Great Back to School Breakfast Ideas for Kids

Help your little one get a good start to the day with these easy-to-make, healthy morning meals.

Last Chance: Donate Clothing for ESL Drive Through Friday

Clothing and other items will be distributed to ESL students and their families Oct. 4-5.

Can Smartphones Make Smart Students? Schools Think So

No more pencils, no more books. iPads, smartphones and other technology find their way into the classroom.

Suave Washes Away the Competition (Sponsored)

Parents enlist the help of Suave for its ability to gently soothe and wash away the remnants of the game. Sponsored by Suave.

Urbandale Singers Win Distinction of 'Note' for Spring Choral Directors' Conference

The depth and breadth of Urbandale Singers' skills, their performance consistency, and their ability to connect with diverse audiences were cited in the choir's selection for the prestigious honor.

School's Back in Session; Adjust Your Driving Accordingly

Urbandale students went back to the classroom Monday. Do you know when it's safe to pass a school bus and regulations on stopping when the arm is extended?

5 Laugh-Out-Loud Blogs to Start the School Year

You've bought the supplies (or not), you've got the new clothes (some of them), and like it or not, the first day of school is upon you. Here, some inspiration to get you ready for the year ahead.

School Seeks Balance in Talking to Kids About Sex Abuse Allegations Against Teacher

“We want to ensure nothing like this happens in the future,” the superintendent of the Urbandale Community School District says.

Keep Your Kids Healthy: How to Prevent the Spread of Cryptosporidium

As central Iowa kids prepare to head back to school, cases of a diarrhea-inducing parasite cryptosporidium continue to rise. Here's what you can do to help prevent the spread, courtesy of Polk County Health.

3 Newcomers on Sept. 10 Urbandale School Board Ballot

Incumbents cited family commitments, self-imposed term limits and other factors in decisions not to run.

First Day of School is Just Around the Corner; Here’s the Urbandale 2013-14 School Calendar

The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 19 Here’s the schedule of Labor Day, Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks, and other important dates in the full calendar.

How Much Does it Cost to Send Your Student to Urbandale Schools?

The Urbandale Community School District's board of directors is committed to low fees. It could cost as little as $70 or as much as $1,096 to enroll your child in school this year.

Supply Lists Vary for Urbandale Students, Depending on what Schools they Attend

School starts Aug. 19 in Urbandale. If your child attends Webster Elementary School, the first letter of your last name will determine what you buy.

School Starts Early Again this Year in Urbandale, but 2013-14 Could be Last Year for Waiver

The State Board of Education may get tough in enforcing a state law requiring schools to in the week Sept. 1 falls in response to tourism industry complaints that waivers cut into the Iowa State Fair, seasonal employment and family vacations.

Don't Pay Taxes — and Remain Legal — on Back-to-School Purchases During Iowa's Sales Tax Holiday

Urbandale’s’ thriving commerce center expected to be busier than usual as parents seek 6 percent savings on back-to-school items.

One More Shot: New Vaccination Required for Polk County Seventh Graders

This booster vaccination will protect students from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

One More Shot: New Vaccination Required for Polk County Seventh Graders

This booster vaccination will protect students from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

Kids Crossing Street to Webster Elementary Have More Room to Wait in Median

Urbandale City Council members voted July 23 to change where kids cross to the school with help of a crossing guard.

Coppess Named Interim Urbandale High School Principal

Four administrators have left the Urbandale school district in the past 14 months.

Mark Your Calendar: Don't Miss Free Health Screenings for Urbandale Students

The screenings will be held on dates in July and August, and will take place at two different locations.

Could Some Urbandale Elementary Schools Be Closing in the Future?

According to a long-term district facilities plan, it could be a possibility.

Long-Term Plan Addresses Urbandale School District Growth, Student Performance

While the plan passed, one board member raised objections to it, saying the plan contains language that is too dense.

Mark Your Calendars: Free Back to School Health Fair Will Be July 15

Services offered include physicals, dental and vision screenings.

Urbandale School Board Takes No Action on Unnamed District Administrator

Board members decided to seek further information before making any decisions regarding the administrator's contract.

School Administrator's Performance a Talking Point for Urbandale School Board

The unknown administrator's performance will be evaluated in closed session during the board's regular meeting.

Urbandale Students Create Way to Celebrate Accomplishments of Peers

The project was done in partnership with the Optimist Club of Urbandale.

Urbandale School District Spends $453,000 on New Laptops for Students

More than 800 new computers will be distributed in Urbandale schools for student and teacher use following a decision by the school board.

Urbandale School Board Will Consider Pay Increase for District Admins

The proposed hike is more than district principals and administrators have received in previous years.

Urbandale School Board OKs Pay Hike for District Staff

The salary increase was approved at a special meeting last week, affecting Urbandale school district teachers, nurses and counselors.

Urbandale Teachers, District Reach Accord on 2013-2014 Contract

School board expected to ratify agreement.

Anticipation Builds in Urbandale as Countdown for ‘Doodle 4 Google’ Finalists Begins

Marissa Frost will learn this week if her doodle depicting her "best day ever" is the national winner.

How to Post Your Free Graduation Announcement on Patch

Use our free announcement service to share the good news about your Urbandale High School or college graduate.

KKK Application Taped to Black Middle School Student's Locker

A 14-year-old Urbandale Middle School student says there was nothing funny about the prank, and his mother believes the school district is downplaying the incident.

Class of 2013: When is Urbandale High School's Commencement?

Everything you need to know to attend next week's ceremony for Urbandale High School graduates.

Annual Memorial Service to Honor Those Who Donated Bodies to Medical Education

On May 17, Des Moines University will honor 62 people who donated their bodies to further medical education in the past year.

Urbandale Students Pedal Out in Numbers for Bike to School Day

The second annual event is designed to healthy habits in Iowa kids.

Every Vote Counts: Help Iowa ‘Goodle Doodle’ Win Oodles of Votes

If Urbandale Middle School student wins, she gets a $30,000 scholarship and her school gets a $50,000 technology grant.

Urbandale Chamber Thanks All Involved in Honoring Teachers

Almost 300 teachers attended the recent Educator's Appreciation Reception in Urbandale. A shout out from the chamber to the businesses that supported the event.

Iowa’s ‘Doodle 4 Google’ Winner Is Also State’s STEM Education Poster Girl

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds calls Urbandale eighth-grader Marissa Frost “a great role model” for her peers, who often lose interest in science and other STEM subjects in middle school.

Urbandale Student, Future Medical Scientist, ‘Google Doodle’ Iowa Finalist

Vote online for Marissa Frost’s doodle showing what would be her best day ever – finding cures for diseases that cut lives short.