UPES "LEADER" Updates

MONDAY IS THE BIG DAY, FALCONS!

We are SO excited to welcome our students back to UPES tomorrow, Monday, August 10th! Our classrooms are ready, our teachers are excited, and we can’t wait to begin another amazing year of learning, growing, and leading together! Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

To help our Falcons start the year feeling comfortable and confident, parents/guardians may walk students to their classrooms during the first three days of school...Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday only. Beginning Thursday, students will begin independently following their morning arrival routines. Please know our faculty and staff are in place to ensure they reach their destination safely. Thank you for partnering with us as we help our students start STRONG and build the routines that will lead to a successful year. Let’s Aim High and Fly HIGHER, Falcons! #WeAreFalcons #AimHighFlyHigher #FalconPride #FalconStrong #NothingIsImpossible #PassportToExcellence

With Falcon Pride,
Principal Mullins 💖🦅

UPES Updates & Reminders

📚 21st CCLC After-School Registration is OPEN!

Registration is now open for University Place Elementary’s 21st CCLC After-School Program!

Students receive a full meal & snack, homework help & tutoring and participate in fun enrichment activities.

Program Details are listed below:
📅 Monday–Friday | 2:45–5:15 PM
🚀 New students begin August 31st
🚗 Pickup begins at 5:00 PM; all students must be picked up by 5:15 PM

Regular daily attendance is expected. Space is limited, and an application does not guarantee placement. Families who apply during the initial registration period will receive their status by August 24. A parent orientation is required before students may begin. Join us for another great year of learning, enrichment, and fun! Apply Here: https://forms.gle/qnxpmnEUqQK6pah77

Staying Connected with Our Families

Strong schools are built through strong partnerships, and communication is an important part of that partnership. Our goal is to ensure every UPES family receives timely, professional, respectful, and responsive communication throughout the school year.

Teachers will use ParentSquare as our primary platform for school-related communication and will share regular classroom updates, learning highlights, important reminders, celebrations, photos, and upcoming events. We ask our families to partner with us by checking ParentSquare regularly, keeping contact information current, and reaching out when questions or concerns arise. When challenges occur, we are committed to listening, communicating clearly, and working together toward solutions that support our students.

Communication builds TRUST. Partnership builds RELATIONSHIPS. Consistency builds CONFIDENCE. Thank you for partnering with us to make every interaction—and every day—count for our Falcons!

Colored Lanes & Hangtags For SAFE Dismissal!

Let's Make Arrival & Dismissal Smooth...

Arrival: Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Students go directly to cafeteria for breakfast. Parents may walk students to class for the first three days only. Staff are stationed throughout the building to assist students.

Drop-Off (K–5th): Use the front carpool line and remain in your vehicle to keep traffic moving. If you need to assist your child or visit the office, park near the church or cafeteria.
PreK Pick-Up: Begins at 2:30 p.m. on the PreK end near the church. For PreK students with siblings, speak to the teacher to avoid using both pick-up lines.
Autism Units (PreK–5th): Drop-off and pick-up are also on the PreK end of the building near the church.
Dismissal: Students use colored lanes for a safe dismissal. No walk-ups are allowed. All students must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. Stop by the front office if you need new hangtags for carpool dismissal.

Dismissal Safety: PREPARED. ORGANIZED. SAFE.

The safety of every UPES student is our highest priority, especially during dismissal. With hundreds of students transitioning to cars, buses, childcare, and other dismissal locations at the same time, we have established procedures designed to ensure every child is accounted for and safely released to the appropriate person. PLEASE NOTE: Dismissal changes cannot be made over the phone. Changes can be made using ParentSquare and must be made prior 1:00 p.m. to ensure teachers have ample of time to see your message.

We ask all families to be patient and trust the dismissal process, particularly during the first few weeks of school as students, staff, and families establish routines.

Please plan accordingly for appointments, work schedules, and other commitments. While we understand that families have responsibilities and time-sensitive obligations, running late or needing to be somewhere at a specific time cannot result in established safety procedures being bypassed or staff being asked to make exceptions that could compromise the dismissal process.

Our procedures may require a few extra minutes, but student safety will always take priority over speed and convenience. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and partnership. When we all follow the process, we can provide a dismissal that is safe, orderly, and efficient for every Falcon.

Plan Ahead. Be Present. Every Day Matters!

Strong attendance is one of the most important factors in student success. Every day at school provides valuable opportunities for learning, growth, and connection. Even a few missed days can make it harder for students to keep pace with instruction.

Our 2026–2027 Vacation Planner highlights extended weekends and scheduled school breaks throughout the year. We encourage families to plan vacations, trips, and non-emergency appointments around these dates whenever possible to help minimize unnecessary absences.

Thank you for partnering with us to protect instructional time and ensure our Falcons are present, prepared, and ready to succeed! Aim HIGH and Fly HIGHER! #BePresent #PlanAhead #EveryMinuteMatters #EveryDayCounts

2026-2027 Vacation Planner

Important Dates To Remember

August 10th- Students Return **Doors Open @7:30 a.m.**

August 14th- Central High School's C-Day @ 5:30 pm.

August 18th- High School Open House

August 25th- Elementary Open House

August 27th- Middle School Open House

TCS District Calendar

🔒 Safety Is Non-Negotiable 🔒

The safety of every student and staff member at University Place Elementary is our highest priority. To maintain a safe and orderly campus, the following expectations will be strictly enforced:

All visitors must present a valid state-issued ID and sign in through the RAPTOR system before entering beyond the front lobby.
A valid state-issued ID is required for all student checkouts.
Transportation changes will not be accepted by phone. All changes must be received in writing or via the ParentSquare app.
Student checkouts end at 2:00 p.m. No exceptions. Please plan appointments accordingly.
Students may not receive personal phone calls or food deliveries during the school day.
Required safety drills and procedures will be practiced throughout the year.
Disruptive behavior, threats to self or others, and other safety concerns will be addressed in accordance with the Tuscaloosa City Schools Code of Conduct and applicable laws.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us and respecting these procedures. Safety comes first.. every student, every day.

It's Always a GREAT Day to be a FALCON!

🏈 2026 C-Day Celebration — Let’s Go, Falcons!

On behalf of the Western Cluster administrators, athletic directors, and coaches, we are excited to invite our families and community to the 2026 C-Day Celebration on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Join us as we introduce and celebrate the talented student-athletes and coaches of Central High School and Westlawn Middle School and kick off another exciting year of Falcon athletics!

📍 Central High School Football Field ❤️🏈
⏰ 5:30 p.m.

Come out, wear your Falcon colors, and help us show our Western Cluster pride! Together, we’re ready for an amazing year of success in academics, athletics, school spirit, and community! ❤️🦅