Articles from 04/2020

To say that this spring has brought some unexpected challenges is definitely an understatement. Instead of getting to know my colleagues at the Iowa Department of Education in person, I spent my first day on the job at the State Emergency Operations Center. Rather than welcoming students back from spring break, our sch…

A district plunges head first into uncharted waters At some schools, cars lined the street for two blocks waiting to receive their Chromebooks. “We are all dealing with this really foreign territory. It requires patience and it requires grace.” That’s how Jane Lindaman, the superintendent of …

The demand for volunteers during the COVID-19 epidemic is growing exponentially, especially at the state's health-care facilities and food banks and other free food providers that are overwhelmed with requests. Gov. Kim Reynolds is asking for health-care professionals, particularly nurses but even chaplains, to volu…

Isaac Blandin, a student on the robotics team at Central DeWitt High School, has been creating ear savers with the team’s 3D printer.” WAUKEE – When Andrew Hauptmann got a call asking if he could help the state’s frontline medical personnel, he didn’t think twice. Hauptmann, an industrial te…

Schools will continue voluntary and required continuous learning plans while school buildings are closed DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced today that all school districts and nonpublic schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year and will continue to offer…

The state of Iowa has seven semifinalists for the prestigious 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. They are: Matthew Ding, Johnston High School, Johnston Animesh Suyash Joshi, Valley High School, West Des Moines Elizabeth Catherine Meyer, Heelan High School, Sioux City Cynthia Salinas Cappellano, Thomas…

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Education today announced that 506 school districts and accredited nonpublic schools submitted plans to offer continuous learning opportunities for students this week while their brick-and-mortar buildings are closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Continuous learning encompasses…

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Education today received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education allowing for flexibility in the use of federal funds to best meet the needs of students and educators during the COVID-19 national emergency.  The new flexibilities, authorized under the Coronavirus …

The U.S. Department of Education is providing states with funding flexibilities to best meet the needs of students and educators during the COVID-19 national emergency. The new flexibilities, authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, allow schools to repurpose existing K-12 educat…