Tails From The Prairie

02/16/2026

The Thedford, NE kindergarten class hoped for 50 Valentines from all 50 states... instead, they got more than 1,000 cards and packages from across the country and around the world.

Boxes started arriving, giant plastic totes from the U.S. Postal Service started stacking up.

And when you stop and think — each delivery started with a stranger somewhere in the world deciding to show some students in the Nebraska Sandhills — children they didn’t even know — that they care.

The class received so many surprises that Thedford Elementary is hosting an open house today (Friday, Feb. 13th) so the community can come walk the halls, see it all, and feel the love.

They have now hung up the Valentines, postcards and letters to line the hallways. You’ll also see tons of maps — each delivery was turned into a learning adventure as students found the sender’s location on a map and talked about where it came from.

The open house is Friday from from 8:00 a.m.- 2p.m.

Pictured: Elle Leonard Worley and Dawn McFadden Thedford Public Schools

Elle Leonard Worley has been sharing the journey on her Instagram page .

02/15/2026

Thank you so much to everyone for all the cards and packages!! This was such an exciting time for not just the kindergartners but for the whole school! Card reveal will be posted tomorrow!!

02/06/2026

A simple classroom project in rural Nebraska is now turning into mail from around the world

Week 3 and 4 of the kindergarten Valentine’s exchange.

01/24/2026

My sweet one-eyed girl passed away today. I picked her out as a kitten, looking for the sickest in the bunch…and there she was. After lots of vet bills, she walked away with one eye and was so loved. Her health problems persisted and at one point it was suggested that I put her down. She still seemed to have so much fight left, and she lived about two more years. She was my only cat to pass naturally (not taken by an animal) and the longest living cat I’ve had livng in country (3.5 years).

Binx, you were the last of Willow’s kitty friends. That makes this a bit harder. I hope you’re having a time with Willow, Paws, Rosemarty, and Casper. I’ll see you someday on the other side, sweet girl. ❤️

01/17/2026

Y’all are AMAZING!!!

01/08/2026

Their teacher also said if you’d like to send info on your state, feel free to do that too!!

📬 Thedford Public Schools
Kindergarten Scholars
407 Court St
P.O. Box 248
Thedford, NE 69166

12/31/2025

Share a favorite photo of your pet in 2025!

12/30/2025

Wow, what a year. It wasn’t easy. A bridge year. One where I finally started coming out of the fog of the last 6 years of personal hell. It was pivitol. One of extreme growth and learning.

The first half was a lot. The second half…well finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. #2025

12/21/2025

12/13/2025

I wish I could bottle up how calm, quiet, and magical it feels outside right now!