THEATRE ARTS PRODUCTION - Our 8th grade Theatre Arts class has been working hard on their upcoming production of "Lunchroom"!
"Nerds. Preps. Jocks. YouTubers. Barbies... All the usual high-school cliques are hungry for acceptance in this one-act comedy about what defines us. Full of absurd stereotypes that poke fun at shallow notions and teen insecurities, "Lunchroom" is a fast-paced parody that lovingly examines the effects of peer pressure and group thinking. Students try hard to determine where they fit in, but they eventually realize that when all think alike, no one thinks for themselves. Only when it’s revealed that everyone sometimes wishes they were someone else — even popular Preps and winning Jocks — do students finally see that the real way to define their individuality is by being true to themselves. With a large, flexible cast of wacky characters in one, straightforward setting, "Lunchroom" is a simple, lighthearted production with a great message about just being yourself."
UMS SPELLING BEE Is your student an ace speller? Does he/she have an extraordinary vocabulary that astonishes all who converse with them? Is reading one of their favorite pasttimes? If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions then your student should sign up for the Annual UMS Spelling Bee! Information and study lists can be found on Google Classroom/UMS Spelling Bee, class code = s2l6wg
URBANA FEEDER SCHOOL CONCERTS The Annual Feeder School Concerts are just around the corner! Be sure to add the dates (found above) to your calendars and come to show your support to our future Urbana High Hawks as they showcase their vocal and instrumental talent during these musical nights! The UMS 8th Grad Band, 7/8 Orchestra, and 6th, 7th & 8th grade Choirs will be performing on their respective nights! FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL!
8th Grade & NEW to FCPS STUDENTS HEARING AND VISION TESTING will take place on February 9th If your student currently has glasses and/or hearing aids, please ensure students bring them to school that day! Snowdate for Hearing & Vision Testing will be Monday, January 14.
ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS -
Important Announcements: Once again, per FCPS Policy, I am sharing the required quarterly 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.
REQUIRED NOTICES: Term 2
Front Entrance: UMS has a secure Front Entrance. All visitors to the building must enter through our main office. We have the buzzer system and our front office staff will greet you upon arrival. We appreciate your cooperation as we do have a required FCPS protocol we follow when meeting visitors for the first time. To ensure the safety of our students and staff, please be prepared to show identification and state the purpose of your visit if we have not met you yet. This protocol is part of our security for the building and we thank everyone for their cooperation in helping us maintain this security for our school community.
At the middle school level, we are often asked “How can I support my child in middle school?” We always encourage parent involvement and this assists students with their learning. Encourage reading and writing; consider reading the same book as your child. Always encourage your child to do their best and to set realistic goals for the school year. We value our positive and collaborative parent partnerships and appreciate your support of our school expectations and goals. We encourage two-way, open communication with teachers/staff as soon as there is a problem so we can respond promptly to your concern(s).
If there is anything we can do to assist you and your child, please let us know! We look forward to a great year with our students and families!
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.
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.
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.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR ATTENDING A SCHOOL OUTSIDE YOUR FEEDER AREA: Dates for applying to attend a school outside the usual attendance area are January 2-March 1.*
FCPS will post the out-of-district application online on January 2 in the section For Families and Students at www.fcps.org. Those needing assistance may call 240-236-2493 after January 2. Schools projected to be over capacity in the coming school year are closed to out-of-district students. FCPS will post the list of restricted schools online in December.
For details, please see the updated Assignment and Transfer of Students Regulation 400-15: https://apps.fcps.org/legal/doc.php?number=400-15
*In the prior version of the regulation in place last year, the application window was April 1-May 31. In 2019, FCPS will post applications January 2, due by March 1.
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 February 7, 2019
NEW YEAR REMINDER: 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.
Please join us at our next PTSA General Meeting, January 15th @ 7 PM in the UMS Media Center.
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