Union Center Elementary
Learn...to Achieve!
October 9, 2020
Parents and guardians, please check below for updates on all things happening at Union Center Elementary!
UCE Parent Teacher Conferences This Monday (Updated Information)
Along with PT Conferences, Monday is an eLearning Day for ALL elementary students: An eLearning Day is different from a Virtual Day in that teachers will NOT be meeting live with students, as they will be in conferences for the day.
If you need help scheduling a time or a reminder of the time you scheduled, please reach out to your child's teacher!
Body Safety Program (Updated Information)
Our annual Body Safety Program is this month!
The Final Notice's have gone home and the VIRTUAL Body Safety Presentation for Parents was this past Tuesday!
The first of three presentations will be this Wednesday, October 14th (5th and KG), followed by October 16th (4th and 1st) and October 19th (3rd and 2nd).
For more information, please click HERE!
Socktober is Coming! (NEW INFORMATION)
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!
Flyer From the CDC (New Information)
Free Tutoring Opportunities (Last Week)
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 (Last Week)
UCE Staff of the Week!
Let's get to know Ms. Barker a little more :)
Tell Us a Little Bit About Yourself
I live in Valparaiso and have lived here almost my entire life!
I graduated with my degree in Education from Purdue University Northwest in Westville!
My brother and I enjoy playing our instruments together: We rock out to our favorite Disney songs! My brother plays the saxophone, and I play the flute and piccolo. My mom is my best friend, and we do everything together!
How long have you been a teacher?
This is my second year teaching at Union Center! I taught 5th Grade last year, and this year I am in 4th Grades.
I absolutely love being at UCE! The kids are great, and the teachers and staff are awesome!
What Do You Like to do When You Are Outside of the Classroom?
Outside of the classroom, I love to play my flute and piccolo! I also enjoy drawing and painting! When the weather is warm, I like going on hikes at the Dunes or working outside around the house!
What Made You Want to Become a Teacher
I wanted to be a teacher so I can inspire students to love learning. When we love to learn, we can enjoy a lifetime of it! I also want to make school enjoyable for students. When we feel comfortable in school, we are better able to learn and succeed!
What is the your favorite quote, book, or movie and WHY?
My favorite book is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I like that the main character spends a lot of time outside in a garden: It just seems so relaxing :)
My favorite movie is The Lion King!! I love the characters in this movie and singing along with all of the songs! I love Disney!
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
- UTSC Technology- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us
- Special Education Classroom Aide at UCE (9:00-3:30)- Interested applicants should email Chrissy Giraud at cgiraud@pces.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
Friday, Oct 9, 2020, 04:00 PM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Parent Teacher Conferences and eLearning Day
2) Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences- Please Contact Your Child's Teacher For More Information!
Monday, Oct 12, 2020, 09:00 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Body Safety Program (5th and KG)
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020, 09:00 AM
Union Center Elementary School, North 600 West, Valparaiso, IN, USA
School Board Meeting
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020, 07:00 PM
Union Township Middle School, West 300 North, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Report Cards Available From 1st Quarter!
Thursday, Oct 15, 2020, 04:00 PM
VIRTUAL
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
Principal Fuller's Thoughts
Ever since my earlier days of teaching and coaching, I have loved reading books on leadership:
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- The Road to Character by David Brooks
- Leading with the Heart by Mike Krzyzewski
- The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
- Toughness by Jay Bilas
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
The list of AMAZING leadership books that I refer back to is never ending!
How leaders think, their rationale behind decision making, how to get the most out of people...it all FASCINATES me so much!
In the most recent book I've been reading, All In by Porter Moser, he talks about the core of leadership: If you had to sum up leadership in one small phrase, what would it be?
Porter Moser talks about an old Jesuit phrase that he learned very early on that sums up the essence of a truly great leader:
"Person For Others"
There are leaders all around us, but the truly great leaders always have the interest of other people first in their mind.
Being a Person For Others means caring for the people around you and the people you are with: It means life is not all about you.
In sports terms, it's not about the name on the back of the jersey, but the name on the front :)
Taking on the role of a Person For Others means you build people up, uplift them, and give them confidence. It means swallowing your pride and putting the interest of others before the interest of yourself.
Our building and community are filled with leaders who exude that Person For Others mantra, putting our students and community first.
Remember, no matter where you are or what you do, you can have a positive impact on those around you by taking a Person For Others mindset :)