Cardinal Community Learning Center

❤️ Building Awareness. Growing Understanding. Strengthening Our Community. ❤️

On October 23rd, the CFAUSD Cardinal Community Learning Center (CCLC) hosted a Community Education Poverty Simulation to help raise awareness of poverty in our area and build greater understanding of the challenges individuals and families face when trying to meet their basic needs.

The experience provided an opportunity for community members to step into the difficult decisions that families experiencing financial hardship may face every day- navigating housing, food, transportation, employment, and other essential needs. Our hope is that this experience encourages greater empathy, meaningful conversations, and a stronger commitment to supporting our neighbors.

📊 The need is real in our own community.

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data:
- Approximately 10.2% of Chippewa County residents live below the federal poverty line-roughly 6,600 people.
- Approximately 13.4% of children under age 18 in Chippewa County live in poverty.
- Beyond the federal poverty line, many working households struggle to afford basic necessities. United Way's ALICE research highlights families who are employed but still cannot consistently afford the cost of living.

These numbers represent our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and families. Poverty is not always visible, and financial hardship can affect people from all walks of life. Understanding these challenges is an important step toward building a more compassionate and supportive community.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors who helped make this important community awareness event possible:

💙 CVBC
💙 The Open Door Clinic
💙 iCare Inclusa
💙 Valley Vineyard Church
💙 The Family Health Center

Your partnership and commitment to our community made this experience possible, and we are grateful for your support!

Thank you to everyone who participated, shared their time, and helped make this event meaningful. Together, we can increase awareness, reduce stigma, strengthen connections, and work toward a community where every individual and family has the opportunity to thrive.

Because understanding is the first step toward making a difference. ❤️

🍌 TOP BANANA STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CHELSEY SCHWARTZ 🍌

October’s CCLC Top Banana is Chelsey Schwartz! 💛🍌

Chelsey brings so much energy, heart, and dedication to the Cardinal Community Learning Center. She is always willing to jump in, take on a challenge, and help make things happen. Her creativity, positive attitude, and genuine care for our students, families, and community make her an important part of the CCLC team.

The Top Banana Award is our way of recognizing team members who go above and beyond and make a difference through the work they do and the way they show up for others.

Congratulations, Chelsey! Thank you for everything you bring to the CCLC. We’re lucky to have you on our team! 💛🍌

🍌 TOP BANANA STAFF SPOTLIGHT: DEB CHRISTENSEN 🍌

We’re throwing it back to September to celebrate Deb Christensen, one of our amazing Cardinal Community Learning Center team members and a well-deserved Top Banana Award recipient! 💛

Deb is the kind of teammate who can always be counted on. She brings kindness, dependability, a positive attitude, and a willingness to jump in and help wherever she’s needed. Her behind-the-scenes contributions make a difference every day, and we’re grateful for all she does to help make the CCLC a welcoming and supportive place for our community.

The Top Banana Award is our way of recognizing CCLC team members who go above and beyond and make a difference through the work they do and the way they show up for others. 🍌

Congratulations, Deb! We’re so lucky to have you as part of the CCLC team! 💛🍌

🎉❤️🖤 **WHAT A DAY! 🖤❤️🎉

The Cardinal Community Learning Center hosted our 4th Annual Age Your Event on Friday, October 16th, and what an incredible day it was!

From an inspiring opening & closing speaker to engaging sessions throughout the day and a fantastic closing speaker, our event was filled with opportunities to learn, connect, share ideas, and grow together! 🙌✨

A HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing speakers, presenters, sponsors, and everyone who helped bring this event to life! Your time, talent, generosity, and support helped make this day a success. 🥰

Our community is stronger when we come together to learn from one another, build connections, and support the work that makes a difference for students and families. We are so grateful to everyone who played a part in making our 4th annual event one to remember! ❤️

📣 Let's show some love to our incredible sponsors! 👏👇

ADRC of Chippewa County
Visiting Angels
CVTC
Bee Hive Homes
Cornerstone Caregiving
Insurance Associates
Lakeland Therapy & Home Healthcare
Assisted Living Advisors
Aveanna Home Health
Caretta Senior Living
Chippewa Falls Public Library
Compass IL
Dove Healthcare
Grace Lutheran Communities
Heritage Senior Living
Mayo Clinic Health System
Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service
Senior Medicare Patrol
St. Croix Hospice
TMG

Thank you for supporting the Cardinal Community Learning Center and investing in the work we do for our community. We couldn't do it without you! ❤️🖤

🎉 THIS is what a school community is all about! ❤️🔴⚪

Smiles, laughter, family time, and a whole lot of FUN! 🥳 We loved bringing our Stillson school community together for this FREE family event, co-hosted by the Cardinal Community Learning Center and Stillson PTO! ❤️

Events like these are about more than just a good time. They’re about building connections, creating memories, and making our school community a wonderful place to live, learn, and grow.

