Here's what some colleagues had to say about Mrs. Flanigan:
"Mrs. Flanigan is an amazing guidance counselor, who the kids absolutely love! She is friendly, welcoming, and has a special gift for building strong, positive relationships with students. Her support and genuine care makes a difference every day. Delwood is better because of her!"
"Jenny does a wonderful job as our school counselor! She does a great job creating a rapport with students which allows them to open up to her. She is also great to have as a colleague! Her personality and demeanor is always positive, and she is willing to help whenever she can."
"Mrs. Flanigan takes the time to make sure student's needs are being met. She truly listens to them to understand, teaches them great strategies, and cares about their long-term SMART goals. She not only is a great supporter of our students, she is also a great co-worker who brings a bright smile each day!"
"Jenny is so supportive to students and staff. She cares about how people are feeling and is always willing to help out. She is the most upbeat and cheerful person. I am thankful Jenny is our school counselor."
Thank you, Mrs. Flanigan, for creating a safe, supportive environment where every student feels seen, valued, and encouraged to grow. We appreciate all you do for our Delwood family!










Our 4th-grade scientists transformed into bridge builders this week, taking on Mother Nature's ultimate challenge! 🏗️ Armed with popsicle sticks, straws, construction paper, tape, and scissors, they constructed bridges that could stand up to simulated seismic waves.
Teamwork was the secret ingredient 🤝 as students collaborated to design earthquake-resistant structures. When the "earthquake" hit, every single bridge stood strong - talk about engineering superstars! 🌟
Learning about Earth's powerful natural events became an adventure of creativity, problem-solving, and pure scientific fun! Who knew science could be this awesome? 🔬✨




Principal Julia Rabe said the following about him:
"Sam is a great teacher. He has high expectations for his students and also takes time to build relationships with them. He is always a team player and works with others at school to ensure students have the best possible experience in PE. I know being a shared teacher between two districts is a complex role, but Sam makes it look easy."
Here's some things his colleagues at Delwood had to say about him:
"Sam is great to have as our PE teacher. Even though he isn't in the building everyday, he is able to build a rapport with all the students. Our PE classes are well structured and have a variety of activities they do throughout the year."
"It isn't a surprise that students love to go to P.E. when they have such an engaged teacher making exercise fun! Sam creates an atmosphere for students where they learn to enjoy challenging themselves and setting and meeting new goals. We are so lucky to have a teacher that encourages students to live a healthy lifestyle in such a positive environment."
"Mr. Skogen brings great enthusiasm to Delwood every day and is extremely well organized. He runs his classroom with clear routines and high expectations, so students always know what is expected of them and understand the rules. He holds both himself and his students to high standards, which helps create a positive and structured learning environment."
"Sam does a great job at keeping our students active, motivated, and smiling every day. He turns fitness into fun and make teamwork a win!"
Thank you, Sam, for all you do! Delwood is lucky to have you as part of our team!

Julia Rabe, principal, had the following to say about Sophie:
"Sophie is a kind, caring teacher who cares deeply about the success of her students. She is always willing to help out and go the extra mile. She always has a positive attitude and demonstrates a growth-mindset. We are so glad to have her here at Delwood!"
This is what some of her colleagues had to say about her:
"A huge shoutout to our amazing 4th grade teacher, Sophie! She truly cares for every one of her students and leads with compassion, patience, and kindness every single day. She makes each child feel seen, supported, and valued, and her dedication does not go unnoticed. Beyond the classroom, Sophie is also a wonderful coworker and a true friend. Sophie is always supportive, positive, and willing to lend a helping hand. We are so lucky to have her!"
"Sophie’s passion for education really shines through in everything she does. Her kindness, empathy, and genuine care for her students doesn’t go unnoticed. She’s an amazing colleague who listens, communicates so well, and is always there with support (and a hug when you needed!). Sophie is truly one of a kind, and Delwood is so lucky to have her."
"Sophie has been a great addition to our staff this year! She is easy to work with and does a great job interacting with the students.
"Sophie is such a positive role model to her fourth graders! Everyday she greets them with a smile and kind words. She appreciates each student for their own unique personality and makes her classroom a space where everyone feels welcome!"
"Ms. Hodge is such a true blessing to Delwood. She is not only an incredible teacher but an even better person. She is always striving to grow and improve, and she inspires that same drive in her students. Ms. Hodge genuinely cares about every student and every staff member at Delwood. She is extremely organized and holds high expectations for herself and her students, but she always leads with grace, patience, and kindness."
"Sophie is such a calm and caring teacher! She really has created an amazing 4th grade environment in her classroom for the kids. "
"Sophie is a great teacher who cares for her students very much.. She is very organized also."
Thank you, Sophie, for all you do! We are lucky to have you at Delwood! 💚🖤

