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Articles from December 2012

Statement About Sandy Hook Tragedy

Statement from Stan Rheingans, Superintendent of the Dubuque Community School District

The thoughts and prayers of the Dubuque Community School District are with those in Newtown, Connecticut impacted by today’s tragic school shooting.

We know that there are no words to provide comfort in the wake of today’s events, yet we also know the power of school communities to unite in overcoming adversity.

Today, we lend our support to those in Connecticut from afar and we join with schools across the country in striving to always provide the safest environment possible for our students.

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Dubuque Educator Named Iowa Assistant Principal of the Year

Brenda Maro, assistant principal at George Washington Middle School in Dubuque, is the 2012-13 Iowa Assistant Principal of the Year as named by School Administrators of Iowa (SAI).

“As an educational leader, Brenda Maro’s commitment to student success is evident not only through her work in a community-student mentoring program and with student behavior, but also in her involvement with staff learning,” said SAI Executive Director Dan Smith.

Recipients are selected using the Iowa Standards for School Leaders, which focus on

  • a vision of learning;
  • the presence of a school culture and instructional program that is beneficial to student learning and staff professional development;
  • a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment;
  • work with parents and the community;
  • fairness, integrity and ethics; and
  • an understanding of the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context in which we operate.

“It is a huge honor to be recognized as the 2013 Assistant Principal of the Year,” said Maro. “I firmly believe that this recognition is a true reflection of the collective efforts of the faculty and staff at Washington Middle School, their abilities to embrace change, take on challenges, and continue to move forward in a collaborative effort to help all students succeed. Leadership is about positively influencing others. I have been fortunate to be influenced by so many great people throughout my life, and I hope that I am able to make a difference for others through my leadership.”

A committee of Iowa assistant principals selected Maro for the award. She will be recognized at a State Capitol ceremony in May 2013 and at SAI’s Annual Conference in August 2013. As Iowa’s recipient, Maro is now a candidate for National Assistant Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Virco, Inc. She will have an opportunity to attend a recognition program in Washington, D.C., in the spring featuring professional development and networking activities with peers from around the nation.

Maro began her career as a special education teacher at Four Oaks School in Dubuque, and started in administration as Four Oaks’ principal. She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Northern Iowa; a master’s degree in special education and her secondary administration endorsement from Loras College.

SAI, a statewide organization founded in 1987, represents more than 2,000 Iowa educational administrators. SAI’s mission is to support, encourage and develop Iowa’s educational leaders and learners.

For more information, contact the DCSD School and Community Relations Office at (563)552-3020.

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Bryant Elementary Wins ‘Fuel Up to Play 60’ Pledge Campaign Challenge

Bryant Elementary School in Dubuque has been named the Iowa winner of Fuel Up to Play 60’s local “Are You In?” Pledge Campaign Challenge for its efforts in encouraging kids to eat healthy and get active. The effort was led by Bryant teacher Chad Hamilton, who teaches wellness education at the school. Read More about “Bryant Elementary Wins ‘Fuel Up to Play 60’ Pledge Campaign Challenge”

Dubuque Campaign Named Together for Tomorrow Challenge Winner

Dubuque’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is one of only 24 plans honored in Washington, DC, for the Together for Tomorrow Challenge

Dubuque’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, facilitated by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, was named a Together for Tomorrow Challenge Winner today at a special event in Washington, DC. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education along with the Corporation for National and Community Service and the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the challenge is aimed at advancing community partnerships and citizen service that will support school improvement. Read More about “Dubuque Campaign Named Together for Tomorrow Challenge Winner”

Hempstead and Senior High Schools to Host #BeInformed Series

Hempstead High School and Dubuque Senior High School will host the first event in #BeInformed, a series designed to educate parents about issues facing their high school students, on Thursday, October 4, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Hempstead High School Auditorium Center Pod. The first event, which is free and open to the public, will focus on the topic of Internet safety, cyber bullying and sexting. Read More about “Hempstead and Senior High Schools to Host #BeInformed Series”

Rheingans Named Dubuque Community School District Superintendent

The Dubuque Community School District Board of Education voted unanimously today to appoint Stan Rheingans as the district’s new superintendent of schools, effective immediately. Rheingans has served as the executive director of human resources for the district since 2004 and has been the interim superintendent since May. Read More about “Rheingans Named Dubuque Community School District Superintendent”

District to Host LEAD21 Sessions for Parents, Sept. 20

The Dubuque Community School District will host two sessions to introduce parents to the district’s new LEAD21 literacy program. The sessions will be held at Thursday, Sept. 20, with one beginning at 5:45 p.m. at Marshall Elementary School and a second beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Carver Elementary School. Parents of students in kindergarten through fifth grade are encouraged to attend. Read More about “District to Host LEAD21 Sessions for Parents, Sept. 20”

Kinderpalooza Returns with Health and Community Services Line-up

The Dubuque Community School District and the Dubuque Community School District Foundation will again partner to host “Kinderpalooza II,” a health and community services fair, on Thursday, September 6, from 3-6 p.m. at the Five Flags Center. The fair, in its second year, is designed for children of all ages and families to learn about various community resources available to them. Read More about “Kinderpalooza Returns with Health and Community Services Line-up”

New Center Looks to Re-engage Dropouts with Educational Options

A new community initiative is aiming to address the needs of those who have recently dropped out of school by connecting them to alternative educational options and post-secondary education. A partnership consisting of the Dubuque Community School District, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), and Project HOPE and its many partners will form a new “Re-engagement Center” based on best practices across the nation and coming after many months of planning on the local level. Read More about “New Center Looks to Re-engage Dropouts with Educational Options”

District Names New Director of Special Education

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Rozanne Warder as the district’s new director of special education. Warder will replace Lynn Helmke, who will retire from public education on August 31 after 15 years as the district’s director of special education. Warder will begin her new role with the district on August 27. Read More about “District Names New Director of Special Education”