During the month of March, FES will be focusing on the CARING character pillar. For our Caring Project, we want students and staff to bring in spare change that will be donated to the Fredericksburg Food Pantry. Each classroom teacher has a container. The teacher who has the most money in his or her container will get 100 water balloons thrown at him or her by his or her students at our next assembly. Students and staff may bring in spare change as often as they want until March 27th. Which teacher do you want to see get soaked?
No school tomorrow (3/16/26) due to the blizzard warning. Stay safe, Cougars!
Two-hour late start today (3-13-26) due to the extreme wind. No morning activities and 1/2 day AM Pre-K. Stay safe, Cougars!
FES had its reading celebration on Friday. While 3rd and 4th graders went bowling, PreK-2nd grade had an olympic-style party. They were split into 6 teams and rotated to different stations. There was hockey shoot-out, rock-paper-scissors hula hoop race, ice-skating on paper plates, curling, making a bracelet using the olympic rings, and learning about the location, language, and music of Italy. Thank you to the Methodist Church for the generous donation of books for our students!
During the Cougar Way Assembly this week, students watched a video of Olympic skier, Mikaela Shiffrin, falling during her event at the 2022 Olympics. She did not receive any medals. Then, students watched the video of her 2026 race where she won the gold medal. Mrs. Hammond's message was that it is hard work to go for gold, gold medal people don't give up, they try harder when things don't go their way. These qualities are what the Responsibility character pillar is all about. Mrs. Hammond highlighted two students, Isaiah Dix and Cora Steege, who showed the "gold medal work ethic" during the month of February. They experienced defeat, didn't give up, worked harder, and earned their math brag tag...just like Shiffrin. "I felt so proud" is how Cora described the feeling of mastering her math facts. A mom also shared that her preschooler came home and told them all about the Olympic skier. She told her parents, "I will never give up." Message received...mission accomplished. #solidfoundationstrong future
Millie Barnes was our Lucky American winner. She received a USA hat that she wears proudly.
Congratulations to Carly Tiedt for achieving Math Wizard status and earning the most coveted brag tag at the FES Cougar Way Assembly! Thank you to Casey's for supporting our math incentive program by giving coupons for free slices of pizza! Many other students were recognized for mastering their addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts. These students were also able to add to their collection of brag tags on their math chain. #GoforGold
FES made its February reading goal! Therefore, on Friday, 3rd and 4th graders will go bowling, and Preschool-2nd grade will have a reading party. Students who showed the Responsibility character pillar by turning in their reading slips each week will get a special prize. Yesterday at the Cougar Way Assembly, the top 3 readers for the month of February were celebrated Olympic style. The bronze medal went to Avery Bane who read 4,537 minutes. The silver medal went to Aubrey Morse who read 4,575 minutes. The gold medal went to Myla Strempke who read 5,063 minutes. FES students and staff sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" after medals were given. Congratulations girls...you make us proud!
Week 4 goes to Mr. Schmitz's grade,
Their reading minutes didn't fade!
FES wants to say "job well done" to all 4th grade students. Ever since we started the Traveling Trophy tradition back when they were in 2nd grade, one of the now 4th grade classes has won every week during Reading is Fun Month...that would be 12 weeks of these now 4th graders being the top readers. Enjoy some throwback pictures from their incredible run...man, we are going to miss these students next year! Which class is going to rise to the top next year? #GoforGold
Their reading minutes didn't fade!
FES wants to say "job well done" to all 4th grade students. Ever since we started the Traveling Trophy tradition back when they were in 2nd grade, one of the now 4th grade classes has won every week during Reading is Fun Month...that would be 12 weeks of these now 4th graders being the top readers. Enjoy some throwback pictures from their incredible run...man, we are going to miss these students next year! Which class is going to rise to the top next year? #GoforGold
More Super Cougars from February 25th ENCORE!
More Super Cougars from February 25th ENCORE!
Students from Mrs. Lowry's class and Mr. Skurdal's class taught us about FAIRNESS at ENCORE Wednesday. We also celebrated our Super Cougars for the month.
Due to the snow day,
Our reading results had a delay.
Schmitz's 4th Grade is number one,
Reading can be so much fun.
As we enter the 4th week,
Will anyone end this streak?
Our reading results had a delay.
Schmitz's 4th Grade is number one,
Reading can be so much fun.
As we enter the 4th week,
Will anyone end this streak?
Snow Day! No school (2/20/26) due to the winter storm. Be safe and build snowmen, Cougars!
Four-year old Cougars, unite!
Do you have a 4-year-old or know of a 4-year-old that will be ready for preschool next year? Registration is now open! Use the following link to sign your child up or pass it along to someone you know! https://forms.gle/AHFkxUEzzvhQE5w8A
Do you have a 4-year-old or know of a 4-year-old that will be ready for preschool next year? Registration is now open! Use the following link to sign your child up or pass it along to someone you know! https://forms.gle/AHFkxUEzzvhQE5w8A
Come visit the DES Book Fair!
Durant Elementary is looking for a full-time paraprofessional. If you are interested in a postion that will start as soon as filled, please contact Kayla Hoth, Principal at hothk@sfcougars.k12.ia.us.
Durant Elementary will be having a Book Fair THIS WEEK, February 16-20. The fair will be open for students in the mornings from 7:30 - 7:50 a.m. The fair will also be open Wednesday evening from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Visitors to the fair can enter the library door (to the west of the main entrance) that evening.
Tonight our bus barn in Sumner was damaged by a fire. Thanks to the quick response of community members, the Sumner and Fredericksburg Fire Departments, and support from the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office, the fire has been contained.
One district van and a number of pieces of equipment sustained significant damage, and several other vehicles in our fleet experienced smoke damage. The bus barn building also sustained extensive damage. Additional damage may be discovered as we complete the cleanup and assessment.
Most importantly, no one was hurt or injured.
We have been in contact with Fire Chief Duhrkopf and our insurance carrier and will continue coordinating with emergency responders and investigators.
We will share additional information as it becomes available.
For your safety, please stay away from the property; the building structure has been compromised.
Thank you!
Ryan Cunningham, S-F Superintendent
One district van and a number of pieces of equipment sustained significant damage, and several other vehicles in our fleet experienced smoke damage. The bus barn building also sustained extensive damage. Additional damage may be discovered as we complete the cleanup and assessment.
Most importantly, no one was hurt or injured.
We have been in contact with Fire Chief Duhrkopf and our insurance carrier and will continue coordinating with emergency responders and investigators.
We will share additional information as it becomes available.
For your safety, please stay away from the property; the building structure has been compromised.
Thank you!
Ryan Cunningham, S-F Superintendent
Mr. Schmitz's 4th grade class took the top spot,
In Week 2, his students read a lot.
The 4th grade classes are neck and neck so far,
These students have really set the bar.
The 4th grade is full of READERS,
FES is proud of these future LEADERS!
In Week 2, his students read a lot.
The 4th grade classes are neck and neck so far,
These students have really set the bar.
The 4th grade is full of READERS,
FES is proud of these future LEADERS!
Just a reminder that we WILL have school this coming Monday, February 16th. Our school calendar has this day built in as a make-up day for the extreme cold weather day we had on January 23rd. Thanks!