WE ARE ALL WDMCS
West Des Moines Community Schools | March 27, 2020
Special Edition: Coronavirus Updates
Coronavirus Family FAQs
With the numerous emails sent to our WDMCS families, we wish to consolidate some of the most common questions families are asking onto one page of the WDMCS website.
Q: What types of activities are canceled outside of school?
A: WDMCS schools will be closed through Sunday, April 12. However, given the severity of this situation, several large group events and activities have been canceled through Saturday, May 9. This includes:
- Prom (scheduled for April 18)
- Any band, orchestra, or vocal concerts scheduled through May 9
- Any drama performances scheduled through May 9
- Any school spirit days, carnivals, and other parent group organized events scheduled through May 9.
We will keep an online list updated to reflect current information.
FASTEST Coronavirus Updates on WDMCS App
We send important updates to families through email, phone, text, and smartphone app posts. Because of the volume of recipients, some email and text notifications are delayed.
The WDMCS app is the FASTEST way to get the most up-to-date communication about the coronavirus and any other relevant information for you and your family from WDMCS.
To download the free app, go to Google Play or the App Store on your phone and look up "West Des Moines Community Schools."
Questions? Email scroffice@wdmcs.org.
Coronavirus Staff FAQs
With the numerous emails sent to our WDMCS staff, we wish to consolidate some of the most common questions staff are asking onto one page of the WDMCS website.
Q: Families are asking about resources for their students. What should I do?
A: The WDMCS teaching and learning team assembled a collection of resources for families during the coronavirus pandemic. We understand families may find other educational resources online and through social media.
We intentionally created a condensed list of tools families can use with their children that provide excellent opportunities to practice skills. The resources listed should not require setting up any paid subscriptions.
Families will be emailed information about these resources.
Update from Superintendent Remy on Virtual Learning
I’d like to share more information on how WDMCS is supporting your student’s learning over the coming weeks. I certainly understand the importance of keeping all our children in a routine and helping them continue learning while away from our schools.
Our administrative team has been working to create numerous resources that families can use while supporting students at home. We are working to ensure that the resources we suggest provide free learning opportunities, are easy to navigate from a non-educator perspective, are aligned to the Iowa Core Standards, engaging for students, and are free from bias.
Let me share a little more about how the Iowa Department of Education (DE) impacts this topic of online, or virtual, learning.
Online Learning
The DE put together a Continuous Learning Task Force that held its first meeting on Wednesday, March 25. Our understanding is that their priority will be to research what is happening in districts across the state and to provide additional guidance regarding online learning options. Please know that the information I’m sharing today could change at any time based on what occurs at those task force meetings. We will be sure to regularly update our WDMCS families on this topic.
WDMCS Technology Needs for Online Learning Survey
We understand that access to technology may be a challenge or concern for you or your student. Please complete the following WDMCS Technology Needs for Online Learning Survey to help us better understand your needs.
Please note: only ONE survey needs completed per household (not per student)
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, all WDMCS buildings and facilities are closed to the public. This also includes Tiger Field, Valley Stadium, baseball/softball fields, and tennis courts. WDMCS playgrounds are not disinfected so we discourage families from using them.
The Learning Resource Center administrative offices are also closed to the public starting Monday, March 30. If you have an urgent request, please call the district office at 515-633-5000. This number will not be regularly monitored but you will have options to leave a voicemail with your question.
WDMCS Staff, Students Get Creative With At-Home Workouts During COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic isn't prohibiting some West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) students and staff from staying fit in the comfort of their homes. Isaac Ales, physical education teacher and strength and conditioning coach at Valley High School, had the idea to show all of the workouts that can be done without the use of any special equipment. In Ales' case, all that's needed is a little extra floor space...and his young son, Eli.
Take a look:
WDMCS Nutrition Update: Home Delivery, Parent/Guardian Pick-Up, New Hours
Multilingual Flyer: WDMCS Nutrition Update >
Home Meal Delivery
- Free meal delivery is available to families who receive free or reduced-price meals through WDMCS and cannot attend the pick-up sites.
- Sign up online or call the Nutrition Services Department at 515-633-5085.
- Remember: You can apply for free or reduced meals at any time during the school year. Apply online or call Nutrition Services at 515-633-5085.
Meal Sites
- The six meal sites will now be open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only.
- Parent/guardians can pick up meals - children do NOT have to be present following new guidance from the USDA and Iowa Department of Education.
Most sites will use the bus lanes for pick up. Please follow the signage at your site.
- Clive Learning Academy, 1600 73rd St., Windsor Heights, IA 50324
- Crestview School of Inquiry, 8355 Franklin Ave., Clive, IA 50325
- Hillside Elementary, 713 Eight St., West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Indian Hills Junior High, 9401 Indian Hills Drive, Clive, IA 50325
- Stilwell Junior High, 1601 Vine St., West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Pick up at Valley will be near Tiger Field.
West Des Moines Community Schools
We understand a students’ education is an important part of their life journey, and we are committed to their success. At WDMCS, students will gain knowledge and develop skills to prepare them for life. The excellent opportunities we offer enable students to explore their interests and achieve their potential because we believe every student can find their place in the WDMCS.
Email: scroffice@wdmcs.org
Website: wdmcs.org
Location: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-633-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/WDMCS
Twitter: @WDMCS