights granted by this federal law pertaining to students with disabilities who are subject to identification, evaluation or placement under Section 504. (See 34 C.F.R. § 104 for a full compilation of regulations.) A. Your child is entitled to take part in and receive benefits from public education programs or activities without discrimination because of his or her disability. 34 C.F.R. §104.21 B. Your child is entitled to receive a free appropriate public education regardless of the nature or severity of his or her disability. 34 C.F.R. § 104.33(a) C. Your child is entitled to receive regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet his or her individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities. 34 C.F.R. § 104.33(b) D. Your child is entitled to receive free educational services except for those fees that are imposed on students without disabilities or their parents. 34 C.F.R. § 104.33(c) E. Your child is entitled to be educated with students without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of your child. 34 C.F.R. § 104.34(a) F. Your child is entitled to be educated in facilities and receive services and activities comparable to those provided to students without disabilities. 34 C.F.R. § 104.34(b)(c) G. Your child is entitled to an evaluation prior to an initial placement and any subsequent significant change in placement. 34 C.F.R. § 104.35(a) H. Your child is entitled to be evaluated and tested with procedures in accordance with regulations pertaining to evaluation procedures. 34 C.F.R. §104.34(b) I. Your child is entitled to have evaluation data and placement decisions based upon information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior. 34 C.F.R. § 104.35(c)(1) J. Your child is entitled to have interpretation of data and placement decisions based on evaluation procedures that ensure information is obtained from a variety of documented and carefully considered sources. 34 C.F.R.§ 104.35(b)(c)(2) K. Your child is entitled to have placement decisions made by persons knowledgeable about your child, the meaning of evaluation data, and placement options. 34 C.F.R. § 104.35 (c)(3) L. Your child is entitled to periodic evaluations. 34 C.F.R. § 104.35(d) M. Your child is entitled to an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular activities offered by the school district. 34 C.F.R. § 104.37 N. You are entitled to notice prior to any action by the district pertaining to the identification, evaluation, or placement of your child. 34 C.F.R. § 104.36 O. You are entitled to examine relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program, and placement. 34 C.F.R. § 104.36 P. You are entitled to request an impartial hearing and an appeal of any decisions or actions taken by the school district regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program, or placement. The school district will bear the costs for these due process procedures. You and your child may take part in these proceedings and have an attorney represent you. The following details the procedures: i. If you disagree with the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or with the provisions of a free appropriate public education for your child, you may make a request for a hearing to the superintendent or the Section 504 coordinator, indicating the specific reason(s) for the request. Upon receipt of the request, the superintendent shall appoint the hearing officer. ii. The school district may initiate a hearing regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the student. The school district shall notify you of the specific reason(s) for the request. iii. The school district shall conduct hearings within twenty (20) instructional days after it receives the request, unless the hearing officer grants an extension, and at a time and place reasonably convenient to you. Q. You are entitled to request a review (appeal) of the hearing, should you not prevail. The following details the procedure: i. You or any party to the hearing may petition to review (appeal) the decision of the hearing officer. The request must specify the objections and be filed with the superintendent and the opposing party within twenty (20) instructional days of the date the hearing officer’s decision is received. The school district must appoint an independent appeals officer to conduct an impartial review of the record as a whole. The officer may, at his/her election, conduct the review with or without oral argument. Such review shall be conducted within twenty (20) instructional days of the receipt of the petition to review unless either party requests an extension of time. ii. The appeals officer shall ensure that a transcript of the review is prepared and made available to any party upon request. iii. Any party disagreeing with the decision of the appeals officer may appeal to a civil court with jurisdiction. iv. A parent/guardian represented by legal counsel during the proceedings of a due process hearing, appeal, or civil action may be entitled to reimbursement of legal fees if the parent ultimately prevails. This procedure does not deny the right of the grievant to file a formal complaint in federal court of with the U.S. Department of Education. Changes in the law, including timelines for filing a complaint, may affect your rights. The person in this school district who is responsible for assuring that the school district is in compliance with Section 504 is the Section 504 Coordinator. Leah Roske 120 S. Hawthorn Street Royalton, MN 56373 (320) 584-4267 leah.roske@isd485.org

