Uplifting Urbandale
UCSD Newsletter 01.19.24 #upliftingU
National Maintenance Workers Day
On Thursday January 18, 2024 we celebrated the dedication of our hardworking UCSD Maintenance Team on National Maintenance Worker Day. Please join us in giving our maintenance team a BIG shout out so they know how much we appreciate their contribution to keeping our schools ready for students and staff. We encourage anyone who sees these smiling faces in the hallways today to express their gratitude. Because #UBelong here.
Pictured in the photo (Left to Right): Jeff Hendrickson, Zac Wheeler, Stacey Deist. Dennis Trevillyan, Scott Maas, Rich Pearson, Jon Brooker, and Mike Klingensmith. Not pictured Jon Gleason
Breakfast, Books, and Buddies @ Olmsted Elementary
Be Prepared: Weather Delay Start Times, Early Dismissal Times & Cancellation
Review 2-hour delay start times, early dismissal times, cancellation, and inclement weather decision-making protocols here. Please be sure to keep your contact information updated with your school in order to stay aware, updated, and informed.
Reminder—Free and Reduced Price Meal Availability
If you have already completed the Iowa Eligibility Application for this school year, you do not need to reapply. Federal law requires that School Food Authorities provide information regarding the availability of free and reduced price meals two times a year. To learn more, please visit UCSD Nutrition Services. If you believe you may qualify for free and reduced price meals but have not applied, you can visit LINQ Connect to complete an application. No login is required. Video and written instructions are available online. For questions, please contact Cassie Mayrose at mayrosec@urbandaleschools.com or 515-457-6911.
Coming Soon: UCSD ParentSquare Invitation
Toward the end of this month, UCSD parents/guardians, UCSD staff, and UHS students will receive an email invitation from ParentSquare. ParentSquare is our new school-to-home communications platform designed to better streamline communications and help keep you informed.
We’re planning a phased implementation of ParentSquare beginning this month (phase 1), with full implementation next school year (phase 2).
During phase 1, you’ll be able to do the following in ParentSquare:
Activate your account and download the app
Receive communications from your school’s main office and district office via email, text, and/or app notification, plus voice for alerts (note: UHS students will receive email and/or app notifications—not text/voice)
Receive communications from Softball and/or Baseball Coaches if participating in those Activities
Select your notification preferences (either ‘instant’ or a ‘daily digest’ summary at 6pm)
Select your preferred language
In-app direct messaging with limited staff (with built-in 2-way translation)
Access various district resources linked in the app
Important: Teachers and Coaches (with the exception of Softball and Baseball) will NOT be using ParentSquare in Phase 1. They will continue using their existing methods of communication; thus, you will not receive communication in ParentSquare from Teachers and Coaches at this time. Closer to the end of the school year, initial training will be provided for teachers to begin learning about ParentSquare.
Phase 2 will begin this fall when we fully onboard all staff. Doing so will enable us to consolidate numerous tools whose primary function is communication (e.g. Band, GroupMe, Remind, SchoolMessenger, Talking Points, etc.) in order to provide one unified communications tool. Beginning next school year, all teacher, coach, school-office, and district-office communications will be distributed using ParentSquare.
You do not need to take any action at this time. We’ll follow up with the exact date and time frame you can expect to receive the ParentSquare invitation as well as specific steps to set up your account. To learn more about ParentSquare in UCSD, please review this summary of previously shared newsletter articles.
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Preschool Pre-Registration Opens at 6:00 p.m. January 30, 2024
Save the Date! Preschool Pre-Registration will begin online at 6:00 p.m. on January 30, 2024. Click here to review detailed Preschool Pre-Registration Information for the 2024–2025 school year. Please Note: Preschool Pre-Registration will not only pre-register your student, but will play a key role in determining facility and programming needs for the 2024–2025 school year. Pre-registering your student does not guarantee your student a spot in the Urbandale Preschool Program. Once all facility and programming decisions are confirmed, you will be contacted regarding your acceptance into the Urbandale Preschool Program by April 12, 2024. urbandaleschools.com/learn
Kindergarten – 12th Grade Registration Opens March 1, 2024
Save the Date! Kindergarten through 12th grade student registration for the 2024–25 school year begins online March 1, 2024. We’re excited to share our new online school registration system as it will make registration more efficient and convenient. Students must be residents of the Urbandale Community School District or file the appropriate paperwork. Please see the section of our website about Open Enrollment if you do not live within district boundaries. You’re welcome to view the UCSD elementary boundary map. To be eligible for kindergarten a child must be 5 years old by September 15, 2024. Plus, learn more about our year-round school located at Karen Acres Elementary. Any family can choose to attend Karen Acres. urbandaleschools.com/learn
Safe + Sound Iowa: Anonymous Reporting Tool
The Iowa Governor’s School Safety Bureau developed Safe+Sound Iowa—an anonymous reporting tool for students, teachers, parents, and community members to help identify and provide intervention for students in crisis before they harm themselves or others. The school safety reporting tool is available state-wide to help prevent violence, unlawful possession of weapons, self-harm, and other forms of victimization and threatening behaviors in schools.
Reports of safety concerns can be made securely and anonymously three ways:
Download the free Safe+Sound Iowa mobile app
Call 800-224-6018
By reaching out anonymously about something you’ve seen or heard, you could help someone before they harm themselves or others. Safe+Sound Iowa will make sure the right people are notified of your report within seconds. Learn more at SafeandSoundIowa.gov
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 the 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 February 23, 2024. Applications should be submitted to the student’s counselor. The exam to demonstrate proficiency in languages other than English will be held the week of March 25, 2024.
Karen Acres: Year-Round Learning Means Year-Round Fun
One of the many things that makes Urbandale unique is the year-round elementary school found right in the heart of UCSD. Any family living within UCSD boundaries, or outside UCSD boundaries, can choose to attend our year-round elementary school located at Karen Acres Elementary. Bus transportation is available anywhere within district boundaries outside of the Karen Acres walk zone. Learn more about our year-round program!
Student Assistance Program—Free, Confidential Counseling
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. You can count on your SAP for guidance and support when it comes to assessing your concerns and developing strategies for addressing any of the following:
School-life balance
Family or relationship issues
Emotional issues
Alcohol and drug-related issues
Other issues that interfere with your daily living, happiness, and overall well-being
You do not need a referral. The SAP is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is strictly confidential. You can call the number directly, let them know you are an Urbandale Schools family, and request assistance. Phones answered by a masters-level clinician. Make as many calls as needed (no limit). Call (515) 244-6090 or 800-327-4692 if you’re outside of the Des Moines area. Learn More
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Contact Us
Email: communications@urbandaleschools.com
Website: www.urbandaleschools.com
Location: 11152 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, USA
Phone: 515-457-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbandaleCSD
Twitter: @UrbandaleCSD