Union Center Elementary
Learn...to Achieve!
October 16, 2020
Parents and guardians, please check below for updates on all things happening at Union Center Elementary!
UCE VIRTUAL Parent Teacher Conferences (Updated)
Also, thank you to parents for participating in the survey that was sent Tuesday: As part of the survey, 60% of parents said they would prefer Virtual Conferences for next year, and 40% of parents would prefer In-Person.
Hopefully we do not have the same health restrictions next year as we do this year, so our goal at UCE would be to offer BOTH options to parents for those that prefer either Virtual or In-Person Conferences.
Thank you for all of your support and the wonderful feedback!
UCE Picture Retake Day (New Information)
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
UCE Pumpkin Patch Sponsored by PTO (New Information)
On Friday, October 23rd, UCE will participate in the Great Pumpkin Patch!
During school hours, students will go outside with their class and receive their own pumpkin to take home and decorate for only $1!
If you would like to purchase a pumpkin for your child or other children, please click HERE for the order form.
Wheeler High School Preschool Program (New Information)
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 (New Information)
Socktober is Coming! (Recurring)
Thanks to Mrs. Schumacher, Union Center will be collecting NEW socks for those in need!
In order to adhere to our social distancing guidelines, if you are able, we please ask that you provide one NEW package of socks: It doesn't matter what type of packaged socks they are :)
For more information, please click HERE!
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. Uskert a little more :)
Tell Us a Little Bit About Yourself
My education career began at Union Center Elementary when I was in 1st Grade. We had four generations of Union Township graduates!
I then raised two daughters before attending Purdue North Central in Westville.
I earned my Kindergarten Endorsement from Indiana University in Bloomington (Go Hoosiers)! I have two grandsons who live in South Dakota, and the newest addition to my family is my 8 months old Maltipoo, named Finley :)
How long have you been a teacher?
I have taught 23 years at Union Center Elementary. I have taught in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade!
What Made You Want to Become a Teacher?
I started out as a teacher's aide at John Simatovich Elementary. That's when I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I found a love for the students. I love seeing them learn and enjoy all of their different personalities. Third grade students understand my quirky personality, so it's a perfect fit :)
What Do You Like to do When You Are Outside of the Classroom?
I don't get to see them much, but my all time favorite thing to do is spend time with my grandsons, Niels and Anders. I love to garden. I purchased a house two years ago that has beautiful gardens, so I spend a lot of time in the summer weeding.
I also love to take Finley to the dog park, and to attend concerts!
What is the your favorite quote, book, or movie and WHY?
My favorite quote comes from my mother who always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all."
Anything Else You Would Like People to Know...?
Teaching at Union Center is like being home for me. Coming from a large family of six children, it seems like I recognize Union Township names from one or another of my siblings. I graduated from Wheeler High School and there were 34 students in my class.
I have seen it change throughout the years, and I am excited about the new transformations that will be happening soon here for Union Center!!
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!
5th Grade Students Love Pizza Day!
Kindergarten Students Listen to a Read-a-Long in Mrs. Black's SEL class!
4th Grade Students Enjoying Recess!
Mr. Dickey's Art Wall is Filled With Fun and Scary Pictures!
Students in Mrs. Schumacher's Class Created Their Own Building Structures!
It May Be Chilly, But We Are Still Outside For Recess!
Click Here to Register for the KidStop Program
Body Safety Program (4th and 1st)
Friday, Oct 16, 2020, 09:00 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up
Friday, Oct 16, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Body Safety Program (3rd and 2nd)
Monday, Oct 19, 2020, 09:00 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
VIRTUAL LEARNER SUPPLY PICK-UP
Monday, Oct 19, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Socktober Fundraiser
In order to adhere to our social distancing guidelines, if you are able, we please ask that you provide one NEW package of socks: It doesn't matter what type of packaged socks they are :)
For more information, please click HERE!
Friday, Oct 23, 2020, 09:00 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Virtual Learner Supply Pick-Up
Friday, Oct 23, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Principal Fuller's Thoughts
There is a buzzword that I've been reading a lot about recently that I wanted to explore more in depth.
This word is used A LOT in education and in our personal journey, but sometimes the meaning of the word gets muddled in how we accomplish it.
That word is...goal.
We all have them.
Personal, professional, relationships...goals are things we put in place for ourselves to achieve the unachievable and make us better.
But the word goals means so much more than that combination of five letters.
Don't get me wrong, I believe it's important for everyone to create goals, as it helps give us a destination for where we want to go in life...but what's often lost in trying so desperately to achieve our goals are two things:
1) The HOW
2) The JOURNEY
I set goals for myself all the time. Whether in my leadership, with our school building, as a father and a husband...goals keep us motivated.
We must remember that if we truly want to achieve our goals, we can't fixate on getting to a specific destination, but we should focus on the STANDARDS and PROCESS necessary to achieve that goal.
If we focus on our personal standards and the HOW needed to achieve a goal, our goals will take care of themselves, and we will enjoy the JOURNEY so much more.
Without a vision, our goals won't lead anywhere, and our vision is that something we imagine or dream to achieve: This directly reflects our values and priorities.
Instead, we need to focus on HOW we are going to achieve those goals, and never become so fixated on an end result that we can't enjoy the JOURNEY we take every day.
As a dad now, I've become so much more reflective on trying to raise Benjamin the right way (my goal), that I don't want to lose focus on our JOURNEY as father and son, and the little things (my HOW) that will actually give him the values and standards needed to be a good person.
Once we create a goal, set it aside.
Begin creating the standards that will get you to that goal.
Focus all of your energy on the process.
And please....enjoy the JOURNEY!