Tales From The Nest

2026 Fall Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences are an important opportunity for parents & guardians to connect with your child’s teachers and learn more about their progress so far this year. Each family will have the chance to schedule a 10-minute conference during the following times:

• Wednesday, October 28th – Evening conferences
• Thursday, October 29th – Evening conferences
• Friday, October 30th – Afternoon conferences

You may use the link provided below to sign up for a conference with your child’s classroom teacher:

https://ptcfast.com/schools/Urbana_Middle_School_2026

If you would like to schedule a conference with one of our Counselors or Instructional Specialists, please reach out to them directly by email.

We look forward to seeing you at conferences and working together to support your child’s success.

Drew Kibler

UMS Principal

Oct. 16th: No School - Professional Day for Teachers

Oct. 23rd: End of Term 1

Oct. 23rd: Spirit Day - Crocs & Socks
Oct. 26th: No School - Teacher Work Day

Oct. 28th: 4 Hrs. Late Arrival, Parent/Teacher Conferences

Oct. 29th: 4 Hrs. Late Arrival, Parent/Teacher Conferences

Oct. 30th: 3.5 hrs Early Dismissal, Parent/Teacher Conferences
Oct. 30th: Spirit Day: Costume Day (guidelines shared in the 10/9 newsletter)
Nov. 3rd: No School - Election Day
Nov.6th: Author Visit: Nilah Magruder (optional)

Nov. 9th: Picture Day
Dec. 1st: Picture Retakes

Click here for FCPS 26-27 School year Calendar

We are excited to welcome Author, Illustrator, and Animator, Nilah Magruder to UMS on Friday Nov. 6th. Students may sign up to attend her presentation in the schoology group for the UMS LIbrary or reach out to Ms. Domboski for more information. This opportunity has been brought to us by the Children's Institute of Culture Appreciation and Understanding (CICAU). We are also excited to be working with Curious Iguana, our local downtown Frederick Bookstore, to offer Signed copies of Nilah Magruder's new graphic novel Creaky Acres. In order to ensure delivery by Nov. 6th orders must be placed by Oct. 26th.
Click here to order a copy today!

UMS is always looking for opportunities to connect students with professionals in our community and bring career learning to life. Recently, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teachers Mrs. Hall and Mr. Lowrie, along with Career Coach Mrs. Batt, welcomed Rocco Panza, Engineer II – Mechanical Innovation with Stanley Black & Decker, maker of DEWALT® tools, to speak with all 8th grade Applied Engineering students.

Mr. Panza gave students an inside look at the Engineering Design Process and shared what a career in engineering looks like. He also brought several DEWALT® tools that he has helped engineer, giving students the opportunity to pass them around, explore their design, and experience engineering in a hands-on way.

This visit was an especially meaningful community connection as Mr. Panza is also the brother of 8th grade Applied Engineering student Maria Chisholm (pictured in top-left corner).

Thank you, Mr. Panza, for sharing your time, expertise, and passion for engineering with our students and helping bring their classroom learning to life!

PTSA Membership - we still need members to meet our goal!

• Thank you to everyone who's joined the PTSA. For those who haven't joined, please help us meet our goal of 200 members and support students and our school. Click here to join: https://umsptsa.givebacks.com/shop

Reflections - Student deadline, Monday, November 16th

• The 2026-2027 Reflections program theme is "What My Culture Means to Me." Check out resources for families and students at https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/for-students-and-families#explore. Please encourage your students to participate in this national arts contest.

Busy End of October! Here are some upcoming PTSA activities:

• Tuesday, October 27th from 5 - 7 pm, Trunk or Treat. UMS PTSA is participating in Villages of Urbana's Trunk or Treat event. We would love for families to participate. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to the UMS PTSA board.

• Thursday, October 29th, Teachers dinner for Parent-Teacher conferences. The PTSA is hosting dinner for our teachers and staff on Parent-Teacher Conference Day as a small thank-you for all they do for our students and families.
• Friday, October 30th, Boo Crew is back! The PTSA will be at dismissal handing out candy to students to kick off Halloween weekend.

Mark your calendar! Next PTSA General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th at 6 pm at UMS Media Center. Please be sure to sign up for PTSA membership if you would like the virtual link prior to the meeting.

Please reach out to the UMS PTSA with any questions by emailing umsptsaboard@gmail.com

Mark your calendars for Nov. 9th. Retakes will be done on Dec. 1st. Pictures can be ordered at https://shop.jostenspix.com/login using Event Code: FE405726