Each year, current DMPS students are registered online for the upcoming school year. This year, online registration begins Monday, July 13 and lasts through Friday, July 31. The online registration process updates contact information, medical information, and a host of other details necessary to start the school year. This year, because of the Coronavirus Pandemic and current virus circulation in Polk and surrounding counties, there will be some new, important items families must consider before the end of the month.

DMPS sent the following letter to parents today to help families select how their student(s) will begin the 2020-21 schools year.

DMPS Families:

Last week, we released our preliminary plan for how DMPS hopes to begin a new school year.  DMPS is proposing two options for the start of the 2020-21 school year and will be asking all our grade PK-12 students and families to select their learning model through the online registration process (which will occur between July 13-31). Therefore, it is critical that all families complete the online registration process in a timely manner.  Please see below for a summary of our learning model options and how to decide which option is best for your child/children.

LEARNING MODELS

100% VIRTUAL LEARNING MODEL: Students will receive all instruction virtually, with the student and teacher in different locations. Methods could include on-line instruction, printed instructional materials, phone calls, emails, text reminders, video conferencing and/or other means of communication. DMPS is investing resources in the expansion of our Virtual Campus to include PK-8.  If families choose to enroll students in the 100% virtual option, they will be served by our PK-12 Virtual Campus.

HYBRID LEARNING MODEL: Based on our current reality in Polk County, DMPS will also offer K-12 students* and families the option of a hybrid learning model. This will combine online instruction with a shortened in-person school week, in order to limit the number of people in our buildings at one time. There will be one model for grades K-8 and another for high school.

• K-8 Model: Students will report to the physical school building at least two days per week and engage in virtual learning the other three days. Every Wednesday will be a fully virtual day to allow for school-wide cleaning and sanitation between cohorts. The number of students attending the physical building each day will be reduced by half to support safe distancing.

DMPS grade K-8 students were assigned a cohort (Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday) by household for the 2020-21 school year.

• High School Model: Students will report to the physical school building one day per week and engage in virtual learning the other four days. Every Wednesday will be a fully virtual day to allow for school-wide cleaning and sanitation. The students attending the physical building each day will based on grade level.

Please note that we are still getting feedback about this proposed plan, and some details may change over the next week or so. We will communicate on a regular basis with our families and staff, as well as sharing updates on our website. You can find more detailed information and submit questions about our plan at returntolearn.dmschools.org.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR DECISION

DMPS will collect family decisions on learning models and provide the opportunity to request their grade K-8 child/children be moved to the other cohort through the online registration process (families will be able to make this request for each child individually). We cannot guarantee fulfillment of cohort move requests but we will do all we can to accommodate families.  Families requesting cohort moves will be notified of final K-8 student cohort placement before August 15.

Online registration will be open from July 13 to 31, 2020. Current DMPS families with parent portal accounts will receive a personalized link through Infinite Campus on July 13. Follow the link to verify information and upload relevant documents. If you need any assistance completing online registration, please call the DMPS Family Call Center at 515-242-8221.

If a family does not complete online registration by July 31, we will assume the family prefers the hybrid learning model and grade K-8 students will stay with their currently assigned cohort. Regardless of learning model preferences, families need to complete online registration to update student and family information for the school year.

Overall considerations for deciding your child’s learning model:

• Unlike this spring’s voluntary learning, virtual learning this fall will be required, which means that there will be curriculum that your student will need to complete in order to get credit for their coursework. The work will be self-paced, so students will be able to work when they choose – grade and credit determination will be based on completion of modules and providing evidence (homework, assignments, etc.) that they have mastered the associated skills.
• All grade PK-12 students will be provided laptop computers and assistance will be provided to ensure all household have internet access.
• Childcare: DMPS is working with community providers and community partners to determine how we can meet the childcare needs of all families. More information will be available as soon as possible.
• All students will have the opportunity to obtain meals for the days they are not in school, either through a meal site or pick up at their attendance area school.

Considerations when selecting the 100% virtual learning model:

• Families/students will be expected to commit to virtual learning for at least the first semester of the school year (August 26 to January 15).
• Virtual learning will include a variety of live virtual opportunities, pre-recorded opportunities, and supporting materials to allow for flexible scheduling of learning.

Considerations when selecting the hybrid learning model:

• When attending the physical building all students and staff will be required to wear cloth face coverings unless they have authorization from a doctor.
• If there is a COVID-19 outbreak at your child’s school or the community COVID-19 conditions worsen, DMPS may need to quickly shift from hybrid learning to 100% virtual learning.
• If your child/children are eligible for a bus route, bussing will be available for in-person learning days. However, it is not possible to fully social distance on busses.  In order to better support social distancing, students may be assigned seats on busses.  Busses will also be cleaned between each route and cloth facial coverings will be required at all times on busses.