Union Chapel Gator Gab
October 2018 Parent Newsletter
Pre-register for Class Parties
Over the summer, the Park Hill School District took steps to make our schools safer. Across Park Hill, including Union Chapel, secured entrances are now in place with an intercom system for visitor entry. We require all visitors to be entered into our visitor screening system, Raptor, by scanning driver’s licenses. As we look ahead to large events at UC, including class parties, we will pre-register visitors for these events. Stop by the UC office anytime during regular school hours to update your driver’s license in our visitor system. If you have already had your license scanned this year, you do not need to register again. If you plan to join us for the Fall classroom parties on October 31, pre-register now by calling or stopping by the UC office. Avoid the check in line by pre-registering today!
2018-19 Park Hill Parent/Student Handbook
To view the 2018-2019 Park Hill Parent/Student Handbook please click here.
Early Release Dates for 2018-19
Union Chapel will release at 1:30 pm on the following Thursdays.
Teachers will be engaged in professional learning on those afternoons.
October 4
November 8
December 13
January 10
February 7
March 7
April 11
May 9
2018-19 School Hours
Start
8:20 a.m. Breakfast
8:35 a.m. Dismissal to Class
8:40 a.m. Classes Begin
*Students should not arrive before 8:20 unless you are checking them into Adventure Club.
*Students arriving after 8:40 will be counted as a partial absence.
Dismissal
3:30 p.m. Dismissal for walkers, car riders & Adventure Club takes place first (around 3:27), followed by bus rider dismissal (as soon as other groups have cleared the hallways).
Welcome our new Playground Supervisor
Bridges Gifted testing window
The testing window for Bridges Gifted begins in January. All students are screened using the NWEA data from the fall and winter. This way, they will have two opportunities to be screened into the gifted identification process. In January, parents will receive a permission to test letter if their child meets screening criteria.
The handbook on our website explains this process:
https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/teaching_and_learning/gifted_programs
Parenting Webinar Series
Our next webinar in our Parenting in Challenging Times webinar series is on Oct. 16 from 6-7 p.m. Dr. Jill Rosbrugh, child and adolescent psychiatrist from Parkville, will unpack the different faces of childhood worry, talk about the major causes of stress, and share how to develop healthy and effective skills for handling these normal stressors.
You might have heard your child say, “I am so stressed out." You might have seen them overwhelmed, anxious, moody and exhausted. You are likely experiencing your own stress and anxiety about raising a child.
We frequently use the terms "stress" and "anxiety" interchangeably, but children’s stress and anxiety disorders are not one and the same. It is important to understand the difference and to learn the tools that you and your child can use to decrease stress and to manage anxiety. You will also learn what signs are red flags for an anxiety disorder and what steps you can take with your child to get help.
If you can't watch it live, you can watch it online afterward — just register either way. Register for webinar
Prepare for emergencies
Schools have emergency plans to keep students safe from threats of violence or natural disasters—families should, too.
This month's Report to Parents, “Prep for Emergencies” will help families ensure their safety in the event of a serious emergency.
También disponible en español aquí
PTA Reflections:
The Union Chapel PTA is calling for entries for the Reflections arts program. The 2018-19 theme is "Heroes Around Me," and students can choose to submit original pieces of art in one or up to all six categories. If you have a student who might be interested in showcasing her or his artistic talents, please click here for more information on how to get involved and the entry form.
2018-19 UC Music Programs
October 11, 2018
December 6, 2018
2nd Grade - Snow Way Out
January 31, 2019
5th Grade - Go West!
February 28, 2019
4th Grade - Gotta Be Jazz
March 14, 2019
Kindergarten - Awesome Animals
April 18, 2019
1st Grade - Pajama Party
UC Gator Shirts
Sharing Smiles will be new for the 2018-19 school year!
We invite you to share with us a photo of your child(ren) highlighting their community service, academic recognition, arts awards, athletic accomplishment, or another exciting recognition that makes them smile. We will share it with our community on our Sharing Smiles bulletin board as you enter UC. As your family has special events over the summer, keep in mind anything that might be good for the Sharing Smiles board. Please send the digital photo of your child(ren) with a short explanation of the special event to Susan Sadler at sadlers@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Each month we will share new ‘smiles’ for all to see!
Upcoming Events
October 1 PTA Cultural Arts Assemblies--Bureau of Lectures Illusionist
October 4 Early Release Day (1:30 pm dismissal)
October 4 Spirit Wear: Rock your favorite color
October 5 Spirit Wear: Fall Colors
October 5 PTA Fall Festival (5:30 pm -7:30 pm)
October 9 PTA Meeting (6:30 pm; LMC)
October 11 Spirit Wear: UC Gator Shirts
October 11 3rd Grade Music Program (7:00; Gym)
October 12 No School-Teacher Work Day
October 16 Fall Picture Re-Take
October 18 Kindergarten Field Trip: Alldredge Apple Orchard
October 18 Mathletics Competition #1 (4:15 pm; Graden)
October 19 1st Quarter Report Cards available on Infinite Campus Parent Portal
October 19 Spirit Wear: Something with nature on it
October 24 Parent Teacher Conferences (5:00 pm-8:00 pm; Classrooms)
October 25 No School, Parent Teacher Conferences (12:00 pm-8:00 pm; Classrooms)
October 26 No School
October 31 Bridges dismisses at 1:30 pm
October 31Spirit Wear: Fall Colors
October 31 October Rocktober (8:50am-1:25 pm; Gym)
October 31 Fall Parties (2:00 pm; Classrooms)
The Park Hill Star recognition program was started in 2015 to celebrate support staff and teachers whose work is especially noteworthy. Recently, PHSD Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Cowherd visited Union Chapel to congratulate three staff members who were nominated by parents and students. Pictures of these visits are below.
Click here to see who at Union Chapel has been recognized through the Park Hill Star Program last year and this year so far: UC Recognitions
The following is an overview of the Park Hill Star Program:
Our employees are the reason we are so successful here in the Park Hill School District, and we would like to recognize them for all they do for our students.
That is why we present the Park Hill Star award once a month to a pre-K or elementary teacher, a secondary teacher and a support employee.
Union Chapel Vision and Mission Statement
Our Vision Building Successful Futures * Each Student * Every Day
.
Our Mission
Union Chapel is a safe, caring environment that upholds high standards and inspires students to achieve their personal best so they will become successful lifelong learners and citizens of character.
At Union Chapel Elementary School, we value:
- A positive and structured environment;
- Open line of clear and regular communication;
- Collaboration;
- Students feeling valued, respected and safe;
- Variety in learning approaches to meet individual learning needs, styles, and interests; and
- High standards and a clear purpose for learning.