March 27, 2020
The district is committed to keeping you updated during the Des Moines Public Schools COVID-19 closing, which began on March 13, with a reopen date tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 13. Our regular emails include updates and reminders related to the closure of DMPS, along with other items of interest from our schools and the community. Of special note for students in Advanced Placement courses is information on changes to how AP exams will be administered this Spring. Finally, enjoy the weekend. That might not be the same now as it was just a couple of weeks ago, but make time to take a walk, read a book, enjoy a movie, and do what you need to do to care for yourself and those you love.
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
AP Exam Changes Due to COVID-19 Closure
Des Moines Public Schools has worked hard to be a model when it comes to Advanced Placement courses, from the nationally-recognized Central Academy to greatly increased access to AP courses at all five comprehensive high schools. Due to the current closure of DMPS, and thousands of school districts across the nation, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had many questions about what it all means for this Spring's AP exams. The information below is based on guidance from the College Board, which administers Advanced Placement nation-wide, outlining how AP exams will be administered this year. Updated and additional information will be provided as it is received from the College Board.

  • Traditional AP exam administration will not take place this year.
  • Students will be given 2 different testing dates and can take the exam from home:
    • The new AP exam schedule will be released by the College Board on or before April 3.
    • The exams will be approximately 45 minutes long for each subject.
    • The exam format will be free-response questions.
    • Each exam will cover approximately 75% of course content. This looks different for each course based on the unit structure provided by the College Board's curricular resources. Click here for course specific exam information.
    • Colleges are on board with this solution and will ensure that AP students can earn college credit based on passing exam scores and their specific college/university guidelines.
  • Students will be able to take the test on any device; computer, tablet, even a smartphone. Students can get the prompt from their device and hand write their essay answers, uploading a photo of their completed work.
  • NOTE: DMPS AP Teachers will be reaching out to students and families to find out if students are still planning to take the AP exam and if they need a device or Wi-Fi in order to take the AP exam. 
  • Students may decide not to take the exam. The College Board has waived the $40.00 unused exam fee. This means students previously registered for an AP exam who choose not to take it, can receive a refund from their home school.
  • Many free resources for learning and studying are available to students online through the students' College Board accounts at myap.collegeboard.org. The College Board is also offering daily review sessions for each course on the AP YouTube Channel . Students may choose to use these resources, but are not required by their AP teachers to do so.
Same Time, Same Place: DMPS Meal Program
Thank you to everyone who made use of our meal program during the past two days, and to our staff and volunteers for their work. DMPS will be set up each weekday during the COVID-19 closure at 11:30 AM 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.  Visit our web site for details on the DMPS meal program.
Be Counted: Complete the 2020 U.S. Census
Looking for something to do during this unusual time? How about completing the 2020 Census? It's important, and it's the law. Most households should have received information in the mail in recent days about the 2020 Census, including how to complete it online. We've posted more information on our web site.
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.