The J-Hawk Experience
Info you need to know for the week of Sept 19-23
Message from the Principal
What a Homecoming week!!! For the first time in three years, UHS returned to a full fledged week of Homecoming activities. Students, staff and community members, alike enjoyed many traditions and starting new ones.
As I shared in last week's newsletter, while we still focus on learning important academic knowledge and skills in our classes, it is also important to our UHS Community to honor and celebrate who we are through things like seniors selecting our Homecoming Court, a return to other homecoming traditions where classes compete against each other in a fun but positive way, our Parade and Street Party/Carnival, Pep Assembly on Friday along with football game and band performance, and Homecoming Dance on Saturday night!
All throughout the week, our students elevated themselves and recognized their classmates by dressing up on different theme days during the week and celebrating each other in places like the assembly, fun activities like Connections Chalk drawing and games throughout the week, at the parade, and at the game, and then dance. Students danced and went "out of this world" (our homecoming week theme).
"Shout outs" to our student groups like Student Senate who helped in so many ways to prepare for and set up events: parade, street party, pep assembly, and dance. A big "thank you" also goes out to our staff who stepped up to help with senate on these events: Mrs. Hanson, Mrs. Ritland, Mrs. Bunce, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Dunbar, and Mrs. Longfellow. We also recognize long-time senate sponsor, Mrs. Brown-Luke, for her past work and help throughout summer months.
Our students continue to lead in formal and informal ways at UHS! We have high expectations, and they are working to meet them in many ways.
Connections
The first two weeks of this year during Connections (30 minute advisory period that every day except Aug 29th and continues to meet this week), students participated in Connections Cup activities where they play Connections groups have "Minute to Win It" type competitions again another Connections group. Connections build points where they will ultimately earn prizes like preferred seating and access at lunch as well as preferring parking (if they drive to school). They engaged in some initial learning about what it means to be Future Ready at UHS (Life, Career, and College ready). Student attendance is required and connecting with others in their Connections is essential to our community being stronger and safer. Two weeks ago, students also planned for their Connections Homecoming Chalk design and more related to Homecoming. Connections each day has been a connecting, unifying experience where students of each grade get to know and learn about students from other grades with their Connections teacher who they will have for all four years of high school at UHS.
Grading for Learning update and clarification
I recognize that our new grading system may causing some students to stress. Some of this relates to some misunderstanding about how graders are determined and what a 3.00 means for a grade.
Within our new grading system, students will receive a letter grade at the end of each grading period. At the end of each semester, that letter grade is what determines their grade point average (GPA). If a student earns all 'A' letter grades in their courses, then their GPA would be a 4.00. In order to earn an 'A' letter grade in a course, a student would need to average a 3 or higher on their reporting topics for that course.
Throughout the semester, teachers will gather evidence of student learning of reporting topics. This evidence will be used by the teacher to determine their summative grade for a reporting topic. All reporting topics for a semester are averaged to create the end grade for the course.
Please know, too, that this way of determining and reporting students learning through grades is also new to most of our teachers. That said, many have been using variations of it at UHS in the past and many of our new staff members this year are veterans and come from other schools around the suburban and metro area schools where similar grading systems have been used for many years.
UHS Homecoming 2022
Look for more details below the this section about UHS Homecoming 2022, the week of September 12th - 17th! Go J-Hawks!!!
A few points to highlight this week, September 19th - 23rd:
- LATE START on Monday, September 19th, for staff professional learning. UHS building opens at 8:50am and 1st period starts at 9:20am.
- Monday is an 8-period day (all 8 class periods meet) and is a Day 1 this week.There is no Connections time on Monday.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Day 1 and Thursday and Friday are Day 2.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays are Odd Block Days and Wednesdays and Fridays are Even Block Days (like last year)
- Students start in 1st period on Tuesday. After 1st period, they will go to Connections.
- We will have Connections activities Tuesday and Friday this week between 9:30am-10:00am.
