What's New at Dubuque Community Schools

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.

Students from both Dubuque Senior and Hempstead High Schools will compete in the Drake Relays at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA from April 24 – April 26th. Known as America’s Athletic Classic, this event is considered one of the top track and field events in the United States.

Congratulations to the following student qualifiers:

Dubuque Senior High School

Boys 400M Hurdles

• Garrett Schumacher

Girls 3000M Run

• Emily Gorton

Boys 4x100M Relay

• Josh Schwab
• Marshawn Dukes
• Mahdi Al-Atabi
• Meek Hall

Boys 4x200M Relay

• Zachary Heiar
• Kael Stickley
• Garrett Schumacher
• Charlie Crow

Boys 4x400M Relay

• Zachary Heiar
• Charlie Crow
• Kael Stickley
• Garrett Schumacher

Girls 4x800M Relay

• Naveah Kessler
• Claire Hoyer
• Emma Chesterman
• Emily Gorton

Alternates

• Mason Birch
• Matthew Haug
• Lisa Hoyer
• Jack Kirman
• Daylin Moore

Hempstead High School

Co-ed 400M Wheelchair

• Ally Darter

Boys 4x100M Relay

• Hayden Harper
• Avery Keehner
• Brendon Zheng
• Jaden Montgomery

Girls 4x100M Relay

• Kassidy Buchenau
• Mallory Tomkins
• Kaylee Carley
• Ayla Osterkamp

Boys 4x400M Relay

• Micah Fern
• Hayden Harper
• Avery Keehner
• Thomas Brashaw

Girls 4x400M Relay

• Mallory Tomkins
• Piper Kirkenholz
• Evie Henneberry
• Ayla Osterkamp

Boys 1600M Distance Medley

• Jaden Montgomery
• Avery Keehner
• Thomas Brashaw
• Micah Fern

Alternates

• Sydney Feldhacker
• Mylee Lange
• Natalie Leitzen
• Owen Leitzen
• Paige Pitz
• Jordan Plummer
• Jillian Renner
• Jan Roller
• Autumn Sanchez
• Addi Wright

Every five years, the Dubuque Community School District updates its Special Education Service Delivery Plan, which outlines how the district implements services for students eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

As part of this process, public comment is sought on the draft version of the plan.

View the Draft Special Education Service Delivery Plan (PDF)

The comment period for feedback is now closed.

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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On Saturday, March 15, the Dubuque Senior Speech Team competed in the 2025 State Individual Event Speech Contest at Starmont High School in Arlington, Iowa. The team received overall Division I (Excellent) ratings in 47 performances.

The Hempstead High School Speech Team had a two students receive Division I ratings in four performances. The students were coached by Harmony Roe and Don Stanner. The contest is sponsored by the Iowa High School Speech Association.

The Dubuque Senior Speech Team also received 21 total Outstanding Performance nominations to the 2025 Individual Event All-State Festival which will be held Monday, March 31st at the University of Northern Iowa. The Dubuque Senior Varsity team also earned the I.H.S.S.A. Individual Event
Sweepstakes Trophy, given to the school with the most nominations to the Festival. This marks the thirteenth consecutive year the Dubuque Senior Speech Team has won the Individual Events Sweepstakes Trophy making them 2025 Individual Events State Champion.

Dubuque Senior’s varsity honors include four double All-State nominees – Peyton Dixon, Avery Kane, Chase Kreimeyer, and Ella Meyer. The group is coached by Hannah Burke, Aaron Dean, Greg Ernzen, Natalie Ervolino, Mike Grant, Maria LoBianco, Megan Schumacher, Chad Thomas and Matt Tompkins. The Festival is sponsored by the Iowa High School Speech Association, which is an affiliate of the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union.

Dubuque Senior High School

• Riley Beck – Solo Musical Theatre
• Ami Bellings – Solo Musical Theatre
• Julien Derks – Literary Program
• Peyton Dixon – Original Oratory & Storytelling
• Millie Eikamp – Expository Address
• Norah Homb – Storytelling
• Avery Kane – Acting & Literary Program
• Blair Kapp – After Dinner Speaking
• Chase Kreimeyer – After Dinner Speaking & Improvisational Acting
• Iris Lammer-Heindel – Public Address
• Liam Kroger – Radio News Announcing
• Ella Meyer – Prose & Spontaneous Speaking
• Jameson Norton – Acting
• Izzy Pregler – Prose
• Kate Putnam – Poetry
• Jack Rothert – After Dinner Speaking
• Adrianna Smith – Poetry

State Division I (Excellent) Rated Recognition:

Dubuque Senior High School

• Kelsey Ahlers – Storytelling
• Cassidy Bandy – Expository Address
• Evangeline Blaine – Poetry
• Seattle Bontemps – Original Oratory
• Wyatt Branscomb – Spontaneous Speaking
• Lela Bryant-Henry – Prose
• Sam Cavanagh – Radio News Announcing
• Matthew Denham – Original Oratory
• Liam Dostal – Solo Musical Theatre
• Anna Garrett-Douillet – Public Address
• Olivia Gennings – Prose
• Sam Haug – Review
• Amelia Hoffman – Literary Program
• Finn Kinkaid – Review
• Maura Lawler – Review
• Camilla Moeller – Radio News Announcing
• Josie Norton – Poetry
• Madeline Oney – Poetry
• Reid Postma – Improvisational Acting
• Ellieah Routley – Expository Address
• Benjamin Schaefer – Spontaneous Speaking
• Audrey Schuster – Expository Address
• Alaina Smith – Storytelling
• Bella VandenBerge – Acting & Public Address
• Morgan Weiland – Improvisational Acting

Hempstead High School

• Keegan Quam – Storytelling
• Maggie Morrow – Storytelling

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior represented the district well at the 2025 Bowling 3A State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

PLACE WINNERS

Dubuque Senior High School

TEAM – 5TH PLACE

• Madyson Arrington
• Zoie Bettcher
• Alison Hedrick
• Alexys Hirsch
• Sophie Jasper
• Ava Pregler

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL 

• Sophie Jasper – 4th Place

Hempstead High School

BOYS INDIVIDUAL 

• Gavin Wardle – 8th

STATE QUALIFIERS

Dubuque Senior High School

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL 

• Madyson Arrington
• Zoie Bettcher
• Alison Hedrick

BOYS INDIVIDUAL 

• Joey Simpson
• Zach Wlochal

Hempstead High School

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL 

• Chloe Hansen
• Ava Kennedy

High school students from Hempstead High School recently returned from a strong showing at the 2025 IHSAA Boys Wrestling 3A State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

PLACE FINISHERS

• Abe Heysinger (wt. 106) | 3rd Place
• Mitchell Pins (wt. 120) | 5th Place
• Cam Smith (wt. 215) | 7th Place
• Mitchell Murphy (wt. 132) | 8th Place

STATE QUALIFIERS

• Garren Christiansen (wt. 144)
• Ike Heysinger (wt. 113)
• Elijah Hyet (wt. 126)
• Peyce McCoy (wt. 175)