Uplifting Urbandale
UCSD Newsletter 1.13.23 #upliftingU
We invite you to read the UCSD bi-weekly newsletter, “Uplifting Urbandale." Newsletters are archived on the
Newsletter section of the District website. Please make note of the accessibility options which can be used to enlarge the text and/or translate this email. Mah hi Hakha holh in don na duh ahcun, Zaangfahnak tein
Dar Lian ah peh tlai te.
American Legion Post 663 Recognizes Webster Students For Exemplary Flag Essay Contest Submissions
Webster Elementary 5th grade students Alice Timmer, Imran Alicic, and Kellan Murphy were recently recognized by the American Legion Post 663 for their essay entries in the Legion’s “What the Flag Means to Me” essay contest. The purpose of The American Legion of Iowa Essay contest is for elementary students to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the United States Flag and gain knowledge of flag etiquette and respect for the flag. Essays reflect the students’ perspective of what the United States Flag represents to them using facts from the United States Flag Code. Alice, Imran, and Kellan were presented awards by Peg Mullen and Jim Cade of Legion Post 663. Great work by these talented Webster Elementary students! We are #proudofU! #WebsterPride
UCSD Certificates of Recognition
During the January 9 School Board meeting, the Board and Administration awarded Certificates of Recognition to UCSD students for the following accomplishments. Congratulations to these outstanding students. We are #proudofU!
Iowa Football Coaches – Academic All-State: Kai Black, Cole Garwood, and Oliver Towers
Iowa Golf Coaches Association – Academic All-State: Bennett Sebastian
Des Moines Register All-Iowa Elite Football Team: Cole Garwood
Des Moines Register Class 5A All-State Team: Cole Garwood
Iowa Football Coaches 1st Team All-State, Class 5A: Cole Garwood
Pictured: UCSD Board President Katherine Howsare, Bennett Sebastian, and Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Daca.
5 Myths & Facts About "Student Assistance Program" Free Counseling
There are many misconceptions when it comes to counseling. It’s important for students to know the facts about using the Student Assistance Program (SAP) to ensure that some of these myths are never a barrier to getting help. In this 2-minute “Take 5” video, you’ll learn about five myths and facts when it comes to 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. The SAP is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is strictly confidential. Call (515) 244-6090 or 800-327-4692 if you’re outside of the Des Moines area. Learn more about your Student Assistance Program in
these short videos.
6th–12 Health Curriculum Review
The Teaching and Learning Department is beginning its next phase in the curriculum review process for 6-12 and 4th-9th Human Growth and Development. As part of the review of this curriculum topic an ad hoc committee is being formed and we are looking for parents and community members that would like to volunteer to serve to support the development of the health scope and sequence along with providing feedback in the selection of instructional materials to support health instruction in Urbandale. This ad hoc committee will meet on the following dates/times:
February 22 3:45-5:15 pm
March 8 3:45-5:15 pm
March 29 3:45-5:15 pm
April 12 3:45-5:15 pm
April 26 3:45-5:15 pm
Interested individuals should visit this link:
Health Curriculum Review Ad Hoc Interest Form Community Ed “Think Safe Self-Defense” Class February 24
Would you know what to do if you were face-to-face with violence, confronted by someone intent on hurting you, or suddenly attacked with no one around to help? Empower yourself with effective skills to deal with the possibility of violence. You’ll feel more confident after learning valuable awareness and self-defense concepts and practicing important physical skills to help keep you safe. This is a "no experience required” seminar. Don’t be intimidated! Our professional instructors are not only self-defense experts, but they also make learning fun! Make it even more fun by
signing up with a friend or family member! Open to women ages 16 and up.
Webster Students Are Glowing With Kindness
Following winter break, Webster Elementary students collaborated on a special initiative throughout their school to show kindness to one another. As students completed a variety of lessons about demonstrating kindness, they colored in a letter on their class’ “We Are Kind” poster. Once all of the letters were colored, students enjoyed celebrating with a fun glow stick party. We enjoyed seeing all of the happy smiles in Ms. Sandmann’s 2nd grade classroom. What a great way to welcome students back from break! #kindnessglows #passiton #WebsterPride
Community Ed: Adult First Aid / CPR / AED Certification
Need to obtain or renew your CPR certification? Join us! Participants will learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillation (AED) use of ventilations with a barrier device and relief of choking. This is a great way to stay ready in case an emergency happens and someone needs your help. Don’t delay, sign up today and get CPR certified to keep your loved ones safe. Visit urbandalecommunityed.com for more information or to register!
Riding the bus next year? Complete this brief Bus Request Form by January 31
To help prepare for the changes in bus transportation routes for the upcoming 2023–2024 school year, we are collecting transportation requests now. Your help will make for a smooth transition from the current bus routes to the new routes for next year.
We are not asking for any fees to be paid for transportation at this time. UCSD will begin collecting fees for busing, books, and materials beginning July 3rd. An email will be sent to all families at that time alerting them that fees should be paid. Right now however, we are just collecting transportation requests.
