April 23, 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. This evening we share a wrap-up on our computer distribution (including where to get a manual online if you need one); include a notice about the state's new Test Iowa initiative around COVID-19; remind parents of 8th grade Algebra students about an important survey; and highlight the work of our communications staff to document the work underway at DMPS during this pandemic.
COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATES, NEWS AND REMINDERS
STUDENT COMPUTER MANUALS ARE ONLINE
Today marked the final day of distributing computers to students as we launch distance learning across all grade levels next Monday. In less than two weeks nearly 21,000 laptops were provided to DMPS students! When the computers were distributed, a manual was included. However, if you misplaced it or did not receive one, they are available on our web site. In addition to instructions, the manuals include a list of technology contacts for each school in case you need to contact someone with a technical question. Click here to download a copy of a guide for our student computers.
DOCUMENTING DMPS AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The photographer Robert Adams said: "We make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are." That's the goal of our communications team as they document DMPS during the COVID-19 pandemic. In just 5 weeks, they've shot more than 16,000 photographs: the cleaning of our schools, the work of our print shop, the preparation and distribution of both meals and technology, the work of our bus mechanics, the community support provided by school nurses, the care and feeding of livestock and sea life, even the emptiness that is now a (temporary) fact of life at our schools. Click here to see more.
BE SURE TO VISIT TESTIOWA.COM
Earlier this week the State of Iowa launched the Test Iowa Initiative, meant to expand testing capacity to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. This  includes an assessment that was developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health to better inform Iowans of their current health status, whether or not they should get a COVID-19 test, and instructions on how to get tested. The assessment asks about existing symptoms and occupational considerations. Visit the testiowa.com web site to learn more and decide if you want to participate.
LAST CALL: 8th GRADE ALGEBRA I SURVEY
Just a reminder that, i f you have an 8th grade student enrolled in Algebra I, which is a high school credit bearing course, tomorrow is the deadline for an important survey. We have laid out several choices to complete the semester. Please review these with your student and then click here to complete an online survey about those choices. If your student hasn't already done so, please complete this survey by Friday, April 24 . If you have questions, you may contact your teachers, school counselors, or administrators. 
50 SITES NOW OPEN FOR FREE STUDENT MEALS
Throughout the COVID-19 school building closure, DMPS is providing free student meals at 50 locations around Des Moines.  Our meals sites are at all ten middle schools, most elementary schools, North High, and several auxiliary locations. Rain or shine, 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 meal sites.  Be sure to see the map on this web page to find the site 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].