Hey MCHS FAMILY AND FRIENDS! We are getting close to the big weekend. Please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of this amazing 2026 Hall of Fame Class of Inductees. Get your tickets ASAP! It's going to be something you don't want to miss!!!!
This week, I got to step inside the Maquoketa High School Choir room for a firsthand look at our youngest vocal group in action—the Choral Choir! Directed by Joel Hagen, these 12 passionate singers are working hard, building their vocal skills, and preparing to bring some incredible music to our community this year.
“I love being a part of this group and hope to one day join the Concert Choir.” — MHS Choral Choir Student
Did you know choir director Joel Hagen leads multiple vocal ensembles at MHS, including the Choral Choir (Beginners), Concert Choir (Advanced), and an extracurricular A Cappella group?
Our MHS Choir members are preparing for an incredible season of performances, including our upcoming Fall Concert on Oct 20th at the Lutheran Church and the Advent Sing on Dec 12th at the Ohnward Performing Arts Center!
To help our students look as polished as they sound, Choir Director Joel Hagen is leading a campaign to purchase 80 new choir robes ($298.85 per robe/garment bag combo).
A huge THANK YOU to the Maquoketa Rotary Club for stepping up with initial support to get this project off the ground!
How You Can Help: Students will be reaching out to families and local community partners to support the robe drive. You can also support the MHS Choir program by attending our upcoming events, including the Madrigal Dinner on January 31st, the Spring Musical on April 9–10 and/or purchasing a Singing Valentine to be delivered in our community on February 12th!
Let's rally together to give our young musicians the performance gear they deserve! 🎶
“I love being a part of this group and hope to one day join the Concert Choir.” — MHS Choral Choir Student
Did you know choir director Joel Hagen leads multiple vocal ensembles at MHS, including the Choral Choir (Beginners), Concert Choir (Advanced), and an extracurricular A Cappella group?
Our MHS Choir members are preparing for an incredible season of performances, including our upcoming Fall Concert on Oct 20th at the Lutheran Church and the Advent Sing on Dec 12th at the Ohnward Performing Arts Center!
To help our students look as polished as they sound, Choir Director Joel Hagen is leading a campaign to purchase 80 new choir robes ($298.85 per robe/garment bag combo).
A huge THANK YOU to the Maquoketa Rotary Club for stepping up with initial support to get this project off the ground!
How You Can Help: Students will be reaching out to families and local community partners to support the robe drive. You can also support the MHS Choir program by attending our upcoming events, including the Madrigal Dinner on January 31st, the Spring Musical on April 9–10 and/or purchasing a Singing Valentine to be delivered in our community on February 12th!
Let's rally together to give our young musicians the performance gear they deserve! 🎶
The message at our Beginning Teacher Seminar was simple but powerful: "You Belong Here."
Our 1st and 2nd-year teachers met at Innovate 120 for an impactful session focused on sustaining positive classroom cultures and building professional efficacy.
The highlight of the day? A panel featuring veteran educators Jill Rockwell, Cari Klemme, Sammy Scar, and Zac Gavin, who shared their top strategies and real-world guidance.
"Hearing from the panel of teachers helped give me more insight and different outlooks on how to approach certain situations." — Beginning Teacher
We’re so proud of our beginning teachers and can’t wait to see all they accomplish this year!
Want to get involved with Maquoketa Activities?
We’re looking for community members to help with home activities and events throughout the school year!
Ticket taking, concessions, game operations, setup/cleanup, and more.
Interested in helping? Check out the link below to learn more and sign up!
👉 https://forms.gle/eXm4ugTKnFtgju3v5
We’re looking for community members to help with home activities and events throughout the school year!
Ticket taking, concessions, game operations, setup/cleanup, and more.
Interested in helping? Check out the link below to learn more and sign up!
👉 https://forms.gle/eXm4ugTKnFtgju3v5
Today was an exciting day in Ms. Cari’s Transitional Kindergarten classroom!
