Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!
You will find lots of information for this school year in this edition of the J-Hawk Journal, but can also find important information on the Webster Elementary page of the district website. We hope you'll also connect to our Webster Parent Calendar available in either Google or iCal formats, and join us on our Webster Facebook page.
Teachers, staff, students, and our families are all important to the success that our school has each and every year. “Teaching ALL, Reaching ALL”. More than a statement, it’s a commitment. It’s a commitment from everyone at Webster to help each child to succeed and to learn at high levels. The staff at Webster is committed to improving our practice through quality staff development opportunities. We understand that the key to a successful school year is the partnership between parents and their child(ren)’s school. You are encouraged to consider volunteering at Webster and offering of your time and talents to both students and our staff in helping the children to learn at high levels. So, again, welcome to Webster Elementary School! YOU put the “U” in OUR school! If you need any assistance with school related questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Webster office at 331-8600. We are looking forward to a terrific year working together!!
Welcome from Ms. Taggart & Ms. Grieme!
Welcome to Webster Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year! We are thrilled to connect with and welcome back the students and families of our Webster learning community. This year, our theme is "Where Everyone Belongs," emphasizing the importance of creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where each student feels valued and supported.
My name is Anna Taggart, and I am proud to be entering my 20th year in education and my third year as the principal at Webster. It is an honor to lead and love alongside our incredible students, dedicated staff, and engaged families. My husband Cole, our children Reese, Bennett, Finn, and I are also part of the Urbandale community, living not too far from Webster. As a family, we cherish our time together, whether it's playing games, enjoying movie nights, or embarking on new adventures.
At Webster, we are committed to ensuring that every student knows they belong here. We strive to create a community where each child is encouraged to grow, learn, and thrive. This year, we are not only focused on fostering a sense of belonging but also on supporting our students in achieving their academic goals. We believe that when students feel connected and valued, they are empowered to reach their full potential.
My goal this year is to continue fostering positive and productive relationships with students, staff, and families. Together, we will work to cultivate an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where learning is celebrated, and where every student is equipped to succeed academically.
Let's make this school year one where everyone truly belongs, where we grow together, achieve our goals, and where our Webster community shines brighter than ever!
My name is Sara Grieme and this is my 22nd year in education. This will be my third year with the Webster team as the Dean of Students. I live in Urbandale and enjoy playing the piano, going for walks, reading, and exploring parks with my family.
Relationships are the foundation of our work as educators, and I cannot wait to welcome back our Webster family and partner with you to bring learning to life for all members of the Webster community. It has been so exciting to see their growth over the summer and welcome them back to Webster today. Our goal this year is to continue to build positive, productive relationships with students, staff, and families and continue to help learn and grow alongside the Webster learning community. In the coming days, please know that we each want to get to know our new families, so please connect with us.
Webster focuses on providing opportunities for all students to be a leader within Webster community. We believe that every student has “genius” within them, and we provide ways for them to share that genius with us at Webster. Our theme for the 2024-2025 school year is “WEB - Where Everyone Belongs” with a focus on building our Webster community where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging and a special part of our community.
We look forward to partnering with you and your family and are committed to providing learning and leading experiences that support each student.
Best,
Anna Taggart, Principal
Sara Grieme, Dean of Students
Webster's School Hours!
Please note the following arrival and dismissal time guidelines for Webster Elementary School as established by the Urbandale Community School District.
1st Bell: 8:35 a.m. (students may arrive at/enter the building)
Late Start: 9:40 a.m.
2nd Bell: 8:50 a.m. (class begins - students entering after this time will be counted tardy.)
Late Start: 9:55 a.m.
Dismissal Bell: 3:40 p.m.
Student Meal Pricing, Payments & Fee Waiver Program
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. 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.
Meal Prices
Breakfast Meal PricesLunch Meal Prices
Elementary: $2.00Elementary: $2.90
Middle School: $2.50Middle School: $3.15
High School: $2.75High School: $3.30
Reduced price breakfast: $0.30Reduced price lunch: $0.40
Second complete meal: $3.00Second Complete Meal: $4.85
Milk for students bringing a lunch from home: $0.50Milk for students bringing a lunch from home: $0.50
For more information about meal prices, please visit the Nutrition Services website.Payments
Funds can be loaded onto student accounts electronically through LINQ Connect or by bringing cash/check to your student’s building (please place in an envelope and include your student’s first and last name so the money is credited to the correct account). Online payments are preferred because they happen instantaneously. You can also add payments through the LINQ Connect app available on the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android). Please know, LINQ charges a service fee of 3.95%, with a minimum of $2.85, for online payments.
If a student has a negative balance in their meal account, parents/guardians will receive an automated notification. No student shall be denied a complete meal, no matter their outstanding balance or qualification for assistance. For more information on negative account balances, please view Board Policy 702A.
