Elk Ridge Explorer News

School song led by Mrs. Paulson

Flag raising 2026

National Guard Flag Raising

Bond Update - Vote

Important Updates

Revised Bond Referendum

On November 3, Bismarck voters will consider a revised $116.5 million bond referendum to address facility needs across Bismarck Public Schools.

You may be wondering: Why is the bond on the ballot again?

In June, the district’s $127 million bond proposal received 58.68% voter approval—a clear majority, but just short of the 60% required under North Dakota law for a school bond to pass. Because the facility needs identified through the district’s long-range planning process remain, the School Board reviewed the proposal and considered what work could be completed using existing district resources.

What changed?

The November proposal has been reduced by approximately $10.5 million, from $127 million to $116.5 million.

The district will now use its existing five-year Building Fund plan to complete:

The full project at Will-Moore Elementary School
The full project at Pioneer Elementary School
Boiler and chiller replacement at Bismarck High School

Those projects are no longer included in the bond proposal. That said, if the bond passes, the timelines for those updates may be expedited.

The revised bond retains priority projects throughout BPS focused on four areas:

Keep students safe: Secure entrances, improved traffic and drop-off areas, accessibility upgrades, and students that better support student well-being.
Create better learning spaces: Updated classrooms, libraries, music rooms, multipurpose areas, and other instructional spaces.
Expanding student opportunities: Improve spaces for fine arts, physical education, specialized learning, and student support programs.
Preserving our investment: Replace aging roofs, boilers, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and other essential building systems.

These needs were identified through a multi-year facilities-planning process that evaluated all 32 BPS facilities. With an average building age of approximately 47 years, the district faces needs ranging from aging roofs, boilers and mechanical systems, to accessibility, safety and instructional-space improvements.

E-Bikes

E-Bike & Scooter Safety Reminder

We love seeing our students arrive at school on bikes and scooters! Riding to school is a great way for students to get some fresh air, be active, and start their day. As more students are using bikes and scooters, including e-bikes, we want to make sure we are creating a safe environment for everyone on and around our campus.

Once students arrive on campus, we ask that they walk their bikes and scooters while on school property. Students should slow down significantly and use extra caution, especially when moving through areas where students, families, and staff are walking.

These expectations apply before school and at dismissal as well as throughout the day and evening.

A few important reminders:

Walk bikes and scooters on campus.
Stay on sidewalks when traveling to and from school so that students are visible to drivers and separated from vehicle traffic.
Do not ride through parking lots. Before and after school, parking lots are busy with vehicles, families, and students, making them especially dangerous areas for riding.
Bikes and scooters should not be ridden on the playground. We work hard to keep our grounds looking nice.
Watch for pedestrians. Students should be prepared to stop whenever they encounter other students, families, staff members, or unexpected activity.
Follow all stop signs, crossing signals, and adult directions when traveling to and from school.
Be mindful of other students. Crowded sidewalks and entryways are not appropriate places for speeding, weaving, performing tricks, or riding side-by-side.
Please secure bikes and scooters in the designated areas.

Our goal is not to discourage students from riding to school, we think it is wonderful! We simply want everyone to arrive and leave safely and responsibly. A bike or scooter can move much faster than a walking student, and a moment of speed or inattention can create a serious safety concern for the rider as well as the students, staff, and families around them.

Thank you for talking with your child about these expectations and helping us keep our campus safe for everyone. We appreciate your partnership in making Elk Ridge a place where students can be active, independent, and safe!

Ride smart. Slow down. Watch out for one another.

Thank you for helping us keep safety at the heart of our school community!

BPS Wellness and Healthy Treat Policy

Celebrating Birthdays the Healthy Way!

Birthdays are a big deal at Elk Ridge! We love making students feel special on their big day. At the same time, we want to help our Explorers build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Bismarck Public Schools encourages schools and families to choose healthy foods for snacks and celebrations. Healthy snacks help fuel students’ brains and bodies for learning. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, yogurt, pretzels, crackers, popcorn, and other nutritious choices are great options. Candy, cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, pop, and other high-sugar treats are discouraged for classroom snacks and celebrations. Our district wellness policy also asks schools to make healthy choices part of our school day and to limit foods that do not meet nutrition guidelines during classroom celebrations.

This year, we would love for families to rally behind our Elk Ridge Birthday Menu! Instead of sending a sweet treat for the class, birthday students can choose a fun way to celebrate. Our menu includes choices like Game Time, Extra Recess, Indoor Free Time, Show-and-Tell, Guest Read Aloud, Art Time, Teacher Helper, Lunch with a Special Guest, bringing a healthy snack, or bringing a small non-food item for classmates.

We know that cupcakes and treats have long been a birthday tradition, but with many birthdays throughout the year, those treats can add up quickly. We can make birthdays just as special by celebrating the CHILD instead of the SWEET!

Thank you for helping us create celebrations that are fun, healthy, inclusive, and memorable. We can't wait to celebrate another year of adventures with our Elk Ridge Explorers!

BPS Wellness Policy

Healthy School Snacks

Elk Ridge Birthday Menu

Student Safety Vests

From the BPS Foundation

New Glow and Go Safety Vest Program

The BPS Foundation is proud to partner with Capital Real Estate Partners, Bravera Bank, and The Title Team for our new Glow & Go Safety Vest Program!

Through their generous support, 1,200 safety vests are being provided to BPS elementary students who walk or bike to and from school.

Students who are already identified as walkers or bikers will receive a vest through their school. Families that would like to receive a vest should contact their school secretary.

