June 10, 2020
The school district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Des Moines Public Schools.  This afternoon we share some non-pandemic news as we announce a series of anti-racist town hall meetings to provide a space for community conversations around the issue of equity for our students. In addition, the School Board has a vacancy and is beginning the process to fill the District 1 seat. Plus we look ahead to the start of high school baseball and softball games next week, include another reminder about our return to learn survey, and post a couple of items about our personal commencement events for the Class of 2020. 
DMPS HOSTS ANTI-RACIST TOWN HALLS
As our community and the nation debates, rallies, marches and protests around issues of racial injustice, we are creating a space for conversations with our community around equity for the students of Des Moines Public Schools. Please join us for an action-oriented conversation with staff and administration about the barriers to equitable student outcomes and opportunities in Des Moines. Be prepared to talk. We are prepared to listen. Click here for more details and to register online.
SCHOOL BOARD BEGINS WORK TO FILL VACANCY
There's an empty chair at the School Board's table to be filled. Do you live in District 1 and have an interest in serving on the Board? Heather Anderson has announced her resignation effective July 31, and the process begins today to appoint a replacement. The appointment would serve until November 2021, when the seat would be on the ballot and voters would select someone to complete the remaining two years of the District 1 term. Visit our web site for more information on the requirements and process for the application and selection. And thank you, Heather, for your service on the Board and to DMPS!
TAKE ME OUT TO THE (SAFE AND SOCIALLY DISTANCED) BALL GAME
"You can observe a lot by watching," said Yogi Berra once upon a time, and a lot of people will be doing just that when high school baseball and softball games get underway next week in DMPS and most districts statewide, despite the fact that live attendance will be purposely limited and other restrictions will be in place. Click here to read more about the upcoming season, including guidelines for spectators, and link to the baseball and softball schedules.
YES, YOU CAN STILL TAKE OUR RETURN TO LEARN SURVEY
We might be sounding like a broken record, but we REALLY want your input as we consider plans to return to learning and the start of a new school year. One thing is certain: it will not be business as usual as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In order to help us in making our plans, we want to hear about the concerns and needs of all parents of PK-11 students as well as students in grades 5-11. In case you don't have our earlier messages, simply click on the appropriate link below to share your opinion with us:
NOTE:  Parents/guardians will be asked to verify their identity by entering their phone number on the first screen of the survey; s tudents will be asked to verify their identity by entering their six-digit student ID on the first screen of the survey. 
A BIG WEEKEND OF GRADUATIONS STILL AHEAD
We are now 50% of the way through our personal commencement events for the Class of 2020 as North, Hoover, Scavo and Focus have honored their seniors. Another way to look at the math, however, is we are just 25% of the way through honoring our graduates as we have three large high schools - East, Lincoln and Roosevelt - as well as Ruby Van Meter yet to go:
  • JUNE 12: Ruby Van Meter School
  • JUNE 13: East High School
  • JUNE 14: Lincoln High School
  • JUNE 20: Roosevelt High School
DMPS is committed to celebrating the Class of 2020 AND protecting the health and well-being of our students, staff and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure to review the guidelines on our web site as well as the communications being sent by high schools to their graduates. In addition, check out the DMPS Flickr page for lots of great photos of the first four personal commencement events.
BROTHER, SISTER WALK IN EACH OTHER'S SHOES
In 2018, Shelby Minero could not participate in her graduation ceremony as she was receiving treatment for leukemia. Her brother Henry walked for her. On Sunday at North High School, with Henry off to boot camp, Shelby walked for her brother. The Des Moines Register shares a story about a brother and sister walking in each other's shoes. Click here to read more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 12 - June 20
High School Personal Commencements - see above
June 16
DMPS School Board Meeting
July 3
Fourth of July observance - all offices closed
July 13
Online Registration Begins - click here for more information
August 26
First Day of School
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].