What's New at Dubuque Community Schools

The Dubuque Senior Theatre Department had a successful showing at the 2024/2025 International Thespian Excellence Awards (or Thespys® for short).

The national qualifier event was held at the Iowa Thespian Festival on Friday, November 14 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. The International Thespian Excellence Awards program is designed to provide feedback for Thespians on theatrical performances and technical presentations. Students are adjudicated by theatre educators and professionals on rubrics that reflect national standards in theatre education.

Dubuque Senior brought home nine Superior ratings in the competition in a variety of performance events. In addition, students earned eight overall Excellent and one overall Good rating for their performances.

Students that earned overall Superior ratings qualified for the national event held at the University of Indiana in June, 2025, as part of the International Thespian Festival. The following students earned Superior ratings and have qualified:

SUPERIOR RATINGS – QUALIFIED FOR NATIONALS

Solo Musical Theatre

• Kelsey Ahlers | “Losing My Mind”
• Riley Beck | “Out There”
• Ami Bellings | “With You”
• Liam Dostal | “Giants in the Sky”
• Avery Kane | “Not a Day Goes By”
• Bella VandenBerge | “I Can’t Say No”

Duet Musical Theatre

• Riley Beck + Ami Bellings | “Love is My Legs”

Group Acting

• Riley Beck + Chase Kreimeyer + Jameson Norton | “The Complete Word”

Group Musical Theatre

• Kelsey Ahlers + Riley Beck + Ami Bellings + Julien Derks + Peyton Dixon + Liam Dostal + Avery Kane + Chase Kreimeyer + Jameson Norton + Bella VandenBerge | “When You’re An Addams”

The following performances were also selected by adjudicators as the best in their performance centers for the competition:

FIRST PLACE

Solo Musical Theatre

• Ami Bellings | “With You”

Group Acting

• Riley Beck + Chase Kreimeyer + Jameson Norton | “The Complete Word”

Group Musical Theatre

• Kelsey Ahlers + Riley Beck + Ami Bellings + Julien Derks + Peyton Dixon + Liam Dostal + Avery Kane + Chase Kreimeyer + Jameson Norton + Bella VandenBerge | “When You’re An Addams”

SECOND PLACE

Solo Musical Theatre

• Riley Beck | “Out There”
• Avery Kane | “Not a Day Goes By”

Lighting Design

• Wyatt Branscomb | “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”

Duet Musical Theatre

• Riley Beck + Ami Bellings | “Love is My Legs”

THIRD PLACE

Solo Musical Theatre

• Liam Dostal | “Giants in the Sky”

The following students earned an overall Excellent or Good Rating for their performance:

EXCELLENT RATING

Solo Musical Theatre

• Cheyenne Brown | “Don’t Rain On My Parade”
• Olivia Gennings | “She Used To Be Mine”
• Reid Postma | “Where is the Life”

Solo Musical Dance

• Ella Meyer | “I Want to Be a Rockette”

Lighting Design

• Wyatt Branscomb | “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”

Duet Musical Theatre

• Seattle Bontemps + Morgan Weiland | “The End of the Line”
• Olivia Gennings + Blair Kapp | “Suddenly Seymour”

Group Musical Theatre

• Seattle Bontemps + Kate Putnam + Morgan Weiland | “Mama I’m a Big Girl Now”

GOOD RATING

Solo Musical Theatre

• Ella Meyer | “She Used to Be Mine”

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Furthermore, Dubuque Senior High School’s production of Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists has been selected to perform at the 2025 International Thespian Festival. The selection is based on adjudication from theatre professionals from across the country. The performance of The Revolutionists at the 2024 Iowa Thespian Festival in November was reviewed by the national adjudicators and was selected to be one of just eight main stage performances at the International Thespian Festival.

CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARD (IHSSA All-State Festival) & SUPERIOR RATING (Iowa Thespian Festival)

One Act Play

• Ami Bellings + Peyton Dixon + Avery Kane + Bella VandenBerge | “The Revolutionists”

Dubuque Senior’s production of The Revolutionists featured four remarkable actresses as historical characters at the height of the Reign of Terror in France. The cast includes seniors Ami Bellings (Charlotte Corday) and Bella VandenBerge (Olympe du Gouges), and juniors Peyton Dixon (Marianne Angelles) and Avery Kane (Marie Antoinette). Adjudicators noted the Dubuque Senior actresses for their performances which were “captivating to watch” and for their “emotional depth.”

The production also featured music performed by Anna Garrett-Douillet on the harp. Adjudicators commented on Anna’s powerful performance and musical talent.

