We are ALL WDMCS

The WDMCS Board of Education voted on Monday, Aug. 10, to a proposed delay to the first day of school.

New First Day of School:

New First Day of Preschool:
Tuesday, Sept. 8

No School: Wednesday, Aug. 26, Friday, Sept. 4, and Monday, Sept. 14

This shift is to add three additional professional development support days for teachers. We understand teachers are being asked to take on a lot of changes to their learning environments and how they may need to instruct students based on whether they are learning at school or online. These additional days will give teachers and staff time to plan and gain new knowledge to support students this year.

West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) is excited to announce that Anthony Ferguson, Jr., Ed.D., will serve in a newly-created role as Executive Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. The role was created in support of the six actions for equity the WDMCS Board of Education and administration committed to on June 22.

With a strong mindset surrounding equity, Ferguson builds collaborative cultures, seeks data-driven solutions, and connects data and research to the immediate, real-life challenges facing communities of color. He takes a proactive approach focused on systemic equity when addressing needs, entering every space as his full, authentic self.

Read more about Dr. Ferguson >

What triggers a transition between online and at school? The WDMCS Board of Education approved Monday, Aug. 10, a matrix which will help guide decision-making.

Polk County Percentages

Because WDMCS is within Polk County, we must track the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases on average over a 14-day period. Because we believe Governor Reynold's 15% rate is too high to consider transitioning all students temporarily online, we created a matrix.

0-5% in Polk County

Students learn at school or online based on what families chose BEFORE Sept. 4. We will continue to follow all of the safety procedures created as well as collaborate with local health officials.

6-9% in Polk County

When there is a change from 0-5% to 6-9%, parents can CHOOSE if they wish students to remain AT SCHOOL or move ONLINE for rest of the semester. In addition to following the standard safety procedures, we may:

• Reduce or cancel group events or gatherings.
• Limit inter-school interactions.
• Keep student and staff groups together with limited interactions with other groups.
• Close communal spaces such as cafeterias and media centers.

10%+ in Polk County

WDMCS will consider whether or not to temporarily move online a classroom, school, or the entire district.

Factors to consider IN ADDITION to the percentage:

• Exposures vs. self-quarantine.
• Types and numbers of absences.
• Ability to staff classrooms
  or departments.
  

BEFORE SCHOOL EACH DAY: self-monitor for fever and COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms can include fever or chills (100.4), cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

NINE SCENARIOS: WHAT TO DO

1. Confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19 with NO Symptoms
   Can return to school/work if you have no symptoms for 10 days after testing. If symptoms develop, refer to Scenario #2. (CDC Isolation Guidelines)
2. Confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19 WITH Symptoms
   Can return to school/work 10 days after illness starts AND at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications AND all other symptoms have improved. (CDC Symptoms Guidelines) (CDC Exposure Guidelines)
3. Close contact within (6 ft for 15 min) of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
   Close contact starts 48 hours before the person began to feel sick. Self-quarantine until 14 days after the last exposure to the confirmed cases. (CDC Close Contact Guidelines) (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
4. Testing negative for COVID-19 who are NOT a close contact of a confirmed case. Can return to normal activities 24 hours after a fever and other symptoms have resolved.
5. Testing negative for COVID-19 who ARE close contacts of a confirmed case.
   Close contact starts 48 hours before the person began to feel sick. Self-quarantine until 14 days after the last exposure to the confirmed cases. (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
6. COVID-19 symptoms but did not test for Covid-19
   Must isolate at home. Can return to school 10 days after illness starts AND at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications AND all other symptoms have improved. (CDC Symptoms Guidelines) (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
7. Tested for COVID-19 with symptoms - waiting for results.
   Must self-quarantine at home. Can return after 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications AND all symptoms have improved, AND
   10 days since symptoms appeared. If test results are negative, must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and symptoms are improving.
   Follow WDMCS illness guidelines. (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
8. When a healthcare provider confirms another diagnosis or a pre-existing condition.
   Follow specific return guidance from the health care provider or follow the WDMCS illness guidelines.
9. If you are in close contact of a person who was in close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
   No exclusion necessary. Self- monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
   

Due to the Aug. 27 start date, kindergarten will dismiss early just two days this year. Kindergarten students will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28. Kindergarten teachers will conduct virtual home visits during the afternoon on those days. Please watch for communication from your kindergarten teacher about scheduling a virtual home visit.

515-633-5023

Alexandra Wade

wadea@wdmcs.org

515-633-5022

Aaron Young

younga@wdmcs.org
515-633-5016

Email: scroffice@wdmcs.org
Website: www.wdmcs.org
Location: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmcs/
Twitter: @WDMCS