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Articles from February 2024

Wagner Named Next Irving Elementary School Principal

Renee Wagner (photo)

Renee Wagner

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Renee Wagner as the new principal of Irving Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, pending approval by the Board of Education at its March meeting. Wagner, who currently serves as an instructional coach at Drexler Middle School in Farley, Iowa, replaces Susan Meehan, who was recently named administrator of the district’s new Seedlings Preschool Center.

As principal of Irving, Wagner will be responsible for the strategic and day-to-day operations of the school, which serves approximately 410 students and has over 85 professional and support staff.

Wagner assumes this role after serving as an instructional coach at Drexler Middle School since 2020. Prior to that, she was an instructional coach at Western Dubuque High School from 2014-2020. Prior to her role in instructional leadership, she served as a teacher at Drexler Middle and Intermediate School from 2010-2014 and was a Title I reading teacher at Cascade Elementary School.

“Renee brings a students-first philosophy that is guided by her strong track record of building positive relationships and her expertise in proven instructional practices,” said Superintendent of Schools Amy Hawkins. “That, combined with her positive attitude and excitement for learning make her the right fit to lead Irving into the future.”

Wagner holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary and middle level education from the University of Northern Iowa, a K-8 reading endorsement from Clarke University, and a master’s degree in education (educational administration) from Loras College.

Hatcher Named Next Kennedy Elementary School Principal

Rich Hatcher (photo)

Rich Hatcher

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Rich Hatcher as the new principal of Kennedy Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, pending approval by the Board of Education at its March meeting. Hatcher, who currently serves as assistant principal at Western Dubuque High School, replaces Nick Hess, who was recently named principal of Marshall Elementary School in the district.

As principal of Kennedy, Hatcher will be responsible for the strategic and day-to-day operations of the school, which serves approximately 585 students and has over 81 professional and support staff.

Hatcher assumes this new role after serving as assistant principal of Western Dubuque High School since 2017. Prior to his time in the Western Dubuque Community School District, he was a student needs facilitator at Jefferson Middle School in Dubuque from 2014-2017 and was an instructional coach and talented/gifted facilitator at Jefferson from 2007-2014. Prior to that, he was a science and geography teacher at Williams Intermediate School and F.L. Smart Middle School, respectively, which are both in Davenport, Iowa.

“Rich is an energetic, relationship-driven administrator who thrives on building connections with families, student and staff,” said Superintendent of Schools Amy Hawkins. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to the Dubuque Community School District and we are excited for all he will bring to this role at Kennedy.”

Hatcher holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, a master of educational leadership degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill.

Dubuque Senior and Hempstead High Schools at State Bowling

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2024 Bowling 3A State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

3A State Girls Championship

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 4th Place

Individual 3A Girls State Qualifiers

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Zoie Bettcher
Alison Hedrick
Mackenzie Lang
Clara Pregler

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL
Chloe Hansen

Individual 3A Boys State Qualifiers

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Zach Wlochal

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL
Alec Bowman

Hempstead and Dubuque Senior at Boys State Swimming

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2024 IHSAA Boys State Swimming Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

State Finishers

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL

200-Yard Freestyle Relay – 2nd Place

  • Brandon Decker
  • Owen Leitzen
  • Kyle Powers
  • Logan Westhoff

100-Yard Freestyle 

  • Kyle Powers – 10th Place
  • Owen Leitzen – 12th Place

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

200-Yard Medley Relay – 9th Place

  • Walter Freund
  • William Fry
  • Zack Heiar
  • Jarrett Herber

100-Yard Breaststroke – 11th Place

  • Zack Heiar

100-Yard Butterfly – 12th Place

  • Zack Heiar

State Qualifiers

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL

50-Yard Freestyle

  • Brandon Decker
  • Mason Lemm
  • Kyle Powers

100-Yard Backstroke

  • Jake Dolphin

100-Yard Breaststroke

  • Brandon Decker

100-Yard Butterfly

  • Mason Lemm
  • Logan Westhoff

100-Yard Freestyle

  • Owen Leitzen
  • Kyle Powers

200-Yard Freestyle

  • Michael Rhett Gilbertson
  • Owen Leitzen
  • Logan Westhoff

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

  • Brandon Decker
  • Michael Rhett Gilbertson
  • Owen Leitzen
  • Kyle Powers

200-Yard Individual Medley

  • Jake Dolphin
  • Zach Wenger

200-Yard Medley Relay

  • Brandon Decker
  • Jake Dolphin
  • Henry Gilbertson
  • Mason Lemm

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

  • Henry Gilbertson
  • Michael Rhett Gilbertson
  • Owen Leitzen
  • Kyle Powers

500-Yard Freestyle

  • Dustin Coyle
  • Michael Rhett Gilbertson
  • Zach Wenger

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

50-Yard Freestyle

  • Jarrett Herber

100-Yard Backstroke

  • William Fry

100-Yard Breaststroke

  • Zack Heiar

100-Yard Butterfly

  • William Fry
  • Zack Heiar
  • Jarrett Herber

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

  • Duncan Freund
  • Walter Freund
  • Zack Heiar
  • Cole Marshall

200-Yard Medley Relay

  • Duncan Freund
  • Walter Freund
  • William Fry
  • Jarrett Herber

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

  • Duncan Freund
  • William Fry
  • Zack Heiar
  • Jarrett Herber
Dcsd education event substance use HEADER

Community Education Series Event, February 27

Join us for a special Community Education Series Event entitled “Youth Substance Abuse: Hidden in Plain Sight” on Tuesday, February 27, from 6-8 p.m. in Roling Auditorium at Washington Middle School. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

VIEW THE FULL EVENT FLYER (PDF)
LALE MELELE IN KAJIN MAJOL | VER EN ESPAÑOL

This event is recommended for parents/guardians and those that support youth in grades 4-12. ADMISSION IS FREE AND NO RSVP IS NECESSARY.

This event is for adults only, no students please.

AT THE PROGRAM

Learn about current substances and the impact on young adults in our community from local experts, including:

  • Vaping and Tobacco
  • Illegal Substances in Our Community

PLUS, an Interactive Resource Fair featuring:

Hidden in Plain Sight Room Display: Walk through the display to search for
indicators of substance use and possible hiding spots.

Impaired Vision Pedal Kart + Simulation Goggles: Safely experience the effects of alcohol and common drugs while driving a kart or completing simple tasks.

A variety of community partners will also be on hand and available to answer questions and offer resources.

Hosted by: Dubuque Community Schools and With DRA (logos). In partnership with Dubuque Police Department and UnityPoint Health Visiting Nurse Association (logos)

Header Online School

Dubuque Online School Informational Webinar, Feb. 5

Online. In your backyard. Out of this world!

DUBUQUE ONLINE SCHOOL for middle and high school students is the only online school based right here in the Dubuque area, giving students and families another way to get a top-notch Dubuque Community School District education!

Considering Dubuque Online School for your soon-to-be 9th-grader?

Learn more at an informational webinar on Monday, February 5 at 7 p.m.

JOIN THE WEBINAR

At the webinar, you’ll explore:

  • Dubuque Online School mission and values
  • The typical student day
  • Curriculum offerings and student programming
  • Frequently asked questions
  • The enrollment process

Dubuque Online School provides middle (grades 6-8) and high school students (grades 9-12) with a rigorous course schedule of online instruction delivered through a combination of:

  • on-demand classes using Imagine Edgenuity online learning platform
  • live virtual classes using Microsoft Teams video streaming platform

Visit the Dubuque Online School website to learn more.