Western Dubuque Community School District

We are excited to welcome Carley Steffen as the new transitional kindergarten teacher at Peosta Elementary! 🎨

We look forward to watching Ms. Steffen build strong foundations for learning and guiding students as they take this important first step in their school journey.

Our 9th grade chemistry students kicked off their first lab of the term! 🔬

They explored the effect of soap on the surface tension in water, sparking curiosity and hands-on learning that will continue all year long. 🌟

Athletes, parents, and coaches are invited to a sports nutrition collaboration on September 3 at 6:30pm in the Western Dubuque High School Auditorium! 🏅

The Performance Collective will share strategies to enhance performance, optimize recovery, and reduce injury risk through proper fueling.

Topics include:
➡️ Fueling foundations
➡️ Nutrition for endurance and strength
➡️ Building a positive fueling culture

Welcome to Kirsten Schroeder, who joins Farley Elementary as a special education teacher!

Ms. Schroeder is passionate about helping every student feel supported and empowered in their learning. We are thrilled to have her on our team. 📚

The first week of school is wrapping up strong! Western Dubuque High School and Dyersville Elementary were buzzing with energy and excitement as students filled the halls, connected with friends, and kicked off the school year with enthusiasm. The buzz in our buildings shows that our students and staff are ready for a year of learning, growth, and opportunities.

We can’t wait to see all that 2025–26 will bring! #wdbqschools

Bring the whole family for an evening of fun, learning, and connection at our Family Wellness Event! From food trucks and kids activities to wellness booths and prize drawings, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. 🎉

Join us from 5:30 to 7:30pm on Tuesday, September 23, in the Western Dubuque High School Commons.

Admission is free. See you there! ✨

August is National Truancy Prevention Month. When students attend school consistently, they experience greater engagement and improved academic outcomes.

Every day in school creates opportunities for growth and discovery. Let’s prioritize attendance together! 🙌

We are happy to welcome Tori Freiburger as the new preschool teacher at Cascade Elementary!

Ms. Freiburger is excited to help our youngest learners grow through curiosity, creativity, and exploration. Please join us in welcoming her to the Western Dubuque family. 🌟

Each Wednesday, students dismiss one hour early so our staff can engage in professional learning and collaboration. This week, Cascade Jr./Sr. High School teachers gathered to dive into meaningful discussions on grading equity—ensuring fair, consistent, and student-centered practices across classrooms. Investing in our educators’ growth directly benefits our students and helps us live out our vision of being Better Every Day. #wdbqschools

We are proud to see Dr. Biechler, one of our cross country and track coaches, featured for the incredible work she does to support student-athletes! Her dedication, knowledge, and passion for running make a lasting impact on our schools. 🏃‍♀️

View the full story:
https://www.kcrg.com/2025/08/25/shes-running-nerd-doctor-exercise-coach-behind-one-americas-best-high-school-runners/

Please join us in welcoming Meg Besler as our new 4th grade teacher at Farley Elementary!

Ms. Besler is eager to inspire her students through meaningful learning experiences and a supportive classroom community. 🌍

She brings energy and vision that align with our goal of enhancing student growth and achievement. 🌸

Today is the first day of school for our transitional kindergarten students! 🎒

We’re excited to welcome our youngest learners as they begin their journey with us. 🤗

The first days of school have been filled with smiles, new routines, and countless opportunities to learn and grow. From classrooms to cafeterias, our students and staff are already showing the importance of relationships, growth, and belonging. Here’s to a year of being Better Every Day in Western Dubuque Schools! #wdbqschools

Our preschoolers begin on Tuesday, September 2, but our teachers and paraeducators are already preparing to meet the needs of every learner! 🌟

Today’s professional learning with Janet Felton from Keystone AEA focused on building vocabulary, strengthening instruction, and using prompts to support independence.

We are grateful for the collaboration of all preschool staff working to give every child the best start. 📚

We are excited to introduce Dana Rector as a new member of our food service team at Drexler Middle School! 🍽️

Ms. Rector looks forward to serving students with care, contributing to their wellbeing and readiness to learn.

Her work reflects our mission to prioritize all people within our school community. 😊

The first day of school is here in Western Dubuque Schools! 🌟

Our halls are filled with smiles, energy, and excitement as students and staff begin the 2025-26 school year together. Here’s to a year of learning, growth, and new opportunities for every student!

We are pleased to welcome Kyle Laufenberg to our maintenance team!

Mr. Laufenberg is committed to ensuring our schools remain safe, welcoming places for students, staff, and families.🔧

His role supports our strategic priority of creating productive learning environments.

Happy first day of school for our K-12 students! 🎉

We’re thrilled to see our students in our buildings again as we get ready for an incredible school year. Let’s get the learning started! 🙌 #wdbqschools

Bobcat and Cougar football teams took the field tonight for their scrimmages. Week 1 kicks off next Friday for both teams—time to bring the energy! Let’s go! #wdbqschools

Last night and this morning at Western Dubuque High School, our staff and community were inspired by Chris and Nik Nikic. Chris became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon—an achievement built on his mindset of getting 1% Better each day.

His story reminded us that growth happens step by step—through persistence, resilience, and the courage to keep going when challenges arise.

At Western Dubuque, our vision is Better Every Day. Chris’s journey is a living example of that vision, showing what’s possible when we stay focused and committed to improving, even in small ways, each day.

What a great kickoff to the 2025–2026 school year. We look forward to seeing our K–12 students on Monday, August 25! #wdbqschools