May 6, 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. We want to give a shout out to our school nurses today for all of their great work, especially during this time! Also today we share some updated information about the AP exams, which get underway online starting next Monday, and how you can participate from home this evening in today's DSM Day of Thanks. Plus we have a couple of reminders about the family call center and our virtual budget forum.
HAPPY SCHOOL NURSES DAY! 
Our school nurses are important members of the DMPS team in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the health and well-being of the school district, and helping out at everything from technology distribution to meals sites. School nurses also share  their time and expertise with all Iowans by delivering food to the elderly, sewing masks and answering the 211 hotline. Our health services supervisor Diane Gladson shares a message of thanks to our nurses for the work they do in schools and the community. Happy School Nurses' Day! 
UPDATE: AP EXAMS BEGIN NEXT WEEK
Due to the closure of thousands of school districts across the nation, Advanced Placement  exam s are being done online this year starting next week. AP exams will be given between May 11-22. Students who have registered for this year's exams have been receiving updates from their teachers and/or schools. 
LIGHT UP TONIGHT FOR DSM DAY OF THANKS
Today is DSM Day of Thanks, a  day-long, community-wide celebration of frontline workers during the pandemic. Community members are encouraged to express their thanks to healthcare and other essential workers (including school district staff who continue to serve our kids). You can join the event this evening simply by lighting up your home and stepping outside to give a cheer at 8:30 PM.  Click here for more details.
REMINDER: FY2021 VIRTUAL BUDGET FORUM
Rather than our normal process of holding public forums in late March and early April, DMPS consulted with the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Management, the Polk County Auditor, and the Iowa Assoc iation of School Boards to develop a new plan to present and approve our budget.  This year the school district is holding an online budget forum. How does it work? Simply view the video on our web site at the link below, with Superintendent Tom Ahart and CFO Shashank Aurora presenting details about the proposed budget. Then, if you have a question or comment, just complete the online form.  Click here to visit our FY 2021 Virtual Budget Forum.
REMINDER: THE DMPS CALL CENTER IS OPEN
Des Moines Public Schools has opened a hotline for the families of students to call with questions they may have about distance learning, technology, graduation, support services, or any other school-related issue.
 
The number for the DMPS Family Call Center is 515-242-8221.
 
With school buildings closed, and no staff present to answer phones, the new call center will serve as a clearinghouse for parent and family inquiries of the school district.  The hours of operation for the call center during the month of May will be:
  • Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
A NOTE ABOUT MEALS FOR OUR STUDENTS
Throughout the COVID-19 school building closure, Des Moines Public Schools is serving approximately 10,000 breakfasts and 10,000  lunches per weekday. Even as we do our best to prepare for turnout at all 50 of our meal distribution sites, we are still running out of food at some locations.  
 
Our goal is to make sure that no Des Moines child goes hungry in our city, and the United States Department of Agriculture provides the district funding for meals with the understanding that the meals will feed children in need who are ages 1-18. It is up to each family to determine what need looks like during this uncertain time in our world. We appreciate the support of our DMPS community in following these guidelines to help us make sure every hungry child has enough to eat.
 
Rain or shine, we will be at all 50 meal distribution sites 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.
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].