June 25, 2020
The school district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Des Moines Public Schools. Today we share a couple of items about the last of our personal commencements for the Class of 2020; announce a series of rolling job events our HR department is holding; and include reminders about preschool/kindergarten registration and that there are only a few days left to make use of our partnership with Uber to provide rides to our free meal sites. 
 
Finally, DMPS and school districts across Iowa are completing Return to Learn plans on how we intend to begin the 2020-21 school year. Those plans are due by July 1, and we will be announcing details next week. We are grateful for the response by families to our survey on preferences, challenges and concerns about restarting classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools in Iowa and across the nation are working hard to resume the education of our students in a way that is safe for them, our families and our staff.
CLASS OF 2020 MARKS GRADUATION AND RESILIENCE
At 10:00 AM on June 3, the first member of the Class of 2020 crossed the stage to pick up their diploma at the Focus High School program. A little after 8:30 on Saturday night, the final diploma was handed out at Roosevelt High School. In between - at 8 events totaling more than 50 hours attended by 5,000 seniors and guests - more than 9 out of every 10 DMPS graduates took part in the pandemic-triggered personal commencements. Our congratulations to all of the members of the Class of 2020, a graduating class forever linked through their resilience. Click here to read more and enjoy a photo album from all eight of the graduation events. 
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: ROOSEVELT'S CLASS OF 2020
The final walks across stages and cap tosses and diploma pickups happened last Saturday at Roosevelt High School. Over the course of 10 hours, more than 400 members of the Class of 2020 along with two guests each returned to Roosevelt's main gym, celebrating the final personal commencement event for our newest DMPS alums.  Click here to enjoy photos of the Roughrider's celebration of the Class of 2020.
DMPS HUMAN RESOURCES HOSTS ROLLING BUS TOUR
Keep you eyes open for the big, yellow bus in July! Our HR team will park at several locations over two weeks handing out information about open jobs at DMPS and answering your questions. If you've ever been curious about what it's like to work for Des Moines Public Schools, don't miss out on this opportunity! Click here to see when the Rolling Bus Tour will be in your area.  
REMINDER: UBER RIDES TO DMPS MEAL SITES
Tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday are the last days to take advantage of a free Uber ride to our meal distribution sites. Des Moines Public Schools has distributed almost a million meals since the district food and nutrition team began serving hungry children when the district closed buildings in mid-March. Visit our web site for assistance if you need a ride. 

DMPS will continue to provide free meals for students each weekday throughout the summer.  Click here for times and locations. 
KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL AT DMPS
A reminder that Kindergarten and Preschool sign up are now underway at Des Moines Public Schools! If you have a child who will be eligible for preschool or kindergarten beginning in the 2020-21 school year, follow one of the links below. 
 
To learn more about preschool options,  click here .
 
For information about signing up for kindergarten, click here. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
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].