Teamwork makes the dream work!

During Bobcat Plus at Drexler Middle School, students worked together using string, cups, and rubber bands to build the tallest tower possible. This activity was all about communication, collaboration, and fun! 🗼
8 months ago, WDCSD
Four middle school students work together at a table stacking red and clear plastic cups during a teamwork activity using string and rubber bands.
Students collaborate in a classroom on a cup-stacking challenge, smiling as they use teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Kindergarten students at Farley Elementary have been busy during centers with a variety of hands-on activities! Reading books, building sentences, writing sight words, making pumpkin crafts, painting, and more—there’s so much learning and creativity happening each day. 🎨📚
8 months ago, WDCSD
Four young students sit around a table reading illustrated books about the ocean. Worksheets and folders are spread out on the table.
Three children sit at a classroom table working on an orange-and-black pumpkin craft using scissors, paper, and glue.
A smiling student stands beside an easel displaying her Halloween-themed painting featuring a ghost and a pumpkin.
A young student sits at a desk drawing spiders and bats on a worksheet.
A child kneels on the carpet arranging yellow triangles on an orange pumpkin-shaped number-matching activity mat.
A student wearing a yellow shirt sits on the floor sorting and reading pumpkin word cards for a counting and reading activity.
Four smiling students sit around a table working on alphabet recognition mats with dry-erase markers in a colorful classroom setting.
Peosta Elementary Instructional Coach Mrs. Noonan shows what it means to be a lifelong learner every single day! She supports both students and classrooms while helping create opportunities for all. 🌟

Recently, Mrs. Noonan volunteered to teach lessons in all three 5th grade classrooms using the new benchmark curriculum that is being piloted across the district. We’re grateful for her leadership and dedication!
8 months ago, WDCSD
F85042D4-6E31-45A6-AF36-F8BEC0128929 - Kimberly and Andy Reinert
7A455F0C-AAE5-4784-B696-02E653337578 - Kimberly and Andy Reinert
At Peosta Elementary, students take pride in their daily jobs that support our school community.

This helper is assisting teachers by delivering books to the library. Responsibility and teamwork in action! 🤝
8 months ago, WDCSD
Graphic featuring a smiling student holding a stack of books against a blue background with school-themed icons. The Western Dubuque Schools logo appears in the top right corner. Bold text reads “Student Helpers at Peosta Elementary!”
Our WDHS 12th grade government students recently took part in a lively dice game to simulate the Electoral College process. They acted as presidential candidates, tallying both the popular vote and Electoral College results to determine the winner. 🎲🗳️

After the simulation, they evaluated whether the Electoral College is the best way to elect our nation’s leader—applying what they’ve learned to a real-world civic debate. It was a fun and engaging way to bring American democracy to life in the classroom!
8 months ago, WDCSD
IMG_7928 - Josie Kennicott
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IMG_7926 - Josie Kennicott
Peosta Elementary prekindergarten students have been busy exploring math concepts in fun, hands-on ways! 🎃

Students practiced identifying patterns and weighed different items to find out if they were heavier, lighter, or the same as a pumpkin. Learning through play at its best!
8 months ago, WDCSD
A young child sits on a colorful classroom rug with circular patterns, placing a small toy animal on a blue tray labeled “lighter.” A balance scale with a small pumpkin is set nearby while other students sit in a semicircle watching.
A young boy kneels on a colorful classroom rug and places a can on a blue tray labeled “heavier” while classmates sit in a circle behind him, watching the activity.
A smiling child sits at a classroom table and proudly holds a tall tower built from red and green interlocking plastic rings.
A smiling young girl sits at a classroom table holding a tall stack of blue, green, and red interlocking plastic rings she has built.
During October Number Corner, Epworth Elementary 3rd grade students are busy measuring 250 milliliters of liquid each day to track how many liters they’ll collect by the end of the month. 🧪

It’s a hands-on way to connect math and measurement to a month-long goal!
8 months ago, WDCSD
Western Dubuque_Social_Number Corner 10
Mrs. Topping’s 1st grade students at Peosta Elementary explored the life cycle of owls in a hands-on way by dissecting owl pellets. 🦉

This engaging activity sparked curiosity and helped students discover more about food chains and owl biology!
8 months ago, WDCSD
A young student sits at a classroom table examining a small black object on a tray using a clear magnifying lens. A pair of blue plastic tweezers rests on the tray beside the materials.
Three young students sit together at a classroom table, each using plastic tweezers to examine small black objects on trays.
Drexler Middle School is dedicated to empowering adolescents to achieve their personal best! 💪

We are proud to achieve a “Commendable” rating on the Iowa School Performance Profiles. Serving approximately 700 students in 6th-8th grade, DMS maintains a learning environment that supports academic, social, and personal growth.

Every day at DMS is a chance to grow, discover, and succeed! 🚀
8 months ago, WDCSD
Drexler MS Spotlight
Peosta Elementary 5th grade students explored the Arctic Invasion by using globes to track how plant and animal species moved into the Arctic! 🌍

This hands-on lesson helped students understand the impact of melting sea ice on ecosystems.
8 months ago, WDCSD
Two students sit at a classroom table with open textbooks and small globes. One student looks closely at the globe through a magnifying lens while the other studies the globe in his hands.
Three students sit together at a table with open textbooks and small classroom globes. One student uses a magnifying lens on the globe while the others read and point to the text.
Prekindergarten students at Peosta Elementary have been learning all about leaves. 🍂

They went on a leaf hunt and explored how the leaves were different and the same. It was a fun, hands-on way to observe and compare the world around them!
8 months ago, WDCSD
IMG_6010 - Emily Brehm
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IMG_6007 - Emily Brehm
Dyersville Elementary 1st graders read the book “Stick and Stone” and learned the importance of standing up for their friends.

