June 2, 2020
The school district is committed to keeping you updated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Des Moines Public Schools. This morning we share a letter from Superintendent Ahart. As anti-racism protests continue here at home and across the country, DMPS stands with the call for systemic change, for greater equity, and for all of us to be anti-racist in word and deed.

We also share a few reminders, including that our graduation events get underway this week; there is still time to complete our return to learn survey; some meal site locations have changed this week; and the baseball and softball seasons are underway with health guidelines in place.
A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT THOMAS AHART

Dear Friends,
 
I am a white man and will never truly know the terror that the death of George Floyd and too many others stirs in the hearts of every black mother, father, sister and brother. I can only say my heart breaks to see another black man die while the people he should expect most to protect him ignored his cries for help. And as a white man with many black and brown family members, my fear has been reignited.
 
People in central Iowa, including the team at Des Moines Public Schools, have been working hard on issues of equity, but it is not enough. I stand with our students of color and the black community who peacefully protest for systemic change; to be accepted as individual persons with the same expectations of the community that I have; not as a threat to it, but as members of it. I certainly have that expectation for my black and brown nieces and nephews as well for the 20,600 students of color that I serve as an educator.
 
I stand with you not just in word, but in deed. If there is something that our school system is not doing - where I'm missing the mark - please talk to me. You can email me at [email protected].
 
We must speak the silent part out loud. Every day many of our neighbors, coworkers and students wake up knowing their day will be different than mine because of the color of their skin. This has always been unacceptable, and yet as a society we've allowed it to continue, content to simply be "not racist."
 
Many protest signs over the past few days have noted: Silence is Violence. I'm calling on our white community to be actively ANTI-racist. Call it out when you see a person of color being mistreated. Call it out when you're with a group of friends and someone makes a racist joke. Call it out in our businesses, neighborhoods, schools and even in our homes when it makes extended family dinners uncomfortable. Being an ally isn't just sharing memes and outrage on social media; it's taking action, listening to our brothers and sisters of color, and standing beside them.
 
We must all be a part of active change if we are to see any lasting change. Goodness knows we need it.
 
Dr. Thomas Ahart, Superintendent
Des Moines Public Schools
THIS WEEK: CLASS OF 2020 COMMENCEMENTS BEGIN
The first of several personal commencement ceremonies get underway tomorrow as we recognize the Class of 2020 one graduate at a time:
  • JUNE 3: Focus High School
  • JUNE 5: Scavo High School
  • JUNE 6: Hoover High School
  • JUNE 7: North High School
  • 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. Therefore, graduates will be limited to bringing two guests with them, and everyone who enters a school building will be required to wear a mask, among other measures. Click here for more details. Please know that these requirements are being done in the best interest of our graduates, their guests and our staff. This is an unusual time, requiring unusual measures, but so long as we all cooperate in looking out for each other's well-being we will be able to safely celebrate the success of the Class of 2020.
STILL TIME TO COMPLETE RETURN TO LEARN SURVEY
As Des Moines Public Schools prepares to return to learning and the start of a new school year, one thing is certain: it will not be business as usual so long 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. You should have recently received a message with a link to the survey but, if not, here it is again:
NOTE:  Parents/guardians will be asked to verify their identity by entering their phone number on the first screen of the survey; students will be asked to verify their identity by entering their six-digit student ID on the first screen of the survey. 
SOME MEAL SITE CHANGES BEGAN YESTERDAY
DMPS food and nutrition staff distributed more than 500,000 no-cost meals this Spring as the school year came to an end in a way none of us expected. However, we all know the need does not end when summer begins. The district will once again offer a Summer Meals Program for children ages 18 years old and younger. Starting yesterday, grab and go meals will be available at 22 locations through the end of July. ( NOTE: please visit our web site for a current list of meal sites; you may need to select a different location.) DMPS will evaluate sites for August based on the volume of meals served and the district's Return to Learn plan. Physical distancing rules continue to be in place at all DMPS meal sites. Meals sites are open from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM each weekday.
BASEBALL, SOFTBALL SEASONS BEGIN
Yesterday marked the first day of practice for high school baseball and softball in Iowa. This season will be played with several health and safety restrictions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, for players and coaches as well as spectators when games resume on June 15. These measures are in place for the health and well-being of our students, staff, families and community. Please visit our web site for more details. 
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].