Dear Central Campus Students & Families,

As we kick off a new semester at Central Campus, we want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of a few key factors that will help set our students up for success.

Attendance is critical to a student's academic success. Each class is a valuable opportunity to learn, engage, and collaborate with classmates. Regular attendance not only helps students keep up with assignments and projects but also ensures they get the most out of their educational experience.

We also encourage all students to prioritize communication with their teachers. If they’re struggling with a concept, assignment, or need support, reaching out early can make all the difference. Teachers are here to help, and maintaining open lines of communication fosters a positive and productive learning environment.

In addition, we remind students of the importance of being a good teammate in their classes. Collaborative skills are vital, both in school and beyond, and being supportive, respectful, and engaged in group activities will help build strong relationships with peers.

As part of our commitment to preparing our seniors for their futures, we’re excited to announce a series of Senior Sessions 2025 to help guide students through career and professional development. Here are the upcoming events:

• Feb 7: How to Ace an Interview
• Feb 17-21: Mock Interviews
• March 4: Networking and Recruiting Fair
• April 8: Student Career Counseling

These events are designed to give students the skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed in their job searches and professional journeys. We look forward to a successful semester and encourage families to stay engaged with their students’ progress. Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Jessie Masteller, Associate Principal

Feb. 7: How to Ace an Interview (Seniors Only)

Feb. 10 - 11: NO SCHOOL, PD Days

Feb. 11: Parent/Teacher Conferences (will be virtual)

Feb. 15: Winter Wonderland Formal

Feb. 17-21: Mock Interviews (Seniors Only)

March 4: Networking and Recruiting Fair (Seniors and Juniors Only)

School Hours: 8:35am – 2:55pm

School Doors Open: 8:00am / School Doors Lock: 3:15pm

School Office Hours: 7:45am – 3:30pm

Youth Apprentices Gain Real-World Experience

John Deere has long been a dedicated partner of Central Campus in fostering youth apprenticeship opportunities, recognizing the value of real-world experiences in shaping the future workforce. This year, two standout students—Sreehith Baruri, a senior at Roosevelt High School, and Kathleen Sagastume, a senior at Lincoln High School—have made history in their roles as customer service representatives at John Deere Financial.

Sree holds the distinction of being the first student to complete the apprenticeship requirements, while Kathleen is the first student authorized to work off-site. Reflecting on his experience, Sreehith shared, "My experience at John Deere Financial has taught me a lot about communication and problem-solving. With every call, there is a different expectation the customer expects you to meet, which requires you to quickly adapt and think to find the best solution."

Kathleen also emphasized the impact of the program, stating, "The apprenticeship program was a major opportunity I’m happy I didn’t pass on. It gave me the chance to learn new skills, network within John Deere, and gain an overall understanding of what an office environment is like."

As John Deere Financial continues its commitment to workforce development, the recruitment process for its next cohort of apprentices is set to begin this spring. This program remains a vital stepping stone for students looking to gain hands-on experience and build valuable career skills. For more information about the Youth Apprenticeship Program, please contact the Central Campus Main Office.

Hello Central Campus Community,

The start of the second semester brings exciting opportunities for our students as they prepare for life beyond high school. As part of our senior sessions, we’re thrilled to host the Networking and Recruiting Fair (formerly the Hiring Fair) on Tuesday, March 4th —a cornerstone event designed to connect students with potential employers and help launch their futures.

This event provides a unique opportunity for all seniors and interested juniors to engage with businesses, learn about various industries, and apply for summer jobs, internships, part-time, or full-time positions. It’s an incredible chance to build connections, gain insights, and explore career opportunities.

If your business would like to attend this event, please sign up using [this link].

Join us in empowering the next generation and discovering fresh talent for your team!

Central Campus hosted Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen for a special visit this week to further a partnership with the city to foster robust opportunities for students, including apprenticeships, jobs, volunteering, and amplifying youth voices in city leadership. A former school board member and continuing advocate for public education, Mayor Boesen brought her entire team for a lunch and tour of the campus. “The future of Des Moines is its students," said Boesen. Click here to read more and see photos of their visit.

TheWeek@DMPS 1/17/2025

Central Campus is excited to host our third annual Mock Interviews, where we help students prepare for their next steps in life by building essential interview skills and boosting their confidence. We’re looking for volunteers to make this event a success!

Signing up is easy—click here. When you arrive, we’ll provide everything you need, including a rubric, questions, pens, and guidance. Each student will have a 15-minute interview, followed by 5 minutes for you to provide helpful feedback that could make all the difference in their future.

Last year, more than 50 volunteers joined us to support our students, and the experience was incredible for everyone involved. Don’t miss this chance to make an impact—sign up today and be part of the magic!

National School Counseling Week 2025, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 3–7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. This year’s theme is "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive".

2nd Round of 2025-26 Course Requests

The deadline to accept or decline Round 1 of 2025-26 course offerings was in late January. Round 2 course requests are expected to reopen in early February for remaining seats and waitlists. An official announcement will be sent to all home high school counselors when the request link becomes available.

Scholarships

DMACC Foundation Scholarships Seniors planning to attend DMACC next fall should take note—the first cycle of the DMACC Foundation Scholarship closes on March 1st. The application process is quick and simple, and the FAFSA is not required. Scholarships average over $1,600 per award and can be used for indirect college expenses, including tools for many trades programs. With over $2 million available in scholarships, students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply now: DMACC Foundation Scholarships (Students must have applied, been accepted into DMACC, and have an assigned username and password to access the application.)

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Many other scholarship deadlines are fast approaching! Students are encouraged to log into their SchoolLinks account to explore scholarship opportunities and find personalized matches.

Another valuable resource is the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) Scholarship Database. This tool, compiled by experts at ICAN, offers a comprehensive list of scholarships specifically for Iowa students. Students can search across various categories to find scholarships that fit their unique qualifications.

Explore the ICAN database here: ICAN Scholarship Database

Don't miss out on these opportunities—start applying today!

John Hickling, School Counselor, Student Last Names A-L, John.Hickling@dmschools.org

Anne Horgen, School Counselor, Student Last Names M-Z, Anne.Horgen@dmschools.org

Mary Moua, Registrar, Mary.Moua@dmschools.org

Melissa Nolte, Counseling Assistant, Melissa.Nolte@dmschools.org

Diana Lovan, Future Ready Coach, Diana.Lovan@dmschools.org

We said hello to some snow flurries last week but hopefully winter is still a little way off. However, it's a good time to review our process for Weather-Related Closings, Delays, and Dismissals. In the event of severe weather, schools will either be closed for the entire day, begin 2 hours later, or be dismissed 2 hours early. Announcements will be made through the local news media, the school district’s website, the school district’s social media pages, and Infinite Campus/Snap! Connect/ParentSquare. Detailed information on school closings due to severe weather is on our website.

THEWEEK@DMPS

Breakfast and lunch are served at Central Campus. Any student who has a class at Central Campus periods 3 and/or 5, will eat at Central Campus. All other students will eat at their home high school. In addition:

• Students may leave the building during their lunch.
• Breakfast and/or Lunch may be cancelled if there is a change to the daily schedule because of weather or other unforeseen situations.

Twitter - @CentralCampusDM

Website - https://centralcampus.dmschools.org

Facebook - Central Campus DSM

Discover Central Campus & discover your future. Eight advance career academies, 33 specialized programs offer multiple pathways to career readiness.

Email: centralcampus@dmschools.org
Website: https://centralcampus.dmschools.org/
Location: 1800 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-7846
Facebook: facebook.com/CentralCampusDSM
Twitter: @CentralCampusDM