The J-Hawk Experience
Info you need to know for the week of Sept 6 - 9
Message from the Principal
Our UHS Community of teachers, counselors, and our entire staff, engaged students during our first week in lots of learning getting to know them and learning the class learning and behavior expectations for the year. Our vision at UHS is to change the world! This happens through the fruits of our students' successes both in their time here and after they graduate...and it all is supported by relationships and our UHS Community.
As I shared last week...and the week before, we are also focusing on high expectations for staff and students alike to help all achieve our vision. High expectations is a key characteristic of our UHS Community. We will work to create an engaging and safe environment while helping achieve success as learners. All of us need to own our part and be empowered to help make this happen. #UHSCommunity #EmpoweringU #UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
Connections
This past week in Connections (30 minute advisory period that every day except Aug 29th and continues to meet this week), students participated in Connections Cup activities where they play Connections groups have "Minute to Win It" type competitions again another Connections group. Connections build points where they will ultimately earn prizes like preferred seating and access at lunch as well as preferring parking (if they drive to school). They engaged in some initial learning about what it means to be Future Ready at UHS (Life, Career, and College ready). Student attendance is required and connecting with others in their Connections is essential to our community being stronger and safer. These past two weeks in Connections each day has been a connecting, unifying experience where students of each grade get to know and learn about students from other grades with their Connections teacher who they will have for all four years of high school at UHS.
Class assemblies to improve student behavior and experience
Regularly on our student engagement surveys in the past (both internal and external surveys), one of our lowest scores at UHS is how students treat each other. We are working to make this better. During this coming week during Connections time, students will engage in learning about student behavior as it relates to how students treat each other and how they can report through a reporting (besides talking to a staff member) if they see or hear something that is hurtful and/or isn't right. This will happen in grade level assemblies during Connections where I will lead this learning along with senior and junior members of our CORE club. A special "shout out" goes to a group of seniors and juniors who are also co-facilitators of our CORE club for their work over the past six months and beyond (including much time with me and other administrators this summer) planning and developing this opportunity for our students to learn and grow as well as be empowered to make our UHS community a better, safer place for all students. Our 9th graders will meet in the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, September 6th, during Connections time; 10th graders on Wednesday, September 7th; 11th graders on Thursday, September 8th; and 12th graders Friday, September 9th.
Out of bounds
Starting off this year, students and staff alike have notice a greater attention by our office staff and staff overall to not only making sure students are present in class and not wondering the building or hanging out in the commons area but also showing proper documentation (a hall pass or an open pass if senior or junior) when they are in the halls after the tardy bell rings each period. If a student is not where they are supposed to be without permission (signed pass or open pass), they will be considered "out of bounds". A student who is out of bounds will have an opportunity to reflect on their behavior and return to class. If the behavior continues additional times during the same day, a student will have additional support and discipline due to being insubordinate.
UHS Homecoming 2022
Look for more details below the this section about UHS Homecoming 2022, the week of September 12th - 17th! Go J-Hawks!!!
A few points to highlight this week, September 5th - 9th:
- No school on Monday, September 5th, due to the Labor Day holiday.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Day 1 and Thursday and Friday are Day 2.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays are Odd Block Days and Wednesdays and Fridays are Even Block Days (like last year)
- Students start in 1st period on Tuesday. After 1st period, they will go to Connections.
- We will have Connections activities each day this week between 9:30am-10:00am and will not start Intervention (Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:30am-10:00am where students can be drafted or self-select to get additional support for their learning) until the week of September 19th.
- The complete daily schedule for each day can be found below the Calendar after this message.
Parking and Arrival
- Arrive 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.
Connections, Intervention and Lunch
- Connections - This is where students gather for what some call advisory or homeroom time...at UHS, we call it "Connections" because that is what this time is about...building connections with students that are not necessarily our friends or people we regularly have classes with. All students in grades 9-12 will report to their Connections between the 1st and 2nd block of the day for the first few weeks of schedule as we orient and start the year off. A few weeks into school, we will begin to have Connections just on Tuesdays and Fridays (week of September 19th). This is our homeroom/advisory time (30 minutes) for all students.
