Articles from December 2019

The Dubuque Community School District saw an overall increase of 56 students for the 2019-2020 school year, as compared to last year, according to the district’s tentative certified enrollment numbers. The numbers will be reviewed and finalized by the Iowa Department of Education by November 1.

Certified enrollment is the benchmark formula that districts across the state use to report student attendance – and is the key factor in determining the amount of funding districts receive. Because of the complexity of a district’s student makeup, it is also the most accurate indicator and uniform measure of student attendance in the state.

This year, the district’s tentative certified enrollment is 10,486 students across 18 schools as well as the district’s Alta Vista Campus, which houses the Alternative Learning Center, Summit Program, HEART Program and the district’s new Cornerstone Academy.

“Rising enrollment numbers are a positive sign for the district, even with the increase being small,” said Stan Rheingans, superintendent of schools. “We hope to see this trend of incremental growth continue moving forward and, as always, remain committed to providing the highest-quality education to each and every student who walks through our door.”

Families of 6th- and 9th-grade students — We are excited to welcome you for Orientation Day this Friday, Aug. 23!

This will be a full day for your student, with the day beginning at your school’s normal Monday through Thursday start time.

Start times are as follows:

Jefferson Middle School
Building opens at 7:20 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m.

Roosevelt Middle School
Building opens at 7:30 a.m., classes start at 7:38 a.m.

Washington Middle School
Building opens at 7:25 a.m., classes start at 7:40 a.m.

Dubuque Senior High School
Building opens at 7 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m.

Hempstead High School
Building opens at 6:45 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m.

If your student is eligible for school bus transportation, buses will run on the normal Monday through Thursday route times listed in the transportation letter your family received.

If you have any questions, please contact your school office. We can’t wait to see you Friday!

Dubuque Community School District staff members kicked of the 2019-2020 school year today with an Opening Gathering. Check out the excitement of #TeamDCSD as the year gets underway!

This year, we celebrated the first students to receive the State of Iowa Seal of Biliteracy. Here’s a snapshot:

Click the image above to enlarge or view the PDF version.

Brenda Duvel

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Brenda Duvel as the district’s next executive director of special education. Duvel will assume this position after serving as principal of Kennedy Elementary School during the 2018-2019 school year.

In this role, Duvel will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of the district’s special education program, while also serving as a liaison between the district, the Area Education Agency, parents and the various community agencies.

“As our search progressed, it became increasingly clear that Brenda possesses the right special education expertise, leadership experience and interpersonal skills to lead this critical area of the district into the future,” said Stan Rheingans, superintendent of schools. “We are pleased to welcome her to our executive leadership team.”

Read More about “Kennedy Principal Named District Executive Director of Special Education”

We love watching a new group of Dubuque Community School District graduates walk across the stage at commencement – and we wish them much success in the future.

Below are the 2019 Dubuque Senior High School and Hempstead High School graduation videos so you can relive the excitement!

The Spring 2019 Online Student Art Galleries are now live featuring art from the district’s elementary, middle and high school students!

View the Galleries

These galleries area a way to highlight the remarkable products of art education in the district. It’s a digital attempt at bringing the work of our student artists at all levels into your home – because art is created for others to take in.

The 2019 editions of two state-level awards from the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) have been presented in Dubuque.

From left to right: ISEA President Mike Beranek, Superintendent Stan Rheingans, Executive Director of Human Resources Phil Kramer, and Dubuque Education Association President Tammy Duehr

The association announced that Dubuque Superintendent of Schools Stan Rheingans and Executive Director of Human Resources Phil Kramer are the 2019 recipients of the Iowa State Education Association’s TEAM Award.

Established in 1990, the ISEA’s TEAM award stands for Together, Educators and Administrators Make it Happen. The award honors school administrators who have worked to create collaborative, collegial working environments for staff in school buildings or districts. Any school administrators, current or retired, are eligible for the award.

Rheingans and Kramer were nominated for the award by the Dubuque Education Association’s executive board with words of praise and enthusiasm for their leadership, support and particular detail to a respectful environment for all.

“It is clear that Mr. Rheingans and Mr. Kramer care deeply about the students and education professionals in their care. They work hard to create a collegial work environment which promotes creativity and learning,” said Mike Beranek, President of ISEA. “At a time when respect and appreciation are sometimes lacking, their efforts are an outstanding example of how strong leadership is both effective and rewarding. We applaud their success in making Dubuque schools an inspiring place to work and look forward to many years of student growth and opportunity.”

Otto Krueger

ISEA also announced that Otto Krueger, a student mentor and former member of the Board of the Dubuque Community Schools is a recipient of the Iowa State Education Association’s 2019 Friend of Education Award.

Krueger began mentoring at Prescott Elementary School and was paired with a kindergartner who he helped with reading and other skills. Meeting with the student and his family over the summer, Krueger was able to continue mentoring and helping throughout the next 13 years. Upon graduation, the student will be attending college having grown and thrived with the positive connection and relationship he established with Krueger.

“A good mentoring relationship can make such a huge difference in the lives of our students. The time, energy and commitment that Otto put forth is remarkable and should be honored and celebrated,” said Mike Beranek. “We are so grateful to the many wonderful mentors, like Otto who help positively change the paths of so many young students every day. This is our way to say thank you. We are pleased to be able to honor him with our Friend of Education Award.”

ISEA’s Friend of Education Award honors citizens who give their time and energy, but pays special tribute to one individual or group who has made a significant contribution to education. The award recognizes that education is a total community effort and that we must combine efforts to provide for our students.