Author: Decorah Community School District

Decorah Elementary Schools recently hosted a family STEAM event.  Nearly 400 participants were engaged with hands-on learning, discovery, and enjoyment of all things science, technology, engineering, art, and math.  

Event coordinator Shanna Putnam Dibble shared gratitude for all involved. “We would like to thank our amazing teachers and staff for volunteering and the following community partners for making this event a success: Decorah Bank and Trust, Keystone AEA, the Raptor Resource Project, Iowa State Extension and Outreach, the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa, Wartburg Science Department, Northeast Iowa RSVP Program, Winneshiek County Conservation, and Decorah High School. It was a phenomenal night of learning and fun!”

Ellie Burras and Putnam Dibble discover amazing animals from the Wartburg Biology Department.

Ellie Burras and Putnam Dibble discover amazing animals from the Wartburg Biology Department.

Students had a spectacular time with slime with Iowa State Extension and Outreach.

RSVP volunteers helped to make this event a success. Violet Butler receives encouragement with Penny Boat Challenges from volunteer Leona Hoth.

The Raptor Resource Project brought another intriguing animal and taught students about wild birds.

Students explored Coding. Anawrenn Trytten works on coding a robot.

There was a lot of engineering and building going on in the Free Build Room. Holly Hurst experimented with Ramps and Pathways.

On Saturday, October 19th, the Decorah Schools Special Olympics team traveled to
Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo to compete in the Northeast Iowa Regional Bowling
tournament. Competing and placing for Decorah High School were first place finishers
Donnie Hrdlicka, Kamryn Leuenberger, Paxton Remick and Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, as well
as second place finishers John Lippe, Haley Stinson, Peyton Rentschler, and Braden
Ramstad. While representing the Decorah School team, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle also was the
torch bearer for the opening ceremony.

Representing Decorah Middle School were first place finishers Daniel Bean, Aiden
Farley, Zoey Lollar, Sky Pasche, and Luke Thompson, as well as third place finisher
Johnathan Bean.

First place finishers have the opportunity to compete at the State Bowling event at the
same location on November 23.

Decorah Schools Special Olympics Coach John Dunt stated, “Our athletes have been
working hard to improve their scores all fall, and we had exceptional results at this event.
To make it even better, everyone had a fun time competing and making new friends.”

DHS SO Bowling Team:

Front (l-r): Kamryn Leuenberger, Paxton Remick, Peyton Rentschler
Back (l-r): Haley Stinson, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Donnie Hrdlicka, John Lippe, Braden Ramstad

DMS SO Bowling Team:

(l-r): Johnathan Bean, Aiden Farley, Sky Pasche, Zoey Lollar, Daniel Bean
Not pictured: Luke Thompson

The Decorah High School Drama Program is thrilled to present this year’s variety show Those Meddling Kids, an original production set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris during the Olympics. This lively performance will combine comedy, intrigue, and talent as the show’s characters–reminiscent of a famous mystery-solving gang and their loyal, snack-loving canine companion–unravel a suspenseful storyline while showcasing 18 unique student acts. Audiences can expect an unforgettable, family-friendly evening filled with music, dance, laughs, and plenty of surprises!

Those Meddling Kids performances are Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the DHS auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. They will be available for purchase online at decorahschools.ludus.com beginning Friday, Nov. 1 and in the DHS office. The box office will also open an hour before each show with house doors opening 30 minutes before showtime. 

Through the generosity of the Decorah Performing Arts Boosters, one adult ticket and children’s tickets are available for families who would like to attend the show but do not have the resources to purchase tickets. Please contact Shanna Putnam-Dibble at shanna.putnamdibble@decorah.school for assistance in obtaining tickets.

The original script was written by Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Liam Chamberlain, Davis Coppola, Greta Jones, Ansel Kowitz, Andy Kruger, Beau Newhouse, Noah Potvin, Jack Sovern, Kamryn Steines, and Grace Stockman. They will perform alongside additional cast members June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elsa Christman, Mikayla Hiner, Nora Lesmeister, Gwen Thompson, Ezra Vorvick, and Margret Zook.

Students presenting variety show acts include Ariana Albert, Karmyn Bakken, Lulu Bellrichard, Bridget Bentley, Reid Berns, Riley Berns, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elliana Brodbeck, Quade Bruening, Oliver Brummel, Kennedy Carlson, Andy Carolan, Liam Chamberlain, Spencer Christensen, Elsa Christman, Emma Cline, Davis Coppola, Aitor Cuevas, Livia Dix, Evynne Downing, Simone Downing, William Duder, Marri Feuerhelm, Natalie Goodner, Tommy Hammel, Ezra Harman-Wood, Mikayla Hiner, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Landyn Hook, Derek Hrdlicka, Jackson Irwin, Caleb Johnson, Elsa Johnson, Kaya Johnson, Greta Jones, Annika Keefe, Klara Kelly, Yoseph Ko, Ansel Kowitz, Caleb Krieg, Andy Kruger, Kaelyn Kuhn, Chester Kvamme, Jameson LaBelle, Nora Lesmeister, Jayden Lundtvedt, Caden Malanaphy, Mack McElree, Teagan Menke, Alexander Mercado-Arneson, Noah Milburn, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Beau Newhouse, Clarence Nimrod, Carlton Nordschow, Abby Northup, Stella Pole, Noah Potvin, McKenzie Riley, Olivia Rissman, Will Robinson, Grady Sabelka, Elias Sassaman, Vivian Searcy, Lauren Severtson, Chloe Sheffield, Gavy Smith, Jack Sovern, Kamryn Steines, Grace Stockman, Leah Suhr, Colin Thompson, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Sydney Thompson, Jillian Volz, Ezra Vorvick, Amelia Wadsworth, Kera Walter, Kaylie Wemark, Addison Wicklund, Margret Zook, and Grant Zilka. 

