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
🏈 FOOTBALL FINAL | HOMECOMING | 9/18/2026
Clinton 44, Maquoketa 6
The Cardinals battled hard on Homecoming Night. Thank you to our fans for your support!
Presented by Maquoketa State Bank (MSB)
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalFootball
Clinton 44, Maquoketa 6
The Cardinals battled hard on Homecoming Night. Thank you to our fans for your support!
Presented by Maquoketa State Bank (MSB)
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalFootball
🏐 VOLLEYBALL FINAL | 9/17/26
Anamosa 3, Maquoketa 1
The Cardinals battled hard against Anamosa!
Presented by SKRP
Schoenthaler Kahler Reicks & Petersen
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalVB
Anamosa 3, Maquoketa 1
The Cardinals battled hard against Anamosa!
Presented by SKRP
Schoenthaler Kahler Reicks & Petersen
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalVB
🏐 VOLLEYBALL FANS — PLEASE READ! 🏐
Coming for ONLY the High School games?
➡️ You can enter through the High School.
Coming for Middle School games ?
➡️ Please enter through the Middle School and pay admission.
🎟️ Staying for High School Volleyball?
Be sure to get a stamp before leaving the Middle School so you do not have to pay admission twice.
🚗 Important: The doors connecting the Middle School and High School will be locked. After the Middle School games, you will need to drive around to the High School.
Your stamp will serve as your admission to the High School games.
Thank you for your understanding! Go Cardinals! 🏐
Coming for ONLY the High School games?
➡️ You can enter through the High School.
Coming for Middle School games ?
➡️ Please enter through the Middle School and pay admission.
🎟️ Staying for High School Volleyball?
Be sure to get a stamp before leaving the Middle School so you do not have to pay admission twice.
🚗 Important: The doors connecting the Middle School and High School will be locked. After the Middle School games, you will need to drive around to the High School.
Your stamp will serve as your admission to the High School games.
Thank you for your understanding! Go Cardinals! 🏐
🏐 VOLLEYBALL FINAL | 9/15/26
Alburnett 3, Maquoketa 1
The Cardinals battled hard against Alburnett
Presented by Young Dental
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalVB
Alburnett 3, Maquoketa 1
The Cardinals battled hard against Alburnett
Presented by Young Dental
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #CardinalVB
🏃 CROSS COUNTRY | 9/15/26
📍 North Scott
🏆 Girls Varsity Team Champions — Maquoketa
🥇 Individual Champion — Abigail Miller
🏅 Natalie Hackman (9th), Riley Buttz (10th), Natalie Irwin (12th)
🏅 Boys: Brendan Gerardy — 13th
💨 Tucker Moore — PR, 22:40
Presented by McDonald’s
#CardinalWay #CardinalXC
🎾 GIRLS TENNIS RECAP | 9/14/26
Marion 7, Maquoketa 2
The Cardinals battled hard against Marion but fell 7–2 in Monday’s matchup.
Presented by Dollar Fresh Market
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #GirlsTennis
Marion 7, Maquoketa 2
The Cardinals battled hard against Marion but fell 7–2 in Monday’s matchup.
Presented by Dollar Fresh Market
#CardinalWay #MaquoketaCardinals #GirlsTennis
🏈 JH FOOTBALL UPDATE 🏈
Tonight’s JH Football games at Alburnett on Tuesday, September 22 have been postponed due to wet field conditions.
📅 Rescheduled Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
📍 Location: Alburnett
Tonight’s JH Football games at Alburnett on Tuesday, September 22 have been postponed due to wet field conditions.
📅 Rescheduled Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
📍 Location: Alburnett
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!