Nearly 1,500 Des Moines Students Begin a New School Year on Thursday

While most students across the state are still enjoying a summer vacation, nearly 1,500 Des Moines students will return to school on Thursday, July 18 at Capitol View, Moulton and River Woods schools.

Two of the schools also welcome new principals for the new school year. Marsha Kerper is the principal at Capitol View school, replacing Marcia Johnson who retired at the end of last year. For the past decade Kerper was principal at Madison Elementary School.

And Moulton welcomes Cheri Dixon as their new principal; she replaces Craig Saddler, who resigned to accept a position with another school district. Dixon joins Des Moines Public Schools from Galena Park, TX where she was principal of Green Valley Elementary School and a 2011 finalist for Texas School Administrator of the Year.

Des Moines Public Schools’ continuous calendar schools begin the school year in mid-July and end in early June. Breaks are spread throughout the year to optimize teaching and learning. In addition to a six-week summer break, students have a three-week fall break, a one-week winter break, a two-week spring break, and a week-long break in April. More students attend continuous calendar schools in Des Moines than the total enrollment at more than 280 Iowa school districts.

Capitol View Elementary, located at 320 E. 16th Street, serves over 500 students.

“Working with the staff here at Capitol View the last few days has been amazing,” said Marsha Kerper, Capitol View principal. “However, the most exciting part has been getting to meet many students and families. Everyone is looking forward to a great year. “

River Woods Elementary School, located at 2929 SE 22nd Street, serves nearly 600 students.

“Our staff is looking forward to welcoming students and families back for the 2013-14 school year,” said Jill Burnett Requist, principal of River Woods. “And we hope to see everyone at our Open House/Meet the Teacher event on Wednesday, July 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M.”

Moulton Extended Learning Center, located at 1541 8th Street, is home to over 400 students in grades PreK-8.

“At Moulton this year, we are working on student success in all areas,” said Moulton principal Cheri Dixon. “Our campus theme – Success is the ONLY Option! – really sums up what we believe as a team here at Moulton. We will do whatever we can to help our students soar this year.”

Classes begin at 8:15 a.m. at Capitol View and 8:35 a.m. at both Moulton and River Woods. There will be a 90-minute early dismissal on Thursday at all three schools