The J-Hawk Experience!
Info you need to know for week of September 4-7!
Message from the principal
First, I want to thank all of our students and staff for a tremendous start to the school year! Throughout the halls, classrooms, and lunchroom, at UHS, people have taken to heart our focus on changing the world through better engagement with one-on-one relationships and highly effective instructional practice. Along with that, we are working to improve student achievement through better understanding of student learning and grading for learning.
I also want to share again our mission at UHS, "Focus on learning." With that, as a building we have aligned aspects of our grading based on learning we experienced with our teachers last spring.
Below are highlights of places where we are tight as a building moving into the 2018-19 school year so that we continue to keep our focus on grading for learning:
No extra credit will be given for any reason.
We will not include attendance in a student's grade (unless noted in curriculum for course).
We will not assign grades based on comparing students to each other (grading on a curve).
We will clearly communicate grading criteria and give students feedback along the way.
In regards to reassessing learning (retaking assessments/tests):
For all students regardless of class/course, retakes are allowed on assessments that factor into the student’s course grade. PLC teacher teams will determine and communicate time frame for retakes for each course.
Completing relevant assignments or reteaching is required between attempts on assessments. PLC teacher teams will determine which sections of the assessment are retaken (entire assessment or just those essential standards in which a student is not proficient).
The grade for learning will reflect highest score or most recent attempt (not an average). PLC teacher teams determine whether assessment score factored into the student’s course grade reflects the highest score or most recent attempt.
These are initial steps toward being more aligned as an entire building to narrow our focus on learning and best practice.
Tim Carver
Principal
#UHSpride
#UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
Attendance.
UHS attendance - 99%
This is a reminder that if a student has an unexcused absence for any period, our automated system will be sending out a call as well as an email as means to notifying you of the absence. If you feel it is in error, please contact Mrs. Chavez in our attendance office at 457-6805.
Student Announcements and Day 1/ Day 2 for the week
This week No School Monday (Labor Day). Tuesday, September 4th, is a Day 2. Block days are a Day 1. Friday is a Day 2.
Daily schedule reminder - First Pep Assembly on Friday
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, are our non-block days with eight periods meeting along with I.E.S. (Connections until September 13) and Wednesday and Thursday are block days. Even periods meet on Wednesdays along with Connections and odd periods meet on Thursdays along with Connections.
Click here for Daily bell schedule
Friday Schedule - We will have our first pep assembly for Fall Activities after 8th period on Friday, September 7th, in the South Gym! Periods 6, 7, and 8, will be shortened that day.
Lunch Schedule 5th period (6th period on Wednesdays)
5A Lunch - 11:38 - 12:03
5A Class - 12:08 - 12:49
5B Class - 11:38 - 12:19
5B Lunch - 12:24 12:49Exciting changes to UHS for fall 2018 with I.E.S.!
As we continue to expand and enhance opportunities for access to teachers to support learning, UHS is rolling out some exciting changes to support students learning. School will still start and end at times is does this year along. We will continue to have a modified-block schedule (8 classes on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and 4 block periods on Wednesday and Thursday along with Connections).
However, we have created time in school day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, to have guaranteed access for teachers to have with students. We are reallocating time from 5th period (currently 11 minutes longer that all other periods in the day) along with using Connections time on those days to create additional time on those days. Students will sign up on Thursdays (starting September 12th) during Connections for their I.E.S. time for the next three days (Friday, Monday, Tuesday). A student will attend the same location during that three day cycle and then sign up on Thursday for a new offering for the upcoming Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Students will largely have choice of where they go during this time, including having intervention for additional learning, extensions of learning, and study table to further learning. Intervention, Extension, and Study table, are the heart of our additional time, resulting in the name "I.E.S." There will be no additional homework tied to this time though additional learning is the focus of it.
Students will be getting additional information in Connections in coming weeks about how they will sign up for I.E.S.
UHS Student Clubs & Organizations...get involved!
A note from Silver Cord Committe to UHS students
Welcome back to school! We hope you are all planning a year of learning, service, and fun. From the stack of hours turned in during schedule pickup and Open House, we can tell many of you did a TON of volunteer work this summer, and you invited your friends. Way to go!
Hours are up to date today -- check them here: Silver Cord Ladder If you have 40 or more hours, go see Mrs. Strong in Room 212 to pick up a free Silver Cord Volunteer t-shirt!
We have lots of fun opportunities coming up in the next two weeks. You can always find opportunities and current information at our Silver Cord information page.
Remember, this is the only Silver Cord email address that is checked on a regular basis. Please send hours and questions to us!
Please turn in your summer volunteer hours to the UHS Main Office as soon as possible so we can get them added, and keep on doing good!
Deb Bremser
Silver Cord volunteer
Jaywalkers offering UHS Spirit...Homecoming Apparel
Homecoming Apparel -
Are you ready for Urbandale's Homecoming (Friday, Sept. 21)? Make sure to order your homecoming t-shirt and sweatshirt by using the following links (Adult and Youth sizes are available)! **All orders due by 9:00AM on Tuesday, September 11th
Homecoming T-Shirts - Ironman/Powderpuff
Note from seniors leaders regarding Homecoming t-shirts (Homecoming is the week of September 17-22). All the students who are involved with the Homecoming activities be aware of the link to the powderpuff and ironman shirts, that are available to ALL students through September 7.
UHS Athletics and Activities for the week! Go J-Hawks!!
