Building Local Community Through Arts, Cultural, and Recreational Events, and the Exchange of Goods and Services
December 19, 2021
District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases
DCSD reports COVID-19 data in alignment with the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health. The full guidance can be found at the link below.
IDPH Information Sharing Guidance for Schools and Local Public Health
PK-6 Mask Requirement Changes After Winter Break
The PK-6th grade mask mandate will end December 27, 2021, during the Winter Break. When staff and students return from break Monday, January 3, 2022, mask wearing will be a personal choice for all staff and students. The District continues to strongly encourage vaccination for all eligible staff and students, appropriate mask-wearing aligned to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for K-12 Schools, good hand-hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and staying home when sick.
Bus Drivers Needed Decorah Schools has an immediate need for school bus route drivers, activities drivers, and substitute drivers. Drivers need to have an appropriate CDL license or a willingness to obtain the appropriate license. Bus route pay rates vary by the length of the trip, and the compensation for other bussing needs is $16.75 per hour. Those interested can visit the district website or call 563-382-4208 for more information about joining the Decorah Schools transportation tea
We provide the supplies for a project–you pick them up at the library and do the project at home.
— : Frozen Bubbles
Please pick up materials at the library Tuesday 1/18 between 9 am and 7 pm. Supplies are limited. Register early to guarantee a space. Registration ends 1/9 at 3 pm.
Registration required please use form below to register.
Phelps Park
12/23
The Decorah Public Library, the Decorah Community School District, and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department are hosting a BookWalk at Phelps Park starting Thursday 12/23
A BookWalk is a fun way to read while enjoying the outdoors. This BookWalk will feature Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. The BookWalk is free, open to the public, and does not require registration. The story is available in both English and Spanish. Thank-you to Friends of Decorah Public Library for funding the books for this walk.
December 14, 2021
The Iowa Department of Education released new results and features in an online school accountability reporting system called the Iowa School Performance Profiles.
Decorah High School and Decorah Middle School were ranked as “High-Performing,” and Carrie Lee Elementary, John Cline Elementary, and West Side Elementary were all named “Commendable.” Unlike many other schools across the state, Decorah’s overall results have improved or stayed the same compared to pre-pandemic ratings.
Between 2019 (the last time that the ISASP was administered) and 2021, the number of Iowa schools in the higher categories decreased, and the number of schools in the lowest two categories increased. Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo shared, “It’s important to understand the challenges brought on by the pandemic and to take that into account when looking at the 2021 performance scores.”
The high rankings of Decorah schools reveal how student performance remained strong despite the challenges of the last year. Superintendent Mark Lane commented, “It is important to recognize that the performance profile monitors multiple factors, including student proficiency and growth, student well-being, graduation rate, and college or career readiness. Our results demonstrate the resilience, perseverance, and dedication of our staff and students throughout the pandemic.
The Iowa School Performance Profiles website shows:
The latest scores reflect results of the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), which all 327 public school districts administered last spring.
Lane added, “I am incredibly proud of the way we have maintained a focus on student learning and well-being over the past two years.”
The Iowa School Performance Profiles, launched in 2018, meets state and federal requirements to publish report cards reflecting the performance of all public schools.
The Decorah Farmers Market will host it’s final indoor farmers market this Saturday December 18 from 8:30 to 11:30AM at Winneshiek County Fairgrounds Danan Lansing Building. Over 25 local growers and craftspeople will have produce, baked goods, gift items, art, holiday décor, house plants and pantry staples for sale.
Participating businesses include: Top of the Hollow Farm, Sara Vagts Angel food cakes, 301 Eatery, Kymar Acres, Humble Hands Harvest, Cluck Ewe Bakery, Empty Nest Winery, Benjegerdes Greenhouse, Driftless Macrame, Grown Jewels, Witts Baked goods, Dry Run Arts, Sweet Season Farm, Bens Beans, Nut Job Earring Co., and more!
From 9-11 customers can enjoy live music by local bluegrass band Squirrel Tail. Cash, check, SNAP EBT, and debit are accepted. Some vendors accept credit cards as well.
Questions or comments about the Decorah Farmers Market can be directed to Market Manager Kristin Eggen (608) 306-1246 or decorahmarket@gmail.com.
