Traditions
Nerstrand has many traditions that make it a unique and positive learning environment. Some of our rich traditions are listed below:
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Bell Ringing
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.
Spring & Winter Concerts
Twice a year classrooms perform seasonal melodies and display their art projects throughout the school.
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May Day
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
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
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.
Talent Show
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.
Harvest Parade
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.
Everyday Specials
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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.
Valentine's Day
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.
Native American Tipi Experience
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.
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School Spirit Days
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
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 Luncheon
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.
Migration Day
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.
Staff Directory
Samantha Kleese
Woodlands Teacher / 5th Gr. Reading/Math
Bri Melford
Music Teacher
Student Committees
At Nerstrand Elementary School we offer student committees in order for our students to get involved in their community through hands-on experiences.
Peace Garden
The Peace Garden committee takes care of the school's Peace Garden. The Peace Garden began in the year 2000 as a reminder that we are part of a greater world in which we can foster peace and harmony. Students in the peace garden help create and maintain tributes to many different nations across the globe.
Learn & Serve
The Learn and Serve Committee is responsible for contributing to various service efforts such as organizing food drives, providing blankets to health care facilities, and hosting members of the community at our school for events such as the community luncheon.
Ambassadors
The Student Ambassadors represent Nerstrand Elementary School both within the school and in the greater community. They are responsible for leading tours to visitors, distributing flyers and information to the community, and hosting events such as a story hour to preschoolers at the Nerstrand Public Library.
Our Authorizer
Novation Education Opportunities (NEO)
Wendy Swanson Choi
3432 Denmark Ave, Ste 130
​Eagan, MN 55123
612-889-2103
To read our school's contract, click the Read More Button.
History
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Get to Know Us
Nerstrand Elementary School is K-5, tuition free, progressive charter school located in the rural community of Nerstrand, a short distance from the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Geographically situated within the triangle formed by the communities of Faribault, Northfield, and Kenyon, our story is unlike that of any other Minnesota charter school. After a unanimous vote of the entire staff in March of 1999, we became the first official "Conversion Charter School" in our state. Having been established in 1887-88, Nerstrand School has celebrated its 125th year of operation -- first as its own district, then as part of the Faribault District, and now as our own Charter District #4055.
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A strong sense of progressive education tradition continues to thrive at Nerstrand School, where we celebrate relationships with our community members and take great pride in what makes our school special. Progressive education principles share the conviction that democracy means active engagement by all citizens in the social, political and economic decisions that affect their lives--and, in turn, that early education at its best should cultivate respect for individual abilities and for socially engaged intelligence in order to spur this kind of participation in community and public affairs.
Nerstrand students construct their understanding of the world through hands on processes. Teachers have been guided by the principles of progressive education, engaging students in child-centered, meaningful work that involves problem solving. We are very proud of the academic accomplishments of our students over a long period of time.
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Learning is social, and we work to develop each child's social-emotional skills in addition to academic skills. All of our teachers have been trained in Responsive Classroom approach. The Responsive Classroom approach is based on the premise that children learn best when they have both academic and social-emotional skills.
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We offer strong programs in reading, language arts, and mathematics that help our students realize success in the curricular areas of science, social studies, and technology – including environmental education. We also embrace a strong commitment to the teaching and appreciation of the visual arts. There are many special programs embraced by Nerstrand Elementary School. We take special pride include our daily instruction in physical education by certified teachers. These programmatic elements have been a part of our school since we chartered in 1999 and they continue to be programs that help to define us today. Long ago the recipient of a Federal "Learn and Serve America" grant over the course of nine years, the seeds of Service Learning were planted in our school and remain today. Extending service to our greater community and within our school community, our students understand the importance of serving others and recognize that significant learning results from those experiences. Students participate in a number of Youth Boards where they can put service into practice and teachers look for opportunities to weave service into projects they carry out throughout the year. Service Learning has been woven into the fabric of the school over a long period of time. .