If your child is eligible to start kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year, you may register them when the online enrollment form is available through the District offices. Families are encouraged to enroll their child in kindergarten as early as possible but not sooner than March 1st when the forms are open.  Open enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year for students outside the Stewartville School District can occur anytime after October 2023.    

One common question is, “When will I know my child’s teacher?”  Due to students occasionally enrolling throughout the summer, initial class assignments are typically not released until mid-August.  This allows for necessary adjustments to be made in case there are changes in the number of classroom sections.  Families will receive an email indicating their child’s placement along with additional “start-of-school” information during the summer.  Class rosters are created with a great deal of thought and consideration. As such, any adjustments to rosters can affect overall classroom dynamics.  We respectfully do not take roster requests. 

School starts after Labor Day.  SEPTEMBER 3rd and 4th are non-school days for Bonner students and are reserved for “Meet-the-Teacher” conferences and “One Stop Shop” activities.  On THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th, half of our kindergarteners ("Maroon Group") will attend school while the other half ("Gold Group") will stay home.  On FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th, the "Gold Group" will attend school while the "Maroon Group" will stay home.  This smaller student to teacher ratio during the first two days of school will allow for a more individualized, meaningful experience for our new kindergarteners.  The first day for ALL kindergarten students will be MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th.  This process is the same as the 2023-2024 school year.

Current plans are to have the school day start around 8:10 a.m. and dismiss around 2:50 p.m. (and around 12:40 on early release days); these times are only an estimate and are highly subject to change.  School office hours are anticipated to be 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday when school is in session. 

“One Stop Shop” is an event that allows students and families to come on-campus in preparation for the upcoming school year.  During our “One Stop Shop”, students will have their school pictures taken, complete vision and hearing screenings, set-up and make deposits to lunch accounts, ask questions about transportation, familiarize new students to the building, learn about extra-curricular programs, fill out paperwork, drop off school supplies, drop off medications, and complete other activities designed to best prepare your child for the first day of school.  Part of our “One Stop Shop” is a dedicated conference for students and families to meet their new teacher.  Families will receive an email in August to sign up for their child’s “Meet-the-Teacher” conference.  Included will be a link to an online conference management system called PTCFast.  Simply follow the directions and select a time that works best for you.  Other “One Stop Shop” activities can be completed around your Meet-the-Teacher conference.  It generally takes between one and one-and-a-half hours to complete the activities at our “One Stop Shop”.  

The Stewartville School District currently contracts through Grisim Bus Company.  The finalization of bus routes occurs over the summer.  Information will be sent out to parents prior to the start of school and is also published in our local newspaper, The Stewartville Star and school website.  It is very important for families to keep their home and daycare addresses up-to-date as they do change bussing routes.  To change addresses, please contact the Bonner office at 507-533-1500.  

The transition to full-day, everyday school can be challenging, but also highly rewarding, for young students.  (Tentatively) students typically arrive at school between 7:45 (please no earlier!) and 8:10.  Once in the classroom, the teacher will lead students through a variety of academic and social activities designed to provide a rich, well-rounded education.  Both academics (reading, mathematics, writing, science, social studies) and social skills are taught every day by the classroom teacher.  Art, music, and physical education are also taught on a rotating basis with specialists.  Students have ample opportunities to learn how to interact with adults and peers.  Play is a highly important part of kindergarten and is incorporated into each school day.

All kindergartners receive breakfast while at school free of charge.  You may also choose to give your child breakfast at home, which would make this a “second breakfast” for them.  For lunch, students are typically given one to two lunch choices.  Students may also choose to bring lunch from home [a carton of milk may be purchased].  Students also receive a minimum of 30 minutes of recess each day.  Some teachers will build additional recesses and/or free-choice time into their schedules.  We have a large playground area that includes swings and jungle gym equipment, a large blacktop surface, and large fields to run and play. 

At the end of the school day, kindergartners are dismissed in an organized manner.  We have developed a system for identifying after-school plans for all Bonner students.  This includes identifying tags attached to their backpacks.  As families, you can help us get your child home safely after school by using this tag system and communicating with your child’s teacher any plans that are different from the norm.  For any last-minute changes, please call the school office at 507.533.1500, and we will communicate this information to your child’s teacher.  

