Golden Bear News: Sep 27, 2024

Dear UAHS students and families,

I hope you had a wonderful week.

I had the pleasure of working with dedicated staff members from across the district on our new Strategic Plan. Currently, the plan focuses on three key areas: Engaged Learning, Culture & Climate, and Connections.

To reach our vision of preparing students to serve, lead, and succeed, we are currently focusing on three key areas. First, our Engaged Learning strategies aim to improve academic excellence and develop engaged learners through professional development and authentic experiences like service learning and real-world projects. Second, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable Culture & Climate by fostering a sense of belonging, enhancing onboarding, and assessing our school climate. Third, under Connections, we are strengthening our community relationships and leveraging resources by enhancing communication, cultivating partnerships, and reviewing our facility master plan.

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to visit the website and engage in this extremely important work.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Andrew C. Theado

Principal

Our Mission: Challenge and support every student, every step of the way.

• Sep 30 ~ Summer Community Service Due Date
• Oct 8 ~ Fall Choir Concert, 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Performing Arts Center
  
• Oct 8 ~ PTO Meeting, 8:30am-9:30am in W1308J (1st Floor Student Support Office)
  
• Oct 10 ~ End of First Grading Period
  
• Oct 11 ~ No School for Students
• Oct 13 ~ Suburban College Fair, 1:00pm-3:30pm at Otterbein
  
• Oct 14 ~ Teacher Work Day (No Students)
  
• Oct 16 ~ PSAT/NMSQT for Grades 10 & 11
  
• Oct 16 ~ Digital Learning Day for Grades 9 & 12 (freshmen and seniors do not attend school)
  
• Oct 16 ~ College Planning Meeting for Juniors, 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Performing Arts Center
• Oct 17 ~ Parent-Teacher Conferences, 5:00pm-8:15pm at UAHS (more info soon)

• Oct 17 ~ Senior Panoramic Photo, 9:40am in the Competition Gym
  

• Nov 1 ~ Online Order Extension for Graduation: https://view.vidreach.io/q/HPjfaVl3
  

All 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are required to complete six hours of community service to have been excused from school on August 14. As a friendly reminder, it is essential to record your service in x2VOL. Instructions on how to record your hours can be found on the community service page of the high school website. To ensure timely completion, please enter your hours online by Monday, September 30. Failure to do so will result in the retroactive marking of an unexcused absence for Wednesday, August 14 and a potential Saturday School.

The High School Guardian Program is a unique opportunity for juniors and seniors to be part of Honor Flight Columbus. The program is being updated for 2025. For more information, see the links below. The deadline for applications is October 4, 2024.

Website: https://www.honorflightcmh.org/get-involved

Application: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7PG2js9jDUm-2L55E0JLX4bcBl4G67RMh9intCSJV1lUNU1OTzNQQ1RWRlpMUEpQQ01YTzdNUzczTC4u&route=shorturl

Program Description: https://www.honorflightcmh.org/_files/ugd/69091b_d703301320874c1c81db6dced4fdfb30.pdf

Students: As you prepare for the upcoming PSAT on Wednesday, October 16, we want to share the PSAT Student Guide with you. This guide includes key information about the test, tips for success, and an overview of what to expect in the Reading/Writing, and Math sections. While reviewing the guide is not required, it’s a helpful resource if you're looking for extra support. You'll find explanations on the types of questions and topics covered in each section, which can help you feel more confident on test day. Click this link if the one above doesn't work: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/psat-nmsqt-student-guide.pdf.

If you or someone you know may be in crisis, there are options available to help. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to connect with a trained crisis counselor. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the U.S., call or text 988 or chat at www.988lifeline.org. Here is a LINK for more information from Nationwide Children's Hospital, and click HERE for tips to help your student. For additional support, please reach out to your child's school counselor as well.

For a second year, the district is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers (TVP), a group of community volunteers who work to reduce food insecurity in Upper Arlington. Families with UA students can register throughout October and early November to receive grocery items that supplement their pantries during the upcoming Thanksgiving break. This is not a Thanksgiving meal but support to offset food insecurity by providing breakfast and lunch items during the extended break from school. Last year, TVP provided food for more than 90 students during Thanksgiving break, and we believe there will be a greater need this year.