December 10, 2021
Decorah Middle School teams had strong performances at the State Mock Trial competition, earning a trophy and five outstanding performance medals.
Decorah’s 8th grade team won the seventh-place trophy out of 32 teams that competed at State. Decorah was edged out by 2.5 points by the team that won third place in the tournament.
Decorah’s 7th grade team performed well and lost in the second round to Harding Middle School, the eventual state champion.
Five Decorah students were honored with All-State individual medals: Carson Bohner, Mara Branum, and Jillian Volz for Outstanding Attorney, and Kinley Leliefeld and Naomi Pedlar for Outstanding Witness. To earn this award, a student must be nominated by both judges as their top choice in a single round. Decorah tied the championship school with medals awarded for outstanding performance.
Two Decorah teams qualified for the State competition by placing first and second at the regional competition in Waterloo. Decorah’s other two teams placed fourth and fifth. Over 150 teams compete in regionals statewide.
This year’s case was a criminal trial about a restaurant chef who was accused of murder after her co-owner was found dead in their industrial freezer. For the competition, students write scripts as attorneys and witnesses and perform trials as plaintiff and defense against opposing teams.
“Our acting and knowledge of this very challenging case were exceptional,” said teacher coach Carole Sand. “Winning the 7th place trophy and five outstanding performance awards at State is a testament to the students’ hard work, talent, and commitment.”
Many Decorah participants were nominated or honored for outstanding performances at the regional and state tournaments, some by numerous judges.
Outstanding honors went to 8th graders June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elsa Christman, Mikayla Hiner, Caleb Johnson, Klara Kelly, Trevor Kuennen, Nora Lesmeister, Madysen Lippe, Caden Malanaphy, Mack McElree, Danika Mueller, and Willow Shroyer.
Seventh grade outstanding performers included Lulu Bellrichard, Spencer Christensen, Lawrence Christman, Emma Cline, Thomas Davis, Liam Huang, Myla Leitz, Teagan Menke, Noah Potvin, Atticus Raabe, Olivia Rissman, Grace Stockman, and Colin Thompson.
DMS Mock Trial is part of the school’s Extended Learning Program. Coaches include Sand, Scott Boylen, and Sarah Zbornik. Supporting the program are volunteer expert mentors Judge Marty Lingreen, attorney Sandra Benzschawel, and Luther graduate Peter Stelter. Decorah High School assistant coaches include Grace Blikre, Grace Gerleman, Evon Leitz, Anya Lovstuen, Lily Sandhorst, Kamryn Steines, Ethan Stravers, and Ruby Sullivan.
“We owe much of our success to all of the mentors, assistant coaches, and high school students who donate countless hours to work individually with our students,” said Sand. “We also appreciate the Depot Outlet for a recent grant and Amundson’s Clothing for helping our guys look their best.”
DMS 8th grade team Ice, Ice Baby, which placed fifth at Regionals, includes (row 1, l-r) Elsa Christman, Willow Shroyer, Klara Kelly; (row 2, l-r) Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Madysen Lippe, Kaylie Wemark; (row 3, l-r) Jameson LaBelle, Ezra Harman-Wood, Caden Malanaphy, and Mack McElree.
DMS 7th grade team Chillin’ Like a Villain, which placed third at Regionals, includes (row 1, l-r) Naomi Kutz, Jayden Lundvedt, Gavin Luzum; (row 2, l-r) Jackson Irwin, Teagan Menke, Olivia Rissman, Noah Potvin; (row 3, l-r) Lulu Bellrichard, Myla Leitz, and Thomas Davis.
December 10, 2021
Winneshiek County is experiencing increasing COVID-19 positivity rates similar to this time last year. The Iowa Department of Public Health COVID-19 in Iowa website provides the data pictured below.
The District encourages all staff, students, and visitors to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for K-12 Schools.
District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases
DCSD reports COVID-19 data in alignment with the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health. The full guidance can be found at the link below.
