Central Campus Newsletter
April 2024
GREETINGS FROM CENTRAL CAMPUS
To the Dynamic Central Campus community:
First and foremost, I want to take a moment to talk about the incredible class of 2024. These students are an incredible bunch of learners and leaders. The Senior Preparation Sessions we held with them were a resounding success, with an incredible turnout of 271 students participating in the "How to Interview" session, 348 students engaging in mock interviews with the invaluable support of our 60 community volunteers, and 173 students seizing the opportunity at our Hiring Fair, where 42 businesses were present.
This level of participation speaks volumes about the commitment and enthusiasm of our students and the support they receive from our community partners. We could NOT do this without you! To the class of 2024: you are READY. We are proud of you and are THANKFUL for all your hard work in your senior year.
As an avid fan of Calvin and Hobbes, this comic caught my eye when I walked into the aviation lab. The instructor changed the word "dinosaurs" to "airplanes" in the comic and happened to be wearing his t-shirt that reads "easily distracted by airplanes". Calvin, as he always does, gets to the heart of why I think Central Campus is so special. This place meets the needs and interests of students in a way that is authentic to THEM. They have a voice and choice about what they are learning; whether it's learning to fly airplanes, fix car engines, give care to patients, or create their own radio show, our students are empowered to explore their interests and build their employability skills. We are the incredible institution that we are because students and staff are passionate about their own "dinosaur" and it makes us a revolutionary place to learn, lead and earn.
Thank you once again for your continued support and dedication. We cannot do it alone and we are lucky to partner with the best.
Kelsie Mouchka
Associate Principal
Important Dates
April 10: NO SCHOOL
April 26: PD Day, NO SCHOOL
April 26 - May 18: CC Greenhouse Plant Sale
May 2: CC Fashion Show, 7:00 PM
School Hours: 8:45am – 3:05pm
School Doors Open: 8:15am / School Doors Lock: 3:15pm
School Office Hours: 7:45am – 3:30pm
CC PLANT SALE COMING SOON
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill our 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom.
Through three different classes, we go in-depth into topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more. Come support the Horticulture students as they showcase all they have learned and worked on this year!
Program Spotlight - Teacher Academy
Instructor – Jill Dykstra
I am very excited about what is happening in the Teacher Academy! The program is designed to introduce students to working with youth and education.
Program Overview: The Teacher Academy is a hands-on educational experience that introduces students to the principles of education and experiences in teaching. The program is taught to develop a passion for working with youth and teaching. The program implements research, observation, and hands-on practicum.
Curriculum Courses/Pathways:
· Career Opportunities in Education – grades 9-10
· Dream to Teach: Level 1 – grades 10-12
· Dream to Teach: Level 2 – grades 11-12
Current Student Projects
· Career Opportunities in Education—Students learn about different aspects of working with youth. We learn about educational history, legal responsibilities, educational systems, jobs working with youth, and employability skills.
· Dream to Teach Level 1—This class introduces students to various careers in education through curriculum and observation. It gives students opportunities to explore careers in education and focuses on the impact of equity and race in education. Students will also learn about the foundations of education, educational theories/theorists, social/emotional learning, and pedagogy.
· Dream to Teach Level 2 - Examines American education from a historical, philosophical, and sociological perspective. Today's challenges and issues in education are discussed in the context of school organization, politics, funding, curriculum, professionalism, legal issues, and effective school and teacher characteristics.
The course provides opportunities to enhance understanding of the teaching profession and assist with decisions to pursue a career in education. Time is spent observing, assisting, and teaching in a classroom with a licensed educator. Students have various opportunities to interact with students, learn instructional strategies, and collaborate with teachers. Students will gain a greater understanding of the daily expectations of a teacher.
Benefits for Students
1. Career Exploration: The program allows students to observe, work with teachers, and explore different aspects of the teaching profession.
2. Teamwork and Leadership: As students work together and with other certified staff to achieve common goals, collaborative projects and group activities foster teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
3. Problem-solving: Teaching often presents challenges that require critical thinking and quick decision-making. Students develop problem-solving skills in a dynamic and ever-changing environment.
4. Passion Ignition: For those with a passion for working with youth, this program provides a platform to nurture and fuel their interest, potentially setting the stage for a fulfilling career in the industry.
Looking Ahead: I believe that by offering such a unique and engaging curriculum, we are educating our students and empowering them to get involved in the field of teaching.
Teacher Feature
Tracy Holland - Fashion Design Instructor
Creativity, high standards, and an adrenaline-filled fashion show are what makes the Fashion Design classes at Central Campus so popular. For the last 25 years, Fashion Design instructor, Tracy Holland has produced impressive student fashion designers who, upon graduation, seize the fashion world working in films, private labels, and branding.
How did Mrs. Holland start?
At an early age Mrs. Holland knew she wanted to be in fashion, learning to sew while still in grade school. Following her passion, she continued taking classes at East High School in sewing, art, and drawing. She earned her Associate Science degree from Bauder Fashion College in Dallas, Texas, graduating with honors in Fashion Design. Mrs. Holland then returned to Iowa and worked as a buyer for Younkers department store before taking a position with designer Liz Claibourne out of New York city.
Mrs. Holland took a hiatus from the fashion industry to obtain a bachelor's degree in business from William Penn University and raise her 3 children. Her love of the fashion industry saw her continue work in private design and public speaking. During such an event, Mrs. Holland was approached by the DMPS about creating an advanced Fashion class for Central Campus. She jumped at the chance and has continued her structured fashion program over the last 25 years. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Holland’s dance and fashion background gave her an edge to start her own competitive dance competition costume business. Mrs. Holland has produced many award-winning costumes for dancers around the nation and for television for over 30 years.
