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 distance learning in order to complete the school year. Please be sure to read the first item below about how DMPS will be ending the 2019-20 school year. We realize there are still several details to share with you, as we will do in the days ahead, but want everyone to know the initial plans and some key dates throughout the month of April.
We also appreciate the support from Mayor Frank Cownie and the Des Moines City Council of this decision, and have shared below a statement from them. In addition, please scroll down for a reminder about an important technology survey for parents as well as a note for high school seniors needing access to technology.
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COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
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MAKING THE TRANSITION TO DISTANCE LEARNING
As we announced yesterday, 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.
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WHAT COVID-19 MEANS FOR DMPS 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.
As 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, it means changes to some of the things we most look forward to each Spring.
The current status of key school-related activities and events is as follows:
COMMENCEMENTS
Alternatives for how to celebrate the Class of 2020 are actively being considered, in a way other than the traditional ceremony involving thousands of people in an auditorium in late May. DMPS is exploring how this will be implemented and is committed to recognizing the accomplishments of our newest graduates.
PERFORMING ARTS
All concerts, musicals, plays and other performing arts events are cancelled for Spring 2020 and will not be rescheduled.
PROMS
All DMPS high school spring proms are canceled. High schools are looking at alternatives, such as holding at a later date. Details will be shared when known.
SPORTS
The spring sports season for DMPS high schools is cancelled. The school district will re-evaluate on June 1 and decide when to resume practices and competitions for the summer sports season. Changes to summer sports camps, if any, will be announced at a later date.
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DMPS READIES TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS IN NEED
We distribute technology devices to seniors in need tomorrow. But first, our IT team needs to make sure everything works. We stopped by to see two tech superstars at North High School - Amanda Dvorak and Mike Lucht (pictured at right) - getting things ready for Friday's distribution.
Click here to see more.
NOTE: seniors who have indicated a need for laptops or internet connections have been contacted by their home schools on when and where to pick up their devices.
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"I BELIEVE IN YOU AND MISS YOU 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 Cattell Elementary School. Click here to view it on YouTube.
P.S. You can count on us to share more!
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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 more 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.
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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: susan.tallman@dmschools.org.
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