LEAP Activities
LEAP programming at Washington Middle School is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the Iowa Department of Education. Learn more at: www.dbqschools.org/leap
Washington LEAP activities are offered:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
from 2:30-4 p.m.
Here are a few upcoming activities…
| Mondays through Thursdays (7:10-7:40 a.m. and 2:30-5 p.m.) and Fridays (7:10-8:40 a.m.) Beginning September 4 Homework Help Take advantage of the quiet space to complete homework, plus assistance is available for those challenging assignments. Provided by: Washington Middle School |
| Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 11 through October 11 Tennis (FIELD TRIP) Learn the basics of serving, improve your stroke, and have fun with your friends. On Tuesdays students will practice their tennis skills at school. Thursdays students will test their skills on Dubuque Senior High School’s tennis courts. In the case of inclement weather, Thursdays’ tennis will be held at Alpine Tennis & Fitness. (limited to 16 students) Provided by: Ann Kashmar, GWMS Teacher |
| Monday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 10 Rock Climbing (FIELD TRIP) Put on a climbing harness and attempt routes of varying difficulty on our two-story climbing wall. Whether you’re new to climbing or have some experience, you will be able to test your skills with several climbs over the course of the trip. Provided by: Creative Adventure Lab |
| Tuesday, October 9 through Thursday, October 11 and Monday, October 22 through Tuesday, October 23 Wrestling Students will learn basic wrestling moves and techniques in a fun learning atmosphere. They will also see how wrestling can teach them discipline and give them self-confidence. Provided by: Joe Connolly, DSHS Wrestling Coach |
| Tuesday, October 16 Harry Potter The next Fantastic Beasts movie is coming soon! Brew magical concoctions and discover your own wizardly powers at the magical LEAP program. Provided by: Carnegie-Stout Public Library |
| Mondays and Tuesdays, October 22 through November 6 and November 19 and 20 Jazzercise Get ready to dance, shake and sweat to today’s top songs! These energetic moves are so much fun, it’s sure to become your favorite exercise! Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. Provided by: Dubuque Jazzercise Studio |
| Wednesdays, October 24 through November 14 Thriller Dance To celebrate the haunting season in style, you and your classmates will have the opportunity to learn choreography from Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” music video! Through this activity you’ll master zombie-style dancing through the recreation of “Thriller” dance scenes. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Provided by: Adam Kieffer, Adam’s Dance Connection |
| Thursday, October 25 Skull Diggery Look at skulls and artifacts to learn more about animals. Provided by: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium |
| Tuesday, October 30 CATS! With one of our friendly shelter cats and the help of Two by Two, we will touch on accountability and responsibility, learning what it takes to care for a companion animal. Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
| Thursday, November 1 (FIELD TRIP) Bowling! How many pins can you knock down? Students who participate in this activity will travel to Cherry Lanes where they’ll get their shot to bowl a strike! Provided by: City of Dubuque Leisure Services |
| Thursday, November 1 A Healthy Self We will explore the fun world of, “A Healthy Self: Inside and Out.” During our time, we will play games, have discussions and answer questions about being healthy. At the end of the activity, you’ll receive a self-care bag that will include resources that’ll help you share what you’ve learned with family and friends. Provided by: Laurie Martin and Chelsea Stratton, Hillcrest Family Services |
| Monday, November 5 Dodgeball! Duck, throw and run! Through this activity students will participate in a classic friendly game of dodgeball. Provided by: City of Dubuque Leisure Services |
| Monday, November 5 (5-6pm) Girl Scouts BLING! Girls who join BLING will discuss real life situations while learning the values of being a team member, role model and active citizen. Together we will develop new life skills, participate in STEM activities and create lasting friendships. On our last day together we’ll take a field trip that the girls will help plan! Provided by: Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa |
| Mondays and Wednesdays, November 5 through December 19 Debate Debate is the correct form of arguing constructively. Students will learn about 2-on-2 policy debate and 1-on-1 Lincoln-Douglas style values debate. Students will get to debate against other members of the Debate team at GWMS. Provided by: Christopher Bode, DCSD Substitute Teacher |
| Tuesday, November 6 On the Move Come and discover the locomotion (movement) of animals and/or invertebrates (bugs)! Provided by: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium |
| Wednesday, November 7 After-School Spa Winter break is right around the corner! Get ready for the festivities by polishing your fingernails and use the nail stamping kits. You will also be making bath bombs that you can save for yourself or give as a gift. Provided by: Carnegie-Stout Public Library |
| Thursday, November 8 SNAKES! Respect is easier to give when you see things from others’ point of view. As a not-so-common companion joins us, students will keep in mind one of Two by Two’s most important concepts, ‘Treat all living things the way you want to be treated.’ Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
| Monday, November 12 K9 Unit and Squad Car K9 Officers will lead a live demonstration featuring how police dogs work. Then students will get the chance to tour a squad car and check out the equipment and tech within them. Questions about the work of police officers and their K9 partners are welcomed throughout the activity. Provided by: Dubuque Police Department |
| Tuesday, November 13 Pottery Painting (FIELD TRIP) Students will have the opportunity to select a pre-made pottery item and learn various glazing techniques to decorate it. We fire all items in our kiln so they are food and microwave-safe. Items will be delivered to schools a week after the trip. Provided by: Creative Adventure Lab |
| Thursday, November 15 Archery Get your chance to shoot a bow and arrow! After learning basic archery skills and techniques, we’ll pull out the targets. Provided by: Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Nature Center |
