Teamwork makes the dream work! 2nd and 5th grade buddies from Mrs. Collins and Mr. Becker's classes got together to write recipes for teamwork. Students love spending time with their buddies putting SEL skills into practice!

We are the champions... again!! 🏆 Congratulations to Mr. Becker and Team Ames for winning the North Riverside chili cook-off again this year! Thank you to all of our Ames families who showed up and supported the Beckers. Go Dolphins! 🐬

Tonight's the night! Support Team Ames at the North Riverside Chili Cook-Off! 2026 Autumn Fest Chili Cook-Off at the Village of North Riverside Friday, September 18 6:30-9:00 (Chili sampling is 7:00-8:00 only) We won last year and are looking to go back-to-back! 🐬 🏆

Dine at Culver's tomorrow, 9/15, from 10 AM to 10 PM and support the Ames PTA! Make sure to mention the Ames fundraiser when ordering. 🐬

REMINDER: Picture Day is tomorrow, 9/14! 📸

Save the date!! The annual North Riverside Chili Cook-Off is only one week away, and Ames is hoping to be crowned back-to-back champions! 🏆 2026 Autumn Fest Chili Cook-Off at the Village of North Riverside Friday, September 18 6:30-9:00 (Chili sampling is 7:00-8:00 only) The Becker and Downes families will be serving up delicious chili again this year, and we need ALL Dolphin families to stop by and drop in their ticket! 🎟️ 🐬

Make sure to stop by the Fall Book Fair when you come tonight for Parent Night! There is something for everyone! 📚

REMINDER: Please join us for Parent Night tonight 9/10! 5:30 Early Learners 6-7:30 K-5

Ms. Munson's 3rd graders are already crushing math!

💙 Buddy Time! 💙 Our fifth graders and second graders had their first Buddy meeting of the year! They spent time getting to know one another through a fun “Find Someone Who” activity and started building some special connections. We’re looking forward to all the fun and learning our Buddy pairs will share this year! 🥰📚

Our students have been learning all about the Dolphin Way through expectation stations and our monthly SEL assembly! Ask your child how they are respectful, responsible, and safe at school. 🐬

Thank you to the Ames PTA for planning such an exciting and inspirational back-to-school assembly for our Ames Dolphins! Matt Wilhelm wowed us with his BMX bike tricks, and taught us so many important lessons! *Be an Upstander: have the courage to speak up and be a hero! ⭐️ *Never give up; hard work pays off! 💪 *Always choose kind words. ❤️

Happy SECOND day of SECOND grade! ✌️

Hip hip hooray, it's the first day! 😃 🐬

Reunited and it feels so good! The Ames staff has spent the last 2 days at Professional Development meetings, and we are SO ready to see all of our Ames Dolphins back at school TOMORROW! 🐬 🤩

The final addition to our Ames Dolphin pod is Rainu Thomas, our new Early Learner Speech Pathologist! 🐬

New to our paraprofessional team this year is Miss Lizzie Campos! Welcome to the Ames family! 🐬

Please give a warm Ames welcome to our new permanent sub, Mrs. Jeanine Vaia! 🐬

Meet our new Early Learner Teacher, Ms. Steph Bassett! 🐬

Next step on our new staff roster at Ames School is Mr. Emerson Azcoitia! Name: Emerson Azcoitia Position at Ames: Resource Teacher Prior experience/education: I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education from Elmhurst University. Additionally, I pursued my passion for dance during my college years. Hobbies: I love dancing, running, and playing with my dog, Rinny. Favorite book: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Meaningful quote: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. Find the fun and snap—the job’s a game!”— Mary Poppins Highlight of your summer break: This summer, I drove across the country to visit my sister in Portland, Oregon. Anything at all you’d like our Ames community to know about you: I’m thrilled to be returning to the Ames community! I spent the 2024–2025 school year teaching second grade with Mrs. Collins, and I’m proud to be an Ames Dolphin!