May 5, 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. One important item to share today: the FY 2021 budget. Because of our COVID-19 closures the budget process is a little different this year, with an online forum to learn about the proposed budget and to share questions or comments. See the first item below for more information. Also, keep an eye out on your mail for student workbooks this week; there has been a slight delay. If you haven't already received them look for the workbooks to arrive this week (they are also all online at DMPS@HOME).
TAKE PART IN OUR VIRTUAL BUDGET FORUM
With COVID-19 becoming a world-wide pandemic, forcing the closure of schools and non-essential business along with the cancellation of events big and small across the nation, DMPS began making plans to adopt the FY 2021 budget in a safe and transparent manner.

Rather than our normal process of holding public forums in late March and early April, DMPS consulted with the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Management, the Polk County Auditor, and the Iowa Assoc iation of School Boards to develop a new plan to present and approve our budget.

This year the school district is holding an online budget forum. How does it work? Simply view the video on our web site at the link below, with Superintendent Tom Ahart and CFO Shashank Aurora presenting details about the proposed budget. Then, if you have a question or comment, just complete the online form.

Click here to visit our FY 2021 Virtual Budget Forum.
#TEACHERAPPRECIATIONWEEK: THANK YOU!!!
We just can't share this video enough this week:

During these uncertain times, schools might be closed.  But you can count on educators.

Providing meals.  Distributing technology.  Giving lessons.  And missing their students.

Not all super heroes wear capes.  Some of them teach our children.

Click here to see a video tribute to our educators.
DMEA SHARES MESSAGES OF SUPPORT 
The Des Moines Education Association is sharing Teacher Appreciation Week messages of support for their members. School Board members, the Superintendent and other district leaders along with state and local officials are reminding educators of the value of their important work, especially during this time of uncertainty. Visit the DMEA's Facebook page to see and hear more. 
DMPS@HOME: WORKBOOKS STILL ON THE WAY 
If you haven't yet received workbooks in the mail for your student: there's been a delay; all workbooks will arrive before the end of this week. Thank you for your patience. And if you've already received them in the mail, we hope you're putting them to good use. 

In either case, the workbooks and much more are all available at DMPS@HOME, our school-away-from-school during this time of distance learning. Within this section of our web site you will find educational tools, such as:
  1. Subject workbooks for grades PK-8;
  2. Links to high quality, online learning resources;
  3. Activities and lessons in Canvas, the digital learning platform at DMPS.
Click here to visit DMPS@HOME  and bookmark it on your browser for quick and easy access to educational materials for your child.
REMINDER: THE DMPS CALL CENTER IS OPEN
Des Moines Public Schools has opened a hotline for the families of students to call with questions they may have about distance learning, technology, graduation, support services, or any other school-related issue.
 
The number for the DMPS Family Call Center is 515-242-8221.
 
With school buildings closed, and no staff present to answer phones, the new call center will serve as a clearinghouse for parent and family inquiries of the school district.  The hours of operation for the call center during the month of May will be:
  • Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
SCHOOL BOARD TO REVIEW ATHLETIC FACILITIES
As Des Moines Public Schools continues to develop a partnership with Drake University for a new Community Stadium, the school district is also beginning a formal process to review all of its athletic facility needs.  The School Board is taking two significant steps in this process at their meeting tonight. The first is to schedule a public hearing for May 19 on the proposed DMPS Community Stadium at Drake University. The second is to establish the DMPS Athletic Facility Committee, to provide guidance and recommendations for investments in athletic facilities to address current and future needs across the school district.  Click here to read more about the process.
A NOTE ABOUT MEALS FOR OUR STUDENTS
Throughout the COVID-19 school building closure, Des Moines Public Schools is serving approximately 10,000 breakfasts and 10,000  lunches per weekday. Even as we do our best to prepare for turnout at all 50 of our meal distribution sites, we are still running out of food at some locations.  
 
Our goal is to make sure that no Des Moines child goes hungry in our city, and the United States Department of Agriculture provides the district funding for meals with the understanding that the meals will feed children in need who are ages 1-18. It is up to each family to determine what need looks like during this uncertain time in our world. We appreciate the support of our DMPS community in following these guidelines to help us make sure every hungry child has enough to eat.
 
Rain or shine, we will be at all 50 meal distribution sites 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.
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].