issued the following announcement.
Thank you to everyone for putting on a mask and looking out for the health and wellbeing of self and others following the federal court decision blocking Iowa's law against universal masking in schools to protect staff and students. With the new mask mandate, we hope to see the number of COVID-19 cases begin to drop after Tuesday's one-day high of 70 new infections in the district. Almost 500 staff and students have tested positive since everyone started coming back into schools in August.
Also this week, the deadline to file to run for a seat on the school board, a successful OneRun raises thousands of dollars for Des Moines schools, we are looking forward to a bilingual celebration in Water Works Park, and a DMPS Food and Nutrition job fair begins this morning.
DMPS REINSTATES DISTRICTWIDE MASK MANDATE
Superintendent Thomas Ahart empathized with people who were uncomfortable wearing masks during the school board meeting on Tuesday night, but reminded everyone that our community also has a right to the freedom of good health. "I wear a face mask so as not to infringe upon the rights of my coworkers, my students and my family, who share, with me, a freedom from disease. A healthy life is a core freedom we all enjoy, and that, I would argue, we all want to continue." Click here to read a letter from Superintendent Ahart and learn more about the federal court's restraining order against the State of Iowa.
ONE RUN RAISES THOUSANDS FOR SCHOOLS
The Des Moines Public Schools Foundation spread the word and hundreds of people turned out to run and raise money for their schools. In all, the run raised $28,000. The money is divided up between schools based on attendance at the event. Each school may identify the best way to use their portion of the funds for an enhancement or experience that aligns with the mission of the DMPS Foundation: The Des Moines Public Schools Foundation exists to enhance quality Education for all Des Moines students, with special emphasis in the areas of Science and Fine Arts. See more photos of the run our Flickr page.
CANDIDATES FILE FOR SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
Yesterday was the deadline for candidates to file petitions to be on the ballot in this year's School Board election. Visit our web site for a list of candidates who are running for two at-large and three district seats on the Board. This year's School Board election is on Tuesday, November 2.
DISTRICTWIDE BILINGUAL COMMUNITY NIGHT PLANNED
The Des Moines Public Schools ELL department, KCCI-TV and Des Moines Performing Arts are teaming up to offer a special community night for English language learning students, families and friends in the community on Friday, September 24 at 6 PM in the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. The bilingual program includes both old and new songs that span the musical traditions of North America and illustrate the collective power of singing together and learning from each other. Free bus transportation provided from East, Hoover, North, Lincoln, and Roosevelt high schools to the concert location. Buses will load from schools at 5:15 pm and return riders to schools after the concert. Click
HIGH SCHOOL HARRIERS OFF TO THE RACES
It's been great the past few weeks to see students back in the classroom and in competitions. Our communications team captures lots of student activities throughout the year, and on Tuesday was at the Valley Southwoods campus in West Des Moines as several DMPS runners competed in a cross country meet. And speaking of cross country, this week the Roosevelt girls' team was ranked #1 in Iowa. Click here to see more of our high school harriers in action this week.
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: PLEASE GET VACCINATED
We first shared this video last week. With the 7 day positivity rate in Polk County remaining in the teens, we thought it would be good to share again. Your healthcare providers are asking everyone to do their part to end the pandemic. Get vaccinated. Wearing is caring. Our health partners at Polk County Health Department, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, Broadlawns Medical Center and Des Moines University share a message on keeping students healthy and schools safe as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Watch their message on YouTube.
WE WANT YOU: HIRING BONUSES AT DMPS
Des Moines is a great place to live. And DMPS is a great place to work! Rewarding jobs with good pay, good benefits … and now we offer bonuses for several positions, such as:
- Part-time Metro Kids Caregivers: $2,000
- Part-time Bus Drivers: $2,000-$5,000
- Part-time Food Service: $2,000
- Special Education Associates: $1,500
Spread the word and visit jobs.dmschools.org to learn more. Also, join us for a food service job fair today, between now and 4 p.m., at the Food and Nutrition Center, 1301 2nd Avenue.
PHOTO GALLERIES OF THE WEEK
A TALE OF TWO NORTHS
It was a tale of two Norths: Des Moines North hosted Sioux City North at Grubb Stadium on Friday, September 10. It was a beautiful night even if the home team Polar Bears fell to the visiting Stars 20-0. See more on our Flickr page.
VOLLEYBALL HOOVER VS. NORTH
Hoover High School hosted North for a night of volleyball on Tuesday, September 14th. With back and forth games, the Polar Bears bumped the Huskies winning the meet 3-2 (24-26, 25-15, 25-20, 12-25, 9-15).
ICYMI: DMPS IN THE NEWS
Recent items in the news media about or of interest for students, teachers and parents at Des Moines Public Schools.
- DMPS was the first district to reinstate universal masking following a federal court finding that Iowa's law banning mask mandates likely interferes with the rights of medically-fragile students to an education equal to that of their peers. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ahart spoke with National Public Radio's Here and Now host Scott Tong to talk about the impact on Des Moines schools. Listen to IPR's Here and Now interview with Dr. Ahart.
- "I believe this is what he feels is best to help our littles right now." Des Moines Public Schools Board Chair Dwana Bradley tells WOI-TV that the Board supports Dr. Ahart's operational and managerial decision to require universal masking, as the district did during the last school year, to ensure the safety of unvaccinated students. Watch Local 5's complete interview with Chairwoman Bradley on YouTube.
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