Union Center Elementary
Learn...to Achieve!
October 23, 2020
Parents and guardians, please check below for updates on all things happening at Union Center Elementary!
UCE Picture Retake Day November 3rd!
UCE Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, November 3rd!
Inter-State Studio is once again asking that, if able, parents please purchase pictures virtually.
Website: http://inter-state.com/flyerentry/51207K
Order Code: 51207K
Picture Day: Nov 3, 2020
The above code is DIFFERENT than the original code, and anyone taking part in Picture Retake Day (Virtual Students included) would need to use the above code and not the code sent in September.
Picture Retake Schedule (Virtual Included)
9:00-9:30: KG and 1st Grade
9:30-10:00: 2nd and 3rd Grade
10:00-10:30: 4th and 5th Grade
Fall Break Next Week (October 29th and 30th)
There will be no school on Thursday, October 29th and Friday, October 30th for Fall Break!
No Virtual Pick-Up on Wednesday, October 28th (New Information)
Just a reminder, with Fall Break next week, the only Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up will be this Monday, October 26th!
UCE Pumpkin Patch Sponsored by PTO
Thank you to UCE PTO for providing pumpkins to all our UCE Students yesterday!
We had to 'punt' yesterday and have students pick-up their pumpkins a day early, due to our wonderful Indiana fall weather :)
Also, thank you to a generous UCE Donor for donating money so that every single UCE students could take home a pumpkin.
For our Virtual Learners, your pumpkins will be in the front of the building, and you can pick them up any time this weekend!
Thank you UCE PTO!
Wheeler High School Preschool Program (Last Week)
Please see the below message from Rhonda LaVelle at Wheeler High School!
Wheeler High School Pre School is beginning again during the second trimester Advanced Child Development class. The preschool begins November 16th and will go until February 10th. The preschool meets from 9:10-11:00 every Mon, Wed, and Fri. For an application or more information please call Mrs. Lavelle at the High School 759-2561 ext 2280, or rlavelle@union.k12.in.us.
Traveling During Fall Break (Last Week)
Free Tutoring Opportunities (Recurring)
The Youth Services Coordinator for the Porter County Public Library is offering free online tutoring from 2:00-11:00 PM!
For more information regarding this free service, please click HERE.
Trunk or Treat Presented by WHS Girls Basketball (Recurring)
UCE Staff of the Week!
Let's get to know Ms. Gonzales a little more :)
Tell Us a Little Bit About Yourself
I graduated from Purdue Northwest in December of 2014.
I was offered my first teaching position here at UCE the following school year. My heart knew that this is exactly where God wanted me to be. A kindergarten position opened up the following year and the year after that my son, Zach, was able to join me here at UCE in Kindergarten.
I love being part of a corporation where I can raise my son as well!
How long have you been a teacher?
It's hard to believe, but this is already my 6th year teaching! I taught one year (my very first year) in 4th grade but my heart truly belongs in Kindergarten. I have spent the rest of my years teaching in Kindergarten.
What is the Best Part of Being a Teacher?
The best part about being a teacher?? That is a tough one. . .
You know, when I tell people I'm a Kindergarten teacher, I usually get one of two responses. Either people think I finger paint and play with blocks all day ("Awwww! Those kids are so cute!), or they think I'm crazy to not only teach Kindergarten, but I even ENJOY it ("What?! You must have the patience of a saint!").
The truth of the matter lies somewhere in between. Kindergarteners will always tell you like it is. A lesson was super fun and they loved it? They'll tell you. You got a new haircut and they like it? They'll tell you. You got a new haircut and they hate it? They'll tell you. I love all the personalities of Kindergarten! But the best part of being a teacher? The very best part is watching children grow. They come to me on the first day of school not even knowing to hang up their backpack or write their name.
But by the end of the year, they will be writing sentences. SENTENCES! Can you believe it?! It's an amazing transformation. There's no greater feeling than when a child sounds out a word and reads it for the first time!
What Do You Like to do When You Are Outside of the Classroom?
When I am not teaching, my favorite thing to do is travel!
I have family all over the US that I get to visit. Zach and I spend most of our summer either in Florida visiting my dad and my step-mom or in Seattle visiting my brothers with my mom, step-dad, and sister. Unless we are out hiking, you'll pretty much always find me with a coffee in one hand and a book in the other. My sister is basically my mini-me (although she's about half a foot taller than me. LOL) and my two brothers love showing us all the fun new places to eat or hike around Seattle. We all travel together as a family and I always look forward to spending time with them.
What is the your favorite quote, book, or movie and WHY?
My favorite book series is the Harry Potter series. I have read the entire series many (many) times and I never grow bored; I always discover something new that I missed before. There's just something about how J.K. Rowling takes you on this adventure of friendship, trials, and growing up. In my opinion, they are the very best books on the planet and I would recommend them to anyone who asks ;)
Anything Else You Would Like People to Know...?
All in all, I've been very blessed to have been afforded the opportunity to build our life within this community. I love this school and I love the families that keep it going. The teachers here are unmatched in talent and heart (two things you need to be incredible teachers).
Our office staff and principal have an incredible amount of patience, our custodians, grit. Our kitchen ladies always bring smiles to school and our support staff does an amazing job doing just that- supporting and keeping the school going!
Thank you Mr. Fuller for filling our school with amazing people to work with!!
Informational Video From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Special Birthday Treats (RECURRING)
Since we cannot bring in shared, outside food into the building, our UCE Kitchen has decided to provide a little birthday surprise to our kiddos!
If you are interested in having milk and cookies delivered to your child for their birthday, please contact Mrs. Kim Camplan, our Kitchen Manager, for prices and details at kcamplan@union.k12.in.us
Job Opportunities (RECURRING)
- Bus Aide- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us
- UTSC Groundskeeper- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us
- UTSC Kitchen- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us
COVID-19 Student Guidance (Recurring)
- 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!
Click Here to Register for the KidStop Program
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up
Friday, Oct 23, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up
Monday, Oct 26, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Fall Break (NO SCHOOL)
Thursday, Oct 29, 2020, 09:00 AM
Someplace Warm, Hopefully
VIRTUAL LEARNER SUPPLY PICK-UP
Monday, Nov 2, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Picture Retake Day and Virtual Learner Picture Day
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020, 09:00 AM
272 North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
No School (Virtual or In-Person)
Friday, Nov 6, 2020, 09:00 AM
272 North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Principal Fuller's Thoughts
One of the best parts of being a Principal is talking and interacting with our wonderful students at Union Center, but just underneath that is interacting with our parents!
When talking with parents, the comment I hear the most is, "You always sound so happy, so energetic."
That's one of the best compliments I can receive, and my response is always the same: I love what I do!
I'm often reminded of the old adage: How you think is how you feel, how you feel is how you act, and how you act is what defines you.
I've talked before about the wonderful book The Energy Bus, and how it has helped me not only bring the energy every day, but to focus my energy in a way that is productive.
Energy can't be frantic: Your energy needs to be focused, passionate, and positive in order to accomplish what needs to be done.
If you approach something with energy, you'll have a sense of urgency, and you need a sense of urgency to get stuff done.
Always remember that your WANT has to be greater than how you feel, and successful people's WANT is always greater than their circumstances!
Be positive and surround yourself with positive people, and life will reward you for it :)