The vision for the Urbandale Community School District is to bring learning to life for everyone. In order to bring learning to life, students, parents, staff, teachers, and administrators must have a safe and supportive learning environment. Urbandale is committed to creating an environment where harassment and bullying does not exist. We strive to drive out fear by making bullying a topic that is okay to talk about, by understanding what actions are being taking to lessen the degree of its presence, and by modeling the fundamental behaviors we value for creating a safe, supportive, and joyful learning environment.

In Urbandale, harassment and bullying behaviors are unacceptable. We believe there is a better way and are taking meaningful action to make our vision a reality. Please learn more about our policies and procedures on the Bullying/Harassment Page.

If you need to file a complaint in regards to Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, or Anti-Harassment please fill out this form and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

The UHS Reporting System is a tool UHS students, teachers, and staff can use to report concerns they have about situations or behaviors they’ve observed in their school community that may be hurtful to others. There may be times when you feel as though you need to share something but aren’t sure who to turn to for help.

The Urbandale Community School District counseling program will bring learning to life by creating a positive, safe environment for students to be academically successful and life-ready through intentional planning. Please visit the School Counseling Program Page for more information. Below are counseling resources available.

• SAP – Student Assistance Program: (No-cost assessment, referral and short-term counseling for students and their family members for issues such as stress, school concerns, family and other relationship concerns, substance use, self-esteem struggles, and any other concern affecting individual or family well-being. Telephone support and scheduling: (515) 244-6090.)
• Michele Hamilton,  Student, Family, and Community Services Specialist (SFCSS): The SFCSS works for Urbandale Community Schools. Michele coordinates mental health services for children and families and connects families to needed resources in the community. To reach Michele, please call: 515-402-8538 or email: hamiltonm@urbandaleschools.com
• Urbandale High School Counselors: Jill Duffield, Amber McKenna, Carmen Salter, and Austin West
• Urbandale Middle School Counselors: Marissa Gabriel, Sterling Greiner, Yerliana Reyna
• Karen Acres Elementary School Counselor: Melissa MacGregor
• Olmstead Elementary School Counselor: Melissa McElroy and Mirela Enderton
• Valerius Elementary School Counselor: Liz Donner and Claire Riggan
• Webster Elementary School Counselor: Joleen Brady
• Metro West Learning Academy Counselor: Jhonna Keller

In Urbandale Community School District, we do not 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 our educational programs and our employment practices. We are actively building inclusive learning environments where ALL students feel a strong sense of connection and belonging. Please visit the Equity & Inclusion Page to learn more about our policies.

If you need to file a complaint in regards to Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, or Anti-Harassment please fill out this form and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

The UHS Reporting System is a tool UHS students, teachers, and staff can use to report concerns they have about situations or behaviors they’ve observed in their school community that may be hurtful to others. There may be times when you feel as though you need to share something but aren’t sure who to turn to for help.

This is a UCSD resource where organizations within our community, the District,  and Community Education can post flyers for students, families, and the community to be aware of events and resources happening in Urbandale and surrounding areas. Please check out the UCSD Flyer Hub Page!

We appreciate students and parents reading the handbook and appendices to become familiar with policies and what to expect. Individual schools and teachers will provide supplemental information for parents throughout the school year. Handbooks and available translated versions are available on the Handbooks for Students/Parents Page.

Please follow this link to visit the Follett Destiny website to access your school’s library catalog.

The Iowa Governor’s School Safety Bureau developed Safe+Sound Iowa—an anonymous reporting tool for students, teachers, parents, and community members to help identify and provide intervention for students in crisis before they harm themselves or others. The school safety reporting tool is available state-wide to help prevent violence, unlawful possession of weapons, self-harm and other forms of victimization and threatening behaviors in schools. Please visit this UCSD Article for more information about Safe + Sound Iowa.

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

Please visit the Student Assistance Program Page to learn more about this program and all it has to offer.

• Canvas 
• Class Link
• PowerSchool 
• U-Hub (UHS Students only)
• Urbandale App/Parentsquare (UHS Students only)

The health and well-being of our students are top priorities. We strive to ensure all students feel heard, understood and valued. We care deeply about every single student which is why we believe it’s important to raise awareness and build understanding for suicide prevention. Please visit our Suicide Prevention Page for more information.

• SAP – Student Assistance Program: (No-cost assessment, referral and short-term counseling for students and their family members for issues such as stress, school concerns, family and other relationship concerns, substance use, self-esteem struggles, and any other concern affecting individual or family well-being. Telephone support and scheduling: (515) 244-6090.)
• Michele Hamilton,  Student, Family, and Community Services Specialist (SFCSS): The SFCSS works for Urbandale Community Schools. Michele coordinates mental health services for children and families and connects families to needed resources in the community. To reach Michele, please call: 515-402-8538 or email: hamiltonm@urbandaleschools.com
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.
• Your Life Iowa: Your Life Iowa is a 24 hour help line with text and chat capabilities. It provides suicide support, bullying support, and other resources for parents and students. It includes warning signs, risk factors, and how to support others.
  
• Safe+Sound Iowa: Safe+Sound Iowa—an anonymous reporting tool for students, teachers, parents, and community members to help identify and provide intervention for students in crisis before they harm themselves or others. Reports of safety concerns can be made securely and anonymously three ways:  (1) Download the free Safe+Sound Iowa mobile app  (2) Visit Safe and Sound Iowa “Make A Report” (3) Call 800-224-6018.

You are not alone. Please reach out. We will help you get through this. You are not alone.