| Mondays, November 26 through December 17 Yoga Get your zen on with yoga class! This yoga class will not only teach you basic yoga poses, flow and relaxation benefits but will also teach techniques and activities that will help you calm your mind outside of school. Wear comfortable clothes. Provided by: Molly Anderson Schreiber, Challenge to Change |
| Tuesdays, November 27 through December 18 Line Dancing Come and learn the most popular line dances from the past and the present. Learning the foundations of line dancing in this fun and welcoming environment, will build your confidence on the dance floor! Normal attire is fine for this class. Provided by: Adam Kieffer, Adam’s Dance Connection |
| Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 27 through December 20 Robotics Challenge Using LEGO® Robotic kits, you will create advanced robots that use sensors to accomplish a variety of tasks. As a final challenge, you will design a “Mars Mission,” then successfully program your robot to complete the mission. Provided by: Creative Adventure Lab |
| Monday, December 3 (5-6pm) Girl Scouts BLING! Girls who join BLING will discuss real life situations while learning the values of being a team member, role model and active citizen. Together we will develop new life skills, participate in STEM activities and create lasting friendships. On our last day together we’ll take a field trip that the girls will help plan! Provided by: Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa |
| Monday, December 3 Dubuque Humane Society (FIELD TRIP) In this session, we will see the life of a shelter animal! Students will be touring the Dubuque Regional Humane Society for this session. Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
| Tuesday, December 11 Behind the Scenes in Living Collections (FIELD TRIP) Have you ever wondered what it is like to work at an aquarium? Go behind the scenes and learn a little about how the team at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium cares for its animal ambassadors. Provided by: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium |
| Wednesday, December 12 Gingerbread House Using graham crackers you will construct, and decorate a very sweet house to take home and enjoy. Provided by: Carnegie-Stout Public Library |
| Wednesday, December 19 Cooking: Homemade Applesauce Many steps go into preparing a healthy snack and through this activity students will master the techniques in creating their own! Join the fun and cook with us. Provided by: Jackie Ament, DCSD Food & Nutrition Assistant Manager |
| Tuesdays, January 8 through January 29 Ballroom Dancing In this activity you’ll have the opportunity to learn the basic techniques and moves of line, swing or ballroom dancing. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Provided by: Adam Kieffer, Adam’s Dance Connection |
| Tuesday, February 5 DOGS! Partnered with Two by Two Character Development, we will meet a shelter dog to help us learn what it means to be compassionate and empathetic towards all things on earth. Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
| Wednesday, February 6 Nutrition with HyVee In this interactive class, you will learn about healthy foods and explore fun ways to eat them. Then we will put that knowledge to practice and make our own healthy snacks to enjoy! Provided by: Megan Horstman and Amy Cordingley, HyVee Dieticians |
| Mondays and Wednesdays, February 18 through March 20 Chess In the LEAP Chess Club students will learn the basic moves, openings and tactics in becoming successful chess players. There will be a tournament at the end of the year with the winner getting a trophy to keep! Provided by: Christopher Bode, DCSD Substitute Teacher |
| Tuesday, March 5 CATS! With one of our friendly shelter cats and the help of Two by Two, we will touch on accountability and responsibility, learning what it takes to care for a companion animal. Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
| Mondays and Wednesdays, April 1 through April 29 Debate Debate is the correct form of arguing constructively. Students will learn about 2-on-2 policy debate and 1-on-1 Lincoln-Douglas style values debate. Students will get to debate against other members of the Debate team at GWMS. Provided by: Christopher Bode, DCSD Substitute Teacher |
| Tuesday, April 2 SNAKES! Respect is easier to give when you see things from others’ point of view. As a not-so-common companion joins us, students will keep in mind one of Two by Two’s most important concepts, ‘Treat all living things the way you want to be treated.’ Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
| Wednesday, April 24 Fishing (FIELD TRIP) Throw out a line at Heritage Pond and see what you can reel in! Poles and bait will be provided but if you have your own pole feel free to bring it along. Provided by: Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Nature Center |
| Mondays and Wednesdays, May 1 through May 29 Chess In the LEAP Chess Club students will learn the basic moves, openings and tactics in becoming successful chess players. There will be a tournament at the end of the year with the winner getting a trophy to keep! Provided by: Christopher Bode, DCSD Substitute Teacher |
| Monday, May 6 Dubuque Humane Society (FIELD TRIP) In this session, we will see the life of a shelter animal! Students will be touring the Dubuque Regional Humane Society for this session. Provided by: Dubuque Humane Society |
Students will meet in the attendance office right after school. They’ll grab a free snack and head to the location of the LEAP activity.
When the program concludes at 4 p.m., students exit from the main entrance on Grandview Avenue.
Complete the Parent Permission Form (PDF) and have your student return it to the attendance office. Students can’t participate without this form on file for 2018-2019.
Each month, students will have the opportunity to sign-up for LEAP activities in their school’s attendance office. Remember, it’s expected that students attend all sessions offered for each activity. Students will sign-in each day so we can keep participate records, but we won’t monitor daily attendance – so there is no need to let us know if for some reason your student can’t make it.
Students will be held to the same conduct standards as they are during the school day. Failure to follow established rules may result in loss of participation.
Contact the attendance office or guidance counselor. Or, reach out to district LEAP facilitator Jackie Lambe at 563/552-3130 or jlambe@dbqschools.org.