News Releases

The Dubuque Community School District and the Dubuque Area Swimmin’ Hurricanes (DASH) will join forces to expand the district’s newly planned competition pool while providing a new home to DASH swimmers. The intent to partner was announced at the September 11 meeting of the district’s Facilities and Support Services Committee of the Board of Education.

The proposed partnership would provide DASH with a 25-year rental of the pool during non-district times in exchange for $1 million to cover the cost of expanding the pool’s footprint to 75 feet. In order for the partnership to move forward, DASH intends to raise its funding commitment through philanthropic support from its members and swimming supporters in the community prior to construction bidding of the project. A formal agreement for the partnership will be presented to the Board of Education for approval at an upcoming meeting. The district’s new pool is currently in the design phase, with total project completion anticipated in fall 2019. Read More about “District and Dubuque Area Swimmin’ Hurricanes (DASH) Announce Planned Pool Partnership”

The Dubuque Community School District Teacher of the Year was named at the annual Educators’ Recognition Dinner on May 11, hosted by the Dubuque Education Association.

Chris Burke, a mathematics teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School, was selected for the honor. Burke has taught at Roosevelt since 2007. “Chris’ true gift as a teacher is his ability to connect with students,” said one of his nominators. “He continuously builds strong relationships with students, creating a learning environment second to none.” Burke holds a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

Other finalists for the Teacher of the Year Award were:

• Trica Brokus, a student needs facilitator at Dubuque Senior High School
• Michelle Demuth, a second-grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary School
• Jennifer Donath, a fifth-grade teacher at Carver Elementary School
• Amanda Goranson, a mathematics teacher at Dubuque Senior High School
• Rich Hatcher, a student needs facilitator at Jefferson Middle School
• Sara Hilby, an art teacher at Hempstead High School
• Joel Miller, a social studies teacher at Hempstead High School
• Kelly Pfohl, a science teacher at Dubuque Senior High School
• Chris Sindt, a science teacher at Washington Middle School

At the dinner, two other special awards were presented. Ed Glaser, principal of Audubon Elementary School, received the TEAM (Together Educators and Administrators Make-it-happen) Award presented to an administrator for exemplary support of teacher success.

Mike Larkin, who taught social studies at Dubuque Senior High School from 1967 through 2001, received the Friend of Education Award. Since retiring, Larkin has continued to be a regular substitute teacher in the district.

The Dubuque Community School District Board of Education voted tonight to approve the appointment of Cindy Steffens as the district’s next director of elementary education and professional learning.

Steffens, who currently serves as principal of Carver Elementary School, will assume the position on July 1. Steffens will succeed Nancy Bradley, who is retiring at the end of the school year after 47 years of service to the district.

As director of elementary education, Steffens will be a member of the district’s senior leadership team and will provide administrative oversight of PreK-5 programming in the district’s 13 elementary schools. This work will include oversight of the district’s elementary curriculum and assessment efforts, as well as planning, coordination and supervision of a comprehensive professional learning program for staff.

Read More about “Carver Elementary School Principal Named District Director of Elementary Education”

An administrative rule change by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Bureau of Immunization, REQUIRES MENINGOCOCCAL (A, C, W, Y) VACCINE FOR STUDENTS ENROLLING IN 7TH AND 12TH GRADES in addition to other vaccination requirements.

STUDENTS IN THESE GRADES MUST HAVE A VALID IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATE ON FILE TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
Read More about “7th- and 12th-Grade Vaccination Requirement”

The Dubuque Community School District will operate on a two-hour delay, Thursday, Jan. 26, due to icy conditions on roadways and black ice in the northern portions of the district.

All district-run morning pre-school is cancelled.

The Dubuque Community School District will operate on a two-hour delay, Wednesday, Jan. 25, due to icy conditions on roadways.

All district-run morning pre-school is cancelled.

The Dubuque Community School District will operate on a two-hour delay today, Thursday, Jan. 19, due to dense fog and icy conditions, especially in the southern portions of the district.

All district-run morning pre-school is cancelled.

Due to icy conditions, classes are cancelled and schools are closed in the Dubuque Community School District today, Tuesday, Jan. 17.

• The District Honor Choir rehearsal scheduled for 4 p.m. at Irving Elementary School has been cancelled.

ALL GAMES SCHEDULE FOR TONIGHT WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED:

• Hempstead High School, ninth-grade girls to Cedar Rapids Kennedy
• Hempstead High School, ninth-grade boys Green vs. Gold
• Hempstead High School, sophomore and varsity basketball vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy
• Dubuque Senior High School, swim vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy
• Dubuque Senior High School, sophomore and varsity basketball vs. Cedar Rapids Prairie