UCMS Announcements

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8th Grade Vision Screenings on September 30th

This is a friendly reminder that vision screenings for all 8th-grade students will be conducted on Tuesday, September 30th. Please schedule absences around this date if possible.

These screenings are a standard part of our health program and are designed to help identify any potential vision issues that may affect your child's learning. The screening is a quick and simple process that will take place during the school day.

Please make sure your student wears glasses or contacts if they have them. No report will be sent home if your child passes the screening.

Check out this website: https://truthinitiative.org/

Inspiring a movement to create a future free from nicotine addiction!

Click this link to join!

9/16- 7/8 Volleyball @ Lincoln

9/17- 7/8 Volleyball vs Randolph Southern @ HOME

9/18- 7/8 Football vs Hagerstown @ HOME

9/20- MS Cross Country @ South Dearborn

9/22- 7/8 Volleyball vs Tri @ HOME

9/23- 7/8 Volleyball vs Northeastern @ HOME

9/24- 7/8 Foorball vs Winchester @ HOME

9/24- MS Cross Country @ Franklin County

9/27- JV/V/MS Cross Country @ Centerville

9/29- PICTURE DAY

9/29- 7/8 Volleyball @ Connersville

9/30- 8th Grade Vision Screening

9/30- 7/8 @ Union City

Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. We're proud of your achievements, both big and small, and we're inspired by your heart and determination. Thank you for representing our school with such strength and spirit. Keep running, keep pushing, and know that your school community is cheering you on every step of the way!

The Washington DC Parent Committee is putting on a fundraiser at ever home volleyball game. Come try to win the mini volleyball toss challenge!

Are you a parent of an 8th grader and want to join the committee? Reach out to Paula Farthing or Allison Seibert to get involved!

• Get ready, students and staff, because it's time to show our school pride!

• Homecoming Spirit Week is 9/15 through 9/19, and we want to see everyone participate in our daily themes. Let's make this the most spirited homecoming week ever!

4-H Open Enrollment House Invitation

Dear Community Members,

I'm writing to personally invite you to our 4-H Open Enrollment House! This is a wonderful opportunity for your children to get involved in a program that builds confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community.

At 4-H, young people can explore a wide range of interests—from science and technology to agriculture, healthy living, and the arts. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where every child can discover their passions and develop into a responsible, compassionate leader.

Please join us to learn more about our projects and activities, meet our dedicated volunteers, and see firsthand the positive impact 4-H can have on your family.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Logue, 4-H Youth Development/ANR Extension Educator/County Extension Director

Join the community on the Courthouse Square in Liberty on September 27th for the Harvest Festival, from 12 PM to 6 PM.

For Local Vendors:

• If you are a local vendor from Union County, you can set up a booth for FREE.

DASH for CASH:

• The "DASH for CASH" event begins at 12 PM.

• Entry is free.

• Each child who participates wins money.

For any questions, please contact the Union County Development Corporation.

Renae Liming Holt

Administrative Assistant

Union County Development Corporation

5 West High Street
Liberty, IN 47353
Office 765-458-5976
Cell 765-744-4175

FFA Update

FFA apparel is available until September 19th. Forms are located in Mr. Volk's room. Forms need to be turned in before the 19th.

SOAR camp sign up is open. SOAR camp is for middle school FFA members to learn more about FFA, leadership, and teamwork. As well as meet other members from around the state.

• August 28th
• September 4th
• September 11th
• September 18th

Seventh graders finished their Graffiti unit this week. We discussed the history of American graffiti, improved out ability to “abstract” letters by thickening and overlapping and painted our own graffiti creation on a “fence” built from thin wooden planks. Outstanding work, 7th graders!

Ms. Buckler’s 6th grade P.E

This week In PE class we have been exploring the state standard Dance and Rhythm. We have worked on demonstrating correct rhythm and patterns in dance, line dancing, jumping, and cardio drumming. The students seem nervous about the idea of dancing in PE class but, don't let them tell you any different, they are having a blast!

Ms. Buckler's 7th grade FACS

This week we are wrapping up our lesson, me and my family. We have had fun exploring the different generations while making a generation timeline, holding interviews with others of different generations than ourselves and making family trees.

Ms. Buckler’s 8th Grade FACS

Currently in 8th grade FACS class we are studying childhood development. The past week we have learned what developmental theory is, some developmental theories and who created them. This week we are practicing reading children stories and writing lesson plans for our upcoming visits with some preschool and Kindergarten students in our community.

Computer Science
Students are exploring the history of computing, focusing on the development of the personal computer, including Apple’s contributions and the introduction of BASIC on the Altair 8800 by Paul Allen and Bill Gates. Over the next several weeks, we will continue our study of computer hardware before transitioning into software and applications.

