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Letter from the Principal

Hello, Edmondson Stallions. My name is John Berg and I am fortunate to be the principal of Laurene Edmondson Elementary School! I’m originally from Indiana, where I began my teaching career as a science and math teacher. I then moved with my family to Colorado and continued teaching science, math, and special education, while eventually receiving my school principal’s licensure from CSU. Prior to my role here at Edmondson, I was an assistant principal in Fort Collins for 5 years. My wife is a teacher in another school district and we have two grown adult children. I am lucky and thankful to be a part of the Edmondson learning community! 

We continue our focus on integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts into our daily teaching in the classroom while refining various aspects of our program. 

We guided our students in implementing this learning by having our 3rd and 4th graders embark on a Problem-Based Learning project while using the Design Thinking model, to redesign our computer lab. They created empathy by researching and visiting 21st-century workspaces at OtterBox and Madwire in Fort Collins. They learned about the design aspects of creating a workspace that would best foster our 9 STEM Learner Profiles. They ideated, prototyped, and presented their designs to a panel of adults. The panel chose elements from each design to create a new innovative workspace for our students. Kindergarten through 5th grade students will utilize this space weekly to code, create, innovate, and design. The space will have 3D printers, a green screen production area, a Lego wall, lots of wall space to use to ideate, and flexible workspaces. Our students use this space daily as STEM learners.

Our students in grades 1-3 designed our outdoor Sound and Light Garden and our students are currently involved in the development of our Outdoor Classroom space on the north side of the school building.

Social-emotional learning is very important to us at Edmondson. We embrace a growth mindset by helping our students reach success with the following attitudes: 

  • I can learn anything I want to

  • When I’m frustrated, I persevere

  • I like to challenge myself

  • When I fail, I learn

  • I like being told that I try hard

  • If my classmates succeed, I’m inspired

  • My effort and attitude determine everything. 

Our student council focuses on promoting and spreading kindness in our school community, and we teach students to live the RRF way (Respect, Responsibility, and being Fair Minded).  We allow students to utilize our Mindfulness Room, a place where they learn to use calming strategies to reduce stress and anxiety.

Because we believe in the whole child and our mission is “maximize all student outcomes”, we also use a social and emotional intelligence daily curriculum, Character Strong, in all of our classrooms. The lessons help students identify and manage their feelings and learn strategies for preparing themselves to be the best learners possible.

We host four major community engagement events throughout the year where we focus on building our partnerships with all families in our learning community:

  • GET Together (Guaranteed Education Team) in September and January

  • PIE Night (Partners in Education) in the Spring of each year

  • STEM Night (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in April

We hope to see you at each of these important events! Thanks for your continued partnership and support!