March 13 – DMPS Closure Update

Des Moines Public Schools is committed to keeping you updated throughout the district closure, which began this evening at 6 PM. Below, please find additional information from our Community Schools staff about the availability of meals during the closure, and from our Counseling staff about talking to students about Coronavirus. You will also find this information online at dmschools.org/coronavirus.

Dear DMPS Families,

Several partner organizations will be graciously providing supplemental food supplies during the period of DMPS closures. These will be provided outside of identified schools in a ‘grab and go’ fashion.

If organizations or groups want to support this effort, please invite them to contact our friends at the Food Bank of Iowa and Des Moines Area Religious Council to find out how they can give financially or through volunteer support.

Your Community Schools staff

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Dear Parents and Guardians of our DMPS students,

We know that you will now have students in your homes for the next 2 weeks. As school counselors, we want to encourage you to limit your children’s exposure to the media and remain calm about this issue with your children in order to help them address their fears.

Below are listed some resources from the American School Counselor Association website www.schoolcounselor.org to help you and your student understand COVID 19 and discuss it together.

Talking to children about COVID-19.

https://www.dmschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SAMHSA-Guidance-for-Children.pdf

Here is s short video of information from BrainPop.

https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/

Another resource is here for stress that may be felt around the unsure feelings of COVID19.

https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4885.pdf

This video gives many details about the virus, and it can be translated into any language.

https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

We know that we are off school, but if your family has had a tough time over this break with changes or stresses, please be sure you or your student check in with your school counselors. We are always available by email, and we are here to help.

I hope these resources are helpful. Have a nice break!

The DMPS Counseling Staff