General

The Iowa Legislature is currently debating proposed legislation that would create a school voucher program in Iowa (being referred to in the bill as Student First Scholarships).

The bill may be debated in the senate in the next few days and could move to the house sometime next week. Now is the time for action.

If passed, this fund would siphon dollars from the state’s already underfunded public schools and would further create a system in which the playing field is not level for all PreK-12 educational institutions.

The Dubuque Community School District strongly opposes this legislation and we hope you will consider advocating in opposition to it as well.

KEY TALKING POINTS

• Student First Scholarships are the wrong public policy for Iowa and an inappropriate use of public tax dollars.
• Parents should have the choice to enroll their child in a private or religious school, but not with public taxpayer funds.
• Use public dollars for public schools, period. The public’s investment should be used to support public community schools which are open to all students regardless of race, religion, gender, socio-economic status and disability. These same expectations do not exist for private educational institutions in our state.
• This bill allows for outside entities and private organizations to charter a school in our district, without consent of our locally elected School Board. The charter school is then given freedom from regulations that our school district must follow. Why not instead give our public schools flexibility and funding to be innovative?
• Public funds require public accountability and transparency. Public schools are overseen by a publicly elected citizen governing board, are required to report academic results to the general public, have an annual public financial audit, and are transparent with all expenditures and decision-making. Private and religious schools are not held to that same public standard. Taxpayers have a right to know how their funds are being used, but are left in the dark about the use and impact of voucher funds.
• A slippery slope toward a costly and expansive voucher program: This voucher program may start small, but as we’ve seen in other states, once a program is established, it is easy to expand. This will pull more resources away from public schools.

View the Iowa Association of School Boards Vouchers Toolkit for additional information and tips for advocating in opposition of school vouchers.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR

The following legislators represent areas served by the Dubuque Community School District. For a complete directory of legislators, view the FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR tool on the Iowa Legislature website.

• Sen. Carrie Koelker, Iowa Senate District 29
• Sen. Pam Jochum, Iowa Senate District 89
• Rep. Lindsay James, Iowa House District 99
• Rep. Steven Bradley, Iowa House District 58
• Rep. Chuck Isenhart, Iowa House District 100
• Rep. Shannon Lundgren, Iowa House District 57

You can also register your opposition with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the launch of VERTEX, a career and college readiness initiative that represents the district’s strategic and intentional work to help students discover where their interests and future possibilities intersect – all with the goal of helping them reach the highest point of their individual journey to success.

This program creates a new umbrella that unites various offerings across the district while also boosting the workforce pipeline with well-prepared, enthusiastic leaders of tomorrow. It also provides students with meaningful workplace awareness, exploration and hands-on work experiences as they prepare to make informed decisions about their future.

“As a school district, it is among our most important responsibilities to help students see the possibilities that exist for them after graduation and prepare them with the tools necessary to achieve their desired success,” said Stan Rheingans, superintendent of the Dubuque Community School District. “VERTEX represents the district’s strategic work to provide a comprehensive career and college readiness program for students.”

VERTEX is designed around a core principle that career and college readiness is about more than just one experience. In the Dubuque Community Schools, the process begins in middle school and continues through high school while providing experiences that get progressively deeper over time, moving through three key areas of awareness, exploration and application.

View the VERTEX Initiative webpage

“Regardless of their skills or interests, we are committed to helping students connect their classroom learning to potential post-high school options,” said David Moeller, the educational support leader in the district coordinating the VERTEX effort. “This includes everything from exploration activities, assistance in course selection and hands-on learning, both in the district and through meaningful experiences available in partnership with area businesses.”

Recognizing that the diverse workforce of tomorrow is sitting in area classrooms today, a key component of VERTEX also aims to provide hands-on experiences for students in partnership with a host of area organizations and businesses. Throughout the development of the initiative, an advisory group including Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Northeast Iowa Community College, Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council and the City of Dubuque provided valuable community context to the program’s development and continues to support outreach to area businesses.

“Quality career education is vital for Greater Dubuque area employers to ensure a pipeline of talent into the future,” said Anna Roling, director of workforce solutions for Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. “Greater Dubuque Development is pleased to support the Vertex Initiative by supporting area businesses in connecting with students for job shadows, career information, internships and work opportunities.”

Moving forward, VERTEX will lead to enhanced experiences for students, including job shadowing, mentorship programs, service learning and internship/work experience programs. These experiences will be supported by strong academic opportunities across the curriculum, including everything from career technical education and Advancement Placement courses to concurrent enrollment courses at area higher education institutions, that will help prepare students for life after high school.

VERTEX will also support and more deeply align a variety of current programs that connect students with employers in real-world work experiences including: Work-Based Learning Program, School-to-Work Program, Summit Program, Transition Alliance Program (TAP), Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training (HEART) Program, and Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG).

“The launch of VERTEX is really a beginning,” said Rheingans. “The real power of this initiative will be in its ability to more deeply engage students uncovering all that’s possible for them while connecting them to the tremendous outside-the-classroom experiences, and potentially their future employer, that exist right here in Dubuque.”