A supply list will be developed and emailed to parents over the summer.  This list will be posted on our school website and can also be commonly found in larger retail stores.  Individual classroom teachers may request additional items.  Winter outerwear [boots, jackets, mittens/gloves, hats, and snow pants] is very important since we do have outdoor recess.  We would also like your children’s time in gym class to be safe, therefore all children must wear tennis shoes while participating in gym class.  Sandals, snow boots, or dress shoes are not appropriate for gym activities.  If you could use help with school supplies, please contact Principal McInroy at zane.mcinroy@ssdtigers.org or our School Community Liaison, Scott Spencer at scott.spencer@ssdtigers.org.  

Many families choose to transport their children to and from school.  Please understand the following information in this section is dynamic and subject to change.  Updates will be provided!  

When dropping students off, please keep the following in mind:  

1.  Please do not drop students off prior to 7:45.  Our formal supervision does not start until this time, and students dropped off early will not be supervised.  

2.  When dropping students off, please have adults remain in the vehicle.  Having adults exit the vehicle significantly slows down the drop-off process for other students and drivers.  School staff will be present to assist students. 

3.  When dropping students off, please have students exit from the passenger side of the vehicle.  This is a safety concern since other vehicles may be passing by closely as they exit the drop-off area.  This also speeds up the drop-off process. 

4.  Please drop students off near the main entrance of the school (by the flagpole) and have them enter through the main doors of the school.  Students should not be going around the east side (Tiger Time doors) of the building in the morning - we simply do not have enough staff to adequately monitor this area. 

5.  Overall, please move as quickly and safely as possible during student drop-offs.  This will help other adults and students who are patiently waiting for their turn. 

For picking students up, please refer to the following guidance:  

1.  When entering the Bonner drive, please stay in your vehicle and pull up to the loading zone near the flagpole.  Our supervisors will have your child waiting for you. 

2.  Please do not exit your vehicle when your child approaches.  This significantly slows down the line behind you. 

3.  Have students enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.  Our supervisors will assist children in the opening and closing of doors if necessary. 

4.  Do not park along the pick-up lane, exit your vehicle, and retrieve your child on your own.  From our experience, this actually slows down the pick-up process. 

5.  Do not attempt to pick up students in the “through” lane.  

6.  Be extra cautious when driving.  There are many students and adults moving about at the end of the school day.

We hope that you understand our commitment to safety and will do your part in keeping all of our Bonner family and local residents safe and comfortable.  If everyone operates within the same parameters and exercises patience and understanding, we will continue to increase our efficiency while keeping everyone safe. Thank you all in advance for your understanding and promotion. 

Regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability. 

If your child cannot attend school, please call our attendance line at 507.533.1500, option 1, or email bonnerattendance@ssdtigers.org prior to 8:00 a.m..  When reporting the absence please provide a reason for the absence along with any symptoms of an illness.  If your child has an appointment, please contact both your child’s teacher and the office.  If given proper advanced notice, we will try our best to have your child ready for pick-up shortly after you arrive.  

Part of the responsibility of our teachers is to provide regular updates as to your child’s academic and social progress in school.  Formal report cards are distributed four times per year via Family Access.  Bonner Elementary also uses benchmark testing and progress monitoring through FASTBridge assessments.  These assessments provide insight as to academic progress and comparisons to other students both in the district and nationally.  Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for the fall for all students; dates and times are still to be determined.  It is strongly encouraged for you to reach out to your child’s teacher at any time via phone or email with any questions or concerns.     

Family Access is a service provided by the Stewartville Public School District through which parents and students may view grades, schedules, attendance, lunch account balance, and other information online.  User IDs and passwords are assigned during the registration process.  If you are experiencing problems after registration, please contact the Bonner Office at 507.533.1500 for assistance in logging into Family Access. 

Bonner Elementary prides itself on being a student-centered community.  Each day, our educators provide high-quality academic instruction to all students.  Students who need extra academic support may be eligible for W.I.N. (“What I Need”) during which they receive interventions specifically designed to address academic challenges.  Bonner Elementary also has a fully-supported special education department and health office to support students’ academic and medical needs while attending school.  A school support specialist, a school community liaison, and an English Learner teacher are also assigned to Bonner Elementary to help support students and families.  

A school nurse or health aide will be available to attend to any health needs that may arise during the school day.  You will be contacted if the concern requires discussion or possible dismissal.  This may include health-related discussions regarding contagious conditions or diseases along with recommendations, guidance, and parameters set for returning to school.

We are fully staffed and capable of providing medical support including the distribution of medications.  For more information, please contact our District School Nurse, Tricia Bredesen, at 507.250.5503.