OPEN ENROLLMENT REMINDER:
Are you looking for a great place for your child to learn and grow? Delwood Elementary offers stellar academics, quality staff, and a supportive school community. 💚🖤
📝 Open Enrollment deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is quickly approaching- March 1st!
Join the Delwood family today!
Note: All students entering kindergarten not in district will need to have open-enrollment forms turned in. In addition, all new students wanting to enroll in Delwood will also need to file open-enrollment paperwork by March 1st.

"Addison Lafrenz and Jaycee Cavanagh have been making great choices this week in supporting other students within our classroom. They choose to do the right thing, even when others may not be. They are kind and always thinking about win-win when interacting with others. Keep up the great work!" -Ms. Hodge
"My student shout outs go to Braylynn and Ashton!
Braylynn Edwards is such a hard worker. She is always willing to help her classmates and her teachers.
Ashton Shedenhelm has shown so much kindness to his friends and always participates during Amplify, sharing great comments that deepen his thinking. I am so proud of you both!" -Ms. Eden
"Jorja Kilburg was a role model in class this week. She was quick and quiet while putting materials away, always followed rug rules, and was a helper to other students. Way to go Jorja!
Ava Pape has been using her time wisely in class and being a role model to others. She gets her work done and doesn't waste work time. Way to go Ava Pape!" -Mrs. Hartung
"Oakley Taggart has been working very hard with his reading and writing skills throughout the year. He has grown several reading levels already and is continuing to grow in the amount of words he is able to write independently. I am proud of all of the work he has done so far this year and I hope he continues to put forth that same effort for the rest of the year. Congratulations Oakley!" -Mrs. Doll
"My two shoutouts are Eden Rabe and Blake Roling. Eden and Blake are always willing to help out their friends, teachers and share new ideas when problem solving. Keep up the great work Eden and Blake!" -Ms. Ruth
"John Delagardelle has been working so hard to sit with his classmates and participate during story time. He is standing in line and walking in line by himself, and he is working hard to use his words to express his feelings. Great work, John!" -Mrs. Rogge
"Cooper Meyer and Addison Ralston have been very good classmates by helping other students that were absent or that might not have understood the instructions. I appreciate you being there for your classmates!" -Mr. Cavanagh
"I want to give a shout-out to a student I’ve noticed at recess. Kenley Doubek is kind to everyone and always willing to play with anyone. She helps others whenever they are in need and is especially thoughtful toward younger students and staff. Kenley consistently shows respect and responsibility in everything she does. Keep being you, Kenley—you make our school a better place!" -Mrs. DeMoss
"Evelynn Albrecht works so hard and has the neatest handwriting. She continues to improve reading smoothly and we are able to accomplish so much in 15 minutes.Thank you for working to be a better reader." -Mrs. Kleinsmith
"Isabella Ingersoll and Maliah Henson both worked well with others in reading and math this week creating a win-win for everyone. Isabella is always positive and gives kind words of encouragement, while Maliah cooperates by taking turns and making sure the work is divided equally. Way to go!" -Mrs. Maher
"Mila Dubek deserves a shoutout for going above and beyond in her work on writing journal. She has taken great pride in the story she is working on and added in a lot of interesting details.
Colt Banowetz and Josie Kilburg worked together as a team to solve our math area challenge. They went above and beyond and came up with the most accurate solutions to our challenge. " -Mrs. Kieffer
"Since returning from break, I've noticed Natalyn Otten working hard in music. She has approached our new games in music with a positive attitude and has been demonstrating leadership by following directions and waiting patiently for others before moving on. Allen Behrle is consistently a role model in music - not only in the way he follows classroom expectations, but also in the way he treats others with kindness. Allen is always eager to volunteer and contribute to class discussions, giving his best effort no matter the activity. Way to go, Natalyn and Allen!" -Ms. Spencer
"Jovie Frahm and Adalyn Brauer have been working so hard in class, always showing kindness to every student in our classroom. They are wonderful examples of think-win-win, making sure everyone feels heard and that everyone gets to “win,” no matter the task. We are so proud of you both!" -Mrs. Sierra



