1st and 4th graders at Durant finished up reading buddies for the year! Students in Mrs. O'Brien's and Mr. Price's classes played games together with their buddies for our final time together.
A huge thank you to Bob Schulz, Erica Sternat, and Beth Henningsen for taking the time to speak with the “Welcome to the Cougar Community” PBL group! Students had the opportunity to learn about their careers and the important roles they play in helping keep Fredericksburg running smoothly. We appreciate them sharing their knowledge and giving students a closer look at how our community works together!
The Homesteading PBL group stepped into traditional homesteading skills that help inspire the younger generation to understand where their food comes from and how to live more sustainably.
Students explored Mrs. Kenan's homestead, including the garden, strawberry bed, asparagus patch, wildflower areas, landscaping, tree plantings, and fruit trees. They also learned about composting. Highlights included collecting eggs from the chickens and holding freshly hatched baby quail. Students also toured her cellar and saw preserved foods.
They wrapped up the visit by helping in the garden with putting newspaper and grass clippings down as weed barriers, then enjoyed ice cream on the porch while watching orioles and hummingbirds come in. Mrs. Kenan's hope is that each student left feeling inspired and carrying at least one new idea or skill they can take with them from this experience.
One of the clear student favorites so far in our Homesteading PBL has been making homemade granola! Students created two different kinds—maple flavored and peanut butter. Along the way, they learned about all the different add-ins they can use to customize granola, from oats and nuts to dried fruit and seeds. To finish it off, they enjoyed their fresh granola over Country View Dairy yogurt, and it was a big hit all around!
This also sparked a great conversation about how homemade granola can be a healthier option than many store-bought versions, since we can control the ingredients, reduce added sugars, and avoid unnecessary preservatives.
This also sparked a great conversation about how homemade granola can be a healthier option than many store-bought versions, since we can control the ingredients, reduce added sugars, and avoid unnecessary preservatives.
Today, the Virtual Field Trip and Voices of the Titanic PBL classes teamed up for an immersive Titanic experience using VR goggles! Students explored different areas of the Titanic while the Voices of the Titanic students shared which class they were visiting and the passengers they’ve been researching. From first class luxury to life below deck, students had fun comparing what life was like in each part of the ship and bringing history to life through virtual reality.
Today Mr. Tranbarger and Ms. Avenson's PBL class went to North Woods Ponds. Students learned how to safely put a hook and worm on, then practiced casting their lines. It didn’t take long before the excitement kicked in—kids were reeling in bluegill and smallmouth bass!
While they were out exploring, they also took time to look for signs of wildlife. They found deer trails throughout the area and even spotted an otter trail, which was a cool surprise and great reminder of how active the ecosystem is around us. It was a great day outside—learning real-life skills, enjoying the beauty of our local environment, and appreciating the spaces we’re lucky to have nearby.
While they were out exploring, they also took time to look for signs of wildlife. They found deer trails throughout the area and even spotted an otter trail, which was a cool surprise and great reminder of how active the ecosystem is around us. It was a great day outside—learning real-life skills, enjoying the beauty of our local environment, and appreciating the spaces we’re lucky to have nearby.
Behind the scenes sneak peek of the Cougar Crime Podcast filming as students dive deep into their chosen Iowa cold case! From research to recording, the team has been hard at work uncovering the details and bringing these stories to life.
Be on the lookout for episodes coming soon!
Be on the lookout for episodes coming soon!
Our 5th through 8th grade students are stepping into the world of law and justice during their Mock Trial PBL experience. They are exploring the judicial process by learning the roles of attorneys, judges, jurors, bailiffs, witnesses, and court reporters and the media while working together to build a realistic courtroom case.
A highlight of this unit was a visit to the Bremer County Courthouse, where students experienced a real courtroom setting and gained firsthand insight into how the justice system operates. Students also had the opportunity to meet with County Attorney Darius Robinson, who shared valuable knowledge about the legal profession, courtroom procedures, and the responsibilities of serving the community through the judicial system. The students ended their visit by playing their roles and questioning witnesses, with Mr.Robinson giving pointers to help them prepare for their actual trial.