If you anticipate your family needing bus transportation for the 2023–2024 school year, please complete this Bus Request Form by January 31, 2023. (Note: Please check your email for more information specific to your family.)
Reminder: ‘No School’ Dates In January 2023
Please make note of the following date in January 2023 when school will not be in session.
District-Wide
Monday, January 16: No school and no Adventuretime in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 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. We hope you and your family find meaningful ways to use your day off as a day of service in support of family, friends, and/or community.
Tuesday, January 17: School resumes for all UCSD students.
Preschool Pre-Registration Opens at 6:00 p.m. January 24, 2023
Preschool Pre-Registration will begin online at 6:00 p.m. January 24, 2023. Click here to review detailed Preschool Pre-Registration Information for the 2023–2024 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 2023–2024 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 14, 2023.
Kindergarten Pre-Registration Opens January 24, 2023
Kindergarten Pre-Registration for the 2023–2024 school year will begin online on January 24, 2023. We'll share more information
here once Kindergarten Pre-Registration opens. Please note: Kindergarten 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. View the
UCSD elementary boundary map beginning in the 2023–2024 school year. To be eligible for kindergarten a child must be 5 years old by September 15, 2023.
What Parents Need To Know About Fentanyl—Community Forum January 17
Urbandale Community School District is hosting a community forum regarding the dangers of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorneys Mallory Weiser and MacKenzie Tubbs will share critical information about counterfeit pills, warning signs, NARCAN, and how social media is impacting distribution. Attendees will also gain an understanding of Des Moines metro area statistics on seizures of fentanyl, drug cases, and overdoses. The forum is the next session in the District’s “Parent University” program. All metro area public or private school parents and guardians are welcome to attend this free event.
- Event: What Parents Need To Know About Fentanyl Community Forum
- Time/Date: 6:30 p.m. January 17, 2023
- Location: Urbandale High School, Performing Arts Center, 7111 Aurora Avenue
- Attendees: All metro area parents and guardians
- Tickets: No tickets necessary; free admission
UHS Seniors: Apply For Scholarships By April 1, 2023
Attention UHS SENIORS: Applications are now being accepted for the Urbandale Dollars for Scholars scholarship program! Scholarships will be awarded to graduating UHS seniors. Many scholarships will be available and students can apply for multiple scholarships with just one profile and application! Scholarships to be awarded include, but may not be limited to:
Dollars for Scholars – Merit-based (multiple to be awarded)
Dollars for Scholars – Need and Merit-based (multiple to be awarded)
Dollars for Scholars – Trades
George & Helen Newsom Scholarship – Need and Merit-based (two $2,500 awards to one male and one female student)
Richard L Haynes Memorial Scholarship – Merit-based (one $1,000 award for (grand)child of a military veteran or servicemember)
Urbandale Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship – Merit-based (award(s) for (grand)child of an Urbandale High School alumnus)
Students and parents can learn more about Urbandale Dollars for Scholars by clicking HERE. Last year, Urbandale Dollars for Scholars awarded $18,600 in scholarship awards to graduating UHS seniors!
In addition, learn about financial aid and more scholarship opportunities by visiting the UHS Counseling site.
Year-Round Learning—Year-Round Fun! Learn More About Our Year-Round Elementary School
Take a few moments to
listen to what our students, parents, and teachers have to say about our year-round elementary school! Any family living within the UCSD boundaries, or outside the UCSD boundaries, can choose to attend our year-round elementary school. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the year-round program will move to Karen Acres Elementary. Bus transportation is available anywhere within district boundaries outside of the
walk zone. We would love the opportunity to share more about our year-round school with you and all it has to offer your child and family. Please reach out to Principal
Dania Wilson to learn more.
Cancellations & Delays
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.
Join Our Team! We’re hiring for various positions and we’d like to hear from you!
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. Our newly posted positions include: Elementary Special Education Teacher (Karen Acres/Valerius) and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (Webster) Learn More
New Class Offerings With Urbandale Community Education
Urbandale Community Ed is excited to offer new classes in Science, Engineering, and Robotics. Your student can also learn Spanish, Chess, and Art in fun and engaging classes offered at UCSD elementary schools. Check out
urbandalecommunityed.com for all of our new classes for any age. Don't forget to come back in March when the Summer Camp Series is released for all of the fun camps and clinics offered here in Urbandale!
Come On Out & Support Your J-Hawks!
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!
Check Out What’s New In The Flyer Hub
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.
Opt-In “Uplifting Urbandale” Newsletter
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Educational Equity Statement
It is the policy of the Urbandale Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, marital status (for program), ethnic background, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (for employment), or socio-economic background (for program) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the District office at 11152 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA or call 515-457-5000. The District’s Equity Coordinator is Dr. Ryan Williamson,
williamsonr@urbandaleschools.com.