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment April 2019 Student of the Month Brooke Richards Brooke Richards, daughter of Angie and Paul Richards, has been named April Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). Brooke’s favorite class is yearbook, taught by Carl Halverson. “It allows me to use my creativity to create a book with a great group of people. It is a wonderful feeling holding the book in your hands that is full of so many memories, and knowing that you helped to create it from start to finish. Mr. Halverson is a great mentor and always makes sure to point all of us in the right direction, which I am very grateful for. I would also like to give a shout out to Dawn and Mr. Hagman for always listening to me spill tea.” RHS Yearbook Advisor Carl Halverson stated, "I've been doing yearbooks for over thirty years and have had the privilege of working with many great young people. But I've never seen a Senior Editor run the show quite like Brooke did this year. There are four main benchmarks that all Senior Editors strive to hit to complete this 10-15 thousand dollar business venture. The first benchmark is good photography skills that are blended with photo-editing through photoshop, graphic design, and page layout. The second skill is writing articles as well as editing other staffer's written work to make a theme come to life. The third is selling advertising to help fund the book. Usually, a single editor might hit two of these skill sets. Brooke sold a record breaking $2000 in ad sales, designed well over 50 pages, and placed hundreds of photos throughout this year's Royal yearbook. She earned top honors from Josten's company in our state, and our Jostens rep said that he had not heard of another editor nationally who had hit these kind of top-notch parameters. And the fourth skill? She's simply one of the easiest going, nicest young people who has ever graced our staff. Our year-bookers learned so much from her that our book will surely continue our winning tradition. We will miss her smile as well as her genuine, pleasing disposition that greets us every morning as she enters the classroom the most. Best wishes to you Brooke as you enter the next step of your Graphic Arts career." Social studies teacher Jeremy Schaa added, “Brooke Richards is a quiet leader and one of the nicest students I have had the good fortune of teaching. She is a hard worker who is not afraid of taking on a task and seeing it through to completion, even when others give up.” Richards is active in Student Council, Yearbook, National Honors Society, and Spanish Club. A favorite high school memory was hanging out with her friends at prom this year. Her future plans include attending St. Cloud Technical College to earn a degree in marketing and design. Then continue on at St.Cloud State to complete her bachelor’s degree. She also plans to move to California some time after graduating college. Brooke’s advice to freshmen is, “Even though high school feels like it lasts forever, it flies by quicker than you think it will. Make sure to enjoy every moment of it and work as hard as you can. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to write your comp papers.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment May 2023 Student of the Month Nola Blais Nola is the daughter of Travis and Nadine. When it comes to family Nola says they have been very important to her, “My family has taught me that hard work can get you anywhere. My Mom and Dad are very hard workers and they influenced me to work hard for what I want. I really enjoy boating in the summertime with my family the most.” At Royalton High School, Nola participated in sports and activities, “Throughout high school I have taken part in Softball, Yes Club, and Knowledge Bowl. I have played Softball for a long period of my life. I enjoy the team, program, and being around my friends and making memories. YES Club is something I joined as a senior to and would definitely recommend to anyone thinking about joining. Being outside and seeing different aspects of nature and energy conservation is something I had no idea could be so intriguing. Last but not least is the Knowledge Bowl. I loved Knowledge Bowl. It was such a fun environment. I made a lot of new friends and a lot of wonderful memories at our meets!” When it comes to her classes Nola says her favorite classes are science classes, “My favorite classes are any science classes with Ms.Gerads. She has taught me a lot considering I have taken Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Forensics and Microbiology. As for a favorite teacher in high school, Nola says she has a couple her favorite, “One of my favorite teachers is definitely Ms. Menden. Not only because she is a great English teacher but also because she is so knowledgeable about life and is truly a wonderful advice giver. She is very influential to me because she has seen me at my worst years of school all the way into my best years because she is also my homeroom advisor. One of my other favorite teachers would have to be Ms. Tordsen because she is so wise beyond art. She makes the school environment so inclusive and welcoming.” Outside of school Nola spends a lot of time with family and friends, “Outside of school I love to spend time with my friends and family. I spend a lot of time with my grandparents every week. I set aside time to spend with them because they are pretty much my best friends, they have taught me so much and I really do not know where I would be without them. I also enjoy traveling. My favorite vacation was probably Tennessee which I recently took with my family. I also enjoy my job as a cashier at Coborns. I have been a cashier for almost 3 years and I really enjoy it.” When asked about her favorite memory and activity of high school, this was Nola’s response, “My favorite high school memory was winning the 2022 Homecoming Olympics. Why this is my favorite memory is because everyone was so excited including me and we were all just living in the moment. it was a great time for the class of 2023. Not to mention the football team won the big game that day against Paynesville. The best activity I was involved in was the Yes Club tubing trip this winter. I had such a blast with all my friends and it was a beautiful sunny day and it just was such a fun time. Believe it or not we got all almost 60 of us down the sledding hill at one time. It took a couple of tries but eventually we got it!” Nola’s plans for her future are these, “Next year I will be attending Central Lakes Brainerd for Dental Assisting. I enjoy working with people and I eventually hope continue my schooling to become a Dental Therapist. My long-term goal is to make enough money to do a lot of traveling with my significant other. I hope to buy a house and continue my education in the dental field.” Nola’s advice to high school freshmen was this “My advice to a freshman would be to never sell yourself short. Every person has different capabilities and not everyone is the same. I would say do not be afraid to be different. All throughout high school people want to blend in and be the same but I would say be weird and be different because you will not regret becoming the own version of yourself that you were meant to be. Make new friends and enjoy every moment because it sure does go by fast!

