Rudyard Jr/Sr High School is proud to officially unveil our Apprenticeship Wall to Highlight Skilled Trades Pathways
The new Apprenticeship Wall creates a visible and lasting reminder that high school students have direct pathways into high-skilled, high-demand careers in the building and construction trades.
Installed in partnership with Conduit to the Trades, the Apprenticeship Wall showcases registered apprenticeship programs available to students after graduation. The interactive display features information about local and regional trade unions, training opportunities, and career pathways that allow students to earn while they learn through state-approved apprenticeship programs.
The Apprenticeship Wall allows students to scan QR codes to access real-time information about a wide range of trade careers - including construction, electrical, HVAC, welding, plumbing, and many others. Each QR code connects students to current openings, training programs, requirements, and direct contacts within local trades.
The Rudyard Apprenticeship Wall was made possible through the generous support of the Michigan Building and Construction Trade Council Upper Peninsula, the UP Construction Council, Boilermakers Local 169, IBEW Local 906, Operating Engineers Local 324, and UA Local 111. Their sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the future workforce in the Upper Peninsula and ensuring students understand the wide range of opportunities available in the skilled trades.
The wall serves as both an educational tool and a symbol of collaboration between education and industry. By connecting students with registered apprenticeship programs, Rudyard Jr/Sr High School continues to expand career exploration efforts and provide real-world pathways.
The new Apprenticeship Wall creates a visible and lasting reminder that high school students have direct pathways into high-skilled, high-demand careers in the building and construction trades.
Installed in partnership with Conduit to the Trades, the Apprenticeship Wall showcases registered apprenticeship programs available to students after graduation. The interactive display features information about local and regional trade unions, training opportunities, and career pathways that allow students to earn while they learn through state-approved apprenticeship programs.
The Apprenticeship Wall allows students to scan QR codes to access real-time information about a wide range of trade careers - including construction, electrical, HVAC, welding, plumbing, and many others. Each QR code connects students to current openings, training programs, requirements, and direct contacts within local trades.
The Rudyard Apprenticeship Wall was made possible through the generous support of the Michigan Building and Construction Trade Council Upper Peninsula, the UP Construction Council, Boilermakers Local 169, IBEW Local 906, Operating Engineers Local 324, and UA Local 111. Their sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the future workforce in the Upper Peninsula and ensuring students understand the wide range of opportunities available in the skilled trades.
The wall serves as both an educational tool and a symbol of collaboration between education and industry. By connecting students with registered apprenticeship programs, Rudyard Jr/Sr High School continues to expand career exploration efforts and provide real-world pathways.
Good Luck Bulldogs!
Tonight's JV/V boys basketball games at Manistique has been cancelled due to weather. AND NOW WE ARE PLAYING AT BRIMLEY AT 5:45 PM.
Congratulations goes out to our high school band! Today at District Band Festival hosted at LSSU our students under the direction of Mr. Clark scored straight 1s, which is the highest rating!
Keep up the good work everyone!
Attention Prospective Families:
We’ve been receiving many phone calls and messages about enrollment for the next school year.
Here are a few important upcoming dates to keep in mind:
📌 Kindergarten Round Up: March 18 | 5–7 PM
📌 Open Enrollment: June 1 – August 14
📌 Homeschool Night: August 4 | 5–7 PM
📌 Open House: September 2 | 5–7 PM
Families who live in the Rudyard Area School District may enroll their children at any time. If you’d like to see the school before then, you’re welcome to call the office to set up an individualized tour at any time.
We’ve been receiving many phone calls and messages about enrollment for the next school year.
Here are a few important upcoming dates to keep in mind:
📌 Kindergarten Round Up: March 18 | 5–7 PM
📌 Open Enrollment: June 1 – August 14
📌 Homeschool Night: August 4 | 5–7 PM
📌 Open House: September 2 | 5–7 PM
Families who live in the Rudyard Area School District may enroll their children at any time. If you’d like to see the school before then, you’re welcome to call the office to set up an individualized tour at any time.
Rudyard Area Schools will be on a 2 hour delay to start today, Thursday, February 19, 2026. Buses will pick up students 2 hours later than normal. School starts at 10:10 am.
All after school practices and games that were scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, have been postponed.
Rudyard Area Schools will be closed today Wednesday, February 18, 2026 due to projected weather.
February is CTE Month
At Rudyard Area Schools, our Career and Technical Education programs help prepare students for real world success through hands on learning and career focused training.
We are proud of our students, staff, board of education and community partners who make CTE possible every day!
We are blessed to have the community support to offer SIX programs, with expansion coming each year to add more programing.
Next year we will be explaning our Allied Health program to include sports medicine. In the following year (2027-28 school year) we hope to add CTE Plumbing and CTE Cosmetology!
