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!

Time to introduce you to our newest Ames staff members! First up is a friendly face you'll be seeing in the office every day: Hi 👋 My name is Beth Brouwer and I will be the new Mid-day assistant at Ames this year. I have lived in Riverside for 15 years, and both of my children attended Central and Hauser schools. I have been a local volunteer with Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and PTO over the years; and I am currently on the Hauser PTO board. This summer, I enjoyed gardening 🌿🍅 a bit of sewing 🪡 and spending time with my family. 🥰 I am so excited to join the Ames community! 🐬

Happy birthday to Kevin, Jose, and Aila! 🎂 All other birthdays this week will be announced in school! 🐬

Rising second grader Penelope had a FUN summer! She celebrated her 7th birthday by flying to Cyprus where she saw lots of family, visited the birthplace of Aphrodite, swam in the Blue Lagoon, enjoyed the mountain village of Omodos, celebrated a cousin’s wedding, relaxed at a hotel and was welcomed back home by her dad with an awesome sign at the airport! She can't wait to start school in FOUR days! 🐬

Mr. Wydra enjoyed some last-minute fun in the sun in southern California, soaking up every ounce of summer! He saw Venice Beach and the canals, Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood sign/walk of fame, Griffith Observatory, and made it to the west end of Route 66. ☀️😎🚴🏻🌴🎬🎞️🌊🏄🏻‍♂️ Fun fact: Route 66 starts in Chicago and passes by Riverside as it makes its way west to Santa Monica, California! Unfortunately there were no celebrity sightings this time... 🫤 📸 I can't wait to meet my new group of fourth graders this week! 🐬

Joel and Jes had a busy summer this year! They headed to Albania, stopped at Munich for an ice cream during their layover and then met family and cousins. They ate fresh white berries from the tree, got fresh chicken eggs from grandma's chickens, went to Macedonia to play, visited Rome for a few days and then headed to the beach. They finished the trip with a celebration of Jes' 8th birthday. Back home they went to Michigan lake, many parks, the library, and Great Wolf Lodge. They're so excited to see all of their Ames friends back at school in FIVE days! 🐬

1st Days of School are EXCITING no matter how old you are. Mr. Becker is wrapping up his summer by dropping off his oldest son in Florida for his 1st Day of college!!! He can't wait to see all the Ames Dolphins for our First Day of School on Thursday, August 27! 🐬

Mrs. Lukes is preparing for school by hanging new posters! She brought her son Max as a helper. 6 days until school starts! 🐬 🎉

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!