Good morning from TheWeek@DMPS. This week we share the results of our recent Science Fair, feature student-athletes who qualified for the state wrestling and bowling tournaments, and include a story on a Valentine's Day project by Central Campus culinary arts students.
Be sure to read an important notice about a plan DMPS is considering to change school hours. The notice includes a link to our web site with more information about why this is being considered, what the changes would mean for school start times, and a way for you to submit comments or questions. Read on for these stories and much more.
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STORIES ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
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Student-Scientists Shine at 2017 Science Fair
The 9th annual DMPS Science Fair was held last Thursday night at the Science Center of Iowa. From the effects of stress to killing bacteria in the mouth to a solar power hot dog cooker, 230 middle and high school students presented their research projects to judges, parents, teachers and the public. Top finishers will go on to present their work at the Iowa State Science Fair in Ames later this spring.
Click here to read and see more, including a list of winners.
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Love of cookies was in the air Monday morning in the kitchens of the Central Campus Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management program where romance was rolling off the assembly line in the form of Valentine's Day cookies. The program received orders for $1,000 worth of the holiday treats and Chef John Andres and his students were busy scooping, baking, frosting and bagging the goodies for customers all over the district.
Click here to read and see more.
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Lincoln, Roosevelt, East Bowlers Qualify for State
Congratulations to the Lincoln Rails girls team and the Roosevelt Roughriders boys team on their qualification for the state high school bowling tournament. It's the fourth consecutive year that Lincoln qualified for state. In addition, East junior Dylan McFarland and Roosevelt freshman Hunter Gloden qualified to compete as individuals. The tournament will be held next Wednesday, February 22, at Plaza Lanes here in Des Moines.
Click here for more.
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Brody's "Through This Together" Backs Cancer Patients
A lot of good things are happening at Brody Middle School, such as this week's 4th annual "Through This Together" assembly, in support of patients and families facing cancer. Among the event highlights were volunteers who had their hair cut by La'James College stylists to show their support and donate to Locks of Love.
Click here to read and see more
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DMPS CONSIDERS PLAN TO IMPROVE SCHOOL HOURS
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"It's too early." "I'm sleepy." "Do I have to get up?"
Students throughout history have probably said those words in one way or another. But they raise an important question: When is the best time to start the school day?
At DMPS, we are always looking at how we can do more to support our students and help everyone succeed. An idea currently being considered is a change in our bell times - or school hours. The plan would flip the current hours, so elementary students begin the day a little earlier while middle and high school students would start a little later.
Research points to how these changes would help students by better match-ups with the sleep patterns of children at different ages.
DMPS realizes that these proposed changes would affect nearly everyone in the school district, from students and their families to our teachers and staff.
Please click here to visit our web site and see more information about the proposal, share a comment or question, get information on upcoming community meetings, and more.
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PHOTO GALLERIES OF THE WEEK
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WSS Takes Valentine's to Skywalk
Walnut Street School students took Valentine's Day wishes outside of the classroom and onto the downtown skywalks. After decorating skywalk windows with signs that read things such as "You're Beautiful," and "Smile, It's Contagious," they greeted office workers over the lunch hour with free heart-shaped cookies.
Click here for photos of their generosity
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President Back for #SelfiesWithAbe
Honest Abe (impersonated by George Buss) shared words of encouragement with students and reminded them to be proud of their high school during a recent visit. Abe and Lincoln High School students celebrated Lincoln's 208th birthday with cupcakes, hats, and #SelfiesWithAbe.
Enjoy some fun photos on our Flickr page
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Week of February 20
Lincoln Feeder School Conferences - more details available at schools
February 21
School Board Meeting
- Central Campus (6:00 PM)
February 27
February 28
March 2
Winter Sports
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ICYMI: DMPS IN THE NEWS
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Recent items in the news or online about or of interest to students, teachers and parents at Des Moines Public Schools:
- In 2015, we shared a story about Feng Zhang, a 2000 graduate of Roosevelt High School who also attended Central Academy. A panel of Nobel Prize laureates named him one of the world's top 10 up-and-coming scientists. This week NPR reported a story about Zhang's research and work with gene-editing, and his recent success in a patent fight that's on the cutting edge of medical science. Click here for NPR's report.
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TheWeek@DMPS is a recipient of the 2016 Award of Merit
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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