Author: Decorah Community School District

Twelve Decorah High School Students earned distinguished honors in the 2021 High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM). Earning a Meritorious designation and an invitation to participate in the 8^th International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IM2C) is the team of Grace Gerleman, Lauren Johnson, Anya Lovstuen, and Ruby Sullivan. Earning a designation of Honorable Mention are the teams of Jacob Magner, Daniel Skrade, Ethan Stravers, and Max Wilson; and Justin Berlage, Peter Essa, Nathaniel Myers, and Henry Weis.

A total of 705 teams, with up to 4 students each, from 303 schools and 20 countries/regions competed in the 2021 HiMCM made possible by the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP). All teams worked at their own schools within the contest window of November 3-16, 2021. Each high school team chose from two modeling problems offered and then constructed their solutions. The judges were impressed with all the teams’ creativity and ingenuity in mathematical modeling as well as their ability to explain their strategies and problem-solving techniques in clear terms.

COMAP commends schools for their efforts. Decorah High School had a total of 31 students participate. Earning recognition as Successful Participants include Ella Grouws, Kathryn Kelly, Sally Laybourn, Hayley Stowe, Elayna Hook, Reid Kuehner, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Brenna Parker, Lucas Arendt, Gabriel Hiner, Simon Kutz, Anders Lovstuen, Caden Branum, Cody Carolan, Mason Cote, Nathan Swarbrick, Lange Betts, Erik Hjelle, and Haywood Stowe.

Sponsor Allysen Lovstuen remarked, “I am proud of all of the students who participated. This contest requires interdisciplinary thinking; and the students demonstrated strong problem-solving, critical thinking, research and writing skills. That we had so many students willing to take on this challenge speaks highly of them.”

Online enrollment for the upcoming school year is now available! This process replaced the paper forms sent home at the beginning of each school year. You will use the Decorah PowerSchool Parent Portal to access the Registration. 

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How do I get started? 
Visit https://decorah.k12.ia.us/enroll/school-registration and follow the returning student registration process.

From the Parent Portal:

1. Select the student you wish to register along the top
2. Select the Student Registration Icon on the left side for 2022-2023.
3. Agree to the terms and conditions
4. Select Begin Forms

I can’t remember my login for the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
If you aren’t able to retrieve your login credentials using the “Forgot Username or Password?” link on the Sign In page, please contact your school directly for assistance logging into the Parent Portal.

Do I have to answer all the questions? 
No, but some questions are marked “Required” and must be answered before you can submit your form.

What if I make a mistake?
If you would like to make a change prior to submitting the form, you can either navigate back to the page using the “Prev” and “Next” buttons, or if you are on the Review page select the underlined field.  If you have already submitted the form you will need to contact your student’s school so they can make the changes for you.

I’ve completed the form, now what?
Once you have finished entering your information select “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot select this button you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions. Please remit all registration fees to the appropriate school. The registration process is not complete until the required registration fee has been paid.

What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?
Yes, you will need to provide information that is specific to each child.  We recommend that you complete and submit one form and then start another. This will allow you to “snap” (or share) selected family information, which saves you time.

Help! I’m having technical difficulties.
For technical support, visit our PowerSchool Community help center or click “Help” from any form page.

To promote the love of writing, Decorah Middle School 8^th graders have organized a series of writing contests open to all students at the school. In March, students in grades 5-8 wrote and submitted original “spring” poems and “adventure” short stories. Winners were recently announced at the monthly assembly and include Naomi Kutz, Kelbi Schuman, Poppy Bellrichard, Leah Garcia-Prats, Brandi Nehls, Natalie Holthaus, Harper Novak, Charley Courtney, Keegan Joyce, Ayla Low, Olivia Quam, Jillian Volz, Charlotte LaBelle, Jordyn Roberg, Grace Stockman, Danika Mueller, Carson Bohner, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Miles Sullivan, and Lawrence Christman. Not pictured is Naomi Pedlar.

To honor their spring writing, all winners received a gift certificate to Whippy Dip.

