This week, districts across the Des Moines metro are kicking off the second half of a whirlwind school year in which most students have had to switch between online and in-person classes multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Some districts are continuing hybrid models while others are now offering fully on-site learning. School boards continue to discuss return to learn plans and could reapply for temporary exemptions from the state’s in-person learning requirements.
As of Monday, no metro districts are permitted to be in a primarily remote model, according to the Iowa Department of Education website.
Here’s how metro school districts are starting the new year:
Ankeny
The Ankeny School District has been in a hybrid learning model since Dec. 7. In a memo posted on Dec. 2, the school district said the intent was to remain in a hybrid model through the end of 2020 to avoid an unintended yo-yo effect for students.
The district will transition all students to full in-person learning on Jan. 19. Remote learning will remain in effect for families who chose that option.
Bondurant
At a Dec. 14 board meeting, the Bondurant School Board voted to continue its hybrid learning model through Jan. 15, unless health conditions warrant otherwise.
The board will meet again on Jan. 11 to determine the appropriate learning model to be implemented on Jan. 18.
Des Moines
Des Moines students resumed hybrid and virtual models Monday, Jan. 4. The district had kept classes online through much of the first semester.
Hybrid students are split into two groups who are in the classroom Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday groups, with alternating Wednesdays. Des Moines Public Schools’ second semester starts Jan. 25, when some students will switch learning models based on their family’s decision.
High school sports began practicing over winter break and can begin competing as of Monday, the DMPS website says.
Johnston
The Johnston School Board voted Dec. 7 to return students to a full, five-day in-person model starting Monday, Jan. 4. Johnston students had been fully virtual since about mid-November.
Saydel
Saydel students returned to school Monday, Jan. 4, in a hybrid model, with some families choosing to stay remote, said Superintendent Todd Martin.
Southeast Polk
At a Dec. 8 board meeting, the Southeast Polk School Board voted to return all elementary buildings to full in-person learning from Dec. 14 through Jan. 15.
All sixth- through 12th-grade students will remain in a hybrid learning model until the end of the first semester on Jan.15.
On Jan. 19, all students will transition into full in-person learning. The district will continue to offer full remote learning for families who want it.
Urbandale
Urbandale students returned to school in a hybrid model Monday, Jan. 4. The school board will revisit metrics during a Jan. 11 board meeting, according to the district’s website.
Also during that meeting, the board will decide on the learning model for the second semester, which begins Jan. 19. The district has been fully online since Nov. 16.
Waukee
During a special board meeting Dec. 11, the Waukee School Board voted to return to hybrid learning Dec. 14. Waukee students also have the option for full in-person learning or online only.
More:Waukee students thank their teacher with a surprise virtual classroom display
West Des Moines
West Des Moines students will return to classrooms or virtual learning starting Tuesday, Jan. 5. Students enrolled in the fully in-person option have not been in classrooms since mid-November when the district moved online and stayed there through the end of 2020.
The district’s second semester begins Jan. 19, when students will continue to be either 100{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} on-site or 100{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} online, a district spokesman said.
More:Delayed for more than a year, West Des Moines Steak ‘n Shake about to open
