We have an FAQ on our web site with answers and information about Return to Learn at DMPS. In each of our regular e-newsletters we'll share a key piece of the FAQ to make sure more people see this information. One frequent question asked: what about meals for students?

The Urban Education Network represents Iowa's 18 largest school districts. Des Moines Public Schools joined its peers from across the state in sending the statement below to the Governor's office and the Iowa Department of Education, in response to a July 17 proclamation providing direction on reopening schools long after school districts had already submitted plans according to guidelines earlier provided by the state. The UEN statement notes that (1) school districts had already submitted plans, (2) approval by the state was not included in recently approved legislation, (3) such decision-making rests largely with local school districts, according to Iowa law, (4) it takes considerable time to plan significant changes to how large school districts operate, and (5) the state's initial Return to Learn guidance was broad and left decision-making to local school districts.  Click here to read the complete statement.

Joshua Brown, president of the Des Moines Education Association, and Brady Shutt, president of the Iowa City Education Association, wrote in the Des Moines Register about the need for local school districts to lead the effort in making plans and decisions about re-opening schools in the midst of a pandemic. As they wrote: " With no heads-up, her (Governor Reynolds') proclamation said that she and the state government knew what was best for our local communities, students and schools.  And, just like that, our well-crafted, carefully laid out back-to-school plans were tossed in the dumpster and replaced with a one-size-fits-all plan." Click here to read their entire column on the Register's web site.

Today marks 30 days before school starts on August 26. It's a time when families usually transition from thinking about summer activities to back-to-school shopping and school supplies. Because of the pandemic, one thing may be missing from the back-to-school list: a yearly visit to the pediatrician. One of the most important parts of a child's annual visit to the doctor is updating vaccinations that protect against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, chicken pox, and a host of other diseases. While we don't yet have a vaccine for COVID-19, timely administration of these other vaccines helps protect your child now from other dangerous illnesses.  Click here for more information about school vaccinations.