Mrs. Trusty's first grade classroom had a sweet visitor today! So cute! She got lots of attention and kind pets from students. 😊
23 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! 😊
24 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! ❤️
24 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! 👏
24 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! 🍿🎥
26 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!

26 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
29 days ago, Sara Bennis
Kindergarten Round Up
Happy Valentine's Day from Cardinal Elementary!
about 1 month 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.
about 1 month ago, Sara Bennis
1st grade leaders
Cardinal and Briggs Elementaries,

We have reached our 1st goal for the Kid's Heart Challenge! Please help us celebrate with a pajama party on our first day back next week, Tuesday, February 17th!
about 1 month ago, Sara Bennis
Pajama Day
Hello Cardinal Elementary Families,

We don't have a CWNK news report for the coming week but I wanted to share a few highlights with you!

1) We have reached our 1st goal for the Kid's Heart Challenge and student's have earned a pajama party that will be this coming Tuesday, February 17th.

2) NO SCHOOL Monday, February 16. - President's Day

3) Level-Up Leadership celebration on Friday, February 20th! Students will attend the movie and a popcorn party!

Enjoy the three day weekend!

Warm regards,
Sara Bennis
Cardinal Elementary Principal
about 1 month ago, Sara Bennis
Pajama Day
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 1 month 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! 😎
about 1 month 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
about 1 month 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!
about 1 month 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

about 1 month 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.

about 1 month 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. 🤩
about 1 month 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!
about 1 month 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!
about 1 month ago, Sara Bennis
100 days
100 days
100 days
100 days
100 days
100 days