Just an FYI-The Waverly Health Center and some of their Regional Partners are completing practice drills in the North Ridge Elementary parking lot June 9th-11th. If you need to stop by North Ridge, please use the north parking lot. Thank you!
6 days ago, Mitch Parker
With a Smart Money Teacher Grant third-grade teacher Becca Elsamiller and her students at North Ridge Elementary brought the "Go-Hawk Buzz and Bloom Garden" to life!
Throughout the school year, students were involved in every step of the project. They calculated the area and perimeter of the garden spaces, researched pollinator-friendly plants, designed flower beds using selections from Wells Hollow Landscaping, and worked together to prepare, plant, and mulch the garden.
The project provided a hands-on learning experience that connected classroom lessons to the real world. Twenty-two third-grade students helped research pollinators and plant life cycles, learn about ecosystems, and discover the important role pollinators play in our environment. Along the way, they also built teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving skills while taking pride in enhancing their school grounds.
The Go-Hawk Buzz and Bloom Garden will continue to serve as an outdoor classroom for approximately 70-90 third-grade students each year, creating learning opportunities for years to come.
We are grateful to Becca for her creativity and dedication to providing engaging learning experiences for students, and to our donors whose support makes Smart Money Teacher Grants possible. Together, you're helping innovative ideas take root and flourish across the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District!
🌻 Check out the photos to see this beautiful project in bloom!
7 days ago, Rebecca Elsamiller
North Ridge Elementary-4th Grade Wall-"Leaving Our Mark At North Ridge Elementary."
13 days ago, Mitch Parker
The North Ridge Elementary Staff wants to thank everyone for making this an outstanding school year! We hope you all have an awesome summer!!!
16 days ago, Mitch Parker
What a great day! The 2025-2026 North Ridge Elementary Field Day is in the books. We all had a lot of fun and our outstanding students did a great job! Thank you to all of the staff who helped lead the day! A special thank you to the parents and family members who volunteered, as well as to the W-SR Middle School students who helped run events! A special Thank you to Kylie Steege for taking our school picture again! It turned out GREAT!!! It is a GREAT day to be a GO-HAWK!!!
20 days ago, Mitch Parker
Putting on a play in 4th grade is about so much more than just memorizing lines—it’s a massive catalyst for growth during a pivotal developmental year.
Performing in a play:
Boosts Confidence: Standing on stage and delivering lines is the perfect antidote to the self-doubt that often creeps in around age nine or ten.
Teaches Real Teamwork: From the lead actors to the stage crew, kids learn that the show only succeeds if everyone works together and holds each other accountable.
Builds Empathy: Stepping into a character's shoes helps kids explore different perspectives, boosting their social-emotional intelligence.
Sharpens Literacy: Reading scripts, understanding subtext, and memorizing cues give reading comprehension and focus a major workout.
Whether they are in the spotlight or backstage, the pride of creating a show stays with them long after the curtains close!
21 days ago, Anastasia Carignan
4th graders challenged each other by designing marble mazes
about 1 month ago, Anastasia Carignan
And we have a winner....In library class our students have learned about a variety of new books in the March Madness children's picture book challenge. Students have shared which books they have liked the best. "The Wrong Book," by Drew Daywalt came out on top with our students. Thank you to our library teacher-Lindsey Baskett, and library associates Kelley Van Gelder and Sara O'Brien for leading the March Madness book challenge, as well as sharing their passion for reading with our students!
about 1 month ago, Mitch Parker
The weather is outstanding and we are so excited to host our kindergarten through 2nd grade VIP day this afternoon! Thank you to all of the VIPs who are attending, making this a special day for our students! We can't wait to see you!
about 1 month ago, Mitch Parker
Please mark your calendars for these North Ridge events in the month of May.
Have a GREAT Day!
about 1 month ago, Mitch Parker
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the amazing teachers at North Ridge Elementary!
Thank you for the dedication, patience, creativity, and care you bring into your classrooms each day. You do so much more than teach—you inspire, encourage, and help shape the next generation of Go-Hawks. Your dedication builds confidence, sparks curiosity, and leaves a lasting impact on every student who walks through your doors. We are truly grateful for all you do to support and believe in our students.
A HUGE thank you to:
Mr. Wurth, Mrs. Willms, Mrs. Braley, Mrs. Nuss, Mrs. Amundson, Mrs. McCaslin, Mrs. Troyer, Mrs. Larimer, Mrs. Tucker, Ms. Hoth, Mrs. Gerk, Mrs. Elsamiller, Mrs. Holst, Mrs. Buttjer, Ms. Thorn, Ms. Bagnall, Mrs. Heying, Mrs. Carignan, Mr. Twait, Mrs. Baskett, Mrs. Meier, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. VanKley, Mrs. Goeke, Mrs. Riewerts, Mrs. Coughlin, Mrs. Poppe, Mrs. Sand, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Miller, and Mrs. Klahsen.
