The Become Here Project

Three DMPS schools have earned the prestigious RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and East High School is receiving the Program of Promise Award. Let’s explore what these awards mean and why they matter.

Joining the discussion is Erin Kruger Cavazos, the K-12 Counseling Coordinator at DMPS, Mike Freund, a school counselor from East High School, and Barbara Hogan who is the counselor at The Downtown School, and formerly at Wright Elementary.

We had so much to cover, we made it a two-parter! Join Erin, Mike, and Barbara as they continue the conversation on school counseling, diving deeper into Social Emotional Learning and Iowa's pediatric mental health crisis. Don’t miss Part 2 releasing in mid-April.

Learn more about counseling at DMPS.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

This episode is a live recording from the 2025 DMPS State of the Schools event held in the North High School auditorium on February 11, 2025. Reimagining Education at Des Moines Public Schools means providing the best education choices to prepare all students for successful futures.

This multi-year plan calls for major changes and improvements to enhance support for the educational outcomes of students in Des Moines.

Host Amanda Lewis and student co-host Champ-PacifiqueMukiza speak with Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts, Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen, RE student committee member Christopher Ramirez-Chavez, and DMEA Associate Executive Director Doug Smith to discuss the aspirational goal of reimagining education and reinvigorating schools.

Learn more about the Reimagining Education plan ⁠here⁠.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

The DMPS Foundation exists to provide direct financial support for teacher requests — whether it’s for decodable books to enhance literacy, gardening supplies to foster hands-on learning, or outdoor murals that inspire creativity and pride in their schools.

We know that teachers go above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences for their students. The Foundation is here to help.

Host Amanda Lewis speaks with DMPS Board Member and Foundation Chair Jenna Knox and Foundation Board Member Jazlyn Fitz about the initiatives and fundraising events that help to bridge resource gaps.

Learn more about the DMPS Foundation and consider donating here.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

Iowa School Performance Profile Shows 16 DMPS Schools Improve Categorization Since Last Year

From growth and proficiency in various subject areas to school attendance to high school graduation, many important factors go into looking at the growth and success of students and schools.

In Iowa, the Iowa School Performance Profile (ISPP) serves as an important measurement of the state’s public schools. At Des Moines Public Schools, the results include reasons to celebrate as well as a reminder that much work remains to be done.

Director of Assessment, Data and Evaluation, Jocelyn Sturgis about ISPP designations.

For more information about DMPS and the ISPP: State Report Shows Areas of Growth, Room to Improve

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

Options Academy is a program for Des Moines Public Schools students who need a new path to their high school diploma. Options students earn their diploma by finishing their credit requirements through self-paced classes and/or HiSET exams.

In addition to a personalized teaching and learning plan for each student, Options Academy also provides students with career coaching and post secondary opportunities.

Host Amanda Lewis speaks with Options Academy Principal, Amanda Dvorak and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, Tony Timm about this growing program.

Learn more about Options by visiting their website.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

Paid summer apprenticeships at Central Campus are giving students the opportunity to learn and earn at the same time. Host Amanda Lewis speaks with student apprentices Addison Stone and Barrett Weispfenning, and Central Campus Associate Principal Kelsie Mouchka about their apprenticeship experiences during the 2024 summer.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

The data is clear, "Preschool should be important to everyone in the community," says Early Childhood Programs Director, Kristin Rourke. Tune in to learn "why."

New this year, transportation is available for students who qualify for our 2024-25 school year pilot program, Pleasant Hill Elementary introduces a Montessori preschool program, and more!

Preschool is an exciting time for children as they begin to explore learning in a classroom setting.

Des Moines Public Schools provides a high-quality preschool education for children throughout our community. An early childhood education at DMPS provides a great start to learning, promoting the academic and social growth of young children.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

In this special episode of The Become Here Project, a Des Moines Public Schools Podcast and we dive into five important things to know before heading back to school on Monday, August 26! We are aiming to keep you informed and get you ready for the 2024-25 school year by keeping our interviews to five minutes each.

Five new things to expect this Fall at DMPS:

· Learning more about the Reimagining Education Initiative as our community committee makes recommendations to the Superintendent and School Board for changes to the district.

· School buses will now have Wi-Fi for student convenience and enhanced safety!

· A renewed focus on making sure students attend school – because every day matters.

· An expansion of Montessori opportunities

· And, we’ll see how Hoover High School rolls out their new cell-phone free environment – part of the Mental Health Movement.

Host Amanda Lewis speaks with:

Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts on district goals.

Director of Transportation Samantha Sonnichsen about the addition of Wi-Fi capabilities on school buses.

Pleasant Hill Elementary School's new principal Todd Johnson on implementing Montessori programming.

Hoover High School Associate Principal Robert Randazzo on how a cell phone-free environment is part of a larger Mental Health Movement.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

DMPS is so honored to co-host the 2024 National Speech & Debate Association Tournament as more than 6,700 students from across the country are in the Des Moines metro! We took our podcast on the road this week to talk with Roosevelt High School principal Steven Schappaugh and East High School senior Christopher Ramirez-Chavez about what it means to host and compete in this major event, and why forensics is a valuable activity for students. Proud to have 25 students representing all five DMPS high schools participating in this national event.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠dmschools.org⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Flickr⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis.

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV.

We are celebrating the graduation of more than 2,000 DMPS students – members of the Class of 2024 on this episode of The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools podcast. In this episode, we listen in on segments as some of the high school Valedictorians and Class Speakers as they share stories and advice with their fellow classmates. 

(00:33) North High: Valedictorian, Genesis Trujillo-Lopez

(04:40) Options Academy: Senior Speaker, Sean Baker

(07:22) Roosevelt High: Senior Speaker, Alec Fialkov

(10:26) Hoover High: Senior Speaker, Paisha Goodrich

(13:12) East High: Valedictorian, Raegan Park

(17:30) Lincoln High: Senior Speaker, Sydney Parker

See more of the DMPS Class of 2024 by visiting our Flickr page.

Come Here. Become Here.

⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠.

Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠.

Hosted by Amanda Lewis.

Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV.