What's New at Dubuque Community Schools

Each year, Senior High School and Hempstead High School recognize the graduates who have achieved the highest academic rank in their class. The student with the highest rank is named the class valedictorian and the student with the second-highest rank is named the salutatorian. Read More about “Dubuque Public High Schools Name Valedictorians and Salutatorians”

Music students from Hempstead High School planning to travel to New York during the first week of June can pack their bags after all. The group’s trip was in jeopardy after Integrity Travel, the agency originally contracted to organize the trip, unexpectedly ceased operations. Read More about “Outpouring of Support Allows Hempstead Trip to Continue”

The Dubuque Community School District has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for having met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. The award is for the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending in 2012. Read More about “Dubuque Community Schools Receive Financial Reporting Award”

Statement from Stan Rheingans, Superintendent of the Dubuque Community School District

The thoughts and prayers of the Dubuque Community School District are with those in Newtown, Connecticut impacted by today’s tragic school shooting.

We know that there are no words to provide comfort in the wake of today’s events, yet we also know the power of school communities to unite in overcoming adversity.

Today, we lend our support to those in Connecticut from afar and we join with schools across the country in striving to always provide the safest environment possible for our students.

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Brenda Maro, assistant principal at George Washington Middle School in Dubuque, is the 2012-13 Iowa Assistant Principal of the Year as named by School Administrators of Iowa (SAI).

“As an educational leader, Brenda Maro’s commitment to student success is evident not only through her work in a community-student mentoring program and with student behavior, but also in her involvement with staff learning,” said SAI Executive Director Dan Smith.

Recipients are selected using the Iowa Standards for School Leaders, which focus on

• a vision of learning;
• the presence of a school culture and instructional program that is beneficial to student learning and staff professional development;
• a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment;
• work with parents and the community;
• fairness, integrity and ethics; and
• an understanding of the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context in which we operate.

“It is a huge honor to be recognized as the 2013 Assistant Principal of the Year,” said Maro. “I firmly believe that this recognition is a true reflection of the collective efforts of the faculty and staff at Washington Middle School, their abilities to embrace change, take on challenges, and continue to move forward in a collaborative effort to help all students succeed. Leadership is about positively influencing others. I have been fortunate to be influenced by so many great people throughout my life, and I hope that I am able to make a difference for others through my leadership.”

A committee of Iowa assistant principals selected Maro for the award. She will be recognized at a State Capitol ceremony in May 2013 and at SAI’s Annual Conference in August 2013. As Iowa’s recipient, Maro is now a candidate for National Assistant Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Virco, Inc. She will have an opportunity to attend a recognition program in Washington, D.C., in the spring featuring professional development and networking activities with peers from around the nation.

Maro began her career as a special education teacher at Four Oaks School in Dubuque, and started in administration as Four Oaks’ principal. She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Northern Iowa; a master’s degree in special education and her secondary administration endorsement from Loras College.

SAI, a statewide organization founded in 1987, represents more than 2,000 Iowa educational administrators. SAI’s mission is to support, encourage and develop Iowa’s educational leaders and learners.

For more information, contact the DCSD School and Community Relations Office at (563)552-3020.

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Bryant Elementary School in Dubuque has been named the Iowa winner of Fuel Up to Play 60’s local “Are You In?” Pledge Campaign Challenge for its efforts in encouraging kids to eat healthy and get active. The effort was led by Bryant teacher Chad Hamilton, who teaches wellness education at the school. Read More about “Bryant Elementary Wins ‘Fuel Up to Play 60’ Pledge Campaign Challenge”

Dubuque’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is one of only 24 plans honored in Washington, DC, for the Together for Tomorrow Challenge

Dubuque’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, facilitated by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, was named a Together for Tomorrow Challenge Winner today at a special event in Washington, DC. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education along with the Corporation for National and Community Service and the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the challenge is aimed at advancing community partnerships and citizen service that will support school improvement. Read More about “Dubuque Campaign Named Together for Tomorrow Challenge Winner”