About Us

At Nerstrand Elementary School we have the long-lived tradition that every kindergartner, new student, or staff member will ring the original school bell on their very first day of school. Once students graduate as 5th graders or move they will ring the bell again on their very last day of school. The entire rest of the school gathers around the bell and cheers for each person. You might also hear the chant “Flip it, flip it” as the bell ringers try to make the bell flip all the way around. 

Twice a year classrooms perform seasonal melodies and display their art projects throughout the school.

During Homeroom, students make special May Day gifts for all Nerstrand residents and businesses. Then on May 1st students travel around town delivering their gifts.

Discovery Day takes place at the Big Woods State Park every fall and has a different theme each year. The day begins with all students, staff, and parents walking the 2 mile hike to the park. Upon arrival students then divide into groups and travel to 4 stations throughout the park. One station is always a hike to the Hidden Falls to take a picture. Other stations consist of active games, stories, crafts, and a picnic lunch. The entire day is spent having fun and learning outside.

Prairie Appreciation Day is held every September at Caron Park or the Big Woods State Park. Students learn hands-on about the prairie flowers and animals that live there. Sometimes seeds are collected to be germinated and then replanted. The topics taught are on a three year rotation.

Every three years students have the opportunity to perform in an all school talent show. Students first audition and then perform on the stage in front of the entire school.

Every October 31st students and staff get in their Homeroom K-5 groups, dress up in costumes, and then parade around Nerstrand to all the local businesses receiving treats.

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Here at Nerstrand Elementary School we have specials every day! This means students have Phy. Ed. every day along with music, art, or media.

Every year on February 14th the Woodland 4th & 5th graders have the privilege to design and make their own Valentine’s Day box. Students then display their creations for the rest of the school to see.

Every three years students have the opportunity to have a tipi experience. First, the Woodland 4th & 5th graders construct a large tipi outside the school with environmentalist Larry Richie. Then each class has the opportunity to visit the tipi and learn more about the Dakota Native American culture. Students experience stories, music, and opportunity to roast fish, venison, and cornish game hen while sitting around a fire.

School Spirit days are special days to dress or do fun things. They occur once a month. First the committee meets to decide what the theme or activity will be for that day and then they make posters to promote the day. In the past we’ve had days like favorite sport or book character day, crazy hair day, and the long time tradition of PJ and movie day in December.

Homeroom is a time students Kindergarten through 5th grade meet two times a week to discuss character education, read stories, play games, or work on special projects. Every Tuesday is Spotlight Day where one student completes a themed poster of questions and brings in items that are important to them. They then present their poster and items to the students in their Homeroom while the teacher video records. Then when you graduate from Nerstrand you will receive a copy of the recording from all of your Spotlights.

Community lunch is when we invite parents, families, and community members to join us for lunch. This helps students work on social skills and learn more about those that live in the community.

Twice a year each multiage grouping of students has migration day. The kindergarten and first grade students learn more about the monarch butterfly and migrate medal butterflies to and from the United States to Mexico. The Savannah students grades 2nd & 3rd learn about the arctic tern and help migrate a medal mobile of birds from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle. The Woodland grades 4th & 5th graders learn more about the stork as they migrate it from Europe to Africa in the Peace Garden.