- INTERVENTION: We will have Intervention starting Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:30am-10:00am where students can be drafted or self-select to get additional support for their learning. Students will find out on Monday (late in the day) or Tuesday morning in Connections if they are drafted to do additional learning with a teacher. If they are not drafted, students will report to their Connections as normal. They should plan to use this time to study and/or do additional learning. Students ARE NOT allowed to just leave school during this time. If a student needs to make up an assessment or some other learning during this time on Wednesday and Thursday, they would need to ask their teacher to draft them.
- The complete daily schedule for each day can be found below the Calendar after this message.
Intervention - Beginning next week, we will have the opportunity for on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting the week of September 19th. This is time during the day where students have time for additional learning with teachers, staff, and other students. This is required time. Students who are drafted will be notified by their drafting teacher as well as their Connections teacher. Those students who are not required to be drafted may request a teacher drafts them or stay in their Connections to work on learning of their own and/or support the learning of others. In Connections on Tuesday, September 20th, each student's Connections teacher will verify that their students know where they are going for Intervention time on Sept 21st and 22nd.
A reminder that again this year, our weekly newsletter, "The J-Hawk Experience," will be emailed out on Sunday evenings and be your primary source for information about and for our UHS students, families, and staff...our UHS community.
Our UHS Community of teachers, counselors, and our entire staff, engaged students during our first week in lots of learning getting to know them and learning the class learning and behavior expectations for the year. Our vision at UHS is to change the world! This happens through the fruits of our students' successes both in their time here and after they graduate...and it all is supported by relationships and our UHS Community.
As I shared last week...and the week before...and the week before, we are also focusing on high expectations for staff and students alike to help all achieve our vision. High expectations is a key characteristic of our UHS Community. We will work to create an engaging and safe environment while helping achieve success as learners. All of us need to own our part and be empowered to help make this happen. #UHSCommunity #EmpoweringU #UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
I look forward to seeing everyone at UHS tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Tim Carver
Principal
#UHSCommunity
#Hungry&Humble
#UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
Parent University Begins September 20: Register Today!
Class assemblies to improve student behavior and experience
Class assemblies to improve student behavior and experience
Regularly on our student engagement surveys in the past (both internal and external surveys), one of our lowest scores at UHS is how students treat each other. We are working to make this better. During this coming week during Connections time, students will engage in learning about student behavior as it relates to how students treat each other and how they can report through a reporting (besides talking to a staff member) if they see or hear something that is hurtful and/or isn't right. This happened in grade level assemblies during Connections where I led this learning along with senior and junior members of our CORE club.
A special "shout out" goes to a group of seniors and juniors who are also co-facilitators of our CORE club for their work over the past six months and beyond (including much time with me and other administrators this summer) planning and developing this opportunity for our students to learn and grow as well as be empowered to make our UHS community a better, safer place for all students. Our 9th graders met in the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, September 6th, during Connections time; 10th graders on Wednesday, September 7th; 11th graders on Thursday, September 8th; and 12th graders Friday, September 9th.
For each grade level, I started each class assembly with a unique approach just for them:
- Class of 2026 - 9th grade was playing, and then telling the history of, the UHS Fight Song "Confidence" and how it is like no other fight song (tune or lyrics) than any other school in the country...just like each of them are unique and special and their is no one like them in the country. Also, that I've been so pleased with how they have behaved and carried themselves in the UHS hallways and classrooms...along with in the student section at games. They have been as great of a freshmen class over the first few weeks as we have ever had in my time at UHS. Keep elevating.
- Class of 2025 - 10th grade was calling each of them to be a Captain (like on a soccer team or football team) and earn the metaphorical "C" on their shirt like captains wear in those sports) by the leading in all they do each day. That they support each other and are working to hold each other accountable to be great and respectful and carrying. As the assembly went on, we talked about how they are making the "U" a better place and a quick decision was made to take a large group photo of them showing the "U" with their hands (impromptu and awesome).
