Polar Bears Ready to Welcome POTUS

On Monday, President Obama will be our very special guest at North High School. He is going to join U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as part of a back-to-school bus tour. They will be holding a town meeting with North juniors and seniors, and their parents, to discuss a very important issue: the accessibility and affordability of a college education.

The President’s visit is not only a great honor for North, it is also recognition of the great work and success our school has enjoyed over the past few years.

Monday will be anything but a normal day at North. There will be a large number of law enforcement, media and others at school as part of the President’s event, and that will require some changes for the day.

First, all drop-offs by bus or car must be made on the north side of school on Sheridan Avenue as much of Holcomb Avenue and the normal drop off location will not be accessible on Monday. This will include both DART buses and school buses, including the Central shuttle.

Second, student parking will be available only on the far east side of the main parking lot, near the softball fields. Access to this area is only from 2nd Avenue. If students do not need to drive on Monday it would be good to make other arrangements to avoid possible congestion. If students must drive, please be aware that access to parking is available only off of 2nd Avenue.

Finally, the only entrance available for school on Monday – regardless of whether arriving by car, bus or on foot – will be the north entrance.

It’s a great honor for North High School and Des Moines Public Schools to host a President of the United States. We appreciate everyone’s patience for what will be an exciting and memorable day.