ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES:
On November 14, we will officially kick off our new chapter of "Rachel's Challenge" school wide. The UMS Staff, along with our UMS PTSA are committed to providing a safe and inviting school climate for all students each and every day. Our Climate committee has some exciting things planned for our students and community. Please consider becoming a member of this important committee.
ABOUT "Rachel's Challenge" -
160,000 STUDENTS SKIP SCHOOL EVERY DAY FOR FEAR OF BEING BULLIED.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Creating a school climate less susceptible to harassment, bullying, and violence is possible. We see it happening in socioeconomically and demographically diverse schools across North America every day.
For us it started when Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999. But that was only the beginning of the story. After her death, many students that Rachel reached out to shared stories with the Scotts about the profound impact her simple acts of kindness had on their lives; even preventing one young man for taking his own life. They soon realized the transformational effect of Rachel’s story and started the non-profit organization that is Rachel's Challenge today.
In the twenty years since we lost twelve innocent lives, including Rachel, her legacy has touched 25 million people and is the foundation for creating programs that promote a positive climate in K-12 schools. Her vision to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion is the basis for our mission: Making schools safer, more connected places where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect; and where learning and teaching are awakened to their fullest. And it works!
Rachel's Challenge programs provide a sustainable, evidence-based framework for positive climate and culture in our schools. Fully implemented, partner schools achieve statistically significant gains in community engagement, faculty/student relationships, leadership potential, and school climate; along with reductions in bullying, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
Every year:
*Over 1.5 million people are involved in Rachel’s Challenge programs. *More than 1,200 schools and businesses are reached. *Over 150 suicides are averted. *Bullying and violence decrease. *Community service and acts of kindness increase.
Today, Rachel's Challenge exists to inspire and equip every person to create a permanent positive change not only in themselves, but in their schools, their businesses and communities. We have a comprehensive set of age-appropriate programs for K-12, college and business. The objectives of these programs are all the same; to continue Rachel's legacy of kindness and compassion and to:
Help schools and businesses become safer, more connected places to live and learn. Stimulate real culture change by actively involving the entire community in the process. Change lives by providing culturally relevant social/emotional training. Increase achievement and ensure results by engaging the participants’ heart, head and hands in a continuing improvement process.
Please join UMS in our Kick off at our Rachel's Challenge Community Event, Thursday, November 14, 7-8 PM in the cafeteria! We look forward to seeing you there!
CLUB INFORMATION - Our 2019-20 after-school clubs/activities are up and running! Current student club information is currently available to students on our bulletin board outside the front office. The following clubs are underway!
PARENTS OF 8th GRADERS - "Life After Middle School: Planning for the Future Event"
IMPORTANT LOCATION UPDATE: To accommodate the large response of parents registering for the free Life after Middle School: Planning for the Future Event Tuesday, November 12 7 PM-9 PM FCPS and FCC have moved the location to a larger venue! This informational evening for all parents of 8th graders will now take place in the auditorium at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School* Students may accompany their parent/guardian; students do not need to register if the parent/guardian has. Those still registering should include children in registration numbers. Invest an evening to gather information that will allow you to better support your child in the many decisions that lie ahead. Call 301-624-2716 or get tickets online today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-life-after-middle-school-open-house-tickets-70943410651 Come learn about opportunities available to your child in high school and beyond. Hear representatives speak about: *FCPS high school programs and graduation requirements, *Career & Technology Center opportunities, *Community college and four-year college options, *Military opportunities, and *College savings programs.
This program is offered only once, and attendance is strongly recommended. Please see the full news release for details: https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1668321/helping-8th-graders-plan-for-high-school
*1501 N. Market St., Frederick (This even was formerly scheduled to be held at FCC.)
SCHOOL PICTURE RETAKE DAY - If your child missed school on October 2 and missed getting their picture taken or you are not satisfied with your child's picture Life Touch National School Photographers will be here on Wednesday, November 20th to do retakes.
*If your having pictures retaken please have your child bring the original photo package with them on Nov. 20. *New orders may be placed online at mylifetouch.com using Picture Day ID MJ709118Q1
LOST & FOUND - We have many items in our Lost and Found bin located in the cafeteria. Students have an opportunity each day during their lunch shift to look for missing items. Items not claimed from Term 1 will be donated to a local charity on November 15.
FIND OUT FIRST - If you miss any of our FOF notices or are new to FOF, please know that all of our community publications are also archived on our UMS website.
