Today at Cardinal Elementary we celebrated our 2nd Grade leaders of the month. Congratulations to the following students. Thanks for being great role models for others!

Donald Carter is a great leader in his classroom. He works hard, follows directions the first time, tries his best, and is a great role model. He does a great job of synergizing with others to accomplish group tasks. So proud of you Donald!

Luke Weis does and amazing job demonstrating Habit 6. Luke always works well with others, especially during structured partner times. He is considerate of how he works with his classmates and consistently models teamwork. Keep up the great work Luke!

Jayden Lux is doing an excellent job working with his structured partner. He is kind and listens to his partner's ideas.

Kristen Ralston has been working really hard to be a friend to all and sharing compliments and kindness with all those around her.
1 day ago, Sara Bennis
Leaders of the Week
Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

Thank you to all those that helped us celebrate Read Across America week with all the fun dress-up days! Hopefully you found some time to cozy up with some fun books over the week as well! Please check out this week's CWNK news report (https://youtu.be/dxwHQi2z3E0?si=WyGvQtsMzT2c7DQi) for information about what is happening next week which is also Parent Teacher Conferences. Have a great weekend!

News Highlights Include:
"Spring Forward" move clocks ahead
Habit 6: Synergize
Conferences next Wednesday and Thursday, no school Friday
Cookies and Books on March 20th
March trivia
Joke of the Week
1 day ago, Sara Bennis
Mrs. Dostal's 2nd graders had some pretty crazy socks today! 😊
2 days ago, Sara Bennis
sick day
Mrs. Browns 2nd Grade hat some fun Hats for Hat Day as part of our Read Across America Celebration! Tomorrow is Crazy Sock Day! 🧦
3 days ago, Sara Bennis
Hat Day
Hat Day
Hat Day
Hat Day
Hat Day
Mrs. Graham's 1st grade class has enjoyed flashlight reading as we celebrate Read Across America week.
3 days ago, Mrs. Graham
TK celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday today by eating Green Eggs and Ham for lunch in our classroom!! Everyone loved it!!
5 days ago, Ms. Cari
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A reminder that there will be a 2 Hour Late Start on Tuesday, March 3rd due to the Maquoketa Girls Basketball Team competing at the State Basketball Tournament on Monday night. Bus pick up and parent drop off on Tuesday morning will be exactly two hours later than our regular times. There will be no morning activities, no morning preschool or breakfast on Tuesday. Thank You for your support and Go Cards!
6 days ago, Maquoketa CSD
2 hour late start
Today at Cardinal Elementary we kicked-off Read Across America week with some guest readers from the community! Thanks you to the following guests for sharing their reading skills with our young readers! Guests were also greeted and hosted by Cardinal Leaders from 2nd grade.
Guest Readers:
Linda Martin
Sarah Hogan
Elaine Kahler
Julie Furne
Colleen Schwenker
Karla Olson
Bev Brauer
Becky Benedix
Sandy Kloos
Mike Till
Colin Larson
Karter Yarolim
Officer Tenny/Mrs. Bennis
Mike Hayward
Cindy Sellnau

8 days ago, Sara Bennis
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America
Read Across America

Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

Today we kicked off Read Across America week with some special guest readers from the community. Read Across America will start March 2nd. Our CWNK news reporters (https://youtu.be/3hi0OgSKhD8) will share more information about what's happening at Cardinal Elementary next week. Enjoy the weekend. Don't forget, Tuesday we will have a late start due to the Girls State basketball game Monday night. School will begin at 10:05 on Tuesday, March 3rd.

New Highlights Include:
2 hour late start on Tuesday, March 3
Good luck Lady Cards!
Read Across America Week: thank you guest readers!
Habit 6 Synergize: together is better
Joke of the Week

8 days ago, Sara Bennis
Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

Spring Picture Day is coming soon! Please see the flyer for pricing and ordering information. This will be Monday, March 16th.
8 days ago, Sara Bennis
Spring Pictures
pricing
Hear ye hear ye! Today at Cardinal Elementary, we celebrated our learning of Kings and Queens with a royal tea party. Kindergartners got to learn more about etiquette and using good manners just like the Kings and Queens of royalty as they snacked on delicious treats. Be sure to check out more pictures and information about this event in our news article on the Maquoketa Community Schools website which will be coming out soon!
9 days ago, Sara Bennis
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
royal tea
Mrs. Trusty's first grade classroom had a sweet visitor today! So cute! She got lots of attention and kind pets from students. 😊
12 days ago, Ryanne Trusty
goat
goat
goat
goat
goat
Jenna Spain was awarded the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Agriculture Award! We are amazed at the opportunities you bring to our students! Grateful for you! 😊
13 days ago, Sara Bennis
Jenna Spain
Jenna Spain
Congratulations to Jennifer Gavin who was awarded 2025 VFW Teacher of the Year for the state of Iowa! We are so lucky to have to have you! ❤️
13 days ago, Sara Bennis
Jennifer Gavin
Congratulations to our High Hopes and Count on Me award winners for Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. We are so proud of you! 👏
13 days ago, Sara Bennis
Count on Me
High Hopes
Today we celebrated good behaviors as our students have shown they can follow the expectations at Cardinal Elementary and be good leaders for others! Our second Level-Up Leadership Day was celebrated with "Popcorn and a Movie!" Thanks for being great leaders, Cards! 🍿🎥
15 days ago, Sara Bennis
movie and popcorn
movie and popcorn
movie and popcorn
movie and popcorn
movie and popcorn
movie and popcorn

Please meet our kindergarten Leaders of the Month at Cardinal Elementary! Congratulations to the following students...

Isabelle Samples is always treating her friends with kindness and helping others to be their best. We are grateful to have Isabelle as our leader!

Hazel Marshall does an amazing job when we are doing partner sharing. She shares her ideas and listens to her partners as well.

Cash Williams has been doing a great job of completing work to earn center time. He makes sure to ask for help if he is stuck to ensure he is successful. Keep us the great work Cash!

15 days ago, Sara Bennis
Leaders of the Month - Kdg.
Hello MCSD Families,

Thank you for being part of our school community. If you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten in the 2026–2027 school year or are interested in learning more about our Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten programs, please take a moment to review the attached flyer with details about Kindergarten Round‑Up.

We are excited to welcome your child as they begin this important learning journey. Kindergarten Round‑Up is a wonderful opportunity to meet our staff, learn about the program, and get answers to any questions you may have.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to seeing you and your family soon.

Warm regards,
Sara Bennis
Cardinal Elementary Principal
18 days ago, Sara Bennis
Kindergarten Round Up
Happy Valentine's Day from Cardinal Elementary!
22 days ago, Sara Bennis
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Today we celebrated our 1st grade Leaders of the Month! Congratulations to the following students. Thanks for being great role models.

Royce Meeks is an excellent example of what being a good friend looks like. He does a great job of listening to his friends, including others, and gives great compliments to his friends. He works well with groups and partners to get the job done! Way to go, Royce!

Jolyn Dirks has been doing an awesome job in the classroom! She's been working well with others, especially when completing the animal research writing activity. She does an amazing job helping others. Way to go, Jolyn!

Aiden Manning is trying hard to be a leader in our classroom. Aiden shows concern for others and helps them have a good day.
22 days ago, Sara Bennis
1st grade leaders