Author: Decorah Community School District

Fifth graders in Sarah Nowack’s class recently learned the value of giving to others through the program Project Jack, which originated in the Quad Cities area in memory of Jack Lindaman, an energetic, positive boy who passed away at the age of six from spinal muscular atrophy. The project gives 4th and 5th graders the opportunity to pay it forward in any way the class chooses. Nowack applied for and was awarded a $250 grant to be used toward an altruistic project. 

Nowack’s class brainstormed many ways they wanted to pay it forward and ultimately decided they wanted to express their gratitude to their local law enforcement, fire department, and first responders.  Students found out in January the grant application was approved and got to work planning how they would carry out the project.  The students chose to make care packages and provide treats for the Decorah Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department, Decorah Fire Department, and local first responders.  

Students helped shop for the supplies, wrote letters to each of the officers, assembled the care packages, and delivered the care packages and treats. They enjoyed visiting with the officers during the delivery phase of the project, revealing their curiosity by asking many questions.  

Through this project, students in Nowack’s class learned the importance of community, service, and giving back to those who serve and protect. They also cultivated skills in cooperation, teamwork, and even calculating unit pricing and shopping on a budget.

Fifth graders in Sarah Nowack’s class recently learned the value of giving to others through the program Project Jack, which originated in the Quad Cities area in memory of Jack Lindaman, an energetic, positive boy who passed away at the age of six from spinal muscular atrophy. The project gives 4th and 5th graders the opportunity to pay it forward in any way the class chooses. Nowack applied for and was awarded a $250 grant to be used toward an altruistic project. 

Nowack’s class brainstormed many ways they wanted to pay it forward and ultimately decided they wanted to express their gratitude to their local law enforcement, fire department, and first responders.  Students found out in January the grant application was approved and got to work planning how they would carry out the project.  The students chose to make care packages and provide treats for the Decorah Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department, Decorah Fire Department, and local first responders.  

Students helped shop for the supplies, wrote letters to each of the officers, assembled the care packages, and delivered the care packages and treats. They enjoyed visiting with the officers during the delivery phase of the project, revealing their curiosity by asking many questions.  

Through this project, students in Nowack’s class learned the importance of community, service, and giving back to those who serve and protect. They also cultivated skills in cooperation, teamwork, and even calculating unit pricing and shopping on a budget.

With Project Jack, Lindaman’s memory and loving spirit will continue on through the good deeds of children. It is sponsored by the REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa.

The Decorah High School Music Department participated in the Iowa High School Music Association Solo and Small Ensemble Music Festival on Saturday, March 26 at Decorah High School. Other schools participating were Crestwood High School, Independence High School, Oelwein High School, and Waverly-Shell Rock High School. This is an adjudicated festival in which students receive one of five division ratings for their performance: Division I “Superior” rating, Division II “Excellent” rating, Division III “Good” rating, Division IV “Fair” rating, or Division V “Poor” rating. The ratings are based on a point scale.

It was a successful day for the DHS Music Department. Each judge is allowed to present one “Outstanding Performance” award for the performance they deem to be the most superior of the day. There were six judges overall in the vocal, orchestra, and band categories, with three of them awarding this prestigious honor to DHS musicians. Students were accompanied on piano by Mary Beth Bouska, Chris Hadley, Nicholas Shaneyfelt, Denise Wegge, Anne Wilson, Jana Vorvick, Xiao Hu, and Miko Kominami.

Those receiving “Outstanding Performance” awards includeElias Vorvick, Euphonium; Madrigal Singers; and Simon Kutz, Cello. 

Those receiving a Perfect Score include Elias Vorvick, Euphonium, and CC Junior Quartet–Michael Njus, Gareth Sweet, Jake Magner, and Max Wilson.

