The J-Hawk Experience
Info you need to know for the week of Jan 30- Feb 3
Message from the Principal
Regarding the week of January 30th at UHS-
Monday, January 30th, will be an 8-period Day, Day 2 - As with other Mondays, we will have a late start due to teacher professional learning Monday morning. This week, we will continue with our normal 8-period Day with 1st period starting at 9:20am. It will be a Day 2.
Scheduling for the 2023-24 school year to begin this week - Beginning the week of January 30th with our juniors (class of 2024), our UHS junior, sophomore, and freshman students will be engaging in the scheduling process for the 2023-24 school year. Students should be taking time over the week to log into their Naviance account (accessed through www.uhsguidance.com) and reviewing their 4-year ICAP plan (Individual Career and Academic Plan). UHS counselors will be leading this process with extra support this year from students' Connections teacher.
Scheduling process for juniors this week:
- Monday: Juniors meet as large group with counselors to begin filling out their scheduling forms for the 2023-24 school year.
- Monday - Wednesday: Juniors review classes for their senior year completing scheduling form with families and Connections teacher (get scheduling form signed by parent/guardian) . Juniors enter their course requests on scheduling form into Naviance.
- Thursday - Friday: Juniors meet one-on-one with their school counselor during social studies class to finalize scheduling form and entering of course requests into Naviance. Counselors collect signed scheduling forms from juniors (students who receive additional supports may have additional staff review their scheduling information).
A similar process will be repeated for sophomores the week of February 6th and freshmen February 13th. Contact your student's counselor with questions (see UHS Counseling office information below in the newseltter).
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), how we approach the last few days of the semester for those students who are already at or above proficiency by that time, and how we support students when students don't engage in required independent work.
Look for more details on these items in the coming weeks.
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!
FYI, U-hub will be "under construction"
Post Prom volunteers needed!
Post Prom is quickly approaching (April 22nd); we need many hands to help cut, glue, paint and draw to create signs, decorations, and games. No artistic ability is necessary, just a willingness to help. We wanted to get these dates out early so you have plenty of time to save the date/time on your calendar. Please see the link below to sign up for a late March or Early April date/time. Thanks in advance for your help! If you have any questions about Post Prom Pre-Decorating, don't hesitate to contact Chastity Price, price1175@yahoo.com, or Debra Booth, debra.booth@drake.edu. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
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
“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=
Do you have a natural tendency toward leadership? Or need a boost to grow into your full leadership potential? If so, HOBY might be a great opportunity for you!
WHAT IS HOBY?
HOBY is a three-day leadership seminar for current high school sophomores. The seminar includes motivational speakers, highly interactive panels, and focuses on service in the community. Students have the opportunity to meet over 100 involved sophomores just like them from across the state. They will grow their leadership skills, learn more about themselves, and get motivated to be a leader in their school and community. HOBY's goal is to prepare our country's high school sophomores to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, schools, workplace and community. To learn more, check out the Iowa HOBY website (updates in progress) or our video, "Why Iowa HOBY?" (1:50)
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.
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- AcDec team places 2nd at Regionals!
Page 2- Key Club/Leo Club at Meals from the Heartland
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