I feel very blessed and proud to welcome you to University High School. Whether you are a seasoned member of the Trojan Family or are starting with us for the first time, we are excited to journey alongside you this school year. Our student-selected theme is, “The Time is Now,” and there is a powerful truth behind those words. Great opportunities await our students. The four years of high school are truly a transformative time for young men and women. The growth that our students experience from when they step onto our campus as freshmen to when they cross the stage as graduates is amazing. The experiences in high school not only impact them now, but they carry what they learn with them well into their future. This is an amazing time, but it has its challenges and can be a bit daunting. There are some areas in which I encourage students and families that I believe help make high school as positive as possible.
Make the School Smaller When attending high school, many students can be overwhelmed by the size or feel lost among all the different people. Trying to make deep connections with over 2,000 kids is impossible. Connecting with 10 or 20 or even 50 – that’s much easier. We encourage all our students to get involved on campus: try something new, follow your passion, serve the community. Among our athletic teams, student-run clubs, elective courses, academic competitive teams, and service organizations, there are numerous opportunities to join alongside a small group of students with similar interests. Instead of being just one person in a high school of 2,400, be a part of a team of 50 or a club of 20.
Stay Connected As parents, there are multiple ways to stay connected with the school so that you are aware of programs, services, and resources. We highly encourage you to consider the following opportunities:
- Review our Friday Community Update that is sent out by e-mail each week and has celebrations of achievement, important updates and upcoming activities for Uni
- Monitor your student’s academic performance through the Aeries Parent Portal; we recommend checking it once every week or two
- E-mail coaches and teachers directly when you have a question about something happening on a team or in a classroom
- Be an active member of PTSA – join the group, attend monthly meetings, hear from guest speakers and site administration, help out with events and programs when you can
- Support your student through parent booster groups that serve athletic teams and performing arts
The Trojan Code Take some time to understand our expectations and policies by reviewing the Trojan Code as a family (https://universityhigh.iusd.org/about/guidelines-procedures). We expect professional behavior from our students in how they conduct themselves, speak with each other and to adults, and the way in which they dress. In all that they do, we want our students to exhibit the four qualities of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, and Integrity.
High school brings many challenges, new experiences, and opportunities for growth. It can be terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. We are here to journey with you. I understand that we may not always agree on particular policies or procedures, but we will work hard to understand the needs of our students and their families and serve to the best of our ability. Thank you for being Trojans!
Dr. Kevin Astor
Principal