We are 25 days into a new school year as Autumn gets underway, and a busy start to 2022-23 continues. But first, it's never too early to plan ahead: we're sharing information on our Class of 2023 commencement ceremonies (additional details will be added as plans are confirmed). Plus we catch up with more high school sports action across the district, celebrate upgrades to playgrounds at all four early childhood education centers, mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX with a way you can join in the event and support a new scholarship, highlight a couple of upcoming events with our partners at the Des Moines Public Library, and thank our technology staff for their important work as we mark National IT Professionals Day. Read on for this and more. |
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SAVE THE DATE: HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENTS
It's an exciting year for the Class of 2023. Commencements will be here before you know it! Our graduating seniors will cross the stage enter into the next phase of their lives on Memorial Day weekend.
Friday, May 26
Options Academy, 10:00 AM. Location TBA
Ruby Van Meter, 6:00 PM. RVM Gymnasium
Saturday, May 27
East High School, 9:00 AM. Drake University Knapp Center
Lincoln High School, 12:30 PM. Drake University Knapp Center
Roosevelt High School, 4:00 PM. Drake University Knapp Center
Virtual Campus, 6:30 PM. Central Campus Auditorium
Sunday, May 28
Hoover High School, 10:00 AM. Drake University Knapp Center
North High School, 1:00 PM. Drake University Knapp Center
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RENAMING OF EAST COURT UNDER CONSIDERATION
The School Board has designated a committee to consider a proposal to name the basketball court at East High School in honor of long-time basketball coach and celebrated mentor Sam Powell. He led the Scarlets to five State tournament appearances including a championship in 2011. The committee will make a recommendation to the Board and a vote will be scheduled during a meeting next month.
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BOARD MEETINGS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
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TITLE IX STORE OPEN, PROCEEDS TO TO SCHOLARSHIP
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which gave female athletes equal access to sports. Visit the DMPS Title IX online store to purchase commemorative apparel and show your support for women’s sports. T-shirt and sweatshirts are available for each high school. A portion of the proceeds support a new Female Athlete Scholarship. Click here to visit the store.
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NATIONAL IT PROFESSIONALS DAY
DMPS technology professionals connect our 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 employees to the world everyday, while troubleshooting problems and keeping us safe from hackers and others with bad intentions. This week we celebrated National IT Professionals Day with a big THANK YOU to our technology team under the direction of Lisa Irey.
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PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS GET $500,000 UPGRADE
Two thumbs up for a new place to play! Our youngest students got the spotlight this week to cut the ribbon on a new playground at McKee Early Childhood Center. All four early childhood centers improved their playgrounds thanks to $500K in Headstart funds thru the American Rescue Plan. The final product is the result of collaboration among departments including facilities, finance, early childhood, and also Drake University Head Start. Click here to see the kids play on the new equipment!
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FALL SPORTS IN ACTION ACROSS DMPS
The Fall high school sports season is seeing action throughout Des Moines: we stopped by a couple of events on Tuesday evening as East hosted North in volleyball and Roosevelt hosted Marshalltown, North and Ottumwa in swimming. The host teams won both events as the Scarlets topped the Polar Bears 3-1 and the Roughriders earned the high score in the pool. See more of the action on our Flickr page.
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DES MOINES PUBLIC LIBRARY REACHES OUT TO TEENS
In October, the focus is on teens ages 12-18. TeenTober is a nationwide celebration hosted by public libraries in October that celebrates services and programs for teens. Stop by any DMPL location to pick up a TeenTober take-and-make bag that includes info on free programs, activities, reading recommendations and how you can volunteer with us! Then join us on October 24 at 4 PM at the Central Library for a community mural project party! Click here to learn more.
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DMPS AND DMPL PARTNER FOR COMMUNITY READ
Des Moines Public Schools is excited to partner with our friends at the Des Moines Public Library for a community read of Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Join DMPS and DMPL at one of a series of community discussions on this award-winning book that is part of our 5th grade curriculum. Additional Community Reads programs will be planned in the future. Click here to learn more.
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FIGHT THE FLU WITH AN ANNUAL IMMUNIZATION
While it's not a required vaccination, it's definitely recommended as health experts predict a worse than normal flu season for the United States. The Polk County Health Department began offering the annual flu shot this week at their clinic, but you can find it at most pharmacies and doctor's offices, too. Click here to learn more.
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STUDENT SURVEY OPENS IN OCTOBER
Beginning on October 3, students across the district will be participating in the Fall Social Emotional Learning (SEL) survey. This survey is conducted twice each year so that our students can reflect on their school environment and their experiences at school to help all of us learn more about how to better support their needs. All information received from this survey is confidential. The survey vendor, Panorama, does not share individual student responses. Instead, they aggregate the responses into group information that provides us with generalities of how students responded. Please check your email for additional information. If you have not received an email notification, please contact your school to be sure the correct information is on file in the office.
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REMINDER: CALENDAR ADJUSTMENT FOR STUDENTS
Mark your calendar. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 will be a school day. The School Board voted this month to add an extra day to the 2022-23 school calendar. Click here to download an updated DMPS calendar. If you are carrying a tri-fold calendar or recently downloaded the DMPS academic calendar, please note you will need to write in the change from non-school day to a regular school day on February 14, 2023.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATE HIRING EVENT
Does your career make a difference in the world? Consider helping educate students with special education needs at DMPS. Join us for a Special Education Associate hiring event. Apply before Sept. 27 to be considered for an interview at the job fair on Thursday, Sept. 29. Successful candidates will receive a $2,000 sign-on bonus. DMPS employees enjoy competitive pay, the best health benefits in central Iowa, IPERS, and a free DART bus pass. Click here to learn more about becoming a Special Education Associate at DMPS.
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PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO OF THE WEEK |
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FEEDING THOUSANDS
From the serious work of transporting and preparing food to the moments of children laughing while eating in their classrooms or lunchrooms, a lot goes into safely nourishing the minds of our students. We tag along as meals are prepared at the Food & Nutrition Center before food is served at Willard and Phillips Elementary Schools. Click here to to see more.
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ISU MARCHING BAND VISITS
Each of the five DMPS high school marching bands performed in the All-City Festival on Monday, September 19 at East High School. The festival welcomed a special feature performance by the Iowa State University marching band including DMPS alums. We stopped by to watch with our students. Click here to see more on the DMPS-TV YouTube Channel.
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Recent items in the news media about or of interest for students, teachers and parents at Des Moines Public Schools.
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Ernie Kennedy decided to go out for football this season despite never having played a single down before. As WOI-TV reports, she's hoping to inspire other girls to give it a try. Click here to watch Channel 5's report.
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The DMPS School Board has designated a committee to study the possibility of renaming East High School's basketball court. As KCCI-TV reports, members of the community are suggesting the space carry the name of conference-winning girls' basketball coach and celebrated mentor Sam Powell. Click here to watch KCCI's report.
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UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS |
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September 29-30
No school - professional development days
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October 3-4
Downtown School Only - No classes
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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 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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