August 2024

It's great to be a Wildcat..AGAIN!

As I draft this “Welcome Back” article, I am fully aware that it will be received with a variety of responses. Some will be lamenting the end of the summer while others will be looking forward to getting back into the whole school world rhythm of school life! Where ever you fall on this continuum, (fired up or not-so-fired-up) we will be starting classes for the 2024-25 school year on Friday, August 23rd . I want to assure you that our teachers, support staff, administration and School Board are preparing and want this school year to be the absolute best learning and growth experience for every student that enters our doors!

Providing this kind of learning environment doesn’t just happen… It takes a real team effort. I am a leader that truly values the contributions of every dedicated team member. From our bus drivers; our food service staff; our custodial, grounds and maintenance personnel; our teachers and paraprofessionals at all grade levels; our counselors; nurses; office assistants; coaches; advisors; directors; administrative team and our Board of Directors. Every day we will bring our “A Game” and do our absolute best because we know the students and families we serve are counting on us to do just that.

There are no unimportant roles or responsibilities. For “the system” to function at the highest level, every aspect of the work must be done to the best of our ability. I expect that of myself and will do my best to demonstrate that as your interim superintendent. One thing I have learned in my 45 years in education, is that we ALL achieve to higher levels and bring about the best outcomes for our students when schools and families work together. I trust that this is what we all will aspire to do throughout this year!

In closing… perhaps you are wondering what’s with the title, Great to be a Wildcat…. AGAIN? You see, I actually attended school at M.V. for six years. We lived in Hopkinton and I went to grades K through 5 on the Lenox College campus. While those (mostly) great memories cause me to become a little nostalgic, I want to assure you that my focus will be on the future and doing all we can to provide great opportunities for the students who will walk through our doors on August 23 rd !

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year!

And… It is great to be a Wildcat again!

Let’s have a great year!

Dr. Kim Huckstadt

Interim Superintendent

........BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT........

August 21, 2024

Earlville Elementary: 5:00-6:00

Johnston & Delhi Elementary: 5:30-6:30

6th Grade Orientation: 6:00-6:45

**6:05-6:15 - Mr. O welcomes everyone in the Middle School Gym

**6:15-6:40 - Students run mock schedule with staff and open lockers

**6:45 - Students meet parents in Middle School Gym

9th Orientation: 6:30-7:15

**6:30-6:45 - Students and parents walk around to classes and open lockers

**6:45-6:50 - Parents and students meet in Auditorium Mr. O introduces the staff

**6:50-7:15 - Mr. O and Mr. Moenck speak to parents & students

........REGISTRATION INFORMATION........

........SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST........

Please Contact Mr. Ford

Mr. Ford has 30 marching band hats and plumes that is is looking to get rid of please contact Travis Ford at travisford@maquoketa-v.k12.ia.us if you have any interest in these hats and plumes.

....A Message from the Athletic Boosters....

Hey Wildcats! We hope the start of the new school year is nothing short of fantastic for our students and athletes!

The Maquoketa Valley Athletic Boosters are thrilled to kick off our Membership Drive for this year, and your support is both crucial and greatly appreciated. Every dollar raised goes straight into enhancing our athletic programs at both the middle school and high school levels, ensuring our student-athletes have everything they need to shine. Through previous support things like new jerseys, scholarships, the Hudl Camera System, backstops and so much more have been possible!

The Maquoketa Valley Athletic Boosters have seen countless dedicated members and families contribute over the years. As they graduate and move on, we’re on the lookout for fresh faces and new energy to join our team. The best way to dive in is by attending our monthly meetings. This is your chance to learn about exciting projects, discover how we’re supporting our athletic programs, and help shape the future of MV athletics! Plus, you don’t need to be a Booster Club member or pay any dues to join us—our meetings are always open to everyone!

Attending meetings doesn’t necessarily come with any volunteer commitments...we’re just eager to hear your ideas on how we can boost our athletic programs even further.

Mark your calendars for our next meeting on Sunday, August 11th at 6:30 pm. If you have any questions or want more info, don’t hesitate to reach out to our board members: Matt Wall, Amanda Knipper, Heather Intorf, Deanne Althoff, Randi Flannagan, and Holly Burbridge.

Let’s come together to make this a standout year for our athletes, MV schools and our community...GO WILDCATS!

........2024 Legislative Update: Special Minor's Restricted License........

