Email from West Des Moines Superintendent Matt Adams and School Board President Anadelia Morgan:
Dear WDMCS Staff and Families,
At West Des Moines Community Schools, we value diversity and strive to create a community where everyone feels respected and dignified. We recognize that the recent Presidential Executive Orders have caused fear and harm for students, families, and staff. WDMCS remains committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for each member of our school community.
Our schools provide spaces where each student and staff member feels safe and welcome, regardless of their dimensions of identity. We have multiple board policies to support this.
- Board Policies 102, 401.01, and the 500 series protect students and staff from discrimination, unfair treatment, and/or exclusion.
- Board Policy 502.09 protects student privacy and ensures all requests by outside agencies are handled appropriately.
- All requests by outside agencies to access school facilities, buses, or events will be processed through the office of the Superintendent, who will consult with legal counsel.
Our staff is expected to protect the privacy of our students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and adhere to board policies that govern West Des Moines Community Schools in order to treat each member of our school community with dignity and respect, regardless of their identities.
As a school system, we want to partner with you. We encourage students, staff, and families to communicate with their school leaders.
We see you. We value you. We appreciate you. You belong HERE!
If you are seeking additional information and support, please refer to the resources below.
Resources
- Know Your Rights Multilingual Resources
- Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice
- Diversity Services Center
- Catholic Charities
- Iowa Safe Schools
- One Iowa
- AILA accredited Immigration Attorneys in Iowa (Non-Profit & Private)
Please, contact your building with questions or concerns related to your experiences.
Sincerely,
Matt Adams, WDMCS Superintendent
Anadelia Morgan, WDMCS Board of Education President