IDPH Information Sharing Guidance for Schools and Local Public Health
Bus Drivers Needed
Decorah Schools has an immediate need for school bus route drivers, activities drivers, and substitute drivers. Drivers need to have an appropriate CDL license or a willingness to obtain the appropriate license. Bus route pay rates vary by the length of the trip, and the compensation for other bussing needs is $16.75 per hour. Interested individuals should visit the district website or call 563-382-4208 for more information about joining the Decorah Schools transportation team.
DCSD Winter Weather-related Communication
Every year the District experiences the need to cancel, delay, or dismiss school due to weather-related issues. District employees approach the decision to cancel, delay, or dismiss school with great caution, care, and concern.
Each weather-related situation is unique, and predicted weather conditions can improve or deteriorate quickly. In most cases, the District will make the decision to delay or cancel in the early morning based on real-time weather conditions, communicating a single decision to families and staff rather than one the night before and then needing to change the decision the following morning. The goal is to inform families by 6:00 amfor cancellations or morning delays and by 11:00 amfor early dismissals.
When school is delayed, families will be notified directly via email and text, an alert on the district website, a post on the district Twitter account, and communication with media outlets.
Bus Routes: When a 2-hour weather delay occurs, buses will pick up students 2 hours later than their normal pick-up time. When a 2-hour early dismissal occurs, buses will pick up students from school 2 hours earlier than their regular dismissal time and will drop off students 2 hours earlier than their normal drop-off time.
Sources for School-Related Closure Information
| Decorah Schools | Television | Radio | Internet |
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Luther College is preparing for a major renovation of the Sports and Recreation Center (SRC) in 2022. The improvements to the 45,000 square-foot facility include new floor surfacing that combines performance and safety, replacement of the multipurpose netting system to maximize space utilization, and installation of a videoboard to enhance the student and spectator experience. The estimated cost of the project is $1.2 million. To date, more than $1 million has been secured through the generosity of donors.
Constructed in 1991 as part of an expansion of Luther’s athletics complex, the SRC has never undergone significant updates. It is heavily used year-round for practices, competition, recreation, and events. The facility currently houses a 200-meter, six-lane track; two batting cages; six tennis courts; and two basketball courts.
“We are so grateful to have the SRC. Whether it’s being used by the tennis or track and field teams for indoor training and competition, by the baseball and softball teams for preseason workouts, or by community members walking and jogging inside to avoid the cold winter weather, it has many purposes,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics. “This building has served us well over the years and now it’s time to make this space more vibrant and functional so people can enjoy it for years to come.”
Along with the renovation project comes the commemorative naming of spaces to honor Luther coaches who have made a lifetime of impact on their student-athletes.
Robert and Ann Naslund Sports and Recreation Center
The SRC will be known as the Robert and Ann Naslund Sports and Recreation Center. From a student-athlete to coach to friend and avid supporter, Robert Naslund ’65 has had strong ties to Luther for over 50 years.
“Nas” served at the helm of the football team for 18 years and the track and field team for 12 years, winning 12 Iowa Conference team titles and Coach of the Year honors nine times. He played football and ran track and field at Luther, earning all-conference honors in both sports and the respect of his coaches and teammates. Naslund was a teacher and mentor for Luther students and has maintained relationships with alumni for decades. In retirement, Naslund often drives the Luther team bus and remains a fan of Norse student-athletes and teams.
“Having the Naslund name on the SRC is appreciated and meaningful beyond words for me, Ann, and our family,” said Naslund. “This newly restored center will be very special for all of the people it serves and for all of us who love Luther College.”
Naslund said he fell in love with Luther in the spring of 1960 when he arrived on campus for a visit and met coaches Edsel Schweizer and Hamlet Peterson. He enrolled in the fall of that same year.
“Ever since that 150 pound linebacking ‘Blue Bullet’ and first-generation college farm kid from Cambridge, Illinois, showed up on the Luther campus, there has been a journey full of great stories about the great people at this place! I am eternally grateful to the coaches and athletes who created all of those stories including Rich, Su, and Kirk. It’s an honor to be recognized alongside them. The Sports and Recreation Center has been and will be the source of many great stories to come,” he said.
Naslund expressed overwhelming gratitude to the donors who are making this renovation a reality. “Their extraordinary generosity and support will impact the Luther College family and Decorah community for years to come!” The naming of the facility is supported through a challenge gift from Joe ’80 and Greer Whitters.