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment December 2024 Student of the Month Abby Kalis As Abby Kalis prepares to graduate, she reflects on the cherished moments, supportive relationships, and ambitions that have shaped her high school journey. From family game nights to competitive softball games, Abby's story is one of gratitude, determination, and joy. When asked how her family has played a role in her life and education, she credits them as her greatest source of encouragement and strength. "They always remind me to do my best and never fail to tell me how proud they are," she says. Whether it's through advice, love, or shared traditions like family camping trips, Abby's parents and siblings have provided a solid foundation for her success and happiness. Looking at the different classes and teachers Abby has had over the years at Royalton Schools, she discovered her passion for biology in Mrs. Gerads' college-level human biology class. She recalls the engaging dissections and creative memorization techniques that made the class both educational and fun. "It was laidback yet informative, and it helped me earn college credit while still in high school," Abby shares. As for Abby’s favorite teacher, she said Mrs. Noerenberg, left a lasting impression through her engaging teaching style and genuine care for students. "She puts on a strict face but is secretly friendly and always willing to help," As far as sports or activities go, softball has been the go-to sport for Abby. Abby has been a dedicated softball player since third grade and she describes her team as a "home away from home." She values the lessons in teamwork, accountability, and perseverance that the sport has taught her. From dancing in the dugout to rolling in the grass during practice, the camaraderie with her teammates has been a highlight of her high school experience. Outside of school, Abby enjoys spending time with friends, belting out favorite songs during car rides, and escaping into the pages of a good book. Reading offers her a magical retreat from the demands of daily life, allowing her to immerse herself in new worlds. Abby's favorite high school memory is Survivor Week, an event filled with challenges, dress-up days, and friendly competition between grades. "I'm super competitive, so this week was my jam," she laughs. Another standout event for her was the homecoming football game, where the energy and sense of community created unforgettable moments. Looking ahead, Abby plans to attend North Dakota State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She dreams of becoming a trauma nurse at a level 1 trauma center, where she can make a difference by treating critical injuries and helping patients heal. To incoming high schoolers, Abby offers this wisdom: "Don’t worry if things don’t go as planned. I’m not the person I thought I’d be as a freshman, but everything worked out in the end." With her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her goals, Abby Kalis is sure to leave a positive mark on the world as she embarks on her next chapter just as she has at Royalton Schools.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back November 2018 Artist of the Month Jordan Pesta Royalton High School recently named high school junior, Jordan Pesta, as Artist of the Month for November. Pesta is the daughter of Brenda and Neil Pesta, and has been drawing for as long as she can remember. She has created characters for an original storybook and is presently using digital imaging processes to bring her characters to life. "I've been drawing since I could pick up a pencil," stated Pesta. "My room is flooded with drawings scattered from the floor to the bed. There isn't a single notebook that I own that doesn't hold drawings or sketches of animals or imaginary characters." "I've always loved art, so Royalton High School's art classes are by far my favorite in school. In Design class this past year, our final Design project is one of our choice, so I am working with animation through a storybook. The characters each have their own unique personalities that fit into their own little piece of the world. The book, entitled Natural Oddities', has two main characters as the protagonists. These characters are much the same as every student who searches for a direction in their life. Each is like a unique piece of a puzzle. As these characters move throughout the story, each runs into road blocks, and has to find the way though to the end of their own personal story. The happy ending in every story is when one might look back with a smile after finding how their puzzle piece fits into their own life journey. I have applied the elements and principles of design that I learned to give these characters a look that is three dimensional. I also am exploring animation through digital media to give them movement from one page to the next. The other pieces show one of my more traditional watercolor pieces of the skull and one of my clay designed projects of my logo created in Design class" added Pesta. Carl Halverson, Royalton's Art instructor, sees Pesta as having such a unique perspective in not only his classroom, but also out the classroom. "Jordan is as "one of a kind" as a person as her own characters are in her story. While we may try to define success as following a given path to reach a given educational outcome, some unique individuals never seem to follow that same path. In fact, they break their own path, a path far less traveled, and arrive at an entirely different destination. All of this began through the exploration of new ideas through the use of technology. The world itself has become a university of independent instructors who can teach new areas of expertise not offered within the traditional model of a brick and mortar school building. It's exciting to watch students with such extraordinary talents explore education in such a non traditional way while pulling others along for the ride. I hope to help these gifted students like Jordan become who she is supposed to be, so that she finds where she, as a puzzle piece, finds her own place in this world." Upon graduation, Pesta sees herself taking the next step of her journey at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design to pursue a major in Graphic Design, Illustration and Comic Art.