Western Dubuque Community School District

We are lucky to have Ms. Decker from Dubuque County ISU Extension and Outreach visit our Farley Elementary third graders each month! In January, she taught students an engaging lesson about how the heart works. 🫀

9 months ago, WDCSD

Dubuque County Conservation visited our 3rd graders at Farley Elementary this month, bringing Iowa wildlife learning to life! 🐢

Students explored animals like salamanders, turtles, and snakes. They also discovered the five elements every habitat needs: food, water, shelter, space, and arrangement.

9 months ago, WDCSD

A classroom presenter shows students an animal pelt while they listen attentively at their desks.

A close-up of hands holding a small snake with curious students watching in the background.

A presenter shows a small snake to a group of students gathered around a desk in front of a bookshelf.

A student reaches out to touch a small snake being held by a presenter in a classroom.

A presenter displays a taxidermy duck to students seated at desks in a classroom.

A presenter holds a framed display of animal tracks while students watch and listen.

A group of young students stands near their desks participating in an activity together.

A smiling student holds a turtle while a presenter watches and holds hand sanitizer.

A presenter points to students with raised hands during an interactive classroom lesson.

During National School Counseling Week, we're also shining a light on the mental health counselors who provide critical support to our students:

🌟 Laura Foust, Western Dubuque High School & Cascade High School
🌟 Sarah Smith, District-Wide

Your care and support make a profound difference in our students' lives each and every day. Thank you! 🙏

9 months ago, WDCCSD

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, and we want students to know that help is available to fund your college education! 🎓✨

From grants to work-study opportunities, there are many options. In fact, most families qualify for some level of financial aid. The most important thing you can do is fill out the FAFSA, so you know what level of support is available to you.

Get started with your application at https://www.fafsa.gov.

9 months ago, WDCSD

Western Dubuque Schools recognizes February as Financial Aid Awareness Month with a graduation cap and dollar sign graphic.

WDCCSD students recently stepped outside the classroom to explore high-demand skilled trades during a hands-on event at Kendrick Forest Products in Edgewood. Students connected with local employers, tried simulators, and learned about career pathways in welding, manufacturing, and other skilled trades. 🛠️

Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/WDCCSD

9 months ago, WDCSD

During Career and Technical Education Month, we’re proud to recognize the impact of agricultural education at Cascade High School—where 33% of the student body takes an agriculture class. Through Cascade FFA, students are learning leadership, responsibility, and service while giving back to the community. 🌾

This year, FFA members have supported local nursing homes, schools, veterans, and families through community meals, food pantry donations, Ag Safety Day activities, holiday support, and service projects across Cascade.

Their dedication reflects the FFA motto and the value of career and technical education in agriculture!

9 months ago, WDCSD

Cascade Junior Senior High School held a send-off celebration for state-qualifying wrestlers Carly Manternach and Sophia Stephan!

Students and staff showed their support with music and school spirit, including 6th grade teacher Mr. Ben Urbain joining the band on the drum! 🤼‍♀️🥁

9 months ago, WDCSD

During National School Counseling Week, we're celebrating the elementary school counselors who help our youngest learners build strong foundations for success:

🌟 Jane Boffeli, Farley Elementary
🌟 Carrie Elsinger, Epworth Elementary
🌟 Ashley Gansen, Cascade Elementary
🌟 Christine Jasper, Peosta Elementary
🌟 Chelsey Pederson, Dyersville Elementary

Thank you for the incredible impact you have on our students!

9 months ago, WDCCSD

Continuing National School Counseling Week, we're turning our attention to the wonderful high school counselors serving our students:

🌟 Emily Phillips, Western Dubuque High School
🌟 Kyle Webber, Cascade High School
🌟 Casey Bryant, Western Dubuque High School
🌟 Carrie Edgin, Western Dubuque High School

Thank you for your commitment to helping our students reach their full potential! 🌱

9 months ago, WDCCSD

As National School Counseling Week rolls on, we're recognizing the middle school counselors who guide students through one of the most transformative periods of their lives:

🌟 Kara Bryte, Drexler Middle School
🌟 Max Steffen, Drexler Middle School

We appreciate your dedication to our students every single day. Thank you so much! 🤗

9 months ago, WDCSD

Western Dubuque Schools celebrates National School Counselor Week with photos of Kara Bryte and Max Steffen from Drexler Middle School.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Tradition tells us that the groundhog's shadow holds the key to our weather forecast for the next several weeks. If the groundhog emerges and sees their shadow, winter stays. No shadow means spring is coming early!

