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
about 7 hours ago, Sara Bennis
Kindergarten Round Up
Happy Valentine's Day from Cardinal Elementary!
4 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.
4 days 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!
4 days 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
4 days 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.
6 days 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! 😎
11 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
11 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!
11 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

12 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.

12 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. 🤩
14 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!
14 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!
15 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


18 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

18 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!
20 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

22 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

25 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.
26 days ago, Sara Bennis
TK/K Leaders