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

• Quick-view calendars

• Helpful links to frequently visited topics

As we look forward to another great school year, we do so with the safety, security, and well-being of students and staff as our highest priorities. In partnership with law enforcement agencies, UCSD has worked extensively in the development of comprehensive, agile, and actionable emergency operations plans. We’d like to invite you to review a page on our site which provides more information regarding District safety and security measures. For security reasons, we are of course limited in the extent to which we can publicly share information; however, we are able to provide an overview of our emergency plans, preparedness, protocols, reunification, and what parents/guardians should do during a school emergency situation.

When UCSD needs to delay, dismiss early, or cancel school due to inclement weather or emergency situations, UCSD will notify families directly via email, phone, and text*, post an alert on the district website, district Facebook, district Twitter, and communicate with media outlets (WHO 13, KCCI 8, WOI 5). Please make note of the following two-hour delay, early dismissal and cancellation information. Be sure to keep your contact information updated with your school in order to stay aware, updated, and informed.

*SMS (text): Parents/guardians can opt-in at any time to receive text messages by texting “Y” or “YES” to 67587. The “67587” number is the “short code” that connects to our notification provider, School Messenger.

We are introducing a new feature this school year, called ClassLink. It's intended to be a one-stop shop for the various platforms and sites that we use across the District for students. ClassLink can be accessed from any device through our District website. Under the “Quick Links” section, click on “ClassLink” and students will use their Google username and password. Once students login with their UCSD username and password, they will see a grid of icons representing the web applications students utilize. Many of the web applications support Single Sign On (aka SSO) which means that when your student clicks on the app, it will automatically login with no further action required.

Planning has begun for the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 school calendars. Be looking for a survey August 26 to provide important feedback to inform the development of the next two school year academic calendars.

We are excited to launch a new program, Parent University, in the 2022-23 school year. Through this program, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and informational sessions as well as receive resources to help you support your child in their learning. All UCSD parents/guardians are welcome to attend these free sessions.

SAVE THE DATES

Parent University is scheduled to take place on the following dates:

• September 20, 2022

• October 18, 2022

• February 21, 2023

• April 18, 2023

FORMAT

Parent University consists of two sessions. The first session runs from 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. and the second session runs from 7:00 – 7:45 p.m. There are a total of 10 topics to select from for each session. Parents/guardians are able to select one topic they’d like to attend for session one and select a second topic they’d like to attend for session two. Topics will be the same for session one and session two (i.e. the content from a topic in session one will be repeated in session two). Ideas for topics were generated from feedback received in the parent/staff survey as well as by the UCSD School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC).

TOPICS FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

1. School Board Listening Post: Question and Answer session with two School Board members.

2. Superintendent Listening Post: Question and Answer session with Superintendent Dr. Daca.

3. Safety and Security: Learn about district safety and security plans and protocols.

4. Supporting Technology: Learn about Classlink, Canvas, Seesaw, and PowerSchool.

5. Grading for Learning: Learn the "Why, What, and How" of Grading for Learning in UCSD.

6. Elementary Student Support: Learn tips to help your child develop habits to set them up for success for a new school year and beyond. Collaborate with other parents on ways to support teachers and learning at home.

7. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Elementary: Learn how the school counselor supports social emotional instruction in elementary schools by gaining an understanding of learning expectations for grade levels and example lessons that are taught with tips for use at home.

8. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Middle School: Learn how depression and anxiety may impact adolescents as well as warning signs. Learn about resources available to support students and families in these areas.

9. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) High School: Learn how depression and anxiety may impact adolescents as well as warning signs. Learn about resources available to support students and families in these areas.

10. Facilitator of Family Outreach (FFO)/Counselor Drop-in: A member of our FFO team will be available to answer questions about district and community resources.

RSVP BY SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Please take a moment to RSVP for the Parent University sessions and topics you plan on attending on September 20, 2022. We will be hosting Parent University at Urbandale High School on September 20. Room assignments will be shared closer to the date. Your RSVP will help us to ensure we have the appropriate space, seating, and audio visual requirements. Please RSVP by September 13, 2022.

Click here for an updated summary of actions that have been taking place for design and construction projects throughout the District.

