Des Moines Public Schools issued the following announcement on August 06.
Another big edition of TheWeek@DMPS as we enter the month of August. The big news this week: an online learning option is now available for students in grades K-5. Please see the first three items below for information on how to register for virtual elementary learning, how DMPS is working to lessen the spread of COVID-19 (hint: it takes all of us to succeed), and an August 17 session on preparations for the new school year.
In addition, we congratulate Dau Jok for earning national recognition for his SEL leadership, recognize our bilingual staff for helping ELL families register for the new school year, and thank both volunteers and school staff for kicking off a Welcome Back Walk to reach out to families as the first day of school approaches.
P.S. Just 19 more days until the start of the 2021-22 school year!
K-5 ONLINE: ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL LEARNING AT DMPS
All of us at DMPS are excited for the start of a new school year on August 25 and seeing students back in the classroom. At the same time, like many of you, we continue to have concerns about the pandemic as COVID-19 cases are again on the rise. DMPS is taking the steps we can, but also want to provide families with the educational choices they feel are right for their children during these uncertain times. For elementary school students, DMPS will be offering an online option. Families of incoming K-5 students should visit our web site for more information as well as to register.
WEARING IS CARING: MASK UP IN SCHOOL
While a new state law passed during the pandemic forbids Iowa schools from requiring face masks, we continue to urge everyone to listen to the health experts and do the right things. With the resurgence of COVID-19, the CDC states that everyone in school buildings should wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. DMPS encourages everyone to please mask up in our schools AND to get vaccinated. For more information about what DMPS is doing for a safe and healthy start to the school year, please visit our web site.
AUGUST 17: COVID-19 AND THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Superintendent Ahart and other district leaders will hold a session on Tuesday, August 17 to discuss plans for the new school year as it relates to COVID-19. It will also be an opportunity to answer questions parents may have; please submit questions in advance at the link below. The session will stream on the DMPS-TV YouTube channel starting at 5:30 PM. Click here for more information and to submit your question.
JOK EARNS RECOGNITION FOR SEL LEADERSHIP
From a refugee fleeing war in South Sudan to a student and basketball player earning an Ivy League education to an officer serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, Dr. Dau Jok brings a unique set of skills and experience to overseeing our work on social and emotional learning. We congratulate our colleague for being selected by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as an inaugural member of the SEL Fellows Academy, in recognition of his great work and leadership at DMPS. Click here to read more.
BILINGUAL STAFF REGISTERS 1000+ ELL FAMILIES
DMPS is home to almost 6,000 ELL students from 88 countries around the globe. This summer, the district's bilingual family liaisons helped families register their students for the 2021-22 school year during what felt more like a series of family reunions. We stopped by Lincoln High School to see their good work underway. Click here to read and see more.
VOLUNTEERS HIT STREETS TO WELCOME STUDENTS
Several DMPS community schools are taking part in a Welcome Back Walk. With support from United Way of Central Iowa and Wells Fargo, school staff and volunteers team up to go door-to-door visiting families to welcome them back for a new school year, answer any questions they may have, and leave a yard sign to show their support for their child's school. We stopped by Capitol View Elementary School and McCombs Middle School as they kicked off the campaign earlier this week. Click here to see more.
REMINDER: ALL STUDENT MEALS FREE FOR 2021-22
The Des Moines Public Schools Food and Nutrition team is pleased to announce every student will have access to free meals during the 2021-22 school year. Thanks to a U.S. Department of Agriculture program called Seamless Summer Option (SSO), DMPS has the funding to offer a free breakfast and lunch to every student, every school day, regardless of income. Visit our web site for details.
FLAG FOOTBALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
DMPS and our partners at Des Moines Parks & Recreation are sponsoring a flag football program this Fall. The program is available for students in PreK thru 7th grade. The program will kick off in late August and end in late October. The registration deadline is August 15. For information on fees and to register, please click here.
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN SIGN UP STILL OPEN
Des Moines Public Schools and its partner sites are signing up future preschool students for the 2021-22 school year. Children must be 4 years old by September 15 to qualify. Click here to learn more and register for preschool. In addition, kindergarten sign-up is also underway. To find out what you need to complete the process for kindergarten, click here.
PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO OF THE WEEK
UPLIFTING VOICES SLAMFEST
RunDSM hosted 'Iowa's Leaders Uplifting Voices Slamfest' at the Viking Theater at Grandview University last Saturday. The event included RunDSM's performance which won first place last month at the Brave New Voices competition, an international youth poetry slam. Enjoy photos of the event on our Flickr page.
WELCOME BACK WALK
We shared a story above about the Welcome Back Walk as school staff and volunteers, along with United Way and Wells Fargo, are hitting the streets to visit families before the start of the new year. DMPS-TV caught up with them this week at Capitol View Elementary School. Click here to see more on our YouTube channel.
UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
August 14
Summer Graduation Ceremony
August 17
Session on COVID-19 and the New School Year - click here to submit a question
August 25
First Day of 2021-22 School Year - click here for a full school calendar
September 6
Labor Day - No Classes/Offices Closed
September 7
School Board Meeting - click here for more information
September 11
DMPS Foundation One Run for Schools - click here for more information
September 21
School Board Meeting - click here for more information
September 24
No School - Professional Development for Teachers and Staff
Des Moines Public Schools | dmschools.org
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 have (or your child has) been discriminated against or treated unjustly at school, please contact Susan Tallman, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: susan.tallman@dmschools.org.
Des Moines Public Schools | 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
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