Falcon Family Updates

There’s a lot happening at UPES, and we’re excited about what’s ahead! ❤️🖤 Our Falcon Leaders are settling into the rhythm of the school year, building confidence, strengthening their skills, and discovering new ways to lead. As we continue our Passport to Excellence journey, we’re looking forward to another week of learning, growth, and moments that remind us why our work matters.

📚 A Few Important Reminders:

• Labor Day – No School on Monday, September 7th.
• Please make sure your student is at school and ready to learn each day.
• Every instructional day matters! Regular attendance helps our Falcon Leaders stay on track and make the most of every learning opportunity.
• Please make ALL transportation changes before 12:00 PM. This should be communicated with your child's teacher via a written note or through Parent Square. Changes after noon will not be accepted.

As we continue our Passport to Excellence journey, let’s keep encouraging our Falcon Leaders to lead with purpose, make positive choices, and give their very best each day. Together, we are building the habits, character, and confidence that will help our students soar! Let’s keep soaring, Falcons! Because at UPES…EVERY FALCON’S JOURNEY LEADS TO SUCCESS! 🦅❤️🖤

#WeAreFalcons #GrowingTomorrowsLeadersToday #PassportToExcellence #ChooseKindness

With gratitude and Falcon pride,

Christina Holman

Assistant Principal, University Place Elementary
🦅 Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

We are excited to welcome her to the University Place family and look forward to the leadership, energy, and vision she will bring to our school community. We know you will help us give her a warm Falcon welcome as she begins this new chapter with us!

Enjoy the long weekend, Falcon families! ❤️🖤 There will be no school on Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. We hope everyone enjoys a safe, relaxing weekend and returns Tuesday ready to soar into another week of learning! 🦅

Our second graders are becoming word detectives! 🔎 Each week, students explore a new vocabulary word using the POSSUM strategy while also discovering a Multiple-Meaning Word of the Week. Through daily activities, students learn how words sound, how they are spelled, how they are used in sentences, and how their meanings can change depending on the context. This week, students are digging into the word “replay” and exploring the different meanings of “bank.” Through conversations, pictures, examples, sentences, and Seesaw activities, students are strengthening their vocabulary and developing word-analysis skills that will support them as readers, writers, and communicators.

We love watching our Falcon Leaders discover that words can be powerful, interesting, and full of surprises! 🦅❤️🖤

Our fifth-grade Falcon Leaders are taking their learning outside the classroom! 🌿 Through engaging garden lessons provided by Schoolyard Roots, Mrs. Burnette’s students are getting hands-on opportunities to explore the science of growing, caring for, and understanding the world around them.

These lessons allow students to connect classroom learning to real-life experiences as they observe, investigate, ask questions, and work together. From planting to discovering how things grow, our Falcon Leaders are learning that great things take time, care, and a little bit of teamwork! We are excited to watch our fifth graders grow their knowledge while growing something of their own! 🦅🌱❤️🖤

Read We Are All Wonders by R.J. Palacio together and talk about what makes each person unique and special. Ask your child, “What makes you a wonder?” Then, challenge your family to find one way to show kindness and help someone feel included this week.

Read. Reflect. Celebrate What Makes Us Wonderful! 🌟

Turn math challenges into opportunities for growth! After reading The Magical Yet, students reflect on something in math they “can’t do…yet” and create a Yet Statement. This simple activity encourages perseverance, celebrates mistakes, and reminds students that mathematical understanding develops with effort and practice.

Kindness doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, sometimes, it’s the smallest acts that make the biggest difference. As Falcon Leaders, we have the power to make our school a better place simply by choosing to be kind: invite someone to join you, lend a helping hand, speak encouraging words, listen when someone needs to be heard, or brighten someone’s day with a smile. This week, let’s challenge our Falcon Leaders to look for opportunities to put kindness into action and remember that the way we treat others is one of the most powerful ways we lead. Challenge: Be the reason someone feels seen, valued, and cared for! ❤️🖤🦅

Our Falcon Leaders are making a difference one coin at a time! Throughout September and October, we will be collecting coins to support United Way and the important work they do to strengthen our community. Every penny, nickel, dime, and quarter adds up! Let’s show that small acts of generosity can make a BIG impact! ❤️🖤

We are excited to welcome our grandparents and special loved ones to University Place Elementary for a special Grandparents’ Day Lunch! This is a wonderful opportunity for our Falcon Leaders to share a meal, make memories, and celebrate the special people who love and support them.

📅 Dates: September 15th & 16th
⏰ Time: During your child’s normal lunch time
💵 Cost: $6 Cash Only

Your $6 includes an entrée, dessert, and drink.

We can’t wait to fill our cafeteria with smiles, laughter, and a whole lot of Falcon pride as we celebrate the special people in our students’ lives! ❤️🖤🦅

Our Falcon Leaders continued to show up and soar last week! Our overall attendance reached 95.67%, meeting our schoolwide goal of 95%! 🎉 A special shoutout to our grade levels for leading the way: 1st Grade: 97%, Kindergarten: 96%, 3rd Grade: 96%, 4th Grade: 96%, and Pre-K: 95%! Way to go, Falcon Leaders! 2nd Grade and 5th Grade are close at 94%, so let’s keep pushing to get those numbers to 95% and beyond! Maintaining 95% attendance is important because every day of learning matters. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track, build strong routines, strengthen relationships, and make the most of every learning opportunity. Remember, Every Day Counts! Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to Strive for Five, be here every day, arrive on time, stay all day, be ready to learn, and take pride in our attendance! Way to go, Falcon Leaders! 🌟 Together, we’re making every day count and Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today! 🦅

#EveryDayCounts #AttendanceMatters #GrowingTomorrowsLeadersToday

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

• Drop-Off (PreK–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 Unit (PreK–5th): Drop-off and pick-up are also on the PreK end 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.

