The Dubuque Community School District was recently recognized for its communication efforts in the 2025 Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) Communication Contest, honoring outstanding school communication throughout the state.
The district received 10 awards in the contest, with each entry evaluated and scored independently by school communication professionals in other state chapters of the National School Public Relations Association.
Based on a scoring rubric, entries receiving a winning score are selected to receive either an Award of Excellence or a Blue and Gold Award, which is bestowed upon entries receiving a perfect score from judges in each criteria category. For 2025, the Dubuque Community School District received the most Blue and Gold Awards of any school district in the state.
The district was honored with the following:
BLUE AND GOLD AWARD
- Category: Special Purpose, Entry: READY. FOR YOU. 2024-2029 Strategic Plan
- Category: Public Engagement Campaign, Entry: Kindergarten Sneak Peek
- Category: Marketing/Branding Campaign, Entry: Seedlings Preschool Center Identity
- Category: Social Media, Entry: Dream Big: Kyle Konrardy
- Category: Photography, Entry: Elementary Track Meeting: Marshall Strong
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
- Category: Public Engagement Campaign, Entry: Multilingual Family Night
- Category: Video – Singular, Entry: JJ and Logan
- Category: Social Media, Entry: #ThankAnEducator
- Category: Social Media, Entry: Audubon Attendance
- Category: Excellence in Writing, Entry: School Performance Profiles Paint an Incomplete Picture
“As a district, we believe that having outstanding schools relies on having an engaged, informed community,” said Mike Cyze, chief communication officer. “Our amazing team is committed to proactively and transparently communicating with those we serve, and it is an honor to be recognized as among the best school communication work being done across the state.”