The ensemble of The Revolutionists included Kelsey Ahlers, Seattle Bontemps, Joslyn Brown, Olivia Gennings, Norah Homb, Iris Lammer-Heindel, Camilla Moeller, Jameson Norton, Josie Norton, Madeline Oney, and Izzibelle Pregler, as well as a special appearance by Grace Weber. The creative team included Aaron Dean (Director), Katie Galliart (Music Director), and Megan Schumacher (Scenic Art). The design team included more than twenty Dubuque Senior students working on costumes, lights, sound, props, and more. Adjudicators commended the student designers for the strong supporting role the technical elements played in the production.

Dubuque Senior’s performance at the International Thespian Festival will be June 25, 2025 at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Indiana. More than 3,000 students from across the country and abroad will gather for a week of main stage and studio performances, workshops with theatre professionals, and national competitions.

Congratulations to all our students on their achievements!

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!

Enrollment for FREE four-year-old preschool in the Dubuque Community School District for the 2025-2026 school year will begin on Monday, Dec. 9.

This includes all 12 Dubuque public elementary schools as well as the district’s Seedlings Preschool Center on Chavenelle Road offering preschool through the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. (Note: Seedlings Preschool Center has optional, fee-based wraparound care available at the adjacent Dubuque Community Y Childcare.)

Parents and guardians may enroll students ONLINE beginning at NOON on Monday, December 9, at www.dbqschools.org/preschool.

All district elementary schools and the district’s main office will have computers and staff assistance available beginning December 9 for families needing internet access to complete preschool enrollment.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Free four-year-old preschool is open to students residing in Iowa who are four by September 15. Proof of age (preferably a birth certificate) and proof of residency are required to enroll a student and may be uploaded during the enrollment application process or provided in hard copy to the district enrollment office at 2300 Chaney Road.

Your student’s enrollment application will not be considered complete until these documents have been received.

For the enrollment process, families should have the student’s main household and health information readily available.

PRESCHOOL SITE OPTIONS

Space may be limited in some facilities and enrollment applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment for preschool is not based on geography and all sites are open to Iowa residents. Applications will be time-stamped and families will be able to select up to three locations and time slots in order of preference.

Applications completed by January 10 (including submission of proof of age and proof of residency) will be considered in the first round of placement notifications beginning on January 15.

In addition to spots in Dubuque’s public schools, a variety of community preschool partners also offer free four-year-old preschool.

QUESTIONS?

For additional enrollment questions, individuals should contact the district enrollment office at enrollment@dbqschools.org.

For questions about preschool programming, contact the district early childhood office at earlychildhood@dbqschools.org.

The Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children is funded by the State of Iowa and facilitated locally by the Dubuque Community School District.

The Dubuque Community School District will host a Multilingual Family Night as part of the district’s family and community engagement series on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Dubuque Senior High School. Admission to the event is free.

We are READY. TO SUPPORT YOU.

Multilingual families with students in grades 8-12 are invited to join other multilingual families for a wonderful night connecting with the Dubuque Community School District and the many resources available to support you and your student. Interpreters and childcare will be provided.

• Share a FREE meal together
• Meet our caring staff committed to your student’s success
• Learn about the path to graduation and various careers
• Learn how to use the district’s communication tools like Infinite Campus and ParentSquare
• Get access to helpful community resources

This event is a VERTEX Initiative awareness opportunity made possible in partnership with Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council and the DRA.

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¡Acceda a esta información en español!

اردو میں اس معلومات تک رسائی حاصل کریں!

Truy cập thông tin này bằng tiếng Việt!

Looking ahead to kindergarten next year? Get a SNEAK PEEK of kindergarten life on Tuesday, December 3, from 5:30-7 p.m.

Staff from elementary schools across the district are excited to share all the amazingness that awaits soon-to-be kindergartners at all Dubuque Community School District schools.

Join us at one of the following locations:

Carver Elementary School
2007 Radford Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52002

Irving Elementary School
2520 Pennsylvania Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa 52001

Prescott Elementary School
1151 White Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001

This is an open house event, so families may stop by at any time during the event hours.

Kindergarten Sneak Peak is a fantastic opportunity for future kindergarten students and their families to explore our kindergarten program! This fun, interactive event will give attendees that chance to:

• meet our dedicated teachers, support staff and administrators
• experience the vibrant learning environment offered across all district schools
• learn about our kindergarten curriculum and activities
• get answers to questions about the upcoming school year

We can’t wait to welcome the class of 2038 to our school community and provide the highest quality education in Dubuque!

We are READY. For Kindergarten.

For questions, call 563/552-3058 or email enrollment@dbqschools.org.

