Today at Cardinal Elementary we celebrated 2nd Grade Leaders of the Month. Congratulations to the following students. Way to be great role models!

Norma Capelle is always patient with everyone especially when someone is very sad or very mad. She is always kind and understands what she needs to do to be a good friend.

Caleb Kulper (not pictured) is having a great year! He is a leader in our classroom when he follows directions the first time. He volunteers to read aloud and does an amazing job of answering questions in complete sentences. Keep up the good job! You are awesome!

Rafe Morris has been using habit 5 as he considers the perspective of others and makes decisions with their thoughts and ideas in mind. He is being a good friend to all!

Brynlee Powell is a kind, caring young lady. She is an empathetic listener and takes other's feelings into consideration when making decisions.
about 7 hours ago, Sara Bennis
Leaders of the Month
Kindergarten classrooms got to celebrate their progress towards our attendance goal at Cardinal Elementary. They showed the most growth in attendance during the month of January with 91%. Hope we are through the cold and flu season! Their reward was getting to wear sunglasses in school. The future is looking bright! 😎
5 days ago, Sara Bennis
sun glasses
sun glasses
Today we had another successful Lunch with the Law! Thank you to the Maquoketa Police Department for your generosity. Congrats to the following 2nd grade students who continue to be good leaders and role models for others! Maddie Klatt Chevy Dague Lilly Yeager Hailey Hicks
5 days ago, Sara Bennis
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
lunch with the law
We had fun voting for the winner of the 2026 Super Bowl! It's Seahawks for the win according to our Cardinal students! Hope you all have a fun weekend!
5 days ago, Sara Bennis
Super Bowl
Super Bowl
Super Bowl
Super Bowl

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

It's been another great week of learning at Cardinal Elementary. We certainly enjoyed the warmer temperatures! Check out what's happening at Cardinal next week in this addition of CWNK news (https://youtu.be/kBUAEEsK37c) report. Enjoy the weekend!

Highlights:
Kid’s Heart Challenge
Valentine’sDay parties
Habit 5 Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
February 16- no school
February 20-Level Up for Leadership day
Joke of the Day

6 days ago, Sara Bennis

Hello Briggs and Cardinal Families,

Yesterday we kicked off the Kid's Heart Challenge! Please consider donating to support this cause! Check out the messages posted to families in ROOMS for more information or click on the link below.

Sign Up for Kids Heart Challenge by downloading the free “AHA Schools” app for Apple or Android or by clicking HERE.

6 days ago, Sara Bennis
Kid's Heart Challenge
Transitional Kindergarten students at Cardinal Elementary practice their counting skills using magnetic ten frames and the Mimeo board. 🤩
8 days ago, Sara Bennis
math tk
math tk
math tk
Monday we wore pink and red to she we "care about each other" as we celebrate National School Counselor Week at Cardinal Elementary!
8 days ago, Sara Bennis
red and pink
red
pink
Yesterday we celebrated 100 days of learning at Cardinal Elementary. What a wonderful thing to celebrate. Looking forward to finishing the year strong!
9 days ago, Sara Bennis
100 days
100 days
100 days
100 days
100 days
100 days
Congratulations to our High Hopes (students and staff who are always working hard to reach the high expectations we have set for learning, even when it gets hard) and Count On Me (students and staff who are following the expectations in the building and help others in need) Award winners for Habit #4: Think Win-Win. Next month we will focus on Habit #5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood! Check out this week's CWNK news report for more information about Habit #5.

High Hopes Recipients:
Colson Wallroff
Baker Heming
Zariah Fritsch
John Edwards
Willow Ahrens
Ryder Kane
Baron Chen
Teagyn Howel.
Rebel Duve
Luna Bakey
Eva Soll
Kellan Thomas
Staff:
Miss Molly
Mrs. Shauna

Count On Me Recipients:
Anastasia Risden
Harper Dirks
Vinny Baker
Jaxon Cowan
Hudson Howard
Kai Welley
Sayven Spidle
Chloe Hotler
Maci Creger
Sami Schroeder
Harper Schneider
Amelia Risden
Staff:
Mrs. Wright


12 days ago, Sara Bennis
High Hopes
Count On Me

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

We had a wonderful week full of learning and are ready to start another! Please see the CWNK news report (https://youtu.be/DND2mccBH2U) to learn more about what's ahead as we celebrate National School Counselors' Week. Have a great weekend!

Highlights:
100th Day
Groundhog's Day
National School Counselor Week
Dress Up Days
Two by Two Lessons in 2nd grade
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Feb. 20th Level Up Leadership Day
Joke of the Week

12 days ago, Sara Bennis
Counselor Dress Up Days
Hello Cardinal Families,

Next week is National School Counseling Week (February 2-6, 2026). The theme this year is “School Counselors Amplify Student Success.”  There will be themed dress up days for all students and staff at both Cardinal Elementary and Briggs Elementary next week. We encourage you to have your child participate in these fun dress up days next week!
14 days ago, Taylor Fuerste
2026 NSCW Dress Up Day Schedule (1)

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

It appears that last weeks newscast was posted rather then the one for this coming week. Here is this week's CWNK news report (https://youtu.be/NllGzQq4e6Q). Remember to have virtual learning packets turned in no later then Wednesday, January 28th.

