Mark Murray Parent Crew
Weekly Newsletter - September 8, 2020
UPREP Schools Academic Vision
University Prep Schools provide a culturally responsive educational experience for our scholars that build academic competence, habits of work and scholarship, and self-actualization empowering them to successfully accomplish their post-secondary plans, as well as socially and civically engaged as change agents for themselves and their community.
From School Director Llorens' Desk
We can officially say our first week is complete and the 2020-2021 school year has begun. I know that some of our families struggled with technology. Please know that we are working to best serve you and your child. Each day this week the number of phone calls decreased and we saw more students log into their Zoom crew meeting each morning. As we continue to work through some of the kinks, please know that we are here to assist you and your child throughout the process.
Even during these unprecedented times, there will be information that will need to be shared often. This weekly newsletter will contain LOTS of VERY important information regarding school and community functions. Please make sure to thoroughly read it EVERY week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school.
As a reminder school begins Monday through Friday at 9:00 with crew meeting. All Zoom and Schoology links have been sent out to families. We will also hold a school wide crew meeting every Friday at 9:00 am.
Please make sure your scholar is awake, teeth brushed, and has eaten breakfast before logging online for class. Scholars will need to be in a quiet place where they can concentrate daily. Please note that last week and this week teachers will be engaging with scholars in team-building, trust, and getting to know you activities, as well as setting the guidelines for virtual learning, acclimating all scholars to Schoology (our Learning Management System-LMS) and Zoom (our video conferencing platform). Your scholar should not be on the screen for the entire 9:00 to 2:30 time frame. There are scheduled breaks throughout the school day. On-screen time is considered asynchronous time and time away from the screen during the instructional day is considered asynchronous time. During the asynchronous time, teachers will be available to connect with scholars if they are struggling to complete work. Also, our Reading Interventionist and Learning Specialist (for students with an IEP) will be available to provide support to scholars. Our School Social Worker will be available for support outside of her scheduled sessions with scholars who have an active IEP or 504 plan.
All our staff are working this week to ensure that scholars understand both the Zoom and Schoology platforms, the expectations we have established for "scholar readiness" to learning.
In the coming weeks, we will be hosting town hall meetings to engage each of you in our priorities, visions, and belief statements. In order to help our scholars realize the greatness that lies within each of them and celebrate their EXCELLENCE, we need your partnership. We are also scheduling specific sessions on Schoology, now that you have received your parent access code. Look out for dates to add to your calendar.
Please click HERE for the UPREP Schools 2020-2021 academic calendar.
Assessment Week: September 8 - September 11
Scholars in kindergarten, first and second grade will also be taking the Michigan Early Mathematics Assessment. This assessment MUST be administered at the school. We will be assessing second graders on Tuesday, September 8th, first graders on September 9th and kindergarten scholars on Thursday, September 10th. You should have received an email from your child's teachers with times and safety specifications for this in-person assessment. On the day of in-person testing, scholars will excused from morning crew and AMP (art, music, physical education) classes.
Schoology Parent Access
Here is a video made for our parents to assist you in logging into Schoology as a parent. This is where you will be able to view your child's completed and upcoming assignments.
https://youtu.be/7AeOEkXtf1IPlease do not forget to request access to the Mark Murray Parent Crew Group in Schoology. Here is the access code. DGX8-SJ3D-4Q6NT
This is where you will find the weekly parent newsletter and other resources meant to assist our parent crew. This site is for parents only. If you request access using your child's email address it will be declined.
NEED TECH SUPPORT?
MEET OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Erica Allen, Dean of Culture
Contact Mrs. Allen at erica.allen@uprepschools.com
Andrea Bander, Humanities Instructional Coach
Contact Ms. Bander at andrea.bander@uprepschools.com
Holly Smith, STEM Instructional Coach
Contact Mrs. Smith at holly.smith@uprepschools.com
Rita Garcia, School Operations Manager
The School Operations Manager oversees all areas of school operations. Ms. Garcia manages daily school operations. She is also the primary troubleshooter for scholars, teachers and parents and finding effective solutions for their needs and concerns.
Contact Ms. Garcia at rita.garcia@uprepschools.com
Pam King, School Receptionist
Contact Ms. King at pamla.king@uprepschools.com
Kimberly Llorens, School Director
Contact Mrs. Llorens at kimberly.llorens@uprepschools.com
This is us...
Email: kimberly.llorens@uprepschools.com
Website: uprepschools.com
Location: 435 Amsterdam Street, Detroit, MI, USA
Phone: 313.309.0552
Facebook: facebook.com/UniversityPrepSchools
Twitter: @markmurray435