Welcome Back to School
Passport to Excellence: Ready for Week Three!
We can hardly believe we are already preparing to enter our third week of school! ❤️🖤 Thank you to our incredible teachers and staff for working so hard to establish strong routines, high expectations, and a positive learning environment from day one. We also want to thank our parents and families for your patience, flexibility, and continued partnership as we have worked through arrival, transportation, and dismissal routines. As we head into Week Three, many of our routines are becoming more familiar, and we appreciate everyone’s continued commitment to helping our school days run smoothly. For carpool dismissal, please remain in your vehicle and use the designated carpool lanes so we can keep dismissal safe and efficient for everyone.
🕰️ A Few Important Reminders:
- Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
- Breakfast ends at 7:55 a.m.
- Instruction begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Our Falcon Leaders are settling into their classrooms, building relationships, learning expectations, and beginning to discover all that this school year has in store. We are so proud of the way our students and staff are embracing the Passport to Excellence journey!
Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we build strong habits and routines that will support student success throughout the year. We are off to a wonderful start, and the best is yet to come!
Let’s keep soaring, Falcons! Because at UPES…EVERY FALCON'S JOURNEY LEADS TO SUCCESS! 🦅❤️🖤
#WeAreFalcons #FalconStrong #StrongerTogether #GrowingTomorrowsLeadersToday #PassportToExcellence
With gratitude and Falcon pride,
Christina Holman
Assistant Principal, University Place Elementary
🦅 Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
We Are All Wonders
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! 🌟
The Magical Yeti
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.
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.
We are excited to announce that registration for the UPES Ignite 21st CCLC After-School Program is now open for the 2026–2027 school year!
Our after-school program offers a safe, structured, and enriching environment for students in grades K–5. With engaging academic support, hands-on STEAM activities, arts and music, physical fitness, character education, and more—this is a place where students can explore new interests, grow socially and academically, and ignite their passion for learning.
Important Details:
Dismissal: No earlier than 5:00 PM; all students must be picked up by 5:15 PM
Transportation is not provided
Daily attendance is expected; this is not a drop-in program.
Mandatory Parent Orientation is required before student participation begins.
Space is limited—late pickups, behavior concerns, or inconsistent attendance may result in dismissal from the program.
Please Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Families will be notified of their child’s status by August 26, 2026. We can't wait for another exciting year of after-school learning, creativity, and fun!
Every Day Counts: Plan Vacations Around School!
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! 🦅❤️🖤
Dates to Remember
August 25th-Elementary Open House @ 4:30-6:00
September 4th-Progress Reports
September 7th-Labor Day--NO School
📚 Read, Rise, and Reach the Challenge! 🦅
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
Don't Miss Out...Download the Parent Square App now!
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
Safety is Everyone's Responsibility!
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
Central High School Football Schedule
Westlawn Middle School Schedule
Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule
University Place Elementary School
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