Welcome Back Newsletter
The Principal's Post
Hello Epworth Elementary Families,
As we embark on a new school year at Epworth Elementary School (EES), we want to extend a warm welcome to all our students and their families. At EES, we hold four core values that guide our daily efforts to provide an excellent experience for our students:
Positive Relationships: Our students are not just names on a roster; they are individuals who deserve care and attention. We are committed to getting to know each student as both a learner and a person. Building positive relationships with them is a priority, and we want them to feel that the adults at our school genuinely care about their well-being.
Investment in People: Building on the foundation of positive relationships, we dedicate ourselves to investing in the growth and development of each child. Our goal is to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve their goals and become positive contributors to their communities.
Communication: Open, honest, and clear communication is vital to us. We want parents and guardians to be well-informed about their child/ren's education journey. If you ever have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to us, as we value the partnership between home and school.
Welcoming Atmosphere: At Epworth Elementary, we strive to create a welcoming environment for all. Whether you are a child or an adult entering our school, we want you to feel a sense of belonging and comfort. Our aim is to make the school a place where students can thrive both academically and emotionally.
Our mission is to provide an excellent education experience that empowers and nurtures the academic and emotional needs of all our students. We believe that by laying a strong educational foundation, we can help them build a successful future.
As classes are set to begin in a few weeks, we share in the excitement and perhaps a touch of nervousness that comes with the start of a new school year. Rest assured that our dedicated staff is here to support your child/ren throughout the 2023-2024 school year. If you ever need assistance or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the building and starting this new academic journey together.
Sincerely,
Greg Deutmeyer
Important Dates
August 21st 5:30-6:30 p.m. Preschool - Fifth Grade Open House
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.
Along with open house night preschool will also be doing individual orientation meetings before school begins. Your child's teacher will email you to schedule a time for orientation.
August 23rd First Day of School K-5
Arrival Times:
- 7:50 AM: Walkers and car drop-offs may arrive. Breakfast will be served for those eating at school. Students will drop their bookbags off at their lockers and wait in the cafeteria (grades K-1) or gym (grades 2-5) with their classes until dismissed to their rooms.
- 8:10 AM: Students will be dismissed from the cafeteria/gym to their classrooms.
- 8:20 AM: Classes begin. Students arriving after 8:20 will be marked as tardy. Please note that this is 5 minutes earlier than previous years.
Dismissal Times/Process:
- Bus Riders: WD Transportation Department will communicate bussing logistics.
- Walkers: Students will be released from class at 3:10 PM and depart the building at 3:15 PM heading north towards Main St. For safety purposes, please do not pick up your kids in this location.
- Car Riders: To avoid bus traffic, cars waiting should not pull up in front of the building until 3:10 PM, at which point students will begin walking to the numbered areas laid out on the sidewalk. To support this process, please help us by:
- 1. Staying in your vehicle. If a child needs buckled, pull forward to the front of the line or around into the parking lot.
- 2. Having children enter the passenger side of the vehicle to avoid crossing into traffic.
- 3. Avoiding pulling around a car and then back into the pickup zone.
- 4. Being patient as there are many moving pieces to ensure a safe dismissal. The process will become quicker as the year progresses.
Below is a traffic pattern map for car pick-up.
September 5th Preschool First Day of School
Follow same arrival and dismissal times as K-5 (see above). Preschool students will wait in the library if arriving before 8:10.
Calendars and Menus
School Year Calendars
K-12 - https://tinyurl.com/3txmx7cr
Preschool - https://tinyurl.com/mvna9rmj
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) News
On the night of open house the PTO has lined up several food vendors that will be set up behind City Hall just down the hill from the school. Feel free to swing by and grab a bite to eat! Vendors include: Vesperman Farms Ice Cream, Buenie Bottoms, and Moski's BBQ.
PTO Shout Out!
We want to thank the PTO for supporting some branding/signage in our front office as well as supporting us in creating some additional spaces for students to work throughout the building. Images will be on our social pages soon!
Office Information
Contacting the Office
Phone: 563-663-9653
Absences/Change to End of the Day Routine
If your child will be absent or there is a change in dismissal routine, kindly inform both the office and the child's teacher. While we understand emergencies can happen, we request that changes in dismissal routines be communicated by 2:30 PM at the latest.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at the elementary school level is crucial because it lays the foundation for a child's academic and social development. Regular attendance ensures that students receive consistent instruction and do not miss out on essential learning opportunities. Moreover, being present in the classroom helps young learners build routines, develop time management skills, and establish positive habits that can impact their educational journey in the future.
5 days absent – Communication from school.
8 days absent – Attendance letter from Mr. Deutmeyer.
10% Absenteeism – Meeting with classroom teacher, principal, and district student needs coordinator.
Classroom Teachers
You can find your student's teachers visible in Parent Portal/Infinite Campus under the schedules section. If you need your username/password contact Mary Boge at mary.boge@wdbqschools.org.
Epworth Elementary Team
We have an amazing team of adults who are dedicated to the students here at Epworth Elementary School!
New Team Members
Alyssa Dalsing - 4th Grade
Jalessa Neiers - Special Education/Behavior
Laura Ryan - School Nurse
Kelly Mottet - Health Paraprofessional
Pamela Frank - Paraprofessional
Teachers
Preschool - Lindsey Harbaugh and Samantha Meyer
Kindergarten - Kelly Beyer, Heidi Jasper, and Trisha Weitz
1st Grade - Katie Fennel, Alyssa, Kramer, and Tiffany Shekleton
2nd Grade - Stephanie Decker, Julie Dougherty, and Elise Hoff
3rd Grade - Alex Demmer, Kaitlyn Schwendinger, and Susie Wernimont
4th Grade - Carmen Besler, Alyssa Dalsing, and Jeremy Parrish
5th Grade - Beth Jarding, Carrye Pucci, and Kristen Wagner
Interventionists - Brenda Edmonds and Jenny Griner
Specials - Tony Foxen (PE), Carl Meyers (Art), and Kim Streif (Music)
Special Education - Keri Brown, Jen Fuller (Pathways), Heidi Ploessl, and Jalessa Neiers (Behavior)
Tag/Enrichment - Angie Christensen
Support Team
Counselor - Carrie Elsinger
Custodial Staff - GJ Clothier and Josh Davis
Health Office - Laura Ryan and Kelly Mottet
Instructional Coach - Mary Kate Rios
Kitchen Staff - Tanya Shepherd and Katie Simon
Library Staff - Jill Doyle and Kelly Gansemer
K-5 Paraprofessionals - Justin Blue, Vicky Blum, Lindsey Demmer, Pamela Frank, Jennifer Frasher, Kate Horstman, Sue Ludwig, Brittany Maas, Rachel Puccio, Meghan Stratton, Rachel Engelken, and Heather Witzel
Preschool Paraprofessionals - Lynn Davidshofer, Angela Henriksen, Joyce Jarding, and Rose Steffensmeier
Secretary - Kellie Kluesner
Free and Reduced Meal Applications
Western Dubuque School district is now accepting Free and Reduced meal applications and Fee Waivers through our online Parent Portal. Please access your Campus Parent Portal through the Campus App or through the following link. https://wdbqia.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/west_dubuque.jsp
Click on More from the left tab. Then click on meal benefits to start the application.
If you have questions on your campus Portal password, please contact Mary Boge at 563-275-6775 or email mary.boge@wdbqschools.org
School Personal Technology Policy
"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."
Epworth Elementary Student Handbook
The 2023-2024 student handbook can be found by clicking the button below.
School Supply Lists
The first day of classes are only weeks away. You can find the supplies for each grade by clicking on the button below.
School Registration
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.