After reading, each student painted a stone and found a stick to be its buddy, bringing the story to life in a creative and meaningful way! 🎨📚
8 months ago, WDCSD
A smiling young student stands in a classroom holding up a clear plastic bag with a label that reads, “I always stick by my friends because being a good friend ROCKS!” The bag contains a stick, a painted rock, and a small craft.
Three young students stand side by side in a classroom. The student in the middle holds the book Stick and Stone while the two students on either side hold up small rocks.
Students at Cascade Elementary are learning about growth and change as they explore the life cycles of living things. 🌱

As part of their science unit, they planted grass seed and will observe its growth over time!
8 months ago, WDCSD
students planting seeds
Western Dubuque High School biology students are exploring how cellular respiration creates energy for the body. In a recent lab, they demonstrated the link between exercise intensity and how quickly their body removes carbon dioxide. 💨💪
8 months ago, WDCSD
High school students wearing safety goggles work around a black science lab table with worksheets, beakers, and lab equipment.
A group of high school students gather around a science lab table covered with lab papers and equipment.
During Red Ribbon Week, we want to remind families that positive role modeling makes a difference. When adults in students’ lives demonstrate healthy coping strategies and make positive choices, it reinforces the importance of staying drug free.

Learn more about Red Ribbon Week and get tips for having conversations that help students stay drug-free at www.redribbon.org.

Thank you for being a positive influence! ♥️
8 months ago, WDCSD
Graphic with a large red awareness ribbon against a purple background. Bold text reads “Celebrating Red Ribbon Week” with the dates “October 23–31, 2025” below. The Western Dubuque Schools logo is in the lower right corner with the motto “Better Every Day.”
Congratulations to Farley Elementary teachers Jennifer Burr (2nd grade) and Lori Messer (kindergarten), who were awarded a grant from DuTrac Community Credit Union. 👏

Thanks to this support, their classrooms gained new supplies, equipment, and innovative learning opportunities. Thank you, DuTrac, for investing in our students and staff!
8 months ago, WDCSD
A group of elementary students sit and kneel in rows in a gymnasium holding learning materials and books. An adult stands on the left holding an oversized grant check. The students smile toward the camera.
A smiling adult stands in a gymnasium holding an oversized check labeled “Jennifer Burr” for $150 from DuTrac Community Credit Union.
A group of young students sit and kneel in a gymnasium holding classroom supplies and learning items. An adult stands behind them in the center holding an oversized grant check labeled “Lori Messer.”
A smiling adult stands alone in a gymnasium holding an oversized check labeled “Lori Messer” for $150 from DuTrac Community Credit Union.
Every student deserves to learn in an environment that's safe, supportive, and positive. Today, we recognize Unity Day and reaffirm our dedication to preventing bullying in our schools.

Let's stand together to make our schools a welcoming place for all! 🧡
8 months ago, WDCSD
Graphic with a large blue circle containing three white raised hands of different sizes in front of a world map silhouette. In bold text to the right it reads “Today is UNITY DAY.” Below it says “October 22, 2025.” The Western Dubuque Schools logo is in the lower right corner. Background features overlapping, semi-transparent hand silhouettes in shades of red.
First graders at Cascade Elementary took their science learning outside with a nature hike. 🍂

They searched for plants and colorful leaves while exploring the natural world up close—hands-on learning with a breath of fresh air! 🌿
8 months ago, WDCSD
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IMG_1871 - amy mcelmeel
Western Dubuque High School physical science chemistry students put their investigation skills to the test while exploring the differences between ionic and covalent bonds. 🧪⚡

They tested compounds for appearance, melting point, solubility, and conductivity, then took on a challenge to identify salt from a set of unknown substances using their own lab designs and reasoning. A great mix of critical thinking and hands-on science!
8 months ago, WDCSD
A group of students wearing safety goggles work at a science lab table.
A student wearing safety goggles leans over a hot plate holding foil-wrapped samples during a science experiment.
A teacher and several students wearing safety goggles gather around a lab table, writing on pink and white worksheets
Four students wearing safety goggles work at a science lab counter, bending over worksheets and foil-wrapped samples.
Our Dyersville Elementary students got a taste of fall fun by making pumpkin pie in a cup. 🎃

From mixing ingredients to enjoying every bite, it was a hands-on activity filled with smiles and seasonal spirit!
8 months ago, WDCSD
A smiling young boy sits at a classroom table holding a small cup of caramel-colored pudding and a spoon, looking toward the camera.
A smiling young girl wearing a pink Barbie shirt sits at her desk holding a small cup of pudding with a spoon.
A young girl with a short blonde bob haircut sits at a classroom desk holding a small cup of pudding in one hand and a spoon in the other, smiling at the camera.
A smiling young girl wearing a white vest holds a cup of pudding and a spoon at her desk.