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! ♥️
about 2 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!
about 2 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! 🧡
about 2 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! 🌿
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
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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!
about 2 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!
about 2 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.
On Monday, October 20, 8th grade students from across Dubuque County attended a career fair at Northeast Iowa Community College! 👩‍🏫

Cascade Junior/Senior High School Instructional Coach Lindsay Schlichtmann was one of the presenters, sharing insights into the teaching profession and inspiring the next generation of educators.
On October 20, 8th grade students from Dubuque County attended a career fair at NE Iowa Community College! 👩‍🏫

Cascade Junior/Senior High School Instructional Coach Lindsay Schlichtmann was one of the presenters, sharing insights into the teaching profession! #wdbqschools
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
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IMG_9712 - Ryan Fritz
Sophomore football players took time to visit a Drexler Middle School practice to talk with younger athletes about what it means to be a Bobcat—both on and off the field. They shared advice on transitioning to high school, the value of hard work, and the importance of continually improving every day. 💪🐾

A big thank you to Coach Brosius and his players for making this meaningful experience possible. Go Bobcats!
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
A large group of football players in white practice jerseys kneels on a grassy field facing a few older students or coaches who are standing and speaking to them.
Football players wearing white jerseys sit or kneel in rows on the grass while three older students or coaches stand in front of them speaking.
Dyersville Elementary is buzzing with pride! 🐝

Congratulations to our Buzz Worthy Students who were recognized for going above and beyond. Your positive choices help make our school a better place every day!
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
Two young students stand in front of a colorful classroom wall display showing numbers and a chart titled “How many days have we been in school?” They are smiling and holding “Buzz-worthy” award certificates.
Four young students stand in a row in front of a whiteboard, smiling and holding “Buzz-worthy” award certificates. Classroom visuals and alphabet cards line the wall behind them.
October is National Principals Month! We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our outstanding school leaders:

⭐️ Greg Deutmeyer, Epworth Elementary
⭐️ Ryan Fritz, Cascade Junior/Senior High School
⭐️ Jenny Hillebrand, Dyersville Elementary
⭐️ Amanda Klaas, Farley Elementary
⭐️ Adam Kedley, Drexler Middle School
⭐️ Ethan Lensch, Western Dubuque High School
⭐️ Kimberly Reinert, Peosta Elementary
⭐️ Dan Wendler, Cascade Elementary

We’re grateful for all you do for our students, staff, and families!
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
A red and blue graphic reads “National Principals Month” with the Western Dubuque Schools logo in the center. Eight principals are featured in circular portraits with names and school buildings labeled beneath each: Kimberly Reinert – Peosta Elementary, Dan Wendler – Cascade Elementary, Ethan Lensch – Western Dubuque High School, Adam Kedley – Drexler Middle School, Amanda Klaas – Farley Elementary, Jenny Hillebrand – Dyersville Elementary, Ryan Fritz – Cascade Junior/Senior High School, and Greg Deutmeyer – Epworth Elementary.
Coach Bob Davidshofer has impacted many lives in over 50 years as a teacher, coach, and drama director! 🙌🎭

He was honored by the Tri-County Historical Society with a video tribute, which premiered at a gathering of nearly 100 former students. His legacy lives on through generations of Cascade and Aquin graduates.

Check out these two videos highlighting this honor:

➡️https://youtu.be/nW4BmGpdXEc?si=zxfYAFtkMYb3nKUb

➡️https://youtu.be/TDDBBl8jff8?si=zZjlzt8T27BszxJI

about 2 months ago, WDCSD
Bob Davidshofer photo
Authors and illustrators are bursting out of Mrs. Topping’s 1st grade class at Peosta Elementary! ✏️📖

Students wrote their own stories at home and shared them with the class. Now, their books are part of the classroom library for everyone to enjoy!
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
A young girl stands in a classroom holding an open notebook with drawings and writing, speaking while another student sits nearby watching.
A boy in a red shirt stands next to a desk in a classroom, reading from a notebook while other students work around him.
A smiling girl stands in front of organized classroom book bins, proudly holding up a small book she created.
Two kids sit close together at a desk, looking at a handmade booklet as one points to the page while reading.
A boy seated on the classroom rug leans against a bookshelf, smiling and holding up a drawing or story he created.
Each month, Dyersville Elementary celebrates students with a VIP birthday lunch! Students who have birthdays that month invite a special guest to join them.