What’s your prediction? 🤔

9 months ago, WDCSD

Happy Groundhog Day from Western Dubuque Schools, featuring a standing groundhog and the date February 2, 2026.

Farley Elementary kindergarten students kicked off a new unit on shapes by sorting, comparing, and describing pattern blocks. 🟡🟩

Way to go, kindergarteners!

9 months ago, WDCSD

Two young students smile at a classroom table while working on a math activity using pattern blocks and worksheets.

A boy in a red hoodie and a girl in a Minnie Mouse shirt work together at a white table using colorful pattern blocks.

Two children smile while sitting on the floor beside a straight line of stacked pattern blocks sorted by color and shape.

A boy and girl sit on a classroom rug, proudly displaying a curved pattern made of red, yellow, green, and blue blocks.

Two smiling children work with various geometric pattern blocks at a table, arranging shapes and colors during a math activity.

Farley Elementary 5th graders are diving deep into their novel study! Using maps, character notes, and place descriptions, students are crafting their own fictional narratives inspired by the book. ✍️

9 months ago, WDCSD

Third grade classrooms at Epworth Elementary have been diving into the world of poetry! They practiced their learning by writing their own class poems. ✍️ We love seeing their creativity in action!

9 months ago, WDCSD

Elementary students sit at grouped desks working on notebooks and sticker activities, surrounded by school supplies and organizers.

A projected worksheet shows a haiku brainstorming activity about cats, with circled words and a completed haiku on feline behavior.

Drexler 8th grade students are using the scientific method to solve real-world problems at this year’s science fair! 🔬

One project even tested which energy drinks are the least healthy. Their hard work and curiosity are on full display!

9 months ago, WDCSD

In Mrs. Dalsing’s 4th grade class at Epworth Elementary, students are exploring new ways to learn through an interactive smartboard pilot. They’re using this technology to highlight text evidence in language arts! 🌟

9 months ago, WDCSD

A student in a red shirt interacts with a digital lesson about Earth’s rocks and minerals on a large touchscreen display.

A girl uses a stylus to highlight text on a digital screen showing a science lesson about rocks and minerals.

A student with braided hair traces words on a digital display during a lesson on rocks and building blocks of Earth.

A girl with pigtail braids highlights content on a digital smartboard for a science lesson titled “The Changing Earth.”

A boy in a sports jersey writes on a touchscreen display during a classroom lesson about Earth's rock types.

A girl in a green sweatshirt interacts with a large digital screen during a geology-themed reading lesson.

Cougar PRIDE students kicked off the new year with creativity and purpose! 💡

They've been hard at work on their choice projects, connecting with community members to gain real-world insight and authentic learning experiences. We’re proud of their initiative and drive! 👏

9 months ago, WDCSD

Math meets creativity in Epworth Elementary classrooms! Students are working through a Bridges Math lesson by building penguin-themed double flap picture cards to explore addition and subtraction strategies. They’re also writing number stories to show what they’ve learned! 🐧

9 months ago, WDCSD

At Peosta Elementary, Winter Wonderland Week brought learning to life! Conservationists from the Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Nature Center visited to teach students about animals, hibernation, and migration, and even introduced some animal friends! 🐾

9 months ago, WDCSD

A young girl smiles while holding a display case containing snake skin and animal fur during a classroom activity.

A woman stands at the front of a library classroom holding animal pelts as students sit on the floor watching and raising hands.

A boy holds a preserved animal pelt, possibly a squirrel, while sitting among classmates and smiling at the camera.

A woman smiles while holding a small lizard or reptile on her hand during a classroom demonstration.

A group of children sit on the floor observing a display case with snake skin and animal fur during an interactive presentation.

A group of children poses smiling with an animal educator in a school library, with animal pelts on the table behind them.

A girl shows an animal pelt to a seated classmate during an educational session in a library.

Two children look closely at a framed display of snake skin and fur while sitting cross-legged among other classmates.

A woman holds a small armadillo shell while presenting to a group of students, some raising hands, in a school library.

We’re hiring for several key roles in Western Dubuque Schools! 💫

Whether you're passionate about working directly with students in the classroom or supporting their success through essential services, WDCSD offers opportunities to grow professionally while making a difference.

Ready to be part of our team? View open positions and apply today: https://www.applitrack.com/wdbqschools/onlineapp/

9 months ago, WDCSD

Western Dubuque Schools hiring now for substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, coaches, groundskeepers, and more. Apply online today.