October Newsletter
NEIL DARDIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | October 2025
A Note from Mr. Preble – Principal
The first months of school at Neil Dardis Elementary have been full of energy, learning, and excitement. Students have settled into their classrooms, completed beginning-of-year STAR assessments, and are working hard on building strong academic routines. Spirit Days, technology classes, and fall field trips have added fun and variety, while our staff continue to focus on respect, responsibility, and safety throughout the school day. It has been wonderful to see students engaged, making new friendships, and growing as learners during these first months together.
Looking ahead, there are several important dates for families to keep in mind. Our annual Preschool Screening will be held on Wednesday, October 15, providing a valuable opportunity for parents to learn more about their child’s development. That same day, we will also host Parent-Teacher Conferences from 2:30–7:30 p.m., giving families the chance to discuss student progress and goals. October will also bring seasonal classroom activities and Raider Spirit events as we celebrate fall together.
Thank you for your continued support as we continue this wonderful school year!
Go Raiders and Go Chargers!
Mr. Sam Preble
Principal, Neil Dardis Elementary School
Community Connections
We were touched by all the donations to the school backpack program and other programs in honor of Shirley Ferguson, our longtime teacher and friend!
School Climate
We are reinforcing our expectations of respect, responsibility, and safety each day. We work hard everyday to strengthen peer relationships and conflict resolution skills.
School Spirit
Homecoming week was a hit for our students with dress up days and the Parade in McVille!
Elementary Sports
Elementary Girls' Basketball has been going very well, the season will come to a close on Oct. 09! Elementary Football has been rolling this year and the students are having fun!
Preschool Activities
The Pumpkin Patch
September has been a busy month for hands-on learning beyond the classroom! Students enjoyed experiences at the Pumpkin Patch and at Stump Lake.
Stump Lake
These trips provided valuable opportunities to connect lessons to the real world and create lasting memories with classmates.
At Neil Dardis Elementary School, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for every student. During the month of October, our students and staff will take part in activities and conversations that promote kindness, empathy, and respect.
Bullying Prevention Month is an important reminder that words and actions matter. We encourage students to stand up for themselves and others, to include those who may feel left out, and to speak with a trusted adult if they see or experience bullying. Working together, we can make our school a place where everyone feels valued and accepted.
Parent–Teacher Conferences are on Wednesday, October 15. Conferences run 2:30–7:30 PM in 10-minute slots. Please reserve your time through the SignUpGenius (signupgenius.com) shared by the classroom teacher. If you need help scheduling, call the elementary office
Our students recently completed the fall STAR assessments in Reading and Math. These assessments provide teachers with valuable information about each child’s current skill level, areas of strength, and areas where additional support may be needed.
Overall, our data shows encouraging growth compared to last year. Many students demonstrated strong progress in foundational reading skills such as phonics, fluency, and comprehension, as well as in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. Teachers will use this information to set learning goals with students, guide small-group instruction, and provide targeted interventions when needed.
You will receive your child’s individual STAR results during fall parent-teacher conferences. At that time, teachers will review your child’s current performance, progress toward grade-level benchmarks, and strategies to support continued growth at home.
We are proud of the hard work our students are putting into their learning, and we look forward to building on this momentum throughout the school year.
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!
