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Uplifting Urbandale
UCSD Newsletter 05.31.24 #upliftingU
Celebrating Our UHS Class of 2024!
What a special night celebrating our Urbandale High School Class of 2024! On May 23, students, staff, families, and friends gathered to honor and celebrate all the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of these outstanding students. We thank our UHS team for their outstanding leadership and our UHS families for their incredible support. We wish the UHS Class of 2024 the absolute best as they head out to change the world. UHS graduates, we are so very #proudofU! Photos
Thank you Student Board Representatives!
We thank our School Board Student Representatives for their outstanding service this year! Thank you for sharing your insight & perspective. We are #grateful4U! (Front row) Matthew Hammerand, Kiersten Van Horn, Hailie Bonz & Angelica Chaisson-Cardenas; School Board & Dr. Daca
Happy Retirement to our 23-24 UCSD Retirees!
Join us in congratulating this remarkable group of educators! You will be missed. Happy Retirement!(Front row) Tracy D’Alessandro, Annette Brannen, Stacy Borchers, Bass Cameron, Lesley Monson & Bill Olson; School Board & Dr. Daca (Not Pictured: Jeff Hendrickson, Cindy Jacobs, Esther Kroloff & Sandy Walters)
Creating Safe And Inclusive Environments For All Students
Join us in supporting LGBTQ+ youth during #PrideMonth to help ensure all students are seen, heard, and valued. In UCSD, we're actively building welcoming and inclusive learning environments that support all students. #teachingall #reachingall #welcomingall #wesupportU
Join the UCSD School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC)
The Urbandale Community School District School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) consists of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who learn about and discuss student achievement, programs, and practices. Members of the committee collaborate to develop school and district improvement recommendations for consideration by the School Board.
SIAC typically meets on a quarterly basis from 6:00 p.m.– 7:30 p.m. at the Urbandale High School Media Center. If you would like to participate on this voluntary committee, please email Julie Mitchell mitchellj@urbandaleschools.com by September 1, 2024. Thank you!
UCSD 2024 Summer Hours
Administration Office
The UCSD Administration Office is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. except on the following dates when the office will close at 12:00 p.m. (Noon):
Friday, June 21, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Friday, July 5, 2024
Friday, July 12, 2024
Note: The UCSD Administration Office will be closed July 4, 2024.
Summer Programming In UCSD Buildings
Summer programming in UCSD school buildings will continue as scheduled as the summer hours mentioned above do not apply to scheduled summer programming. Please contact your program leader if you have any program-related questions over the summer.
Contacting Your School During the Summer
Please contact your school principal(s) if you have any school-related questions over the summer. For student registration questions, please contact our District Registrar/Student Data Specialist Aalyshah Kocher or (515) 457-5011.
Activities Office
The Activities Office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. through the summer. In the event Activities is out of the office on a game field working, they will post a sign with their return time.
2025-2027 Academic Calendar Planning
The Calendar Committee has identified the top priorities from the previously shared options being explored for the 2025-2027 calendars.
Full Day Professional Learning Dates
Day Options for Parent/Teacher Conferences
A) Elements of the Year Round Calendar or B) Early Outs Prior to Breaks
The data from nearly 550 survey responses were taken into account. Read more about the decision process and see the survey results on our website.
Join Our Team! We’re hiring for 2024-25!
We have recently posted the following regular positions for 2024-25: Adventuretime (Before/After School Care) Associate, Special Education Associate (full-time), Special Education Associate (part-time). These positions don’t require a teaching license or any specialized training and are a great way to make a positive difference in the life of Urbandale students.
We have also posted substitute teacher, associate, custodian, Nutrition Services, and nurse positions if you are looking to work at your own availability.
If you’re interested or want to share the positions, please click on the links included. Questions can be sent to Kate Johnson, HR Specialist.
U Are Appreciated!
As part of the Human Resources department's ongoing initiative to help UCSD employees recognize their coworkers, we had so many people recognized last month! These recognitions can be small everyday things that a staff member does to make life easier for those around them or something bigger and significant. Those messages are then printed up and delivered to staff with a little treat. Everyone had the biggest smiles as they realized how much they are appreciated! UCSD staff can look for the form to appreciate their coworkers in the monthly HR Update starting in August. #UBelongHere #UAreAppreciated
Activate Account. Download App. Stay Connected.
