April 22, 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. This evening we share a look at today's computer distribution at elementary and middle schools, remind parents about a survey for 8th grade Algebra I students, and have new material posted to our online learning resources web page. Plus, we even have some non-COVID good news stories to pass along below.
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
16,075: FINAL ROUND OF COMPUTER DISTRIBUTION
16,075. That's the number of computers being distributed to DMPS elementary and middle school students this week. Most of that work was completed today, while a handful of schools will do this tomorrow. A big thank you to our technology staff along with our teachers, principals and everyone at our schools for coordinating this massive logistical challenge. And most of all, thank you to our students and parents for paying us a visit. We may have been wearing masks, but were all smiles to see you. Visit our Flickr page to enjoy some photos from today's technology distribution.
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. 
DMPS@HOME: SOME FACTS & FIGURES
DMPS@HOME: it's who we are for the next several weeks as we continue education via distance learning while providing a range of supports to our students and families. What are some of the numbers behind these efforts? 18,000 meals prepared for students every Monday thru Thursday, plus 54,000 on Friday. More than 20,000 computers distributed. 1,222 IEPs already updated with another 1,255 in process. 175,000 instructional workbooks provided to students in grades K-8 over the course of seven weeks. 6,386 class sections on Canvas, our online instructional system. 2,804 staff members participating in virtual professional development. We've even filled 91 staff positions as we prepare for next school year. We appreciate everyone's support and understanding as we continue to find ways to better educate and serve our students and families during this most unusual end to the school year.  Click here to enlarge the graphic to the right.
MORE NEW MATERIALS ADDED TO DMPS@HOME
It's another "What's New Wednesday," when we add new materials to the online learning resource page at our DMPS@HOME web site. We were curious how much good material, vetted by our teaching and learning staff, is now available, so we counted: 147 different free, online educational resources, across all subject areas and grade levels. If you haven't paid it a visit, check it out. And if you already have, go back and see what's next.  Click here to visit the online learning resources page at DMPS@HOME.
ADVOCATES FOR INCLUSION EARN VARSITY LETTERS
Joy Rector and Evie Sly have literally traveled around the world in support of Unified Sports and the inclusion of students of all abilities in sports and activities. Yesterday, in a virtual award ceremony,  Special Olympics Iowa  and DMPS presented the two Roosevelt High School seniors with the first two varsity letters for Unified Sports ever awarded in Iowa.  Click here to read more about two amazing members of the Class of 2020.
THREE HIGH SCHOOLS EARN JOURNALISM HONORS
Congratulations to the staffs of the student newspapers at East, Hoover and North high schools. The three brought home multiple awards from the Iowa High School Press Association for everything from writing to design to photography, and more. A special shout out to Ryleigh Hayworth and  Jesus Martinez of the East Scroll and  Melissa Pardock on the Hoover Challenger on being among the ten students to earn the IHSPA Emerging Journalist Award, the top individual honor. The future of the newspaper industry is in good hands!  Read more about these well-earned awards at our high school newspapers.
EAST HIRES EX-POLAR BEAR TO LEAD B-BALL TEAM
We are already looking forward to the day when we can watch a basketball game in a high school gymnasium or a football game at a stadium. While no one can say for certain when that day will be, we have a little sports news to share as East High School brings on board a familiar name as their new boys basketball coach. Former North High coach Chad Ryan will take the helm to rebuild the Scarlets' program.  Click here to read more.
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].