Jenny Ames, director of communications and community education for the River Falls School District, started with an overview of her background including time in business, IT training, operating a preschool, and working as a community education director in MN. With her UW undergrad and U of Mn certificate in community education, Jenny is a Badger and a Gopher as well. She also worked for Shakopee MN Chamber and Visitors bureau. In her position with RFSD, she added a communications role to the community education management responsibilities.
Jenny told us that another part of the communications job is to unify the RFSD brand. The goal is keep the integrity of the badge logo, then make something specific for each building. Overhauling the RFSD website is another task for Jenny's team, with #1 goal being to make information easy to find. As an example, all buildings have a “meet the principal” page.
Community Education is the other aspect of Jenny’s role. Wisconsin does not require school districts to provide community education, unlike in MN. Jenny applauded the community for its choice about 10 years ago in committing to support community ed. The print catalog remains very important, but interactive on-line tools are also available to the community.
Community education partners include 3 Schweet Sisters, Brickhouse Music, The Garage (for a bike maintenance course), Whole Earth Co-Op, Kinni Corridor Collaborative, and ADRC. There is also an advisory council that reviews offerings. RFSD’s Community Education goal is not to compete if an offering is available in the community elsewhere.
A third role for Jenny’s position is to coordinate volunteers. There is an on-line volunteer application, and there is a staff member acting as central coordinator.
In the category of “What’s new”, Jenny reminded ust that school starts 9/1 or 9/2, depending on grade level. Other noteworthy items include the new 5-year strategic plan, which approved in June after much wok including lots of community input. The plan is available on RFSD website.
About the Speaker: For the past year, Jenny Ames has been the director of community education & communications for the School District of River Falls. Prior to that she worked for over a dozen years in community education in Minnesota, as well as holding various positions in the business world. Her undergraduate degree is in Journalism from UW Madison, and she has a director of community education licensure from the University of Minnesota. Jenny and her husband Pat have three grown children and one daughter-in-law. She and her husband love to travel, hike, glamp, and "foster fail" with rescue pets. Jenny is a runner who is tackling her first marathon this fall and who has recently taken up mountain biking.