UES Swoop Scoop
September 5, 2023
Celebrating Learner Birthdays at UES!
We love to celebrate our learners at UES and birthdays are no exception! What happens at UES for every learner’s birthday, you ask?
- All learner names and birthdays go on the monthly Wise Owl Birthdays bulletin board right outside the Main Office.
- All learner birthdays are shared over the morning announcements each morning (weekend birthdays included).
- All learners receive a birthday book/pencil to take home.
- All learners receive something special in the mail at home.
- Classroom teachers also do fun things to celebrate all learners in their classroom on their special day (birthday crowns, necklaces, songs).
Why have we moved away from food and/or physical items being brought in by learners and families?
Not only do we have a diverse range of medical needs, food allergies and food cultures, we are committed to making UES an inclusive environment where all learners feel safe and have a true sense of belonging. Our goal is that all learners show up to school each day with everything they need to learn. Feeling secure about how their birthday will be celebrated at school is no exception to this. We are working really hard to remove barriers to learning and though something like this may not seem related, it has a direct impact.
Picture Day
November 29th will be picture day at UES!
You are not imagining that this is a little later than normal! We use our auditorium as the venue for picture day each year. When we knew the auditorium was far from completion back in August, our Main Office Admin Assistants contacted LifeTouch and requested outdoor photos for this year. LifeTouch did not grant our request to switch to outdoor photos due to challenges with setting their equipment up outside. Due to this, we scheduled a date during which we could be almost certain the auditorium renovations would be completed.
Learners will receive ordering forms in November but we wanted to make sure you had the date now.
First Kindness Club of 2023-2024
Kindness Club Returns! Kindness Club at UES is a group that meets once a month on Wednesdays after school from 3-4pm in the school library. Our mission is to spread kindness throughout our school community, and beyond. We start each meeting with a light snack, and discussion, and spend the rest of our meeting time engaged in a kindness project. Learners sign-up for each individual meeting that they are able to attend.
Any student in 2nd-4th grade is welcome to attend.
Sign Up Here for the October 25th Meeting!
UES Lost & Found
Please stop by UES if your learner is missing something-we have a growing Lost & Found pile! Ms. Tara has been placing the tables outside by the upper playground vestibule each afternoon (weather permitting) hoping to reunite more items with their owners. We suggest all caregivers clearly mark clothing, lunch boxes, etc before sending them to school so we can return items promptly if they are misplaced.
Net Zero Ad-Hoc Committee
The MRPS School Board is seeking community members with relevant experience and knowledge to join a newly formed Net Zero Ad-Hoc Committee that will guide the board in developing a decarbonization plan and net zero evaluation tool for future facilities and operations decisions. The Ad-Hoc committee will meet for 2 hours every month from November through June. These efforts are being launched in accordance with the board’s net zero and decarbonization resolution passed in May 2023. If you are interested in joining the Ad-Hoc committee, please visit www.mrpsvt.org/net-zero-ad-hoc-committee, review the Request for Applicants, and email Kristen Getler (kristengetler@mpsvt.org) detailing your interest and qualifications to join this effort by October 19th, 2023.
Attention US Military Caregivers!
Are you a caregiver serving in the United States Military? Federal law requires that the State of Vermont report certain information on students whose parents or guardians are currently serving in the United States military. The goal of this data collection is to support the students of military families in their learning. If you or a family member are currently serving in a military branch, please complete this form.
Join the 2023-2024 UES Caregivers Council
Purpose
The UES Caregiver Council is composed of caregiver representatives from each grade level. They meet with the principal and assistant principal on a monthly basis during the school year. Members work together to:
identify common needs and goals among the caregivers of students enrolled a UES;
provide the UES administrative team with feedback and insight from the caregiver's perspective on UES processes, procedures, and system development efforts;
ensure that the needs of caregivers are considered as decisions are made at UES, particularly in the areas of community engagement, home-school communication, and progress monitoring.
bring to the UES leadership’s attention existing and emerging issues expressed by UES caregivers;
serve as an advisory, not a decision-making body, that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming, and provides opportunities for UES caregiver involvement;
facilitate communication between and among the caregivers & UESCA;
serve as a forum for sharing innovations and best practices from UES.
Basis for Establishment
The UES Caregiver Council is composed of caregiver representatives from each grade level. They meet with the principal, assistant principal on a monthly basis during the school year to discuss a variety of topics, share information, and broaden understanding of UES-related issues.
Meeting Information
For the 2023-24 school year, all meetings will occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 11:00am-12:00pm. Meetings will be held at UES in the Conference Room. Meeting dates for the 2023-24 school year are: 11/1, 12/06, 1/03, 2/07, 2/15, 3/06, 4/03, and 5/01.
How To Apply
If you are interested in becoming a member of the UES Caregiver Council, please take a moment to fill out this form.
News From Nurse Megan
Starting today, families can order 4 Covid-19 antigen test kits FREE to their homes. You can sign up for these free kits through this website:
If you have yet to fill out an Annual Health Questionnaire, please do so and return it as soon as possible. If you are in need of a new form feel free to contact Nurse Megan or print out a new copy here: Annual Health Questionnaire - 2023-2024
Halloween Note From MRPS Principals
As Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year and it is a school day the MRPS's Administrators are communicating out together the expectations for the day. MRPS's Handbook states "There shall be no school-initiated or -sanctioned formal or informal celebration or observance of religion, religious holidays or religious festivals." We have this in place to support all students, from different backgrounds, beliefs, and socio-economic statuses. In accordance with our district handbook, each school will NOT be allowing costumes to be worn at school on Tuesday, October 31st.
For those who choose to trick-or-treat and celebrate this holiday after school, stay safe and have a fun evening. Thank you in advance for your support!
-The MRPS Principals
Next MRPS School Board Meeting
The MRPS Board of School Directors is meeting Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 6:30pm at MHS. Everyone is welcome to attend. Find the meeting agenda, minutes from past meetings, information about the work of the various School Board Committees, and more by visiting www.mrpsvt.org/school-board