GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY

Greetings Grizzly Families!

We are settling into the school year as routines and procedures take shape throughout the building! Next week, we will begin our beginning-of-year assessments to help us understand where students are starting and inform instruction, enrichment, and additional supports as we work toward our goals for every learner.

Be sure to check out our Staff Spotlight to get to know some of the amazing people who make Grimsrud such a special place. You’ll also find information about our Play Lab and an invitation to share where your family is from as we celebrate the many people, places, and cultures that make up our Grimsrud community.

We look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming PTO meeting or Fall Fest later this month!

~Dr. Brittany Upton

We love having Grizzlies from All Around the World! Look at all the Grizzly pins on our map and see where our families are from. We want to make sure all of our Grizzlies are represented. Click on the link HERE to tell us where you are from so we can place a pin just for you!

If you have a 3, 4, or 5 year old at home, we would like to share more information with you about this amazing opportunity coming to our school. Please click the form below and submit your name so we can make sure you don't miss out!

Welcome back, families! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and is settling into the new school year. The beginning of the year is all about getting back into routines, building relationships, learning expectations, and helping students feel comfortable and ready to learn. It’s completely normal for students to need a little time to get back into the groove of school. This month, our counseling lessons will focus on some important skills to help students have a successful start to the year. We’ll be talking about why rules are important, how to be a good friend, what it means to be a successful learner, and beginning to learn problem-solving skills. These are skills we’ll continue to build throughout the school year.

As always, if you have a concern about your child, need support, or would simply like to talk, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to connect and help however I can. Thank you!

Ramona Westergren

Elementary School Counselor

Grimsrud | Prairie Rose

Second Step® is an evidence-based program designed to help students build essential life skills—often called "human skills" or social-emotional skills—that promote success both inside and outside the classroom.

Each week teachers provide a short, age-appropriate lesson with practical activities and classroom discussion. This curriculum focuses on four core areas:

1. Mindset & Goal-Setting: Learning how to tackle challenges, build resilience and a growth mindset.

2. Emotion Management: Recognizing feelings and practicing healthy ways to calm down.

3. Empathy & Kindness: Understanding different perspectives, showing respect, and building positive relationships with peers and adults.

4. Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Learning actionable steps to resolve conflicts peacefully and make thoughtful decisions.

Research shows that when students learn these foundational skills, classrooms become safer, warmer, and more productive places to learn. Specifically the following impacts are seen;

• Supports Academic Focus: When children learn how to manage stress and stay focused, their academic engagement and motivation improve.

• Creates a Positive Environment: Teaching conflict resolution and empathy reduces classroom disruptions and peer conflicts, fostering a strong sense of safety and belonging.

• Prepares Kids for Life: These skills—such as communication, teamwork, and resilience—are essential tools children will rely on throughout their entire lives.

The PTO is very excited to make this school year great. We have already hit the ground running with all of the things we are working on! If you'd like to see what else we have in store for the school year, or would like to get involved, we invite you to join us at our first informational meeting. It will be held on September 16th at 4pm at the school.

If you haven't checked out our new 2026 gear, make sure you do so before next week on Wednesday, September 9th. All items will be handed out at school when they are ready, so there is no shipping charge! https://dakotape-com-202120b4-985b-4bf7-8991-5d1848740b37...

Have you heard about our annual Facebook Cover Art Contest? Students are encouraged to create art that represents the school. All entries will be posted on Facebook for voting.(https://www.facebook.com/groups/grimsrudpto) The winning picture will be our Facebook page photo for the year! The winner will also win a special snack for their classroom and their very own exclusive Grizzly water bottle! Turn in your original artwork to the office or email it to Grimsrudpto@gmail.com by September 18th. Voting will begin on September 19th. So get your art gear out and make your best Grimsrud Grizzly drawing to represent our page!

We got our Worlds Finest Chocolate delivery in this week! Be on the lookout for a permission slip coming home today. We will start handing out chocolate next week Tuesday during school for anyone with a permission slip signed. We will be available to pick up chocolate in the morning before school the rest of the month. Worlds Finest is our big fundraiser for the year. The profits we make on this fund everything we do for the school from Field Trips and popsicles to teacher appreciation and more!

I’m Kari Warshak, a Speech-Language Pathologist who has been practicing since 2011 and working for Bismarck Public Schools since 2013. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in five different elementary schools, but Grimsrud Elementary is the one I proudly call home.

At Grimsrud, I work with students on all things communication. That might mean helping a student work on speech sounds, supporting a student who uses a communication device, or teaching a student how to retell a story and share their ideas.

Outside of school, I live with my husband, Zach, our two boys, Miles (3) and Archie (17 months), and our dog, Douglas. My favorite holiday is Halloween, and one of my favorite things is getting to dress up and celebrate with my boys as a family!

I’m Brittany Reinbold and this is my 11th school year at Grimsrud! I’m a special education teacher, primarily supporting students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs. I enjoy helping students learn how to handle big feelings, solve problems, build relationships, and feel more successful at school. My husband and I have 4 kids, an 8-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son, and 2-year-old twin boys. We love spending time with family, and I enjoy reading, coffee, and shopping! I’m looking forward to another school year and getting to know more of our Grimsrud students and families!

Hello Grimsrud Grizzlies! My name is Mrs. Stillwell and this is my third year teaching music at Grimsrud (5th year in the district)! I am so excited to continue exploring different musical skills and ideas with all of the students here. This year in music we are expanding into reading picture books to fit musical concepts, continuing to play instruments, and of course, singing every time they come to my classroom! Parents should also be on the lookout for program dates and new information on our program styles this year!

My name is Jenny Morrow and I am the library media specialist at Grimsrud. This is my 8th year at Grimsrud and I love it here!

I see your child once a week and we work on mainly technology skills. We also work on coding, digital citizenship (the responsible, respectful, and safe use of technology), and literature appreciation/library skills.

I love to read, garden, knit, and cook.

I have 1 older sister and 1 older brother. I'm also a proud dog mom to 3-year-old French Bulldog brothers named Teddy and Chip.

I'm ready for a great year!

My name is Aaron Huck, and I am excited to welcome you back to another great school year! I have been a physical education teacher for the past 26 years, with the last 10 years spent here at Grimsrud Elementary.

I am married and have two children. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors-especially hunting, fishing, and camping. I also enjoy creating new and exciting activities in PE that challenge the students, encourage them to try new things, and help them grow both physically and personally. One of my biggest priorities is teaching and practicing good sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for others.

I am looking forward to another fantastic year and to seeing our students learn, grow, and have fun in PE. If you have and questions or would like to reach me, please feel free to contact me at Aaron_huck@bismarckschools.org.

Welcome back, and I look forward to having you join our Grimsrud family!

Hello! My name is Lyndsey Hoffer, and I am excited to begin my 5th year as the Instructional Coach here at Grimsrud!

As an Instructional Coach, my role is to partner with teachers to support high-quality instruction and student learning. I absolutely LOVE working alongside teachers and helping both teachers and students grow and succeed!

A little about me: I have a husband, two children (ages 12 and 7), and a golden retriever. As a family, we love spending time outdoors, especially camping and fishing! I’m looking forward to another wonderful year at Grimsrud!

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2026/08/27/accessibility-tax-concerns-families-weigh-bps-bond-referendum/

If helpful for the upcoming bond/election, below are some specifics as it relates to our school within the district facilities plan. The proposed improvements to Grimsrud would target safety, accessibility, and expanding crowded spaces for special services and common areas. Click the card below for more details.

Email: grimsrud_secretary@bismarckschools.org
Website: https://www.bismarckschools.org/grimsrud
Phone: 701-323-4150