Iowa Eligibility Application
To see if your child(ren) qualifies for free and reduced price meals please complete the 2024-2025 Iowa Eligibility Application. Please note: The application needs to be completed each school year after July 1st.
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 2024-2025 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 after July 1st.
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.
Nurse's Notes
Health Concerns If your child has any new or updated health concerns that need to be addressed during the school day, please contact Webster’s School Nurse, Alicia Corbett, at (515) 331-8603 or corbetta@urbandaleschools.com.
Severe Allergies If your child has a Severe Allergy to food, insects, latex, or another substance, please fill out the Severe Allergy Questionnaire and turn it in to the School Nurse. This does not need to be filled out for medication allergies such as Penicillin, Keflex, etc.
Medications Any medications to be taken at school require a Medication Authorization Form to be signed by the parent and kept on file with the medication. All medication (prescription or over-thecounter) needs to be in its original container. We do not keep Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other mediations in stock for students. If you would like a medication to be available for your child at any time during the school year, please provide it to the health office with the Medication Authorization Form.
Set Up Your Urbandale ParentSquare Account
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, all teachers, coaches, buildings, departments, and district will use ParentSquare for school-to-home communications. Please activate your account, then download the app by searching ‘Urbandale’ in the App Store/Google Play, and login on the app. If needed, you’re welcome to review this doc that outlines how to activate your account based on various scenarios depending on roles. If you need help with ParentSquare, please complete this brief help form. Thank you!
Report Student Absences in PowerSchool
Notifying your child’s school of an absence just got easier! Simply login to your PowerSchool Parent Portal via a web browser (e.g. Chrome, Safari, Edge) and follow these instructions. All families with students in preschool – 12th grade are welcome to use the PowerSchool Attendance Monitor to report an absence. School attendance phone lines will still be available; however, our preferred method for receiving absences is via PowerSchool as it helps create greater efficiencies for our school office teams. (Note: At this time, the PowerSchool app does not support attendance so you will need to login to your account via a web browser.) Please review these options for translated instructions: Bosnian, Spanish, Swahili
Parent Pick Up Ad-Visor
In order to ensure a smooth parent pick-up process, families using our Parent Pick-Up/Drop Off Drive are encouraged to write their student's last name on the Pick Up tags we used last year. There will be some available during Open House but if you still have yours from last year, feel free to continue to use that. Please attach it to the rearview mirror in ANY car that will be used for pick up. As you drive up the west drive, please assure the family name is directed out the window so we will be able to see which student to call to the car. This is especially helpful as different teachers do pick-up duty on different days. Please be sure to also pull forward as far as possible. Thank you for your help in ensuring a smooth pick-up process!
USING POWERSCHOOL TO PAY STUDENT FEES
For the 2024–25 school year, we will be collecting payment for books, materials, and bus transportation fees via PowerSchool. We have created the following step-by-step instructions for this new process. Please review the instructions and contact Student Data Manager Aalyshah Kocher at kochera@urbandaleschools.com or (515) 457-5011 if you need assistance.
Translated instructions for paying book/material fees in PowerSchool:
Please Note: Meal payments will still be made through LINQ Connect. All other payments will be accepted via RevTrak.
Webster PTO/2 Hour Power 2024-2025
The 2024-2025 PTO Members are:
President: Amanda Huisman
VP of Fundraising: Christine Mounts and Ashley Bader (fundraising.websterpto@gmail.com)
VP of Volunteers: Lindsey Frampton and Jess Pigneri (volunteer.websterpto@gmail.com)
Co-Treasurer: Crystal Sieverding and Jamie Bobst (treasurer.websterpto@gmail.com)
Co- Secretary: Linzi Winton and Christina Black
A Note from the PTO...
The Webster PTO is hard at work planning all kinds of fun activities to make this an awesome school year. We can only do this with your help.
Please click on the 2 Hour Power link to learn about the volunteer opportunities available for this upcoming school year and let us know how you'd like to help.
For our 1st and 2nd grade families, please take a look at the Teachers Helpers sign up for additional opportunities to help in your students' classroom.
Be sure to follow our Webster PTO FB page so you know all the ways you can help support your Webster kiddo(s) and their amazing teachers and administrative staff.
Race Around Webster
The time commitment is through race day in October. A volunteer will be providing around 5 hours of prep work over the next two months. Please email volunteer.websterpto@gmail.com if you are interested in helping. This is a great way to get to know other Webster families!
Let's not lose this day! Race Around Webster is something our students and the Webster community look forward to every year!
Stay Connected!
The Webster office staff are also available and eager to help with any questions you may have at 331-8600 from the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Email: briggsb@urbandaleschools.com
Website: www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/webster-elementary/
Location: 12955 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, USA
Phone: 515-331-8600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbandaleschools/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @WEB_UCSD