Highlight's Include:
-Dress for the weather - See weather expectation posters
-Focus Habit for January - Habit 4 Think Win-Win
-High Hopes and Count on Me Awards - All School Assembly
New Cardinal Clubs Starting Feb 6th
-Level Up for Leadership Day on Feb 20th
-Joke of the Week

Warm regards,
Sara Bennis
Cardial Elementary Principal

16 days ago, Sara Bennis

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

Let's hope for some warmer days ahead as we prepare for another week at Cardinal Elementary! We will be finishing up our FAST testing and starting some exciting new learning in CKLA literacy and math. Please see this week's CWNK news report (https://youtu.be/PHJLE717N7o) to learn more about what's happening next week!

Highlight's Include:
-Dress for the weather - See weather expectation posters
-Focus Habit for January - Habit 4 Think Win-Win
-High Hopes and Count on Me Awards - All School Assembly
New Cardinal Clubs Starting Feb 6th
-Level Up for Leadership Day on Feb 20th
-Joke of the Week

Have a great weekend!
Sara Bennis
Cardinal Elementary Principal

19 days ago, Sara Bennis
temps
Winter Recess
Today we celebrated our TK/Kindergarten Leaders of the Month! Congratulations to the following students. Keep being great role models for others!

Ember Knight has been mking good choices at school. She has been putting forth a fantastic effort to reach her goals. Keep up the great work!

Noah Jones always has such a positive attitude. He works hard and always puts forth great effort. Keep up the great work Noah!

Anastasia Risden is new to our school and has already shown others how to follow the rules and expectations at Cardinal Elementary. Way to be a leader, Anastasia!

Titan Crete has been an amazing addition to our classroom. He is always helping other students out when they need help. He is a kind friend as well.
20 days ago, Sara Bennis
TK/K Leaders
Hello Maquoketa Elementary Families,

Just a friendly reminder of our weather expectations for students regarding recess. Please be sure to make sure your child is dressed for the weather as the cold weather and snow approaches.

Stay wam!

22 days ago, Sara Bennis
Winter Temperatures
Winter Snow

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

It's been a great week of learning as we settle into the new semester. Next week all students will be starting their FAST testing to measure progress from the start of the year. Please see the CWNK news (https://youtu.be/Ncu-qSD-INY) for more information about what's happening at Cardinal Elementary next week. Enjoy the extra day with your child(ren) on Monday!

Highlight's Include:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day-no school on Jan. 19
Think Win-Win-Habit 4
FAST testing begins next week - Be sure students are getting a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast. Encourage your child to "try their best"!
Joke of the Week

26 days ago, Sara Bennis
Today we celebrated our 1st Grade Leaders of the Week at Cardinal Elementary. Congratulations to the following students for being good role models for others!

Zayn Wiese is doing a great job of getting his work done, not just on time, but he does his best work. He's also been doing a wonderful job of following directions and being a kind friend to other students in our class. Good job, Zayn!

Alaina Varty has been working hard on following directions the first time and getting her work done on time.

We are so proud of you!
27 days ago, Sara Bennis
Leaders
Today at Cardinal Elementary we celebrated our 2nd Grade Leaders of the Month! Congratulations to the following students. We are grateful for your excellent leadership and being good role models for others! Way to go!

Rylee Brewster is the sweetest, kindest girl you will ever meet! She is always rooting for others to succeed and has a smile on her face. I can count on Rylee to follow directions the first time and she is always prepared and ready to learn. She is a role model in and out of the classroom.

Emma Smith is a leader in our class by demonstrating Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. She always considers the perspectives of others before making assumptions. She is caring and compassionate toward others. She respects the thoughts and feelings of her peers and shows that through her actions. Keep up the great work Emma!

Sawyer Lucas is a nice sweet girl. She is a good friend to others and always tries her best. She is easy to get along with and loves to see her friends do great things. Keep up the great work!

Stan Beltz always does his best every day by following directions, being respectful, and being kind to everyone. No task is too big and he always has a smile.
about 1 month ago, Sara Bennis
2nd Grade Leaders

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

We had a great start the the second half of our school year! We are excited to debut our newscasters for the month, Charlie Goodenow and Anthony LaPage. They are excited to share with you what is happening next week at Cardinal Elementary in our CWNK news report (https://youtu.be/C3rox9RnTts)! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Highlights Include:
Habit Focus for the month: Habit 4: Think Win-win
Level-Up Leadership Day coming in February
Joke of the Week

about 1 month ago, Sara Bennis