We are ALL WDMCS

West Des Moines Community Schools

Friday, March 4, 2022

Board Approves Updated Return-to-Learn Plan

The Board of Education approved recommended updates to the district's Return-to-Learn plan at its Feb. 28, 2022, regular meeting. The following information provides an overview of the changes.

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Updated Quarantine Guidelines

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 have two options:

Individuals may isolate for 10 days; OR
Individuals may return after 5 days, if:
- they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications;
- their symptoms have improved; and
- they wear a mask for days 6-10 when around other people.

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Updated Guidelines for Wearing Masks

All individuals, including students, staff, and visitors, are encouraged to follow CDC guidance regarding face masks.
Masks are no longer required on buses.
Extracurricular activities and Community Education events will take place. All in attendance are encouraged to follow CDC guidance regarding face masks.

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Updates on How/When the Plan Will Be Changed

Changes to the plan that occur prior to the next six-month review will be determined by administration with notice of the changes provided to the Board.

View the full Return-to-Learn plan >

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Superintendent Search Update

At a Feb. 21, 2022, special Board of Education meeting, representatives from executive search firm Hazard Young Attea Associates (HYA) shared the results from the focus group conversations and leadership profile survey that took place in February as part of the superintendent search process.

Learn more >

HYA will use this information to bring a selection of candidates to the Board for first-round interviews in April.

NEXT STEPS

March 24: Board of Education workshop meeting to finalize interview procedures

Select interview questions
Decide on a compensation package

April 1-2: First round interviews
April 4: Review candidates and select finalists
April 6-8: Conduct interview and tours of district with final candidates
Week of April 11: Choose a preferred candidate

Join Us for Mental Health Matters on March 29!

RSVP To Mental Health Matters

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Mental health matters for people of all ages, and it is a growing concern for our youth. Join us to learn more and get connected to school and community resources!

Learn more and RSVP >

Presented in partnership by Heartland Area Education Agency and West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) Community Education with breakout sessions and additional resources provided by WDMCS, Employee and Family Resources, House of Mercy, Integrative Counseling Solutions, Iowa Safe Schools, Please Pass the Love, Polk County Health Services, and Stepping Stone Family Services.

School Nurses Reminder: Immunization Requirements for Grades 7 and 12

Our school nurses would like to remind WDMCS families about immunization requirements for the 2022-23 school year. By Iowa Law:

All students entering seventh grade in 2022-23 and born after Sept. 15, 2004, are required to show vaccine documentation of having received the meningococcal vaccine on or after 10 years of age and a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine after age 7.
All students entering or transferring into 12th grade and born after Sept. 15, 1999, will need to show vaccine documentation at least one dose of meningococcal vaccine after the age of 16.

If your seventh grader is not fully immunized for meningitis, they will not be allowed to attend school, sports and school-related activities starting day 1 of the 2022-23 school year.

If they have not had the required vaccines, please set up an appointment with their doctor to get their vaccines up-to-date as soon as possible before the 2022-23 school year.
If your child has already received these immunizations, please provide an up-to-date immunization record to your school nurse.

Thank you,

WDMCS School Nurses

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Celebrating Youth Art Month

March is Youth Art Month, and this year’s theme is “Art Connects Us.”

To connect students and families to art, WDMCS hosts our annual Impact of Art student art exhibit and event. Join us to view student artworks 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 31, or visit the LRC anytime this month. And follow us on Instagram to see highlights of our student artists and art education in WDMCS all month long!

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Valley Hall of Honor Inducts New Members

Valley High School is pleased to announce its 2022 Hall of Honor inductees. After taking a year off in 2021, Valley will honor five outstanding alumni, retirees, and volunteers with induction into the school’s Hall of Honor next month. The following inductees represent the fourth class of Hall of Honor award recipients.

Tom George, '58, volunteer baseball coach
Scott Hatfield, '68, architect
Jim and Cindy Lamson, retired language arts teachers and drama instructors
Sam Kranovich, '73, staff member

Save the date for Friday, April 1, 2022, for a ceremony and reception at the Staplin Performing Arts Center to honor this year's inductees.

View Black History Month Videos

Thank you for engaging with history and celebrating Black History Month with WDMCS! Visit our YouTube channel to see videos highlighting Black/African American historical figures who are important to people in the WDMCS community.

View our "Black History Month: Engage with History" Playlist featuring videos from WDMCS Board members, administrators, and equity leads. >