November 2025

.......Jen Ries named Iowa Regional Teacher of the Year.......

She serves as a leader within the district, including as a new teacher mentor and team-building coordinator. She has led numerous student learning groups on international trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and just this July, to Spain. She believes that learning is most profound when it is personally relevant and when students are active participants in constructing their own understanding.

They will announce the Iowa Teacher of the Year at the end of this month.

LOOKING for KINDERGARTNERS

 We ask your assistance in compiling our list of children that will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2026. Remember a child must be five years old on/before September 15, 2026 in order to be eligible to attend Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten next fall. All of our Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten students attend school at Earlville Elementary. Please list your own youngster and those of any of your friends or neighbors you believe may have not received this newsletter form. If a child is currently in our preschool program, we anticipate them entering our JK or K program for next year so there is no need to fill out the form. Please complete the form and drop it off or mail it to Maquoketa Valley Schools, 226 Prospect Street Earlville, IA 52041. Thank you!

Child’s first name_____________Middle______________Last

_________________ Boy or Girl ( circle one)

Date of Birth ________________________________

Daycare provider_________________________________

Mother’s Name ______________________________ 

Mother’s Phone _____________________________

Mother’s Address ______________________________

Mother’s Email _____________________________________

Father’s Name_______________________________

Father’s Phone ______________________________

Father’s Address ____________________________________

Father’s Email______________________________________

LOOKING for 4-Year Olds

We also need your assistance in compiling a list of children that will be FOUR years old on/before September 15, 2026 in order to be eligible for Maquoketa Valley’s PreSchool program to start next fall. All of our PreSchool students attend school at Earlville Elementary. Please list your own youngster and if you know of any other families that have a 4-year-old, please contact them. Simply complete this form and drop it off or mail it to Maquoketa Valley Schools, 226 Prospect Street, Earlville, IA 52041. Thank you!

Child’s first name______________Middle______________Last

_________________ Boy or Girl ( circle one)

Date of Birth ________________________________

Daycare provider_________________________________

Mother’s Name ______________________________

 Mother’s Phone _____________________________

Mother’s Address ______________________________

Mother’s Email _____________________________________

Father’s Name_______________________________

Father’s Phone ______________________________

Father’s Address ____________________________________

Father’s Email______________________________________

.......did you know about the free 211 hotline app?.......

Your child's success in school is connected to their well-being at home. If your family is facing a challenge and you don't know where to turn for help, the 211 Helpline is your essential connection to thousands of local community resources!

.......from the desk of mrs. putz.......

It’s been a busy and productive semester in Mr. Palmer’s classes! Students have been hard at work developing a wide range of life skills, employability skills, and hands-on technical abilities across several areas.

In the Construction and Woodworking classes, students have been learning to read blueprints, safely use hand and power tools, and complete real-world building projects. From designing personal projects, furniture pieces, large portable sheds, students are applying their creativity and craftsmanship while gaining confidence in their technical skills.

The Engineering students have been diving into design principles and learning how to turn ideas into detailed plans.  

The Drafting students have been using traditional drafting tools to create accurate technical drawings, exploring how design impacts everything from architecture to product development.

Meanwhile, in Electricity, students have been wiring circuits, exploring how electrical systems work, and learning safety practices. These lessons help build a foundation for future work in the skilled trades or further study in the electrical field.

Throughout all of Mr. Palmer’s classes, there’s a strong focus on life and employability skills, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and responsibility. Students are learning that showing up prepared, working safely, and supporting one another are just as important as mastering the tools and techniques.

Students in Mr. Huegel’s Character Development and Leadership class spent a day at

Camp Klaus near Colesburg stepping beyond their comfort zones and discovering new levels of confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Through each challenge students practiced positive communication and learned the value of encouragement and trust. The experience was not just about conquering physical obstacles, but also about strengthening character and leadership in ways that will carry into the classroom and beyond.

.......Whats behind the red curtain?.......

.......a note from our nurses.......

Parents and school staff should assume that lice are present in the school all year. Parents should be checking their child for head lice on a weekly basis. Because lice move quickly they are difficult to find. The only evidence that they are present may be the eggs, called “nits”. Nits are small, teardrop shaped and whitish-tan in color. They are “glued” to the hair shaft and cannot be brushed out or flicked off the hair shaft like dandruff. Head lice do not fly, hop, or jump. Head lice are transmitted by head-to-head contact and by sharing hats, helmets, combs, brushes, etc. Please remind your students to not share any of these items with their friends, to help avoid contracting head lice.

If head lice are found on a child while at school, the parent will be notified and requested to treat their child before the next school day. The child may be monitored during treatment, but will be allowed to stay in school. Exclusion from school can stigmatize a child and interfere with their education, and we are not allowed to exclude any child for having head lice, in accordance with the Iowa Public Health Child Illness and Exclusion policies.  

If your child is found to have head lice, please see the Iowa Department of Public Health website to learn more about treatment guidelines and extra helpful tips.

Check your current lunch account balance: Create your online account through the family meal magic portal, 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. These forms can be filled out at any time throughout the school year.

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 25/26 school year:

Price Student breakfast: $2.05

Reduced Price Student breakfast: $.030

Earlville & Johnston & Delhi Elementary Student Lunch: $2.75

Middle School & High School Student Lunch $3.00

Reduced Price Student Lunch: $.040

Snack Item: $0.40

Extra Breakfast Entree: $$2.05

Extra Lunch Entree: $2.00

Extra Milk: $0.65

Extra Juice: $0.70

Extra Fruit: $0.55

Guest Student Lunch: $3.00

Guest Adult Lunch: $4.97

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 main course 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 August 26th 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 family account.

Link to useful forms:

Food Service Information

Free & Reduced Meal Program Information

Meal Magic Family Portal

Non-Discrimination Statement

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

The MV Junior class is selling made from scratch Apple Pies for $15. All pies were made from fresh ingredients and locally grown apples on Oct. 19th. Apple Pie sales is a fundraising event to support Post Prom. 

Orders can be placed by contacting any Junior student or parent. These pies are great to have in the freezer for the upcoming holiday season and support an even better cause!

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.

Text Alert System

Our text alert system is called SchoolMessenger. In order to receive text and email alerts, registration for the 2025-2026 school year must be completed online in PowerSchool. 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 Kelsey Thomas if you have questions, 563-922-2091

Maquoketa Valley 2025-2026 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 Troy Osterhaus and can be reached at (563) 922-2091. Inquiries may also be directed in writing to Troy Osterhaus, 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

2025-2026 Forms

2025-2026 Backpack Program Form

2025-2026 Maquoketa Valley Athletic forms

2025-2026 Wildcat Athletic Pass

Please check the Athletic Booster Facebook Page for updates

2025-2026 Fine Arts Booster Memberships

2025-2026 Fine Arts Booster Flyer



Objection to instruction and library materials

Regular Board Meeting

Otober Board Meeting Minutes - Held October 20, 2025

Lunch Menu

November Lunch & Breakfast Menu

Maquoketa Valley Community School District 

Ensures High Levels of Learning to Empower All Students For Lifelong Success.