We Are WDMCS
District Staff Monthly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, Sept. 4 , 2019
Effective Grading Practices Resources
If you or West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) families have questions about the district's implementation of Effective Grading Practices, the WDMCS website provides an overview and podcast on this subject.
We encourage you to share the link below. Additional information will be shared throughout this year to help staff, students, and parents/guardians understand how we are working to support each student's success.
WDMCS Personnel Directory Notice
We are in the process of updating the 2019-20 WDMCS Personnel Directory. If you DO NOT wish to have specific information published in the directory, you must complete a "DO NOT PUBLISH" form by Friday, Sept. 20.
ID Badge Replacement?
If you need a new or replacement WDMCS ID badge, please place a School Dude work order. Terry Axser will coordinate your request. If you have questions, you can contact Terry at x4914 or email axsert@wdmcs.org.
Substitutes and coaches do not get badges. If an administrator does approve a badge for a coach, Terry will be able to provide it.
Schedule Your Demo Teacher Visit
A demonstration teacher plans, demonstrates, and discusses the effective use of evidence-based instructional practices and strategies to increase student achievement.
A demo teacher is an excellent resource for teachers interested in viewing new methods, materials, and instructional strategies, that through research have proven to increase student achievement.
Steps to Schedule a Visit
- Visit the WDMCS website to view topics and teacher schedules.
- Contact the teacher(s) directly via email/in person and set up a date that works for you both.
- Complete the Demo Teacher Request Form.
- Mark your absence request in Aesop. Use the absence reason “demo teacher visit.” The accounting code will be taken care of behind the scenes)
- Enter your absence into Applitrack.
Reminder: Complete Safe Schools Training
Intercultural Outreach/ESOL Welcome Week
Welcoming Week is a national event to bring immigrant and receiving communities together in order to build connections and affirm the benefits of welcoming everyone. This year, Welcoming Week is Sept. 13-22.
Through collaboration with ESOL and Community Education, our bilingual family liaisons, learning supports & family engagement coordinators, and our intercultural outreach coordinator will be co-hosting a Coffee & Conversations Welcoming Event at each of our elementary schools. Events will take place during morning drop off near the front entry.
Please contact Natalie French or Caryn Kelly with questions.
Donated School Supplies Available at LRC
We have several backpacks (some prepacked with supplies), notebooks, pens and pencils, crayons and markers, a few Amazon Basics school supply packs, and various other items, all available to whoever needs them. If your school is in need of supplies, please drop by School/Community Relations at the LRC and take what you need. First come, first serve!
Service Animals
The ADA requires schools to permit service animals to be used by persons with disabilities. A “service animal” is one that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks on behalf of an individual with a disability. There is a difference between service and therapy animals.
Ask the student and/or guardian the questions below only. For example, we cannot ask about who trained the animal. Staff are not allowed to request any training documentation, require task demonstration, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.
- Is the service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
The animal should not be allowed into the school while we are in the process of learning about the potential need for a service animal.
Please reach out to Kandi Hensel after receiving the answers to the above questions from the guardian/student.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
September Profriend Challenge
- Make a new friend.
- Reach out to your “go-to” person and make a connection.
School/Community Relations
buckl@wdmcs.org
515-633-5023
Alexandra Wade
515-633-5022
Aaron Young
younga@wdmcs.org
515-633-5016
Email: scroffice@wdmcs.org
Website: www.wdmcs.org
Location: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmcs/
Twitter: @WDMCS