April 6, 2020
The district is committed to keeping you updated during the Des Moines Public Schools COVID-19 closure, which began on March 13. DMPS is hard at work transitioning to online and distance learning in order to complete the school year. We appreciate everyone's support and cooperation during this time, and will have more details to announce in the next couple of days.

Some important updates today: (1) our new online family resource guide is now available with non-academic help on a range of issues; (2) our online learning web page has been updated with new workbooks for grades PK-8; (3) we have an important survey for parents of students in grades PK-11 to complete about access to technology; and (4) there is a notice for high school seniors who need access to technology to expect contact from their school this week.  
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
NOW LIVE: Online Family Resource Guide
Two weeks ago, DMPS launched a web page with online learning resources. Today we unveil our new family resource guide. 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.
DMPS@HOME: Online Learning Resources for Students
We have made lots of additions to the online learning resources section of our web site. DMPS@HOME is our online clearinghouse for digital learning resources. Within this section of our web site you will find educational tools such as links to other web sites that complement student learning and today we upload a series of workbooks for students in grades PK-8 that cover a range of subjects. All of these materials have either been developed or vetted by DMPS educators to ensure they support what students were learning in school before the start of the COVID-19 closure. Click here to visit DMPS@HOME
Important Survey for Parents of PK-11 Students
We'd like all parents of students in grades PK-11 to please complete a brief survey on technology needs no later than Wednesday afternoon. This is very important as we finish plans to transition to online and distance learning. Families who do not respond will be contacted by their children's school after Wednesday. Thanks! Click here to complete the survey.
Important Message for High School Seniors
High School seniors should be on the lookout for a communication from your home high school soon. They will be contacting you about how to pick up technology devices this Friday. (This is only for Seniors who indicated in the recent survey you need a computer and/or Wi-Fi.)
Rain or Shine: DMPS Meal Program Continues
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 6,000 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.