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We are ALL WDMCS

Feb. 2, 2024

We are ALL WDMCS Feb. 2, 2024
We are ALL WDMCSFeb. 2, 2024

In This Edition: Feb. 2, 2024

  • Dr. Adams' Video Message to Families
  • Strategic Planning Update: Survey Reminder
  • Save the Dates! Get Main 2024-25 School Dates
  • Report Student Absences Online
  • Kindergarten Enrollment Opens Feb. 19
  • Upcoming Events: School Counselors' Week, Digital Backpack, Dates to Remember, Black History Month, Sweetheart Show, Well-Being Matters
  • Photos: WDMCS Students at Special Olympics Basketball Event
  • Donate to Support the Community: Food Drive, Personal Care Drive, Sock Drive

DR. ADAMS' VIDEO MESSAGE TO FAMILIES

https://youtu.be/BRa_pdMZhMI

TAKE STRATEGIC PLANNING SURVEY BY FEB. 9

WDMCS Strategic Planning
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Our school district is making a strategic plan for the future, and we need your help. We want to know what you and your family think about as a desired daily school experience. Please share your thoughts with us by answering seven quick questions – we want to hear from you! The deadline to take the survey is Friday, Feb. 9.


Take Family Strategic Planning Survey >

SAVE THE DATES! GET MAIN 2024-25 SCHOOL DATES

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Our calendar at a glance, available in multiple languages, is coming soon! For now, here are the main dates you need to know:

  • Aug. 13-22: New Teachers Report, Preservice

  • Aug. 23: First Day of School (Sept. 3 for Tiger Cubs Preschool)

  • Sept. 2: No School for Students and Teachers

  • Nov. 27-29: Fall Break

  • Dec. 23-Jan. 1: Winter Break

  • Jan. 20: No School for Students and Teachers

  • March 14-21: Spring Break

  • May 26: No School for Students and Teachers

  • May 30: Last Day of School (May 23 for Seniors and Tiger Cubs Preschool)

  • June 2: Last Day for Teachers


The first day of school and other dates may change due to proposed Iowa laws. If the law allows us to start before Aug. 23, we may consider starting on Wednesday, Aug. 21. If there are changes to the start date or any other dates, we will communicate with families and staff as soon as possible.

NEW WAY TO REPORT A STUDENT ABSENCE

Skip the Call. Report Absences Through Infinite Campus

To let the school know if a student will be absent, parents and guardians can log in to their Infinite Campus Parent Portal. They can use the absence form to securely report whether the student will be absent for part of a day, a single day, or multiple days. Users will get a confirmation via email. Note that students cannot report absences themselves through Campus Student, and calling the school is still a valid method to report an absence.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT OPENS FEB. 19

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Mark your calendars! Kindergarten enrollment will open Monday, Feb. 19.


Current Tiger Cubs preschoolers do not need to enroll now unless they are interested in the Dual Spanish Immersion Program. Families will confirm enrollment information through returning families enrollment later in the spring.

PHOTOS: WDMCS STUDENTS AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENT

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Community Opportunities

Spring Break Overnight Camp March 13
This action packed mini-week will include some favorite camp games and activities. This session is for veteran campers and youth ready to try overnight camp for the first time.


Camp Fire Heart of Iowa Family Camp April 26
This weekend is all about family bonding, whether you want facilitated activities or just need a quiet place to spend some time together.


Visit the Art Museum with your Family

Free, fun, safe and engaging activities are extra important, and students and their families are invited to come and explore the Des Moines Arts Center. Open Tuesdays-Sundays.


View current listings online >

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Important Dates

Friday, Feb. 16

No School — Elementary Professional Development/Junior High Conferences


Monday, Feb. 19
Kindergarten Enrollment Opens


No School (Crestview has school.) — Secondary Professional Development/Elementary Conferences


Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 17
No School — Spring Break

Black History Month

West Des Moines Community Schools began Black History Month 2024 by commemorating the 70th anniversary of milestone Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. Four panelists — Fannette Elliot, WDMCS Board of Education member; David Maxwell, Valley High School principal; Ken Morris, Jr., Ankeny School Chief Diversity Officer; and Al Womble, Iowa Democratic Black Caucus Chair — discussed the impact of Brown v. Board of Education. Attendees also explored a pop-up museum from Taste of the Junction and spent time building community.


Our broader community is also celebrating Black History Month. Here are some activities and resources to explore:


This year's Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts." The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) said, "For centuries Western intellectuals denied or minimized the contributions of people of African descent to the arts as well as history, even as their artistry in many genres was mimicked and/or stolen.... In celebrating the entire history of African Americans and the arts, (ASALH) puts into the national spotlight the richness of the past and present with an eye towards what the rest of the twenty-first century will bring."


Learn more about this year's theme:

Well-Being Matters Event Graphic with color brushstroke hands reaching out in support.
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Save the Date: Well-Being Matters Event March 5

Join WDMCS, Community Education, and community partners on Tuesday, March 5, to learn and get connected to school and community resources. Breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics related to behavioral health and mental well-being.


Well-Being Matters

Featuring speakers and resources to support families and students.

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Where: Valley Southwoods Freshman High School, South 35th St., West Des Moines, IA


Child care and interpretation available upon request with registration.

Learn More and Register for Well-Being Matters
See the schedule, sessions, providers, and online registration.

DONATIONS TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

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Support RISE Culturally Responsive Food Drive through Feb. 14

Valley High School's Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy (RISE) will collect culturally responsive food items through Feb. 14, 2024, to donate to four local refugee resettlement agencies: USCRI, LSI, IRC, and Catholic Charities.


All food items will be equally distributed to the agencies, and food will be given directly to newly resettled families in our community.


Go to the Walmart registry >

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Personal Care Collection Feb. 1-12

Help WDMCS make a difference! Students and staff are invited to participate in the WDMCS Personal Care Collection, Feb. 1-12, 2024.


Visit our Amazon wish list to view and purchase the most-requested items for families in need. Your donations will be shipped directly to the Learning Resource Center.


Items will be distributed through WDMCS nurses’ offices, Clive Community Services, and WDM Human Services to students and families living within the West Des Moines Community Schools district community. Thank you for your support!

Day of Kindness Sock Drive graphic showing yellow socks on a pink background. Text: Day of Kindness Sock Drive February 23.
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Day of Kindness Sock Drive

Participate in the statewide Day of Kindness, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, started three years ago by the West Des Moines Chamber's Leadership Academy Alumni! We encourage your business, friends, and family to be part of our community-wide sock drive. Socks will be donated to West Des Moines Human Services.


TWO PLACES TO DONATE

  • West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, 650 S. Prairie View Drive #110, West Des Moines, IA 50266, 8-9 a.m.
  • Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
West Des Moines Community Schools
School/Community Relations
linktr.ee/wdmcs