Students kicked off the morning practicing their blending skills and finding the first sound in words. The "sound hunters" moved around the classroom hunting for letters matching the sounds in their classmates' names and checking in with friends to determine beginning sounds. Students practiced their "strokes" to build essential handwriting skills by practicing their curves to make c's in red salt. Ms. Cari shared information regarding their end-of-day play-based centers which have a current theme of doctor’s office. This theme perfectly aligns with the CKLA curriculum unit, All About Me, where they are exploring the human body and the 5 senses! Through these hands-on centers, students practice sharing materials, using friendly language, and learning how to play well with others.
A huge shoutout to Ms. Cari for thoughtfully connecting hands-on play directly to the curriculum, and to our TK students for working so hard today! Keep up the great work!
Students kicked off the morning practicing their blending skills and finding the first sound in words. The "sound hunters" moved around the classroom hunting for letters matching the sounds in their classmates' names and checking in with friends to determine beginning sounds. Students practiced their "strokes" to build essential handwriting skills by practicing their curves to make c's in red salt. Ms. Cari shared information regarding their end-of-day play-based centers which have a current theme of doctor’s office. This theme perfectly aligns with the CKLA curriculum unit, All About Me, where they are exploring the human body and the 5 senses! Through these hands-on centers, students practice sharing materials, using friendly language, and learning how to play well with others.
A huge shoutout to Ms. Cari for thoughtfully connecting hands-on play directly to the curriculum, and to our TK students for working so hard today! Keep up the great work!
🏃♂️🏃♀️ Cross Country Results | 9/23/2026 @ Bellevue
It was another strong night for Cardinal Cross Country!
🏆 Boys – 3rd Place Team
The Cardinals placed three runners in the top 15 and earned medals:
Brenden Gerardy – 4th
Gavin Machael – 11th
Jasper Bonney – 14th
The rest of the boys team also turned in several season-best and personal-best performances.
🏆 Girls – TEAM CHAMPIONS!
The girls brought home another team title, led by:
Natalie Irwin – 3rd
Iris Wagner – 4th
Charlotte Ihns – 9th
Briley Eggers – 14th
Laura Weirup and Ella Nelson rounded out the girls' lineup with strong efforts.
Thank you to SKRP for supporting Maquoketa Cross Country!
#TheCardinalWay #GoCards #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalXC
It was another strong night for Cardinal Cross Country!
🏆 Boys – 3rd Place Team
The Cardinals placed three runners in the top 15 and earned medals:
Brenden Gerardy – 4th
Gavin Machael – 11th
Jasper Bonney – 14th
The rest of the boys team also turned in several season-best and personal-best performances.
🏆 Girls – TEAM CHAMPIONS!
The girls brought home another team title, led by:
Natalie Irwin – 3rd
Iris Wagner – 4th
Charlotte Ihns – 9th
Briley Eggers – 14th
Laura Weirup and Ella Nelson rounded out the girls' lineup with strong efforts.
Thank you to SKRP for supporting Maquoketa Cross Country!
#TheCardinalWay #GoCards #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalXC
🏈 Football Final 9/25/2026 | @ Mt. Vernon
The Cardinals fell 0–56 on the road at Mt. Vernon.
Thank you to Young Dental for supporting Maquoketa Athletics!
#TheCardinalWay #GoCards #MaquoketaCardinals
The Cardinals fell 0–56 on the road at Mt. Vernon.
Thank you to Young Dental for supporting Maquoketa Athletics!
#TheCardinalWay #GoCards #MaquoketaCardinals
🏐 Volleyball Results week of 9/21/26 🏐
9/22/2026 | @ Monticello
The Cardinals traveled to Monticello and fell 0–3.
Thank you to our sponsor, Dollar Fresh Market, for supporting Maquoketa Volleyball!
9/24/2026 | vs. Bellevue
The Cardinals fell 0–3 at home against Bellevue.
Thank you to Karpinske / Newman McDonald’s for supporting Maquoketa Volleyball!