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2023 Student of the Month Nick Leibold Nicholas is the son of Jason and Tammie Leibold. Nicholas says his family has been a huge influence on his life, “My family has been a huge influence on me. My parents have encouraged me to be true to myself. They have raised me with a strong faith, good work ethic, and they have always told me that whatever I start I have to finish. I enjoy going pheasant hunting with my family, snowmobiling in Idaho, and working side by side with my family working on my dad’s tree business.” Outside of school Nicholas is very active with his church. He attends every Youth Group activity and has been on multiple mission trips to places as close as Wisconsin and as far away as Jamaica. When asked to elaborate about his mission trips, Nicholas responded with this, “While on these mission trips, I have helped the community through working to restore an old community center, cleaning up the local parks, as well as just being a friend at an adult day care center. I enjoyed the mission trips we took to an all-boys home in Jamaica as a family. While in Jamaica, we worked on many things from building the boys' new bunk beds, repairing windows and screens, as well as painting a water tower. The best part was bonding with the boys and teaching them skills my dad taught me.” When asked what his favorite class in school has been, Nicholas responded with Landscaping, “My favorite class was Landscaping. It was a hands-on class that got your hands dirty. It taught me things that I will need to know outside of school and in the real world. I would most definitely suggest this class to other kids because it teaches you things that you don't learn in your standard classes.” As for a teacher that has left an impact on him, Nicholas’ response was Mr. Koenig. “One of the most influential teachers that I have had would have to be Mr. Koenig, who was my 9th, 10th and 11th grade English teacher. What I liked most about Mr. Koenig, was that he would really take time out of the class period to work with you one on one until you fully understood what we were working on for that day. He would also take time to get to know each and every kid in the class. Mr. Koenig is not only my English teacher, he is also my Student Council Adviser and he is also one of my FCA advisers (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).” While attending Royalton, Nicholas has been involved in a number of different activities such as: FCA, Student Council, YES Club, Cross Country, Wrestling and Baseball. This is what Nicholas has to say about his involvement with all his activities, “I really like all of these activities, but I would have to say my most favorite would be wrestling, because the team aspect of wrestling is great. I also like the discipline part of the sport because it challenges you to always get better than the day before.” Nicholas’ favorite memory of high school has been when the Royalton Wrestling Team made it to the Class A State Championship match his sophomore year. “We ended up second in the State as a team, but the experience of being in the State Championship as a team was the best feeling ever. Just to know that your team is one of the best in the state is beyond crazy.” After high school Nicholas plans to work full time for his dad’s business “Jays Tree Care & Firewood.” His long term goal is to take over the business with my older brothers and continue building what my dad established. When asked if Nicholas had any advice for incoming freshmen this is what he had to say, “High school is going to go by extremely fast, so my advice for incoming freshmen is to enjoy the moment while it lasts and do not wish it away.”

Middle/High school MEDIA CENTER LIBRARY CATALOG LEARN MORE ABOUT Research Links Creative Commons eBooks The Royalton High School Media Center is a busy place. Not only are books shelved here, but you will also find sets of encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books, atlases, maps, periodicals, newspapers and more! The computers in the Media Center, which also allow access to a scanner and printer, are available for student use during the library's open hours. Our small group room is the perfect place for students to collaborate together on group projects or work quietly. Attached to the media center is a multi-purpose classroom that is used for study halls, classes, conferences, and meetings. The media center also manages the ITV studio. Students from Royalton may take classes from colleges and other high schools using networking technology. Contact Lori Yourczek loreli.yourczek@isd485.org (320) 584-4261 Andrew Hagman andrew.hagman@isd485.org (320) 584-4261 Other Libraries Great River Regional Library - Serving central Minnesota, the GRRL system has 32 branch locations and nearly 1 million books, DVDs, and CDs. Minnesota Digital Library - A digital collection of the state's unique resources and special collections. Including photographs, images, maps, journals, documents, letters, and works of art. MnLINK Gateway - Search public and academic libraries across Minnesota. MnPALS Catalog - Search all libraries in the MnPALS consortium, including libraries at St. Cloud State, St. John's & St. Ben's, St. Cloud Technical College, and the Minnesota Historical Society.

TITLE IX Title IX Coordinator The Royalton School District promotes gender equity and does not discriminate based on an individual's sex. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of unlawful sex discrimination should report the alleged acts immediately. Should you have any questions please contact Kaitlyn Arnzen, Assistant Principal/Activities Director, at kaitlyn.arnzen@isd485.org or (320) 584-4200. The District address is 120 South Hawthorn Street, Royalton, MN 56373. What is Title IX? Title IX is Federal legislation that prohibits Federal grants to schools or programs that discriminate on the basis of sex. Policies and Forms Employee Sex Nondiscrimination Policy Student Sex Nondiscrimination Policy Grievance Procedures Nondiscrimination Report Form Title IX Coordinator Training Overview