There are just a dozen days until the start of the 2016-17 school year. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back. In this edition of TheWeek@DMPS, we highlight the recent Summit on School Climate and Culture, a major conference attended by more than 1,200 educators working to create the best possible teaching and learning conditions. Are you going to the Iowa State Fair this year? If so, stop by and say 'hi' at the DMPS booth. Be sure to read on for these stories and much more.
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STORIES ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
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Freedom Writers Founder Gives Powerful Launch to Summit
Monday was Day One of the school district's first annual Summit on School Climate & Culture, an event attended by more than 1,200 educators to learn about and discuss ways to create the best possible teaching and learning conditions for students. Erin Gruwell, founder of the Freedom Writers, provided a powerful and emotional launch in her keynote address. Gruwell spoke of her experience, portrayed in a movie starring Hilary Swank, of how ordinary teachers can accomplish amazing things with extraordinary students. Click here for more about her remarks.
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A Climate and Culture of Commitment at DMPS
Day Two of the inaugural DMPS Summit on School Climate & Culture picked up where Day One left off. Enthusiasm was high among the 1,200 attendees from DMPS and other school districts who listened to keynote speakers and participated in breakout sessions aimed at creating the best possible teaching and learning conditions when the 2016-17 school year begins later this month.
Click here for more about the unique educational event.
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Visit DMPS at the Iowa State Fair
Are you heading to the Iowa State Fair? If so, stop by the DMPS booth. Pick up a fan from your favorite high school. Grab a frisbee. Register for school. Or just say 'hi' as we near the start of a new school year. The DMPS booth is located in the Hall of Law exhibit area in the Grandstand.
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Turnaround Arts Earns Governor's Arts Award
The Turnaround Arts program at DMPS has been presented with the Governor's Arts Award for its success in arts learning leadership . Turnaround Arts is a federal program in place at five DMPS schools in the North High feeder pattern that uses the arts to revitalize lower-performing schools, narrow the achievement gap and develop a strong sense of community. Click here for more about our most recent honor.
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Kofu Exchange Students Visit Des Moines
Earlier this summer, a group of DMPS students visited Kofu, Japan. Last week it was Des Moines' turn to play host to students from Kofu, an exchange that has been taking place since 1983. One recent morning the Japanese students performed a traditional dance for DMPS administrators and visited students at Lovejoy Elementary School and McCombs Middle School. Enjoy photos of our special guests on the DMPS Flickr page.
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COMMUNITY CENTER & CLINIC OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS
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The DMPS Community Center & Clinic, located in Scavo High School at Central Campus, provides health and support services for all students at Des Moines Public Schools. From physical exams to dental care to a food pantry, the facility is available and accessible to all DMPS students. In fact, if you still need to arrange for a back-to-school/athletic physical, the clinic will offer them on Thursday, August 18 from 12:30 to 4:00. Give the clinic a call at 242-8488 with questions or to schedule an appointment, or visit our web site for more information.
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PHOTO GALLERIES OF THE WEEK
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Newest Members of Class of '16
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Behind-the-Scenes at the Summit
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August 11-21
Iowa State Fair
| Visit the DMPS booth in the Hall of Law/Grandstand
August 24
First Day of the 2016-17 School Year
| ALL SCHOOLS (except Downtown School)
September 5
Labor Day
| No Classes / Offices Closed
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ICYMI: DMPS IN THE NEWS
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Recent stories in the news about students, teachers and events at Des Moines Public Schools:
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We share stories and photos above from our first Summit on School Climate & Culture. The
Des Moines Register covered the event and reported on how Freedom Writers founder Erin Gruwell delivered an inspirational start to the two-day event.
Click here for the newspaper's story.
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In the last edition of TheWeek@DMPS we shared a story on a new program at the school district to support refugee students and families. The
Des Moines Register awarded "roses" to both DMPS and Vinh Nguyen, our bilingual outreach program supervisor, for the district's support of people new to our community.
Click here to read the paper's accolades for our efforts.
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TheWeek@DMPS is a recipient of the 2015 Award of Excellence
from the National School Public Relations Association.
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It is the policy of the Des Moines Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you believe you have (or your child) has been discriminated against or treated unjustly at school, please contact the Equity Coordinator, Isaiah McGee at 2323 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 or 515-242-7662 or isaiah.mcgee@dmschools.org.
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