A huge thank you to Jeff White - Capital Real Estate Partners, BraveraBank, and The Title Team (Bismarck) for sponsoring this program and supporting our BPS students!

https://bpsfoundation.com/2026/08/28/glow-and-go/

Getting to Know Infinite Campus

Infinite Campus is new to us, and we know there is a little learning curve as we all get familiar with it! There are many features available to help you stay connected and up to date on your child’s learning and important school information.

Please take a few moments to explore the Infinite Campus app and the resources available for families. As we become more comfortable with the program, we will continue adding options that allow families to make updates, review important information, and take advantage of everything Infinite Campus has to offer.

Our goal is for you to feel comfortable, confident, and familiar with the program so you can make the most of this new resource for your family.

Thank you for your patience as we learn and grow with Infinite Campus together!

Cell Phones & Personal Electronic Devices at School

We want to share an important reminder about cell phones and personal electronic devices at school.

North Dakota state law mandates “bell-to-bell” restrictions on cell phone use in K–12 public schools. This means that during instructional time, personal electronic communication devices must be inaccessible to students. Bismarck Public Schools is committed to following this law while creating safe, focused, and effective learning environments for all students.

At Elk Ridge, we know that cell phones and other devices can be an important way for families to stay connected. At the same time, we want our students to be fully present and engaged in learning and interacting with their classmates and teachers throughout the school day.

During instructional time, all personal electronic communication devices must be:

Silenced or turned off
Securely stowed away
Inaccessible to students

Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to:

Smartphones
Cell phones
Tablets
Smartwatches and other wearable devices

Need to contact home?

We understand that there are times when students need to communicate with their families during the school day. Students may use the school/building phones to contact a parent or guardian when needed. Families can also contact the school office if they need to get an important message to their student.

Our goal is not to make communication difficult, it is to ensure that communication happens in a way that supports student safety, learning, and engagement.

We appreciate your partnership in helping your child understand and follow these expectations. We encourage families to talk with their students about keeping personal devices safely stored and inaccessible during the school day.

For complete information about Bismarck Public Schools' approach to personal electronic communication devices, please review District Policy FFI.

Thank you for helping us create a focused, connected, and safe learning environment for all of our Elk Ridge Explorers!

Together, we can help our students unplug, engage, and make the most of their school day!

Reminder about Animals on Campus

We love our furry, feathered, scaly and four-legged friends! However, for the safety and well-being of all of our students, staff, and families, animals are not permitted on BPS campuses or school grounds.

We recognize that pets are an important part of many families, and we know that students are often excited to show their friends their favorite animal. However, we have many students and staff members who may have allergies, fears, or other concerns related to animals. Even the friendliest pet can become unpredictable in a busy school environment.

To help us create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, please leave pets and other animals at home when coming to school.

If you are picking up your child and have an animal with you, please remain off school grounds with your pet while waiting for your student.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work to make sure every Elk Ridge Explorer feels safe, comfortable, and welcome at school.

Thank you for helping us take care of our entire school community!

Snacks - Donate if You Can

To help ensure our students have access to a snack when they need one, Elk Ridge is asking for snack donations. Your generosity helps make sure our students have access to a snack when they need one, whether they forgot their snack, didn’t have one available that day, or simply need a little something to get them through the day.

Individually packaged, nut-free and allergy-friendly snacks are especially appreciated. Some ideas include:

Granola bars
Goldfish or other crackers
Pretzels
Fruit snacks
Applesauce or fruit pouches
Popcorn
Animal crackers
Nut-free cereal bars
Dried fruit or fruit cups
Cheese crackers

If you’d like to donate, please drop items off in the school office during school hours.

Thank you for supporting our Elk Ridge students!

Peak Time at Elk Ridge

We are excited to introduce Peak Time, a special time each week when students learn what it means to be a great learner and practice being leaders at Elk Ridge. Each month, we will focus on a different Portrait of a Learner trait through fun activities, videos, read-alouds, and visits from our Trailblazers student leaders. Our goal is to help students build confidence, think critically, show empathy, and take meaningful responsibility in their learning. We believe these skills will help our students succeed in school and beyond.

This month, our focus is Respect! Students will learn that respect starts with how we treat others and ourselves. Our mantra is: “Kind Words, Kind Heart, That’s Where Leaders Start!” We will practice using kind words, showing a caring heart, and making choices that help everyone feel safe and valued. We encourage families to continue practicing this skill at home by talking about what respect looks and sounds like in everyday situations. Next month, we will focus on Curiosity with the mantra: “Climb high, wonder why?” We look forward to sharing more of our Peak Time learning with you throughout the year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Erica Skoglund

Elk Ridge School Counselor/504 Coordinator

4401 Ivory Lane

Bismarck, ND 58503

323-4230 Ext: 1957

Lunchtime with your Child

Lunchtime with Your Little One – Beginning Monday, October 5th, 2026 through Friday, April 30th, 2027

We love having families join us for lunch, it’s one of our favorite parts of the day! That said, the beginning of the year is a time when we work hard to teach and reinforce our lunchroom procedures so students can feel confident and successful in their routines.

With that in mind, we’ll officially start welcoming parents and family members to join their children for lunch starting on Monday, October 5th, 2026!

Here’s what you need to know:

If you’d like to eat lunch at school, please call the office by 8:15 a.m. on the day you plan to join so we can make sure we have a lunch ready for you.
If you’d prefer to just sit with your child and not eat, you’re welcome to do that as well, please let us know so we can ensure seating is available.
Please remember this opportunity begins October 5th—thanks for giving us time to set the stage for a smooth and successful lunchroom experience!

We can't wait to see you in the lunch line (or just enjoying time together at the table)!

Miss Sparkles entertains

LU Projector, fun for adults too!

Zoo visit

Elk Ridge Music Program Schedule