This project, under the leadership of Mrs. Priebe and Mrs. Koch, is helping students develop public speaking, collaboration, problem-solving, and analytical skills while discovering how the justice system works beyond the pages of a textbook.
Come see these students in action as they try their case at the Bremer County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon, May 21 at approximately noon.
A highlight of this unit was a visit to the Bremer County Courthouse, where students experienced a real courtroom setting and gained firsthand insight into how the justice system operates. Students also had the opportunity to meet with County Attorney Darius Robinson, who shared valuable knowledge about the legal profession, courtroom procedures, and the responsibilities of serving the community through the judicial system. The students ended their visit by playing their roles and questioning witnesses, with Mr.Robinson giving pointers to help them prepare for their actual trial.
This project, under the leadership of Mrs. Priebe and Mrs. Koch, is helping students develop public speaking, collaboration, problem-solving, and analytical skills while discovering how the justice system works beyond the pages of a textbook.
Come see these students in action as they try their case at the Bremer County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon, May 21 at approximately noon.
The Fredericksburg Elementary 4th Graders visited Effigy Mounds to learn about the history of the mounds and who built them.
To A Special Nurse
(On School Nurse Appreciation Day)
Ms. Luebbers travels to each school,
When handling difficult issues, she always keeps her cool.
Miss Haley can’t wait for her to get over here,
Dealing with a bloody nose or a sliver is a real fear.
If you have a fever and are feeling hot,
Ms. Luebbers will let you lie on her cot.
If you fall and need an ice pack,
Don’t worry, Ms. Luebbers has your back.
But if you tell your teacher you have a tummy ache,
Ms. Luebbers will make sure it isn’t fake.
If you are really sick, she will give your parents a call,
So relax and don’t bawl.
Her son taught at FES, and he was ‘da bomb,
So we know she is also a good mom.
She will take care of your kids too,
But this is something most of you already knew.
Last year was a tough one by far,
And you showed us how strong you really are.
You worked through it,
And didn’t complain a bit.
It’s been almost a year since you rang that end-of-treatment bell,
And we are so glad that you are well.
When things go from bad to worse,
We are so thankful to have Ms. Luebbers, the nurse!
(On School Nurse Appreciation Day)
Ms. Luebbers travels to each school,
When handling difficult issues, she always keeps her cool.
Miss Haley can’t wait for her to get over here,
Dealing with a bloody nose or a sliver is a real fear.
If you have a fever and are feeling hot,
Ms. Luebbers will let you lie on her cot.
If you fall and need an ice pack,
Don’t worry, Ms. Luebbers has your back.
But if you tell your teacher you have a tummy ache,
Ms. Luebbers will make sure it isn’t fake.
If you are really sick, she will give your parents a call,
So relax and don’t bawl.
Her son taught at FES, and he was ‘da bomb,
So we know she is also a good mom.
She will take care of your kids too,
But this is something most of you already knew.
Last year was a tough one by far,
And you showed us how strong you really are.
You worked through it,
And didn’t complain a bit.
It’s been almost a year since you rang that end-of-treatment bell,
And we are so glad that you are well.
When things go from bad to worse,
We are so thankful to have Ms. Luebbers, the nurse!
During the month of April, FES focused on the CITIZENSHIP character pillar. At the Cougar Way Assembly, students were encouraged to be an Earth Hero. They were introduced to Recycle Ranger, Water Warrior, Energy Enthusiast, and Nature Nurturer. The Cougar Way Code this month said, "Be an Earth Hero," so students and staff picked up trash around the school to put the citizenship character pillar into action.
After our winter math testing, FES teachers noticed that many students were struggling with telling time. Therefore, extra practice with this skill was added to the math block and math intervention time. Students have made huge progress telling time as a result! Mrs. Hammond made a wall-size clock at the Cougar Way Assembly, and students showed times with their hands and called on students in the audience to tell what time they were showing. When teachers work together as a team, the difference it can make in student learning is remarkable!