Food Service Need to Know

Check your current lunch account balance: Log into your online account or call/email Morgan Nefzger to get your current lunch account balance. You can make deposits at any time.

Free/Reduced Applications: These forms must be filled out as soon as possible so we have enough time to process your application and correct your registration fees. Free/Reduced applications can be found online, or there are copies in the Delhi Middle School/Elementary Office.

Breakfast Options: Aside from the assigned Breakfast Entree, kids could also choose: Cereal, Yogurt with a muffin, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Salad Bar: This year, there will be a salad bar offered to 7th-12th grade students and all adult employees Tuesday-Friday. The salad bar will be an alternate meal choice. You will not be able to get the salad bar in addition to the main meal being offered. The salad bar will be located in the High School cafeteria area.

Potato Bar: This year, there will be a potato bar offered to 7th-12th grade students and all adult employees every Monday.

Snack Items: Students in Junior Kindergarten-Fourth Grade have the option of taking a snack item each day. Depending on the week Junior Kindergarten-second grade will have the option of cheese stick, goldfish crackers, single serve honey nut cheerios, nature valley oats and honey granola bar, teddy grahams, or single serve kix Cereal. Third-fourth grade can choose between a granola bar or a cheese stick. Regardless if you qualify for Free/Reduced benefits, you will still be charged the full $0.40 per snack item. Snack items are charged to your account every Friday for the entire week.

Meal Pricing for the 24/25 school year:

Student breakfast: $1.85

Earlville & Johnston & Delhi Elementary Student Lunch: $2.55

Middle School & High School Student Lunch $2.80

Snack Item: $0.40

Extra Entree: $2.00

Extra Milk: $0.65

Extra Juice: $0.70

Guest Student Lunch: $2.80

Guest Adult Lunch: $4.70

Charging on negative Accounts: Be sure to watch your lunch account balance. If your family lunch account reaches an amount of Negative $50.00 or more, students will be given an alternate meal until the account balance is improved. An alternate meal due to low account balance will still be a full meal however the entree will be a deli sandwich with and no additional seconds or ala carte items. Starting on September 3rd invoices will be sent out to families with negative balances and your student(s) will receive a deli sandwich until your account has been replenished. Invoices will be sent out every Tuesday via email.

Alternate main course meal option: This year, we will have an alternate main course substitute at each meal. This substitutes will consist of, a deli sandwich, or a bento box. Students may choose this instead of the main course any given day.

How and where to deposit lunch money: You can always send lunch money with your students to turn in to the secretary at their building, or you can go online and make deposits into your account.

Link to useful forms:

Food Service Information

Free & Reduced Meal Program Information

RevTrak Online Payments

Total Access Lunch

August Lunch Menu

If you have any questions pertaining to the Free and Reduced Meals, you can contact Morgan Nefzger at morgannefzger@maquoketa-v.k12.ia.us

Maquoketa Valley Activity Calendar

This can be found on the website. Please check that for all activities.

Cancellations will be updated on the Maquoketa Valley Website.

New Text Alert System

We have a new alert system called SchoolMessenger. In order to receive text and email alerts, registration for the 2024-2025 school year must be completed online in PowerSchool. The difference you will notice when you log in as a parent is that the previous student information is not visible. Therefore, registration is imperative for successful communication between school and parents. Reminder - only two contacts will receive texts and emails - those with “mother” and “father” relationship status. When entering cell phone numbers, please designate it as a “mobile” phone. An opt in text message will be sent before the first day of school to parents to opt in to receiving these alerts.

If the information in PowerSchool is not accurate, you will not receive these alerts.

Contact call Sarah Lown if you have questions, 563-922-2091

Maquoketa Valley 2024-2025 School Calendar

ANNUAL NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

(Board Policy 102.E2)

It is the policy of the Maquoketa Valley Community Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, religion in its programs, activities, or physical or mental disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students are educated in programs that foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for, the historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, as well as men and women, to society. Students who feel they have been discriminated against are encouraged to report it to the school district Equity Coordinator. The Equity Coordinator is Kim Huckstadt and can be reached at (563) 922-2091. Inquiries may also be directed in writing to Kim Huckstadt, Maquoketa Valley Community Schools, P.O. Box 186, Delhi, Iowa 52223, (563) 922-9411.

To view additional Board Policy Information, please use the link below.

Board Policy Information