This week we would like to recognize the two ladies that make sure everything runs smoothly- Denise Swanson and Melinda Hackman. Denise is not only our Assistant Business Manager, but she manages payroll and benefits as well as serves as the board secretary. Melinda is our ever-so-efficient school secretary and resident stand-in for Nurse Kelsey.
Here's what our principal, Julia Rabe, had to say about these ladies:
"Melinda is one of the most organized people I know. She always has a smile for everyone and keeps everything running smoothly. I'm not sure what I would do without her help!"
"Denise is always helpful and organized. She always has suggestions about how to make things better and is happy to help anyone out. I'm thankful to have her in my corner whenever I have questions or need help."
Here's what their colleagues have to say about them:
"Melinda is one of the most organized people I have ever met! I love that she always thinks of everything when organizing things and keeps our school running smoothly!"
"Melinda is always available for questions. Whether the question is about the copy machine, materials or a student. She answers with a smile and never makes you feel like you are bothering her. Melinda manages the office with energy and kindness. We are lucky to have such a wonderful person as a member of our Delwood family. "
"Melinda is truly the engine of our school and keeps everything running smoothly. She never hesitates to help others, and everything she does is handled with kindness and care. We would not know what we would do without Melinda!"
"Denise keeps everything in line from behind the scenes and is such an important part of Delwood. She is always willing to help others, answers questions with patience, and makes sure everything is organized and running smoothly. Her hard work often happens quietly, but it makes a huge difference for our entire school. We are so grateful for all that Denise does!"
"Denise is the person to go to for any HR needs. She can handle insurance and payroll questions or give recommendations for how to use your time off away from school. Thank you Denise for being that helpful person in our building. "
"Denise is so friendly and approachable! I always feel so comfortable if I have any questions for her! She is always willing to help."
Thank you both for everything you do for Delwood! We are lucky to have you!! 💚🖤

If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know by commenting below or sending an email to jrabe@delwood.k12.ia.us or jflanigan@delwood.k12.ia.us.
Thank you in advance for your involvement!

STAFF SHOUTOUT: Our next shoutout goes to Jenna Spencer. Miss Spencer teaches music and band and is also in her second year at Delwood Elementary! She is such a kind, caring person and is very intentional about connecting with each of her students.
Here’s what her colleagues say about her:
"Jenna has a very kind heart and always wants to do what is best for students!"
"I appreciate Jenna's great story telling ability. She always can add something to a conversation or discussion with a personal reflection or experience. And, she does it in such a calm, unrushed manner so you can fully appreciate the whole story. "
"Jenna is an incredible music teacher who brings so much energy, creativity, and passion into everything she does. She goes above and beyond for her students and is always willing to step in and lend a helping hand wherever it’s needed. Jenna’s positivity, teamwork, and dedication make her such a valued part of our school community, and we are so lucky to have her on our team!"
"Jenna is always kind and caring towards others. She always goes the extra mile for others, and looks for opportunities to support and collaborate with her colleagues. She is She is always thinking of ways to improve and grow, but also takes the time to celebrate when things go well. Her work with our band students has been incredible to watch over the past two years- their growth is reflective of the hard work she puts in to making them great musicians and individuals."
-Julia Rabe, principal
Thank you, Jenna, for making Delwood a great place to be- we are lucky to have you!

