First graders at Farley Elementary are diving into math through collaboration and hands-on learning! 🔢🤝

During math workplaces, students are exploring doubles, making connections to “one more” and “one less,” and working with addition combinations. Together, they’re building strong number sense!
13 days ago, WDCSD
Two students sit on a carpeted area playing an educational card game that uses number and dot cards.
Two students smile while sitting on the classroom floor near tan cushions and a tall lamp. They are playing a math game using worksheets and colorful cards.
Two students sit together at a desk working on a math activity. One holds a yellow counting block and points to a spinner card, while the other watches attentively.
Two students sit at a classroom table smiling while playing a math board game using cubes and dice. A worksheet with numbered squares and illustrations lies in front of them
Kindergarten and 3rd grade buddies teamed up for a fun math activity using candy corn! These partnerships help students connect, learn together, and build our strong Bobcat Family. ❤️
14 days ago, WDCSD
Four elementary students sit together at a classroom table working on a candy corn-themed activity.
A group of students sits around a classroom table completing a candy corn math or writing activity.
Two smiling students sit at a table with a “Candy Corn Activity Book” and a small bag of candy corn.
Three students sit together at a table working on a fall-themed classroom activity using candy corn and worksheets. They smile toward the camera.
Two students work together on a fall-themed worksheet at their classroom table.
Two students lie on the classroom floor collaborating on a worksheet that includes candy corn illustrations.
Since opening its doors in 2011, Dyersville Elementary has been a vibrant learning community built on shared values, strong traditions, and a commitment to every child’s success. 🤗

We are proud to be ranked as an “Acceptable” school on the Iowa School Performance Profiles. Inside our school, students begin their learning journey with the support of a dedicated staff and an incredibly supportive community.

Together, we’ve created a place where pride, purpose, and progress thrive! 🌱
14 days ago, WDCSD
Dyersville Elementary graphic
Kudos and congratulations to newly elected school board member Chad Ostwinkle, who will represent District 1! 👏

We also extend our congratulations to Mike Rea, who will continue to serve as District 3.

Mr. Ostwinkle will be officially sworn in during the November 24 board meeting. We look forward to their leadership, dedication, and continued service to the students, staff, and families of Western Dubuque Schools.
14 days ago, WDCSD
Congrats graphic
Seniors: National Scholarship Month is your reminder that scholarship deadlines are approaching! 📝

Start researching scholarships, drafting essays, and securing recommendation letters now. Your school counselor can help you navigate the process and identify great opportunities!
15 days ago, WDCSD
Graphic for National Scholarship Month featuring the Western Dubuque Schools logo and the text “National Scholarship Month” in red and white on a purple background. A hand holds illustrated dollar bills with a graduation cap resting on top, symbolizing educational funding and scholarship support.
Third graders at Farley Elementary are measuring liters and milliliters as part of their monthly Number Corner collection.

These hands-on activities help students explore metric units, apply math skills, and—best of all—work together and have fun! 🤗
15 days ago, WDCSD
Two elementary students sit at a table in a classroom conducting a hands-on experiment. One student smiles while holding a measuring cup with green liquid, and the other prepares to pour it into a can.
Two students work together at a table measuring green liquid into a smaller cup using clear plastic measuring containers.
Two students collaborate on an experiment involving green liquid in a measuring cup.
Two students sit side by side measuring green liquid into a red plastic cup as part of a classroom learning activity.
What kind of toothpaste do elephants use? Our Western Dubuque High School physical science chemistry students found out by making some themselves! 🐘

Students have been learning about types of reactions, including endothermic and exothermic.
16 days ago, WDCSD
Students wearing safety goggles work together on a chemistry lab at a black science table. One student in a pink hoodie pours liquid into a beaker while another leans in to discuss the lab sheet.
Several students wearing goggles conduct experiments in a classroom labeled “Science.” They record observations on orange lab sheets while using beakers and flasks filled with colorful liquids.
A student wearing a gray hoodie and goggles stirs a solution in a flask while a classmate observes and takes notes.
Two students in sweatshirts and goggles react with surprise and excitement while watching a foamy chemical reaction form in a flask during a science experiment.
Students in goggles record observations on orange worksheets while watching a foamy reaction take place in a flask.
Students in safety goggles pour liquid from a beaker into a flask labeled “Group 8” during a classroom chemistry experiment.
Students wearing goggles stand around a lab table mixing colorful liquids in beakers and flasks.
A group of high school students wearing goggles work at science lab tables, measuring and mixing liquids while recording data on blue worksheets.
Students in goggles perform a hands-on experiment at lab tables, mixing clear and colored liquids in flasks and beakers.
Our Peosta Elementary 5th grade students are hard at work multiplying and dividing decimals by powers of 10! They’re building strong number sense and discovering how moving the decimal can make big changes. 💪🔢
16 days ago, WDCSD
IMG_2447 - J Lester
IMG_2446 - J Lester
Farley Elementary 3rd graders begin one morning each week with mindfulness and movement!