Crew members are Hannah Arendt, Isaac Bentley, Ava Hanson, Marley Harmening, Jay Hawthorn, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Evan Madsen, Carlton Nordschow, Grady Sabelka, Lily Sandhorst, Leah Suhr, Kera Walter, and Margret Zook, under the leadership of Stage Manager Karmyn Bakken and Assistant Manager Nathan Rhodes.

Directors for Those Meddling Kids are Chris Hadley, Jason Rausch, Karen Trewin, and Kristen Underwood.

The 39th Annual Northeast Iowa Holiday Craft and Bake Sale will take place on Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Decorah High School, 100 Claiborne Drive, Decorah. This popular community event is free and open to the public.

Attendees will have the chance to enter a raffle for a brand-new TV, with tickets available at the door for just $2 each or three for $5. In addition, free door prizes will be distributed.

As one of the largest craft sales in the tri-state area, the event will showcase nearly 80 vendors offering a wide variety of handmade crafts, unique gifts, and perfect holiday shopping options. A concession stand will be available throughout the day, offering snacks, beverages, and treats to enjoy while attendees browse.

Hosted by the Decorah Performing Arts Boosters, the sale directly supports the music, speech, and drama programs at Decorah Community Schools. Proceeds help cover student entrance fees and admissions to contests and festivals throughout the year, providing valuable opportunities for student growth and achievement.

The Decorah Performing Arts Boosters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Decorah High School will host a Veterans Day breakfast and program for veterans and their families on Monday, November 11.  

Coffee will be served in the high school cafeteria starting at 7:30 a.m., and breakfast will be served to veterans and their family members beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

The Veterans Day program will be held in the high school auditorium at 9:45 a.m. The VFW Color Guard will post the colors, and the DHS Wind Ensemble and the DHS Concert Choir will perform throughout the program. 

An essential part of the breakfast and program is recognizing military men and women connected to Decorah. Those who would like to submit a photo of a family member who has served or is serving in the military to be added to the “Wall of Veterans” should bring a copy of a photo (no larger than a 5 x 7) to the Decorah High School office. Pictures can also be emailed with information to denise.gulrud@decorah.school. The following information should be included:

Name of person

Military branch

Years served or serving

Wars or conflicts fought in

The deadline to submit photos and information is Friday, November 1st. Those with questions can contact Denise Gulrud at Decorah High School at (563) 382-3643 or denise.gulrud@decorah.school.

Parking will be available in the lot on the west side of the high school. Veterans and their family members can enter through either the auditorium doors or the doors off the west parking lot. 

The Decorah High School Vocal Music Department will present a fall choral concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 21 in the DHS Auditorium. The concert will feature four choirs: Ninth Grade Treble Clef Choir, Ninth Grade Bass Clef Choir, Viking Chorus, and Concert Choir.

Choirs will perform pieces by Laura Farnell, Andrea Ramsey, Tracy Wong, Melanie DeMore, Sarah Quartel, José Maurício Nunes Garcia, Alice Parker, Rosephanye Powell, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. In addition, arrangements of the Irish folksong “Mairi’s Wedding” and “Dear Theodosia” from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton will be featured.

The choirs are under the direction of Jason Rausch and Dean Beckman. Collaborative pianist is Lani Himegarner. Additional instrumentalists include Oliver Brummel, Liam Chamberlain, Natalie Goodner, Lauren Severtson, and Ezra Vorvick.

DHS Concert Choir

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and efforts to improve the school and community, the National Honor Society (NHS) awarded the Decorah High School chapter of NHS the Service Award of Excellence.

Service is a strong aspect of the Decorah NHS chapter, with events occurring throughout the year. Last fall NHS members created a Krusty Krab cafe for families to attend before the Saturday matinee performance of “SpongeBob the Musical.” This included themed food, a photo booth with character cut-outs, art activities, and colorful decorations. DHS received Special Recognition for Community Engagement from the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards for the Krusty Krab lunch event sponsored by the chapter.

Members also volunteer at Holiday Lights and have started “Pass the Bricks,” a program where students collect and recycle Legos to create new kits to donate to community members. In addition, at least three times a year, the NHS hosts a social during lunch. The entire student body is invited to play games and connect with others. They also created the Stuffed Animal Sleepover Project for students in second grade at John Cline Elementary. Furthermore, NHS members have supported the Special Olympics Unified Champion initiative by helping with events, creating the design for a school-wide t-shirt, and hosting a shootout at the Unified Champion basketball game, with all proceeds going toward Special Olympic equipment purchases.