Intervention - Beginning a few weeks into the start of the year. It will happen on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting the week of September 19th. This is time during the day where students have time for additional learning with teachers, staff, and other students. This is required time. Students who are drafted will be notified by their drafting teacher as well as their Connections teacher. Those students who are not required to be drafted may request a teacher drafts them or stay in their Connections to work on learning of their own and/or support the learning of others.
- Lunch - Students will eat lunch in the lunchroom again this year. We. They are expected to pick up after themselves and bus their own tables. Students will each lunch when their 5th period teacher is listed for having lunch. The lunch schedule by teacher is linked here. On Wednesdays and Fridays, students will have lunch when their 6th period teacher is listed as having lunch.
- Lunch time frame - Students and families will note that the length of lunch periods will return to time frames that we had prior to COVID. So, instead of 65 or 70 minutes lunches, students will have 40 minute lunch times (5 minute passing time, 30 minute lunch, 5 minute passing time).
- Mondays - We will have professional learning on Monday mornings from 7:30am-9:05am. The building will open for students at 8:50am on Mondays. Students will not be allowed in before that time. Please plan accordingly. Students will attend all 8 periods on Mondays for 35 minutes each period.
A reminder that again this year, our weekly newsletter, "The J-Hawk Experience," will be emailed out on Sunday evenings and be your primary source for information about and for our UHS students, families, and staff...our UHS community.
I look forward to seeing you at UHS tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Tim Carver
Principal
#UHSCommunity
#Hungry&Humble
#UHSwillChangeTheWorld!
Calendar
Schedule
- U-Hub linked here or scan QR code
Important changes to student arrival
Urbandale Homecoming Week: September 12–September 17 !
Come support your J-Hawks and celebrate our Urbandale community spirit during Urbandale High School Homecoming 2022! We’ll be celebrating with a variety of activities the week of September 12th. We look forward to welcoming you!
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Community Open House Events: Olmsted Elementary & UHS Performance Lab & Studio
Please join us in celebrating the completion of Olmsted Elementary and the Urbandale High School Performance Lab and Studio (fitness center) during our Community Open House Events from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Attendees will have an opportunity to take self-guided tours of both Olmsted and the UHS Performance Lab and Studio during the two-hour timeframe.
In addition, a short program will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Olmsted. We look forward to welcoming you!
Thursday, September 15, 2022
5:30 p.m. 9th Grade Football Game
Urbandale vs. Des Moines Roosevelt at UHS Frerichs Field; kick-off at 5:30 p.m.
Please make sure you are prepared to cheer on your J-Hawks at our home venues by either purchasing tickets in advance at www.j-hawks.com/tickets or purchasing tickets at the gate with a credit card (there will no longer be a cash option at the gate).
Please make arrangements to arrive early to the high school in order to find a parking spot, or park east or south of the stadium on neighborhood streets.
6:00 p.m. Homecoming Parade
The UHS Homecoming Parade begins at Urbandale Middle School and ends at Urbandale High School.
5:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. UHS Street Party
The UHS Street Party will take place in the UHS Parking Lot before and after the Homecoming Parade. We’ll have a variety of activities highlighting UHS clubs and teams in the UHS parking lot.
Bring the kids for activities, autographs with the UHS football team, bounce house, and food trucks! (Note: food available for purchase)
All Urbandale students, families, staff, alumni, and community supporters are welcome to attend.
Friday, September 16, 2022
5:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. Urbandale Lions Club Annual Homecoming Pancake Supper
Urbandale High School Commons (lunchroom)
No tickets required; attendees are welcome to give "free will" donations.
7:00 p.m. Varsity Football Game
Urbandale vs. Des Moines Roosevelt at UHS Frerichs Field; kick-off at 7:00 p.m.
Please make sure you are prepared to cheer on your J-Hawks at our home venues by either purchasing tickets in advance at www.j-hawks.com/tickets or purchasing tickets at the gate with a credit card (there will no longer be a cash option at the gate).
We will be presenting the Homecoming Court at the football game.
All varsity events will be streamed online at www.j-hawks.com/live
Saturday, September 17, 2022
8:00 p.m.– 11:00 p.m. UHS Homecoming Dance “Out of This World” at UHS Commons
Cost is $10/person (Note: The Homecoming Dance is only open to UHS students and guests.)
