I am excited to welcome everyone back for the start of another school year. The 2023-24 school year will be my 14th year in education. I began my career by teaching fourth grade in Omaha, Nebraska for one year. I then taught 4th and 5th Grade for seven years in South St. Paul, MN. I am looking forward to starting a new year with all staff and students in my sixth year as principal at Northside Elementary School.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and following various collegiate and professional sports. I'm married to Allie, and we have three children who keep us busy: Quinn (3rd Grade), Ryleigh (Kindergarten) , and Payton.

At St. James Public School's our mission statement is, A school community committed to supporting lifelong learning and fostering respect for all".  We are committed to fulfilling that mission here at Northside.

Northside Elementary is home to St. James Public School students in Grades K-5. The core learning revolves around the areas of reading, math, science, and social studies. All students also receive instruction in the areas of Art, Music, Physical Education, and STEM, and for students in Grades 3-5, a new offering of Sarah's Spanish School, an online virtual Spanish program. We also offer talent development programming in the area of Advanced Math and Computer Science beginning in 2nd grade. Further, we are a Turnaround Arts Partner school, thus staff place an emphasis on celebrating the arts within our school community. As a building, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone, in which our staff places a strong emphasis on PBIS and Second Step approaches, which support students in making responsible choices and being a part of a school-wide community. Northside Elementary staff are also engaged as members of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), working collaboratively to enhance classroom decisions through the use of student date.

I am honored to be a part of the accomplishments that Northside students and staff have demonstrated thus far and I am excited about the growth that is yet to come!   

With the assistance of families, our Elementary students will make great progress towards academic and personal goals.  Our staff - teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians and food service - will work together to provide a safe, fun, and engaging learning environment.  Please know your on-going support of Northside Elementary and the St. James Public Schools is greatly appreciated.  Let us make the 2024-2025school year the best yet!

Respectfully,
Liam Dawson, Principal
Northside Elementary School
507-375-3325

ldawson@isd840.org
@MrDawsonL on X (Formerly Twitter)

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St. James Public Schools Mission Statement
"A school community committed to supporting lifelong learning and fostering respect for all"