May 14, 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.  Lots of news to share today: a message from Superintendent Ahart that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, so remain vigilant and careful for your health and well-being; a behind-the-scenes story of a day in the life of a teacher during distance learning; a look at our cap and gown distributions underway for the Class of 2020; and information on a new tutor service launched by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Drake University. 

We also share a reminder about our announcement earlier this week about our "personal commencements" for the Class of 2020 as well as there is one more day to take part in our virtual budget forum. Read on for much more.
FROM DR. AHART: STAY SAFE. STAY HEALTHY.
The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, neither in central Iowa or around the world. Just this week, Des Moines was noted as one of the nation's hot spots for our increasing number of confirmed cases. Viruses do not react to government proclamations.
 
At this time it is not clear when the number of COVID-19 cases will peak in Iowa. As a result, at Des Moines Public Schools, we will continue to monitor the situation and follow our current steps, including limited access to our buildings, the cancellation of activities until further notice, and limiting our Class of 2020 graduation to the "personal commencement" plan announced earlier this week. As Superintendent, my team and I are also looking ahead to the start of the next school year and possible changes that may be needed in order to safely resume school.
 
Finally, I would simply urge all of our students, staff and families to continue to take steps to limit your exposure to COVID-19, such as maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask when around other people, and limiting events and activities. We cannot wait until the time we can return to normal, both in our lives and at our schools. That day will not come if we rush into it, but only if we listen to the medical experts and continue to do the things necessary to maintain the health and well-being of ourselves and our community. And thank you for your continued support as we navigate this historic challenge. 

Wishing you all good health,

Tom Ahart
Superintendent
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DISTANT TEACHER
Embedded journalism refers to the work of writers or photographers who spend a considerable amount of with their subject, such as reporters who are assigned to a military unit or an exploration or some other long-term story. The DMPS communications team has its own embedded journalist of sorts: staff writer Mike Wellman has spent the past two months at home with his wife Chris, a first grade teacher at Phillips Elementary School. Mike shares this first-hand account from a "classroom" in the time of Coronavirus, and how teachers are dedicated to their students no matter the circumstances.  Click here to read more.
CLASS OF 2020 PICK UP CAPS, GOWNS AND MORE
Soon-to-be graduates are picking up their regalia to be ready for next month's personal commencements (see below for more information). Seniors at East, Lincoln and Roosevelt have picked up their caps and gowns; Hoover and North will do so tomorrow. The Rails and Scarlets Class of 2020 were also presented with a congratulatory yard sign to let their neighbors know of their accomplishment. Visit our Flickr page to see more of the cap and gown distribution underway throughout DMPS.
PARTNERSHIP, DRAKE LAUNCH TUTOR SERVICE
Looking for tutoring services for your child? The  Greater Des Moines Partnership  and  Drake University  have launched the DSM Tutor Connection to provide additional support for K-12 students. The service is a web-based platform designed to connect families seeking tutoring for their children with university students interested in providing these services. All of the tutoring will be conducted on-line and scheduled between tutors and interested families at a rate of $15 per hour.  Click here for more information.
REMINDER: CELEBRATING ONE GRADUATE AT A TIME
As high schools and colleges across the country make changes to graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020, with many doing some form of an online virtual event, the staff at DMPS has been working hard to expand beyond our virtual plan. In June we will be holding personal commencements, a chance to celebrate the success of the Class of 2020 one graduate at a time. High schools will hold an event with each senior given an assigned time range for them and two guests to arrive,  in order to walk across stage in their cap and gown to receive their diploma and have a graduation photograph taken. This is not a time when large events are being held, but we want to make sure each graduate has a chance to be presented their diploma. More information is on our web site (seniors: your high school will be in touch with more details on times and other arrangements). 
REMINDER: FY2021 VIRTUAL BUDGET FORUM
Rather than our normal process of holding public forums in late March and early April, DMPS consulted with the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Management, the Polk County Auditor, and the Iowa Assoc iation of School Boards to develop a new plan to present and approve our budget.  This year the school district is holding an online budget forum. How does it work? Simply view the video on our web site at the link below, with Superintendent Tom Ahart and CFO Shashank Aurora presenting details about the proposed budget. Then, if you have a question or comment, just complete the online form.  Click here to visit our FY 2021 Virtual Budget Forum.
A NOTE ABOUT MEALS FOR OUR STUDENTS
Throughout the COVID-19 school building closure, Des Moines Public Schools is serving approximately 10,000 breakfasts and 10,000  lunches per weekday. Even as we do our best to prepare for turnout at all 50 of our meal distribution sites, we are still running out of food at some locations.  Our goal is to make sure that no Des Moines child goes hungry in our city, and the United States Department of Agriculture provides the district funding for meals with the understanding that the meals will feed children in need who are ages 1-18 . It is up to each family to determine what need looks like during this uncertain time in our world. We appreciate the support of our DMPS community in following these guidelines to help us make sure every hungry child has enough to eat.  Rain or shine, we will be at all 50 meal distribution sites 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.
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].