Division I – Superior Ratings:

Solos (total: 46)

Flute: Jenna Hartz; Clarinet: Rebecca Anderson; Alto Saxophone: Brenna Parker; Trombone: Elias Vorvick; Bass Trombone: Elias Vorvick; Euphonium: Ruby Sullivan, Elias Vorvick; Tuba: Mairi Sessions, Elias Vorvick; Snare Drum: Alex McGohan; Timpani: Alex McGohan, Mara Pankow; Mallets: Evan Bryce, Natalie Goodner, Alex McGohan; Mixed Percussion: Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Kassidy Steines;Piano: Gabriel Hiner;Violin: Elsa Johnson, Gabriel Hiner, Arlo Hayes, Adrian Huang; Viola: Cedrik Beiwel; Cello: Simon Kutz, Ada Lovelace; Bass: Ezra Vorvick, Sally Laybourn; Soprano: Kealy Hines, Elayna Hook, Sally Laybourn, Ada Lovelace, Gwen Thompson; Alto: Ella Grouws, Jenna Hartz, Alex Kane, Haley Stowe, Rorie Wiedow; Tenor: Caleb Krieg, Dylan Muhlbauer, Michael Njus, Libby Phillips, Haywood Stowe, Gareth Sweet; and Bass: Gabriel Hiner, Jake Magner, Daniel Skrade.

Ensembles (total: 33)

WE Woodwind Choir, WE Brass Choir, Percussion Choir, Trombone Duet: E. Vorvick & M. Wilson; Tuba Duet: E. Vorvick & Sessions; Percussion Quartet (McGohan, Nalean-Carlson, M. Pankow, Kassidy Steines); Percussion Octet (Bryce, L. Chamberlain, Goodner, Hines, McGohan, Njus, M. Pankow, Kassidy Steines); String Duets: E. Johnson & Thompson, R. Zilka & Stahl, Grouws & Christman, Huang & Hayes, Clement & Dlhy; String Quartet (Christman, Grouws, Stravers & Lovelace); 9/10 Grade Chamber Orchestra; Reverie Chamber Orchestra (Beiwel, conductor); At the Purchaser’s Option Chamber Orchestra; Vocal Duet: Hiner & G. Thompson, Njus & D. Skrade, Njus & M. Wilson, S. & L. Sandhorst, Madrigal Singers, CC Chamber Singers, VC Chamber Choir, 9th Grade Chamber Choir, 9th Gr. Treble Clef 9 (A. Hanson, G. Jones, G. Thompson, R. Kane, Kamryn Steines, Wemark, Blikre, Brodbeck, Sheffield), VC Treble Clef 10 (E. Hook, Kipp, R. Suhr, Walker, B. Hanson, Storhoff, Valkosky, Kelly, Pritchard, Hayley Stowe), CC Treble Clef 9 (Campbell, Irwin, Lange, Hageman, L. Johnson, R. Wilson, Koryn Bakken, Redenius, Tweten),  CC Treble Clef 12 (Dlhy, M. Krieg, Laybourn, Grouws, Lovelace, S. Sandhorst, Buresh, A. Kane, A. Skrade, Hartz, Stahl, Wiedow), VC Bass Clef 5 (Evelsizer, Phillips, Hiner, Stammeyer, Weis), CC Bass Clef Quartet (Njus, Muhlbauer, Ostlie, Jacobsen), Junior Bass Clef Quartet (Njus, Sweet, Magner, M. Wilson); Senior Bass Clef 10 (McCain, Haywood Stowe, B. Hook, Muhlbauer, Berns, Folkedahl, Ostlie, D. Chamberlain, Eichinger, Jacobsen), Junior Bass Clef 7 (Njus, Sweet, Magner, Brickley, V. Merritt, D. Skrade, M. Wilson).

Division II – Excellent Ratings:

Solos (total: 31)

Flute: Emma Humpal; Clarinet: Mikael Havens; Baritone Saxophone: Grant Zilka; Trumpet: Oliver Brummel, Aitor Cuevas, Greta Jones, Andy Kruger; Timpani: Caden Branum, Michael Njus; Mallet: Kealy Hines, Beau Newhouse; Mixed Percussion: Jerald Thompson; Piano: Gwenyth Thompson;Violin: Sophia Christman, Sylvia Sandhorst, Ramsey Zilka, Kinsey White, Ella Grouws, Lydia Monreal, Gwenyth Thompson; Viola: Ethan Stravers, Annalise Skrade; Cello: Riley Wilson; Soprano: Sydney Kipp, Margret Zook; Alto: Riley Wilson; Tenor: Connor Evelsizer; Bass: Oliver Brummel, Nolan Jacobsen, Ezra Vorvick, Max Wilson.