- Class of 2024 - 11th grade was showing the "U" hands up (tradition our students do) while sharing how our UHS split-U is unique. I appreciated how they as upperclassmen have set a good example for our younger students. They are a class I know very well and have seen them grow and raise to any challenge. I also gave out two authentic UHS "helmet stickers" from the 1970's to two members of the Class of 2024 who stood out for excellence in different ways, each putting in hard work in different ways over the summer to achieve great things for UHS and for them as individuals.
- Class of 2023 - 12th grade was me appreciating them for the incredible forms of leadership at UHS coming out of the three most challenging years of our lives. I highlighted having an "At The Top" mindset that UHS alum and now Green Bay Packer star receiver, Allen Lazard, shared with them over the past two years through video and personal stories when he visited UHS last March. That is, they need to focus on being the best version of themselves each day...and that is enough...and that when we do that and treat each other with respect, caring and dignity in a positive way, they will change the world!
“Need To Share” reporting system
The “Need To Share” reporting system is a new tool UHS students, teachers, and staff can use to report concerns they have about situations or behaviors they’ve observed in their school community that may be hurtful to others. There may be times when you feel as though you “need to share” something but aren’t sure who to turn to for help. For example, if you observe situations where you’re concerned about bullying, discrimination, harassment, or other unsafe or unkind behaviors, this online reporting system provides a quick way to share those concerns and find help.
In order to use the tool, UHS students and staff must first login to their UCSD email account. Please note, this is not an anonymous system. The person reporting the concern must submit their name and a description of the concerning situation. The form will automatically capture the email address of the person submitting the concern which will help UHS Administration to follow up on the concern. Only UHS students and staff are permitted to use this system.
UHS Administration encourages students to directly report concerning situations to their teacher or to administration. As students may not always feel comfortable doing so, the “Need To Share” reporting system is another option students can use to help create a safer school environment.
Recurring UHS Logistical items
Connections, Intervention and Lunch
- Connections - This is where students gather for what some call advisory or homeroom time...at UHS, we call it "Connections" because that is what this time is about...building connections with students that are not necessarily our friends or people we regularly have classes with. All students in grades 9-12 will report to their Connections between the 1st and 2nd block of the day for the first few weeks of schedule as we orient and start the year off. A few weeks into school, we will begin to have Connections just on Tuesdays and Fridays (week of September 19th). This is our homeroom/advisory time (30 minutes) for all students.
Intervention - Beginning a few weeks into the start of the year. It will happen on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting the week of September 19th. This is time during the day where students have time for additional learning with teachers, staff, and other students. This is required time. Students who are drafted will be notified by their drafting teacher as well as their Connections teacher. Those students who are not required to be drafted may request a teacher drafts them or stay in their Connections to work on learning of their own and/or support the learning of others.
- Lunch - Students will eat lunch in the lunchroom again this year. We. They are expected to pick up after themselves and bus their own tables. Students will each lunch when their 5th period teacher is listed for having lunch. The lunch schedule by teacher is linked here. On Wednesdays and Fridays, students will have lunch when their 6th period teacher is listed as having lunch.
- Lunch time frame - Students and families will note that the length of lunch periods will return to time frames that we had prior to COVID. So, instead of 65 or 70 minutes lunches, students will have 40 minute lunch times (5 minute passing time, 30 minute lunch, 5 minute passing time).
Mondays - We will have professional learning on Monday mornings from 7:30am-9:05am. The building will open for students at 8:50am on Mondays. Students will not be allowed in before that time. Please plan accordingly. Students will attend all 8 periods on Mondays for 35 minutes each period.
Parking and Arrival
- Arrive before 8:00am to allow plenty of time for parking and/or drop off. Students can enter the building starting at 8:50am on Mondays and 7:30am Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
- Senior parking spots are marked with blue lines and all other are yellow. Only seniors with parking tags my park in the blue area. All others may park in the general parking.
- Do not park in staff marked spots (yellow spots with numbers or letters around the building perimeter).