Businesses or organizations requesting more information about how to be part of Vertex Initiative Programs can contact David Moeller, instructional support leader, at dmoeller@dbqschools.org or 563/552-3082.

Registration for free four-year-old preschool in the Dubuque Community School District will begin on Monday, Jan. 11. This includes 12 Dubuque public elementary schools offering preschool through the Statewide Voluntary Free Preschool Program. (Please note that due to space constraints, Hoover Elementary School will not offer preschool programming for the 2021-2022 school year.)

Parents and guardians may register students in person at the selected site, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, January 11. Masks will be required and social distancing measures will be in place.

Proof-of-age, preferably a birth certificate, is required to register a student. Other accepted proof-of-age documents include a passport or signed immunization record.

Preschool registration paperwork will be available to complete in advance beginning on January 4. It can be accessed on the district’s preschool webpage or in-person at all elementary schools. You can also find registration details and forms, as well as additional preschool information, online at www.dbqschools.org/preschool.

Free four-year-old preschool is open to students who are four by September 15. For additional registration questions, individuals should contact the school they are interested in registering at.

Space may be limited in some facilities and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment for preschool is not based on geography and all sites are open to residents within the Dubuque Community School District.

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

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.

###

With all students in the Dubuque Community School District moving to remote learning for one week following Thanksgiving, the district is expanding grab-and-go meal sites during that time.

NO-COST meals will be available for anyone 18 or under (no infant formula will be provided) from Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 4.

All Grab n’ Go meal bags will consist of a breakfast meal and lunch meal that meets USDA meal guidelines.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES

• Audubon Elementary School (located on Lincoln Ave): 11:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
• Fulton Elementary School (located in bus drive up lane): Noon-12:45 p.m.
• Hempstead High School (located in the back parking lot near softball fields): 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Prescott Elementary School (located in bus drive up lane): 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
• Senior High School (located in bus drive up lane): 12:30-1 p.m.
• Super 20 Mobile Home Park (14501 North Cascade Road) WALK-UP ONLY: 12:20-12:40 p.m.
• Table Mound Trailer Park (DOT side) (700 Noonan Street) WALK-UP ONLY: 11-11:20 a.m.
• Table Mound Trailer Park (Casey’s side) (1221 Maquoketa Drive) WALK-UP ONLY: 11:40 a.m.-Noon
• Washington Middle School (located at the south side entrance): 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER 3-DECEMBER 4 MENU

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Breakfast: Cereal with grahams, craisins, fruit juice, milk
Lunch: Mozzarella breadsticks, assorted fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1
Breakfast: Mini pancakes, craisins, fruit juice, milk
Lunch: Chicken patty on a bun, assorted fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Breakfast: Mini waffles, craisins, fruit juice, milk
Lunch: Cheese pizza, assorted fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3
Breakfast: Mini French toast, craisins, fruit juice, milk
Lunch: Hamburger on a bun, assorted fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4
Breakfast: Cereal bar with grahams, craisins, fruit juice, milk
Lunch: Hotdog on a bun, assorted fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk

The Dubuque Community School District has released draft calendars for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.

The online feedback form for these draft calendars is now closed.

The district Board of Education will host a public hearing about the calendar on Monday, December 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Forum, 2300 Chaney Road.

View the DRAFT 2021-2022 School Calendar

View the DRAFT 2022-2023 School Calendar

Out of an abundance of caution, we are writing to inform you of a data security incident involving Timberline Billing Services, LLC (“Timberline”). Dubuque Community School District takes the security of student information very seriously, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this incident may cause. While we are unaware of any actual misuse of student information, we are providing you with information about the incident, Timberline’s response, and the steps you may take to better protect against possible misuse of your / your child’s personal information, should you feel it necessary to do so.

Who is Timberline and Why Did They Have My Child’s Information?

Timberline provides Medicaid reimbursement billing services for covered IEP services to 190 school districts in Iowa, including Dubuque Community School District. In September 2020, Timberline notified Dubuque Community School District that Timberline experienced a cybersecurity incident which resulted in the exposure of personal information maintained by educational institutions and processed by Timberline. Dubuque Community School District was first notified of this incident by Timberline on September 2, 2020.

What Happened?

On March 5, 2020, Timberline noticed suspicious activity on its network impacting certain servers and systems. Timberline launched an investigation to determine the nature and scope of this activity. Working with outside computer forensics specialists, Timberline determined that an unknown actor accessed Timberline’s network between February 12, 2020 and March 4, 2020, encrypted certain files, and also removed certain information from Timberline’s network; however, the investigation was unable to determine which specific information was actually removed. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, Timberline undertook a comprehensive and time-intensive review of all files that could have been impacted. This review was recently completed and determined that protected health information and/or personal information relating to student information was present in files that may have been compromised. This incident did not involve any access to the district’s internal systems or student records.

What Information Was Involved?