Congratulations to Jack Hoffman, Jayden Gansen, Cora Steege, Remi Petersen, and Dillan Murray for achieving Math Wizard status at the FES April Cougar Way Assembly. Several other students earned their multiplication, subtraction, and addition brag tags to add to their math chains.
Happy May Day from FES! Students decorated bags and delivered them to people around town to spread kindness. Students love trying to run away before being caught! Thank you to Mr. Schmitz and Miss Henniges for driving the bus for us!
He's "NACHO" Average Principal...Happy Principal Day to Mr. Volker! Thank you for always being there for your staff and students. We appreciate all that you do!
To the FES Reading Mentors:
You have given us your precious time as a gift,
In order for our at-risk kids to get an extra lift.
They look forward to reading with you each day,
So “Thank You” is what we want to say.
Your smile and encouraging words give the kids what they need,
Being a Reading Mentor is certainly a good deed.
To us, this support is like finding a pot of gold,
Reading with you is something special that they will always hold.
Sharing a love of reading is the greatest story ever told!
Not Pictured Substitute Mentors: Diana Bisping, Jack Schult, Cheryl Niewoehner, Jim Reid
Thank you from the bottom of our Cougar hearts for being a Reading Mentor for us this year! And a special thank you to Miss Haley in the office for making Mrs. Hammond's Reading Mentor wish come true and coordinating schedules to keep it a consistent support for our students. It takes a village, and these community members have made FES even better...thank you!
You have given us your precious time as a gift,
In order for our at-risk kids to get an extra lift.
They look forward to reading with you each day,
So “Thank You” is what we want to say.
Your smile and encouraging words give the kids what they need,
Being a Reading Mentor is certainly a good deed.
To us, this support is like finding a pot of gold,
Reading with you is something special that they will always hold.
Sharing a love of reading is the greatest story ever told!
Not Pictured Substitute Mentors: Diana Bisping, Jack Schult, Cheryl Niewoehner, Jim Reid
Thank you from the bottom of our Cougar hearts for being a Reading Mentor for us this year! And a special thank you to Miss Haley in the office for making Mrs. Hammond's Reading Mentor wish come true and coordinating schedules to keep it a consistent support for our students. It takes a village, and these community members have made FES even better...thank you!
The Fredericksburg Elementary 4th Graders celebrated Arbor Day by having Matt Crane with Chickasaw County Conservation come in and teach them about Arbor Day. Each student received a Hackberry Tree to go home and plant at their homes.
Ode to Miss Haley
(On Administrative Professionals' Day)
Miss Haley has just shy of a year in,
Having her on our FES team is definitely a win.
She has a positive mindset,
And is one of the best people we have met.
Miss Haley’s professionalism can’t be beat,
And her organizational skills keep everything nice and neat.
When it comes to running the office, she is first-rate,
Keeping track of schedules on each calendar date.
With the children, she is patient and kind,
A helpful smile is what they will always find.
Working with her is like a breath of fresh air,
She does everything with care.
We appreciate everything you do, Miss Haley,
And we are thankful for you daily.
(On Administrative Professionals' Day)
Miss Haley has just shy of a year in,
Having her on our FES team is definitely a win.
She has a positive mindset,
And is one of the best people we have met.
Miss Haley’s professionalism can’t be beat,
And her organizational skills keep everything nice and neat.
When it comes to running the office, she is first-rate,
Keeping track of schedules on each calendar date.
With the children, she is patient and kind,
A helpful smile is what they will always find.
Working with her is like a breath of fresh air,
She does everything with care.
We appreciate everything you do, Miss Haley,
And we are thankful for you daily.
Happy Administrative Professionals Day to Mrs. Larson! She's that friendly voice you hear when you call. She does so much for the staff, students, and parents each and every day. We appreciate you!
Due to the forecasted severe weather, S-F will be dismissing two-hours early today (4/17/2026). No after school practices or events. Stay safe, Cougars!