#TeacherAppreciationWeek #GoHawkLeaders #ThankATeacher
about 1 month ago, Mitch Parker
As we head into Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the incredible staff leaders who have been working behind the scenes all year to support our Leader in Me initiative.
From planning meaningful learning opportunities for students to supporting fellow staff members, their impact is felt throughout our school every day. Our Lighthouse Team plays a vital role in coordinating efforts across Academics, Leadership, and Culture, guided by the dedicated leadership of Mrs. Amundson, Mrs. Elsamiller, and Mrs. Pentecost.
We are also grateful for our four staff action teams, who bring energy and creativity to their work in Service Projects, School Events, Student Leadership & SEL, and Staff Connection & SEL.
It’s inspiring to see so many educators stepping up to lead and make a difference at North Ridge. We are truly fortunate to have such a committed and passionate team! 💛
about 1 month ago, Mitch Parker
✨⭐ This week’s KWAY Teacher of the Week is Cassie McCaslin, a 1st Grade Teacher at North Ridge Elementary! ⭐✨
Cassie is being recognized for her magical ability to engage her students and foster a deep love for learning. Her classroom is a place of wonder where stories don't just stay on the page—they come to life!
Cassie is celebrated as a "warm, inviting teacher" who possesses a unique ability to see each student’s individuality and "meet them where they are." Known for her humble and kind nature, she creates a first-grade classroom that is "fun, engaging, and full of joy," making every child feel deeply valued. One parent shared the impact Cassie has had on their child’s confidence, noting: “My daughter comes home almost every day excited to ‘play school’—her way of reflecting the positivity and inspiration she receives from Mrs. McCaslin.” Whether she is treating colleagues with dignity or helping a student find exactly what they need to succeed, Cassie is an enthusiastic leader who makes the school culture better simply by being herself. As one colleague put it, she is one of those teachers who doesn't "love being credited, but should be!"
Please join us in celebrating Cassie McCaslin, and in thanking her for her contribution in making Waverly-Shell Rock a place where EVERYONE belongs, grows, and succeeds!
Nominations for KWAY's Teacher of the Week feature are still being accepted, but your opportunity to nominate a teacher is coming to a close as the end of the school year is approaching!
Our final three "Teachers of the Week" will be recognized on May 8, May 15, and May 22...and then on the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - May 29 - listen to the Breakfast Club for the $500 drawing in which one of this year's weekly Teachers of the Week will be drawn to receive $500 from CUSB Bank!
Nominations will be accepted continuously through Friday, May 15.
Use this form to submit a nomination: https://tinyurl.com/WSRTeacherOfTheWeek
💛🖤💛🖤 Thanks to Cassie McCaslin and ALL of our teachers for making Waverly-Shell Rock Schools a place where EVERYONE belongs, grows, and succeeds! 🦅✨ 🦅✨
about 2 months ago, David Hill
We want to say a BIG THANK-YOU to the Cedar River Readers Theatre for performing today for each of our grade levels at North Ridge! You were outstanding!!!
about 2 months ago, Mitch Parker
Fourth graders celebrated the culmination of a country research project by having an International Food Fair. Students brought food from the country they researched. Everyone enjoyed trying new cuisines. Many thanks to the parents who helped make this possible!
about 2 months ago, Anastasia Carignan
We are so excited for Day 2 of Kindergarten Round-up!!! We all had a great day yesterday, and today is going to be a lot of fun as well!!!
about 2 months ago, Mitch Parker
Happy Birthday Ms. Michelle!!!
about 2 months ago, Mitch Parker
Thank you to the Waverly Soifer Family McDonald's for allowing us to host the North Ridge Elementary McTeacher's Night this evening. We had a great time and appreciate everyone who attended! Thank you to parent group team member Kayla Moore for organizing the event! Thank you to the staff at McDonald's, and all of the North Ridge Elementary staff for helping to lead the event!
about 2 months ago, Mitch Parker
We are excited today to host the 1st day of Kindergarten Round-up to welcome our 2026-2027 Kindergarten students. We are excited for a great day! We look forward to meeting everyone!!!
about 2 months ago, Mitch Parker
Thank you to student leader Lily (and Ms. Caswell) for stepping up as a student leader for our Read-A-Thon. Each day Lily worked hard to update each grade level on the number of minutes read, as well as keeping track of our number of minutes read as a school. In lunch each day, our staff shared the updated slide show sharing this information with our students.
about 2 months ago, Mitch Parker
