September 23

September 24, 2014

"Have You Seen the Owl Today?"
 

Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl!  We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES! I'll be updating the Owl every few weeks with both news and celebrations, and our goal will be to send it to as many members of the UES community as we can. If we have your updated email address, you'll get it!

Some news and information that will be helpful to know as the leaves start to change...

Open House 2014!  The Union Elementary Open House will be on the evening of Thursday, October 2 from 6:15 to 7:15.  Our Open House will be an opportunity for K-5 families to join their children in classrooms and share their work with each other.  Families will also have an opportunity to join their children in their Integrated Arts classes and meet Counselors and Special Educators throughout the evening.  The evening will officially begin at 6:15, but families are welcome to come and go at any time within the 6:15 to 7:15 hour. Please contact me or your child's teacher if you have any questions -- we look forward to seeing you all and showing off the great things happening at UES!

5th Grade Move to MSMS!  I'm happy to announce that the Montpelier School Board made it official at their meeting last week; the 5th grade will be leaving Union Elementary and moving to Main Street Middle School for the beginning of the 2015-16 school year!  Main Street principal Pam Arnold and I will be having our first informational meeting related to the move for parents and community members on the evening of Tuesday, October 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 at the middle school.  We will have an agenda and more details for all of you next week.

UES Parents Group Meeting Next Week!  From the UES Parents Group:

UES Parents Group

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Tuesday, September 30

6:30 to 8:00 pm

UES Cafeteria

Refreshments and Childcare Available

Please join the UES Parents Group Board for an informational meeting about existing programs, volunteer opportunities and the vital ways Parents Group supports UES through fundraising efforts.  You will have an opportunity to hear from Chris Hennessey, principal and current Board members.  We would also love to hear your thoughts and ideas about new programs.  Sign up sheets and a suggestion box will be available.  Please RSVP to Jennifer Matthews, USPG President at unionschoolparentsgroup@gmail.com, 223.1213 (h) or 505.0009 (c)

Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up Procedures  Three years ago, the UES Parents Group helped to create a new drop off and pick up procedure for families driving their children to school.  This highly successful set up improved safety and congestion in a big way!  For everyone's review:

The UES Drop Off and Pick Up is the designated area on School Street, inside the barriers, for parents unloading or loading their children by private vehicle. The area is separate from the bus unloading /loading location, so there is no conflict with the two operations. 

For everything to function safely and smoothly, several procedures must be followed:
 Enter the barricaded area on Loomis Street from School Street. No U-Turns, please.
 Cars should line up single file, along School Street waiting to enter the “unloading/loading 
zone” (the barricaded area).
 While lined up on School Street, please do not block the exit to Cedar Street.
 Students should only be dropped off and picked up in the barricaded area (not on the corner or on School Street).
 Pull up as close to the crosswalk as you can. Avoid dropping off in front of the stairs.
 After dropping off, please exit forward onto Loomis Street. 
 Do not park in or block neighbor driveways unless you have permission from homeowners.
 Drivers should remain in their car. 
 Parents wanting to enter the school must park in available street parking spaces.
 Have all your materials for school ready before drop-off. 
 Keep goodbyes brief; other drivers will be waiting behind you to discharge children.

Time Saving Tips:
 Arrive early for the morning drop-off. The busiest time is five minutes before the start of classes. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the final bell, when the traffic is lighter.
 Arrive later for the afternoon drop-off. The busiest time for the afternoon pick-up is before the bell rings and right after. Arrive 5 minutes after the dismissal bell and the wait time is less.
 Adjust for rain. The number of cars will increase when it rains. Be patient, and plan on spending a small amount of additional time.

IMPORTANT:  If you have changes to your pick-up plans, please phone Pam and Zephyr by 12 noon, so your child(ren) are in the appropriate pick-up location.  The UES Office phone number is 225-8204.

Picture Retake Day If your child missed out on getting his or her picture taken last week, or you'd like a redo, Retake Day has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 28.


Mr. Hennessey's "Hoots"!  A Hennessey Hoot goes to:

Mrs. Goldblatt and all musicians in the 4th and 5th grade for getting the UES Band and Orchestra started last week!  Check out these proud 4th graders showing off their new instruments:

All Kindergarten and First Grade Teachers and Students for their unbelievable patience as we all had to wait for the Lower Playground Play Structure to get repaired!  The structure finally opened for business last Friday, and there were lots of happy children using it to its full capacity on a beautiful day!

Mrs. Cody's 1st Graders enjoying the new bridge!