The Eagle Express
University Park Elementary
January 20, 2010
UPES: Unity, Pride, Excellence, Success!
Principal’s Corner: Huge thanks to the PTA and the many families for all of the improvements in the teacher’s lounge!! The new couch, slip covers and pillows are gorgeous! There is also a new water cooler that dispenses hot and cold water, plus tons of teas and coffee on the table! The staff was so excited and thrilled – it made our day! Thanks also to the PTA for bringing in breakfast for the staff every month!
Thank you so much for your support of the Joe Corbi fundraiser! With the funds you’ve raised, we’ll be able to recover from the recent budget cut and order the materials and supplies we need! Your Joe Corbi orders will be ready for pick up on Tuesday, February 2nd from 2-6 p.m.
We are very proud of our choir! They went to the Elementary Choir Festival at Bowie High School on January 14th, and received a score of all ones! They were invited back to compete on the next level in the Spring, but that’s when they’ll be competing in Hershey Park! Many thanks to Mr. Fominaya and Mr. Tatum for their leadership, as well as to the parents who chaperoned!
Our Community Builders student group, under the direction of Christy Neff, were moved by the effect of the terrible earthquake in Haiti, as we all were. This week, they are leading the school with the “Make Change Happen” fundraiser to help the victims of this tragedy. Please send in your loose change with your child – every class is taking up a collection.
Our students have just finished taking the math and reading FAST (Formative Assessment Tests) in grades 3-6. Grade 5 students also took the Science FAST. We are looking forward to seeing their scores, which will help the teachers determine what skills they are strong in, and which need more practice. Tomorrow, all 2nd – 6th graders will be taking the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) to determine their reading and comprehension levels.
Book logs are due on January 22nd! All students who turn in a log will see, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” (rated PG), with some delicious popcorn! This will take place during the day on Friday, January 29th.
I hope you will come to the PTA’s International Dinner on Friday, Jan. 22nd! Bring a dish from your culture/heritage, and enjoy tasting food from around the world! There will be lots of fun activities; the evening runs from 6-8 p.m.!
I am very concerned about our attendance. Our Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW,) Donna Nelms, informed me that our tardy rate is the highest of all the schools in our area!! We are sending out letters to parents of students with high tardy/absence rates. Please, it’s important that students are in class by 7:55 a.m. (our doors open at 7:45 a.m.) When students come in late, they miss instruction and crucial beginning of the day routines. Also, if your child is absent, please send in a note explaining the absence. Thank you!
Many thanks to parents Cathy Flynn, Deborah Levenson, and Christine Dawson for working with our students to create the school newspaper! It was outstanding! If your 4th, 5th or 6th grade child would like to participate, the newspaper committee meets Wednesday mornings in the library at 7:30 a.m.
A brief reminder: It is very important that our parent contact information be up to date. Please let us know if your address and/or phone numbers have changed since the beginning of the school year. Thank you all for your continued cooperation and support throughout the school year.
When we have snowy or icy weather, please check the news and the Prince George's County Public Schools' website (www.pgcps.org) to see if school is cancelled or delayed. If school is delayed, staff also report to work at a delayed time. It is imperative that you do not drop off your children early! There may be no one here to watch them. B&A also opens later if we have a delayed opening. If snowy/icy weather starts during the day, please check the news and school system website to see if we'll be closing early. Always have a plan of action for your children if these instances occur.
Before & Aftercare Students Only School Time Bus Schedule
1 Hour Delay 8:00 am 8:45 am 1 Hour Late
2 Hour Delay 9:00 am 9:45 am 2 Hours Late
1 Early Hour Dismissal 5:00pm 12:55 pm 1 Hour Early
2 Hour Early Dismissal 4:00pm 11:55 pm 2 Hour Early
3 Hour Early Dismissal 3:00pm 10:55 pm 3 Hour Early
The PTA is please to spotlight volunteer Cathy Flynn. Cathy has been the lead volunteer in producing the school newspaper, the Eagle Express. She is mom to Owen (5th) and Liam (2nd)
How long have you volunteered at UPES? "5 years."
Do you volunteer in other parts of the community? "No."
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?" "Mrs. Elkins, my fourth grade teacher. She encouraged us to be creative learners. She appreciated that there were different ways to learn."
Why would you tell someone to volunteer at UPES? "If we have something to offer we should give back to the community, beyond your own children."
Dates to Remember:
Jan. 22nd – Book Logs Due
International Dinner, 6-8 p.m
Jan. 25th – No School – Teacher Grading & Planning Day
Feb. 2nd – Joe Corbi Pick Up, 2-6 p.m.
PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3rd – Report Cards Released
Science Fair Open House, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
St. Jude’s Math-A-Thon Begins
Feb. 11th – Class Valentine Parties, 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 12th – No School for Students – Professional Day.
Feb . 15th – No School – Presidents’ Day
Feb 19th 3rd Annual Instrumental Black History 7:30 p.m