Please make note of the following dates for the 2022-23 school year:

Rolling Green (year-round calendar)

• The first day of school for Rolling Green K-5 students is Thursday, July 28, 2022

• The first day of school for Rolling Green preschool students is Monday, August 1, 2022 (which will be a “late start”)

• Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, all UCSD schools (preschool–12th grades) will have a late start every Monday

• View quick-view calendars

UCSD (except Rolling Green)

• The first day of school for UCSD K-12 students (except Rolling Green) is Tuesday, August 23, 2022 (Note: UHS “early out” days will be replaced with a “late start” every Monday beginning in the 2022-23 school year. All UCSD schools, preschool–12th grades, will have a late start every Monday.)

• The first day of school for Olmsted and Webster preschool students is Thursday, August 25, 2022

• View quick-view calendars

Beginning in the 2022–23 school year, every Monday will be a “Late Start Monday” for all UCSD students (preschool through 12th grades). The previously scheduled “early out” days at Urbandale High School will be replaced with a “late start” every Monday. Our preschool program, elementary schools, middle school, and high school utilize this time for professional learning and collaboration. Bus routes will run later to coincide with the late start time. Dismissal time at the end of the day remains the same. Thank you for making adjustments in your schedule to accommodate this time.

Kindergarten – 12th Grade “Late Start Monday” Times:

• Karen Acres — 10:00 AM

• Olmsted — 10:10 AM

• Rolling Green — 10:05 AM

• Valerius (at Jensen) — 10:00 AM

• Webster — 10:00 AM

• Urbandale Middle School — 9:15 AM

• Urbandale High School — 9:20 AM

• Metro West Learning Academy — 8:40 AM (Note: Metro West AM Session will begin at the regular time on Mondays as Metro West does not have a late start on Mondays.)

Preschool “Late Start Monday” Information:

• NO instructional preschool will be offered on Monday for three or four-year-olds who attend half-day AM or PM preschool.

• Three-year-old students who attend half-day instructional preschool, half-day wrap-around care and before/after programming may be dropped off between 6:30 AM - 9:15 AM on Monday mornings.

• Three and four-year-old students who are enrolled to attend all day instructional preschool from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM, will start preschool at 10:00 AM on Monday mornings.

• Four-year-old students who attend all day preschool from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM and before/after school programming, may be dropped off between 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM on Monday mornings.

Adventuretime Before School Childcare:
Our Adventuretime Before School Childcare program still opens at the regular start time of 6:30 AM on Late Start Mondays. To help with traffic congestion, we'd like to request all students attending the Adventuretime Before School program arrive by 9:15 AM.

UCSD Nutrition Services recognizes the important connection between a healthy lifestyle and a student’s ability to learn effectively which is why we ensure all students have access to a healthy breakfast and lunch on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the federal waiver for free school meals was not extended to the 2022-23 school year; thus, families will need to carry a positive balance in their children’s school meal accounts in order for children to access breakfast and lunch while at school.

To see if your child(ren) qualifies for free and reduced price meals—plus other benefits such as free or reduced fees for books and materials, driver's education, busing, activities, and other district services—please review the following information.

Complete an Application for Free & Reduced Meals
The 2022-23 Iowa Eligibility Application (also known as Free & Reduced Meals Application) is now open. Even if you completed the 2021-2022 application, you will still need to complete the 2022-2023 application. Only one Iowa Eligibility Application per household is required. To learn more about applying for free or reduced meals, please visit the Nutrition Services website. For assistance in completing the application or for questions, please contact the Nutrition Department at 515-457-6911. The Urbandale Community School District is an equal opportunity provider.

Student Fee Waiver Program
UCSD offers financial assistance to families qualifying for the district’s free and reduced meal program. If your child(ren) qualifies for free or reduced price meals, you may also be eligible for other benefits such as free or reduced fees for books and materials, driver's education, busing, activities, and other district services.