“We wanted to donate to this project because we believe students should have a balance between academics and extracurricular activities,” said Joe Whitters. “Luther has seen many great professors and coaches but Coach Naslund did it for so long and so well and continues his commitment to Luther Athletics to this day.”
Oertel/Leake Indoor Courts
The tennis courts will be named the Oertel/Leake Indoor Courts in honor of coaches Su Oertel ’72 and Richard Leake.
Oertel retired in 2006 after an impressive 31-year coaching career as the head women’s tennis coach beginning in 1975. With a dual meet record of 383-189, Oertel was one of the best known and most successful coaches in the college’s history. She guided the Norse to four AIAW Iowa State Championships in five years and an unmatched 23 of 24 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women’s tennis championships. The women’s tennis team won 19 consecutive IIAC titles, 17 of them with Oertel coaching on site. Oertel was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year for Division III Women’s Tennis 12 times and in 1992, she was voted Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s National Coach of the Year in Division III women. Her student-athletes made 10 trips to the NCAA Division III national team tournament and 13 trips to the NCAA III national individual tournament.
“What a tremendous honor this naming is. I got to work in a beautiful facility that I loved, with people I loved, at a college that I love,” said Oertel. “Playing on tennis courts taped to the basketball floors and practicing in the gyms at 6 a.m. or 10 p.m. when it was available, we all excitedly watched the much-needed SRC facility being built in 1991. I want to thank those who contributed to the updating of the SRC project. The renovation of this space will update an already tremendous facility by making much-needed, sport-specific improvements. To be identified with Luther College as a student-athlete and coach and now, with my name on the indoor tennis courts with Rich are tremendous honors. Go Norse!”
The joint naming of this space symbolizes the relationship between Oertel and Leake who worked closely with and supported each other during their coaching careers. Leake coached the women’s tennis team in 1984-85 while Oertel was pursuing her doctoral degree. That year, the team won the Iowa Conference Championship and Leake was named Coach of the Year.
Leake was the head men’s tennis coach from 1975-83 and 1985-2001. He led the Norse to 11 Iowa Conference Championships that included a string of eight consecutive titles from 1988-1995. He coached eight Iowa Conference MVPs, one three-time NCAA III All-American, 56 conference singles champions, and 53 conference doubles champions. During his time as men’s head tennis coach, he was selected Iowa Conference Coach of the Year 12 times and completed his career with a dual meet record of 270-209.
“It is an unbelievable honor to be recognized alongside these great Luther coaches and athletes,” said Leake. “I am very grateful for the donors who are making this top-notch facility possible. The renovation of this indoor space should be a real boost to the recruitment of tennis and track student-athletes. Although the current facility has served Luther College well for 30 years, it is time for an upgrade and a facelift. I could not be more pleased that Luther is investing in its athletic program with this new facility.”
As part of the renovation, the indoor courts will be reconfigured to include four doubles tennis courts.
Neubauer Indoor Track
The indoor track will be named the Neubauer Indoor Track in honor of Kirk Neubauer ’76. Neubauer was the head coach of the men’s track and field team from 1980-1986. His teams won the Iowa Conference Championships all seven years, and he was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year four times. He also coached the women’s cross country team for three seasons (1986-1988). His ’87 team won an Iowa Conference title, and he was selected Coach of the Year.
According to Neubauer, Naslund was instrumental in his decision to attend Luther.
“During my senior year in high school, Coach Naslund made the effort to visit my home on the farm in Iowa Falls to better acquaint me with Luther. Coach Naslund convinced me, as well as my parents, that Luther was a special place. Having him as my track coach for four years and running on four conference championship teams under his leadership was a privilege.”
Neubauer said that when he was informed that the new track would be named in his honor, he was “taken aback” and wants all of the student-athletes he coached over the years to know that this naming is a collaboration of all of their efforts. He also recognizes that the new track was made possible through a generous donation.
“Although the family who supported the track renovation wished to remain anonymous, I know their financial commitment to Luther over the years has been phenomenal, and we thank them once again for their generosity! Coaches Naslund, Oertel, Leake, and I were all members of the Luther Athletic Department staff during the same era, so sharing the excitement of the SRC renovation with them is especially gratifying.”