Based on the information we have received from Timberline, Timberline’s investigation determined the following types of student information may have been involved: name and Medicaid ID number, Social Security number, billing or claims information, date of birth, diagnosis or symptom information, support service code & identification number, driver’s license number and state identification number and treatment information. To date, Timberline is unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of personal information as a result of this incident.

What is Being Done in Response to this Incident?

The security, privacy, and confidentiality of student personal information are among our highest priorities. Upon learning of this incident, Timberline moved quickly to investigate and respond to the incident, assess the security of relevant Timberline systems, and identify potentially affected individuals. Timberline also reported this incident to law enforcement. Timberline is taking steps to enhance the security of its systems in addition to the robust security measures already in place including upgrading all servers and firewalls, resetting all user passwords and requiring frequent password rotations, and migrating school and student data to a cloud location.

While we are unaware of any misuse of anyone’s information as a result of this incident, we are offering affected students access to 12 months of minor identity monitoring through Experian at no cost to you.

What Can Impacted Individuals Do?

Timberline has established a dedicated assistance line for individuals seeking additional information regarding this incident. Individuals seeking additional information may call toll-free assistance line at (844) 439-7669. This toll-free line is available 8:00am to 10:00pm CT Monday through Friday, and 10:00am to 7:00pm CT Saturday through Sunday, excluding U.S. holidays.

At its meeting on Monday, Aug.10, at 5:30 p.m., the School Board will hold a public hearing to consider moving the school start date to the original date of MONDAY, AUG. 24.

The meeting is open to the public with a small number of seats available in person at the Forum, 2300 Chaney Road, or with virtual access via Zoom.

VIEW THE MEETING VIA ZOOM
The event passcode is: DCSD@2300!
Full Zoom details are below.

VIEW THE PROPOSED AMENDED CALENDAR

ZOOM MEETING DETAILS:

https://dbqschools.zoom.us/j/81975538813?pwd=VjcxZXBISXllVHJnV1A0MWdneFVJQT09
Passcode: DCSD@2300!

Or Telephone:
US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 819 7553 8813
Passcode: 5333643655

Day in and day out, the work of our district begins and ends with our people.

Each year, we say thank you to our staff members who are celebrating retirement. We thank them for their continual dedication to students and families, and we wish them well as they move into the next chapter of their life.

VIEW A LIST OF RETIREES (PDF)

Thank you to our retirees! We salute you!

Beginning today, Monday, June 22, all school playgrounds will reopen for community use.

Individuals who have a diagnosis of COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of illness (i.e. fever of 100.4 or higher, cough or shortness of breath), or have been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days should not use district facilities.

Additionally, we recommend the following when using one of our playgrounds:

• Bring hand sanitizer to use before and after your time on the playground
• Bring your own reusable water bottle
• Follow social distancing guidelines with people not from your household

On this Juneteenth holiday, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Liberation Day, we recognize the incredible significance current events will have in our nation’s history as we join in commemorating the end of slavery in the United States 155 years ago.

As a public school district, our mission is to equitably provide each and every student we serve with the resources and support they need to be successful.

We continue to stand in support of and solidarity with our Black students, families, teachers and staff.

Now, and always, we unequivocally stand against racism.
We stand for acceptance and racial equity.
We stand together in the fight to end injustice.

As a district, we have not and must not simply stand. We must take action.

Rooted in our strategic plan that seeks success for all students,
we are continually focused on the important work of breaking down barriers,
of enhancing support, and of being constant advocates for our Black students,
and all students in underrepresented groups.

We see them. We hear them. We firmly pledge to both continue this important work and, at the same time, to do better, faster.

As educators, we know that knowledge truly is power and that education plays a critical role in bringing about positive change.

As we all seek ways to take action, our Director of Equity Taj Suleyman has compiled a set of resources to assist students and families in navigating these times.

We must continue to stand, and act, together.

Sincerely,
Stan Rheingans
Superintendent of Schools

VIEW THE RESOURCES >>

LEARN ABOUT JUNETEENTH:

• Teaching Juneteenth
  The history of Juneteenth acknowledges hard history while also empowering students to be advocates for change.
  Source: Teaching Tolerance

BOOKS:

• Anti-Racist Reading List for Kids
  Source: Carnegie-Stout Public Library
• Diverse Children’s Literature Titles for Elementary Students
  Source: Dubuque Community School District
• Diverse Children’s Literature Titles for Middle School Students
  Source: Dubuque Community School District
• Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice
  Source: Teaching Tolerance

TOOLS AND RESOURCES:

• Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism
  Source: PBS Kids for Parents
• How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism
  Source: Parent Toolkit
• Talking About Race
  A guide that explores topics such as bias, whiteness, being anti-racist, and more.
  Source: National Museum of African American History & Culture

ARTICLES:

• “Talking to Kids About Race”
  Source: National Geographic (June 1, 2020)
• “These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids”
  Source: The New York Times (June 2, 2020)
• “How to Talk with Kids About Racism and Racial Violence”
  Source: Common Sense Media (June 1, 2020)