
5th grade has a different look this year, with Mrs. Knepper and Ms. Bott added to the mix with Mrs. Chestnut and Mrs. Schurle.
Mrs. Chestnut is the social studies teacher, and Mrs. Schurle is the science teacher. They see all students throughout the year.
Ms. Bott and Mrs. Knepper are the math teachers. Students have math every day, and they rotate between science and social studies throughout the year. #celebrate379
Mrs. Chestnut is the social studies teacher, and Mrs. Schurle is the science teacher. They see all students throughout the year.
Ms. Bott and Mrs. Knepper are the math teachers. Students have math every day, and they rotate between science and social studies throughout the year. #celebrate379

This week in Mrs. Chestnut’s 5th grade social studies classes, students are diving deep into two big questions: “What is a historian?” and “Why do we study history?” 🕰️
Today, they took part in a gallery walk where they explored thought-provoking questions, sparked meaningful discussions, and made connections that brings the past to life. We love watching their curiosity and critical thinking grow! 👏📚 #celebrate379
Today, they took part in a gallery walk where they explored thought-provoking questions, sparked meaningful discussions, and made connections that brings the past to life. We love watching their curiosity and critical thinking grow! 👏📚 #celebrate379







It was a GREAT first day at 379! Thanks for trusting us with your children again in 2025-26. Here's to many more great days! #celebrate379
https://youtu.be/TyX7ltUUzv0
https://youtu.be/TyX7ltUUzv0

Breakfast and lunch menus are now online! There are two ways to view them from the USD 379 homepage (see arrows), and you can also access them from the USD 379 app. Nutrislice is once again our food service program. If you have questions, please contact Dining Services Director Joy Lund at fs.joylund@usd379.org. #celebrate379


Welcome, Ms. Bott! #celebrate379


For the past two days, USD 379 teachers, paras, aides, secretaries, and custodians have been involved in the district-wide implementation of The Leader in Me, a whole-school transformation process developed by FranklinCovey Education.
The program has been used at 379 schools in the past, but it has never been a full district initiative until now. It focuses on teaching social-emotional and leadership skills, including communication, goal setting, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. This program has shown the ability to:
1. Increase Student Leadership & Academic Performance: Studies show that Leader in Me schools show increased student leadership and academic performance, including significant gains in subjects like ELA and math.
2. Improve School Culture: The program promotes a positive school environment by emphasizing respect, collaboration, and student voice, leading to higher teacher satisfaction, fewer discipline incidents, and better student attendance.
3. Empower Educators & Families: Leader in Me also equips educators with transformational leadership skills and provides resources to involve families in their children's learning.
379 families will see much more information in the coming months with this program. We are excited to see how it helps our students, staff, and schools! #celebrate379
The program has been used at 379 schools in the past, but it has never been a full district initiative until now. It focuses on teaching social-emotional and leadership skills, including communication, goal setting, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. This program has shown the ability to:
1. Increase Student Leadership & Academic Performance: Studies show that Leader in Me schools show increased student leadership and academic performance, including significant gains in subjects like ELA and math.
2. Improve School Culture: The program promotes a positive school environment by emphasizing respect, collaboration, and student voice, leading to higher teacher satisfaction, fewer discipline incidents, and better student attendance.
3. Empower Educators & Families: Leader in Me also equips educators with transformational leadership skills and provides resources to involve families in their children's learning.
379 families will see much more information in the coming months with this program. We are excited to see how it helps our students, staff, and schools! #celebrate379

If you are a parent of students in multiple buildings, you know how difficult it can be to keep up with every event, especially during this time of the year! Here is a one-page document that will help you remember everything happening from now until the first day of school! #celebrate379


New this year!
Ferguson Rexall Drugs is hosting a school supply night with NO income requirements! They would love to have every PreK-5th grade family in the district attend! #celebrate379
Ferguson Rexall Drugs is hosting a school supply night with NO income requirements! They would love to have every PreK-5th grade family in the district attend! #celebrate379

Tonight's the night for The Elks Back to School Fair! #celebrate379


Looking forward to seeing you soon! #celebrate379


Do you think you might qualify for free or reduced breakfast and lunches, but don't plan on your child utilizing that option? We still encourage you to apply! You would be helping ALL kids by doing so! #celebrate379


The enrollment window is open! #celebrate379


It was a special day for Mrs. Ferguson's class, as they got to visit the CCARE building. But they didn't just treat it as a field trip to play with dogs. Before they went, each student:
1. Researched each dog on CCARE's website
2. Chose one dog
3. Created a Canva poster on why that dog should be adopted
Then they got to see the dogs in person! Stop by sometime to look at their posters. Some pretty perfect puppers would love to find a forever home!
#celebrate379

Summer is here! School, Family & Community Connections Counselor Lisa Last has prepared a Summer Activity Guide for you. It includes... everything!
Camps
Pool Information
Sports Activities
Church Activities
Resources
And More!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19UnHf7joMLUUCDGzIhIoWiwoRGUfPPwq/view?usp=sharing

We want to give a big shout out to all of the Garfield students that applied for and held a school wide job this last semester! They worked hard to make our school the best it could be. We appreciate their hard work and know they will continue to do great things next year!
Students at GES apply to be part of our Jr. Bengals Leadership teams with building wide jobs. Please see the individual pictures for descriptions of the jobs. Thankful to Mrs. Cott, Mrs. and Meireis for their support on these jobs!










It was Movin' On Up Day for the Lincoln 3rd graders! Each class got to ask questions to a panel of 4th graders and see the building. They should be ready to go next fall! #celebrate379





It was one-room schoolhouse visit day for Mrs. Pfizemaier's 4th graders today! This has been a long-standing tradition at Garfield. Who remembers their visit to the building off of Hwy 24 by Sonic? #celebrate379






🌕🚀 Mission: Moon Rock Retrieval!
Mrs. Schurle’s 5th graders are blasting off into the world of engineering as they take on the challenge of designing their very own moon rock baskets! Students are sketching their mission plans, listing essential materials, explaining how their designs will succeed in low gravity, and predicting just how well their creations will perform. #celebrate379






Today is School Nurse Appreciation Day. We have three of the best in USD 379! Most people have no idea just how busy they are each day helping our kids. They are appreciated! #celebrate379


USD 379 is thrilled to announce the next principal at Garfield Elementary! #celebrate379
