The J-Hawk Experience!
Info you need to know for week of January 16-19!
Two-hour delay: Students begin in Connections at 10:00am
We have a two-hour late start on Tuesday, January 16th. Students will start with their Connections teacher at 10:00am. Tuesday will be a Day 2.
THERE WILL BE NO BREAKFAST SERVED.
The schedule for Tuesday will be as follows:
Tuesday, January 16th: (note that periods 3 & 4 will take place AFTER 5th period lunch)
Connections 10:00 – 10:07
1st 10:12 – 10:42
2nd 10:47 – 11:17
5th A 11:22 – 11:47
5th B 11:52 – 12:17
5th C 12:22 – 12:49
3rd 12:54 – 1:18
4th 1:23 – 1:46
6th 1:51 – 2:14
7th 2:19 – 2:42
8th 2:47 – 3:10
Wednesday and Thursday will be Block Days and will be Day 1 (for PE purposes) as normal.
Message from the principal
Just before winter break, Christina Hibbs (UHS '05) visited one of our science classes and shared with the students about the importance of challenging themselves, not only with courses they take but also with taking on new jobs. Through her hard work at UHS and ISU, Christina had a door opened to her at NASA to be a project manager in the area of procurement (currently working on the Orion Space project). She has worked at NASA for the past 10 years.
I hope that her story can serve as inspiration for our current UHS students as they select courses and take on challenges to learn and explore areas of interest to them both at UHS and beyond.
As a reminder, UHS students in grades 9, 10, and 11, will continue verifying course requests for the 2018-19 school year. You can access Naviance by going to our website at www.uhsguidance.com and choosing the Naviance link under the column titled "UHS Counseling Department Info".
Last Monday, counselors worked with current 11th graders during their social studies class to go over required senior courses and talk about electives and course planning. Counselors then went back to the Social Studies Pod on Block Day to meet one-on-one with 11th grade students to verify their requests. That process will continue this week with our current sophomores.
Here is the schedule for which week students will be scheduling:
- Current 11th graders week of January 8th
- Current 10th graders week of January 15th
- Current 9th graders week of February 12th
- Current 8th graders week of February 19th
This is a great opportunity to review interests and request courses that align with them.
As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your student’s counselor at UHS.
Last names A-E - Counselor Jill Duffield
Last names F-K - Counselor Tracy Edwards
Last names L-Q - Counselor Darlene Wagner
Last names R-Z - Counselor Eric Sackett
Sincerely,
Tim Carver
Principal
#UHSpride
#UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
Ms. Hibbs speaking to science students
Ms. Hibbs speaking to science students
Mr. Hermon and Mr. Carver are both former teachers of Ms. Hibbs
Attendance.
UHS attendance - 96%
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.
MLK Day - Monday, January 15th - No School
2nd Semester Lunch Schedules
Student Announcements and Day 1/ Day 2 for the week
This week Tuesday, January 15th, is a Day 2. Block days are a Day 1. Friday is a Day 2.
UHS LMC kicking off first STEAM challenge!
The UHS Library Media Center (LMC) will be kicking off our very first STEAM challenge in the UHS Makerspace with music and technology students already have at their finger tips. Ms. Watson and Ms. Fullmer will be asking students to write a short song with a minimum 30 seconds of audio (max of 3 minutes) using their amazing talents both vocally and instrumentally, independently or in collaboration with others using the GarageBand software and royalty free music and beats. The only other content requirement for the song is that it use the words "UHS will change the world" within the lyrics.
LMC users will vote on their favorite song on February 1st & 2nd. Winning persons or teams will receive 5 LMC learning center passes in advance to use within 2 weeks of the challenge and their song will be played during passing time before or after connections a few times. We would also share their song on our social platforms (Snap, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube).
Students can click on this link while logged onto their school google account to find rules and submission form for this challenge.
Everyone is encouraged to take on the challenge!
UHS Math Lab - Improvements for 2nd semester
With our philosophy of continual improvement, we looked at our current approach to math lab to identify how to improve our process to benefit our students in learning math content. Math Lab happens six different periods during day when where is one math teacher available to provide additional support to students in math classes.
Guiding Principles
We will intervene regularly and consistently.
Math lab intervention will be based on formative assessments (In most classes formative assessments are quizzes) so we can intervene as early as possible with the information we have.
We will work with/intervene with all students who demonstrate they need or want it around the specified topic of the week.
All students who are not proficient on the formative will be assigned to math lab for the respective week and will reassess when they demonstrate they are ready or by the end of the week of intervention.
Students can self select to get additional help on the specified topic of the day.
Improvements for Math Lab Spring 2018
Who will be in math lab?
Any student who does not meet proficiency on the given formative assessment will be assigned to math lab for additional support.
Students who want additional help on the specified topic within the priority week can self select to come for more help.
Students will no longer be able to drop in during math lab for help or questions outside of the specified topic of the week.
What will be the focus of math lab?
