University Park Elementary

April 27, 2011

     Principal’s Corner:  The 10^th Annual Azalea Classic was fantastic!!  We had an excellent turnout, with over 400 people participating!   The Northwestern High School Band did an outstanding job and really added to the excitement of the event.  Thank you for your support in raising funds for our PTA!  We also collected 529 pairs of shoes for Zambia and the International Rescue Committee!  I cannot thank Sarah Elder enough for chairing the Classic.  She did a phenomenal job!  Thanks also to the many, many parents, staff members, community members and local businesses for all of their help.  I am thanking my lucky stars that I work at University Park Elementary, in such a caring, involved, tight-knit community that truly puts children first.

      Today is Secretaries’ Day!  I’d like to thank our fantastic secretaries, Marcie Ramsey and Devilan Cowherd, for all they do.  Our school could not run without them!   

     We had an outstanding Career Day today!  Over 30 speakers presented information about their careers to our students!  Many thanks to all of them for taking time out of their day to spend it with us!

     Thanks for coming to our International Dinner!  We had an excellent turnout, and the food was delicious!!  Many thanks to David Spitzberg and Betty Malca Hurtado for planning the event, and to the UP Singers and instrumental music students for performing!  Anthia D Rozario and Ava Tillman also did a beautiful Indian dance!  It was really a lovely evening, and great to see so many people dressed in their ethnic clothes!

     The PTA will be holding an Open House for prospective parents on Friday, April 29^th from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  If you know of anyone who is interested in finding out more about UPES, please ask them to join us!

     We will be celebrating Arbor Day with the Town of UP on Friday, April 29^th at 12:50 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial on our field.  Our PreK, kindergarteners, and third graders will be presenting songs and poems.  Feel free to join us!

     Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2^nd – 6^th!  This is a wonderful time to write a note of thanks to your child’s teacher.  We have such a dedicated, caring staff who bring out the best in our students.  Your children will be bringing home secret information this Thursday, mwa ha ha!  Be on the look out!

     Many thanks to Dana Campbell for donating rug squares to our school!

     If you know of anyone who needs to register their children for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, or first grade for next year, please encourage them to come to our office and do so, now!  Thank you!

     Now that the weather is getting warmer, I wanted to remind everyone that we do have a school system dress code.  Shirts should be continuous from neckline to waist; the entire mid-section should be covered.  Skirts, dresses, and shorts should be no shorter than fingertip level.  Pants should cover undergarments.  Thank you!

       Before and After Care registration will take place on Monday, May 2^nd from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.  The B&A Office will hold a lottery to decide who will fill the open spots for next school year.  Every parent who comes between 5:00 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. will be given a card to fill out.  The cards will all be placed in a box.  B&A staff, as well as Ms. Freeman and I, will pick the names from the box the next day.  Parents will be notified as to whether their students have been selected from the lottery to fill a slot, or whether they will be placed on the waiting list.  There is no need to camp out or wait ahead of time.  Again, every single parent who comes between 5 and 5:45 will receive a card to fill out.  Your child must live in our attendance area and be registered for the 2011 – 2012 school year in order to qualify for the lottery.  Ms. Cowherd, our registrar, will be happy to register you during the normal school day, 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The B&A program is not open to PREK students.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call Cheryl Axenfeld, B&A Director at (301)984-1894.

     The 6^th Grade panoramic picture has been rescheduled for Monday, May 9^th at 8:45 a.m.

     Mark your calendars for the PTA’s May Fair on Saturday, May 14^th!  Bring your family and enjoy a fun day of great food, games, contests, and music from a DJ!  Look for a flyer coming home soon!

Upcoming Dates:

April 29^th – PTA Open House, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

                   Arbor Day Celebration with the Town, 12:50

May 2^nd – 6^th – Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4^th –   PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.

May 11^th – Wednesday Envelope Goes Home

May 13^th – 4^th Quarter Progress Reports Go Home

May 14^th – May Fair

May 19^th, 20^th, 21^st – Musical, “Frog and Toad All Year”

May 20^th – UP Singers and Instrumental Students Six Flags

                   Competition

May 25^th – Wednesday Envelope Goes Home

                   Choir/UP Singers/Instrumental Spring Concert

                   At 7 p.m. at Northwestern High School

May 26^th – 27^th – Camp Schmidt Overnight for 5^th Grade

May 30 –   No School – Memorial Day

June 1^st –    PTA Meeting and Elections, 7 p.m.

June 2^nd –   Young Author’s Tea, 1 p.m.

June 3^rd –    Book Logs Due

June 4^th –    Choir Sings the National Anthem at the Bowie

                    Baysox Game

June 6^th –  10^th – Turn Off TV Week

June 7^th –    Volunteer Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.

June 10^th –  Choir Trip to Hershey Park

June 13^th –   K&1 Field Day

                    4^th & 5^th Grade Awards Ceremony, 1 p.m.

June 14^th –   2^nd & 3^rd Grade Field Day

                    K Picnic

                    2^nd & 3^rd Grade Awards Ceremony, 1 p.m.

June 15^th –  4^th & 5^th Grade Field Day

                    2^nd, 4^th, & 6^th Grade Picnics

                    K & 1 Awards Assembly, 1 p.m.

June 16^th –   6^th Grade Field Day

                    3^rd Grade Picnic

June 17^th –   Last Day for Students

                    6^th Grade Recognition Ceremony

                    PreK Field Day and Picnic