Message Monday - Transportation Matters for Iowa
Message Monday - Life is a highway - drive safely all day long from the Iowa Department of Transportation
2019 Page Program- Iowa Senate, House of Representatives, Legislative Services Agency
The Iowa Senate, House of Representatives, and Legislative Services Agency invite Iowa high school juniors and seniors to apply for Page positions for the 2019 session of the Iowa General Assembly. Serving as a legislative page is a great opportunity for students.
Included here is a link https://www.legis.iowa.gov/careers to the online application. The application forms can be completed by students and downloaded for signing, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/careers/positions/additionalDocs/0C59AF9A-7805-42FD-A12F-4810E4A0821A.pdf.
Please note that living arrangements for Pages are not supervised or provided. We ask parents, guardians, and school personnel to carefully consider this aspect of the program and not recommend students who may need a supervised environment.
The deadline for receipt of applications is October 5 , 2018.
If you have questions regarding the program, please contact one of the persons listed below. Thank you for your assistance in making this opportunity known to your students.
Sincerely,
W. Charles Smithson Carmine Boal
Secretary of the Senate Chief Clerk of the House
Charlie.Smithson@legis.iowa.gov 515.281.5381Shout Outs
J-Hawk programs off to strong start!
The J-Hawk Boys and Girls Cross Country teams hosted teams from around the Metro at the Urbandale Invite on Saturday morning delayed by rain. The boys' team finished 2nd as a team with Payton Marrs finishing 4th overall. The girls' team finished 3rd overall as a team with Macy Gaskill finishing 3rd overall. Great job, J-Hawks!!
The girls' swimming team (shared with Johnston) had a strong showing on Thursday at Ottumwa beating the Bulldogs 125-45. They return home to Summit Middle School pool on Thursday, September 6th, at 5:30pm when they host the SEP Rams. Good luck, Urbandale swimmers!!
The boys' golf team was edged out at home (playing at Urbandale Golf & Country Club) by Ankeny Centennial on Monday last week. They return home on Wednesday this week against Johnston at 2:30pm. Good luck, golfers!
The girls volleyball team moved to 7-3 record on the season after splitting games with Roosevelt and Valley last week! Keep up the great work and good luck as they take on Marshalltown on Tuesday!
The UHS football team looks to move into the win column as they host DM Lincoln at Frerichs Field on Friday at 7:00pm! Good luck, J-Hawks!!
UHS Student Senate welcomes students to kick off the 2018-19 year!
UHS Independent Film Club starts shooting on its first production!
Filming starts!
Peter Schumacher works on the score!
Club members review footage shot that day!
Community Collaborations in UMS LMC with Urbandale Public Library!
Freshmen students signed up for Urbandale Public Library cards in their English classes this week. Any UHS student with an Urbandale Public Library card can access the thousands of print and electronic materials from both libraries with ease. The Urbandale Public Library staff comes weekly to UHS to deliver and pick up any print materials our students and staff borrow. New upperclassmen students are encouraged to see Miss Watson in the LMC to sign up for a card as well.
UHS Alumnus Allen Lazard signs with NFL Jacksonville Jaguars on practice squad!
Lazard was a multi-year all-state football players at UHS
Lazard in an intital mini-camp workout
Lazard signing with Jacksonville
Learning around UHS
AP US Government/Econ students start out semester voting with their feet!
English classes engage in speed dating...with books!
Students in Mrs. Jacques' IED class work on design ideas.
Mrs. Moore leads students in English class through rotating activities in small groups.
Mr. Pederson providing an overview of photography standards.
UHS PE staff lead our new strength PE pilot in 1st period
UHS Strength Coach, Pete Traynor, leads warmups of new strength class before school
Mrs. Cicero provides introduction to new Building Skills class
Students engage in business simulations with Mr. White in Intro to Money Management
Mr. Dirks introduces UHS Freshmen to Cultural Geography
Frau Lubbers' German III students get to know each other with class activity
Students in Ms. Carman's Physical Science students participate in "Metric Olympics"
Students in Ms. Carman's Physical Science students participate in "Metric Olympics"
Bachmann Sensei leads Japanese I students in foundational learning of the Japanese language
Mr. Ahlquist's American Government class design their own country flags
Mr. Brimeyer supports vocalists in All-State practice before school
UHS Marching Band practices before school to prep for their first full marching performance on Sept 7
UHS students studying in the Commons before school
Mr. Schmitz supports students in measurement practice
Mrs. Carratt's 1st period Drama class practices movement
J-Hawks studying in 1st period Learning Center
Mr. Ahlquist's Government students' flags on display
Mr. Ahlquist's Government students' flags on display
Ms. Hansen's Connections playing a game together
Mr. Edgeton leading warmups with Bass Choir
German I students engaged in learning
Mr. Moran, Metro West Director, leads students in learning with UHS/Metro StELR pilot
UHS Photography in action early in the semester
Ms. Watson and Ms. Fullmer checking out textbooks
J-Hawks supporting the football team, marching band, cheer and dance, at the first home football game!
UHS Vitality with show reveal!
UHS Studio 2019 with show reveal!
School Picture Re-takes
Monday, Sep 10, 2018, 07:30 AM
Urbandale High School, Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, USA
Follow us...UHS Twitter!
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
Tim Carver, Principal
Email: carvert@urbandaleschools.com
Website: http://www.urbandaleschools.com/directory/tim-carver/
Location: 7111 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, United States
Phone: 515-457-6801
Twitter: @TimPCarver