STAFF SHOUTOUT: Our first shoutout of the week goes to Peyton Sierra, a second-year Kindergarten teacher here at Delwood Elementary!
Mrs. Sierra is known for her positive energy, kind heart, and dedication to her students and colleagues. Her classroom is a place where learning is filled with joy, students feel loved, and everyone is encouraged to grow.
Here's what some of her colleagues have to say about her:
"Peyton is always a go-to coworker and an amazing friend! She is someone you can always count on no matter the situation. Peyton is consistently willing to step in, lend a hand, share ideas, or offer support whenever it’s needed, and she does it all with such a positive attitude. Her kindness, teamwork, and dedication make a huge difference in our day-to-day work, and our school is truly better because of her. We are so grateful to have Peyton!"
"I love the relationship Peyton has with her students. You can tell every student loves learning from her and she cares deeply about her students. I appreciate all her energy and enthusiasm she brings to any task she is doing. "
"Peyton is a fun, go with the flow teacher! Her classroom always seems so happy and inviting!"
"Peyton has high expectations for herself and her students. She always looks for ways to make our school better and bring new and fresh ideas to try. I appreciate her work this year with our student leaders and community projects, as well as her involvement on our leadership team. Peyton is a great asset to our school and we are lucky to have her." -Julia Rabe, principal
Thank you, Peyton, for making Delwood a brighter, stronger place for our students and staff every day.

Delwood Community School District is proud to announce their partnership with ZeroEyes, Inc. to provide weapon detection services for the district. As part of this partnership, ZeroEyes will be conducting a field calibration test on Friday, January 9th at 2:00. As part of this calibration, a representative from ZeroEyes will walk around the building with a fake replica weapon being escorted by law enforcement from the Clinton County Sheriff’s department. So you will notice a law enforcement presence at the school, but Delwood CSD would like to assure you that there is no active threat to the school nor the community.
Delwood CSD would like to thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.
Our staff shoutout goes to Mrs. Doll! Through dedication, patience, and a true passion for literacy, she works individually and in small groups to help students build confidence, strengthen skills, and discover the joy of reading. Her impact goes far beyond the classroom—building relationships with them and supporting their path to success.
Thank you for the heart and passion you bring to your work and for making such a meaningful difference for our students at Delwood every single day!


1st Place- Emerie Henson (7,674 correct questions answered)
2nd Place- Ava Brown (7,406 correct questions answered)
3rd Place- Trace Flagel (4,455 correct questions answered)
Third Grade also took 1st Place as a class with an average of over 2,147 correct questions answered per student. They absolutely rocked it!!
We would also like to recognize our December Top Ten:
Mila Doubek, Logan McDermott, Colt Hughes, Josie Kilburg, Noah Marshall, Wyatt Rabe, Lincoln Irwin, Kenley Doubek, Isabella Ingersoll, and Chloe McClain
Your hard work and dedication to learning shines through- Way to go!




December is the season of giving back, and our students are leading the way! 🎄✨
Through our Giving Tree project, our students practiced "Thinking Win-Win" by pairing leadership with heart. On Monday, our students hit the road to deliver donations and sing carols at local nursing homes! 🎤🏘️
We are so proud of their commitment to service and so grateful for everyone who donated to make this happen.
Together, we’re making the holidays a little brighter! 🌟
#StudentLeaders #DelwoodGivingTree #SpreadJoy




