ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Friday, November 2 marks the end of the first 9 weeks of school and term 1 is ending. Our students continue to rise to our high expectations and I am so proud of the work our students are doing! I also would like to thank our community, parents, and all families for their daily support and positive partnerships with our children. Our UMS staff and administration is committed to rigorous instruction and our core values of respect and kindness.
Special thanks to our wonderful PTSA! If you have not joined as a member, please reconsider. Our PTSA works hard to advocate for our students and school and works tirelessly to foster unity in community. I am honored to partner with this amazing group as we strive to make this the best year ever! As the year continues, I ask that we keep communication open and seek out an administrator if you need assistance at any time. I look forward to the rest of the year; the first term has been wonderful and I thank you for everything you do to support our students and staff.
NOVEMBER CONFERENCES:
Conference Days: Parent conferences are scheduled for
Wed, Nov 7: students arrive 4 hours late. Supervision will begin at 11:30 am and school begins at 12 noon. Lunch will not be served. Students will be dismissed at 3 pm.
Thur, Nov 8: students arrive 4 hours late. Supervision will begin at 11:30 am and school begins at 12 noon. Lunch will not be served. Students will be dismissed at 3 pm.
Fri, Nov 9: students report regular time, but will be dismissed 3.5 hours early at 11:30 am. Lunch will be served on this day.
Actual Conference Meeting Dates & times are: (10 minute conference slots)
Wed, Nov 7 - 3:10 - 7:00 PM (Teacher dinner time from 5 - 5:45 pm)
Thur, Nov 8 - 3:10 - 7:00 PM (Teacher dinner time from 5 - 5:45 pm)
Fri, Nov 9 - 12 noon - 3 PM.
CLUBS & AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES have all begun! Clubs in blue have been added since our October Newsletter
FCPS NEEDS SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS! And, we find that parents make the best subs! You will love substitute teaching for these reasons:
You must love working with kids and have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Visit https://www.applitrack.com/fcps/OnlineApp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute to see all of the requirements and to apply online.
If you have additional questions, call the Sub Help Desk at 301-644-5120.
Our UMS newsletter will be 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 6, 2018.
SCHOOL PICTURE MAKE-UP/RETAKE DAY will be Tuesday, November 13th.
1. If you are not satisfied with your student's pictures please send them to school with your student on Tuesday, November 13. The student will bring their original photos with them when they hear the overhead announcement instructing them to report to the cafeteria/stage for picture retakes. Your student will turn the original photos into the LifeTouch Staff. LifeTouch will then ensure you are not charged for your new photographs.
2. If your student missed our 1st Picture Day they will be called to report to the cafeteria/stage via an overhead announcement. Students having their pictures taken for the first time should bring their Picture Order Form with them on Make-up Day and turn the form into the LifeTouch Staff.
3. Parents ordering for the first time may visit the LifeTouch Website and order their package online at mylifetouch.com. UMS Picture Day ID #MJ718118Q1
4. For every package you order online you'll receive a FREE 8X8 PHOTO BOOK FROM SHUTTERFLY!
5. Link to Picture Day Flier/Order Form
6. All students should have their picture taken in order to ensure they are represented in the 2018-2019 UMS Yearbook!
ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS & CAR RIDER TRAFFIC
Urbana Middle school experiences heavy traffic during morning arrival and PM dismissal. During both times, lines can be extremely long and dropping off and picking up your child/children becomes challenging for everyone.
UMS Administration has established a designated CAR RIDER area, traffic routines and procedures that promote student/staff safety while attempting to keep traffic moving. Included in these expectations is driver courtesy.
We acknowledge that everyone has busy lives and places to go, but we expect all drivers to comply and assist us in preventing a tragedy.
Here is a review of the guidelines and procedures on which we need everyone's cooperation:
AM: If you arrive early and sit until 7:30, please do not block curbside. We have parents dropping off and they cannot get to the curb to drop their child off safely. If you arrive early, please consider parking in the middle spaces and then rejoining the line once our doors open at 7:30. All of our community will appreciate this small gesture as folks try to get to work on time.
