Welcome Back to School Newsletter

We are excited to share that our elementary school building has officially been renamed Neil Dardis Elementary School in honor of longtime educator and community member, Mr. Neil Dardis. This change reflects the lasting impact Mr. Dardis had on countless students, families, and staff over the years.

Many in our community remember Mr. Dardis not only as an outstanding educator but also as someone who genuinely cared about each student’s success and well-being. His dedication, kindness, and passion for learning continue to inspire us, and we are proud to carry his name forward with our school.

We encourage families who knew Mr. Dardis personally to share stories and memories with their children. These conversations help our students understand why so many people admired him and why our school is proud to honor his legacy.

Thank you for your continued support as we celebrate this exciting new chapter for our school community.

I’m excited to be entering my fourth year as principal of Neil Dardis Elementary School! It’s been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated staff, supportive families, and amazing students. My goal is to continue fostering a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment where every child feels valued and inspired to do their best.

I believe strong relationships and open communication are key to our success, and I look forward to continuing to build those connections with all of you. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and staying involved in the community.

Here’s to another great year of learning and growing together at Neil Dardis Elementary School!

We’ll continue to share updates through our school communications. Thank you for your continued partnership and for all you do to support our students and staff.

Warm regards,
Mr. Sam Preble
Principal, Neil Dardis Elementary School

We are excited to welcome the following new team members to Neil Dardis Elementary School. Their talents and enthusiasm will strengthen our programs and support our students’ success.

• Rachel Ruliffson- 1st Grade Instructor

We value strong communication between home and school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns. Regular updates will be shared through our class apps and newsletters, and we encourage you to stay connected.

Classdojo is a FREE app, if it asks for you to pay, don't!

We absolutely love seeing your children at school every day, but their health and well-being—and the health of our school community—are our top priorities.

As a friendly reminder, if your child has been sick, they must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school. This helps ensure a full recovery and prevents the spread of illnesses to others.

We kindly ask for your vigilance in monitoring any symptoms your child may experience and encourage you to keep them home if they are unwell. Together, we can keep our classrooms happy and healthy for everyone!

Dear Families,

We’re excited to kick off Elementary Girls’ Basketball on Monday, August 25! Our goal is to build fundamental skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a fun, positive environment.

Coaches:

· Beth Nicholls

· Briar Halberg

Who can participate:
Elementary girls (Grades 4-6). No prior experience necessary.

Practice details:

· Days/Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri- 4:00-5:30

· Location: Lakota High School

· What to bring: Athletic shoes, water bottle, and comfortable practice clothes

Games/Scrimmages:
We will share game/scrimmage dates through Remind (see below) once schedules are finalized.

Pick-Up & Attendance:
Please pick up students promptly at the end of practice. If your child will be absent or needs to leave early, notify a coach in advance.

Sign up for Remind (Required for schedule & updates):
Remind will be our official channel for practice changes, weather updates, and game information.

· Join by text: Text @lakotaelem to 81010

· Or join online: go to remind.com/join and enter the class code @lakotaelem

Thank you for supporting our student-athletes. We’re looking forward to a great season!