#TheCardinalWay #GoCards #MaquoketaCardinals
9/22/2026 | @ Monticello
The Cardinals traveled to Monticello and fell 0–3.
Thank you to our sponsor, Dollar Fresh Market, for supporting Maquoketa Volleyball!
9/24/2026 | vs. Bellevue
The Cardinals fell 0–3 at home against Bellevue.
Thank you to Karpinske / Newman McDonald’s for supporting Maquoketa Volleyball!
#TheCardinalWay #GoCards #MaquoketaCardinals
Creativity, independence, and personal expression are taking center stage in the 7th and 8th-grade art classes at Maquoketa Middle School! Students are currently hard at work on their "WOW" projects—which stands for Wonderful, Original Work of art.
Designed around discipline-based art and a "gradual release of responsibility" framework, the WOW curriculum gives young artists complete agency over their projects. Instead of following a strict template, students set their own creative goals, outline the steps required to complete their vision, and take ownership of their artistic journey while receiving guidance and support from their teacher, Mrs. Sampica.
Middle school artists are choosing from a wide array of mediums and techniques to bring their ideas to life:
Painting & Color Mixing
Observational Art & Drawing
Weaving & Printmaking
Scratch Art & Grid Drawing
To track their process, every student utilizes a dedicated planning notebook. This notebook includes a goal-setting page, a project completion checklist, a self-assessment rubric, and a written artist statement where students reflect on their creative process and final piece.
The best part? Students will have exciting opportunities to share their masterpieces with the broader community! Completed WOW projects may be featured in the art display cases in the Maquoketa Middle School hallways or entered into the upcoming student art show at the Maquoketa Art Experience in downtown Maquoketa.
A big shout-out to Mrs. Sampica for providing this incredible opportunity, guiding our young artists, and empowering them to explore their creative potential!
Keep an eye out for these extraordinary creations, and celebrate the amazing talent and dedication of our MMS artists!
🏈 JH FOOTBALL — GAME DAY!
The Cardinals take on the Bellevue Comets TODAY, September 29, at Goodenow Field!
📍 Goodenow Field
🕓 7th Grade — 4:00 PM
➡️ 8th Grade — Following
Spectators: Please enter through the main gate on the southwest corner of the field.
Come out and support our Cardinal football teams! 🔴⚫
The Cardinals take on the Bellevue Comets TODAY, September 29, at Goodenow Field!
📍 Goodenow Field
🕓 7th Grade — 4:00 PM
➡️ 8th Grade — Following
Spectators: Please enter through the main gate on the southwest corner of the field.
Come out and support our Cardinal football teams! 🔴⚫
Hello Elementary Families!
We will be having our first Elementary Parent Lighthouse Team meeting this upcoming Monday, October 5th, at 5pm in the Briggs Elementary Library.
Not sure what a Parent Lighthouse is or does? No worries!
This meeting will be an opportunity to leave about our parent organization, Parent Lighthouse Team, and how it serves the students, staff, and schools in our district.
We are always looking for new members and new ideas so please join us on Monday, October 5th and 5pm in Briggs Elementary Library. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Mrs. Recker & Mrs. Conner
We will be having our first Elementary Parent Lighthouse Team meeting this upcoming Monday, October 5th, at 5pm in the Briggs Elementary Library.
Not sure what a Parent Lighthouse is or does? No worries!
This meeting will be an opportunity to leave about our parent organization, Parent Lighthouse Team, and how it serves the students, staff, and schools in our district.
We are always looking for new members and new ideas so please join us on Monday, October 5th and 5pm in Briggs Elementary Library. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Mrs. Recker & Mrs. Conner
COACHING OPPORTUNITIES AT MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL!
Maquoketa High School is looking for dedicated individuals to lead our student-athletes in several programs!
