With last Friday's proclamation by the Governor regarding Return to Learn plans submitted weeks ago by Iowa school districts, DMPS will be asking the Iowa Department of Education to allow the plan already prepared according to the state's own guidelines. Please see the letter below from Superintendent Ahart. DMPS families should continue the online school registration process so we can all continue to prepare for a new school year. Read on for more.
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A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT TOM AHART
Dear Friends,
As I shared with you on Friday, a proclamation issued by Governor Reynolds raised as many questions as it answered as Iowa school districts prepare for a new school year. I want to provide you with an update on our Return to Learn plans here at Des Moines Public Schools.
First, if you have not already done so, please be sure to complete online school registration by the July 31 deadline. At this point in time, continue to select the option that is best for your student and family: either virtual learning, which is 100% online, or hybrid, which is a combination of in-person and online. The sooner people register the better we can prepare for the start of school, especially in regards to staff assignments. If DMPS is required to make a change in our Return to Learn plan, we will let everyone who has already registered know how they can make a change. (NOTE: Under the Governor's proclamation, families will continue to be able to voluntarily select virtual learning.)
Second, DMPS is asking the Iowa Department of Education to acknowledge that we may continue with the plan submitted to the State three weeks ago. The plan DMPS developed and submitted -with input from thousands of parents, students and staff - (a) was prepared according to the guidelines and process put in place by the State, (b) does respond to the health and safety needs of our students and staff during a time that Iowa, and especially Polk County, continue to see a rising number of COVID-19 cases, and (c) has already been used by more than 12,000 students to make their educational choice for next school year.
Please understand that I will continue to advocate on behalf of our students, families and staff through these unpredictable and untimely changes to state policy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Ahart, Superintendent
Des Moines Public Schools
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SCHOOL BOARD STANDS BY NEED FOR A SAFE RETURN TO SCHOOL
Members of the Des Moines School Board held a virtual meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss whether DMPS should change plans in response to the Governor's proclamation. The strong consensus of the Board was DMPS had already developed a plan that balanced the educational and health needs of students, staff and the community. As vice chair Dwana Bradley noted, we "
will not stand for anything that puts our students and staff in any type of danger." You can view Sunday's discussion on the DMPS-TV YouTube channel. In addition, the Des Moines Register wrote about the School Board's meeting, noting that the state's proclamation "throws into chaos families' expectations about school as they continue to confront rampant uncertainty about COVID-19 in many other aspects of their lives." Click here to read the Register's report.
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FAQ OF THE DAY: WHAT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY?
We have an FAQ on our web site with answers and information about Return to Learn at DMPS. In each of our regular e-newsletters we'll share key parts of the FAQ to make sure more people see this information. One frequent question asked about virtual learning: what kind of technology will be provided to students?
Will my child have access to/support for technology?
During
o
nline
r
egistration, you will
have the opportunity to request support for internet access.
If you have additional issues
, please contact
The DMPS Call Center
at 515-242-
8221
.
Will students keep the computers that they picked up last spring?
Generally, yes. Some older computers may need to be switched out. Your home school will be contacting you if the device you picked up last spring needs to be updated.
If I have a kindergarten aged child and would prefer a laptop rather than a tablet for them, is that an option?
No, the school district will only be able to provide and support one type of device type per grade level.
Will my student be using their own device?
No. The district is providing devices to ALL students in order to ensure that the district can provide any necessary technical support.
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SCHOOL REGISTRATION MEANS CHOICES IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
As Superintendent Ahart notes above, families should complete the online registration process for the 2020-21 school year by July 31. This year, of course, families currently have a choice between a virtual learning option and a hybrid learning option to begin the school year. Current DMPS families should have received information on registration via Infinite Campus while families new to DMPS will need to visit our Welcome Center. In either case, if you need additional information or would like to contact someone with questions, please visit our
enrollment and registration web site.
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July 13 - 31
Online Registration - click here for more information
August 15
Summer Personal Commencement Event - North High School
August 26
First Day of School
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CORONAVIRUS: RELY ON THE EXPERTS FOR INFORMATION
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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:
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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].
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