The Eagle Express
University Park Elementary
October 20th, 2010
Principal’s Corner: Many thanks to the PTA for a wonderful book fair! The students enjoyed purchasing their own books, and the teachers are grateful for the books the parents bought for their classrooms! This was also a fundraiser for the PTA – thanks for your support! Many thanks to the volunteers: Michelle Hermanson, Gayatri Varma, Kate Murray, Marcia Mapp, Amy Weaver, Robert Martin, Kathy Hotakainen, Becky Widman, Budda Pukahenthi, Sarah Starrett, Dana Campbell, Andrea Zukowski, Lis Marring, Dayna Hinton, Kriss Moss, Lehua Brown, Charlotte Pfuhl, Mary Durkin, Katherine Motsuk, Karin Carlson, Karoline Mortensen, Kathrin Herberholtz, Claudia Chudacoff, Christine Dawson, Carrie Murphy, Aster Meskel, Vicky Foxworth, Julia Martin, and Alana Joyce!
Thank you for coming out for UPES’ Three Brothers Family Night on October 19th! There was a great turnout, and we raised funds for our school!
Our PreK, kindergarten, and first grade students will be enjoying Fall Fest tomorrow! Many thanks to Kris Moss and Katherine Motsuk for organizing all of the events, and to the parent volunteers for all of their help!
Our 3rd – 6th graders have been taking the FAST test this week in reading, math, and for 5th grade, science. This is a county test that helps teachers determine how well the students have learned the objectives taught so far, and which need extra review.
Science Fair Information Night will take place on Thursday, October 21st in the cafeteria! The start time has been changed to 6:30 p.m. If your child has never done a Science Fair project before, or if you have questions or need a refresher course, this is the meeting for you! We will also be selling backboards.
On Oct. 26th, 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 October 27th, our school board member, Amber Waller, will be holding a meeting at UPES for parents at 7:45 a.m. in the library. This is an opportunity to talk face to face with Amber about any concerns or issues you have, and to hear about what things are going on. I hope you will join us!
Our Halloween parade and Sing-a-long will take place on Thursday, October 28th! (Mr. Fominaya and Dr. Tatum will not be at school on the 29th!) The parade will start at 12 noon and we will walk around the building. I hope you’ll be able to come to school to check us out! The Sing-a-long for grades PreK, 2, 4, and 6 will start at 12:30 in the gym, and at 1:00 for grades K, 1, 3, and 5. When the students are not at the Sing-a-long, they will be having a Halloween party in their classrooms. I know the teachers would love parent help in getting the kids ready for the parade, and for the parties. Please let them know if you are available!
Please send your child’s costume in a bag to change into in the afternoon. Students should be able to slip their costume on in a matter of minutes by themselves. Please be sure that the costumes are appropriate, and not scary or gory. Props that come with costumes that have play weapons are not allowed. Thanks!
The 2010 MSA Home Reports for parents are in the Wednesday Envelope. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
The PTA is having a Citrus Sale (freshly picked Florida oranges and other citrus fruits.) Look for more information and order forms in the Wednesday Envelope! Also, please check the PTA bulletin board for ways you can help make this sale a success!
The Math Homework Hotline, run by Prince George’s County Public Schools, is open! Students can call for math help on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4 – 5 p.m. You can tune into Comcast channel 96, Verizon channel 38, or view in real time on our Prince George’s County homepage.
Parents, if you shop at Giant Food Stores, please register your A + Bonus Card on line or at the store! Our school code is 00594. The school receives a percentage of the total amount spent. Last year, we received over $900 at the end of the school year! Thank you!
Upcoming Dates:
Oct. 21st – Fall Fest for PreK – 1st Grade (During the day)
Science Fair Info Night, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Oct. 22nd – Individual Pictures Taken
Oct. 26th – Red Ribbon Day (Wear Red)
Oct. 27th – Amber Waller Meets with Parents, 7:45 a.m.
School Store Open
Oct. 28th – Halloween Parade and Sing-a-Long, 12 p.m.
Oct. 29th – End of the First Quarter
Nov. 1st – No School – Grading and Planning Day
Nov. 2nd – No School – Election Day
Nov. 3rd – PTA Meeting, 7 p.m. in the library
Nov. 11th – Hats On Day for Charity
Nov. 12th – No School for Students – Conference Day
Nov. 15th – 19th – American Education Week
Nov. 17th – Parent Visitation Day
Nov. 19th – PTA Open House
Picture Re-takes, Group Pictures
Nov. 24th – 26th – Thanksgiving Break