The J-Hawk Experience
Info you need to know for the week of January 17-20
Reminder: ‘No School’ January 16 In Observance Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there will be no school and no Adventuretime on Monday, January 16, 2023. The UCSD Administration Office is also closed. This national holiday is often referred to as the “MLK Day of Service” as people of all ages join in acts of kindness through service to others. School will resume on Tuesday, January 17 for all UCSD students. For quick reference, here is a link to our school calendars.
Message from the Principal
Regarding the week of January 17th at UHS-
No school on Monday, then START OF 2nd Semester classes on Tuesday, January 17th. Then regular block days Tuesday through Friday- Students will begin in their new, 2nd semester 1st period class on Tuesday, January 17th period. Schedules can be found on PowerSchool or by visiting their Connections teacher or the office. Following 1st period, students will go to Connections to reconnect and review 2nd semester classes. Block days will be as normal (Tuesday odd periods and Wednesday even periods are Day 1 and Thursday and Friday are Day 2).
Grading for Learning- I appreciate the work and flexibility show by most students at UHS as we finished our 1st semester at UHS and first semester of fully engaging in Grading For Learning. As we move into the second semester, students and families can look forward improvements being made with a few areas related to our approach to grading relating to how we communicate through teacher grade book setup in PowerSchool, how we collect evidence, how we communicate success criteria for learning, how students can show deeper levels of learning (3.5 and 4.0 on a given standard or reporting topic), and how we approach the last few days of the semester for those students who are already at or above proficiency by that time.
Look for more details on these items in the coming weeks.
Recognizing students' learning success - Those 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who earned academic honors for the 2021-22 school year are reminded to stop into the counseling office to pick up their honors materials if they haven't already. Congratulations to all who worked to earn these honors.
Reminder on 1st semester grades - Students' final grades for classes are due from teachers by Tuesday, January 17th, at 8:00am. If a student has an incomplete "Incomplete" grade in a class, they need to engage in needed makeup with that teacher to ensure learning happens that can be updated. If this does not happen, the Incomplete grade will turn into an F or failing grade.
Please continue to elevate and support each other in our UHS Community and our Urbandale community beyond, seeing and getting to know the person next to us!
Sincerely,
Tim Carver
Principal
#UHSCommunity
#Hungry&Humble
#UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
The Winter Formal is on Saturday, January 28th from 8-11pm. Tickets are on sale for $10 starting Monday, January 9th at 8am available at this link: https://www.vancoevents.com/BPZE. If you are bringing a guest from outside of UHS, you MUST pick a guest form from Mrs. Hanson's room (Room 231) and bring it fully completed to the dance or turn it in to Mrs. Hanson in advance. You MUST bring your School ID to the dance to be admitted. All guests also need their School ID or official Iowa ID to be admitted. Please see Mrs. Hanson with any questions or email her at hansonk1@urbandaleschools.com.
Grading For Learning FAQ and CANVAS access info
Updated Grading for Learning visuals- Here are our updated Grading for Learning visuals to help with clarification of proficiency related to reporting topics and as well as defining vocabulary terms related to Grading for Learning at UHS.
Grading For Learning FAQ - As our school transitions to Grading For Learning, we are continuing to learn, adjust, grow, and communicate, as we move forward. For our UHS Community of students, families, teachers and administrators, we will all need to show patience and understanding as we implement our grading system across a building of nearly 100 teachers and staff who are leading learning and communicating learning with regard to nearly 1350 students. HERE IS AN FAQ (frequently asked questions) document regarding Grading For Learning at UHS to assist with everyone's understanding.
Canvas access for parents - Note information shared below about parents accessing their students Canvas pages. Similar format of information will be shared with families regarding Grading for Learning in our upcoming communication.
UHS Student Board Representatives on the UCSD School Board
UHS Students,
Ava, Joey, Hailie and Angelica are your student Board representatives for the Urbandale Community School District school board. See their contact information below. Students can contact them with anything they believe is important to bring student voices to the table. As well as that, they might be seeking out students for input if they are working to answer the boards questions.
We are grateful for the service!
Ava McConnell - 12th grade mcconnellava@urbandaleschools.com
Joey Rempe - 12th grade rempejos@urbandaleschools.com
Hailie Bonz - 11th grade bonzhai@urbandaleschools.com
Angelica Chaisson-Cardenas - 11th grade chaissoncardenasang@urbandaleschools.com
Silvercord Leadership Team
Do you have a strong passion for helping others and giving back to your community?? Do you want to be part of creating a new student leadership group at UHS??
We are looking for students who want to help establish a SilverCord Leadership Group and become the founding trailblazers for supporting the mission to change the world at UHS! The group would focus on finding ways to get students involved in volunteering, updating the website, sending information to students about ways to volunteer, help log hours of service, create ways to get more students involved and be a student voice to drive community service as a foundational skill for your future successes. We will meet before or after school starting 2nd semester, so don't wait to get involved. NOW is your chance!
If this is something that you would like to be part of- please email silvercord@urbandaleschools.com .
“Need To Share” reporting system
The 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. Please click here for more information and how to use the system
Yearbooks are on sale now!
Parking @ UHS
Parking and Arrival
- Arrive well 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.
Class of 2023!
Important spring dates
March 9 – Senior pictures for the yearbook are due (email to dunbarl@urbandaleschools.com)
May 19 – Last day seniors attend regular classes
May 22- Chromebook check-in and clearance sheets (if not yet completed)- 9:00am-3:00pm
May 23 – REQUIRED graduation rehearsal and cap & gown distribution- North gym - 9:00am
May 24 – Seniors Awards program - PAC – 9:00am
May 25 – Commencement – Drake University Knapp Center – 7:00pm
Calendar
Bell Schedule
- U-Hub linked here or scan QR code
UHS Counseling Office information
To read our monthly newsletter and access various resources for students, please check out www.uhsguidance.com
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.
Brainfuse tutor
If your student is struggling and you'd like to have some free online tutoring, below is information to help you. This is done through BrainFuse which is done through the State of Iowa Library. Create a free account and you will have access to online tutors from 2pm-11pm. You can also get help and practice in almost all content areas including help with ACT prep, FAFSA assistance, and much more under the skills surfer tab.
https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=E6CCF7C4&ss=&r=
Seal of Biliteracy
On April 17, 2018, Iowa became one of 34 states to offer a Seal of Biliteracy for students who show proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy appears on a student’s transcript. Iowa legislators recognize the increasing need for biliterate citizens in our workforce. Thus, the Seal of Biliteracy was approved to showcase biliteracy of students to colleges and potential employers.
Urbandale High School is excited to offer the opportunity for seniors to earn a Seal of Biliteracy. Each year seniors will have the option to demonstrate their proficiency through a series of tests. Students need to demonstrate proficiency in two languages to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. Proficiency may be demonstrated on a series of English and non-English assessments. Specific assessments will be determined based on student needs and language(s) desired.
Seniors wishing to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy need to fill out this application by March 1, 2023. Applications should be submitted to the student’s counselor. The exam to demonstrate proficiency in languages other than English will be held in late April of 2023.
DMACC’s Career Advantage
Hey Sophomores & Juniors! If you have interest in applying to DMACC’s Career Advantage program for next year, please plan to come to the Counseling Office on January 23 at 10:00 am to hear how you can get signed up. Becca Henrichs, DMACC Career Advantage Advisor, will present information about various programs offered and exactly what you need to do to get signed up.
If you have questions, stop by the Counseling Office!
UHS Clubs Brochure
UHS Athletics and Activities for the week
Visit www.j-hawks.com for full list of events this week, information on upcoming games and to buy tickets. Go J-Hawks!!
Page 1- German Club host holiday party
Page 2- Key Club adopt-a-family project
Page 3- Leo Club volunteers at Urbandale food pantry
Page 4- German IV students make gingerbread house
Page 5- Alumni night with Quiz Bowl
Nine UHS Students were accepted into the SCIBA Honor Band last Saturday at Ankeny High School!
Please click the links below to see all the most up to date shout outs, achievements and awards our students receive!
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