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently qualified to compete at the 2024 IGHSAU Girls Swimming and Diving State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students:

State Qualifiers

Hempstead High School

100-Yard Breaststroke

• Maisey Duehr

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

•  Maisey Duehr | Maggie Kelzer | Rebecca Roling | Taylor Tigges

200-Yard Medley Relay

•  Maisey Duehr | Adalyn Mairet | Rebecca Roling | Taylor Tigges

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Maisey Duehr | Maggie Kelzer | Rebecca Roling | Taylor Tigges

500-Yard Freestyle

• Taylor Tigges

Para 50-Yard Freestyle

• Ally Darter

Para 100-Yard Breaststroke 

• Ally Darter

Alternates 

• Mallory Blum
• Morgan Mason

Dubuque Senior High School

100-Yard Backstroke

• Annie Gilligan

200-Yard Freestyle

• Annie Gilligan

500-Yard Freestyle

• Lily Steines

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Kaley Beimborn | Annie Gilligan | Ellie Hoffman | Lily Steines

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Kaley Beimborn | Annie Gilligan | Ellie Hoffman | Lily Steines

1-Meter Diving 

• Payton Ryan

Alternates 

• Adi Finnin
• Ana Konrardy

Students from both Dubuque Senior and Hempstead High Schools competed in the Iowa High School State Cross Country qualifying meet to determine their eligibility to compete at the State Championship at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge on Friday, November 1st.

Congratulations to the following Class 4A student qualifiers:

Dubuque Senior High School

GIRLS

Team Qualifiers

• Emily Gorton | Grade 12
• Claire Hoyer | Grade 12
• Briel Bechen | Grade 11
• Emma Chesterman | Grade 11
• Nevaeh Kessler | Grade 11
• Stella Weber | Grade 11
• Lise Hoyer | Grade 10

Alternates

• Lilly Anderson | Grade 12
• Audrey Kilgore | Grade 12
• Braeley Wullweber | Grade 11
• Millie Eikamp | Grade 10
• Josie Beard | Grade 9
• Skylar Carpenter | Grade 9
• Mallory Schaefer | Grade 9

BOYS

Individual Qualifiers 

• Jacob Haug | Grade 12
• Danny Rothert | Grade 12

Hempstead High School

GIRLS

Team Qualifiers 

• Evie Henneberry | Grade 12
• Mylee Lange | Grade 12
• Gracie Driscoll | Grade 10
• Maggie Henneberry | Grade 10
• Natalie Leitzen | Grade 10
• Paige Pitz | Grade 10
• Chelsea Heiberger | Grade 9

Alternates

• Maria Hart | Grade 11
• Eva Stevenson | Grade 11

BOYS

Individual Qualifiers

• Micah Fern | Grade 11

The Dubuque Community School District and the Dubuque Esports League (DEL) are pleased to announce an innovative partnership that will establish a new esports program for students enrolled at Dubuque Senior High School and Hempstead High School.

One of the fastest growing activities in the world, esports is a form of competitive video gaming where players compete against each other in organized tournaments and leagues. Often connected to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning, extracurricular esports programming helps students develop strong bonds with their school and classmates while developing critical mental and physical skills such as teamwork, strategy, communication, mental toughness, hand-eye coordination, technical skills, time management and more.

“Esports has skyrocketed in popularity across the world and it’s been a regularly requested addition to our extracurricular offerings,” said Coby Culbertson, the district’s chief technology officer. “This new partnership gives us the chance to connect our students up with the expertise and facilities of the Dubuque Esports League. It’s a true partnership with everyone dedicated to giving students outstanding opportunities to compete while developing them as individuals.”

Through this new partnership, the district will recruit students to participate in esports and provide a staff liaison to coordinate programming at the high schools. The Dubuque Esports League, which is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, will provide students participating with access to the organization’s state-of-the-art esports facility as well as coaching support and training opportunities for the esports teams. Funding the for the district’s initial year of programming was made possible through a generous grant from the DRA, a Dubuque-area philanthropic organization.

This is the first extracurricular offering in the Dubuque Community Schools that is facilitated through a partnership with an outside organization – and it’s a model that both groups believe could spark additional future innovation in activities programming.

“We’re excited to see this partnership come to life and offer Dubuque Community Schools students new esports opportunities,” said Shelby Wartick, DEL co-founder and co-executive director. “Our goal has always been to create a safe, welcoming community where students can thrive. We’re grateful to partner with a school district that innovates to engage students in their passions and help them grow through skills like teamwork and leadership through platforms like esports.”

“As college scholarships for esports continue to grow, this partnership offers students a pathway to compete and pursue educational opportunities through esports,” said Susie Quinn, DEL co-founder and co-executive director. “We’re excited to kick off our winter season with games like Overwatch 2 and Rocket League, both of which are also played at the collegiate level. The possibilities ahead are incredibly exciting!”

High school junior varsity and varsity teams will begin forming this fall and the district anticipates joining the Iowa High School Esports Association, which currently oversees esports competition between high schools in the state.