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School District of Monroe

Inspiring Growth, Empowering Success

The brick facade of Monroe Northside Elementary School is visible under a partly cloudy sky.

 

Northside Elementary School
3005 8-½ Street
Monroe, WI  53566

Phone: (608) 328-7134
Fax: (608) 328-7226

Grades: Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment: 380
Principal: Nicole Ruegsegger, Interim
Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Instruction Hours: 7:55 AM – 3:10 PM (M-Th); 7:55 AM – 1:10 PM (Early Release Fridays)

 

Northside Elementary serves approximately 400 kindergarten through fifth grade students and is located on the northeastern side of Monroe. Northside is proud of its tradition of high academic achievement and a warm, caring environment where relationships are encouraged and valued. We believe in meeting the needs of ALL students and providing the most enriching, positive educational experience possible.

Introducing Northside’s Interim Principal: Nicole Ruegsegger

Excited to Lead a School I Know and Love

It is with great pride and excitement that I introduce myself as the Interim Principal of Northside Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year. After four years of teaching special education at Northside and 14 years in education overall, I am honored to lead a school that means so much to me both professionally and personally.

As a lifelong member of the Monroe community and a proud graduate of the School District of Monroe, stepping into this role is especially meaningful. I feel incredibly fortunate to give back to the district that helped shape who I am today, and now educates the next generation, including my own children.

Rooted in Northside, Personally and Professionally

My husband Scott and I have been married for 17 years. We have three daughters, Mackenzie, Maddie, and Makayla, all proud Northside Elementary alumni. Having experienced Northside as both an educator and a parent, I know firsthand what a warm, welcoming, and enriching place this is for families. That connection gives me a deeper understanding of what makes Northside so special and strengthens my commitment to continuing its strong traditions and student-centered culture.

Northside is a place full of joy, care, and community spirit. Whether it’s root beer floats on the first day of school, the fun-filled Sock Hop, the beloved Kindergarten Circus, or our Open House and basket raffle, these traditions create lasting memories and foster a strong sense of belonging. We are also fortunate to have an active and supportive PTO that not only provides amazing events for students and families but also partners closely with staff to support classroom needs throughout the year.

Focused on Student Growth and Collaboration

I have always been passionate about supporting every learner, and my years as a special education teacher were deeply rewarding. I love working closely with students and families to create inclusive, individualized learning experiences that help students grow both academically and socially. That same commitment carries into my leadership, ensuring all children feel valued, supported, and challenged.

Before my time in the classroom, I served as the District’s Summer School Coordinator for seven years. This role strengthened my skills in coordinating programs, managing logistics, and building strong partnerships with families. I’ve also been an active member of building and district-level Professional Learning Communities, collaborating with colleagues to analyze student data, strengthen instructional practices, and foster continuous improvement across classrooms.

Looking Ahead to a Meaningful Year

At Northside, we believe in nurturing not only academic achievement but also social-emotional growth to set the foundation for lifelong success. As the saying goes, “It’s the people, not the programs,” that make the biggest difference, and I am proud to work alongside such a passionate, dedicated, and talented team of educators and support staff.

I look forward to partnering with families, empowering staff, and continuing the legacy of excellence that defines Northside. It’s truly an honor to serve the community that has educated me, my daughters, and so many others.

 

Warm regards,
Nicole Ruegsegger

Our Mission

We will empower every child to reach their greatest potential by having high expectations and quality instruction in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment.

 

Our Vision

A leading, collaborative educational community where all children develop social-emotional skills and achieve high academic growth.

 

Collective Commitments

  • We will put the needs of STUDENTS first.
  • We will work together knowing the combined knowledge, experience, and effort of a TEAM is greater than the individual.
  • We will approach each situation with positivity, understanding, and the BELIEF that we can affect change.
  • We will model lifelong learning through REFLECTIVE and CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
  • We will have HIGH EXPECTATIONS and BELIEVE in ALL students, knowing that these are the most important factors in changing their lives.
  • We will cultivate a community of educators committed to actively supporting one another and fostering meaningful RELATIONSHIPS.

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More Information

  • School Hours:

    Doors Open 7:30 AM

    First Bell 7:55 AM

    Dismissal 3:10 PM

    2-Hour Delay

    Doors Open 9:30 AM

    First Bell 9:55 AM

    Dismissal 3:10 PM

    Friday Early Release

    Doors Open 7:30 AM

    First Bell 7:55 AM

    Dismissal 1:10 PM

  • ParentSquare

    All schools in our district use ParentSquare for school communication primarily with email, text, and app notifications.

    ParentSquare automatically syncs with our student information system to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

    ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home. Learn more and get started today by viewing our ParentSquare web page.

  • Volunteering at School:

    • Classroom assistance: Help with activities, read to students, or assist with projects.
    • School events: Volunteer at events like book fairs, fundraisers, or school dances.
    • Library support: Help with shelving books or reading to students.
    • Field trips: Accompany classes on educational outings.
       

    Participating in School Organizations:

    • Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO): Attend meetings, participate in fundraising, and support school initiatives.

     

    Volunteer Disclosure Form – this form must be filled out in order to volunteer in the schools.

  • Each of the three elementary schools use the following curriculums that align with Common Core State Standards. All teachers use a variety of instructional strategies in the classroom to address the needs of our student population.

    • Bridges
    • Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) 
    • Mystery Science

    Encore Offerings (Specials) at the elementary level are listed below. 

    • Art
    • Music
    • Phy. Ed
    • SELF (provided by school counselor) 
    • Regular library check outs (LMC)
    • Makerspace (on a rotating basis within the LMC)

     All elementary schools have a Library Media Center (LMC) and 1:1 Chromebooks for students in grades K-5th. 

  • The School District of Monroe follows a Response to Intervention (RtI) or Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework in both academic achievement and social-emotional learning that focuses on early intervention, a tiered system of interventions, and consistent monitoring of data to measure the effectiveness of our curriculum and instruction. Northside Elementary feels that social-emotional learning is just as important as academic achievement and utilizes a positive behavioral approach, known as PBIS, that includes teaching our school expectations, building community, and acknowledging positive choices. All of our school rules revolve around the three expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.