What's New at Dubuque Community Schools

Second graders in Jen Gorrell’s class at Table Mound Elementary School got to see some of their classmates’ newly learned writing skills in action. As part of an exercise learning to write directions, students developed a step-by-step guide for  “how to catch a leprechaun.” They then showed off traps they constructed and talked about how they would, in fact, lure and catch a pesky little leprechaun.

Check out photos from the class:

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Due to the ongoing occurrence of influenza-related illness at Eisenhower Elementary School, the school will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 13. Staff assigned to Eisenhower should not report to work.

Since Monday, the school has experienced absentee rates from flu-like illness in the range of 23 to 28 percent daily.

This decision was made in consultation with state, county and city public health officials and is intended to interrupt exposure to the illness, which has an average incubation period of 48 hours.

To reduce the spread of illness, health officials also recommend that anyone who is sick or experiencing symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others.

All other schools in the district will operate on their normal Friday schedules.

The Dubuque Community School District Board of Education approved the 2015-2016 school calendar at its meeting on March 9.

The first full day of school is scheduled for September 1, with orientation programs being held on August 31. The last day of classes is scheduled for Friday, June 3, and high school graduation is scheduled for Sunday, June 5.

View the full 2015-2016 calendar

It can be said that schools are the window to the future. For one area couple, a passion for historical preservation and community vibrancy will enhance the windows at Bryant Elementary School – literally.

Through a donation to the Dubuque Community School District, John and Alice Butler will fund the replacement and renovation of windows and doors at Bryant Elementary School to return them to their appropriate historic style. In addition, the project will include new historical exterior lighting at the school. Cost of the project, and amount of the donation, is $780,000.

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You might say it has been another banner year for the Dubuque Senior High School speech team.

Three of the team’s ensembles (in Group Mime, Musical Theatre, and Radio Broadcasting) claimed the Critic’s Choice Banners, presented by a theater professional to the top performance of the day in each of the 12 categories at the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) Large Group All-State Festival. The festival was held on February 22 at Iowa State University and 69 students represented Senior at the state’s flagship group speech event.

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