School lunches for the 2023-2024 school were free to all students.   However, we are currently unsure if this program will continue into the 2024-2025 school year.  Application forms for free or reduced lunches, also known as Educational Benefits forms, may be picked up at the Bonner Office.  Please return the completed applications to any one of the schools in the District.  You will receive notification of eligibility as determined by Federal guidelines.  Names of those receiving free or reduced lunch are kept confidential.  Families MUST re-apply every year for Educational Benefits.  It is strongly encouraged to fill out the Educational Benefits form even if you may not feel you qualify for this program since this may provide benefits in other areas.  Educational Benefits forms for the 2024-2025 school year will be emailed to you when you receive your child's class assignment and will also be available at our "One Stop Shop" in September.  

Parents are welcome to visit school.  However, we do caution the regularity and timing of such visits, and not until at least 30 days after school starts.  Occasional lunches with your child are special moments and are welcomed.  If you would like to order a school lunch, please contact the school office before 8:30 so we can place your order.  In order for students to start learning independence and routine, we ask that you do not have lunch with your child during the first month of school.  We also ask that parents not eat breakfast at school with their children.      

All visitors should use the main doors, and will be asked by office staff to scan their driver’s license prior to admission to the building.  This includes not only the driver, but all visitors.  Upon entering the building, please stop at the office to sign-in and obtain a visitor pass before going to any classroom or the lunchroom.  Although this may seem like an inconvenience, it is for the safety of the students here at Bonner Elementary.  Visitors are not allowed on the Bonner playground.  Visitors are considered guests and the building administration or their designee reserves the right to refuse or dismiss any visitor for any reason prior to or during a visit.  Please be sure to sign-out at the office before leaving the building.   

Volunteers are needed in many areas.  Please contact the office if interested in volunteering at our school. Volunteers will be asked to submit a Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement form prior to participating in volunteer activities.   

Yes.  Bonner Elementary School and Bear Cave Intermediate School have a joint Parent Advisory Council (SEPTA:  Stewartville Elementary Parent Teacher Association). The council meets the third Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:00 PM during the school year with some exceptions as directed by S.E.P.T.A. leadership.  SEPTA meets to review, discuss, and listen to information of importance to the school, students, and parents.  All parents are welcome to attend and participate in SEPTA meetings.  For more information, please see the SEPTA Webpage.

We genuinely value and appreciate family support and understanding.  In addition to this, we ask that parents provide up-to-date contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, changes in daycare providers, emergency contacts, etc.) in order to facilitate quick communication from the school to the family.  If changes to addresses [including daycare changes] are made over the summer, please contact the Bonner Office so updated busing can be set up prior to the start of school.  If contact information changes during the school year, please contact the Bonner Office.  

If there are Court orders that affect your child, PLEASE provide this information to the school. A current, written Court order will provide the documentation we need to best support you and your child.  The school must remain a neutral entity during civil disputes.  If there is any other information or concerns you have regarding your child’s safety or peace-of-mind at school, please contact Principal McInroy. 

Yes, the Stewartville School District does run a school-aged child care program called Tiger Time.  This program runs before school (starting at 6:30 a.m.) and after school (ending at 5:30 p.m.).  However, there are limited slots available; enrollment is not guaranteed.  If you are interested in enrolling in Tiger Time, please contact Ms. Megan Wilber  at megan.wilber@ssdtigers.org or 507.533.1597 for more information. 

All students are entitled to learn and develop in a setting that promotes respect of self, others, and property.  Proper positive discipline can only result from an environment that provides options and emphasizes student self-direction, decision-making, and responsibility.  Schools can function effectively only with discipline based on mutual understanding of rights and responsibilities.

Bonner Elementary uses a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system called R.O.A.R. (Respect Others, Act Responsibly) as a basis for our school-wide behavior plans.  Whenever possible, we believe education and positive reinforcement should be the first steps to minimize misbehavior.  Most behavior concerns are addressed by the classroom teacher in a fair and equitable manner.  If necessary, teachers may request assistance from the building principal, or possibly the school support specialist or school community liaison depending on the need of the child. 

Bonner Elementary is a very dynamic school.  Primary communication will come from your child’s classroom teacher.  Many teachers provide newsletters or use other forms of communication to keep families up-to-date.  The school also maintains a website and will communicate with families via email for news that affects all students.  Facebook is the primary social media outlet for Bonner; please consider following us!  You are always welcome to contact your child’s teachers or the office with questions or concerns.