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West Des Moines Community Schools | May 22, 2020
Nutrition Update: Memorial Day & Summer Meals
Meal service from West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) Nutrition Services will be changing for the summer months, starting June 2. Drive-thru locations will also be closed on Memorial Day.
MEMORIAL DAY
Current WDMCS meal sites will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. Extra meals will be given out at Friday meal distribution. Meals that would have been delivered on May 25 will be delivered on Friday, May 22.
Sites will reopen and serve meals on Wednesday, May 27, and Friday, May 29. Then, summer meal service will begin on Tuesday, June 2.
SUMMER MEAL SERVICE
WDMCS will serve summer meals at three grab-and-go meal sites, starting Tuesday, June 2.
- Dates: June 2-Aug. 13
- Times: noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Summer Grab-and-Go Meal Sites
- Valley High School
- Stilwell Junior High
- Crestview School of Inquiry
WDMCS Summer Plans Update
Based on guidance from Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education, we can now provide more information on WMDCS summer activities.
ACADEMIC
WDMCS academic opportunities, including Stretching Minds and Summer Enrichment Opportunities are canceled. We did not believe we could safely serve these students with the traditional June start to these programs. In addition, we chose to reserve cleaning supplies because many are in short supply.
We are providing Extended School Year (ESY) virtual services for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
ATHLETICS
On May 20, Iowa school districts learned summer baseball and softball seasons will take place, with practice starting June 1. WDMCS will follow safety guidelines for athletes, coaches, and fans. No other athletic activities or practices will take place at this time.
FACILITIES
WDMCS buildings will remain closed through at least June 30, 2020. However, we are still researching if Valley Stadium could be safely used earlier. Valley High School's commencement is currently scheduled to be held at Valley Stadium the weekend of June 27-28.
Other outdoor facilities, including Tiger Field and tennis courts, will be unlocked June 1, 2020. WDMCS green spaces will also be open with specific guidelines. Please follow appropriate social distance and other safety precautions as outlined on signage that will be posted in these areas.
JULY-AUGUST
We will continue to provide updates regarding mid-summer decisions on child care and facility use as we continue to receive updated guidance from state authorities.
Tech. Updates: End-of-Year Q&A with WDMCS Technology
STUDENTS & FAMILIES
Q. Are students keeping their Chromebooks over the summer?
A. Yes, all K-11 students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer
Q. What will happen with Chromebooks when students return to school?
A. The specifics are being worked out by the district’s Return-to-Learn planning team, but here’s what we can share: It will be a low-touch plan. In other words, no shuffling of Chromebooks or devices. If a student has a Chromebook now, they will keep that Chromebook for next school year, even if they are moving between schools. Again, we’re working out details of how that impacts inventory and other issues.
Q. Can students get tech. support over the summer for their Chromebooks?
A. Yes, through this form: discover.wdmcs.org/Chromebook-tech-request
STAFF MEMBERS
Can staff still get tech support over the summer?
A. Yes. Visit techhub.wdmcs.org and click on 'SUBMIT A HELP TICKET'
Q. Retiring? Or leaving WDMCS?
A. Check out our tips and guidance on how to transfer your google files and other tech-related needs.
Q. I’m moving to a new room next year. Do I need to move the desktop computer and phone?
A: No, do not move the computer or the phone. You will keep your current phone number with you, even if you move to another building. When you leave your old room, on your classroom phone, press 'Logout' twice. When you get to your new room, press 'Login' and type your extension number. The PIN is also your extension number. This is also true if you move buildings. If you forget to "log out" of your old phone, it's no big deal. Just log in to the new phone in your new room and it will automatically log you out of your old phone.
A: No. Please don't unplug computers for the summer. We need them plugged in so we can run security updates over the summer.
2020 Valley Fashion Show
From the West Des Moines Public Library: Plans for Summer Reading
WDMCS is sharing the following information from the West Des Moines Public Library. Please visit www.wdmlibrary.org to learn more.
Or watch the library's Summer Reading 2020 Announcement video >
"Summer Reading at the West Des Moines Library is going to be a summer unlike any other. We are committed to providing a program that is fun but also safe for our community. To that end, we are doing the following things:
- Our traditional reading program that involves tracking time spent reading is already launched—it went live on Monday, May 18 and will run through July 31.
- We made the really difficult decision to cancel all in-person programs for the summer and are working really hard right now to create new events that can be enjoyed at home. All information will be posted on our new Summer Reading web page.
- Library staff are currently making plans to reopen the building at some point this summer. Watch our library website and Facebook page for updates as they develop.
- We’ve re-routed some of our materials funding to boost digital offerings while the building is closed. You can take a look at all of our e-content options here and here.
- We have also launched a new personalized recommendation service for all ages. Readers can connect with librarians and receive a list of recommended titles and how to access those books virtually.
Updates on current library service and plans for the future can be found here."
The WDMCS Transportation Department is requesting families who would like to take advantage of school bus transportation for their student(s) to register now for the 2020-21 school year. It is required for every student who plans to ride on the bus to register each year.
You can register either through an online form or by calling the department’s automated phone line: 515-633-4990 (for English speakers) and 515-633-4989 (en español). The phone line is available 24 hours a day, every day.
June Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers
WDMCS teachers can take advantage of the following professional development opportunities.
- Making Canvas Student Friendly
- Recording, Editing, and Sharing Video
- Setting Up an Online Office Space
- Best Practices for Creating an Online Curriculum in Secondary
- Best Practices for Engaging Students in Online Curriculum (Elementary
- Chromebooks and Virtual Learning for K-2 Teachers
- Chromebook 101 (Elementary)
- Understanding Chromebooks and your Google Account (Secondary)
- Best Practices for Online Assessments
- Using Google Meet in Canvas
- Canvas Studio
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