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HANDS ON: Redesigned Special Education Program

The goal after graduation is to go onto college or get a job. A redesigned program at one high school is making sure every student gets that chance, no matter their abilities.

You could call Sami Strain a super senior. She says, “That’s what Ms. McKibben would say.”

She already graduated but remains a part of Urbandale High School’s Severe and Profound Special Education class. Teacher Julie McKibben says, “This is a classroom for students who need more supported learning that are here to learn more functional life skills.”

McKibben started redesigning the classroom three years ago. The focus is teaching school skills that translate into the real world. She says, “In this program we’re really just thinking outside of the box, evolved those academics into something where our kids can leave here when they turn 21 or whatever their parents agree to, and have skills in the community.”

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MISSING TEEN: Police Seeking Help

Urbandale police are asking for the public’s help to locate a teenage girl who hasn’t been seen since mid-April.

Police say 16-year-old Taylor Claiser, who is a junior at Urbandale High School, was last seen on April 15th. Police believe she may be with her boyfriend, 20-year-old Spencer Brookman.

Claiser has ties to Iowa Falls and may have traveled there.

Officials don’t believe Claiser is in any danger but they are worried she hasn’t contacted her parents in over a month.

If you have any information on Claiser’s location you’re asked to contact the Urbandale Police Department at 331-6803.

CLOSE CALL: Girl Nearly Drowns In Pool

Urbandale police say an 8-year old nearly drowned at an apartment pool.

Police say at 9 p.m. Friday night, a maintenance man with Westpointe Apartments was walking through the pool area at 2510 Canterbury Road.

That’s when he saw a young girl at the bottom of the shallow end of the pool.

Police say he immediately jumped into the pool and pulled the girl to safety.

When paramedics got there, they were able to help the girl breath. They then took her to the hospital for evaluation.

The pool does not have a life guard on duty and it’s not known why the girl was alone.

RIBBON CUTTING: Middle School Renovations Completed

RIBBON CUTTING: Middle School Renovations Completed

Urbandale Middle School will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday. It’s an opportunity for the community to see the recently completed remodeling and additions to the school.

From 5 p.m., Dr. Doug Stilwell, Superintendent of Schools and principal, Dan Meyer will lead the proceedings to celebrate the completion of the work that began in 2009.

“We are so fortunate to have this facility for middle level learners in Urbandale.  I cannot begin to thank the community for their support of education and the commitment made to middle level education in our district,” said Meyer in a press release. “With the completion of this project, Urbandale can compete with any district in central Iowa relative to facilities and technology available to our students.”

BIKE RIDE: Pedal to Petals Route Announced

BIKE RIDE: Pedal to Petals Route Announced

The second annual Pedal to Petals Bicycle Ride will take place June 9th. This year the route will take in two scenic loops - 8.5 or 33.5 miles - both beginning and ending at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

“One of the first things visitors notice in our yard is the water feature,” says Laurie Barrick, a member of the Friends of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden board. “The stream starts at the top of a hill and meanders down about 75 feet over several waterfalls before ending in a pond next to our deck. Along the way, the stream splits around an oak tree that was there when the water feature was installed.”

Two private gardens in Johnston and the Polk County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden in Urbandale will make up part of the route.

RACIAL HARASSMENT: KKK Application Taped To Locker

As a black student in the predominantly white Urbandale Middle School, 14-year-old Donte Johnson says he’s seen his fair share of racial harassment. But never anything like this.

Another student left a KKK membership application on his locker.  Donte’s mother complained to the principal, but says he sort of blew her off.

“He was like ‘they listen to it in the music and it’s on TV and comedians joke about it’ but that doesn’t make it okay,” says Tara Patterson

The superintendent says the student responsible was disciplined, but because of privacy laws the district can’t say what that discipline included.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP: Dozens Awarded

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP: Dozens Awarded

Over 3-dozen seniors were awarded with a $2,500 Prairie Meadows scholarship this week.

Each spring, Prairie Meadows offers two $2,500 scholarships to every public and private high school in Polk County. Student-offspring of employees were also eligible.

Applicants had to write essays on pre-selected topics and have letters of recommendation.

To view the 37 recipients, click here.