Ensembles (total: 18)

SB Woodwind Choir; SB Brass Choir; Clarinet Choir (Anderson, Havens, K. Holland, Keefe, Kleiner, Lange, Mtisi, K. Walter); French Horn Trio: (L. Sandhorst, Kamryn Steines, Wadsworth); Low Brass Ensemble (Sessions, Sullivan, Eli Vorvick); Mallet Duet: McGohan & Kassidy Steines; String Duets: Monreal & A. Hanson, Stravers & C. Kowitz, R. Wilson & Lovstuen, Olson & L. Holland, Karmyn Bakken & Blikre; S. Sandhorst & Lovstuen; String Quartets: (M. Holland, Dlhy, L. Johnson & M. Krieg), (G. Thompson, E. Johnson, Karmyn Bakken & Blikre); CC Chamber Choir, 9th Gr. Treble Clef 10 (Downing, E. Johnson, Zook, Karmyn Bakken, Bentley, Goodner, Hines, C. Holland, Northup, Wadsworth), CC Treble Clef 8 (Alberts, Bruening, Schwarz, Christman, Lovstuen, Rooney, Henriquez, N. Johnson), 9th Gr. Bass Clef 10 (C. Krieg, Kruger, Coppola, L. Hook, Beau Newhouse, Brummel, L. Chamberlain, J. Thompson, Sovern, Ezra Vorvick)

District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases

• Total number of students and staff in isolation (currently positive) for COVID-19: zero (0)
• Current district facilities with known positive cases: None

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

Last Day of the 2021-2022 School Year

In order to meet the required 1,080 instructional hours required by Iowa law, the District must add one make-up day to the calendar. Students’ last day will now be Wednesday, May 25 with a 1:30 pm dismissal.

Seniors’ last day, Tuesday, May 17, will not change.

Additional make-up time may still be necessary if any future emergency cancellations, delays, or early dismissals occur.

In Closing

Superintendent Mark Lane shared his thoughts about the District’s COVID response in his Friday’s Message to Families.  He wrote, “Two years ago today was the Friday of the first week of the emergency closure of Iowa K-12 schools. We had spent the week wondering what the remainder of the school year might look like and working to find a way to deliver food supplies to our students and families.”

“In that first week of closure, there were no federal or state funds available to pay for schools to give away food, but we felt called to do something. Thankfully, Decorah Bank and Trust and Decorah Rotary made generous donations that funded our food delivery project.”

“I remember working with our nutrition services staff to prepare packages. It felt good to be doing something helpful for our community. That Friday, I stood in the high school parking lot as families drove through to collect meals. I can’t remember feeling a greater sense of community.”

“When I think about what our public schools mean to communities, I think of events like that day. People were scared about this strange illness impacting the world, but our employees felt called to help. There was definitely apprehension that day and each subsequent Friday as we prepared and distributed food. No one wanted to get sick, but the responsibility to take care of our students compelled people to persevere and brave the unknown.”

“I am forever grateful to our employees for what they have done over the past two years. I am proud of all public schools and our neighbors and friends who serve their communities.”

Lane also noted that Friday’s communication would be the last planned weekly message. It started as a way to communicate about isolation and quarantining of students and staff due to COVID-19. As the Iowa Department of Public Health has changed its reporting requirements and processes, the District has adjusted data collection and reporting.

“Over the past six weeks, we have experienced 3, 0, 5, 1, 1, and 0 cases of isolation among students and staff. Moving forward, we will share a COVID-19 notice if we experience 5% or more of the student body in a particular building isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test,” noted Lane.

The District continues to encourage everyone to follow the recommendations in the CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools.

By: Kaia Franzen, Reporter

Forty FFA chapters from around Northeast Iowa attended the 2022 Northeast District Convention held at Decorah High School on Saturday, March 12^th. Chapters had the opportunity to compete in seventeen leadership development contests and three test contests.

Decorah FFA competed in eight state qualifying contests and two test contests. Three event entries were selected to advance to the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 10th-12th, held in Ames, Iowa.

