WE ARE ALL WDMCS
West Des Moines Community Schools | April 9, 2020
Need Internet at Home?
Mediacom is offering internet service for families with K-12 students at just $10 per month through its Connect2Compete program.
Your household may qualify if:
- Mediacom offers internet service in your community or area
- You have at least one student in grades K-12 living at home
- At least one child qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- You are not a current Mediacom internet customer and have NOT subscribed to that internet service in the past 90 days.
- You do not have an outstanding Mediacom bill or unreturned equipment
K-2 Students to Receive Chromebooks
In order to expand the types of continuous learning all student can work on at home, we knew our kindergarten through second-grade students would need a device to use. We have ordered devices, and families will receive specific directions from building principals on the dates, times, and directions for pick-up. Most families should plan to pick up Chromebooks at their school sometime the week of April 13-17.
Why Are People in WDMCS Buildings?
It may be confusing to see vehicles parked outside of our WDMCS buildings. We can’t wait to see ALL of our WDMCS staff and students back in our buildings. In the meantime, we are practicing safe protocol to handle cleaning, constructions, and other important tasks.
Our Operations Department is using this time to deep clean the spaces that would otherwise not be completed until summer. Custodians are also cleaning areas where students or staff may have been to pick up Chromebooks or other items.
In addition to cleaning, planned construction projects are also continuing in several buildings. We also adjusted timing of some construction or repair projects to complete while students are out of the building.
Some key staff may be at the Learning Resource Center or other buildings periodically to handle mail, billing, payroll, and other time-sensitive projects. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' guidelines are followed in all of these situations.
Official WDMCS Plan for Continuous Learning
With last week’s announcement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds that Iowa schools will be closed through at least April 30, the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) outlined three options for school districts to choose from for continuous learning. Districts are required to submit their choice by Friday, April 10.
No continuous learning at home. The days would be made up once school reopens and must be completed by June 30.
Voluntary Educational Enrichment Opportunities. This provides continuous learning opportunities at home. This is not required learning, and grades will not be given for completed work. Missed days do not need to be made up under this plan.
Required Educational Services. Continuous learning at home. Grades are given and attendance is taken. Missed days do not need to be made up under this plan.
WDMCS’ Plan: Voluntary Educational Enrichment Opportunities
To provide the best possible opportunities for all of our students, WDMCS will transition to Option 2. Under this plan, the IDOE allows school districts flexibility on how to affirm students are learning the necessary materials to successfully complete the grade level and/or course. This provides additional protection to students during this unprecedented time. Teachers can offer new content that has not yet been covered and provide feedback to students, but not associate a grade to specific coursework. Although this plan is voluntary, we highly encourage students to regularly complete practice to be prepared for the next course or grade level. This feedback loop will help teachers, students, and parents understand what materials students should practice and how to alleviate any learning gaps as they move to the next grade level for 2020-21.
Read more on what this looks like for elementary students or view the video below.
Read more on what this looks like for secondary students or view the video below.
Continuous Learning Plan for Elementary Students
Continuous Learning Plan for Secondary Students
Spring Athletics Update
All Iowa High School Athletic Union (IHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) sports are in a prohibited period for practice, competition, and sanctioned activity until the April 30 closure is lifted. This prohibition means no in-person contact between coaches/administrators and student-athletes for the duration of the period.
On Monday, April 6, the IHSAA and IGHSAU released schedules for high school spring sports in the event school resumes on May 1.
Junior high spring sports’ schedules are still being assessed. Summer high school sports are not currently impacted. Schedules will continue to be assessed by the IHSAA and IGHSAU as the COVID-19 crisis develops.
Student Chromebook Tech Support
If the technicians determine the Chromebook cannot be repaired remotely, we will schedule a time for you to drop off your device to the Learning Resource Center and receive a replacement device.
Steps for Support
- Complete Form - https://discover.wdmcs.org/Chromebook-tech-request
If you are unable to fill out this form, please call 515-633-5100. - You will be contacted by a member of the Tech. Department within two business days.
- If we are unable to fix the Chromebook issue remotely, we will schedule a specific time for you to stop by the Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Pkwy.
You must be on time for your appointment, as we are limiting the number of people who can enter the building.
Please bring your Chromebook and charger with you. - Because of this process, you may not receive your original Chromebook back after repair. If you have any decals on your Chromebook that you want to keep, please remove them before turning in your device.
Continued Support For Our WDMCS Staff During Time Off
We are also recommending that certified and salaried staff continue to receive their regular pay without needing to use any paid leave. In addition, teachers will NOT need to make up any of the days missed between now and April 30. We will update staff with details when possible.
We wish to thank all of our WDMCS staff for their dedication. We consider each an important part of our family and are doing our best to support staff, provide timely information, and help ease anxiety. #weareWDMCS
WDMCS Nutrition Updates: Four Sites, Hot Meal Options, Central Bank Donation
Starting Monday, April 13, families can pick up grab-and-go meals at FOUR sites. Crestview/Hillside are closing, thanks to home meal delivery! Plus, we’re working on some hot meal options. Learn more at discover.wdmcs.org/free-meals and in our Facebook/Instagram stories—our infographics are all updated with new info.
Thank you to our amazing Nutrition Services staff who are making meal service possible! Nutrition staff and volunteers including teachers, coaches, and administrators are currently serving and delivering more than 9,000 meals to community children each week.
We also want to thank Central Bank for the generous $5,000 donation to our meal program! Donations like these allow us to continue providing children in our community with the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow during these uncertain times.
If you would like to donate to the WDMCS Nutrition Services grab-and-go meal program, please make a check out to “West Des Moines Community Schools” and write “Nutrition COVID-19 meal program” in the memo.
Due to the 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. 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.
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