When does school start? Dates, child care resources families around Des Moines should know

Chris Higgins, Phillip Sitter and Samantha Hernandez, Des Moines Register
·7 min read
1

The summer flew by and school is almost back in session.

Parents may be wondering what time the first period bell rings, when they can tour their child's school or where to go for free or reduced lunch or after-school care. Here are some need-to-know dates and information to get ready for the new school year:

Ankeny Community School District

  • First day of school — Aug. 23. Wednesdays are full days this year.

  • School start and end times — K-5 elementary 7:55 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.; 6-7 middle school 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; 8-9 middle school 8:20 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.; 10-12 high school 8:25 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

  • Families are encouraged to check their school's websites for information about events like back to school night and Kindergarten Jumpstart.

  • There is no specific deadline, but missing immunizations without an exemption could delay a student's school start date. Families can contact their school nurse with questions.

  • Families may contact the nutrition services department at 515-965-9600 for information about free and reduced lunch eligibility. Families may also be eligible for help with district textbook costs and other fees.

  • Information about the before- and after-school program for elementary students is available on the district's website, ankenyschools.org. New parent orientation will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 7.

  • The school district has several community partnerships including Employee & Family Resources and the Heartland Area Education Agency to provide support, such as counseling or digital learning materials, for families. Each building also has trained staff to help families, including a social worker and counselor.

Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District

  • First day of school — Aug. 23

  • Oak View 7-8 grade class times — 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

  • All other school class times — 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

  • Information on resources for families in need is available on the district's website, dcgschools.com, under Family Resources, including food assistance, reduced-cost internet access, clothing help, therapy resources and more. Families also are asked to reach out to their school administration about available resources.

More: Des Moines schools' first Black superintendent says leadership will be 'anchored in empathy'

Des Moines Public Schools

  • First day of school — Aug. 23

  • School start and end times — elementary 7:45 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.; middle school 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.; high school 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.

  • Metro Kids provides after school care at 22 elementary school locations. There is a one-time registration fee of $40 and a weekly fee of $85 for after-school care from school dismissal time until 5:30 p.m. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Information is available online at metrokids.dmschools.org.

  • Families can contact their school and community school coordinators for more information about services and resources available to families.

Johnston Community School District

  • First day of school — Aug. 23

  • Elementary school hours — 8:40 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.

  • Middle and high school hours — 7:45 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

  • Sports physical day — 8:30 a.m. to noon July 15 at Johnston High School, 6500 N.W. 100th St.

  • Johnston Back to School Health and Resource Clinic —3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at Johnston Middle School, 6501 N.W. 62nd Ave. Families in need can get help with school registration, supplies, transportation, school lunch, before- and after-school child care, dental screenings, vision screenings and more. Physicals are available for families that are uninsured, underinsured or face other barriers.

  • Kids Connection child care registration is available on the Johnston Community Education website.

  • Information about The Johnston Partnership services for food assistance, financial assistance and mentoring is available online at johnstonpartnership.org.

  • Johnston contracts with Employee & Family Resources for student and employee mental health services. Phone lines for the student assistance program are open 24/7 at 515-244-6090. The employee assistance line is open 24/7 at 800-327-4692.

North Polk Community School District

  • First day of school — Aug. 23

  • School times — 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. for all buildings except for Big Creek Elementary, which runs from 8:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

  • Red and Black Pride Night — with food trucks, bounce houses, football and volleyball scrimmages, fall activity introductions and more — is 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18.

  • Back-to-school nights — time for families to visit their students' schools — are Aug. 21 for all buildings.

  • Families may contact Matthew Blackmore, director of student services, at 515-984-3400 or matthew.blackmore@northpolk.org for information about resources for families in need.

  • North Polk partners with Lakes Early Learning Center for before- and after-school child care services.

Southeast Polk Community School District

  • First day of school for K-12 — Aug. 23

  • First day of school for preschool — Sept. 5

  • School start and end time vary by building and day; a full schedule is available on each building website under daily schedule.

  • The district partners with Altoona Campus Kids Klub for before- and after-school child care.

  • Information about resources for students and families in need is available on the district's website, southeastpolk.org, including food assistance, mental health assistance, help with clothing and school supplies, help for families experiencing homelessness and more.

More: Iowa school district flags 374 books as potentially banned, from 'Ulysses' to 'Heartstopper'

Urbandale Community School District

  • First day for students at the year-round Karen Acres school was July 27.

  • First day of school for other K-12 — Aug. 23

  • First day for preschool — Aug. 25

  • All schools with have a Monday late start, depending on the building. A full school calendar, with start and end times, is available on the district's website.

  • Information on before- and after-school child care, known as Adventuretime, is available online.

  • Food pantry information is available on the district's website, urbandaleschools.org.

  • Service for families experiencing homelessness and translations services are available by contacting Coordinator of Student Services Renee Gelfond at gelfondr@urbandaleschools.com or 515-457-5004.

  • Students and families have access to mental health services provided by Employee & Family Resources. Families can also reach out to school administrators, school counselors or the school's facilitator of family outreach, whose information is available on the staff directory.

Waukee Community School District

  • First day of school — Aug. 23

  • School times — elementary schools 8:50 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.; 6-7 grades 8:05 a.m. to 2:58 p.m.; 8-9 grades 7:55 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.; high schools 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

  • Information about the before- and after-school child care program for elementary students is available on the district's website, waukeeschools.org.

  • The district partners with Affinity Therapy & Counseling, Courageous Minds Counseling, and Integrative Counseling Solutions to provide on-site mental health services for students needing support. The district also offers additional resources to connect families with counseling services in the community.

  • Further information is available on the district's website about resources for families like food assistance, health clinics and after-school activities.

West Des Moines Community School District

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: First day of school, resources for families in Des Moines metro area