The Eagle Express
University Park Elementary
UPES: Unity, Pride, Excellence, Success!
October 21, 2009
Principal’s Corner: “Men Make a Difference Day” was a wonderful success! Our parent liaison, Hilma Chavez, did a great job organizing the event. Thanks to all of the guys who were able to visit that day – our students loved it! We were also treated to a great performance by Interact Story Theater, thanks to Mrs. Phillips and the PTA! The PTA also had their Scholastic Book Fair, which was very successful. Thanks to Michelle Hermanson for organizing it all, and the parent volunteers who helped out! Many thanks to Lilly Baker for donating a huge, interactive, United States wall map! The teachers love it! Also, thank you to Ellen O'Neill for organizing the Help the Homeless Walk, as well as the Homeless Assembly.
Last week also had a lot of testing! The students worked hard and did their very best. In first grade, the OLSAT test will help to identify students who should be screened for Talented and Gifted. The FAST test in grades 3-6 will help the teachers determine how well our students have learned the curriculum so far, and what areas need more instruction.
Yesterday, the Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade classes enjoyed Fall Fest! They decorated pumpkins, made scarecrows, and more! Many thanks to all of the parents who came to help out, especially Katy Huggins who organized the event!
Many of you might have noticed that there has been some work going on next to our flagpole! The Town of University Park is putting up a gorgeous, 4-sided, old-timey clock! We will be having a dedication ceremony when it is finished, and we’ll let you know when that happens.
Our dismissal routines will be a little different for the next two weeks. We’ve decided to do a trial run of dismissing the bus riders before the walkers. The buses come very early, and if we can load them right after announcements, we’re thinking that we’ll get everyone out in a speedier fashion. After two weeks, we’ll take a look at the results and decide if this is a better way! Thanks for your patience!
Update on flu prevention: Students and staff continue to wash their hands frequently, and our custodians disinfect our building nightly. If anyone at school develops a fever, their parents are called immediately. When your child is absent with a fever, your child must remain at home for 24 hours fever free without medication. This will help us contain the spread of colds and flu. Please remember to call the school whenever your child is absent and a note must be sent to the teacher when your child returns to school. Please let us know if your child is sick, especially if he/she has a fever and sore throat. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children healthy.
If your child is going home in a different way than normal (like a bus rider walking home with a friend), a parent MUST send in a note so we know! Thank you!
There are many exciting events coming up! On Thursday, Oct. 22nd at 6:30 p.m., Ms. Rowland and Ms. Moore will be holding a Science Fair Information Night in the cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for 4th grade parents, as well as parents of new students in grades 4, 5, and 6, to find out how to do a Science Fair project.
On Saturday, Oct. 24th, the PTA is holding a Wine and Cheese/Silent Auction! The classes/grade levels have been putting together amazing theme baskets to auction off (thanks to your help), and there will be many more items from UPES families and community businesses. You won’t want to miss it!
On Tuesday, Oct. 27th, Life Touch will be taking individual pictures during the school day. Look for the flyer in the Wednesday envelope. Ms. Moore will also be holding an informational parent meeting about Destination Imagination at 6 p.m in Ms Moore's classroom.
Destination Imagination is an educational program for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Destination Imagination is an exhilarating after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. If you want to find out more about this activity, you can also go to www.idodi.org.
On Oct. 28th, we are asking all students to wear red in honor of Red Ribbon Week. This will signify our resolve to say no to drugs!
On Oct. 29th, we will have the Halloween Parade/Homeless Walk (they're both the same thing) at 12 noon. Thank you so much to everyone who turned in a registration form for the Homeless Walk, and to many who made donations! Parents, we hope you’ll be able to come and watch! Your child’s teacher will be sending home a letter about the party/sing-a-long that will take place after the parade, as well as ask for help in getting the kids ready, or bringing in treats. We are going to have a normal, instructional morning, so children should bring their costumes in a bag to change into after recess. The costumes should be easy to get into, with no major makeup needed. No weapons, blood or guts allowed. (We don't want to scare the younger children or Mrs. Schickner.) The kids can also wear their "Help the Homeless" t-shirt. If you do not want your child to participate, please let his/her teacher know. Mr. Clark will work with them in the computer lab. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
There is no school for students on Oct. 30th; teachers will be completing report cards and planning lessons!
The PTA is pleased to spotlight one of our volunteers, Adriana Altura. Adriana has been involved with UPES for four years. She is currently directing the volunteer efforts for the Silent Auction.
Besides volunteering at UPES, where else are you involved?
"I also volunteer at Greenwood."
Who was your most memorable teacher?
"In 5th grade I had a Portuguese Literature teacher named Lara. She was very excited about the subject. She encouraged us to be creative. One of our class projects was making our own book."
What do you like best about UPES?
"When I walk into my child's class room, the kids greet me by saying: "Hi Bea's mom."
Why should someone volunteer at UPES?
"When your children see that you are involved, they want to be involved, too. "
Upcoming Events:
Oct. 22nd – Science Fair Information
Night, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 24th – PTA Silent Auction/Wine
and Cheese Event
Oct. 27th – Imagination Destination
Parent Information Mtg, 6 p.m.
Individual Pictures Taken
Oct. 28th – Red Ribbon Day – Wear
Red!
Oct. 29th – End of the 1st Quarter
Halloween Parade/Walk for
the Homeless, 12 noon,
followed by classroom
parties and the Sing-a-long
Oct. 30th – No School for Students –
Teacher Grading and
Planning
Nov. 3rd – Read Together Program
Starts After School
PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.
Nov. 5th – Family Math Night, 6:30 –
8:00 p.m.
Nov. 10th --1st Quarter Report Cards
Released
Nov. 11th – No School for Students –
Parent Conference Day
Three Brothers UPES Lunch
and Dinner Fundraising Day
Nov. 17th – Three Brothers UPES
Dinner Fundraising Night
(this is a 2nd night,
scheduled for family
convenience!)
Nov 19th – Open House for New
Familes, 8:30 a.m.
Visitation Day for Current
Parents, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.