We are pleased to live stream the 2021 graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 29.
Hempstead High School’s ceremony begins at 3 p.m.
VIEW IT BELOW:
Dubuque Senior High School’s ceremony begins at 10 a.m.
VIEW IT BELOW:
The ceremony will also be recorded and posted next week to the district’s official YouTube page at www.youtube.com/dbqschools.
The district learned early today that shortly after midnight, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation into law that prohibits school districts from requiring masks to be worn at school.
The new law took effect immediately upon signing. Therefore, the district cannot require masks and they will be optional at school beginning TODAY, Thursday, May 20, rather than beginning on Friday as we planned.
We apologize for this early message, but felt that it was important to let families and staff know of this change prior to the start of the school day.
STUDENTS RIDING THE BUS MUST CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS ON BOARD in accordance with an official CDC Order requiring masks on public transportation.
Dear Families,
I am writing today to share that beginning Friday, May 21, masks will be optional in the Dubuque Community School District.
Today, we learned that the Iowa Legislature is moving forward with legislation that would prohibit school districts from requiring facial coverings to be worn, unless otherwise required by law to do so. Based on input from our state association, this legislation is expected to pass both state houses today and then move to the Governor for signature. It will become law immediately upon the Governor’s signature, which we expect in the next few days.
The legislation comes in conjunction with updated guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health that was released last week recommending that mask wearing be optional, as well as the county and city both moving forward with rescinding their mask ordinances.
FOR STUDENTS RIDING SCHOOL BUSES, masks will still be required while on board in accordance with an official CDC Order requiring masks on all public transportation, including school buses.
The IDPH guidance also includes updated quarantine guidelines as follows:
“…while COVID-19 positive and symptomatic children should be excluded, exposed children should no longer be required to stay home, regardless of mask usage. Moreover, when there is a positive case, parents should be given information around exposure to COVID-19 in order to make their own informed decisions regarding risk.”
Given this, the district will continue to contact trace when a student is in close contact (within six feet for 15 minutes or more) to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. Parents/guardians will be notified of that exposure and it will be at the parent/guardian’s discretion as to whether or not to quarantine their student.
As we enter the final weeks of an unprecedented school year, we are thankful for the tremendous support and flexibility shown by our students, staff and families this year. Our success has been possible because of everyone’s willingness to work together.
I wish you well in these final few weeks of the school year!
Sincerely,
Stan Rheingans
Superintendent of Schools