Articles by cyzem

We are pleased to live stream the 2025 Dubuque Community School District graduation ceremonies!

Live stream links will be posted on this page prior to the event. Below is the full schedule:

• Dubuque Online School: Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m.
• Dubuque Senior High School: Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m.
• Hempstead High School: Saturday, May 31, at 3 p.m.

PREVIOUS BROADCASTS

Hempstead High School 2025 Graduation, Saturday, May 31, 2025

Dubuque Senior High School 2025 Graduation, Saturday, May 31, 2025

Dubuque Online School 2025 Graduation, Friday, May 30, 2025

The Dubuque Community School District will participate in the USDA Summer Food Service Program to provide no-cost meals to students weekdays from July 7 through August 1, coinciding with the district’s Summer Academy Program.

The district will provide no-cost breakfast and lunch to any child 18 years old or under, with no enrollment necessary. No infant formula or infant food will be served. Meals will be served on site.

Meals will be offered at Prescott Elementary School and Table Mound Elementary School Monday through Friday between July 7 and August 1, with breakfast being served from 7:30-8 a.m. and lunch being served from 11-11:30 a.m.

Meals will also be offered throughout the summer by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque at a variety of community locations.

VIEW THE FLYER OF ALL COMMUNITY MEAL SITES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement:
It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 6200 Park Ave, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone number 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

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.”

Hoover Elementary School will host an open house celebrating the legacy of the school on Thursday, May 22, from 5:30-7 p.m. The community is invited to attend. Hoover will close at the conclusion of the school year. At the open house, school staff will be on hand and self-guided tours will be available.

During the 1965-1966 school year, a purchase agreement was signed for land to build a new elementary school. This site would eventually become Hoover Elementary School, which was dedicated in 1968 at its current location on St. Anne Drive in Dubuque. The school was named after Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States, who was born in West Branch, Iowa.

At the time, the unique structure of the building was recognized for its innovative design in which classrooms were situated in clusters with a shared learning center in the middle. Initially an open-concept facility, it had few permanent walls and doors.

During the 2025-2026, the Hoover Elementary School site will serve third- and fourth-grade students from Irving Elementary School, who will relocate to that site for the year while Irving is under construction to receive a new HVAC system including full air conditioning.

The Dubuque Community School District Teacher of the Year was named at the annual Educators’ Recognition Reception on May 8, hosted by the Dubuque Education Association.

Kelly Eigenberger, a Title I reading teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, was selected for the honor.

Eigenberger has spent her entire career at Lincoln and is currently serving as a Title I reading teacher at the school. She joined the district in 2006, serving as a multicategorical special education teacher from 2006 to 2012. From 2012 to 2015, she served as a special education coach and from 2015 to 2024 was a special education teacher, both at Lincoln. Eigenberger holds a bachelor of arts in education degree and a master of arts in education degree, both from Clarke University in Dubuque.

“[Kelly] consistently goes above and beyond to create resources that accommodate our curriculum. Her efforts provide our students with the scaffolds they need to succeed and build their confidence,” said a colleague who nominated Eigenberger. “[She] truly cares about each and every child. She is always looking at the whole child. She builds relationships by allowing students to join her for lunch in her classroom. She is always a smiling face in the hallway each and every morning. The students truly look forward to her being in our classroom. Her positive attitude and outlook are contagious…”

Other finalists for the Teacher of the Year Award were:

• Nancy Berendes, a kindergarten teacher at Kennedy Elementary School
• Glenda Davis, a science teacher at Hempstead High School
• Chad Hamilton, an instructional coach at Bryant Elementary School
• Tammie Harbin, a health and wellness teacher at Sageville and Eisenhower Elementary Schools
• Amy Palm, eighth-grade math teacher at Roosevelt Middle School
• Jake Rheingans, a career technical education teacher at Hempstead High School
• Karen Rothert, a sixth-grade math teacher at Washington Middle School
• Emily Schrader, a second-grade teacher at Audubon Elementary School
• Wendy Winger, a sixth-grade science teacher at Roosevelt Middle School

Also at the event:

Jefferson Middle School Principal Greg Lehman received the TEAM (Together Educators and Administrators Make-it-happen) Award presented to an administrator for exemplary support of teacher success. Lehman’s nomination notes his exceptional leadership and advocacy for staff, students and families. The nomination points to Lehman establishing a culture of safety and camaraderie at Jefferson; promoting staff collaboration and valuing their input; and creating systems that allow staff to grow and contribute meaningfully.

We can’t wait to welcome your student and family – and the rest of the Class of 2038 – to our Kindergarten Welcome Event on Thursday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m.!

We are ready for you!

WHAT TO EXPECT
When you attend the Kindergarten Welcome Event at your home school, you will have the opportunity to meet our school staff and see the building where your student will begin their educational journey.

To allow us to maximize the space, and focus fully on our kindergarten students, we ask that only parents and new kindergarten students attend the Welcome Event if possible.

During the event, our staff will deliver presentations for families on a variety of topics such as staff introductions, annual verification process, and get all the must-know information about our school. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

Most importantly, we are excited to show you all the things that make our school community so special.

Students will have the chance to participate in short, fund activities with our kindergarten team. This gives us a chance to get to know your student better and gives your student a chance to get a taste of their soon-to-be new school!

We look forward to welcoming you on April 24 and working with you and your student as you make the transition to kindergarten! Please feel free to contact our school office with any questions in advance.

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We are pleased to present the Fall/Winter 2024 K-12 Virtual Student Art Gallery, highlighting the amazing artwork of our students.

The exhibit features the ability to virtually walk through a curated gallery of work — and we hope you’ll enjoy immersing yourself in the exhibit as the vision of these talented student artists comes to life.

VIEW THE VIRTUAL STUDENT ART EXHIBITION

We are excited to welcome 8th-grade students and their families to our HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES at Dubuque Senior High School and Hempstead High School on Monday, January 27.

Each open house begins with a short program at 7 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.

Not sure what your home high school is? Find your school based on your home address.

Following a short program, students and families will have the opportunity to:

• Visit with teachers to learn and ask questions about specific courses
• Attend demonstrations by academic departments to learn about course offerings
• Visit with activity advisors and athletic coaches to check out clubs, organizations, fine arts and sports offerings
• Learn about special programs including senior year plus (earning college credit while in high school), gifted and talented, and special education services
• Meet school counselors and administrators, who can answer questions regarding the registration progress
• Explore the building and meet other members of the Hempstead High School community

All incoming students and families are encouraged to attend. This event is a chance to learn about the experiences and opportunities available over the next four years.

Ready to join our A+ Team?

Learn about all of the amazing career opportunities available in the district at our Dubuque Community School District JOB FAIR on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 1-3 p.m. at the district’s main offices at 2300 Chaney Road!

Representatives from departments across the district will be on hand, including:

• Transportation
• Food and Nutrition
• Buildings and Grounds
• and Schools with Paraprofessional Openings

Interviews will be conducted ON SITE during the fair!

PLUS, many position coordinate with the school calendar so you can be aligned with your child’s schedule!

Looking for a more flexible as-needed role? Learn about becoming a substitute teacher or paraprofessional at the fair!

CAN’T WAIT AND READY TO APPLY? Start your application today!