The Eagle Express
University Park Elementary
May 2nd, 2012
Principal’s Corner: The 11th Annual Azalea Classic was fantastic!!
We had an excellent turnout, with over 800 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 900 pairs of shoes for Zambia,
Ghana, and the International Refugee Resettlement Center in Washington,
D.C.! I cannot thank Sarah Elder, Michelle Hermanson and Christy Neff
enough for chairing the Classic. They did a phenomenal job! Thanks also
to the many, many parents, staff members, community members and local
businesses for all of their help: Colin Philips, Kimberly
Fisher, Ellen O'Neill, Carolyn Marzke, Abbe Miller, Julie McLaren, Mayor
Tabori, Chief Wynnyk and the officers of the UP Police Force, Mickey
Beall, the UP CERT Team led by Tom Stickle, Kristin McCue, Karoline
Mortensen, Cheryl Axenfeld, Carrie Murphy, Carolyn Marzke, Beth Domingo,
Sarah Starrett, Sasha Mote, Gayatri Varma, Cindy Hess, Lisa Holt, Eric
Yde, Justin Ahalt, Josie Brown, Budha Pukahenthi, Deb Frank, Charlotte
Pfuhl, Jay Niepoetter, Emma Niepoetter, Susan Dorn, Heidi Sorrensen,
Patty Rhule, Rich Irish, Jamie Nickerson, Claire Biffl, Warren Morgan, Robert Martin, Kate Murray, Katie Perlis, Ginger Neff, Deb Frank, Lynann Rudert, Leigh Dotson, Nina Barratt, and Marie Gomba! 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.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7th – 11th! 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! You can also help the PTA with their plans by emailing Karen Ahalt at Karen.ahalt@gmail.com.
Before and After Care registration will take place on Tuesday, May 22nd from 4 – 6 p.m. The
B&A Office will hold a lottery to decide who will fill the open
spots for the next school year. Every parent who comes between 4:00 p.m.
and 6:00 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 Dr. 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. Your
child must live in our attendance area and be registered for the 2012 –
2013 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 Pre-K students. If you have any questions, please feel free to call
Cheryl Axenfeld, B&A Director at (301)984-1894.
Many thanks to the PTA for the fantastic Open House on April 27th!
Many people attended, and we heard many compliments about our students,
staff, academic program and PTA from the visitors! I appreciate Becky
Widman for all of her hard work chairing the event, and to the Newcomers
Committee for their commitment in showcasing our wonderful school and
welcoming others to our community! Many thanks to Becky Widman, Mary
Durkin, Gayatri Varma, Kris Moss, Karin Carlson, Imke Ahlf-Wien, Carrie
Murphy, Ellen Thorp, Christine Becraft, and Maby Palmisano!
Come one, come all to our Spring Musical!
We are so excited to announce that our performance this year is "Buried
Treasure," an original children's musical written by Christopher John
Cherry, a writer and camp director from Greenbelt, Maryland. The story,
songs, orchestrations, and choreography are completely original, and
this will be the first time that the orchestrated version of this show
will be performed on stage!
Come enjoy the excitement as three kids travel underground in search
of their "treasure," where these kids must battle dragons, converse
with gnomes, solve the riddles of the Mage, and even overcome the
challenges of their own personal shortcomings. The performances are May
17th, 18th and 19th, starting at 7 pm. Tickets are $10.00 at the door.
This summer, our PreK - 3rd grade pod classrooms are being renovated!
Our teachers are desperately looking for boxes to pack up their things.
If you can donate any boxes, it would be so appreciated! Thank you!
I hope you will join us for the Choir and Instrumental Music Concert on Wednesday, May 9th at 7 p.m.! The students have been practicing hard and are excited to perform for you!
Many thanks to Christine Dawson and the PTA for the lovely staff breakfast!
The PTA is having a fundraiser at Behnke Nurseries this weekend to raise money for the choir to go to Carnegie Hall to perform next January! Behnke will donate 10% of the proceeds of your purchase on May 5th and 6th – please bring the flyer with you! Thanks!
Wonderful news! One of our dedicated aides, Teresa Trozzo, won the Outstanding Support Personnel Award from PGCPS! She will be honored at the Employee Recognition Dinner on May 31st!
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!
Upcoming Events:
May 5th & 6th – Behnke Fundraiser for Choir
May 7th – 11th – Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7th – Picture Day
2nd Grade Takes SAT 10 Test
May 8th – 2nd Grade Takes SAT 10 Test
May 9th – Nurse’s Day
Choir and Instrumental Concert, 7 pm
May 11th – Progress Reports Go Home
May 12th – Reading FAST Test for Grades 3 – 6
May 15th – Math FAST for Grades 3 – 6
May 16th – Career Day
Wednesday Envelope Goes Home
May 17th – Science FAST for 5th Grade
“Buried Treasure” Musical, 7 pm
May 18th – Six Flags Instrumental Trip
County STEM Fair
“Buried Treasure” Musical, 7 pm
May 19th – “Buried Treasure” Musical, 7 pm
May 22nd – B&A Registration Lottery, 4-6 pm
May 23rd – Instrumental Rehearsal, 2-4 pm in the gym
May 29th – Young Author’s Tea, 12:50 pm
Field Day, Grades 3 and 6
May 30th – Volunteer Breakfast, 7:30 am
Instrumental Rehearsal, 2-4 pm in the gym
Wednesday Envelope Goes Home
May 31st – Field Day, Grades 2 and 5