PTSA MEMBERSHIP - Our PTSA membership is growing and we still need you as a member! Our PTSA provides incredible support to our families and feeder throughout the school year. Please consider joining the UMS PTSA this school year!
INTERPRETOR SERVICES - If you require interpreting services for any school event, including conferences, meetings, field trips, etc., please contact Mrs. Mitnick at Tamera.Mitnick@fcps.org at least 10 business days in advance.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS & REQUIRED NOTICES:
Again this month, as required by FCPS Policy, I am sharing the required annual announcements to parents and students. Below, please find important information related to our school campus and normal operating procedures. If at any time you have questions regarding this information, please don’t hesitate to contact Administration with your concern.
FCPS Policy Updates and FYI: Books/Materials/Equipment:
Students are responsible for the careful use and protection of any books, materials, and equipment loaned or assigned to them. Students are responsible for returning these items in good condition, allowing for normal usage, at the end of the year or end of classroom use. If students do not comply with this procedure, the individual will be assessed a fee to cover the loss or damage. Our students have traditionally done an excellent job in this area and I anticipate the same this year.
Smoking:
Please be aware that there is a 24 hour/7 days a week smoking ban on all school property.
Weapons/Pagers/Laser Pointers:
Please remind your children that knives, firearms, and any other weapons or “look alikes”, portable pagers, as well as laser pointers are forbidden on school property at all times. Per FCPS Regulation # 200-29: It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. This school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches of student lockers.
If you SEE something, SAY something! Don’t Repost it. REPORT IT!
We encourage students to report security concerns to a trusted adult (parent, school staff member, school administrator, SRO, Counselor, or local law enforcement agency. Students may also anonymously report concerns using the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line at 833-MD-B-SAFE or https://www.safeschoolsmd.org/. In an emergency, call 911.
Safety:
Our school has monthly evacuation/fire drills to prepare our students and staff for an emergency situation. Not all of these fire drills occur on warm sunny days. If you are in the building during a fire drill, we ask that you evacuate the building promptly. In addition to fire drills, we also have severe weather drills, alternate drills such as lock down drills, as well as bus evacuation drills twice a year to familiarize the students with a bus emergency and an alternative exit. The bus drills and severe weather drills are held in the fall and spring. Please see the FCPS Calendar Handbook for complete details on school policies and regulations.
Online Free and Reduced Meal Application:
The Free and Reduced Meal application is now online. Families can apply online and the approval process is faster because the information is submitted directly to FCPS. All students received a paper application the first day of school and applicants must reapply each school year.
Our UMS newsletter is published monthly on the 1st Thursday of each month. For time sensitive information, we will continue to send FOF Notices. The monthly newsletter will also include a calendar of UMS events. All of our newsletters and notices are archived on our UMS website. Our next newsletter will be published on December 5, 2019.
Alternative Fundraiser: THANK YOU to the parents who have already made generous donations to this effort to avoid fundraiser events and activities! With your help, we have received close to $3000 so far which is a fantastic start to reaching our $15,000 goal! Remember, we're raising funds necessary to run programs and initiatives to support ALL UMS Students. If everyone contributed just $25, we can get there in no time! Please click HERE to make an easy and QUICK online contribution.
Hey Parents! Have you purchased the Kindness Changes Everything T-shirt yet?
In preparation for our Rachel's Challenge Kick-off Coming up in only 10 days, you can purchase KINDNESS CHANGES EVERYTHING T-shirts for only $15 (ALL proceeds help pay for this amazing community event). We are encouraging everyone to wear their shirts on the day of the event, so in order to receive your shirt in time, you MUST ORDER BY FRIDAY 11/8. Please go to www.umsptsa.org to order today! (Easy online-ordering or complete THIS FORM and send along with cash/check to the main office no later than Friday 11/8/19).
*Please join us at our next PTSA General Meeting, Tuesday, January 21st @ 7 PM in the UMS Media Center.
SAVE THE DATE for the following Awesome UMS PTSA Community Events:
11/14/19: Rachel's Challenge Community Evening Event- UMS- 7pm
11/11-11/22: Holiday Gift Donation Drive- UMS Main Office
12/4/19: Donation Drive Community Gift Wrapping Event- UMS-6pm
2/14/19: Family Bingo Night- UMS- 7pm
3/12/19: Urbana Community Heritage Night- UMS 6pm
4/24/19: Harlem Wizards Community Event!
For details about events, volunteering, daily morning announcements, and fundraisers, please visit www.umsptsa.org
http://education.fcps.org/ums/
3511 Pontius Court Ijamsville, MD 21754 240-566-9200 Fax 240-566-9201