Neubauer hopes that, along with being an incredible setting for training and competition, Decorah community members will utilize the track for health and fitness initiatives, especially when inclement weather interferes with exercise.
Make a gift
Fundraising continues for the SRC renovation project, and gifts and pledges of all sizes are appreciated. Multiyear pledges may be fulfilled over three years. All gifts of $10,000 or more qualify for recognition on the donor wall in the facility. For more information on ways to support this project, call the Development Office at (800) 225-8664 to speak with a development officer. For more information visit luther.edu/giving/priorities/sail-norse/src/.
Luther College, a NCAA Division III athletics program, is a member of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) located in Decorah, Iowa.
About Luther College
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
Andy Hageman, associate professor of English, has been named the new director of the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) at Luther College.
“I am thrilled and honored to be taking the role of director of the CEPE,” said Hageman. “My training, research, and teaching focus on the power of narrative, the ethical opportunities and challenges as new technologies emerge and shape our cultures, and the role science fiction can play in creatively addressing climate change and racism. I look forward to leading the center with attention to ethics in the stories we create, circulate, and consume about justice, from algorithms and athletics to ancient aquatic arthropods.”
Founded in 2006, the CEPE’s mission is to extend conversation beyond the classroom by examining assumptions, exchanging ideas, and encouraging responsible action in our world. By encouraging and supporting deep reflection about ethical matters and responsible citizenship, the center helps students connect the pursuit of learning with what it means to live a meaningful life.
This mission is supported through programming such as guest speakers and residencies, discussions, reading groups, news hour gatherings, and panel discussions. A theme guides each year’s focus. This year the theme is The Ethics of Leadership.
Hageman teaches courses in the English department, environmental studies program, Paideia first-year experience, and capstones on ethics. He promotes the rigorous imagining of how and why an interdisciplinary liberal arts education prepares students for a future of life, work, and civic engagement. He collaborates with students to shape their core competencies in creative analysis and design, ethical judgment, and the power of narrative.
“The CEPE is a portal through which Luther students, faculty, and staff can share their innovative and interdisciplinary work with broader communities. At the heart of my own work is embracing the entanglement of different disciplines. I see the center as a way to connect projects and pursuits–a space where scholars in English, environmental studies, and data science, for example, design projects together. Likewise, the center will provide students opportunities to connect their academic work to the paths they will move along after graduation,” said Hageman.
Hageman will begin his five-year term as director of the CEPE in February 2022. He succeeds Victoria Christman who was recently appointed director of the Center for Global Learning at Luther College.
About Luther College
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
December 3, 2021
Monday, November 29, the DCSD Board of Directors met to discuss the local availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11. Based on information from local public health and community healthcare providers, the board set the date when the current PK-6 mask mandate will end: December 27, 2021.
When staff and students return from break Monday, January 3, 2022, mask wearing will be a personal choice for all staff and students. The District continues to encourage vaccination for all eligible staff and students, appropriate mask-wearing aligned to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for K-12 Schools, good hand-hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and staying home when sick.
District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases
Cumulative Total Positive Student COVID-19 Case Comparative Data
November 29, 2020 – 27 Total Cases
November 29, 2021– 78 Total Cases
DCSD reports COVID-19 data in alignment with the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health. The full guidance can be found at the link below.
IDPH Information Sharing Guidance for Schools and Local Public Health
Bus Drivers Needed
Decorah Schools has an immediate need for school bus route drivers, activities drivers, and substitute drivers. Drivers need to have an appropriate CDL license or a willingness to obtain the appropriate license. Bus route pay rates vary by the length of the trip, and the compensation for other bussing needs is $16.75 per hour. Those interested can visit the district website or call 563-382-4208 for more information about joining the Decorah Schools transportation team.
In his weekly message to families, Superintendent Mark Lane spoke of the upcoming winter months. Lane shared, “We continue to have wonderful weather, but we know we are entering the time of year when inclement weather occurs. Please make sure you and your student(s) know your family plans if we experience a delay, early dismissal, or closure due to weather. Hopefully, the need for weather-related adjustments is minimal this year, but it is good to be prepared.”
