April 17, 2020
The school district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the COVID-19 closure of Des Moines Public Schools. Earlier today the Governor announced that all PK-12 schools in Iowa will remain closed through the rest of the school year. While this does not have an immediate impact on DMPS as we were already planning to end the year outside of the classroom, we are glad that all schools will be helping to flatten the curve of COVID-19. In addition, don't forget that on Monday our free meal program will be available at 50 sites around Des Moines; see the last item below for details. Read on for these announcements and more.
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
IOWA SCHOOLS CLOSED THRU END OF ACADEMIC YEAR
Governor Kim Reynolds announced today that all Iowa PK-12 schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year. While this announcement has no immediate impact on Des Moines Public Schools, as we announced last week our plans to complete the school year through distance learning, this is good news for the health and well-being of our community and state. 

Distance learning at DMPS got underway this week as our seniors resumed coursework, and will start up on Monday for the rest of the high school grades. We also begin distributing technology to elementary and middle schools next week. Be sure to bookmark our DMPS@HOME web page as new materials and links to online resources will be shared and updated there throughout the rest of this school year.
CURRICULUM CAVALRY RIDES TO VIRTUAL RESCUE
Online education isn't a matter of just flipping a switch. Our transition to distance learning requires countless hours of hard work to turn around a system built over more than a century in just a matter of weeks. Among those leading the effort are our curriculum coordinators. We sat in on one of their recent daily meetings for a behind-the-scenes look at how they are making sure a quality distance education is available to every DMPS student for the closing weeks of the school year.  Click here to read more.
ONE DAY. FOUR THOUSAND & NINETY-TWO COMPUTERS
Making sure every student has access to technology has been a top priority as DMPS prepares to complete the school year through distance learning. That process began over the past week, when nearly 900 laptops and 280 internet hot spots were provided to high school seniors. The effort went to a new level on April 17, when 4,092 computers were distributed at each high school to students in grade 9-11. The process continues next week for elementary and middle school students.  Click here to see photos from today's technology distribution.
NEW ART WILL GREET MOULTON STUDENTS
Whenever classes resume at Moulton Elementary School, there's a fun, new mural by Iowa artist Chris Vance that will greet students. Principal Eddie McCulley shares a video preview of the artwork awaiting the Moulton Cubs. Click here for a sneak peek on Facebook.
NEW MEAL SITES OPEN ON MONDAY
Starting Monday, free meals for DMPS students will now be available at 50 different locations around Des Moines. This includes all middle schools, most elementary schools, North High, and several auxiliary locations. Rain or shine (or snow?) we will be there each weekday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM to serve our kids. Click here to see a list of the new sites that begin on Monday. We have updated the map on this web page with all of the new sites, so you can find the one most convenient for you.

Thanks to contributions from the community, DMPS has been able to add healthy snacks for children to eat during the stretch between lunch and breakfast the following day. If you would like to contribute to this effort, just click the green bar below.
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].