Business and Information Technology
We are building a foundation for understanding marketing from a broad perspective. Students are examining different types of markets and strategies for promoting products across various industries. As the unit progresses, students will design their own marketing materials for businesses, utilizing formats such as print, radio, and television. Additionally, we will discuss the influence of marketing on consumer behavior and explore the factors that drive the pricing of goods and services.

Preparing for College and Careers (PCC)
Students recently completed an in-depth research project on postsecondary education options, with an emphasis on developing effective research skills. While recognizing that college may not be the path for every student, the assignment focused on learning how to evaluate opportunities and resources related to higher education. Next, we will shift to exploring military enlistment options, including enlistment pathways, service academies, and ROTC programs.

6th Science-We will continue to explore wave interactions this week. Look for the second quiz of the year Thursday/Friday this week.

6H Science-We will continue with our wave interactions lab this week and wrap up the week with a quiz.

7H Science-Retakes will be available on Tuesday this week for last weeks quiz. We will continue our unit with kinetic and potential energy this week.

Computer Science- Students will begin their web design unit this week.

HALA 7 --This week students in 7th grade HALA learned the root word "FAC" which means "to shape or form". In addition, they read "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto, an excerpt from "Stargirl", and ended the week reading "Thank You, Ma'am". All of these stories are classic 7th grade short stories, and students spent some time digging into them, looking specifically at characterization.

ELA 8 -- In 8th grade language arts, students continued to look at the graphic novel excerpt from "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman. Students analyzed it for setting, characterization, mood, and conflict. In addition, they read "The Conjure-Man Dies" and looked for evidence of imagery and figurative language in setting before comparing the story's tone, structure, and pacing to that of "The Graveyard Book".

ELA 9 -- Students tackled two new root words this week (Form and Bibl), read "The Conjure-Man Dies" and "The Graveyard Book" before analyzing both for story structure and other elements of fiction. They also spent some time reviewing Plot Diagrams.

Hoover 7th grade science- We are working on making sense of Newton's laws of motion. We completed our Newton's Scooters lab where students had to design a car that would be able to travel 1 meter by itself. Ask your student about their successes and what they could have improved on during that lab! Now we are working on finding real-life examples of Newton's laws and applying Newton's laws to our force=mass x acceleration equation. Practice is really important for this unit. Encourage your student to practice using their force equations.

Hoover Biology- We are starting our unit on biomolecules! Students are analyzing the properties of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. This unit goes pretty in-depth and has a lot of new information! Remind your student to look over their notes, complete every assignment to the best of their ability, and use their class time wisely. Ask your student about what foods contain each biomolecule!

Hoover Environmental Science- We reflected on our success and improvements based on our most recent test. Encourage your student to independently complete each assignment to the best of their ability. Our assignments are great ways to practice for our upcoming tests! We are starting a new unit on Environmental Economics and Policies. Students are researching National Parks as our National Parks are just one way that our government is influencing the way we interact with our environment. We are also analyzing 'forever chemicals' and building our own arguments on whether or not governments should make policies regulating such chemicals.

Reporting Student Absences (Number To Call For An Absence 765-458-7438) All absences must be reported by the parent or guardian. Absences may be reported by phone, voice mail, electronic transmission, or written note. If a phone call or voice mail or e-mail report is not received by 9:00 a.m., when possible an attempt will be made by the school to contact the home of the missing student to verify their absence. E-mails may be sent to Ms. Dare @ emily.dare@uc.k12.in.us. Should the school have to make this contact because the parent did not call, the absence will be considered unexcused. An absence reported by phone or voice mail needs to include a specific explanation for the reason for the absence. Any absence reported by electronic transmission or written note should be received by school personnel no later than the date the student returns from the absence and is also expected to include a specific explanation for the reason for the absence.

• Please check out the UCMS calendar link on the UCMS home page. This is a great tool to stay up to date on school events and all information pertaining to them.
• Dress Code Guidelines are found on page 26 & 27 of our handbook. When in doubt, rule it out!

• The care of your Chromebook is very important. Please reference UCMS handbook on page 31 & 32. Students and their parents/guardians may be responsible for compensating UCCCJSD for any costs due to loss, theft, damage or neglect of any UCCCJSD computer, laptop, or mobile device issued to or used by the student. Students may recieve a consequence for a violation of UCCCJSD policies, procedures, and rules while using any UCCCJSD computer, laptop, or mobile device.

Please make sure you are able to access your PowerSchool parent portal!

PowerSchool Parent Portal