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December 2025

.......Earlville elementary announcements.......

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______________________________________

.......character strong trait OF THE MONTH.......

Character Strong Focus: Empathy

This December, our Character Strong focus is Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. In our classrooms, we'll be discussing what it means to "walk in someone else's shoes" and how our actions impact those around us. Empathy is the

foundation of a kind and inclusive school community. We encourage you to continue this conversation at home by asking your child how they showed kindness or understood a friend’s feelings today.

.......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. Orr.......

.......from the desk of Mrs. palmersheim.......

The Preschools have had a great start to the school year!! We have been so busy with so many fun themes each month! So far we have learned about families, apples, fire safety, pumpkins, and fairy tales!! Each theme runs for 2 weeks and we try to incorporate each theme into all our centers. During center time the kids learn so much through play. 

(Social skills, Math, Literacy)      

.......from the desk of Mrs. bonert.......

.......from the desk of mrs. grimm.......

The 7th and 8th grade ELA classes are off to a great start in Mrs. Grimm's classroom! We have started our yearlong word study with Greek and Latin roots. We encourage reading fiction and nonfiction books, and have stressed finding interesting, right fit books to complete our book talks. 

Our first unit is Journalism, and we had a fantastic guest speaker come in to talk to our students about the decades he has spent working in his journalism career. He taught us how to ask questions to get great answers, and how important photography is to his job. Thanks, Pete, for sharing your knowledge with us!

We look forward to starting our science fiction unit soon!

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

.......Food service information.......

New Student Lunch System, Meal Magic:


We’re excited to announce that our school lunch software will be transitioning to "Meal Magic” for the 2025-2026 school year. This system will replace our “Total Access” system.


Click the link below to build your family account:

https://maquoketa.familyportal.cloud/

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

.......bound registration information.......

.......community news to know.......


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 Membership

2025-2026 Fine Arts Booster Flyer

Objection to instruction and library materials

Regular Board Meeting

November Board Meeting Minutes - Held November 17, 2025

Lunch Menu

December Lunch & Breakfast Menu

Maquoketa Valley Community School District 

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