There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 18, due to a districtwide professional development day for WDMCS staff.

On-site and online classes will resume Tuesday, Jan. 19.

View & Download: 2020-21 Calendars at a Glance

Monday, Jan. 18, is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MLK Day is the only federal holiday also designated as a national day of service. WDMCS students and families are encouraged to engage in Dr. King’s legacy by volunteering locally over the weekend or on Monday, Jan. 18.

Learn more from WDMCS Community Education

Due to severe weather conditions, all on-site WDMCS classes will transition to online Friday, Jan. 15.

Employees designated to report to work when schools are closed should do so according to established procedures.

For both online and on-site students, this announcement means:

• All classes that you would have attended at school will be held virtually. Bus transportation will not run due to safety concerns. ALL students will access instruction online.
• Log into Canvas for additional instructions. 
• Elementary students: view sample schedule based on your grade (no related arts)
• Secondary students: view sample schedule based on your grade (morning classes; afternoon independent learning)
• Finals will still take place as scheduled. Teachers will communicate details to their students. 
• No school-related evening activities will be held.
• Tiger Cubs will learn online. If you are a preschool parent in a non-district building, please contact that facility.
• Kids West child care is closed.
• No Community Education classes, activities, and programs will be held. This includes LEARNwest and Adventures classes, Kids West, and all facility use. All Community Education programs and services follow the decision of WDMCS for weather-related closings.
• No meals will be served. For updated menus, please check the district menu webpage at www.wdmcs.org/departments/nutrition/menu. 
• No transportation services will be provided, including out-of-district services. 
• The Learning Resource Center and Operations building will be open.
• (Note the following school-specific schedule updates:)

For WDMCS employees, this announcement means:

• The Learning Resource Center will be open.
• The Operations building will be open.
• Employees designated to report to work when schools are closed should do so according to established procedures.

Debido a las malas condiciones del tiempo, todas las clases en lugar de las Escuelas de la Comunidad de West Des Moines se llevarán a cabo en línea el viernes 15 de enero.

Si usted tiene a un/a niño/a en una escuela preescolar que no es del distrito, por favor póngase en contacto con esa escuela.

Los empleados designados a reportarse al trabajo cuando las escuelas están cerradas lo deben hacer de acuerdo a los procedimientos establecidos.

Nikhua a chiattuk caah, WDMCS  mipum kaimi poh, online in Friday, Jan. 15 cu kai asi lai 

• Sianginn building vialte khar a si lai.
• Online in kai dih a si lai
• Siangngakchia cu Chromebook hmangin Canvas ah luh a si lai, Online schedule zulh cio a si lai.
• Program dangdang a um lailo.
• Preschool class khar a si. Na fa hmun dangah preschool a kaimi a um ahcun a kainak sianginn kai le kailo hlat ding asi lai.
• Kids West khar asi.
• Sianginn rawl a um lai lo.
• Bus a um lai lo.

Please note: This announcement originally published Oct. 16, 2020.

WDMCS is taking a different approach to “snow days” in 2020-21. If school cannot be held on-site due to inclement weather, we will transition for that day to online learning for ALL students.

Using this approach, developed as a COVID-19 precaution during return-to-learn planning, will prevent the district from having to add make-up days at the end of the year.

WILL SCHOOL START AT NORMAL TIME ON “SNOW DAYS”?

School will start at normal time for all students unless otherwise communicated. 

WILL THIS IMPACT STUDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY LEARNING ONLINE?

This should not disrupt elementary students’ routines other than students will not have a scheduled time for related-arts classes. However, secondary students may have a shift in their schedule because they remote into their on-site classes. Students should log into the Student Canvas portal to review any directions their teachers provided.  

HOW WILL WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE CHANGE?

As we have in previous years, the district will send out mass notifications to all WDMCS employees and families. This includes a voicemail, email, text, and WDMCS app notification. We also post changes to schedules on the WDMCS website and social media.

If you did not update your contact information when going through our annual enrollment process this summer, please log into Infinite Campus and make sure we have your current email and phone numbers.

WHAT IF MY STUDENT DOESN’T HAVE THEIR MATERIALS AT HOME?

