April 21, 2020
The school district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the COVID-19 closure of Des Moines Public Schools' buildings and our completion of the school year through distance learning. Today we share a reminder about elementary and middle school computer distribution, a survey for 8th grade Algebra I students, information on supports for special education students during this time, and more.
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
REMINDER: ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPUTERS
Distribution of computers to elementary and middle school students takes place tomorrow and Thursday. If you indicated on recent surveys that you need a device, you should have been contacted by your child's school with the day and time for pickup. By the end of this week nearly 21,000 laptops will have been provided to DMPS students as we complete the school year through distance learning.
PARENTS: SURVEY FOR 8th GRADE ALGEBRA I STUDENTS
DMPS is working hard to determine the very best options for our students to complete second semester courses.  If you have an 8th grade student enrolled in Algebra I, which is a high school credit bearing course, we have laid out several choices to complete the semester. Please review these with your student and then click here to complete an online survey about those choices. If your student hasn't already done so, please complete this survey by Friday, April 24 . If you have questions, you may contact your teachers, school counselors, or administrators. 
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORTS DURING PANDEMIC
As thousands of school districts across the country close their doors for the school year, and many transition to online or distance learning, support for special education students and their families must be a priority. At DMPS, more than 5,000 students - 15% of our enrollment - are in special education.  As we begin distance learning for the final weeks of the 2019-20 school year, our special education teachers and staff have been hard at work to provide meaningful learning opportunities for students. That effort began in late March, with the launch of an online learning resources web page, and will continue through the end of the school year. Click here to learn more about the support for special education students and families.
STUDENT WORKBOOKS TO BE MAILED HOME
A big change in how we distribute the student workbooks begins next week. Rather than picking them up at meal sites, as has been done the first three weeks, grade level workbooks will be mailed to each student's household. This is for students in grades PK-8.  In addition, all workbooks will be available on our DMPS@HOME web page.
OUR ONLINE FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE IS HERE FOR YOU
DMPS is committed to providing as many connections to services - from food and housing assistance to health care and legal aid - for students and families as possible during the COVID-19 closure. We know these are challenging times. While our staff cannot replicate the support provided in person at school, we will continue to work tirelessly to find as many resources for families as possible. The page also includes a contact form if you need to reach out to our staff for additional information or assistance.  Click here to visit our online family resource guide.
STATE LAUNCHES TESTIOWA.COM INITIATIVE
Governor Reynolds today announced the launch the Test Iowa Initiative, meant to expand testing capacity to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. This includes an assessment that was developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health to better inform Iowans of their current health status, whether or not they should get a COVID-19 test, and instructions on how to get tested. The assessment asks about existing symptoms and occupational considerations. Visit the testiowa.com web site to learn more and decide if you want to participate.
50 SITES NOW OPEN FOR FREE STUDENT MEALS
Throughout the COVID-19 school building closure, DMPS is providing free student meals at 50 locations around Des Moines.  Our meals sites are at all ten middle schools, most elementary schools, North High, and several auxiliary locations. Rain or shine, 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 meal sites.  Be sure to see the map on this web page to find the site most convenient for you.

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].