June 8, 2011

     Principal’s Corner: It’s hard to believe that the end of the school year is in a week and a half!  It has been a wonderful year working with your children.  We are going to miss them during the summer!  But it will be a great time to recharge and make plans for the new school year.

     I can’t thank the PTA enough for their tremendous support!  They have treated the staff like gold!  The PTA has funded our book log events, treats for students during testing, paper, art supplies, assemblies, field trips, teaching materials, and so much more!  They wrote a grant to fund our wonderful art teacher, Aaron Springer, and our fabulous library aide, Catherine Sutherland!  The PTA organized many Newcomer events to welcome new families to our school and community.  They are always looking for ways to fund raise for our school, and to connect us together.  Many, many thanks to our PTA board for their outstanding commitment:  Gayatri Varma, President; Suzanne Whelton, Executive VP; Maby Palmisano, VP; Dana Campbell, Secretary; and Kristin McCue, Treasurer.  They are a delight to work with, and have made such a difference!

     Many thanks to all of our parents for your tremendous support, activism, volunteerism, and caring that makes UPES so amazing!  I hope you all know how much our staff appreciates your support!

     The last PTA Meeting of the year will be held on June 8^th at 7 p.m.  We will be electing some new board members – please consider running for a position!  You can make a difference!

     Many thanks to Dana Campbell, Kathy Hotakainen, Anthony Clark, Juanita Morton, Catherine Sutherland, and Aaron Springer for their tremendous help with the Write A Book Contest!  We had a lovely Young Author’s Tea last Thursday, where our students were able to invite guests to attend.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate their hard work!

     A group of our parents arranged a meeting with our Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Coleman-Potter, to discuss the possibility of UPES becoming a K-8 school.  The group grew by word of mouth, and when the meeting took place on June 1^st, 150 people showed up!  The clear consensus of the parents was that they very much wanted our school to become K-8.  Many questions were asked, and Dr. Coleman-Potter did an excellent job discussing the feasibility of such a change.  The bottom line was, at this time, there just is not enough money in the school budget to make the change.  As time goes on and finances change, this is a topic that will certainly be revisited.

     We have four Field Days coming up, and we need volunteers to make them a success!  The dates are:

·         Monday, June 13^th  – Grades K&1

·         Tuesday, June 14^th  – Grades 2&3

·         Thursday, June 15^th – Grades 4&5

·         Thursday, June 16^th  – Grade 6

If you can help out from 8:15 – 11:00 a.m. on any of those days, please fill out the section at the bottom of the newsletter and send it to our PE teacher, Ms. Neff.  Thank you!

     I have heard from a number of parents that they are interested in hearing more about our Talented and Gifted (TAG) in the Regular Classroom Program.  The next week and a half are jam-packed, and it will be difficult to meet.  Please feel free to write/email me with your thoughts, concerns and ideas.  I will meet with the staff, do some brainstorming, and then schedule a time for us to meet!  My email address is nancy.schickner@pgcps.org.

     The final report card will be mailed home after June 24 from PGCPS headquarters.  Please make sure the school has the correct address on file for your child.  If your address has changed, you must bring in required documentation.  If you don't receive your child's report card by July 5th, please contact UPES at marcie.ramsey@pgcps.org or (301) 985-1898.

   So, here comes the summer!  The school will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Registration is also offered at those times.  Student placement letters will be mailed out August 5^th.  You will find the 2011-2012 Supply List, registration requirements, and calendar in today’s Wednesday Envelope.  They will also be posted on the website for the summer.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email us! 

Have a fantastic summer!  

Upcoming Dates:

June 8^th –   PTA Meeting and Elections, 7 p.m .

June 10^th –  Choir Trip to Hershey Park

                    1^st Grade Picnic

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 – 8:30 a.m.

                    6^th Grade Dance in the afternoon

                    PreK Field Day and Picnic

August 22^nd – First Day of School!

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Parents, Field Days are coming up, and we’d love your help!  If you’d like to volunteer, please check the one(s) you can assist with and send it in to our PE teacher, Christy Neff.  The Field Days take place in the morning.  Thank you!!

1 June 13^th, Kindergarten and First Grade

1 June 14^th, Second and Third Grade

1 June 15^th, Fourth and Fifth Grade

1 June 16^th, Sixth Grade

1 June 17^th, Pre-Kindergarten

Name _________________________________________

Child’s Name ___________________________________

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