April 10, 2020
The district is committed to keeping you updated during the Des Moines Public Schools COVID-19 closure, which began on March 13. Today we are including reminders of two big announcements this week: our transition to distance learning for the rest of the year and the cancellations of several spring activities. In addition, find other news below about technology distribution, preschool registration, and a thank you for a donation.

Finally, as we've noted the past four Fridays,  enjoy the weekend. That takes on a whole new meaning for the time being, but find time care for yourself and those you love.  We might all be doing physical distancing, but stay connected with the people important to you. 
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
MAKING THE TRANSITION TO DISTANCE LEARNING
As we announced this week, DMPS is officially making the transition to distance learning to complete the 2019-20 school year. Click here to read more on our web site

We realize this is a significant change for the final five weeks of the school year.  We are also confident it is the right thing to do as the world continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. DMPS will be sharing more and more information in the days ahead as this change is on-going in stages for different grade levels through April 27. Be sure to visit our DMPS@HOME web page , which will serve as a clearinghouse for our distance learning efforts and will be regularly updated with new educational materials and information.
WHAT COVID-19 MEANS FOR ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Springtime is normally an exciting time for schools. The weather warms for outdoor sports. Tuxes and gowns are arranged for proms. Concerts and plays and musicals take to the stage. And, most of all, a new class of high school graduates is celebrated.

This spring is anything but normal. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the cancellation or postponement of events, big and small, into the summer and beyond around the world.

Des Moines Public Schools joins a growing list of districts across the country that will not be re-opening school buildings to complete the 2019-20 school year. That means changes to some of the things we most look forward to each Spring, including the cancellation of spring sports, performing arts, and proms as well as a looking at new ways to celebrate our graduates.  Click here to read more.
TONIGHT: SUPERINTENDENT AHART ON IOWA PRESS
Tune in to Iowa PBS  tonight at 7:30 as Superintendent Ahart is on Iowa Press for a discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on Iowa's schools, and how DMPS is preparing to finish the school year. In Des Moines, Iowa PBS can be seen on channel 11.1 or 811.
TECHNOLOGY DISTRIBUTED TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
As DMPS transitions to distance learning for the rest of the 2019-20 school year, a top priority is making sure every student is equipped to access online learning resources. The effort took a big step forward on when seniors who had technology needs picked up laptops at their home high schools. A drive-thru service was setup at East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, Roosevelt and Scavo for students to check out nearly 900 computers. Distance learning for seniors will begin on Monday, April 13. Technology distribution will continue for other grade levels through late April.  Click here to see photos of today's effort.
THANKS TO HY-VEE FOR THE SPECIAL DELIVERY 
DMPS has received great support from the community during this unusual time. This morning, for example, Hy-Vee delivered 20,000 reusable bags. Why? Because over the next few weeks DMPS will be distributing thousands of technology devices to students, and we needed bags to sort and store things before we hand them off to students and parents. Thank you Hy-Vee! And thank you to everyone who has supported our students, staff and schools in ways big and small.
PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT GOES ON DURING CLOSURE 
The COVID-19 Pandemic may be keeping our preschool staff and teachers at home right now, but they're thinking ahead to the 2020-2021 academic year.  Des Moines Public Schools' Early Childhood Programs provide quality learning experiences to help promote growth of young children and their families. We do this by offering free quality preschool with several options to best meet the needs of families, including a variety of locations, class times, and half- or full-day plans. You can apply online.  Click here to learn more and submit an application.
DMPS GRADS HELP DEVELOP COVID-19 APP 
Two DMPS alums and Roosevelt High School grads - Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann and Feng Zhang of MIT - helped launch a new app called "How We Feel", which could help pinpoint COVID-19 hotspots in the U.S. Click here to read more about the initiative.
"I MISS YOU. HUGS TO ALL"
We love seeing - and sharing - all of the photos and videos and messages of support that teachers and staff throughout DMPS are sharing with their students. Here's one from the team at Samuelson Elementary School out to their Husky Pups. Click here to view it on Vimeo.

P.S. You can pretty much count on us to share more!
MEAL PROGRAM SERVES MORE AND MORE STUDENTS
DMPS will be set up each weekday during the COVID-19 closure from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at all ten middle schools and a dozen auxiliary sites to provide students with a free breakfast and lunch. And we will include a reminder in each and every email update so we can all do what we can to make sure no Des Moines student is hungry. We are now distributing over 7,000 meals per day, and will do everything we can to meet any increases in need.  Visit our web site for details on the DMPS meal program.  We have added a map to the page showing all 22 meal sites to make it easier to find the one nearest 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: susan.tallman@dmschools.org.