Two-Hour Delay at DMPS for Wednesday, January 10

The Des Moines Public Schools operations team has been out all day clearing parking lots, sidewalk and driveways throughout the district. But, with the large amount of snow over the past 24 hours – along with strong winds and drifting snow expected overnight – extra time is needed in the morning to make sure all of our schools, offices and facilities are ready for the return of students and staff.

Therefore, there will be a two-hour delay to the start of classes on Wednesday, January 10.

A two-hour delay means the following for students and families:

  • All schools will begin classes two hours later and dismiss at the regular time.
  • DMPS and DART buses will run routes two hours later.
  • Students should listen for announcements when arriving at school about which class period will begin the school day.
  • Schools providing Breakfast-in-the-Classroom will begin serving breakfast 15 minutes before the start of school; all other schools will serve breakfast 30-45 minutes before classes begin.
  • Lunch will be served at the regular time.
  • All classes will end at the regular time.
  • Morning only early-childhood and early-childhood special education programs will be cancelled.
  • Full-day early-childhood and early-childhood special education programs will be two hours late.
  • Parochial shuttle buses will be cancelled.
  • All before-school, extracurricular activities will be cancelled.

A two-hour delay means the following for DMPS faculty and staff:

  • All administrators, 10.5-month administrators, Educational Support Professional (secretarial/clerical staff/associates/campus monitors/sign language interpreters/bilingual family liasions) will work their regular schedule. Hourly employees are paid for time worked.  Supervisors can approve unpaid leave for the before-mentioned hourly employees if work and/or appropriate paid leave is not available.
  • Teachers, other instructional staff, non-administrative, certified staff and substitutes should report before the 2-hour delay start time. An employee who does not report by the 2-hour delay start time shall use appropriate leave or will be deducted salary for absence.
  • Food service will work their regular schedule.
  • Bus drivers and bus associates will report to work two hours later than normally scheduled.
  • All custodial, facilities, and technology staff will be directed by their supervisors.
  • All specialists will be directed by their supervisors.
  • All staff may request available leave in NovaTime for supervisors to review on a case-by-case basis.