They practice focusing on one thing at a time, paying attention to how their bodies feel, and taking deep breaths to center themselves for the day ahead. 🌞
17 days ago, WDCSD
A student wearing a black “Farley Elementary” shirt lies on the classroom carpet with eyes closed and hands resting on their stomach, participating in a mindfulness or relaxation activity.
Two students lie on the classroom floor with eyes closed, relaxing quietly during a calm mindfulness activity.
A student stands in a classroom balancing on one foot in a yoga pose, arms raised and eyes closed.
A group of elementary students in a classroom stand in yoga poses, balancing on one leg with arms outstretched.
During last week’s professional development, Cascade Jr./Sr. High School teachers took 10 minutes to competitively collaborate in a puzzle competition. It was a great way to build teamwork, share some laughs, and get those problem-solving skills warmed up! 💪💡
17 days ago, WDCSD
10c - Ryan Fritz
10a - Ryan Fritz
10b - Ryan Fritz
Dyersville Elementary students explored place value by estimating how many popsicle sticks were in a box. After making guesses, they worked in pairs and found that grouping sticks by tens and hundreds made counting easier. They were excited to discover the box held 1,000 sticks! 📦
17 days ago, WDCSD
IMG_8255 - Stephanie Lake
IMG_8253 - Stephanie Lake
IMG_8254 - Stephanie Lake
This week is National School Psychology Week, and we're taking time to honor the school psychologists who support our students in so many important ways. ❤️

From addressing mental health concerns to fostering positive behavior and creating inclusive environments, school psychologists help students feel seen, heard, and valued.

We're thankful for the positive impact they make every day!
18 days ago, WDCSD
Graphic celebrating National School Psychology Week. The design features a red rectangular banner with the words “National School Psychology Week” in white and navy text. A row of red brain icons lines the bottom of the banner. The Western Dubuque Schools logo, which reads “Better Every Day,” appears above the banner on a blue radial background.
Voters in the Western Dubuque County Community School District are encouraged to participate in the upcoming School Board election on Tuesday, November 4. 🗳️

The candidates are:
➡️ District 1: Chad Ostwinkle and Karen Ertl
➡️ District 3: Mike Rea

Your vote helps shape the future of our schools and the students we serve! Find your polling location at https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx.
18 days ago, WDCSD
Graphic announcing the Western Dubuque Schools Board Election on Tuesday, November 4. The top banner features the district logo with the text “Better Every Day.” Below are three candidate portraits framed in red outlines: Chad Ostwinkle, Karen Ertl, and Mike Rea. Each name appears in bold red text beneath their photo.
The WDHS Color Guard brought six talented students to the state solo competition in Pella on October 23! Each performer choreographed their own routine and showcased incredible skill on the stage.

A special congratulations to:

⭐️ Claire Jager, who earned a Division I rating
⭐️ Cheyenne Hoffmann, who received a medal in the Beyond Limits category and was invited to perform again at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines during team competitions

Great job to all who performed! 👏
18 days ago, WDCSD
61DE7C06-E408-4790-99C7-647FB2EEAEFE - Kelsie Urbain
IMG_1235 - Kelsie Urbain
First graders in Mrs. Hirsch’s classroom at Dyersville Elementary celebrated their Bobcat Strong behavior with a special stuffed animal day. 🧸

Their stuffed friends joined in the learning fun as they were read to, written about, and even graphed during math class!
19 days ago, WDCSD
Stuffy 1 - Chirstie Hirsch
stuffy 2 - Chirstie Hirsch
Stuffy 3 - Chirstie Hirsch
stuffy 5 - Chirstie Hirsch
Daylight saving time ends this weekend! Be sure to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday evening. 🕟
19 days ago, WDCSD
Graphic reminding viewers to “Fall Back” for the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 2, 2025. The background shows a close-up of a vintage red alarm clock on a purple-toned surface. Large bold text reads “Fall Back,” and the Western Dubuque Schools logo with the phrase “Better Every Day” appears in the top left corner.
Mrs. Beyer is piloting a new literacy program at Epworth Elementary, where students use reader’s theater to build fluency skills. 📚

This creative approach is helping young readers grow in confidence and expression.
19 days ago, WDCSD
Western Dubuque_Social_Reader's Theatre
Drexler Middle School students explored biodiversity through a game of Jenga!

Each color represented a different trophic level, helping them review the importance of variety in ecosystems and how each role contributes to a healthy planet. 🌎
19 days ago, WDCSD
Graphic featuring a colorful Jenga tower made of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple blocks on a classroom table. The text on the right reads “Biodiversity Jenga!” alongside the Western Dubuque Schools logo with the tagline “Better Every Day” and a white environmental icon with leaves, water, and the sun.
Twice a month at Farley Elementary, older and younger students pair up as Bobcat Buddies to read and make crafts together!

This time helps students build confidence and create meaningful connections across grade levels. 📖
20 days ago, WDCSD
Two young students sit on a gym floor holding up black paper bats they made during a craft activity. One student has a book and supply box beside her.
Four children sit on the gym floor cutting black paper and gluing pieces together to make bat crafts.
Students kneel on the gym floor showing their completed black paper bat crafts.
A group of children sit together on the gym floor cutting and gluing pieces of black paper to create bat crafts.
Three young students sit on the gym floor cutting shapes from black paper for bat crafts.
Several children sit in small groups on a gym floor working on Halloween bat crafts.
Students sit in pairs on a gym floor, cutting out shapes from black paper as part of a craft project.
What a career!

Congratulations to Hallie Kelchen on an incredible run as a Cougar! With her 13th place finish at the State Meet today, Hallie becomes just the 6th Cougar in program history to earn Top 15 finishes all four years of high school.

Your hard work, consistency, and competitive spirit have left a lasting mark on Cascade Cross Country. Way to go, Hallie—we’re proud of you!
20 days ago, WDCCSD
Hallie Kelchen