In order to receive these additional benefits, make sure you complete the Waiver of Confidentiality portion of the 2022-23 Iowa Eligibility Application (which is located on tab 2, “Additional Questions” within the online application form). If you have already completed the application and did not select “yes” for this option, or if you received an email or letter stating that you were Directly Certified by the State, you can complete the waiver separately by using this form. By completing the waiver form, you waive your right to confidentiality of your eligibility status for the selected programs. Please note: The application and waiver forms need to be completed each school year.

The Urbandale Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following service areas:

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

• Information Solutions

• Applied Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing

• Health Sciences

• Human Services

• Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management

Admission Criteria for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses:

In order to enroll in a career and technical education course, students must successfully complete prerequisite course(s) (if applicable). In order to enroll in a career and technical course offered for concurrent credit through Des Moines Area Community College, students must have passed prerequisite course(s) (if applicable) or be identified as talented and gifted. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in Urbandale Community Schools CTE programs.

On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a Special Election will take place in order to fill the board vacancy of Judy Downs. The elected candidate will fill the remainder of Ms. Downs’ term which runs through November 2023. The following two candidates submitted nomination papers and will appear on the Special Election ballot: Steve Avis and Daniel Gutmann. Learn more about each candidate and save the date to VOTE on July 12; polls open 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

The Urbandale Community School District School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) consists of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who learn about and discuss student achievement, programs, and practices. Members of the committee collaborate to develop school and district improvement recommendations for consideration by the School Board.

From June 20 – July 22, 2022, the UCSD Administration Office will close at 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. Summer programming in UCSD school buildings will continue as scheduled on Fridays as summer hours do not apply to scheduled summer programming.

Administration Office Hours June 20 – July 22
Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon)

Contacting Your School During the Summer
Please contact your school principal(s) if you have any school-related questions over the summer. For student registration questions, please contact the District Administration Office.

Activities Office
The Activities Office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. through the summer. In the event Activities is out of the office on a game field working, they will post a sign with their return time.

UCSD is excited to be partnering with Johnston CSD, West Des Moines CSD, and Dallas Center-Grimes CSD as recipients of Governor Reynolds’ new Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Pilot Grant Program. Collectively, we have been awarded $3,681,641 in funding for this program.

This program will provide opportunities for current Urbandale High School students and adults to earn their paraeducator certificate and associate's degree. It will also provide current paraeducators an opportunity to earn their bachelor's degree all while working in the classroom. If you are interested in this new program, please contact UCSD Director of Teaching & Learning Mr. Brandon Schrauth schrauthb@urbandaleschools.com

Urbandale Community School District is participating in the USDA Summer Food Service Program this summer. The Summer Food Service Program was created to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session and children do not have access to school lunch or breakfast.

Meals will be provided at no charge to all children ages 1 to 18 years. Children do not need to be enrolled in the District. The meals and service provided will be the same for all children regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, ethnic background, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or socio-economic background.

Meals will be provided on a first come, first served basis at the following:

• Site Name: Karen Acres Elementary, 3500 74th St. Urbandale, IA 50322
• Dates of Operation: June 6, 2022 – August 5, 2022
• Days of Operation: Monday to Friday (no meals served on July 4)
• Breakfast Start & End Serving Times: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
• Lunch Start & End Serving Times: 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Procedure: Children should enter through the main doors. Meals will be served and consumed in the school cafeteria. Parents may accompany children while they eat.
• Please Note: Summer Meals are being provided for children only. Adults who accompany children are not allowed to eat off children's trays. Thank you for your cooperation.

We know this is a busy time of year for students and families. Thank you in advance for taking time to register your student(s) for the 2022-23 school year.

Student Registration:

• Returning Students—if your student(s) was registered in UCSD last school year (2021–2022), click here for specific information about registering your returning student.

• Preschool Students—if your child will be 3 years old or 4 years old by September 15, 2022, click here for specific information about registering your preschool student.

• Kindergarten Students—if your child will be 5 years old by September 15, 2022, click here for specific information about registering your kindergarten student.

• New Students—if your student(s) is new to UCSD, click here for specific information about registering your new student.