Thanksgiving TVP Flyer

Registration Form

In addition...

We are quickly approaching the fall semester break October 11-14. Long weekends can sometimes be stressful for families. If you are in need of some extra help feeding your family during this extended weekend, please reach out directly to Lydia Smith-Lockwood. (All information shared with Dr. Lockwood is confidential.) The PTO will assist by putting together grab bags of groceries, which will be supplied to her.

As required by Ohio law, the health office nurses will be conducting vision and hearing screenings this fall on all 9th grade, 11th grade and new students to the district. If your student does not pass the vision and/or hearing screenings, you will be notified, and a referral will be sent for a professional exam.

Please contact the health clinic at UAHealthclinic@uaschools.org if you need assistance in covering the cost of an eye exam and glasses. You may qualify using the program called Sight for Students.

Math Tutoring, from student peers, is now available AFTER SCHOOL, Monday through Friday in room 1301. Please encourage your student to stop by for all of their math assistance needs!

We invite you to join us for regular conversations about key topics at Upper Arlington High School. Whether you choose to actively participate, listen in, or catch the recording later, it's a great way to stay connected and informed about what's happening at UAHS.

Family Connection Webinars 2024-2025 (Topics subject to change)

• September 18 - State Report Card Review (Recording)
• October 9 - Preparing Students to be Successful Post-High School (4:15 p.m. - Link to join)
• November 13 - Challenging and Supporting Students: Rigor and Interventions at UAHS
• December 11 - Innovation and Engagement
• January 15 - Academic Scheduling for 2025-2026
• February 12 - Program of Studies Review
• March 12 - Senior End-of-Year Information
• April 9 - Summer 2025 Academic Options

Click HERE for important senior dates and information.

Click the following link for the 2024-25 Senior Checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19yBO1cAvOhpYQW5QHep_g31uR3zelNGUZqgTRJ9_0IA/edit?usp=sharing

Attendance is a critical component to learning. Students need to show up in order to take full advantage of the education programs we offer. Beginning next week when a student has an unexcused absence from class (a potentially skipped class), both student and parents/guardians will be notified of the absence. Beginning the following week, a consequence (detention) may be assigned for each unexcused absence. Be sure to check your attendance each day to ensure it is accurate.

In order to streamline the absence reporting process, we ask that parents/guardians leave a voicemail on the attendance line (614-487-5213), or complete the Absence Notification Form available on the high school website and on the Upper Arlington City Schools APP. We will no longer accept emails. By using the Absence Notification Form, we are able to organize and record absence requests in a more efficient manner. Note that the form will collect your email address, which we will use to verify the request, so please use an email address that is on file in PowerSchool. Additionally, parents/guardians should follow the instructions in the online form to submit Pre-Planned Absence Requests.

A Planned Absence Excuse Form should be printed, signed and turned in to the Attendance Secretary in the Main Office at least 10 days in advance, when possible.

If a parent/guardian submits an Absence Notification Form or calls Attendance at 614-487-5213 to inform the office that their student needs to be dismissed during the day, they will receive an e-hallpass (EHP) to leave class at the designated time. The student can use the EHP to notify their teacher of the dismissal and then should come to the Attendance Office to sign out before leaving.

Please submit your medical notes to uahsattendance@uaschools.org. In order for attendance hours to not accumulate towards habitual absence triggers, medical documentation is needed.

Announcements for the current week are available on the high school website.

Online form for absences (no longer accept emails)

Email if you’ve stopped receiving communication from us

The Daily Bell Schedule and Modified Bell Schedules (Early Dismissal & Two-Hour Delay)

Links to the District Calendars, the UAHS Calendar and the UAHS Athletic calendars

Our webpage with community service options and the link to enter hours

The website for school portraits, club photos, senior class photo

Use LightSpeed Parent Portal Support Page to monitor your student’s internet activity

2024-25 Program of Studies including courses descriptions, academic options, graduation requirements, awards, etc.

The form to report a concern related to safety, bullying, harassment, etc.

The link to purchase season passes for UAHS athletic events

How to Get Help at the high school and familytechhelp@uaschools.org for families with tech support questions or situations