“Over the years, our strong NHS leaders have developed a system of committees that has led to more participation, greater commitment, and more meaningful ways to contribute to our school and greater community. Our current members are building on that foundation with new ideas and energy,” stated advisors Shannon Horton and Liz Fox.

The NHS Chapter Pillar Awards are prestigious recognitions to celebrate the outstanding achievements of NHS chapters across the country. NHS is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), which also oversees the National Association of Student Councils.

 “Receiving an NHS Chapter Pillar Award reflects the extraordinary commitment of students who are making a real difference in their school and community,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “The Decorah High School chapter shows what’s possible when young people come together to lead, serve, and inspire others.”

Every year 7th graders at Decorah Middle School immerse themselves in a cross-curricular project aimed to sharpen their skills while also experiencing the benefits of philanthropy.  Students in Carrie Reed’s Global Studies class examine how water can create inequalities in societies by impacting health, education, hunger, and poverty. These same students read and analyze the novel “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park in Pamela Dambek’s language class. The project culminates in students walking from the middle school to the Upper Iowa River to collect water to carry through town on their way back to school.

Two years ago the 7th graders (class of 2028) raised over $5000 from donations from family and community members and other fundraisers: enough to build a well through the nonprofit organization Water to Thrive. Recently the now 9th graders at Decorah High School received information about how their donation became a reality: a well that benefits over 150 people in Uganda. 

Jennifer Kondelis, Programs Assistant, and Susanne Wilson, Executive Director of Water to Thrive, communicated this to the teachers and students: “In addition to providing clean, safe water to hundreds of people, your well has significantly reduced the amount of time women and children spend collecting water. Women have gained the time they need to take better care of their families and engage in income-generating activities. Children now have more time to go to school and be absent less often as water-related diseases become a thing of the past. We are grateful to have you as a partner as we commit to bring clean water to those who so desperately need it.”  

Nayiga Cotilda, a 35-year-old mother of four, is one villager who is benefiting tremendously from the well. For 20 years she struggled to access safe and clear water, which took a toll on her family’s health and finances. Her daughter frequently suffered from waterborne illnesses, which strained their budget. Everything changed when PaCT and Water to Thrive intervened, providing a reliable source of clean water and instilling hope in the community. She stated, “PaCT and Water to Thrive didn’t just give us clean water–they gave us a new life.”

According to their website www.watertothrive.org, “Water to Thrive transforms lives in rural Africa by bringing the sustainable blessing of clean, safe water to communities in need by connecting them to social investors, congregations, schools, individuals, and community groups with a heart to make a difference.”

Ugandan family using new well.

Eight students from Decorah High School–Grace Blikre, Carson Bohner, Oliver Brummel, McKenzie Riley, Lily Sandhorst, Anastasia Simon, Jack Sovern, and Grant Zilka–have been selected as College Board National Recognition Program awardees. All recipients received the National Rural and Small Town Award (NRSTA), and Zilka also received recognition in the First Generation category.

These students earned this recognition because of their academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and/or AP® Exams. They’ve accomplished these milestones during a demanding period of their high school career.

“We’re thrilled that our students have earned this recognition. We are very proud of them for their achievements in their classrooms and on College Board assessments,” said Pat Trewin, DHS guidance counselor. “These programs help students from underrepresented backgrounds stand out to colleges during admissions. Some colleges will offer scholarships to students based on this honor.”

“We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs. This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor.”

Photo ID (l-r):

Front row: Anastasia Simon, Grace Blikre, McKenzie Riley

Back row: Grant Zilka, Lily Sandhorst, Jack Sovern, Oliver Brummel, Carson Bohner

Decorah Community School District

Dear Decorah Community,

In response to new state laws, specifically Iowa Senate File 2435, the Decorah Community School District has implemented updated attendance policies. These changes are designed to promote regular school attendance and clarify definitions of chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Key Updates:

• Chronic Absenteeism: A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of scheduled school days. Exempt absences for legitimate medical reasons, religious observances, or court-directed activities do not count towards this total.
• Truancy: Defined for students aged 6 to 16, truancy occurs when a student accumulates 20% or more non-exempt absences, which include excused but non-exempt reasons.
• Notification and Support: Families will be notified if a student reaches 10% absenteeism. If absenteeism continues, a School Engagement Meeting will be held to develop an Absenteeism Prevention Plan.

Exempt absences include those related to documented medical reasons, religious activities, and specific court-related matters. For a medical appointment to be considered exempt, students must submit a note from a health care provider to the office upon their return to school. Non-exempt absences, such as family vacations and college visits, will count towards attendance metrics, as they do not qualify for exemption.

We encourage families to communicate with school officials for support and guidance. For detailed information, including attendance coding and FAQs, please visit our website or contact your school office. The FAQ has been attached to this email.  

We will continue to update these documents as more information and guidance from the Department of Education becomes available.  Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our students’ success.

Sincerely,

Tim Cronin, Superintendent