Des Moines Public Schools issued the following announcement on October 8.
Priority COVID testing is now available for all DMPS staff, students and their families, thanks to a district partnership with Nomi Health. We're hearing good reviews from those who have used the service so far. Get more information below about how to sign up for a COVID-19 test with no out-of-pocket cost.
Also this morning, we report on how DMPS is taking a unique approach to filling some staffing needs, caused by the challenges of filling pandemic-related job vacancies, by expanding our relationship with some key community partners. It was a trifecta of Homecomings last week at East, Lincoln and Roosevelt; we share a look at some of the festivities. And this week was Fire Prevention Week. Thanks to our friends from the Des Moines Fire Department for visiting schools to talk with our students.
Finally, we include a reminder that school meal menus are subject to change because of COVID-related supply chain issues. And, if you know anyone looking for part-time work, DMPS has some great opportunities with sign-on bonuses! Find out more below.
DMPS, NOMI HEALTH COVID-19 TEST SITES OPEN
DMPS and Nomi Health opened two COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites in Des Moines on Monday with priority access for DMPS staff, students and families. The sites are open Monday-Saturday, offering both rapid antigen testing (with a 1-hour turn-around time) and PCR testing (with a 24-48-hour turnaround time). There is no out-of-pocket cost for the tests. Click here to find the closest location and make an appointment.
DMPS, PARTNERS TEAM UP ON STAFFING NEEDS
Employers – large and small, public and private – have been facing a similar challenge since the start of the pandemic: filling job vacancies. That challenge is just as true for education. At DMPS, recruitment and hiring bonuses continue for several positions, including bus drivers, food service workers, preschool associates, and more. However, thanks to a measure approved this week by the School Board, DMPS is expanding its relationship with long-time partners, such as the Boys and Girls Club, to meet some of those support needs at schools. Click here to learn more.
ROOSEVELT PARADE CELEBRATES HOMECOMING
The Roosevelt High School Roughriders charged up the crowd along the parade route with performances by the marching band and cheer team. Homecoming week also included street painting, a community night on school grounds, and a series of dress up days at school with themes like Decades, Pop Culture, Tropical and Rider Pride. We stopped by to join the rest of the community in cheering on the Riders ahead of the Homecoming football game. Enjoy photos of the parade on our Flickr page.
EAST GETS FIRED UP BEFORE HOMECOMING GAME
East High School wrapped up a week of Homecoming activities with a pep rally complete with the fight song, cheers, dance, games and recognition of student-athletes.The Scarlets went on to top Sioux City West 27-21 for a gridiron victory. Enjoy photos from the pep rally on our Flickr page.
JACKSON STUDENTS LEARN FIRE SAFETY
The youngest students at Jackson Elementary had a special visitor this week for #FirePreventionWeek. Lt. Rick Thomas with the Des Moines Fire Department brought his rig and shared fire safety tips with kindergarten and first-grade students. Among the lessons, practicing an escape plan and establishing a family meeting place in case of a fire at home. The students also participated in the national virtual Junior Fire Marshal program online. See photos on our Flickr page.
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15. DMPS is the educational home to more than 9,000 Hispanic students. Yesterday at Meredith Middle School, teacher Johanys Alvarez's Heritage Spanish class held a lawn party to mark the occassion and enjoy some paletas and fútbol (and an impromptu game of invisible net vóleibol). Click here to see more.
WE WANT YOU: HIRING 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 Bus Drivers: $2,000-$5,000
- Part-time Food Service: $2,000
- Special Education Associates: $1,500
Substitute teachers are also in demand. Check out some of the most competitive wages in Central Iowa:
- Long-Term Substitutes: $180 per day
- Assigned Substitutes: $165 per day
- Retired DMPS Educators: $165 per day
- All Other Substitutes: $150 per day
REMINDER: MEALS MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DMPS food and nutrition teams continue to report COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions and product shortages similar to those being experienced by restaurants, grocery stores, and other food service providers nationwide. Last-minute menu changes and substitutions may occur but please be assured meals will remain healthy and plentiful. We ask for patience and understanding as we continue to meet the nutritional needs of all DMPS students while responding to this global challenge.
POLK COUNTY HEALTH OFFERS FLU SHOT CLINICS
It's the perfect time to get your annual flu shot! Our partners at the Polk County Health Department recommend being vaccinated against the flu by the end of October. They are offering an influenza vaccine clinic at Weeks Middle School on Oct. 13 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Sign up today for this or any of the other clinics offered by Polk County Health. Click here to see a list of clinic dates, times and locations.
PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO OF THE WEEK
THE FIRST DAY OF TESTING
We told you above about the new Nomi Health sites offering DMPS staff, students and families priority access to COVID-19 tests. The drive-thru sites opened on Monday and we stopped by for some photos. Click here to enjoy photos.
SCARLET PRIDE RALLY
Up above we shared photos of the East High School Homecoming rally last Friday afternoon. Our team also captured some of the sights and sounds of Scarlet pride on video. Click here to watch the video on the DMPS-TV YouTube channel.
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.
- The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the global supply chain continues for a number of industries including food service and musical instrument production. DMPS Food and Nutrition Director Amanda Miller talked with KCCI-TV about the challenge of feeding thousands of students when the district is uncertain if orders will arrive on time. Click here to read Scott Carpenter's report. KCCI also reported on the shortage of musical instruments impacting DMPS students. Click here to read about the district's effort to meet the expectations of young musicians in the middle of a pandemic.
- COVID-19 tests providing rapid results are hard to come by in Iowa, complicating the work to keep students and staff healthy and safe. The Des Moines Register looked at the recent COVID surge, the effort to find rapid testing, and the collaboration between DMPS and Nomi Health to speed up the process for staff, students and families. Click here to read the Register's report.
UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
October 19
October 22 and 25-29
Downtown School ONLY: No School - Conferences and Fall Break
October 28 - 29
No School - Conferences and Professional Development
November 1 - 2
No School - Fall Break and Election Day (Classes in session at DTS)
November 2
November 2
FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES
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 Carol Wynn-Green, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: carol.wynngreen@dmschools.org.
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