The three events advancing to the state competition in Ames include the Secretary’s Book: Karter Einck & Grace Gerleman – 1st place, gold rating; Treasurer’s Book: Sage Wedmann – 1st place, gold rating; Parliamentary Procedure: Annika Brynsaas, Brody Courtney, Anders Lovstuen, Creed Monroe & Kayleigh Smith – 2nd place, gold rating.

The seven other events that members participated in consisted of the Reporter’s Scrapbook: Kaia Franzen – 3rd place, alternate to state, gold rating; Chapter Program: Melia Kruse & Morgan Moen – 3rd place, gold rating, alternate to state; Public Speaking: Grace Gerleman – silver rating; Ag Sales: Braunwyn Darrington- bronze rating; Ag Issues: Bryss Ehrie, Ciara Wedmann, Mara Wyatt & Olivia Wyatt – bronze rating; Farm Business Management Test -1st place team: Brendan Hunter (2nd place individual, gold rating), Dylan Elsbernd (3rd place individual, gold rating), Sage Wedmann (5th place individual, gold rating) & David Kreitzer (silver rating); Chapter Test (7th place team): Jeremiah Rediske (gold rating) & Gavin Sims (silver rating).

On March 14th, eight individual speech participants were selected as All-State performers. The All-State Festival will take place on the UNI campus on Monday, March 28th. The following students’ performances were selected as receiving All-State honors:

Acting: Alex Kane – directed by Gabe Twedt

Original Oratory: Nat Roberts – directed by Molly Holkesvik

Improvisation: Jake Magner – directed by Lyra McKnight

Public Address (9th): Grace Blikre – directed by Lyra McKnight

Radio News Announcing: Simon Kutz – directed by Gabe Twedt

Solo Musical Theater: Ella Grouws – directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman

Spontaneous Speaking: Landan Folkedahl – directed by Carrie Kauffman

Storytelling: Ramsey Zilka – directed by Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks

Decorah High School’s individual speech participants—coached by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, Carrie Kauffman, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight—competed Saturday, March 12, at Clear Lake High School. Around 45 students participated in the contest.  Out of Decorah’s 49 performances, 41 received I (excellent) ratings.

The directors shared, “We are always so pleased with the personal growth we get to witness through the course of the individual speech season. Our students brought a lot of professionalism, heart, and talent to this contest.”

All-State nomination results will be posted after 4 pm on Monday, March 14.

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grades 10-12 Receiving a I (excellent) rating:

Original Oratory: Nat Roberts, Nadia Johnson

Public Address: Jenna Hartz, Anya Lovstuen, Kathryn Kelly

Expository Address: Ellen Rooney, Annika Franzen, Gabriel Hiner

Storytelling: Nadia Johnson, Ramsey Zilka

Prose: Danielle Rix, Sophia Christman

Poetry: Kathryn Kelly

Review: Braunwyn Darrington

Literary Program: Alex McGohan, Grace Bachelder

Solo Musical: Dylan Muhlbauer, Ella Grouws, Mikiah Krieg

Acting: Ada Lovelace, Ellen Rooney, Alex Kane

After Dinner Speaking: Joe Stammeyer, Landan Folkedahl

Spontaneous Speaking: Anya Lovstuen, Landan Folkedahl

Radio News: Simon Kutz

Individual Improv: Jake Magner, Cori Timm

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grades 10-12 Receiving a II (good) rating:

Storytelling: Hayley Stowe

Prose: Wyatt Hackman

Poetry: Koryn Bakken

Spontaneous Speaking: Michael Njus

Individual Improv: Nat Roberts

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grade 9 Receiving a I (excellent) rating:

Original Oratory: Natalie Goodner, Gwen Thompson

After Dinner: Davis Coppola

Prose: Evynne Downing, Margret Zook

Literary Program: Alex McGohan

Improvisational Acting: Jack Sovern

Radio: Karmyn Bakken

Public Address: Grace Blikre, Andy Kruger

Poetry: Elsa Johnson

Expository Address: Elliana Brodbeck

Storytelling: Margret Zook

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grade 9 Receiving a II (good) rating:

After Dinner: Ezra Vorvick

Solo Musical: Gwen Thompson

Review: Grace Blikre

District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases

• Total number of students and staff in isolation (currently positive) for COVID-19: one (1)
• Current district facilities with known positive cases: Carrie Lee Elementary

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

DHS Principal Search Stakeholder Survey

The application window for the DHS Principal position is currently open. The District will receive applications from interested applicants through March 20. As applications are collected, the District would like to gather feedback from stakeholders that will help inform the process. 