Homecoming Dance tickets will be on sale beginning September 6th using the QR code on posters around the building or this link.
If a UHS student would like to bring a guest from another school, the UHS student must complete a guest form. Guest forms are located outside of room 231 and 226. The form must be completed and turned in prior to the dance (preferred) or on the night of the dance. Tickets for guest students must be purchased by Friday, September 15th at 4:00pm. Any questions, please email: petersonk@urbandaleschools.com or hansonk1@urbandaleschools.com
Must have a current School ID to get into the dance; School IDs required for all attendees (Note: guests from other schools should provide a School ID or a driver's license)
UHS Homecoming Spirit Days — “Out of This World”
Monday 9/12: PJ Day
Tuesday 9/13: Tacky Tourists
Wednesday 9/14: Color Years
Thursday 9/15: Soccer Mom vs. BBQ Dad
Friday 9/15: J-HAWK Spirit
We wish everyone a safe, fun, and memorable Homecoming 2022!
Parent University Begins September 20: Register Today!
2022 Distinguished Alumnus Auction
Bidding will start Monday, September 12th at 8:00pm and end Saturday, September 17th at 8:00pm.
UHS Counseling Office information
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.
UHS Clubs Brochure
UHS Athletics and Activities for the week
Effective this fall, purchasing tickets for all Athletic and Performing Arts Events in grades 7–12 must be done online. Those wishing to attend events are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at www.j-hawks.com/tickets. If you purchase tickets at the event, we will only be accepting credit card payments as there will no longer be a cash option at the gate.
The only venue where cash payment will still be accepted this year will be for Urbandale Middle School football games. This is due to the lack of infrastructure at that venue. All other Athletic and Performing Arts Events will only be accepting online payments in advance or credit card payments at the gate.
When attending events away from our home venues, we anticipate most opponents in the CIML will also be only offering online ticketing. To aid in the process of purchasing tickets in advance for away events, you may wish to visit www.cimltickets.com.
Please make sure you are prepared to cheer on your J-Hawks at our home venues by either purchasing tickets in advance at www.j-hawks.com/tickets or purchasing tickets at the gate with a credit card. We look forward to welcoming you and appreciate your support of Athletics and Performing Arts.
Student Activity Tickets will be on sale under the Activities tab on Urbandale's webstore. The webstore is accessible by clicking this link to RevTrak. From there, select the specific pass that you want to purchase. 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. Should you have any questions about these passes, please contact Andrew Olson (andrew.olson@j-hawks.com) in the Activities Office.
9-12 SAT
This is for High School Students and may be used at all CIML athletic events on the conference schedule, both home and away, except tournaments.
$50.00
The Fall Sports Season at Urbandale High School and Urbandale Middle School will be here before you know it.
Visit this link to find out more information about the Fall Sports Season from Participation Requirements to Meeting and Start Dates: Fall Sports Information
UHS 2021-22 Yearbooks are in! Most were delivered to Connections classes. See Linda or other members of the UHS Yearbook team in Mrs. Dunbar's room
Mr. Brimeyer leading learning in Urbandale Singers!
Students learning about Library Media Center procedures!
Students in Spanish 1 engaged in learning with Ms. A!
Mr. Hammerand gives feedback on student learning in chemistry!
Mrs. Fienup's students learning in AP Government class!
Mrs. Hanson leads learning in chemistry!
The new UHS E-Sports team practicing in Mr. Sonntag's room after school!
Ms. Johnson helps student learn about interests and careers in IJAG!
More from E-Sports practice!
Students in Mrs. Forristall's ELP class engage in exploration!
Mrs. Mohling engages students in reflection during FCS class!
New 3D printer being built in class!
PEOPEL PE off and running with Coach Moreno during 5th period!
E-Sports team at practice!
Meet our new UHS Teachers!
10th - Sophia Huber - 21:14.0
Cooper Sebastian was the Runner-Up Medalist at the Fort Dodge Invitational after a one-under par round of 70 on Tuesday.
He helped the J-Hawks to a 6th place finish in the 17 team field.
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