Mrs. Holland currently lives in Altoona with her husband Greg and pug Rooney. She loves spending time with her adult children, their partners and her two grandsons. She is an avid knitter, sewist, and yoga enthusiast. In the summer, you can find Mrs. Holland hiking through the mountains, or around a campfire looking stylish.
Fashion Design Program Highlights-
· 2–3-year pathway for sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in Fashion Design
· Central Campus-DMACC-Iowa State University student pathway
· Opportunity to earn 12 college credits
· Annual Fashion Show
· Study tours to LA, New York, Chicago, Paris
· 95% of students attend post-secondary education majoring in fashion. High recruited.
· Expectations include regular attendance, student responsible for materials, college level work ethic and behavior, passion for fashion and a positive attitude.
· This program fills up FAST so start young and sign-up ASAP!
News from Nurse Jasmine
I wanted to update everyone on the new COVID policy, as DMPS policy has changed to align with new CDC guidelines, taking out the 10 days of isolation that required staying home for 5 days and masking for 5 days.
New guidance states that if a person has been infected with covid, aligning with other infectious illnesses such as Flu & RSV, that person should remain home from school, work, or daycare until fever has subsided for 24 hours, without using any fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Read your over the counter cold remedy labels carefully, as these often contain ibuprofen or Tylenol. Only buy the medicine with the least amount of a medication needed for the symptom you are treating. Often the best medicine is rest, hydration, and nutrition. Use of a non-medical remedies such as a humidifier, will work wonders to enhance breathing during these dry months as well helping ward off symptoms associated with respiratory illnesses. The new covid policy also states that symptoms should be ‘mild & improving’. The district has posted the following scenarios for help with this new policy. They are as follows:
o Can I return with a cough? Symptoms need to be mild and improving. A cough may linger for quite a while, making it one of the last symptoms to resolve, but it should be improving before return.
o Fever is gone but I still feel very unwell - when can I return? Fever is only one part of the guidance; all other symptoms need to be mild or improving. Please continue to stay home until you feel your other symptoms are improving.
o Can I visit my grandparents, my aunt in the hospital, or other persons at higher risk while I am sick? It is not recommended - these populations remain at higher risk. Please wait until you are completely well, approximately 10 days.
o What about masking? Masking is an individual choice. Some individuals and healthcare settings may continue to use it as a tool to reduce personal exposure and spread of respiratory illness during high transmission periods. However, the updated guidance from Iowa HHS does not require it for the general public. And a mask should not be used as a substitute for staying home when ill.
o I am in isolation right now - when can I return? When you meet the criteria: fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication AND other symptoms are mild and improving.
o Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to me here at Central Campus and/or the Iowa HHS fact sheets for influenza, COVID-19, or RSV
COUNSELING CORNER
The Central Campus course request link is now open for the 2024-25 school year. Visit the Central Campus Counseling and Enrollment page on our website for details.
Things to Know:
- Round 2 is first-come, first-served.
- Seat offers will be made on a bi-weekly or monthly basis until filled.
- Students on waitlists will be contacted once seats are available.
- The waitlists are ordered by student.
- We do not share the order of students on the waitlist.
Please contact the Central Campus Counseling Team and/or your home high school/middle school counselor with questions.
John Hickling, School Counselor, Student Last Names A-L, John.Hickling@dmschools.org
Jennifer Scott, School Counselor, Student Last Names M-Z, Jennifer.Scott@dmschools.org
Mary Moua, Counseling Assistant, Mary.Moua@dmschools.org
Diana Lovan, Future Ready Coach, Diana.Lovan@dmschools.org
New Attendance Reporting Option
The Infinite Campus Parent Portal now has the "Absence Request" tool to allow you to notify us in advance when your child is going to miss classes. It will take requests on the day your child is absent or future dates if you know ahead of time. To excuse past absences, you must still call or email us.
PHONE: 515-242-7653
The Absence Request tool is very user-friendly and takes only moments to complete. AND the best part is that your request is sent to all schools in which your child is enrolled, so you do not have to contact both your home school and Central. We all get the same information and process it for our respective schools with one easy parent entry!
Instructions:
In the Campus Portal app, select the three horizontal lines in the top left-hand corner, then select More. At the bottom select Absence Request. Select your child, the reason for the absence, and the absence type. You must also add a comment.
Example:
Student name: First Last
Excuse: SICK: Student is sick
Absence Type: Full Day Absence
Date: 12/1/2023
Comments: Student has a fever so they will stay home until they are fever free
Click Submit.
WRITTEN DIRECTIONS: Parent Portal Absence Request 11.28.2023
VIDEO: Portal Absence Request
You may delete a request that you have submitted if we haven't processed it yet. Once it has been processed by the attendance clerk, it can't be deleted through the Campus Parent Portal app and will require a call to our office (515-242-7653). Parents and Guardians will be able to view all absence requests that have been submitted from the Parent Portal for the student anytime during the school year.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
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.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Business Academy
- Entrepreneurship
- Investment & Finance
- Marketing
Engineering Academy
- Architecture
- Computer Design
- Manufacturing
- Robotics
Environmental & Agri-Science Academy
- Aquarium Science
- Marine Biology
- Plant & Animal Science
Health Sciences Academy
- Career Opportunities in Health
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- EMT
- Physical Science/Therapy
Human Services Academy
- Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
- Criminal Justice
- Dream to Teach
- Early Childhood Careers
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Leadership through JROTC
Information Technology & Arts Academy
- Broadcasting & Film
- Commercial Photography
- Computer Sciences
- Cybersecurity
- Fashion Design & Merchandising
- Graphic Design
Skilled Trades Academy
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- HVAC & Plumbing
- Welding
Transportation Academy
- Aviation
- Automotive Collision
- Automotive Technology
Central Campus
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