Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! It is an honor to serve as your principal and to join a school community with such a strong tradition of caring, learning, and excellence. I look forward to partnering with our students, families, and staff as we build meaningful relationships and create opportunities for every child to learn, grow, and succeed. 

At Pine River-Backus Elementary, we are committed to our mission of Teaching and Inspiring students to Grow, Excel, Reach, and Succeed in partnership with our learning community. Every day, our dedicated faculty and staff strive to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where every child feels valued, challenged, and supported. We believe that strong relationships are the foundation of student success, and we are committed to helping every learner discover their strengths, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

As partners in your child’s education, we value the important role families play in the learning process. Open communication and collaboration between home and school are essential to creating the best possible experience for our students. We encourage families to stay connected, ask questions, share ideas, and reach out whenever support is needed. Together, we can build a strong partnership that helps our students feel confident, connected, and excited about learning. We are excited for all that the 2026–2027 school year will bring and look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and success!

Warm Regards,

Julia Bjerke

Elementary Principal