Articles by cyzem

The Dubuque Community School District will host an open house and ribbon cutting for the district’s new Seedlings Preschool Center on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The event will begin with a short program at 4 p.m., followed by an opportunity to tour the facility. The community is invited to attend.

Seedlings Preschool Center is a newly remodeled, state-of-the-art facility located at 7810 Chavenelle Road on the Bright Minds Campus (formerly Medline facility at 7900 Chavenelle Road).

The 18,000-square-foot free preschool was designed entirely to support the community’s youngest learners. The center aims to meet the community demand for high-quality early childhood education with seamless access to wrap-around child care programming in the adjacent Dubuque Community Y Early Learning Center.

Seedlings Preschool Center features newly renovated classrooms, a fully accessible outdoor playground, specially designed sensory spaces, meal service and common spaces, and a dedicated team of preschool teachers and support staff.

Need help registering your student?
Looking for a job in an amazing school district?
We are hitting the road and bringing the district to you!

Visit our registration and human resources teams at one of our Mobile Registration and Employment Fair stops throughout the community.

At each stop:

• Our registration team will be on hand to assist families in completing online registration for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
• Our human resources team will take applications and conduct on-the-spot interviews for a variety of district jobs, including paraprofessional, transportation and food/nutrition positions.
• Computers with internet access will be provided – and we even have a few treats in store!

Join us at one of the following times:

Saturday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.- 2p.m.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH: Audubon Elementary School
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH, including the shuttle schedule to get there!

Tuesday, Aug. 6, 3-5 p.m.
Hempstead High School

Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 1-3 p.m.
Washington Middle School

Thursday, Aug. 8, from 1-3 p.m.
Roosevelt Middle School

Saturday, Aug. 10, from 7 a.m.-Noon
Dubuque Farmers Market

Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 1-3 p.m.
Irving Elementary School

We look forward to seeing you!

Don’t miss this year’s Back-to-School Bash: Impacting Our Community!

Saturday, Aug. 3
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Audubon Elementary School
605 Lincoln Ave.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH FEATURES:

• sign-up for school supplies from the St. Mark’s Apples For Students program (Learn how to contribute supplies to the program)
• Dubuque Community School District registration assistance
• vaccinations and school physicals
• free Back-to-School Bash t-shirt
• booths by a variety of community organizations
• and more!

NEED A RIDE? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

Hop on or off a school bus shuttle at one of the following locations/times:

Thank you to the AMAZING community organizations that make the Back-to-School Bash possible:

• Black Men Coalition
• City of Dubuque
• Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
• Dubuque Community Schools
• Kendall Hunt Publishing Company
• Multicultural Family Center
• RH Prints Co.
• Resources Unite!
• St. Mark Youth Enrichment
• Women United | United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States
• and many more!

QUESTIONS?

Contact Anderson Sainci!
563/589-6054 or
asainci@cityofdubuque.org

The Dubuque Community School District will participate in the USDA Summer Food Service Program to provide no-cost meals to students weekdays from July 8 through August 2, 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.

Summer Academy meal locations and times are as follows:

Audubon Elementary School
Prescott Elementary School
Table Mound Elementary School
Breakfast: 7:30-8 a.m.
Lunch: 11-11:30 a.m.

Meals will also be offered throughout the summer by community agencies at a variety of locations.

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

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

Acceptance and participation requirements for the Program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html

and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866)632 – 9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

2. Fax: (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 section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.”

The Dubuque Community School District was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for having met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and transparency. The award is for the district’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending in 2023.

This is the 15th consecutive year the district has received this honor.

“For over half a century, ASBO International’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting has been the gold standard in promoting and recognizing excellence in financial reporting,” said ASBO International Executive Director Jim Rowan, CAE, SFO. “Communicating the financial and economic state of a district is so important when engaging with the school community and building their trust. Districts that receive the COE Award have demonstrated their ability to do that at the highest level.”

“We are committed to responsibly using and reporting on the financial resources that we are entrusted with,” said Kevin Kelleher, chief financial officer for the Dubuque Community Schools. “Our annual financial report is one tool in doing so and we hope our Certificate of Excellence helps assure taxpayers of our commitment to the highest standards of financial management.”

By participating in the Certificate of Excellence Program, school districts submit their ACFR for review by a team of financial professionals who provide feedback to improve future documents. According to ASBO, recognition in the Certificate of Excellence program can facilitate bond rating and continuing bond disclosure processes.

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education is proud to announce Theressa Northouse, a technology coach at Marshall Elementary School, has been named as a recipient of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries. The award is given to six educators each year who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Now in its 10th year, the award is given annually to one full-time, licensed preK-12 teacher from each of the six STEM regions in Iowa. Each recipient is honored for their efforts to foster enthusiasm and inspire a passion for STEM that goes beyond the classroom and helps prepare students for future high-demand careers.

Northouse was recognized for her efforts in going above and beyond in providing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) experiences at Marshall Elementary School. She has established several STEM clubs at her school, including a Coding Club, a Girls Who Code Club, and a Robot Club. Northouse’s work in the teaching of computer science is done with equity in mind, because she believes in the importance of students being able to see themselves in jobs that involve STEM.

Northouse has always collaborated with companies like John Deere and The National Inventors Hall of Fame to bring real-life, hands-on opportunities to the classroom. Her grant writing also produced Finch, Sphero, and DASH robots to ensure coding and robotics at all grade levels, while infusing creative challenges for the kids to keep them engaged. Northouse was described by her nominator for this award as “bringing tremendous energy to the classroom to keep kids engaged and wanting more STEAM.”

As a recipient of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, Northouse will receive $1,500 to use for her classroom and $1,500 for personal use.

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About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council leverages public-private partnerships of educators, companies and Iowa students and families to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The Council’s work supports strong college and career pathways for students and growth for state and local economies. The 44-member STEM Council is co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young. For more information, visit https://iowastem.org.

About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

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.

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.