Check out these open positions:
🏀 7th Grade Girls Basketball: October - December
🏀 7th Grade Boys Basketball: December - February
🏀 Asst. Varsity Boys Basketball: Winter 2026-27
⚽️ Asst. Boys Soccer: Spring 2027
⚾️ Head Varsity Softball: Summer 2027
⚾️ Asst. Varsity Softball: Summer 2027
To Apply:
https://ats5.atenterprise.powerschool.com/ats/job_board?COMPANY_ID=JA002638&REPRESENTATIVE_COMPANY_ID=JA002922
Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on our student-athletes and become a part of the Maquoketa athletic family! GO CARDS!
Maquoketa High School is looking for dedicated individuals to lead our student-athletes in several programs!
Check out these open positions:
🏀 7th Grade Girls Basketball: October - December
🏀 7th Grade Boys Basketball: December - February
🏀 Asst. Varsity Boys Basketball: Winter 2026-27
⚽️ Asst. Boys Soccer: Spring 2027
⚾️ Head Varsity Softball: Summer 2027
⚾️ Asst. Varsity Softball: Summer 2027
To Apply:
https://ats5.atenterprise.powerschool.com/ats/job_board?COMPANY_ID=JA002638&REPRESENTATIVE_COMPANY_ID=JA002922
Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on our student-athletes and become a part of the Maquoketa athletic family! GO CARDS!
Picture Day is coming to Cardinal Elementary!
🔴⚫ THIS WEEK IN CARDINAL ATHLETICS 🔴⚫
The Cardinals head to Mount Vernon tonight!
📍 Mount Vernon
⏰ 5:30 PM — Fresh/Soph (two 12-minute quarters)
🏈 Varsity follows
Let’s go, Cardinals! The Cardinal Way.
#CardinalPride #TheCardinalWay #GameDay #FN5GL
📍 Mount Vernon
⏰ 5:30 PM — Fresh/Soph (two 12-minute quarters)
🏈 Varsity follows
Let’s go, Cardinals! The Cardinal Way.
#CardinalPride #TheCardinalWay #GameDay #FN5GL
Our Cardinal friends Isla, Axel, & Gunnar were awarded Lunch with the Law for having perfect attendance so far this school year! They each selected a staff member to join them and the Maquoketa PD for lunch at Timber Lanes Bowling Alley. Thanks to Asst Chief Thomsen, SRO Tenney & the Maquoketa PD for helping us recognize our Cardinal student leaders!
Things are heating up in Mr. Andreasen's kitchen today! Our Culinary Tech 1 students took on the ultimate test of teamwork and precision with a 45-minute "Mystery Lab."
Working in self-selected teams, students had to carefully read a mystery recipe, decipher the directions, gather their ingredients, and bake their treats before the clock ran out.
The secret to success? Focus, teamwork, and strictly following the recipe! True culinary success (and a delicious treat) awaits those who pay close attention to detail... but beware of the chaos if a step gets skipped!
Great job to our student chefs for showing off their skills, communication, and culinary focus today!
Working in self-selected teams, students had to carefully read a mystery recipe, decipher the directions, gather their ingredients, and bake their treats before the clock ran out.
The secret to success? Focus, teamwork, and strictly following the recipe! True culinary success (and a delicious treat) awaits those who pay close attention to detail... but beware of the chaos if a step gets skipped!
Great job to our student chefs for showing off their skills, communication, and culinary focus today!
4th grade students learning and practicing their standard of subtraction using multiple digits and regrouping.
3rd Graders were rocking their math lesson today utilizing our new math curriculum. Teachers are using high quality instructional materials and engagement strategies such as partner talks and choral responses. Way to go third grade!
Want to get involved with Maquoketa Activities?
We’re looking for community members to help with home activities and events throughout the school year!
Ticket taking, concessions, game operations, setup/cleanup, and more.
Interested in helping? Check out the link below to learn more and sign up!
👉 https://forms.gle/eXm4ugTKnFtgju3v5
We’re looking for community members to help with home activities and events throughout the school year!
Ticket taking, concessions, game operations, setup/cleanup, and more.
Interested in helping? Check out the link below to learn more and sign up!
👉 https://forms.gle/eXm4ugTKnFtgju3v5
