Wise Owl: January 21

January 21, 2014

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"

HAPPY NEW YEAR UNION ELEMENTARY!

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES! If you'd like to have the Wise Owl sent to you, please send your email address to chrish@mpsvt.org. I'll be updating the Owl every few weeks with both news and celebrations, and I'd love to be able to send it directly to you if that's what you'd like.

A SPECIAL VISIT FROM MRS. KOCH'S CLASS  Last week, I had the pleasure of being visited by some very happy "Super Students" who told me that they were having a a special party.  Here they are delivering the good news:

 

Moments later, Mrs. Koch's whole class came down to visit and join the other super heroes in my office!  Congratulations to Mrs. Koch's students for earning over 1500 Hoots!

 

 

UES ROOF UPDATE  On a more mundane but very important note, I'd like to share some news about the condition of our roof.  The recent freeze/heavy rain pattern of winter weather we've been experiencing has put some major strain on our roof, and we have had some significant leaks as a result.  During the last rainy weekend, some teachers and I noticed water coming down through the stairwell by the music room at an alarming rate.  Contractors came in last week and assessed the situation, spending a good part of this long weekend repairing the ceiling and making sure the building was safe.  These workers did an extraordinary job in a very short period of time, and I want to assure you all that the stairwell is safe for all of us.  An asbestos abatement was completed in 2005, so we're fine there; also, there was no mold found in the affected areas.  Good news for all of us!

                   BEFORE                                                                               AFTER   

                                                                       

REPORT CARDS NEXT WEEK!  Report cards will be issued on Friday, January 31 for all of our students.  Please look for your child's report card in his or her folder, and feel free to contact teachers if you have any questions.  I'll have more information about report cards in the next Wise Owl.

PLAYGROUND MONITORS NEEDED! UES recently put an advertisement in the papers for a playground monitor. If you or anyone you know of would be interested in helping us out on the playground from about 11:15 to 1:15 on a daily basis, I'd love to hear from you! This is a paid position, and your presence would greatly help us improve the students' playground experience.


UES DELAYED OPENING PROCEDURES: Winter is in full gear, and with the unpredictable weather comes the possibility of cancellations or delayed openings for school. There has been some confusion in recent years about the exact time school opens at UES on delayed opening days, so here is what you need to know in case Mother Nature throws a snow or iceball at us one of these mornings:

UES DELAYED OPENING PROCEDURES 

9:30     Teachers arrive 

10:00   UES doors open; IAs arrive; buses begin to arrive; we're open for business!

10:00-  Students will begin arriving to class; transition time; Morning Meeting.

10:25

10:25   UES schedule officially begins.  Students will proceed as normal where the schedule would be normally at 10:25.  Lunches will not be effected.

CELEBRATING EVERYBODY WINS!  UES students and Everybody Wins! mentors were honored at the State House last Tuesday with recognition from the legislature and a "power lunch" in the cafeteria!  For those of you who don't know, Everybody Wins!, the largest mentoring program in Vermont, provides students with a mentor for weekly reading partnerships designed to foster a lifelong love of reading.  Both of my daughters participated during their years at UES and will never forget their mentors!  Kudos to EW Coordinator Patty Valentine for organizing such a fun and valuable day for our students!