Register to attend tonight's free session about financial aid! bit.ly/CollegePlanningSeries26 Students who attend are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship drawing. Interpreters are available.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the community meeting on Thursday last week!
We appreciate you taking time to tour the school, learn more about the proposed facility plan, and ask questions about the upcoming November 3 bond referendum.
As Election Day approaches, USC remains committed to providing clear, factual information to help residents make an informed decision. If you have additional questions about the proposed plan or referendum, please reach out to Superintendent Taylor Topinka.
For more information, visit USCgrowingstrong.com.
We appreciate you taking time to tour the school, learn more about the proposed facility plan, and ask questions about the upcoming November 3 bond referendum.
As Election Day approaches, USC remains committed to providing clear, factual information to help residents make an informed decision. If you have additional questions about the proposed plan or referendum, please reach out to Superintendent Taylor Topinka.
For more information, visit USCgrowingstrong.com.
📚 MEA Break & Professional Development Day
Just a reminder that there will be no school at United South Central on Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16, and Monday, October 19.
October 15 & 16 are part of the MEA break, and October 19 is a professional development day for our staff.
Enjoy the long weekend! We’ll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, October 20.
Just a reminder that there will be no school at United South Central on Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16, and Monday, October 19.
October 15 & 16 are part of the MEA break, and October 19 is a professional development day for our staff.
Enjoy the long weekend! We’ll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, October 20.
🌱 Did You Know? The Greenhouse Will Be Addressed
We want to share a little more context about the greenhouse included in the November 3 referendum proposal. Our school board has been discussing options for replacing the existing greenhouse for the past two years, before referendum planning began.
Regardless of the outcome on November 3, the board remains committed to addressing the greenhouse’s condition and finding a path forward. Agriculture is an important part of USC and our community, and we value the opportunities this space provides for our students.
Please take a moment to read the clarification below for more information.
We want to share a little more context about the greenhouse included in the November 3 referendum proposal. Our school board has been discussing options for replacing the existing greenhouse for the past two years, before referendum planning began.
Regardless of the outcome on November 3, the board remains committed to addressing the greenhouse’s condition and finding a path forward. Agriculture is an important part of USC and our community, and we value the opportunities this space provides for our students.
Please take a moment to read the clarification below for more information.
📍 Location Change: Beverages with the Board
Just a reminder that this week’s Beverages with the Board will be held at the 26 Pit Stop in Walters on Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m.
We encourage you to stop by, visit with board members, and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you there!
Just a reminder that this week’s Beverages with the Board will be held at the 26 Pit Stop in Walters on Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m.
We encourage you to stop by, visit with board members, and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you there!
🏫 What is included in the proposed project?
The proposed project is designed to address USC’s current space needs while preparing for continued enrollment growth.
The plan includes:
• 11 additional classrooms
• A multi-purpose learning space
• Expanded student support and office areas
• Flexible learning spaces
• Safety and traffic flow improvements
• Building maintenance projects
• District-wide storage
Together, these improvements would provide additional space, support educational programming, improve safety and help USC prepare for future growth.
The proposed project is designed to address USC’s current space needs while preparing for continued enrollment growth.
The plan includes:
• 11 additional classrooms
• A multi-purpose learning space
• Expanded student support and office areas
• Flexible learning spaces
• Safety and traffic flow improvements
• Building maintenance projects
• District-wide storage
Together, these improvements would provide additional space, support educational programming, improve safety and help USC prepare for future growth.
Do you know a senior or retiree who may want to learn more about the upcoming USC referendum?
We’re hosting an informational gathering on Monday, October 26 at 3:00 PM at the Wells VFW. It will be an opportunity to hear what is being proposed, ask questions, and talk with district administration.
Please share this with any seniors or retirees you know who may not be on social media or online.
We hope to see you there!
We’re hosting an informational gathering on Monday, October 26 at 3:00 PM at the Wells VFW. It will be an opportunity to hear what is being proposed, ask questions, and talk with district administration.
Please share this with any seniors or retirees you know who may not be on social media or online.
We hope to see you there!
Our USC 11th and 12th grade students had the opportunity to visit the Highway 109 and Highway 22 road construction project in Wells to see firsthand what it takes to build and improve our roads!
Employees from MnDOT, Bolton & Menk, and Ulland Brothers did a wonderful job explaining why road construction projects are needed, how roads are built, and all the planning, teamwork, and coordination that go into completing a project. Students were able to see different stages of construction and learn about the many moving pieces involved.
Students also heard about the professionals' education, work experience, and career paths. They shared what they enjoy about their jobs, the challenges they face, and what a typical career in their field can look like.
Experiences like this give students a chance to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world careers. They also help students explore opportunities in construction, engineering, transportation, and other skilled professions they may not have considered before.
Employees from MnDOT, Bolton & Menk, and Ulland Brothers did a wonderful job explaining why road construction projects are needed, how roads are built, and all the planning, teamwork, and coordination that go into completing a project. Students were able to see different stages of construction and learn about the many moving pieces involved.
Students also heard about the professionals' education, work experience, and career paths. They shared what they enjoy about their jobs, the challenges they face, and what a typical career in their field can look like.
Experiences like this give students a chance to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world careers. They also help students explore opportunities in construction, engineering, transportation, and other skilled professions they may not have considered before.
Big Ideas Trailer Visits USC!
Our 7th and 8th grade students had an exciting opportunity to explore careers in the skilled trades when the Big Ideas Trailer visited USC!
Students got hands-on experience with a variety of career simulations and equipment, including:
🔹 VR headset career simulations
🔹 Mobile elevated work platform
🔹 CAT® Lite excavator simulator
🔹 Miller augmented reality welding simulators
Students also had the opportunity to talk with professionals in the trades, ask questions, and learn about their career paths, experiences, and the opportunities available in these industries.