The Urbandale Education Foundation and Urbandale Alumni Association are excited to announce that the third annual U-Fest is set for Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Walker Johnston Softball Diamonds. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.

U-Fest is a fun, family-friendly event featuring food trucks, beverages, live music performed by Faculty Lounge and bounce houses among other activities. Proceeds from the event will support student scholarships and classroom grants throughout the Urbandale Community School District, providing funds for projects and initiatives not supported within existing school budgets. At last year’s U-Fest, roughly $5,000 was raised as part of the $16,000 awarded for classroom grants for Urbandale educators and $26,000 for scholarships for Urbandale students.

“We are looking forward to hosting another festive U-Fest event in support of our mission to enhance educational opportunities for Urbandale Community School District students, teachers and staff,” said Meribeth Haynes, president of the Urbandale Education Foundation and co-chair of Urbandale Alumni Association. “U-Fest is a great opportunity for the community to enjoy a casual social environment together and alumni to reconnect.”

Admission to U-Fest is $10 for adults 18 and over and $3 for individuals age 13-18. Children 12 and younger will receive free entrance. Admission may be purchased at the event’s gates with cash or card. Entrance fees also include one free drink ticket. Parking will be available off of Douglas Avenue at Walker Johnston Softball Diamonds and on the eastside by the shelter house. The southside by Valerius Elementary will be fenced off and not accessible. Attendees are welcome to bring portable chairs or a blanket to relax and enjoy all of the festivities.

The Urbandale Community Education Summer Camp Series is open for registration.

REGISTER TODAY!

Choose one of three convenient ways to register:

1. Online at UrbandaleCommunityEd.com (click on “Register” located in the top navigation on the UCE website)

2. In person at Urbandale High School (East entrance near stadium)

3. Mail to Urbandale Community Ed, 7111 Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322

Be sure to register in a timely manner as classes do have capacity limits.

One of the many things that makes Urbandale unique is the year-round elementary school found right in the heart of the Urbandale Community School District. Rolling Green Elementary is a school of choice which means families choose to attend Rolling Green school no matter where they live in the district. This is in contrast to other schools where students are assigned a school based on the proximity of their home to their neighborhood school.

“Year-round” means that Rolling Green is able to provide even more learning opportunities throughout the year, but it does not mean that students go to school every day of the year. Rolling Green is in session the same number of days as elementary schools on the traditional year calendar. Rolling Green’s summer break is a full six weeks long and the schedule provides more frequent breaks throughout the year which gives everyone the chance to reset and refresh! On most breaks, Rolling Green offers optional, theme-based programming for a small fee. This provides families additional childcare and gives kids fun, hands-on learning experiences that include fantastic field trips.

Rolling Green welcomes families to register for preschool and/or kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year:

• Register your kindergarten student for the 2022-23 school year.

• Register your preschool student (4-year-old) for the 2022-23 school.

• Open Enrollment is available for kindergarten students who live outside the District.

We would love the opportunity to share more about Rolling Green with you and all our school has to offer your child and family. Please reach out to Principal Dania Wilson to learn more. We hope to welcome your family to our preschool and/or kindergarten program this fall!

Are you interested in making a positive difference in the lives of Urbandale students? Do you like building relationships and helping others reach their potential? Would you enjoy hours within a school-day schedule while being a member of IPERS (the state’s largest public retirement system)? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, we’d like to hear from you! We’re currently seeking team members for a variety of positions which include the following:

Looking Ahead for 2022-23 School Year

Full-Time with Benefits:

• Elementary & Secondary Special Education Teacher positions

• Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher

• Special Education Associates

• Production Kitchen Manager

• Nutrition Services Storekeeper/Transport Driver

• General Workers - Production Kitchen

Part-Time:

• Special Education Associates

• General Education Associates

• General Workers - Production Kitchen & Serving Kitchen

• Various High School and Middle School Coaching positions

Learn more about available positions. For questions or additional information, please contact UCSD HR Manager Kate Johnson johnsonk@urbandaleschools.com We look forward to hearing from you!