August Family Newsletter

Hello Epworth Elementary Families,

I am excited and honored to serve as the next principal here at Epworth Elementary School. For the past seven years I have had the opportunity to work at Epworth Elementary as the instructional coach. During this time I have had the chance to get to know students, families, staff, and be a part of supporting so much of what makes Epworth Elementary a great place. Prior to coming to Epworth Elementary School I served as a special education teacher at Cascade Elementary. My wife Christy and I have five kids Hannah (13), Caleb (10), Isaac (8), Lydia (6), and Leah (6). Our summer has consisted of a first time trip to the ocean, softball, tee-ball, grill outs, and a lot of time playing in the backyard. We have lived in Peosta for the past eight years and absolutely love having our kids be part of the Western Dubuque Community School District.

Being new to this role I want to briefly share my belief of why Epworth Elementary exists. We exist to provide an excellent education experience to all kids. It is our mission to build and foster both their academic and emotional needs. Our desire is to provide children with the skills needed to lay the foundation for a successful future.

With classes starting in a few weeks we are excited to welcome students back to the building. The beginning of a new school year always comes with excitement and sometimes a little bit of nervousness. As a staff we are here to support your child/ren in having a successful 2022-23 school year. If you need anything please do reach out.

Thank you,

Greg Deutmeyer

Principal

greg.deutmeyer@wdbqschools.org

On Monday August 8th you will be able to see who your child/ren have as classroom teachers. This can be found through the Parental Portal on our district website. Class rosters will not be posted at school due to the privacy rights of other students.

We welcome you to join us at our Fall Open House. This is a great time to meet your child's teacher, see their classroom, and drop off school supplies.

Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten will be doing individual orientation meetings before school begins instead of open house. Your child's teacher will email you to schedule a time for orientation.

Morning Times:

7:50 - Walkers and car drop-offs may begin to arrive. Breakfast will begin to be served for those eating at school. Students will drop their bookbags off at their lockers and wait in the gym/cafeteria until dismissed.

8:10 - Students will be dismissed from cafeteria/gym to their classrooms.

8:25 - Classes begin. Students will be marked tarty if arriving after 8:25.

Follow same arrival times as K-5 (see above). Preschool students will wait in the library if arriving before 8:10.

Pizza Factory Night
The Pizza Factory will be donating 10% of their proceeds on Open House night August 18th to Epworth Elementary PTO. Specials and more information to come, plan on grabbing dinner before or after Open House to support the Epworth Elementary PTO.

Playground Additions

The PTO recently supported in the expansion of our playground area. Two cement slabs were poured to add an additional gaga-ball pit and an additional basketball hoop. Thank you to our PTO for making these things possible for the students here at Epworth Elementary School.

If you are looking for some Bobcat and EES gear check out our online store!

Technology allows great opportunities to stay connected, however, while at school we ask that students keep personal devices off and in their lockers. If you need to contact your child about a change in dismissal please do so through the office. Below is our technology policy from the student handbook:

"Students may not use electronic equipment such as cell phones, wearable technology, wifi-enabled SMART devices or devices Bluetooth enabled, or any other device capable of making calls, sending or receiving text messages or connecting to the internet on school property during the school day. The entire school day is classified as instructional time, from arrival through dismissal. On the first violation, the student may retrieve the electronic item (i.e. cell phone, etc.) from the office at the end of the school day. On the second violation, the electronic item (i.e. cell phone, etc.) will be kept in the office and returned only to an adult in the family. On the third violation, the electronic item (i.e. cell phone, etc.) will be kept until such time as an adult in the family retrieves it and disciplinary action for failure to follow the guidelines may occur. The school assumes no liability for lost or stolen items."

The 22-23 student handbook can be found by clicking the button below.

The first day of classes are only weeks away. You can find the supplies for each grade by clicking on the button below.

Registration for the 22-23 school year is open. ALL students attending Western Dubuque Community School District must be registered each year using our online registration process. You can register students by following the directions in the button below.