April 16, 2020
The district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the COVID-19 closure of Des Moines Public Schools. A major reminder today: from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM tomorrow high school students who have indicated they need a computer can pick one up at their home high school. We also share a conversation with two seniors who began distance learning this week as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the DMPS print shop, which is producing tens of thousands of documents each week to support our students, parents and teachers. Read on for these announcements and more.
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
TOMORROW: GRADE 9-11 COMPUTER DISTRIBUTION
Round two of our distribution of computers takes place tomorrow. Students in grades 9-11 who indicated a need will drop by their home high school tomorrow between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Assigned times and other information has been sent to students by their school.  In addition, seniors who indicated on their surveys a need for a device and have not received one may pick it up during this time.
A TIME LAPSE LOOK AT OUR FREE MEAL PROGRAM
Over the past several years, DMPS has worked hard to improve safety at our schools, including the installation of hundreds of security cameras. Our videographer Kyle Knicley decided to take a look at that footage to see what things have been like at schools recently during our meal program. He put together this time lapse look at the popularity of the program, and a reminder that next Monday free student meals will be available at 50 locations around Des Moines. Click here to see the video on YouTube.
FINISH LINE BACK IN FOCUS FOR CLASS OF 2020
The last days of high school for the DMPS Class of 2020 haven't exactly gone as planned for the district's 2,300+ seniors. But a pair of soon-to-be Roosevelt grads have taken the COVID-19 rough ride in stride and are back on track through the distance learning program that began this week.  Click here to get a first-hand account from students on the beginning of the end of their high school career.
COVID-19 DOESN'T STOP THE PRESSES AT DMPS
Like most DMPS departments, the print shop took a brief timeout when the COVID-19 closure of schools first went into effect to determine what comes next. Today they are as busy as ever, from producing 29,000 student workbooks each week to more than 5,000 guides for students using district technology to "I Miss You" cards for teachers to send to their students.  Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the on-going work at DMPS.
STAFF TAKES PRESCHOOLERS ON A BEAR HUNT
The more we share of teacher and staff videos, the more we get in return ... which is great! Today's edition comes from the team at the McKee Education Center, who share their version of a bear hunt with their preschoolers. Click here to view it on YouTube.
MEAL SITES DOUBLE TO MEET NEED, IMPROVE ACCESS
Tomorrow, as we've done for the past few weeks, DMPS will provide free meals for students at all ten middle schools and a dozen auxiliary sites. On Monday we start making free meals available at 50 sites around Des Moines, including the majority of elementary schools. This will help us meet increased need and provide better access. Since March 26, DMPS has provided students with more than 150,000 meals. Rain or shine (or snow?) we will be there each weekday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM to serve our kids. Click here to see a list of the new sites that begin next Monday.

Thanks to contributions from the community, DMPS has been able to add healthy snacks for children to eat during the stretch between lunch and breakfast the following day. If you would like to contribute to this effort, just click the green bar below.
CORONAVIRUS: RELY ON THE EXPERTS FOR INFORMATION
Accurate health information about COVID-19 is important as people around the world respond to help put an end to this global pandemic. Stay informed and look for information on Coronavirus from reliable and trusted expert sources:
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 (or your child) have been discriminated against or treated unjustly at school, please contact Susan Tallman, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: [email protected].