Golden Bear News: Sep 13, 2024

Dear UAHS students and families,

As part of our District’s commitment to fostering a positive culture and climate, we are excited to participate in Start with Hello Week. This initiative focuses on building social connections by encouraging conversations that create a sense of belonging among young people. It’s a wonderful opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusivity in our school community.

Throughout the week, you may notice or hear your student talk about several activities designed to foster connection, including:

• Staff and Link Crew members greeting students at both entrances

• Name tags distributed during Gold Period

• A Gratitude Photo Wall during lunches, hosted by Link Crew

• Wearing green to support Start with Hello, with announcements reinforcing the message

• Students sending thank you notes to staff during Gold Period

• A special Start with Hello video featuring staff and students on Kickin' It

• Uplifting music that "Starts with Hello" playing during class transitions

These activities create meaningful opportunities for students to connect and show appreciation for one another. We hope you enjoy celebrating Start with Hello Week as part of our school community!

Make it a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Andrew C. Theado

Principal

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

• Sep 9-13 ~ Homecoming Spirit Week (more details below)
• Sep 10 ~ PTO Meeting, 8:30-9:30 AM in W1308J (1st Floor Student Support Office)
  
• Sep 14 ~ Homecoming Dance, 8-11 PM at UAHS
  Note: Ticket sales begin 8/31: https://uaschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/1096

• Sep 18 ~ Altered Schedule for Early Dismissal at 1:30 PM
  

  Period 1 ~ 8:05-8:40
  Period 2 ~ 8:45-9:20
  Period 3 ~ 9:25-10:00
  Period 4 ~ 10:05-10:45
  Period 5 ~ 10:50-11:30
  Period 6 ~ 11:35-12:10
  Period 7 ~ 12:15-12:50
  Period 8 ~ 12:55-1:30
  

• Sep 18 ~ Community Shopping Hours at Bear Essentials, 1:45-3 PM (use north entrance)
  Note: No refunds or exchanges.
  

• Sep 19 ~ Engaged Learner Competency and Well-being Survey during Gold Period (more info below)

• Sep 20 ~ Student Activity Fair, 11 AM-12:35 PM (lunch periods) on Golden Bear Boulevard

• Sep 22 ~ Fostering a Conversation

• Sep 27 ~ Picture Retake Day, 7:30 AM-12:30PM in the Field House
• Sep 30 ~ Summer Community Service Due Date
• Sep 30 ~ Senior Financial Aid Meeting - Rescheduled for October 24
  
• Oct 8 ~ Fall Choir Concert, 7-9 PM in the Performing Arts Center
  
• Oct 8 ~ PTO Meeting, 8:30-9:30 AM in W1308J (1st Floor Student Support Office)
  
• Oct 10 ~ End of First Grading Period
  
• Oct 11 ~ No School for Students
• Nov 1 ~ Online Order Extension for Graduation: https://view.vidreach.io/q/HPjfaVl3

  
  

Students,

We want to remind you of the importance of driving safely in our neighborhoods. Our community includes families, children, and fellow students, and your caution on the roads helps protect everyone. Please remember to follow the speed limits, be aware of pedestrians, and always drive responsibly. Together, we can ensure the safety of all.

UAHS course fees have been assessed and are available to pay in EZPay.

This year's Mamma Mia-themed Homecoming Dance is once again at the Marv. The dance will be from 8pm-11pm on the south end of the track on Saturday, September 14.

Ticket prices are $35 each. You may use the link below to purchase tickets. Students need to either print a hard copy or show the QR code from the ticket purchase on their phone at the dance to enter.

https://uaschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/1096

Students will enter the dance through the southwest gate (near the tennis courts). This is the only entrance that will be open. Students must arrive by 9:45 pm. Dress is semi-formal.

Wonder what this year's 10:00 Surprise will be?

Note: Student Council uses the profits from the Homecoming Dance to fund its budget for the school year. This includes the Homecoming Court Pre-Game activities, the Hoco Dance, Club Grants, Spirit Giveaways, Adopt-a-Family, the Joe Conley Media Scholarship, Staff Appreciation events, and the Spring Picnic to name a few of our events.

Your Voice Matters!

Upper Arlington Schools is committed to creating the best possible learning environment for all students. This fall, we're asking for your high schooler's input through an online survey.

What's the survey about?

The Engaged Learner Competency and Well-Being Survey is designed to gather your student's perspective on their school experience. It focuses on areas like supportive relationships, self-management, sense of belonging, and perseverance. This feedback helps us tailor our support and resources to better meet the needs of all our students.

When is the survey happening?

The survey will be available online between Monday, September 16th and Friday, September 27th. Your student will have the opportunity to complete it during the school day on Thursday, September 19, during Gold Period.

What kind of questions will be asked?

The survey is age-appropriate and designed for independent completion. You can preview the questions beforehand using this link: Grades 6-12 Survey

Why should your student participate?

By participating, your student's voice will be heard and help us shape the school experience for the better. This information will be used by counselors, teachers, and administrators to develop programs and support systems that best benefit all students.

Can I opt my student out?

Yes. If you'd prefer your student not participate, please complete this form by September 10th, 2024

What happens next?

There will be two additional survey windows this school year, in winter and spring. You'll receive more information about those in advance, including the option to opt-out again.

Thank you!

Your continued support of our students and Upper Arlington Schools is invaluable. This survey is one way we ensure we're providing the best possible learning environment for all.

If you have any questions, please contact wellbeing@uaschools.org.

Attention Parents! The 2024-25 yearbook is currently for sale directly through Jostens.com (link below). This will be the lowest offer, as prices will increase in 14 days. Yearbooks ordered will be mailed in the early fall to the address provided. Yearbook is a class and the Norwester staff is working on the content everyday.

Order the 2024-25 yearbook here:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1049738/Upper-Arlington-High-School/2025-Yearbook/2024080213151502360/CATALOG_SHOP

If you have photos of your student that you would like considered for the 2024-25 yearbook, please email them to romollica@uaschools.org. If you forgot to order last year's yearbook or another year, there is a limited supply. Please email Robin Mollica at the email above.

Are you interested in learning more about what makes humans happy? If so, you won't want to miss the upcoming talk by Dr. Laurie Santos, a psychologist who studies happiness, as part of the Fostering a Conversation speaker series. This series is a collaboration between the Upper Arlington City Schools, Upper Arlington Education Foundation, Upper Arlington Alumni Association, and the Upper Arlington Community Foundation.

Click here for more information.

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!

Juniors and Seniors who will be at least 17 years old by Election Day have the opportunity to work the polls on Tuesday, November 5 through Franklin County’s Youth at the Booth Program. Participating students must commit to working all day and to attending training. Pay is $193 (or $223 with an additional optional training). Training will be scheduled at UAHS. Interested students can find the details on the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 Canvas Pages. Students can also reach out to Mr. Soccorsi (rsoccorsi@uaschools.org) with questions. The deadline to apply is September 21.

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

Please don't send your student to school if... Click HERE to help protect our students and staff from unnecessary illness.

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.

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 (Link to join)
• October 9 - Preparing Students to be Successful Post-High School
• 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