Because we may not have much advance notice of bad weather, we encourage students to bring home their Chromebooks and other materials EVERY DAY. If the student does not have their materials on that day, the teacher will work with the student when classes resume at school to make up any missed work.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ON-SITE STUDENTS and TEACHERS?

Elementary students will follow a virtual schedule with some whole class virtual meetings and built-in breaks. Students will not have a scheduled time for related-arts classes. 

View grade-specific example schedules > 

Secondary students will follow the virtual block schedule. They can find this schedule on the WDMCS website. Students will log into Canvas to understand what tasks or learning will take place for each class. Walnut Creek students follow a seven-period day. They will also log into the Student Canvas portal for course-specific instructions.

Teachers have the option of working from their regular workspace in their building or from home. If they choose to work from home, they will need to make sure they have adequate materials and internet access.

WHAT ABOUT LATE STARTS OR EARLY DISMISSALS?

There will not be any changes to our processes from previous years if we need to start late or dismiss early due to weather or other emergencies.

We will continue to update families in the coming weeks.

This coming Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Honoring the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy of justice and fairness, MLK Day is the only federal holiday also designated as a national day of service.

Volunteer organizations encourage us to think of MLK Day as “a day on, not a day off.” WDMCS students and families can engage in Dr. King’s legacy by volunteering locally over the weekend or on Mon., Jan. 18.

After reassessing spectator capacity at each of our athletic venues following Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ latest proclamation that lifted fan restrictions at high school sporting events, the West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) will implement the following guidelines for Valley winter sports starting Monday, Jan. 18.

The online enrollment process for 2021-22 Tiger Cubs Preschool with the West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) will begin at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Online enrollment for Tiger Cubs, including placement requests, will be made available at discover.wdmcs.org/tiger-cubs-enrollment at that time. 

• Current WDMCS families with incoming preschoolers will complete online enrollment for the entire family during this process. They will be able to review contact information, update emergency contacts, and more. Other back-to-school steps like getting the school supply list will still happen in the summer.
• Families new to WDMCS will complete new student enrollment online for incoming preschoolers.
• Families without access to the internet or those in need of an interpreter will be able to request a Tiger Cubs placement at Crestview School of Inquiry from 8 a.m. to noon on Jan. 19 and 3-7 p.m. on Jan. 21. 

Tiger Cubs is the WDMCS preschool program, funded through Statewide Voluntary Preschool, with no cost to families. Tiger Cubs provides opportunities for children to develop important learning skills. Tiger Cubs Preschools has 4-year-old programs at Clive Learning Academy, Crestview School of Inquiry, and Fairmeadows, Hillside, Jordan Creek, Western Hills, and Westridge elementary schools, as well as the Learning Resource Center. Tiger Cubs preschool includes special education students ages 3-5.

Learn more about Tiger Cubs and online Tiger Cubs enrollment 

We can’t wait to meet you, 2021-22 Tiger Cubs!

Check out new information from WDMCS Nutrition Services about on-site meals, online learner meal pick-up, and a new snack and supper program!

Classes resume Tuesday, Jan. 5, for the West Des Moines Community Schools. Students who chose in-person/on-site learning will return to buildings, and online students will resume their learning from home. We look forward to seeing you in our physical and virtual classrooms again!

View the Calendar at a Glance

Please keep in mind the important role that family and community members play in keeping us in the in-person and hybrid models. Wearing face masks in public, practicing physical distancing, frequent and correct hand washing, minimizing your time out in public, limiting the number of people you interact with, and staying home when you are sick will all help minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Questions about COVID-19?

Call 211. A public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7.

PHOTOS: WDMCS On-Site Students Return to School

In a communication shared earlier this week, we explained how the WDMCS Board of Education approved giving Superintendent Lisa Remy, Ed.D., authority to determine if students will return to in-person/on-site learning before winter break. 

WDMCS leadership considered several factors when making a final decision, including how COVID-19 is currently impacting our community and district. Most importantly, we valued the voices of students, families, and staff, many of whom shared their experiences this school year.  

We recognize the constant hurdles and adjustments you continue to make to keep student success at the forefront. Your commitment to our students’ educational and life journeys is what makes WDMCS a special place to be, and we are thankful for the flexibility and grace our students, families, and staff have shown during this global health pandemic.