Planning a family vacation? Be sure to use our Vacation Planner to help schedule those special trips around the school calendar. A little planning now can help your child enjoy family time without missing valuable instructional days. Let’s work together to keep our Falcon Leaders learning, growing, and soaring all year long! 🦅❤️🖤

• September 7th-Labor Day--NO School
• Sept.8th-11th-Kindergarten IReady Math Testing Window
• Sept. 10th-Scouting Meeting at UPE @ 5:30
• Sept. 15 & 16th-Grandparent's Day Lunches (see info above)

Every school day counts! This September, we’re celebrating Attendance Awareness Month and reminding our Falcon Leaders that being at school every day is an important step toward success. Wear GREEN every Thursday in September as we show our commitment to great attendance! Let’s Strive for Five and make every day count! 💚🦅❤️🖤

This school year, our community is coming together to support our Ghanaian Sister Cities, Sunyani and Techiman! As part of this initiative, we are working to fill a shipping container with educational supplies and resources to send to schools and communities in Ghana. Throughout the year, students and families will have several opportunities to get involved and support this meaningful project.

Our first priority is preparing old textbooks from Oak Hill for shipment before the building is sold at the end of September. Volunteer workdays will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in September from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 12, and Saturday, September 19, from 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Volunteers will help box and organize textbooks for the shipping container.

Please note that Oak Hill does not have working air conditioning, so volunteers should dress comfortably and bring plenty of water. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging transportation to and from Oak Hill for participating students.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to give back to the global community while also earning service hours. We appreciate everyone who is willing to donate their time and help make a difference! If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/pse56CK4QD8b7QVQ8

We are excited to partner with Neighborhood Bridges, an organization committed to connecting families with the resources and support they need to thrive. Through this partnership, our Falcon Leaders and their families can gain access to valuable community resources and opportunities that help strengthen our school community. We are grateful for organizations like Neighborhood Bridges that help build bridges, create connections, and support our families!

We’re excited to participate in the Tuscaloosa Reads myON Reading Challenge! myON gives our Falcon Leaders access to thousands of digital books that are matched to their interests and reading levels, making it easy to find something they’ll love. We encourage our students to log in, choose a book, and make reading a daily habit! Every page turned is another step toward becoming a stronger reader and a lifelong learner. Let’s see how many books our Falcons can read! 📖🦅❤️🖤

#PassportToExcellence #GrowingTomorrowsLeadersToday #WeAreFalcons

The Tuscaloosa City Schools is now using ParentSquare—a unified platform for all schools, classrooms and district communications. With ParentSquare, you can receive updates via email, text or app; view calendars and RSVP to events; sign up to volunteer; and securely receive student documents like report cards and IEPs. What's even better is you'll get communications from school administrators, teachers, coaches and the district all through Parentsquare.

Check your email or text for an invitation to activate your account, or register at www.parentsquare.com using the same email linked to your student’s enrollment. Download the free app TODAY to stay connected across the district. We encourage every family to join and engage with our school community on ParentSquare. #TCSUpdates #GetConnected #StayConnected #ConnectedForSuccess

Our Falcon Leaders are expected to know the rules, make good choices, and treat others with kindness and respect. The Code of Conduct provides important expectations that help keep our school safe, welcoming, and ready for learning. Families, please take a moment to review the Code of Conduct and dress code with your child. When we understand and follow expectations, we create an environment where every Falcon can learn, grow, and soar!

Know the Code. Follow the Rules. Dress for Success. Lead with Pride! ❤️🖤

Check out our Special Education Newsletter for helpful updates, resources, and important information to support our Falcon Leaders and families!

Feeling safe at school is a non-negotiable at University Place Elementary. Therefore, we must ensure that our campus is safe at ALL TIMES. Below are a few of our non-negotiables:

• ALL visitors must sign into our RAPTOR system before moving beyond the front lobby to enter the building. This includes having a valid state issued ID in hand.
• A valid state issued ID is required anytime a child is checked out.
• Students are not allowed phone calls or food deliveries on campus.
• Changes in transportation cannot and will not be taken over the phone.
• No students will be allowed to check out after 2:00 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
• Safety drills will be practiced monthly- including but not limited to backpack searches, fire drills, lockdown drills, and severe weather drills.
• Disruptive behaviors will not be allowed and will be handled according to the Tuscaloosa City Schools Code of Conduct.
• A threat to self or others will also be handled according to the Tuscaloosa City Schools Code of Conduct and State laws and/or mandates.
• All discipline and safety measures will be strictly enforced. NO EXCEPTIONS

It’s time to Rise Up, Falcons! ❤️🖤 As our Falcon football teams take the field, let’s show them what it means to have a school and community cheering them on! Encourage your families to come out, wear their Falcon colors, bring their loudest voices, and fill the stands with Falcon pride!

Brittany Grayson, Principal

Christina Holman, Assistant Principal

Motto: "Growing Tomorrow's LEADERS Today!"

Email: cholman@tusc.k12.al.us

Website: https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/Domain/26
Location: 2000 1st Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Phone: 205-759-3664
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniversityPlaceElementarySchool
Twitter: @UPES_Leads