The school district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the COVID-19 closure of Des Moines Public Schools' buildings. Now that the school year is officially ended, we're shifting the focus of our regular email to items related to our return to learn plan for next school year along with other summer and COVID-19 news and information.
This afternoon we share congratulations to the Class of 2020 and photos as our first personal commencement ceremonies begin, a place for a senior photo op you'll only see after dark, and an opportunity for students to ask questions of Iowa's political leaders about everything from the pandemic, to the fight for social justice and more. Plus, one more reminder to take our important return-to-learn survey so you can help us plan for the start of next school year.
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PERSONAL COMMENCEMENT EVENTS ARE UNDERWAY!
Graduation ceremonies in 2020 look a little different than in past years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn't lessen the pride in the accomplishment of each new graduate. We were so excited to have kicked off the first in a series of eight personal commencement events yesterday at Focus High School. Congratulations to the seven members of the Class of 2020 who earned their high school diploma through our alternative program. Click here to enjoy photos from the Focus graduation event.
We are looking forward to seeing our new graduates at more personal commencement events throughout the month:
- JUNE 5: Scavo High School
- JUNE 6: Hoover High School
- JUNE 7: North High School
- JUNE 12: Ruby Van Meter School
- JUNE 13: East High School
- JUNE 14: Lincoln High School
- JUNE 20: Roosevelt High School
DMPS is committed to celebrating the Class of 2020 AND protecting the health and well-being of our students, staff and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, graduates will be limited to bringing two guests with them, and everyone who enters a school building will be required to wear a mask, among other measures. Click here for more details. Please know that these requirements are being done in the best interest of our graduates, their guests and our staff. This is an unusual time, requiring unusual measures, but so long as we all cooperate in looking out for each other's well-being we will be able to safely celebrate the success of the Class of 2020.
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TONIGHT: PARKS & REC TRIBUTE TO GRADS BEGINS
Our partners at Des Moines Parks & Recreation are paying tribute to the Class of 2020 at DMPS.
The new Chris & Marcie Coleman Bridge at Gray's Lake will be lit in each high schools' colors on the following dates:
- Hoover: June 4-6
- North: June 7-9
- East: June 11-13
- Lincoln: June 14-16
- Roosevelt: June 18-20
The dates correspond with the order of our personal commencement events at each high school. Be sure to drop by for a look and, staying physically distanced, a unique photo opp for your graduate.
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WE MUST ALL BE ACTIVELY ANTI-RACIST
As anti-racism protests continue here at home and across the country, DMPS stands with the call for systemic change, for greater equity, and for all of us to be anti-racist in word and deed. Serving more than 20,000 students of color - 2/3 of our enrollment - the issues being raised in these protests have a direct and profound impact to our students as well as the teachers and staff who educate and care about them. If you haven't already read it, please visit our web site to see the letter Superintendent Ahart sent to all families and staff this week.
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IMPORTANT: RETURN TO LEARN SURVEY
As Des Moines Public Schools prepares to return to learning and the start of a new school year, one thing is certain: it will not be business as usual so long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In order to help us in making our plans, we need to hear about the concerns and needs of all parents of PK-11 students as well as students in grades 5-11. If you have not already completed the survey, please do so online:
NOTE:
Parents/guardians will be asked to verify their identity by entering their phone number on the first screen of the survey; students will be asked to verify their identity by entering their six-digit student ID on the first screen of the survey.
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STUDENTS: JOIN THE VIRTUAL YOUTH FORUM
Students at Roosevelt High School are hosting a series of Youth Voice Forums with special Iowa political guests answering student questions about the fight for racial justice, the Coronavirus pandemic response and many other issues impacting Iowa and the rest of the country. Students must register and submit questions in advance. Click here to read more.
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U.S. REP. AXNE VOLUNTEERS AT LOVEJOY MEAL SITE
U.S. Representative Cindy Axne joined our food and nutrition team at Lovejoy Elementary School today to help distribute free meals to students. (Axne attended Lovejoy when it first opened in the early 1970s.) Rep. Axne also spoke with our food and nutrition director Amanda Miller about some of the issues and challenges with meeting student needs, whether during the pandemic or due to poverty. Since school buildings closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic DMPS has provided nearly a million meals to students.
Click here to see more.
A reminder that DMPS will continue to provide free meals for students at 18 and younger at 22 sites throughout Des Moines until at least the end of July. Each site is open every weekday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Please visit our web site for more details.
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June 5 - June 20
High School Commencements - see above
June 16
DMPS School Board Meeting
July 3
Fourth of July observance - all offices closed
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CORONAVIRUS: RELY ON THE EXPERTS FOR INFORMATION
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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:
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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 (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].
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