DHS parents and students are encouraged to use the link below to provide responses to the following question:

What might be the most essential attributes, knowledge, and skills needed to be an effective principal of Decorah High School?

Responses will be reviewed to build key themes. Those key themes will be used to develop interview questions and assessment tools designed to help the interview teams identify the best candidate to serve as the next DHS Principal.

DHS Stakeholder Survey Link

2022-2023 Academic Calendar

On Monday evening at 5:30 pm, the Board of Directors will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed 2022-2023 Academic Calendar. Like the past two years, the proposed calendar is an hours of instruction-based calendar and is similar in structure to the past two years. The draft of the 2022-2023 academic calendar can be reviewed at the link below.

DRAFT 2022-2023 Academic Calendar

Thirteen Decorah Schools orchestra students from grades 7-9 were selected to participate in the Kennedy Honors Orchestra Festival at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, March 5. The musicians chosen include Liam Huang, Ezra Vorvik, Madysen Lippe, Eli Sassaman, Ivy Sullivan, Gwen Thompson, Kinsey White, Naomi Kutz, Nina Sessions, Lulu Bellrichard, Owen Rix, Spencer Christensen, and Thatcher Brown.

Viking student athletes participated at the Special Olympics Track and Field competition held at UNI on Sunday, March 6. In all the team earned 19 Gold medals, three Silver Medals, and one 4th place Bronze. The team’s coaches are John Dunt, Michelle Monreal, Marie Conway, and Laurel Fadness. DHS Seniors Ruby Sullivan and Hallie Busta volunteered at the event.

The following Decorah High School students competed and placed:

Andrew Schaller

            1st Softball Throw

            1st 50 M Dash

Timothy Bean

            1st 100 M Dash

            4th Shot Put

Klaressa Miller

            1st Softball Throw

            1st Standing Long Jump

Allison Kalvelage

            1st Softball Throw

            1st 100 M Dash

Francesca Wilkerson

            1st Softball Throw

            1st 50 M Dash

Wyatt Pleggenkuhle

            1st Standing Long Jump

            1st Shot Put

Juan Lopez-Garcia

            1st Shot Put

            1st 100 M Dash

The following Decorah Middle School students competed and placed:

Donnie Hrdlicka

            1st Standing Long Jump

            2nd 50 M Dash

John Lippe

            1st Shot Put

            1st 50 M Dash

Kamryn Leuenberger

            1st Tennis Ball Throw

Zoey Lollar

            1st Standing Long Jump

            1st 50 M Dash

Daniel Bean

            2nd Softball Throw

            2nd 100 M Dash

2022-2023 West Side Four-Year-Old Preschool Open House & Registration Rescheduled

The previously scheduled Open House on Tuesday, March 8 for four-year-old preschool at West Side Early Childhood Center has been rescheduled for Monday, March 14 from 6:00-7:00 pm. due to the Decorah High School boys’ state basketball game.

District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases

• Total number of students and staff in isolation (currently positive) for COVID-19: one (1)

• Current district facilities with known positive cases: Decorah Middle School

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

DHS Principal Search Stakeholder Survey

The application window for the DHS Principal position is currently open. The District will receive applications from interested applicants through March 20. As applications are collected, the District would like to gather feedback from stakeholders that will help inform the process. 

DHS parents and students are encouraged to use the link below to provide responses to the following question:

What might be the most essential attributes, knowledge, and skills needed to be an effective principal of Decorah High School?

The District will review responses to build key themes. Those key themes will be used to develop interview questions and assessment tools designed to help the interview teams identify the best candidate to serve as the next DHS Principal.

DHS Stakeholder Survey Link