Please make note of the following dates in August 2022 when school will not be in session and when school resumes:

Rolling Green Elementary (only)

• Rolling Green Professional Development Day: Friday, August 19 (no school)

• Rolling Green Professional Development Day: Monday, August 22 (no school)

• School resumes for Rolling Green students: Tuesday, August 23

• Reminder: Every Monday is a late start for preschool–12th grade students

UCSD will be conducting a district-wide notification test at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. During this test, parents/guardians and staff will receive an email, phone call, and text message (if you have opted-in to receive text messages). The District Notification Test will be sent to parents/guardians who registered to receive notifications; it will NOT include emergency contacts. We will also post an alert on the District Facebook, District Twitter and District website.

The notification test is to ensure we have your correct contact information in our system. If you do not receive the text/phone/email message, parents/guardians should contact their school to request their contact information be updated; staff should contact Kate Johnson to request their contact information be updated.

As a reminder, if you’d like to opt-in to receive text message notifications, please text “Y” or “YES” to 67587. The 67587 is a short code that connects directly with School Messenger (our district notification system).

State and Federal regulations, as well as some district policies, require UCSD to annually post certain notifications to the public. Please find our list of Annual Notices here.

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:

Full-Time with Benefits:

• Elementary & Secondary Special Education Teacher positions
• Facilitator of Family Outreach - Karen Acres & Valerius Elementary Schools
• Spanish Teacher - Urbandale High School
• Special Education Associates
• General Workers - Production Kitchen

Part-Time:

• Physical Education Teacher - Metro West Learning Academy
• Special Education Associates
• General Education Associates
• General Workers - Production Kitchen & Serving Kitchen
• Various High School and Middle School Coaching positions
• Before/After School Adventuretime Childcare Associates

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!

Join the Urbandale Booster Club and support our students in Activities. Join today here: Urbandale Booster Club

Processing of school permits will now take place at the high school, instead of the District Administration Office, in hopes of making the school permit process more convenient for UHS families. If your student is interested in obtaining a Minor School License, also known as a school permit, please bring this form with section 1 completed to the UHS main office. Any questions, please contact Brittany Hogue hogueb@urbandaleschools.com.

Remember: to qualify for a Minor School License (school permit) the Iowa DOT will verify that students:

• Have had their Instructional Permit for at least 6 months

• Have a clean driving record for 6 months

• Have completed Driver’s Education

• Live at least 1 mile away from UHS

In addition, information about parking at UHS can be found here.

The Urbandale Alumni Association is proud to present the UHS Distinguished Alumnus Award and Celebration taking place at the Urbandale Golf and Country Club on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Please join us in presenting Rick Kading (Class of ‘76) with the first UHS Distinguished Alumnus Award, enjoy a great buffet style meal, bid on amazing class and business auction baskets (a few included below), answer Urbandale trivia questions, and receive your very own “U” gift bag! The UHS Distinguished Alumnus Award and Celebration committee would like to give a big shout out to the class coordinators, classmates, and all donors who did an outstanding job putting together the remarkable, creative silent auction baskets. Tickets are $45.00 per person and can be purchased here. Proceeds go toward supporting scholarships for Urbandale High School students. Thank you for your support. Go J-Hawks!

Beginning in the 2022–23 school year, every Monday is 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. Late Start student drop off will be from 6:30 AM - 9:15 AM (Note: there will be no Adventuretime staff at the door past 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.

Purchase your 2022–23 Student Activity Tickets via RevTrak. Please note, Elementary and Senior Passes will be created and mailed in early to mid-August. Middle School and High School SATs will be printed on your student's school ID. Please contact Andrew Olson andrew.olson@j-hawks.com in the Activities Office with any questions. Go J-Hawks!

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.

SIAC typically meets on a quarterly basis from 6:00 p.m.– 7:30 p.m. at the Urbandale High School Media Center. If you would like to participate on this voluntary committee, please email Julie Mitchell mitchellj@urbandaleschools.com by September 1, 2022. Thank you!

Registration for the 2022-23 Adventuretime Before and After School Program began May 11, 2022. Learn more about registering your student.

Be sure 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.

We continue to take the health and safety of our students, staff, and families seriously which is why we’d like to share the following guidance regarding current COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Please be aware, all of the following strategies/practices are current as of July 19, 2022, and are subject to change pending federal, state, and/or local decision-making.

You can find information about all activities to include athletics, the performing arts, and the Booster Club right at your fingertips. Be sure to visit j-hawks.com for all of the latest information, upcoming events, and highlights. Plus, purchase your fan gear online at the J-Hawk Shop. Let’s go J-Hawks!

The UCSD Flyer Hub is a great resource for finding information about community activities, opportunities, and services. We post flyers from our district, community education, and organizations within our community. Flyers are frequently updated so be sure to check back often.