It’s a wonderful way to build connections and make birthdays extra special. 🎉🍽️
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
A student and an adult sit side by side at a red lunch table in a school cafeteria, smiling at the camera while eating lunch with other students seated around them.
A young student grins widely next to an adult wearing a red shirt as they eat lunch together at a cafeteria table.
A young child and an adult sit close together at a lunch table, smiling while eating.
An adult wearing a yellow shirt sits at a cafeteria table eating with a group of students, all smiling and talking during lunchtime.
A cafeteria full of students and adults sits at long red lunch tables, enjoying their meals together during a family lunch event.
A group of students and two adults sit together at a cafeteria table with lunch trays, smiling at the camera with student artwork displayed on the wall behind them.
Learning is fun—and so is sharing experiences like eating lunch together in the classroom at Cascade Elementary! 🍽️

It’s a simple but meaningful way to build a strong classroom community and make memories. 😊 #wdbqschools
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
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We’re proud to recognize National School Bus Safety Week! 🚌

Drivers, please be sure to follow these rules when traveling near school buses:

✅Do not pass buses with flashing lights
✅Keep your distance, as buses make frequent stops
✅Yield to buses and allow them to merge
✅Respect school zone speeds
✅Avoid distractions near buses and school zones

Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe! 🚸
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
A yellow school bus with the number 5080 is shown on the right side of a red gradient background. Bold text reads “Celebrating National School Bus Safety Week.” The Western Dubuque Schools logo with the motto “Better Every Day” appears in the top left corner.
Preschool teachers at Dyersville Elementary hosted Popping on the Playground—a fun event for students and families to connect!

Families enjoyed popcorn and great conversation while kids had a blast playing together on the playground. 🍿😊
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
IMG_4102 - Jason Hillebrand
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2522047117033030734 - Jason Hillebrand
5932524037704262380 - Jason Hillebrand
6207356765721989510 - Jason Hillebrand
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A heartfelt thank you to our Peosta Elementary families and community for your incredible generosity during our Tackle Hunger Food Drive in conjunction with Service Day! 🥫

Because of your kindness, we were able to support both our Peosta Elementary food shelves and the Epworth Food Pantry at Epworth Methodist Church. This amazing organization provides weekly food bags to families in our community—and your donations will make a real difference for those in need!
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
food drive2 - Kimberly and Andy Reinert
IMG_3794 - Kimberly and Andy Reinert
Epworth Elementary students have been building their skills in adding and subtracting two-digit numbers. This week, they measured the lengths of different beans using unifix cubes, then worked together to add the measurements. 📏

It was a great opportunity to practice problem-solving and explore strategies for adding larger numbers!
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
A group of elementary students stand around a classroom table, using colorful plastic cubes to measure a long paper strip marked with a wavy line pattern.
Several students sit and kneel on a classroom rug with alphabet letters, using plastic cubes and paper strips with wavy lines as they work on a math activity together.
Four students sit and kneel on a light-colored classroom rug near a bookshelf, aligning colorful cubes along a long paper strip while writing on worksheets.
Three students sit on the floor of a classroom alphabet rug, placing blocks along a paper strip with a yellow wavy line pattern as part of a group math activity.
Our 6th grade science students at Drexler Middle School put their creativity and critical thinking to the test as they designed and launched water bottle rockets! This hands-on lab was a fun way to explore physics in action and strengthen collaboration skills. 🚀🔬
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
Two boys smile while holding a handmade water bottle rocket. The text beside them reads, "6th graders design Water Bottle Rockets!"
Our Cascade Elementary 4th graders are sharpening their multi-digit multiplication skills by practicing quick sketches of arrays—right on their desks! ✅

Using dry-erase markers added a fun, hands-on twist that kept math engaging and creative.
about 2 months ago, WDCSD
Two boys in a classroom draw geometric shapes on desks with markers.
Classroom scene with students seated at desks drawing with thin blue sticks and markers.
Four children sit at desks in a classroom, using whiteboard markers to write on desk surfaces.