It takes all of us, just like it takes all of us to limit the spread of COVID-19. Ultimately, we determined keeping students online until winter break is the safest choice. 

When does school resume after winter break?
School resumes Tuesday, Jan. 5. Students who chose in-person/on-site learning will return to buildings and online students will resume their learning from home.

Can practices still resume over winter break?
Even though students will not return until Tuesday, Jan. 5, co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities, and athletics will be able to resume practice over winter break. COVID-19 safety guidelines must be followed. Practices will resume Tuesday, Dec. 22. 

View more information

The waiver only went through Monday, Dec. 21. What about Tuesday, Dec. 22?
At the next Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 14, WDMCS will recommend that the Thursday, March 11, workday be moved to Tuesday, Dec. 22. This would prevent the need to add a school day at the end of the year.

What about facility rentals?
Facility rentals will be allowed starting Saturday, Dec. 26.

Please keep in mind the important role that our family and community members play in keeping us in the in-person and hybrid models. Wearing face masks in public, practicing physical distancing, frequent and correct hand washing, minimizing your time out in public, limiting the number of people you interact with, and staying home when you are sick will all help minimize the spread of COVID-19.  

Questions about COVID-19? Call 211. A public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7.

View list of community resources

In a special Board of Education meeting held Monday, Dec.7, WDMCS leadership updated the Board on current COVID-19 data within Polk County and the district. Based on this information, the Board approved giving Superintendent Lisa Remy, Ed. D., authority to determine if students will return to in-person/on-site learning before winter break. It is possible students could return as soon as Monday, Dec. 14.

Data Overview
WDMCS considers several factors to make our decision, including how COVID-19 is impacting both our community and district. Here’s what we know:

1. The Polk County COVID-19 positivity percentage continues to decline since mid-November (currently 15.1%).
2. Student absences dramatically decreased in the past three weeks since transitioning online Monday, Nov. 16. For the week of Nov. 23-Dec. 3, most schools reported 1-5% absenteeism for all illness types, including COVID-19. No school exceeded 7.3% on any one day. 
3. Staff absences also fell, with the highest percentage at 7.7% on one day. This percentage included all absentee leave reasons, including COVID-19.
4. Student and staff positive COVID-19 cases reported dramatically declined over a two-week period. 
5. Student and staff close contact COVID-19 cases also dramatically declined.

Download/view full COVID-19 Board Presentation 

Why consider returning to school?
Because both student and staff absenteeism and reported COVID-19 cases have declined, we believe we could safely return to in-person learning from Monday, Dec. 14-Tuesday, Dec. 22. We also understand many families have been placed in a difficult situation with supporting their students while trying to balance work and other responsibilities.

Why consider staying online?
The Polk County Health Department indicated a spike in positivity rates as a result of Thanksgiving break may not be evident until approximately 10 days after students are in school. This means if a spike would occur, it could happen sometime this week. We do not wish to bring students and staff back into the classrooms and risk increasing the spread of the virus.

When will a decision be made?
Superintendent Remy and the WDMCS leadership team plan to make a final decision later this week. This allows the Nutrition Services Department to adequately prepare for student meals if we return on Monday, Dec. 14.

If students return, what about activities and athletics?
If students return on Monday, Dec. 14, all district-related co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities, and athletics will resume. Detailed information would be emailed to students and families based on the activity.

If students do not return until Jan. 5, can practices resume over winter break?
If students do not return to school prior to Jan. 5, co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities, and athletics will be able to resume practice over winter break. COVID-19 safety guidelines must be followed. Practices could resume Tuesday, Dec. 22.

What about facility rentals?
If students return to school Monday, Dec. 14, rentals (both buildings and outdoor spaces) would be allowed.

Please keep in mind the important role that our family and community members play in keeping us in the in-person and hybrid models. Wearing face masks in public, practicing physical distancing, frequent and correct hand washing, minimizing your time out in public, limiting the number of people you interact with, and staying home when you are sick will all help minimize the spread of COVID-19.  

Questions about COVID-19? Call 211. A public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7.