The focus of math lab will be different each week. The first week, January 16-19 will be around Geometry quiz 4.6-4.7. The following week Algebra II will have priority, the week after will be Algebra.
Assignment to math lab will be based on formative assessments results. In most classes formative assessments are quizzes.
As always, we encourage students to ask questions in class and see their teachers before and after school whenever possible.
Upcoming UCSD Bond Referendum - Vote on February 6th
The proposed UCSD Bond Referendum plan aligns with the strongest life cycle, educational adequacy, and cost-benefit ratio quantitative results, as well as supports the preferences shared by attendees of community facility planning meetings in the spring of 2017. The $59M Bond Referendum would provide funds to build two new elementary schools, build an addition to Webster Elementary or UHS as needed for future enrollment growth, and accelerate the timeline for building a new high school fitness center. The plan optimizes school resources, creates equity throughout the district, enhances technology and security, and provides greater 21st century spaces and learning opportunities for all K-12 students.
Community Meeting: The next Community Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, January 23,
2018, at 6:30pm at the UHS Media Center. We’d like to encourage as many people to
attend as possible in order to learn about the bond referendum.
Website: The website now has a PDF of the Absentee Ballot Request Form posted at the
bottom of all 12 pages within the dedicated Bond Referendum section of the site that can
be accessed by going to Urbandaleschools.com/vote or via QuickLinks. Note: Absentee
Ballot Request Forms are due to the Polk County ElecOons Office by Friday, January 26,
2018—this is earlier than in previous years as there have been a few changes for 2018.
Vote: We encourage everyone to learn more about the bond referendum in order to make an informed decision on election day and be sure to VOTE on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
Below is a rendering of the proposed UHS Fitness Center attached to the west wall of the South Gym, a two-story facility with a weight room on one floor and a cardio studio on the other (versatile use room for PE fitness, cheer/dance team practices, community education classes, etc).
UHS Large Group Speech to hold showcase for 2018 performances!
Iowa Assessments to be held on February 5 & 6
Message Monday - Transportation Matters for Iowa
Message Monday - Life is a highway - drive safely all day long from the Iowa Department of Transportation for 01/15/2018:
Ever feel like you spend most of your time in the car? Data shows the longest commute time in Iowa is by those who live in Guthrie county with an average commute time of 27.3 minutes.
While commuters in other parts of the country would laugh at Iowans talking about commute times like that as a problem, it only takes a second behind the wheel for something to go terribly wrong.
Following these five guidelines will go a long way to keeping you and your passengers, as well as others on the road, safer.
- Buckle up - every seat, every trip
- Pay attention
- Drive sober
- Stay alert
- Slow down
UHS Student Clubs & Organizations...get involved!
UHS Writing Lab open!
The lab is open Monday afternoons from 3:15-4:00pm; Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7:00-7:45am; and Thursday afternoons from 2:15-3:00 in the English Pod on the 2nd floor.
All students are encouraged to come. There will be at least one English teacher there.
UHS Athletics and Activities for the week! Go J-Hawks!!
Shout Outs
Two seniors finalists for "Know Your Constitution"!
Great job, Emma and Dominic!
Studio 2018 takes home Grand Champion at first competetition of the year!
Great job, performers!
UHS bowlers sweep Roosevelt! Boys basketball back to winning ways! UHS wrestlers to host the Ed Winger Invitational!
On Saturday, the UHS wrestling team will host some of the best teams and wrestlers from all over Iowa to complete in the Ed Winger Invitational at UHS. All are invited to come out to cheer on our J-Hawks and see some of the best wrestling in arguably the best tournament next to the state tournament.
Great job, J-Hawks!
Learning around UHS
UHS student tours DSM International Airport!
On January 5, UHS junior Ene Babadiya had the unique opportunity to meet with AJ Graff, Director of Operations for the Des Moines Airport Authority. Ene had expressed an interest in a career in Airport administration earlier in the school year, so Mrs. McCulley, his EL teacher, wrote to the Des Moines Airport asking if someone there could sit down with Ene and talk with him about education and career plans. Mr. Graff graciously invited Ene for a talk and a tour of the airport. Ene and Mrs. McCulley heard some great career advice and information in addition to a behind the scenes tour of DSM Airport that included a drive out on the runway.
Mr. Bachmann's students help bring in the new year in Japanese!
UHS freshmen spending time in LMC during Learning Center
Ms. Maharry's School Age Child students heading out to work with students at Webster Elementary
Bond Referendum Community Forum
In addition to attending school meetings and events January and early February, Urbandale CSD will be hosting a Community Forum for our district and community members to learn more about the 2018 Bond Referendum and ensure all questions are answered regarding the referendum vote on February 6th.
Please plan on attending the following Community Forum:
- Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. UHS Media Center (enter through Media Center doors)
We will also be live streaming the Community Forum with the help of our Activities team. Click this link to view the livestream on Tuesday, 1/23/18.
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2018, 06:30 PM
Urbandale High School, Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, United States
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Monday, Feb 5, 2018, 04:00 PM
Urbandale High School, Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, United States
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