Material Distribution for Back to School
Dear Central Academy students and families,
Hello! Thank you again for choosing Central Academy! I’m finding myself feeling increasingly optimistic as the school year approaches even as technology continues to humble me with updates and new learning. The Academy team has been pulling together to support each other to create the best learning experience we can for you.
VIRTUAL ORIENTATION
We are planning a very special virtual orientation for students as well as “on demand” videos from teachers for students and parents about your Academy classes. More to come next week!
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION
We will be hosting drive-thru material distribution events on Thursday, September 3 from 10 AM – 2 PM and 5 – 7 PM, and Friday, September 4 from 10- 2. We will distribute you English novels, math workbooks, and other materials for your classes. We have something for EVERY student.
Watch this FUN video to see how to participate in material distribution:
If you cannot come during drive-thru times, after Sept. 3 please come to the front of the Academy building during regular office hours (8 – 4 on work days) and call 515-242-7888 and we’ll bring your materials out to you. Please know that we will accommodate those who need it. But if you can participate in the drive-thru it would be very helpful since we are a small staff. We will not be ready to deliver materials before Sept. 3. If none of these options work for you will you please email kimberly.kinney@dmschools.org to make arrangements.
CALENDARS, TERMS, CLASS TIMES
I modified the district calendar to add in some specifics for Academy. FY2021 Academy Calendar 8.25.2020 It includes the class times, the dates for each term, and parent conference times and dates that classes are in session.
The district has also published a Virtual Learning Handbook for students and families. K 12 VirtualLearning FINAL
Find out more about DMPS Virtual Learning HERE: https://www.dmschools.org/virtual-return-to-learn/
SCHEDULES
The top question is “When will I get my schedule?” We expect that student schedules will be ready for release by August 28. We are working with home schools so that your schedule at our program and your school will not conflict. You will not have to navigate that; we’ll do that for you working with your school’s counseling office.
As usual, there will be some criteria for making schedule changes. If there is an error in your schedule or if you have a significant life event, we will make changes. Errors that we are working to minimize but that would require a schedule change are: already completing a course that is on your schedule, missing a graduation requirement, taking sequenced classes out of order, or not having enough courses to be on track for graduation (most students need courses each 9-week term to be on track).
FAMILY RESOURCES
Des Moines Public Schools provides a wealth of support and resources for families. Check out the link: https://www.dmschools.org/familyresources/
You can find information on disaster relief, child care, domestic violence, English Language Learner Community, Employment assistance, Financial assistance, Food assistance, Health, Housing/homelessness, Legal, Mental Health, Personal hygiene items & cleaning supplies, Technology, and Free online community partner programs.
ENGLISH NOVELS
Every year, students enrolled in English at Academy (8th – 12th grades) need a set of novels or texts that they can annotate (so it cannot be a library book). We use a bulk supplier that allows us to purchase these books at a reduced price. You may choose to order one or more of these books from us or you can supply your own. Use this FORM to order books from us.
Placing an order with this FORM (same link as above) will tell us to manually add the books to your fee page in Infinite Campus, which we usually complete within 24 hours of your order. After you complete online registration for the upcoming school year (which most of you have), if your family qualifies for a textbook fee waiver or reduction, the Academy office will automatically adjust the cost of these books (free or half price), too. If you do not qualify for a textbook fee waiver you can use the RevTrack system to pay for these books as you would any other school fee after our office posts them in Infinite Campus– which usually takes 24 hours.
If you choose to purchase your own copies of the books, here is the list:
| Typical Grade Level | Course Name | Book Title and Author | Academy Cost | ISBN | Picture |
| 8th Grade | Acc. Eng. Lang & Lit 1 | The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros |
$8 | 9780679734772 |  |
| 8th Grade | Acc. English Lang & Lit 1 | The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka | $4 | 978-1557427663 |  |
| 9th Grade | Acc Eng. Lang & Lit 2 | The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho | $10 | 978-0062315007 |  |
| 10th Grade | Acc. Eng. Lang & Lit 3 | Medea By Euripides | $2 | 978-0486275482 |  |
| 10th Grade | Acc. Eng. Lang & LIt 3 | The Crucible by Authur Miller | $9 | 978-0142437339 |  |
| 11th Grade | College AP English Lang & Composition | 1984 by George Orwell | $7 | 978-0451524935 |  |
| 12th Grade | College AP English Literature & Comp | Hamlet by Shakespeare | $5 | 978-0451526922 |  |
| 12th Grade | College AP Literature & Comp | Grendel by John Gardner | $9 | 978-0679723110 |  |
| 12th Grade | College AP Literature & Comp | The Color Purple by Alice Walker | $10 | 978-0143135692 |  |
THE OFFICE IS OPEN
The Academy office is open Monday through Friday from 8 – 4.
- TEXTBOOK RETURN: If you were not able to return textbooks last spring, we have a book drop in our foyer that is open 8 – 4 Monday through Friday.
- NEED TO HAVE A FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENT? Please call Kim Kinney, office manager at 515-242-7888 to make an appointment.
- QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR COURSE SELECTION? If you have questions about the Academy courses you requested, please email our scheduling specialist, Jami Powers at jami.powers@dmschools.org.
PLEASE WELCOME
We are very excited to welcome our new teacher of the Chinese Language and Culture, William Hou! Mr. Hou joins us from Dallas Texas where he taught Chinese and German. He has also taught in Asia and Europe. He is a masterful teacher and brings rich experience to our school. Mr. Hou is an AP certified teacher of Chinese.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gogerty
Director of Advanced Learning and Central Academy