- Do not park in Senior Center parking spots (spots nearest the Senior Center marked on the ground with signage or with standing signs).
- STUDENTS will all need to enter at either the main entrance or the PAC entrance at the start of the day. Students will not be allowed to enter through the doors nearest the baseball field as in years past. This entrance does not have the level of security before school so it will not be allowed to be entered.
Out of bounds
Calendar
Schedule
- U-Hub linked here or scan QR code
Important changes to student arrival
UHS Counseling Office information
Student Ambassadors
Hello UHS,
Below is the application for Student Ambassadors. This is an opportunity for you to get involved and be a part of something awesome at UHS. Student Ambassadors show new kids around, give tours of the building, welcome new families, help at Freshman Orientation, Give tours to 8th graders in the spring. Your application is due no later than September 30th. You will be notified Via email of your initial acceptance. If you were a student ambassador in the past you will need to still reapply.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO BE A STUDENT AMBASSADOR
Mrs. Amber McKenna M.S
Professional School Counselor
Urbandale High School
Last Names: F-K
515-457-6818
A Message from the UHS FFO
There are a number of choices for support depending on what’s bothering you and how much support you feel would be helpful. If you need help choosing the right option for you please contact, Michele Hamilton, Coordinator of Student, Family and Community Services. 515-402-8538 or hamiltonm@urbandaleschools.com
If you feel talking on the phone with someone could provide you with the right support here are some issue specific numbers that you can call any time.
• The Trevor Project- 1-866-488-7386 - helpful ally to LGBTQIA community
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 1-800-273-8255 or text 741741 for a Crisis Text Line
• CommUnity Crisis Services- 1-855-325-4296 or Chat at www.IowaCrisisChat.org - over all mental health support
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673
There are other community resources and options for supports, so if you don’t see the right fit for your needs please reach out to your school counselor, Christy Stroope or Michele Hamilton.
UHS Clubs Brochure
UHS Athletics and Activities for the week
Effective this fall, purchasing tickets for all Athletic and Performing Arts Events in grades 7–12 must be done online. Those wishing to attend events are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at www.j-hawks.com/tickets. If you purchase tickets at the event, we will only be accepting credit card payments as there will no longer be a cash option at the gate.
The only venue where cash payment will still be accepted this year will be for Urbandale Middle School football games. This is due to the lack of infrastructure at that venue. All other Athletic and Performing Arts Events will only be accepting online payments in advance or credit card payments at the gate.
When attending events away from our home venues, we anticipate most opponents in the CIML will also be only offering online ticketing. To aid in the process of purchasing tickets in advance for away events, you may wish to visit www.cimltickets.com.
Please make sure you are prepared to cheer on your J-Hawks at our home venues by either purchasing tickets in advance at www.j-hawks.com/tickets or purchasing tickets at the gate with a credit card. We look forward to welcoming you and appreciate your support of Athletics and Performing Arts.
Student Activity Tickets will be on sale under the Activities tab on Urbandale's webstore. The webstore is accessible by clicking this link to RevTrak. From there, select the specific pass that you want to purchase. Please note, Elementary and Senior Passes will be created and mailed in early to mid August. Middle School and High School SATs will be printed on your student's school ID. Should you have any questions about these passes, please contact Andrew Olson (andrew.olson@j-hawks.com) in the Activities Office.
9-12 SAT
This is for High School Students and may be used at all CIML athletic events on the conference schedule, both home and away, except tournaments.
$50.00
Homecoming 2022!
Cooper Sebastian was the 1st place medalist at the Ankeny Invitational at Otter Creek Golf Course, having shot at 67.
Urbandale placed 6th overall at the meet.
4th - Sophia Huber - 20:56.8 6th - Victoria Martinez-Lohf - 21:22.2 8th - Norah Seeley - 21:47.5
Urbandale High School
Website: http://www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/urbandale-high-school/
Location: 7111 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, United States
Phone: (515) 457-6800
Twitter: @UHS_UCSD