Union Center Elementary
Learn...to Achieve!
August 21st, 2020
Please check below for some updates on all things happening at Union Center Elementary!
Elementary Virtual Pick-Up (NEW INFORMATION)
In order to best accommodate both our parents and teachers, we are going to make a few changes to our Virtual Pick-Up Times!
Starting next week, the vestibule will be open on both Monday and Friday from 4:00-6:00 PM.
My hope is that this change will allow working parents the ability to pick-up materials, but also give our teachers more time during the day to prepare.
Every classroom will be different, as some teachers may utilize Monday, Friday, and/or a combination of both.
Parents, I ask that you contact your child's teacher to see when materials will be ready for your child to pick-up, as to avoid any unnecessary trips :)
Thank you for your help in making this change work, and if you have any questions, please email or call Principal Fuller.
Student Placement Through October 9th (NEW INFORMATION)
If your child is an in-person learner, the only way that he or she can attend a virtual session from home is if the UCE Nurse, Mrs. Burian, has sent your child home for COVID related symptoms and the classroom teacher has provided that virtual session as an option: Students cannot stay at home and join a virtual session without having first contacted the nurse and classroom teacher. If no communication has been made, the child will be marked absent, even if he or she is present in the live virtual session.
If your child(ren) has been sent home for COVID related symptoms, please contact the classroom teacher(s) to determine how learning will take place while they are out of school.
I understand that this may be confusing, so if you have any attendance questions, please contact Mrs. Ana Brocksmith at abrocksmith@union.k12.in.us
Elementary Student Handbook (NEW INFORMATION)
If you are a returning parent, you can view a digital copy of our updated handbook on our website HERE.
Breakfast and Lunch at Union Center
In order to properly social distance our students, our tables have been spread apart in the cafeteria and only 4 or 5 students will be allowed per table. Students will have assigned seats for the foreseeable future, after the first day of school.
We are asking that lunches be funded through check or credit card. You may find information at this LINK to create an account or add your child to your Mealtime account. Please make sure the check is in an envelope marked with your child's name and indicate amount. Our kitchen manager, Kim Camplan, will get all Kindergarten and new student families their lunch account information the first week of school, should you choose to create a Mealtime account, this will be needed information. Please contact Mrs. Kim Camplan at kcamplan@union.k12.in.us for more information.
The Free and Reduced Price Breakfast and Lunch Application may be completed online through your Harmony Family Portal Account or picked up in our office anytime. Applications need to be completed each year. Families who applied and qualified last year will need to reapply at the start of school. If you would like us to send a copy home with your child during the first week of school please call the main office.Our school serves breakfast at 8:30 AM and lunch each day, and an August menu can be found on our website HERE.
Ice Cream Friday and Snacks: These will be available to students after we get our school year started. More information will be communicated in an upcoming newsletter.
Lunch Visitors: To start the school year, we will not be allowing visitors during our lunch periods. Thank you again, for understanding the changes in place to support our safety measures this school year..
Lunch Times:
10:45-11:10 (KG Lunch/1st Recess)
5 Min Clean Break
11:15-11:40 (KG Recess/1st Lunch)
10 Min Clean Break
11:50- 12:15 (2nd Lunch/3rd Recess)
5 Min Clean Break
12:20- 12:45 (2nd Recess/3rd Lunch)
10 Min Clean Break
12:55- 1:20 (4th Recess/5th Lunch)
5 Min Clean Break
1:25- 1:50 (4th Lunch/5th Recess)
Cafeteria Cleaned/Closed
COVID Travel UPDATE
After receiving guidance from the Porter County Health Department, Union Township Schools have been told that upon return students should self-quarantine for seven (7) days. Now, this does not apply to every state, only the states that are on the list from the CDC.
If your family is planning on traveling on vacation to one of the current nine (9) states on the CDC list, please contact Mrs. Ana Brocksmith to discuss learning options and dates for self-quarantine upon your arrival home: abrocksmith@union.k12.in.us
Please click the link HERE to review the letter from our Central Office.
(QUESTION) I still have my child's textbook(s) and/or Chromebook from last year? What do I do?
If you still have either a textbook or Chromebook from last year, you need to return them by the end of the day on Friday, August 21st.
If these items are not returned, charges will appear on your child's textbook rental fee.
Building Construction Update
Architects and construction workers have been frequenting our building, and the plan is that they will begin breaking ground sometime in early to mid September.
This is VERY exciting for all our UCE students, teachers, and staff, and I hope exciting for our families, as well!
As we inch closer to the beginning of construction, I will share updates about our plan for safety, pictures, and hopefully some early renderings of what the new addition has to offer :)
Job Openings at Union Center
- Evening Custodian (12:00-8:00)- Responsibilities include cleaning of individual classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, etc.
COVID-19 Student Guidance
- The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has released some wonderful tips to parents about how to begin having the conversation with your child regarding wearing a mask. Please click HERE for more information.
- For a look at the difference between Quarantine and Isolation, please take a look at the attachment HERE.
A Day in the Life at Union Center!!
Welcome Back Sign Provided by PTO!
Mrs. Owens and Daughter Carrigan Are Mask Ready!
A Look At Our Socially Distanced Classrooms!
We Sit Four To a Table At Lunch Time!
Paw Print Markers Are All Throughout UCE!
Our Virtual Learner Drop-Off and Pick-Up Shelf!
Click Here to Register for the KidStop Program
Virtual Learners Supply Pick-Up
Monday, Aug 24, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
VIRTUAL LEARNERS SUPPLY PICK-UP
Friday, Aug 28, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Principal Fuller's Thoughts
Our students are adjusting nicely to the new routines and procedures, and all staff members at UCE are kicking it into overdrive to ensure that our building is safe and secure for our students when they arrive.
Once we know our students are securely in the building, we have to take a step back and look at another crucial component for our students and staff...their mental health.
On a daily basis I find myself asking people throughout the building...how's your mental health today? It's important we connect with people and find the time to relax and decompress from the busyness of the day. The days inside the building move faster than ever, and teachers, custodians, aides, kitchen staff and office staff all need time to take a mental break throughout the day and recharge their batteries.
...and the same goes for you, too! During this time it's more important than ever that we pick-up the phone and touch base with our parents, brothers and sisters, friends, neighbors, etc. to see how they are feeling, both mentally and emotionally.
Developing relationships through positive interactions is key to keeping our mental health strong, and that positivity is so important for our children that focusing on one's mental health cannot be ignored :)
I hope everyone has a chance to unwind and relax this weekend and really focus on the mental health of our kids, the one's you love most, and YOURSELF :)
Here's to a great weekend, and we will see everyone Monday morning!