Charles A. Upson
January 2022 Newsletter
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
The colder weather is here! Please be sure your child is prepared for outdoor recess. This includes a coat, hat, gloves/mittens, boots and snow pants. If your child is not appropriately dressed, his/her activity during outdoor recess will be limited. Parents may also want to consider sending in a change of clothes for their child, as sometimes during recess, children get wet.
As we continue to navigate COVID on a daily basis, we will also start to see more cold and flu symptoms. If your child is experiencing any ill symptom such as a fever, cough, stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, or is vomiting, please keep them home and call the school nurse to report the absence and discuss next steps. A note upon the child’s return to school is required to make the absence “legal” or “excused”.
Each year, NYS requires schools to complete a minimum of 12 safety drills. The most common are fire drills, lock down drills, early release drills and evacuation drills. All drills are conducted during the regular school day, and to date, CU has completed several of these drills. Teachers and staff have taken the time to thoroughly explain, model and practice each drill with students. As we remain cognizant of the overall safety and mental health of our teachers, staff and students, we remain sensitive to the events within our community to not overwhelm or add undo fear, anxiety or frustration to anyone. In the upcoming months, we will complete the remaining drills, one of which will be an evacuation drill to one of our two evacuation safety sites, Freedom Church or Lockport High School. Once the weather breaks, and this drill is planned, the information will be shared with you.
Throughout the year, students participate in two separate, 20-week STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) classes. Although both programs are designed to give students a hands-on experience in various aspects of the STEM field, each has its own approach. In one program, students learn about animation, mobile development, drones/aeronautics, and artificial intelligence; in the other, students learn about digital citizenship and social media safety.
“Family Connections” is a new virtual community for parents and caregivers who support loved ones facing substance use or mental health challenges. Families tell them they need credible resources, guidance on accessing support, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. Each gathering will be held the first Thursday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET with a focused topic and the opportunity to get tips and tools and expand your support network. If you are interested, mark your calendars and plan to join them on January 6th at 1:30 p.m. ET for the inaugural Family Connections gathering. The January topic, “New Year: Resolutions & Expectations,” with guest speaker Gena Fitzgerald from SAFE Project, will look at how to welcome the new year and to define what really matters to you. Register here for Family Connections.
As a reminder, you may reach out to the school nurses at (716) 478-4408 or (716) 478-4418 to report your child’s COVID vaccine update and/or with any questions. You may also contact the Main Office at (716) 478-4402 to inform us of any change in your phone number, address or email address.
Student council members work to spread holiday cheer by creating holiday messages for staff!
Upcoming Dates
05: 3:30 Kindness Club Meeting
11: 8:45 STEAM Club Meeting
12: 8:30 School Improvement Team Meeting
13: 8:30 School Safety Team Meeting
17: Martin Luther King Day, No School in Session
19: 6:30 PTA Meeting; 7:00 BOE Meeting
20: 8:40 Student Council Meeting
28: 11:50AM Early Dismissal for Report Card Marking
Charles A. Upson Elementary School
Pride in Our Past; Faith in Our Future
Website: www.lockportschools.org/caues
Location: 28 Harding Avenue, Lockport, NY, USA
Phone: (716) 478-4400
Facebook: facebook.com/LockportCitySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @LockportSchools