At Rudyard Area Schools, our Career and Technical Education programs help prepare students for real world success through hands on learning and career focused training.
We are proud of our students, staff, board of education and community partners who make CTE possible every day!
We are blessed to have the community support to offer SIX programs, with expansion coming each year to add more programing.
Next year we will be explaning our Allied Health program to include sports medicine. In the following year (2027-28 school year) we hope to add CTE Plumbing and CTE Cosmetology!
This is a super fun event that our Art Club put on once this year and is back by popular demand! It is open to community members.
Project Search is an excellent option for students during their Senior year, or the following year, to gain job skills. This program is designed for students with an IEP or 504. There is an upcoming exploration event coming up (2/25 & 2/26) to learn more about the program.
For more information or interest in this event please fill out this form:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S97fnESrdE26q9yUYGud4dpNv2UA1lJLrThHYj2lcfhURDhRQVJFTkRQNklEN0ZNR1pXVVFOSDRLQS4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl
For more information or interest in this event please fill out this form:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S97fnESrdE26q9yUYGud4dpNv2UA1lJLrThHYj2lcfhURDhRQVJFTkRQNklEN0ZNR1pXVVFOSDRLQS4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
RUDYARD AREA SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
February 24, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
I. WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER
A. Salute to Flag
B. Roll call
C. Motion to Accept the Agenda
II. STUDENT/STAFF RECOGNITION
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
A. Resignation Letter – J. Suggitt (Football and Basketball Coaching)
V. ACTION ITEMS
A. Consent Agenda
1. Reorganizational and Regular Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026
2. January 2026 Payroll – $ 214,535.27
3. January 2026 Accounts Payable - $ $1,186,944.79
4. Approval of Resignation Letter – J. Suggitt (Football and Basketball Coaching)
B. Business
1. Middle School Baseball Coach Hire
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
VII. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
VIII. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
IX. ADJOURN
This is a public meeting of the Board of Education to conduct the School District’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. As indicated on the agenda, there is a time for public participation during the meeting. Any person with a disability who needs assistance should contact the Administrative Office at 906-478-3771 at least three days before the meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
RUDYARD AREA SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
February 24, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
I. WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER
A. Salute to Flag
B. Roll call
C. Motion to Accept the Agenda
II. STUDENT/STAFF RECOGNITION
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
A. Resignation Letter – J. Suggitt (Football and Basketball Coaching)
V. ACTION ITEMS
A. Consent Agenda
1. Reorganizational and Regular Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026
2. January 2026 Payroll – $ 214,535.27
3. January 2026 Accounts Payable - $ $1,186,944.79
4. Approval of Resignation Letter – J. Suggitt (Football and Basketball Coaching)
B. Business
1. Middle School Baseball Coach Hire
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
VII. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
VIII. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
IX. ADJOURN
This is a public meeting of the Board of Education to conduct the School District’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. As indicated on the agenda, there is a time for public participation during the meeting. Any person with a disability who needs assistance should contact the Administrative Office at 906-478-3771 at least three days before the meeting.
We are excited to announce that the Weight Room will open to the public on February 20, 2026! The weight room will be open from 6:00 pm through 6:00 am for community members during the week and all day on the weekends. This project has been a long time in the making, and we sincerely thank our amazing community. Your support in voting for the recent bond helped make this facility possible, and we couldn't have achieved it without you!
Before visiting to lift some weights, please note:
Registration: Go to the Administration Office to sign a waiver and place a deposit for your keycard. Call or text 906-630-0814 to schedule an appointment to complete the waiver.
Access: A registered keycard holder must be present in the weight room at all times.
Shared Access: You can register multiple people (such as a family) to one keycard! But sharing your card with unregistered users is not allowed and will deactivate your card.
Flexibility: Return your keycard at any time to reclaim your deposit.
We look forward to sharing this new space with our community!
Before visiting to lift some weights, please note:
Registration: Go to the Administration Office to sign a waiver and place a deposit for your keycard. Call or text 906-630-0814 to schedule an appointment to complete the waiver.
Access: A registered keycard holder must be present in the weight room at all times.
Shared Access: You can register multiple people (such as a family) to one keycard! But sharing your card with unregistered users is not allowed and will deactivate your card.
Flexibility: Return your keycard at any time to reclaim your deposit.
We look forward to sharing this new space with our community!
Reminder: Rudyard Area Schools does NOT have school on 2/13 and 2/16 for mid-winter break.
