



The first grade classrooms came together for a celebration that was as sweet as pumpkin pie! All three first grade classes gathered in one room to share a very special Friendsgiving meal — a full spread of delicious foods and desserts lovingly prepared by families and staff.
Laughter and smiles filled the room as students sat side by side, sharing turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a variety of treats that could rival any Thanksgiving table. Tiny voices chimed with excitement, and the joy of togetherness could be felt in every corner.
This Friendsgiving was more than just a meal — it was a beautiful reminder of what the holiday season is all about: friendship, kindness, and gratitude. Watching the students share food, pass plates, and giggle with their classmates was truly heartwarming.
As the children enjoyed every bite, their teachers couldn’t help but smile, knowing that these moments of community and connection are what make school days so special.
From full plates to full hearts, our first graders made this Friendsgiving one to remember!
Thank you Mrs. Rushton, Mrs. Price, and Mr. Perkinson for making this special meal happen.
https://youtu.be/5t2ayujeKIM





Pictured (from left to right)
Back row: Coach Rachel Cooley, Chloe Lines, Claire Kinsman, Loretta Cooley, Brinley Nakano, Rylee Aiken, Coach Alicia Nakano
Front row: Jordy McNurlin, Allie Brager, Jo Kinsman, Abby Kinsman, Reign Cartwright
Submitted by Kristine Brager

Today was an exciting day at Onalaska Elementary as we celebrated first-grader Harper, the winner of this year’s Dog Days of Summer contest! Harper completed all four weeks of her summer school homework—and turned everything in on time—earning her a spot in the final drawing and ultimately taking home the top prize.
Peak, the generous sponsor behind the Dog Days of Summer program and our brand-new book vending machine, joined us for a special unveiling of the machine this morning. Representatives from Peak, along with their beloved mascot, Dollar Dog, helped reveal the new vending machine and congratulate Harper on her hard work.
As the contest winner, Harper was awarded the very first token to use in the vending machine. With her classmates, Peak reps, school administrators, two of our school board members, Superintendent Padgett, and her proud parents cheering her on, Harper used her token to select the very first book from the machine!
Peak also took time to interview Superintendent Padgett and hosted a fun photo shoot with Mrs. Padgett, Harper, and our board members to capture the excitement of the moment. In addition to her special token, Harper received a prize from the school for her dedication and efforts during summer learning.
We are so proud of Harper and grateful to Peak for their continued support of our students and literacy programs. What an amazing way to kick off a year full of reading and learning! 📚✨



🎉 Onalaska’s Annual Food Drive Results Are In! 🎉
Last week we wrapped up our annual districtwide food drive, and we’re thrilled to share the results! Together, our Ony students and staff collected an incredible 2,225 food items to support our community! 🥫💜💛
🏆 Elementary took the win with a whopping 1,649 items collected — amazing job! Their reward? A well-deserved pizza party, served by our Middle School friends, who brought in the fewest items this year (better luck next time, MS! 😉🍕).
All donated food went to the Onalaska Backpack Program and the Salkum Food Bank, both of which directly support Onalaska families in need. 💕
👏 A huge shoutout to Mrs. Stingley’s Leadership class for organizing, collecting, counting, and delivering all the donations. You truly embodied the Ony spirit of giving back!






We had a special guest visit our second grade class today! A big thank you to Trooper Miloff for taking the time to read a story to our second graders!
Submitted by Mrs. Smith


We wish everyone a safe and fun evening! 👻
Don’t forget — we hope to see you at the PTO’s Trunk or Treat tonight at 4:00 PM! 🚗🍬🕷️



Library Day is one of our preschoolers’ favorite times of the month! The excitement fills the classroom when our friends from the Timberland Library come to visit, bringing a fresh selection of books for students to check out and enjoy.
Each month, the librarian thoughtfully chooses stories that tie into the class lesson themes—helping students explore new ideas, build vocabulary, and discover the joy of reading in fun, hands-on ways.
It’s always a special day filled with curiosity, imagination, and smiles as our young readers dive into new adventures—one story at a time! 💛







📅 October 9 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
✨ Join us for our first annual Fall Family Showcase!
Students can’t wait to show off their classrooms and share what they’ve been learning.
🎉 Highlights include:
🖍️ Classroom projects
🤝 PTO meet & greet
🏫 Meet your school board
🎁 Fun activities, prizes & more
🍪 Light fall treats
Bring the whole family and celebrate learning, community, and fall fun together! 🍁
Our PTO has a full month of fun and fundraising planned! Here’s what’s happening in October:
🧡 Boo Grams on Sale (PreK–12)
October 1–24
Send a sweet surprise to friends or teachers! Boo Grams will be on sale through October 24. The PTO will be in front of the elementary school before school on October 24 to collect final orders.
🍂 Fall Fundraiser – Elementary & Middle School
Begins Friday, October 3
Fundraiser packets are due Thursday, October 24.
🎓 High School Fundraiser
Begins Tuesday, October 15
Fundraiser packets are due Tuesday, October 29.
🚗🍬 Trunk or Treat
Join us for some Halloween fun!
October 31 at 5:00 PM
Elementary (Grade School) Parking Lot
Come support our PTO and help make these events a success for our students!