Experiences like this help students connect what they are learning in the classroom to real-world careers and discover possibilities they may not have considered before!
Our 7th and 8th grade students had an exciting opportunity to explore careers in the skilled trades when the Big Ideas Trailer visited USC!
Students got hands-on experience with a variety of career simulations and equipment, including:
🔹 VR headset career simulations
🔹 Mobile elevated work platform
🔹 CAT® Lite excavator simulator
🔹 Miller augmented reality welding simulators
Students also had the opportunity to talk with professionals in the trades, ask questions, and learn about their career paths, experiences, and the opportunities available in these industries.
Experiences like this help students connect what they are learning in the classroom to real-world careers and discover possibilities they may not have considered before!
A reminder that our Middle School/High School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, October 12, from 3:30–7:30 p.m.
We look forward to connecting with our families and talking about how things are going for our students!
We look forward to connecting with our families and talking about how things are going for our students!
Financial aid can seem complicated, but we have experts ready to help you get set up for success! Register to attend this free webinar about college financial aid. bit.ly/CollegePlanningSeries26
📣 Tomorrow night!
Come see firsthand the spaces and conditions that have informed USC’s planning and learn more about the proposed November 3 referendum plan.
📍 United South Central School
🕕 Tour starts at 5:30 p.m. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
🍽️ Meal and Childcare provided!
Come see firsthand the spaces and conditions that have informed USC’s planning and learn more about the proposed November 3 referendum plan.
📍 United South Central School
🕕 Tour starts at 5:30 p.m. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
🍽️ Meal and Childcare provided!
Did you know? We have opportunities to learn more about the USC facilities referendum in each of our six communities leading up to the November 3 election.
These informal sessions are a chance to hear what is being proposed, ask questions, and visit directly with district administration.
📍 Six communities. Multiple opportunities. One conversation.
If you aren’t able to make one of the scheduled sessions—or the times simply don’t work for you—please feel free to call Superintendent Topinka at school or stop in and visit with him. We’re happy to answer questions and have a conversation.
Our goal is simple: make sure our communities have an opportunity to be informed before November 3.
These informal sessions are a chance to hear what is being proposed, ask questions, and visit directly with district administration.
📍 Six communities. Multiple opportunities. One conversation.
If you aren’t able to make one of the scheduled sessions—or the times simply don’t work for you—please feel free to call Superintendent Topinka at school or stop in and visit with him. We’re happy to answer questions and have a conversation.
Our goal is simple: make sure our communities have an opportunity to be informed before November 3.
Register to attend tonight's free session about the college application process! bit.ly/CollegePlanningSeries26 Students who attend are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship drawing. Interpreters are available.
📚 Did You Know ?
USC’s gyms are fully scheduled for physical education and other activities throughout the school day. Because all grades share the available gym space, other classes and activities must also be scheduled around gym availability, making the daily schedule difficult to manage.
A multi-purpose space would provide additional flexibility for:
• Physical education and student activities
• Assemblies and performances
• Educational programming
• Youth activities, athletics, and community events
The space would provide another option for students, staff, and community activities throughout the day.
USC’s gyms are fully scheduled for physical education and other activities throughout the school day. Because all grades share the available gym space, other classes and activities must also be scheduled around gym availability, making the daily schedule difficult to manage.
A multi-purpose space would provide additional flexibility for:
• Physical education and student activities
• Assemblies and performances
• Educational programming
• Youth activities, athletics, and community events
The space would provide another option for students, staff, and community activities throughout the day.
Juniors and Parents!
It's your turn! Our first Junior night is tonight at 6pm. We encourage you to attend one of our two sessions to help with Junior year planning.
Prizes will be given for our USC students who attend one of the nights. See you there!
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/92757558409#success
It's your turn! Our first Junior night is tonight at 6pm. We encourage you to attend one of our two sessions to help with Junior year planning.
Prizes will be given for our USC students who attend one of the nights. See you there!
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/92757558409#success
📍 Location change for this Wednesday! Join us for Beverages with the Board at the Kiester American Legion at 6:00 PM. Come on out and visit with a couple of our board members!
USC's 2026 Homecoming Dance was a fun finale to Homecoming Week! More than half of all 9th–12th grade students attended for a great night of dancing, games, and memories. Thank you, FariCARES, for funding this exciting night!
October is National Principals Month, and we’re lucky to have two great principals leading our schools at USC!
Please join us in recognizing Mrs. Bye and Mrs. Taylor for all they do for our students, staff, and families. Their days are filled with a little bit of everything—supporting staff, helping students, working with families, solving problems, and making sure the many moving pieces of a school day keep moving.
Thank you, Mrs. Bye and Mrs. Taylor, for your leadership, your time, and the care you put into our schools every day. We appreciate you both! 👏
Please join us in recognizing Mrs. Bye and Mrs. Taylor for all they do for our students, staff, and families. Their days are filled with a little bit of everything—supporting staff, helping students, working with families, solving problems, and making sure the many moving pieces of a school day keep moving.
Thank you, Mrs. Bye and Mrs. Taylor, for your leadership, your time, and the care you put into our schools every day. We appreciate you both! 👏
The October Superintendent Update is now available! This month’s update includes information about the October 8 Community Engagement Meeting, winter weather and virtual learning preparation, the Minnesota Permanent School Fund ballot question, expectations for elementary students at USC activities, and a few important upcoming dates.
Read the full update here: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4144/United_South_Central_Sd/bbc42b85-1eee-40c2-a734-91931818798a/October-Update-2.pdf?disposition=inline
Read the full update here: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4144/United_South_Central_Sd/bbc42b85-1eee-40c2-a734-91931818798a/October-Update-2.pdf?disposition=inline
