We Are WDMCS
District Staff Monthly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
How WDMCS Rallied Behind A Family Of Its Own
Austin James “A.J.” Sinram was born on Dec. 23, 2016. Twenty-four hours later, he was intubated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
It was a reality UI medical professionals and A.J.’s parents, Becky and Zac Sinram, had prepared for. The Sinrams learned months ago that their newborn son’s life was going to be in hands bigger than their own.
This story isn’t centralized around A.J.’s health battle, though. It is the story of a mother’s gift and the scores of kind-hearted people at West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) who lifted this family when they needed it most.
Board Approves 2019 Last Day of School
At its regular business meeting on Monday, Feb. 25, the West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) Board of Education approved a recommendation leaving the last day of school for students unchanged pending additional inclement weather days.
Students will still finish the school year on Friday, May 31, 2019, as long as they complete enough instructional hours during the 2018-19 school year. The state requires districts to complete at least 1,080 instructional hours. The 2018-19 WDMCS school calendar currently contains an adequate number of instructional hours after deducting hours missed due to inclement weather days.
WDMCS employees will complete the necessary time in accordance with the West Des Moines Community Schools and West Des Moines Education Association agreement. The regular contract of employees is 193 days.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Resources
Employee and Family Services (EFR) provides a variety of services to you or your immediate family members. Some common issues EAP counselors address are:
- work stress
- family and personal relationships
- emotional or mental health
- work and life balance
- substance abuse
- financial or legal concerns
- personal growth and development
EAP services are confidential. WDMCS provides this benefit at no cost to you or your immediate family members. If you are referred for additional assistance beyond what is provided by EAP, the financial responsibility will be yours.
Call anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
800-327-4692
or visit
International Night "Breaks Down Borders"
Valley World Cultures Club hosted the 11th Annual International Night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School. Each year, Valley World Cultures Club holds International Night to showcase our community’s cultural diversity while raising money for charity. This year, the club selected the theme of “Breaking Down Borders.” All proceeds from the event will go towards the American Refugee Committee, which provides opportunities and resources to refugees and displaced individuals around the world, and Valley CORE.
WDMCS Staff Profile: Rosa Bonilla
WDMCS Strategic Plan: WHAT it takes for student success
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