We’re using the Urbandale app (powered by ParentSquare) to share news, updates, and alerts. You do not need an invitation to activate your account. You can register by going to parentsquare.com/signin and entering your email or phone number within the “Register” section. You’ll need to use the same email or phone number that is in PowerSchool.
You’re welcome to review this doc that outlines how to set up your account based on various scenarios depending on roles. After you activate your account, download the UCSD app (search 'Urbandale' in the App Store or Google Play) and login on the app. If you have questions or get stuck anywhere in the process, please complete this brief help form. Thank you!
Step 1: Activate Your Account
(sign-in link & QR Code above)
Step 2: Download & Login to the Urbandale App
App Store
Step 2: Download & Login to the Urbandale App
Google Play
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER CONTENT
ParentSquare: Annual Summer Refresh
Every summer, ParentSquare archives content (primarily Posts) from the previous school year so when you login at the start of the new school year you won’t see content from the previous year. Similar to cleaning out a backpack for the start of a new school year, archiving helps to clean up the main feed of content and keeps content from getting outdated.
For all schools except Karen Acres, we’ll be archiving Posts on June 7, 2024. Karen Acres will be archiving Posts on June 27, 2024. Posts received before the archive dates will not be accessible once the archive completes. Posts received after the archive dates will be accessible for the duration of the summer and the upcoming 2024-25 school year.
2024 Summer Food Program
The Summer Food Service Program was created to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer when they may not have access to school lunch or breakfast. Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like Urbandale Community Schools to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. This year, Summer Meals will be offered June 5th, 2024 through August 15th, 2024. Dates and times vary by location. Visit the UCSD Nutrition Services website or follow them on Facebook or Twitter for updates.
Register Today! School Registration for the 2024–25 School Year
School registration for the 2024–2025 school year is open! Please review the following information for registering your child for school in the Urbandale Community School District. We know this is a busy time of year for students and families. Thank you in advance for taking time to register your student(s). We’re looking forward to welcoming your child(ren) and family this fall!
Preschool Students: Click here to review detailed Preschool Pre-Registration Information and learn more about our Urbandale Preschool Program.
K-12 Returning Students: You’ll find detailed instructions for registering your returning Kindergarten through 12th grade student(s) by visiting urbandaleschools.com/register
K-12 New Students: If your student(s) is new to UCSD, click here for specific information about registering your new student.
- Year-Round Elementary School: Any family can choose to attend our year-round school located at Karen Acres Elementary. Learn more about our year-round program!
UCSD Essential Tools: Quick Guide For Families
The “UCSD Essential Tools: Quick Guide For Families” is a 1-page overview of key tools in use throughout the district. You’ll find the name of each tool (and corresponding logo), grade levels using the tool, the primary purpose of the tool, where to login, and resources for help using the tool. We hope the Guide is a helpful resource for you!
Student Assistance Program—Free, Confidential 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. You can count on your SAP for guidance and support when it comes to assessing your concerns and developing strategies for addressing any of the following:
School-life balance
Family or relationship issues
Emotional issues
Alcohol and drug-related issues
Other issues that interfere with your daily living, happiness, and overall well-being
You do not need a referral. The SAP is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is strictly confidential. You can call the number directly, let them know you are an Urbandale Schools family, and request assistance. Phones answered by a masters-level clinician. Make as many calls as needed (no limit). Call (515) 244-6090 or 800-327-4692 if you’re outside of the Des Moines area. Learn More
Stay Up to Date with Parent University
Discover how Urbandale Schools is dedicated to supporting academics, student safety, well-being, and technology in our online Parent University video series! Each video bank has vital information about varying topics. If you’re ready to register your students for the 2024-2025 school year our “Using District Technology” section has videos to answer all of your questions!
New Class Offerings With Urbandale Community Education
Come On Out & Support Your J-Hawks!
Check Out What’s New In The Flyer Hub
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Contact Us
Email: communications@urbandaleschools.com
Website: www.urbandaleschools.com
Location: 11152 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, USA
Phone: 515-457-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbandaleCSD
Twitter: @UrbandaleCSD