Class Spotlight: Native Culture Class
Rudyard Jr/Sr High School offers Native Culture for high school students, a unique and meaningful class that provides students with authentic cultural teachings rooted in Anishinaabe language, history, and traditions. The course creates an inclusive learning environment that emphasizes respect, understanding, and connection to Michigan’s Indigenous heritage. The class also includes students from EUP Learning Center and even a virtual student from Engadine who joins lessons via Zoom.
Students in Native Culture learn directly from Anishinaabe cultural educators Julie Perry, Jackie Minton, and Miriam Clark, who share knowledge and practices passed down through generations. Through hands-on experiences, students engage in beading, harvesting traditional medicines, creating medicine pouches, and constructing traditional lodges. One of the most notable aspects of the course is student involvement in the Learning Lodge at Rudyard, which is the only Learning Lodge in the state of Michigan. This space serves as a living classroom where cultural teachings and community learning come together.
The class also emphasizes leadership, reflection, and community awareness. Students have created interactive lesson plans for Orange Shirt Day, helping educate others about the importance of remembering and honoring Indigenous experiences. In addition, students play a role in implementing the Returning of the Thunders Powwow, gaining experience in cultural event planning, collaboration, and community engagement.
On days when the Anishinaabe educators are not on site, learning continues under the guidance of Mrs. DeWitt, who facilitates instruction focused on the history of Indigenous tribes with a strong emphasis on Michigan history. This blend of cultural teachings and historical study allows students to develop both experiential understanding and academic knowledge.
Through hands-on learning, storytelling, and shared experiences, students in the Native Culture class gain valuable perspectives that extend far beyond the school day and prepare them to be thoughtful, informed members of their communities.
Rudyard Jr/Sr High School offers Native Culture for high school students, a unique and meaningful class that provides students with authentic cultural teachings rooted in Anishinaabe language, history, and traditions. The course creates an inclusive learning environment that emphasizes respect, understanding, and connection to Michigan’s Indigenous heritage. The class also includes students from EUP Learning Center and even a virtual student from Engadine who joins lessons via Zoom.
Students in Native Culture learn directly from Anishinaabe cultural educators Julie Perry, Jackie Minton, and Miriam Clark, who share knowledge and practices passed down through generations. Through hands-on experiences, students engage in beading, harvesting traditional medicines, creating medicine pouches, and constructing traditional lodges. One of the most notable aspects of the course is student involvement in the Learning Lodge at Rudyard, which is the only Learning Lodge in the state of Michigan. This space serves as a living classroom where cultural teachings and community learning come together.
The class also emphasizes leadership, reflection, and community awareness. Students have created interactive lesson plans for Orange Shirt Day, helping educate others about the importance of remembering and honoring Indigenous experiences. In addition, students play a role in implementing the Returning of the Thunders Powwow, gaining experience in cultural event planning, collaboration, and community engagement.
On days when the Anishinaabe educators are not on site, learning continues under the guidance of Mrs. DeWitt, who facilitates instruction focused on the history of Indigenous tribes with a strong emphasis on Michigan history. This blend of cultural teachings and historical study allows students to develop both experiential understanding and academic knowledge.
Through hands-on learning, storytelling, and shared experiences, students in the Native Culture class gain valuable perspectives that extend far beyond the school day and prepare them to be thoughtful, informed members of their communities.
Quick Shout Out to Rebekah for doing great at the district level spelling bee, and is now moving on to the UP Regionals! Keep up the great work, and Keep Spelling!
Save the Date: March 10, 2026! This is a great event put on by our area high school band and art teachers in cooperation with the LSSU Art Center. The students will be taking part in events throughout the day.
There is a public viewing of the art and a band concert starting at 6 PM at the LSSU Art Show. Now registration is necessary for the public to attend.
There is a public viewing of the art and a band concert starting at 6 PM at the LSSU Art Show. Now registration is necessary for the public to attend.
Thanks to our Boys Basketball Team for running this event again this year, and thanks also goes out to Engadine Basketball for joining in to help!
The game is Friday, February 13th, starting at 5:45 PM.
The game is Friday, February 13th, starting at 5:45 PM.
Good Morning Jr/Sr High School Parents. Semester 1 report cards will be sent home with students today.
We're thrilled to celebrate our partnership with LSSU's Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE)! Recently, students from Mrs. Pearsall's 7th-grade classes participated in an exciting and educational program facilitated by CFRE. They delved into the fascinating world of sturgeon, uncovering their vital role in the ecosystem and their rich cultural history. These magnificent creatures, often referred to as "living fossils," have survived since the time of the dinosaurs, showcasing incredible resilience and adaptability. The students learned how sturgeon contribute to maintaining balanced aquatic environments and the importance of preserving these ancient species for future generations.
A big thank you to CFRE for providing such an engaging and informative experience!
A big thank you to CFRE for providing such an engaging and informative experience!
