Michael enjoyed a summer staycation to prepare his body and mind for school! He finished off his baseball season and attended many Sox games this summer. He collected his favorite player bobble heads, spent time catching some sun at pools and beaches, spent a lot of time with family, visited the zoo and McDonalds Headquarters, and got on his very first big kid ride ( American Eagle)! He is very excited to return and start 1st Grade in ONE WEEK! 🙂

Lily spent a lot of the summer soaking up the sun and spending lot of time with her favorite people. She can’t wait to come back to school and see all her friends! Only ONE WEEK until all our Dolphins are back together again!🐬

Isabella is preparing for the start of school by doing her favorite activities and visiting favorite places with some of her favorite people... food for the soul! 😊 Trip to Disneyland HongKong &Shanghai Strawberry Picking Field Museum with friends World Cup fun with Friends Brookfield Zoo How are YOU preparing for the return to school? Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our social media pages.

Thank you to everyone who attended story time with Principal Mazza last night! What a beautiful night to read outside with our Ames friends. 🐬 📚

Today is the day!! Join Principal Mazza tonight for a surprise story! 📖 🐬

Happy birthday to the following Ames Dolphins celebrating birthdays this week! 🎂 🐬 Macaulay Yassine Younous Crew Liam Madelyn Lane Charlotte

Julie took a trip down to Seaside, FL for some fun on the sun before school starts! ☀️ Did you know that moderate sun exposure provides essential health benefits, including vitamin D production for strong bones, boosting brain serotonin to improve mood, and enhancing sleep quality? A perfect way to prepare for the first day of school! How are YOU preparing your body in mind for the return to school? Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our social media pages!

Nolan is having the best staycation before school starts! He toured Wrigley & Soldier Field, went on a Minecraft adventure, and saw 3 other states from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower!! How are YOU preparing to head back to school? Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our social media pages!

Lisa has been preparing for school by doing some of her favorite things with her favorite people! 😊 She watched her brother's robotics class, spent time with friends watching soccer games, did Tae Kwon Do, and visited the Pokémon exhibit at the Field Musem! How have YOU been preparing your body and mind for school? Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our social media pages!

Our Ames PTA has been working hard to prepare for the new school year! They have lots of exciting things planned for the 2026-27 school year. How are YOU preparing your body and mind for the return to school? Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our social media pages!

Join Principal Mazza for a surprise story on Monday! 📕 🐬

Nico and Teddy are soaking up the last few weeks of summer by hanging out with some of their Ames friends! Did you know that spending quality time with friends and family improves mental health, boosts academic performance, and lowers stress levels? What a great way to prepare your body and mind for school! How are YOU preparing your body and mind for school? Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our social media pages!

Happy birthday to the following Ames Dolphins celebrating birthdays this week! 🐬 🎂 🎉 Addison Abrielle Augustus Hudson Dominic Owen

Bubbles is getting ready for a new school year! He's preparing for school by picking out books to read from the Ames Little Free Library. 📚 Little Free Libraries are a great way to find free books to read! You can find more Little Free Libraries using this website: https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/ How are YOU preparing your body and mind for school? We'd love to see how you and your family prepare to head back to school! Whether it be new haircuts, spending quality time with family, reading, playing a math game, back to school shopping.... we want to see it all! Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our Ames social media pages.

Save the date for our annual Meet and Greet! Students can meet their new teachers and drop off their school supplies the day before school starts. 📚 ✏️ 🐬

Ms. McPherson is getting ready for school by spending time with her 2 month old son, Shay! They have been reading books, going to the zoo, hanging out with friends, working out, and spending time outside. She can’t wait to return to kindergarten after her maternity leave! How are YOU preparing your body and mind for school? We'd love to see how you and your family prepare to head back to school! Whether it be new haircuts, spending quality time with family, reading, playing a math game, back to school shopping.... we want to see it all! Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our Ames social media pages.

Did you know that teachers come in to the building during summer break to prepare their classrooms for the new school year? Mrs. Guastella has been busy organizing materials, laminating, and decorating her room for her incoming 2nd graders! How are YOU preparing your body and mind for school? We'd love to see how you and your family prepare to head back to school! Whether it be new haircuts, spending quality time with family, reading, playing a math game, back to school shopping.... we want to see it all! Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our Ames social media pages.

Happy birthday to the following Dolphins celebrating birthdays this week! 🐬 🎂 Naomi Allison Natalia William Dominick Jayden **If your child is on the no media release list then they will not appear on this list, but we still wish them a very happy birthday! 🎉

It's August 1st! Do you know what that means?? It's officially BACK TO SCHOOL month!! ✏️ 🍎 🐬 Some of our smart Ames Dolphins have been preparing for the return to school by brushing up on their skills at summer school! How are YOU preparing your body and mind for school? We'd love to see how you and your family prepare to head back to school! Whether it be new haircuts, spending quality time with family, reading, playing a math game, back to school shopping.... we want to see it all! Send your pictures to Mrs. Collins at collinsc@district96.org to be featured on our Ames social media pages.

Sebastian, Ari, and Harper are celebrating birthdays this week! Happy birthday, Dolphins! 🎂 🐬