Brad Hurst, Jr., has been selected as Decorah High School’s next principal.  Hurst has been an Associate Principal at Mason City High School for the last four years, supervising special education services and managing and aligning systems of support and intervention.  Prior to his leadership role at Mason City High School, Hurst was a science teacher at Waukee High School, at Johnson High School (where he served as a teacher leader through Iowa’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation program), and at East High School in Des Moines.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Drake University.  He has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his career in education.

Superintendent Mark Lane shared, “After a thorough search and interview process, I am proud to recommend Mr. Brad Hurst to serve as our next Decorah High School Principal. Brad has a distinguished career as a teacher and leader. I am confident he will work collaboratively with DHS staff, students, and our community to continually improve our services.”

“I am humbled and excited to have been chosen to serve as your next principal at Decorah High School,” Hurst remarked. “The Decorah Community School District has a legacy of academic, athletic, and musical excellence that speaks for itself. Decorah High School is consistently ranked at the top or near the top annually in the state of Iowa.  A large part of this success is due to the leadership, vision, and tireless support that your current principal, Kim Sheppard, has given to the students and staff of Decorah High School over the last 21 years. I would be remiss if I did not take an opportunity to properly thank her for her service and for building the bridges to help make Decorah High School what it is today. As your principal, I plan to invest a lot of time right away in getting to know each of you and in learning more about the systems, people, and traditions that have contributed to Decorah’s greatness. Thanks to all of you for this opportunity. Go Vikings!” 

A 1997 graduate of Crestwood High School, Hurst looks forward to returning to the area with his wife Shelley and daughter Holly.

Establishing a new school and state record for number of participants from one school, 50 students from Decorah High School recently competed in the regional Envirothon contest held on the Upper Iowa campus in Waterloo. Five of the ten Decorah teams finished in the top 15 of the 43 competing teams from across Iowa, earning the right to compete at the state contest to be held on May 2nd at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger. The team that finishes first on May 2nd will represent Iowa at the international contest to be held July 24-30, 2022 at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Envirothon is a five-member team competition for high school students, testing their knowledge of natural resources. Whether in the field or the classroom, students are challenged to use their knowledge and critical thinking skills to conduct hands-on investigations, solve real-life scenarios, and answer written questions covering five categories: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and Current Environmental Issues.

The Carnivorous Chickens team of Sylvia Sandhorst, Amelia Wadsworth, Lily Sandhorst, Margret Zook, and Chloe Sheffield­–and the Decorah Nerd Republic (DNR) team of Anders Lovstuen, Simon Kutz, Conner Evelsizer, Libby Phillips, and Gabriel Hiner finished with identical scores, placing them second at the regional competition. Following close behind, the Skabush team of Peter Essa, Nathaniel Myers, Nathan Swarbrick, Henry Weis, and Justin Berlage finished in third place. The Langers team of Benson Newhouse, Erik Hjelle, Lange Betts, Max Wilson, and Beau Newhouse finished in seventh place. The team of Cooks’ Critters–Aiden Nalean-Carlson, Ellen Rooney, Nadia Johnson, Alex McGohan, and Mairi Sessions–finished in eighth place.

Even though five other Decorah teams did not finish as one of the top fifteen qualifying teams, they still performed well. Coach Larry Berland remarked, “I cannot express adequately how much I enjoy working with the Envirothon students. The number of participants and their results indicate an awesome display of our Decorah students’ concern and awareness of their natural environment around them. Living in this community is advantageous for these students because so many parents and residents model excellent stewardship of their surroundings. I want to thank all the administrators and teachers in the district who have helped develop these fine students. The students’ success is directly proportional to their never-ending efforts.”

The local Envirothon is sponsored by the Conservation Districts of Iowa along with a generous sponsorship from the Winneshiek County Conservation Board and director Barb Schroeder.

The Decorah Nerd Republic (DNR) team placed second at regional contest.  Photo ID (l-r): Anders Lovstuen, Conner Evelsizer, Gabriel Hiner, Simon Kutz, and Libby Phillips.

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).