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DMPS approves hybrid Return to Learn plan

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DES MOINES, Iowa — In a meeting Wednesday evening, Des Moines Public Schools agreed to return to school in hybrid learning as scheduled, but with updated metrics.

The plan is for students to start coming back on October 12 starting with Pre-K, and working in the higher grades over the course of a month. 

While students will be brought back to the buildings under this plan, families will still have the option to choose a 100% virtual learning plan.

  • Preschool: Oct. 12
  • Elementary school: Oct. 19
  • Middle school: Oct. 26
  • High school: Nov. 10 (start of the second term)

Classes at Central Academy will remain fully online.

Classes could return online if:

  • There are more than 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in Polk County in a week
  • The rolling 14 day positivity rate is above 10 percent
  • If student absenteeism is above 10 percent or
  • If staff absenteeism is above 10 percent, or 5-9 percent for greater than a week. 

Polk County does not currently meet these metrics and the board said they will revisit the decision in the coming weeks if numbers do not come in line with their updated requirements. 

Local 5 will continue to follow this story as it continues. 

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