Falcon Feature

Connect with Dr. Hartloff

Hello Falcon Families!

Parent communication and connection between home and school is one of our top priorities here at UMS. This newsletter is your one-stop-shop for all things UMS. We recommend you take a few moments each week as a family to review the contents for upcoming activities and information to help you navigate each week.

Take care,

Dr. Hartloff, Principal

#UMSConnects

Friday Falcons

Each week, our teachers recognize students who go above and beyond in showing attitude, commitment, and achievement. These students are celebrated for their positive contributions to our campus and for being role models to their peers. We are so proud of our Friday Falcons who continue to soar high and make our school community shine!

National School Lunch Week

Tustin Unified will be celebrating National School Lunch Week from October 13–17, 2025! This year’s theme, “Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport,” highlights the important role that nutritious meals play in supporting our students’ health, learning, and overall success.

The National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million children every day across the country. Research shows that school meals are often the healthiest meals students receive, providing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk while meeting strict federal nutrition standards.

You play a key part in encouraging students to make healthy choices and in celebrating the value of school meals. National School Lunch Week is a time for us to shine a light on how food fuels both body and mind — and to have a little fun along the way!

Thank you for your continued support in helping us create a positive and healthy environment for our students. Together, we are building stronger learners and healthier futures.

Vital Link

All of our UMS students had the opportunity to explore various pathways, careers, and ROP offerings through our partnership with Vital Link on October 1. We received many compliments about how respectful and curious our students were. One of our TUSD Board Members, Lynn Davis, was in attendance and had this to say:

"I attended Wednesday's CTE / ROP event at Utt Middle School and was very impressed by how many students were interacting at the various booths and very engaged.

To illustrate this to Brian Dozer, Superintendent of Coastline ROP, I used my phone to take this photo. I spoke with the boy interacting with the breathing "dummy" afterwards and learned that his name is Javi Cruz. Javi's enthusiasm to be visible in demonstrating the education available at Utt and beyond speaks well for student engagement at Utt Middle School!"

iPad Insurance Opportunity Ends October 31

October is your last chance to purchase iPad insurance for your student's device. Click HERE to purchase.

Donate at UMS

New pajamas may seem like a small thing, but for many families in the Tustin area, they’re a luxury that’s simply out of reach. Last year, thanks to the generosity of our incredible community, we were able to bring comfort and warmth to over 2,500 deserving children and seniors through donations of new pajamas in sizes from newborn to XL teens. Every donation—whether pajamas or a monetary gift that allowed us to buy the sizes we needed—made a world of difference.

This year, we’re aiming to reach that 2,500 milestone once again.

Everyone deserves clean, cozy pajamas, especially as the nights turn colder.

With your help, we can make it happen!

What makes this program truly special is how it unites Tustin residents of all ages—along with our local businesses, schools, nonprofits, service clubs, and places of worship—to brighten the season for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Together, we are genuinely #TustinStrong!

UMS Report Card Night October 23

TUSD middle schools have changed to a report card night this year in place of fall conferences. Report Card Night is a time for parents and families to come and have quick check-ins with their teachers to see how your students are doing. Your student's report card will be available in Aeries before this event takes place. All teachers will be in the gym at tables, available for quick conversations with parents.

This is not a time to have an in-depth conversation with the teachers about your student. If you would like a longer conversation with your teachers, please contact them directly to set up a time outside of the Report Card Night.

Teachers will be ready to share positive things about your students, and answer any questions you may have about support. We look forward to seeing you there!

UMS Falcon Fall Festival

Falcons,

It's that time of year! We are looking forward to celebrating fall as a community on October 30. October 31 is a non-student day, so after you enjoy the fall festival, the students can sleep in:) We hope to see you all there! This is a free event, and there will be spirit wear, food, and drinks for purchase.

PBIS Parent Support

ACA is an acronym we use every day at UMS, and it stands for Attitude, Commitment, and Achievement. When students demonstrate these values, they earn ACA tickets. Students will now have the opportunity to use those tickets at a PBIS Student Store. This is where our wonderful families come in. We are asking for donations to help start and stock the store. These are small items that students have expressed a desire to be able to "purchase". Please take a look and consider donating what you are able to so that we can help our Falcons have a better experience.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044DA8AA29ABF49-58056948-pbis