When schools, families, and community members come together, amazing things happen! These opportunities strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging! 🙌

A HUGE thank-you to everyone who helped make this event possible and to all the families who joined us. We loved seeing our Cardinal community come together! ❤️

🎨🍁VOYAGERS MINI CANVAS TREES CLASS — SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE! 🌲🎄

Looking for a fun after-school activity for your middle schooler? Join us for a creative afternoon of painting, friendship, and fun with the Cardinal Community Learning Center’s Voyagers program! ❤️💙

Students will create their own seasonal masterpiece, choosing between a colorful fall tree or a festive Christmas tree. It’s a great opportunity to get creative, try something new, and make new friends!

📣 All middle school students living within the CFAUSD boundary area are welcome to register!

📅 November 10 @ CFMS
⏰ 4:00–5:30 PM
💲 $20

🖌️ Pre-registration is required! Sign up today at https://chipfalls.revtrak.net/

📞 Questions? Contact the Cardinal Community Learning Center at 715-726-2416 or visit our website at https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/cardinal/

🌟 **Age Your Way is back for its 4th year!** 🌟

Join us for our **4th Annual Age Your Way** event—a day designed to help you learn, connect, and discover resources for living your best life. 💙

Come enjoy an engaging day filled with **valuable information, helpful resources, and opportunities to connect with others in our community.**

📅 **October 16, 2026**
📍 **CVTC Chippewa Falls Location
⏰ **All Day event that includes a light breakfast and lunch!**

⚠️ **Preregistration is required!**
Registration closes **Monday, October 12**, so be sure to reserve your spot before the deadline.

👉 **Register here: https://chipfalls.revtrak.net/rw-age-your-way-registration/

❤️ Strengthen Your Family. Build Connection. Have Fun!

Looking for simple, practical ways to improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen your family relationships?

Join our 11-session Strengthening Families Program! This virtual program is open to ALL local families and is led by local, trained SFP coaches.

✨ Incentive prizes throughout the program
🍲 Complete all 11 sessions and receive a FREE Crock Pot!
💻 Virtual | 📅 Nov. 2–Dec. 10 | 💲 $100/family

100% of families who participated in the past 5 years would recommend it!

👉 Give your family the gift of connection. Sign up today here: https://chipfalls.revtrak.net/ ! ❤️

Get ready to look up and explore the night sky! ✨

Join the Cardinal Community Learning Center for an out-of-this-world Star Gazing night hosted by retired meteorologist Mike Lynch! 🌌🔭

Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or looking for a fun evening out with family, this event will feature giant telescopes aimed at Saturn, star clusters, and distant galaxies—plus new video telescopes showing live celestial views in vibrant color!

🗓️ Event Details
Date: October 15

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Chippewa Falls Middle School

Fee: $20 per person

🌟 What’s Included:
Constellation Tour: Learn to spot Ursa Major (Big Bear), Cygnus the Swan, Pegasus, and more while hearing the fascinating mythologies behind them.

Hands-on Gear: Take home a resource pack filled with star maps, constellation charts, helpful stargazing apps/websites, and a telescope buying guide.

Rain or Shine Backup: If it's cloudy, we'll head indoors for a stunning astrophotography presentation.

⚠️ Registration Information
Pre Registration is REQUIRED! Reserve your spot today at: https://chipfalls.revtrak.net/

Learn More: For additional details about the CCLC, visit us at: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/cardinal/

Step into Someone Else's Shoes: Free Poverty Simulation Event

The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District – Cardinal Community Learning Center invites you to participate in an eye-opening, interactive Poverty Simulation designed to bridge the gap from misconception to understanding. This powerful experience sensitizes participants to the day-to-day realities faced by many in our community.

📅 Date: Friday, October 23, 2026

⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Location: Chippewa Valley Bible Church (531 E. South Ave, Chippewa Falls, WI)

💰 Cost: FREE!

See the flyer for more details!

🔗 Pre- Registration for this event is required: https://chipfalls.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/

Visit our website for more information: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/cardinal/