Union Center Elementary
Learn...to Achieve!
April 1st, 2021
Parents and guardians, please check below for updates on all things happening at Union Center Elementary!
No School This Friday- Not an April Fools Joke ;)
Just a reminder, tomorrow Friday, April 2nd is a SNOW MAKE-UP DAY, which means there is no school.
The Virtual Learning pick-up is tonight from 4:00-6:00, and the UCE Building will be closed Friday!
UCE in Need of Temporary Custodian!
Union Center is in need of a temporary evening custodian beginning Monday, April 5th through Friday, May 7th.
The position requires the cleaning of classrooms and bathrooms, Monday through Friday.
If you or someone you know is interested, please email Principal Fuller at pfuller@union.k12.in.us
Reusable Water Bottles!
Now that the weather has started to warm up, our teachers will be trying to get our students outside more often and gym will be getting students out to the soccer fields (away from the construction).
We encourage you make sure your child has a reusable water bottle brought to school so that they can refill throughout the day. We have touchless water filling stations in both hallways!
UCE VIRTUAL Kindergarten Round-Up Next Week!
(UPDATED) The Registration Packet is now available! Please click the link below and look under the section UCE FORMS.
If you know of anyone who has a child that will be 5 before August 1st and lives in Union Township, our link to Kindergarten Round-Up is now OPEN!
Click HERE to visit our Kindergarten Round-Up page!
Spring Book Fair at UCE Next Week!
The Book Fair will be back at Union Center next week! Please read the below message from our UCE Librarian Mrs. Ramirez!
Scholastic has a payment option called an E-WALLET. The E-WALLET has changed a bit this year, as it now works like a gift card. Any unused funds will be on the account for future use at a book fair or the Scholastic website.
If you follow this link to our book fair, it will instruct you on how to create an E-Wallet account for your child and explain how it works. The link to our book fair is:
www.scholastic.com/bf/unioncenterelementaryschool
You may also send cash or a check (MADE OUT TO UCE), but PLEASE make sure it is in a baggie or envelope with your child’s name and teacher on it.
I have also included the link to some book previews that will be at the book fair this year:
We will be sanitizing before entry and have a limited number of students in at a time. We will also sanitize after each class leaves, to ensure all of our students safety.
In the past I have had amazing parent volunteers but due to safety protocols, I will not be having parent volunteers this year.
Thank you for always being such generous supporters of the Scholastic Book Fair!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at kramirez@union.k12.in.us
Wheeler Youth Football Camp!
If you are interested in the Wheeler Youth Football Camp, please click HERE.
Spring Pictures Next Week!
Spring Pictures this year will be on Tuesday, April 6th!
Virtual Families, your time for pictures that day will be from 9:30-10:00!
Interested families must register online first, so please click the link below for more info!
Deep River Reading! (Recurring)
UCE and Deep River Waterpark will be working together again to get our kiddos to READ!
Reading Sheets and Logs will be due on Friday, April 16th!
The classroom with the most complete Reading Logs will receive a rather 'SWEET' prize :)
If your child needs an extra reading log, please click HERE.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Ramirez at kramirez@union.k12.in.us
UCE Staff Member of the Week!
This week's UCE Staff Member of the Week is Ms. Allison Edwards!
Let's get to know Ms. Edwards a little more :)
Tell Us a Little Bit About Yourself
I have a Bachelor's Degree from Valparaiso University and a Masters Degree from Ball State University. I also have a Kindergarten Endorsement from Indiana University.
How long have you been a teacher?
I have been teaching for 19 years. I have taught Kindergarten, second grade and elementary Physical Education.
What is the Best Part About Being a Teacher?
The best part of being a teacher is the connection I make with my students and their families. I enjoy seeing the growth of my students as the school year goes on.
What Do You Like to do When You Are Outside of the Classroom?
Mary and Molly are my two daughters. They keep me busy when I am not at school. They both play soccer and are involved in other school activities. I enjoy spending time with them and we love to bake together. We like to attend sporting events and stay active as a family.
We also love DISNEY and going to Disney World.
Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Football, Cheerleading...OH MY! (Recurring)
(UPDATED) If your child is interested in participating in Wheeler Little League, please click HERE for more information!
If your child is interested in participating in Union Township Softball, please click HERE for more information!
If your child is interested in participating in Union Township Soccer, registration is happening NOW! Please click HERE to register your child!
(UPDATED) If your child is interested in participating in Wheeler Football or Cheer, please click HERE for more information!
Protocols and Guidelines (RECURRING)
Just a reminder, the safety guidelines and protocols that have been in place at UCE since August will remain as we return to school in 2021! This means that students will still:
- Wear facemasks throughout the day
- Be seated in their pods while at lunch
- Participate in recess with only the students in their classroom
- Have assigned seats when riding the bus
- Be required to hand sanitize and/or wash their hands throughout the day
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.
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)
- UCE Baker- Interested applicants should email Principal Fuller at pfuller@union.k12.in.us
- JSE Lunch/Recess Aide- Interested applicants should email Principal Barnes at lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
- Bus Aide- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us
- Substitute Teachers- Interested applicants should email Principal Fuller at pfuller@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.
Click Here to Register for the KidStop Program
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Thursday, Apr 1, 2021, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
NO SCHOOL- SNOW MAKEUP DAY!
Friday, Apr 2, 2021, 08:30 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Monday, Apr 5, 2021, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Virtual Kindergarten Round-Up!
Please click HERE for our Kindergarten Round-Up page!
Monday, Apr 5, 2021, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Spring Pictures!
Spring Pictures for in-person and virtual learners will take place at 9:00 AM!
Tuesday, Apr 6, 2021, 09:00 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Friday, Apr 9, 2021, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Principal Fuller's Thoughts
Do you have that one task that just seems to get pushed down the road, moving from getting done today, to tomorrow, to next week...to never?
We've talked before about 'Eating Your Frogs'...doing those things you don't want to do that just sit on your to-do list each day.
Recently, I've been working on a writing project that becomes more difficult to tackle now that the end is in sight. It's been a long process from start to finish, and now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it has become a real bear to find the time to sit down and work on it.
The funny thing is, it's not the writing part that's hard...what's hard is actually sitting down to write.
Isn't that ironic...sitting down has become the challenge :)
I've been reading a lot from author Steven Pressfield, and he calls that feeling 'The Resistance'
We all experience The Resistance in our life....we don't tell ourselves, "You'll never write that book you've always dreamed of"...instead, we say "I'll start writing it when work settles down, or when the kids are in high school, or (insert excuse here)"
The more important a call or action is to our soul's desire, the more The Resistance tries to stop us from accomplishing what we want.
Maybe you've always wanted to finish that degree or write that dream book...there is never going to be a perfect time to start.
And let's be honest with ourselves...'starting' something is the biggest step you could ever take.
This very day...this very moment...you can choose to take control of your life and change your situation!
Don't wait one more day...DON'T LET THE RESISTANCE WIN...TAKE THAT LEAP, ARMS WIDE OPEN!
On a side note, it's hard to imagine, but Baby Benjamin will be one year old this Monday. I so enjoy sharing his weekly pictures with you, and I truly appreciate all of the kind words from everyone :)