(402-245-2116)
August 2025
Dear North School Families,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope this message finds you well and that your family has enjoyed a restful and memorable summer. We are eager to welcome our students back to school and look forward to another exciting year filled with growth, learning, and connection.
Important Dates to Remember:
Open House: Tuesday, August 12 from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
This is a great opportunity for families to meet classroom teachers, explore the building, and get comfortable before the first day!First Day of School (K–2): Thursday, August 14
First Day of School (PCC): Monday, August 18
Kindergarten Families:
All kindergarten students must have the following documents on file prior to the first day of school:
A state-certified birth certificate
Immunization records
A recent physical examination
Please contact the school office if you need assistance obtaining or submitting these documents.
Helpful Tips to Prepare for a Great Start:
Begin reestablishing school-year routines by gradually adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times.
Read with your child daily to promote a love for books and strengthen early literacy.
Review basic personal skills such as tying shoes, using the bathroom independently, and unpacking lunch or backpacks.
Talk with your child about what to expect at school – new friends, new teachers, and fun learning activities.
Label all school supplies and clothing items to help prevent mix-ups or lost belongings.
At North School, we are committed to working together to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for every student. We are so grateful for your partnership and support as we begin another incredible year.
If you have any questions or need additional support before school begins, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
We can’t wait to see you at Open House and officially kick off the school year!
To view North School Staff, click here.
Warm regards,
Shelly Leyden
Principal, North Elementary School
This past June, Falls City High School Choir students Drew Hower, Miyuna Kong, Harley Sutton, & Caleb Zimmerman were among 250 other Nebraska musicians, music directors & family members who traveled with the Nebraska Music Ambassadors on that sixteen-day music tour.
The trip took them to the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The band and choirs gave performances at St. Matthew’s, Bayswater & Victoria Embankment Gardens in London; Jardin d’Acclimatation & L’eglise de la Madeleine in Paris; Place d’Ycoor in Crans-Montana, Switzerland; Franziskanerkirche & Town Square in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany; Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg Austria; and the Aplenarena in Bad Hofgastein, Austria. Harley Sutton (FCHS junior) was selected by the staff to sing a duet in one of the choir pieces for each performance.
The group was fortunate enough to sightsee various events and walk around the following places throughout their tour:
London-Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace (where they watched the Trooping the Colours parade and got to see King Charles & Queen Camilla along with Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte & Prince Louis), Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Kingston Gardens, Diana Princess of Wales Sunken Garden, London Eye, Wicked, Jack the Ripper tour, Piccadilly Circus, Tower of London, & Tower Bridge.
Paris-Latin Quarter, Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, River Seine Cruise, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre-Dame Cathedral de Paris.
Switzerland-the city of Crans-Montata, Chillon Castle, Lake Geneva, the city of Montreux, Freddie Mercury statue, the city of Tasch, Zermatt Ski Resort, the Matterhorn, Swiss Cows in the Swiss Alps countryside, and a traditional swiss polka dance.
Germany-The medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Night Watchman Tour, Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, and Die Neuen Burgerstuben.
Austria-the city of Bad Hofgastein, the city of Salzburg (birthplace of Mozart), various places where “The Sound of Music” was filmed, thermal Spa, and a variety of beautiful mountainside waterfalls.
Other travelers who were on the trip from Falls City were Kim Zimmerman, Amber Bauman, Man Kwang Yeung and Alisha Sutton-Director of Choirs and Piano at Falls City Middle & High Schools.
Prior to heading overseas, the musicians and staff spent 5 days at Wayne State College for NAM camp. A Farewell Concert was given on the final day of camp.
Nebraska Ambassadors of Music travel on the odd years so the next trip will be in 2027. Mrs. Sutton hopes other FCHS musicians will be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime music tour-June 2027.
Gunner & Harley were among hundreds of other students who auditioned for the 2025 All-State Musicals-Legally Blonde & Something Rotten. The All-State Musical Camp (which began in 2009) is offered every summer by the MidlandUArts at Midland University under director Dan Hays.
Harley was a “Delta Nu Sorority Girl” and Gunner was “Kyle, the delivery guy”.
Gunner was also in the orchestra pit for Something Rotten.
Congratulations, Gunner & Harley. We are so very proud of you.
Tiger Football just finished up their summer weights program for the 2025 season. The first picture was from 2022, my first year as coach. In grades 7-12 only 2 football players had perfect football summer attendance, John Craig a Senior and Jacoby Bangert an 8th grader. This year we had 20. Our team goal is to attend 75% of summer workouts. These 20 young men went above and beyond that goal. Football is more than a game, it is the ultimate work based learning experience and these young men have shown the character to get up and put in the work everyday rain or shine. Not everyone can be in the weightroom everyday, that is why we make the goal 75%. This year 90% of High School players and 74% of Junior High players made that goal. Both records for the football program. In 2022 during my our first year the High School had 31% and Junior High had 26% meet their goal. Every year these numbers have improved. We are extremely proud of these guys and the work they have put in to better themselves and to prepare for the upcoming season.
Pictured from left to right front row:
Taylor Donahoo, Chase Simpson, Vaden Leyden, Bowdy Jones (Cap), Jacoby Bangert (Cap), Blakely Sells (Cap), Brock Niedfeldt (Cap), Kacen Davis, Elijah Leyden, Brody Scholl. Back Row left to right: Brantley Sells, Braxton Moore, AJ Timothy, Mason Collier, Cade Caudle, Collin Roberts, Ryan Hall, Tate Ramer, Cam Vice. (Owen Eickhoff also had perfect attendance but was excused for the RC Fair and is not pictured)
We are seeking individuals who are passionate about supporting students with diverse learning needs in a collaborative and inclusive educational environment. Successful candidates will work closely with classroom teachers and special education staff to provide individualized support, implement instructional plans, and promote student growth and success.
Pictured Left to Right: Bowdy Jones, Blakely Sells, Brock Niedfeldt, Gavin Bauer, Jacoby Bangert.
