Urbandale Community School District is hosting a community forum regarding the dangers of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorneys Mallory Weiser and MacKenzie Tubbs will share critical information about counterfeit pills, warning signs, NARCAN, and how social media is impacting distribution. Attendees will also gain an understanding of Des Moines metro area statistics on seizures of fentanyl, drug cases, and overdoses. The forum is the next session in the District’s “Parent University” program. All metro area public or private school parents and guardians are welcome to attend this free event.

• Event: What Parents Need To Know About Fentanyl Community Forum
• Time/Date: 6:30 p.m. January 17, 2023
• Location: Urbandale High School, Performing Arts Center, 7111 Aurora Avenue
• Attendees: All metro area parents and guardians
• Tickets: No tickets necessary; free admission

Students across the district have been participating in projects that make a positive difference in our community. Several of those meaningful projects include a Thanksgiving Food Drive at Olmsted Elementary and Urbandale High School.

Olmsted Elementary students, families, and staff collected nearly 1,000 food items to help support families in need over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Olmsted Power of U Character Council sorted the items in order to make Thanksgiving meals for 20 families, plus three bins of desserts. UCAN delivered the meals to families in time for Thanksgiving.

Urbandale High School students in Marketing Education are expected to do 10 hours of community service to earn DMACC credit for the class. As a class, the 16 students decided they wanted to do something that would help others. They chose to organize a food drive at the high school throughout November. To promote the food drive, Marketing Education students created posters, maintained an Instagram account, and wrote an article for the school newsletter. All UHS students were encouraged to bring donations to their Connections classrooms every week. On Fridays, Marketing Education students counted items in each Connections class to see which class contributed the most that week. Marketing Education students kept all students informed about which Connections classes were in first, second, and third place and provided a fun incentive for students to participate with first through third place Connections classes earning two free pizzas donated by Casey’s. UHS students collected 1,165 food items, plus an additional 200 items that Mr. Moreno and others who attended the Turkey Trot collected, and delivered them to the Urbandale Food Pantry.

Many thanks to Olmsted and UHS students, families, and staff who organized and contributed to such successful food drives. Your generosity, kindness, and compassion have a far-reaching impact in our community. Incredibly well-done! #UrbandalePride

School Board Officers were elected during the November 21 School Board meeting. Congratulations to Katherine Howsare who was elected Board President and Brianna Sayre Geiser who was elected Board Vice President. Thank you for your leadership! #weappreciateU

During the December 5 School Board meeting, the Board and Administration awarded 25 Certificates of Recognition to UCSD students for the following accomplishments. What an impressive group! We are #proudofU!

• All-State Chorus: Kiki Ibsais and Dylan Rains

• All-State Orchestra: Katelyn Knight and Anna Thompson

• All-State Band: Henry Dix, Oscar Dix, Sophia Huber, Aiden Leiran, Sia Smith, and Oded Harazi

• Academic All-State Volleyball: Lauren Nepper

• Academic All-State Boys Cross Country: Evan Leggett

• Academic All-State Girls Cross Country: Sophia Huber

• Academic All-State Boys Golf: Carter Hartman

• All-Iowa Dance Selections: Megan Reinhardt, Ava McConnell, Katelyn Chaky, Sami Walljasper, Norah Seeley, and Amelia Casteel

• Iowa Girls Coaches Association – All-Class Player of the Year: Lily Dykstra

• Class 5A Player of the Year; Elite All-State; 1st Team Class 5A All-State: Lily Dykstra

• Superior Rating and National Qualifier Lighting Design for Radium Girls by Iowa Thespians: Hope Stice

Pictured Front Row: Oded Harazi, Hope Stice, Katelyn Chaky, Norah Seeley, Sophia Huber, and Amelia Casteel. Back Row: UCSD Board President Katherine Howsare, Lily Dykstra, Lauren Nepper, Ava McConnell, Megan Reinhardt, Evan Leggett, Dylan Rains, Aiden Leiran, and Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Daca.

Click here for an updated summary of the construction progress at the new Valerius Elementary School. Please join Principal Lara Justmann & Dean of Students Derek Wilkins for a quick look around the new Valerius Elementary School! #ValeriusRising

As new apps hit the market on a daily basis, keeping up with them can be a challenge. To help in that effort, the Urbandale Police Department has created the following 1-pager outlining 18 apps that parents should learn more about in order to make an educated decision about their children using the apps. A brief description of each app is included in the 1-pager. For a more detailed view of each app, please visit Common Sense Media. In addition, UPD will be leading a session about this topic during the February 21 Parent University night. Plan on attending that session in order to learn more about the apps and have the opportunity to ask questions/receive answers.

If this holiday season is causing you stress, you don't have to go it alone. All UCSD students and their household family members (parents, guardians and siblings) have access to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) provided by Employee and Family Resources. The Student Assistance Program is here to help you and your family members manage the concerns in your life through free, confidential counseling. The SAP is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is strictly confidential. Call (515) 244-6090 or 800-327-4692 if you’re outside of the Des Moines area.

Take a few moments to listen to what our students, parents, and teachers have to say about our year-round elementary school! Any family living within the UCSD school boundaries, or outside the UCSD school boundaries, can choose to attend our year-round elementary school. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the year-round program will move to Karen Acres Elementary. Bus transportation is available anywhere within district boundaries outside of the walk zone. We would love the opportunity to share more about our year-round school with you and all it has to offer your child and family. Please reach out to Principal Dania Wilson to learn more.

This email is sent to UCSD parents/guardians and staff on a bi-weekly basis. If someone you know would like to receive this weekly newsletter, please invite them to Opt-In here. Thank you!

It is the policy of the Urbandale Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, marital status (for program), ethnic background, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (for employment), or socio-economic background (for program) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the District office at 11152 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA or call 515-457-5000. The District’s Equity Coordinator is Dr. Ryan Williamson, williamsonr@urbandaleschools.com.