In advance, we sincerely appreciate everyone's cooperation, patience, courtesy, and compliance with these expectations.
LOST & FOUND ITEMS:
The weather is turning cooler and our Lost and Found box has many coats, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets, clothing items, school supplies, lunchboxes, shoes, and hats. If your child has lost an item at school, please encourage them to check this box. The Lost and Found box is located in the cafeteria and students can easily do this before school, after school, or during lunch.
Parents/Families: If you would like to look for an item, please contact the front office to arrange a time to visit.
Items not identified/claimed by November 12 will be donated to our local charity.
URBANA HIGH SCHOOL MINI-THON Joshua DiGiorgio, Public Relations Chairperson for UHS Annual Mini-THON, invites the entire Urbana Community to this year's UHS Mini-THON. The UHS Mini-THON is the largest student-run organization in Frederick County and they raise money to help support pediatric cancer research and treatment. Over the past four years, the Mini-THON has raised over $155,000 through the generous donations and support of the Greater Urbana Community. To reach their donation goal, various community events, fundraisers, and activities are held. One of their primary initiatives this year is to introduce younger students in our feeder pattern to Mini-THON with the goal of empowering them to make a difference.
On November 17th, the committee has planned a Mini-THON Turkey Trot at Urbana High School. The event is a 5k Family Walk/Run where all proceeds are donated to charity.
Mini-THON Website: https://www.uhsmini-thon.com/
Four Diamonds Website: https://www.fourdiamonds.org/
Flyer Copy: https://twitter.com/UHS_Minithon/status/1037472140348538880
PHI THETA KAPPA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY LAX CLINIC Spencer Hill, a student of the Phi Theta Kappa Leaderahip Acadmey at Oakdale High School will be conducting a lacrosse clinic for his leadership project.
The lacrosse clinic is open to 3rd-8th grade students and will teach basic skills, team work, and cooperation. This clinic will be filled with fun! There will be games, drills, raffles, and freeze pops. Oakdale Boys Varisty Head Coach Michael Higgs will be assisting Spencer, as well as, current varsity players. Skill level or experience does not matter, all players are welcome! There is no fee to participate, instead they will be collecting canned foods for the Frederick Rescue Mission. This clinic is a great opportunity to experience lacrosse. Please feel free to contact Spencer with any questions regarding the clinic. The clinic is on November 6, 2018, from 5:30-7:30, and will take place at the Oakdale High School Stadium.
To register please click the following link - https://goo.gl/forms/DCZq9jsB790w48Rp1
GOVERNOR HOGAN ANNOUNCES THE OFFICIAL LAUNCE of the SAFE SCHOOLS MARYLAND TIP LINE. Governor Larry Hogan announced yesterday the launch of “Safe Schools Maryland,” a tip line and mobile app designed to streamline reporting of possible threats to students and school facilities. The Governor made the announcement at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) with student leaders, education officials, members of law enforcement and others in attendance.
A number of student leaders also participated in a roundtable discussion after the press conference. They asked questions and offered intuitive feedback about the tip line and school safety. It is critical that we get the word out and continue to engage students and other members of the community about the services that are available to them. There are a number of resources that are accessible to distribute that were present at the roundtable yesterday, from posters and business cards to wristbands. Attached is an example of one of the new flyers that could be used as a tool to engage your school community.
Within 7 minutes of the tip line being live, it received its first tip which was quickly assessed by the staff at MEMA and shared with the appropriate local school system. This resource will serve as a wonderful tool for communication between school communities, school safety personnel, and law enforcement.
Students, family members, parents, teachers, administrators, and other community members can anonymously report information to Safe Schools Maryland via a mobile app available for download through the Apple App Store or Google Play, online at www.SafeSchoolsMD.org, or by calling 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233). Trained technicians will respond to reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The PTSA is eagerly accepting entries to the 50th Reflections Contest. This year's theme is "HEROES AROUND ME".
The categories for this year's contest are:
DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTING ENTRIES IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2018.
http://education.fcps.org/ums/
3511 Pontius Court Ijamsville, MD 21754 240-566-9200 Fax 240-566-9201