ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES:
Parent – Teacher conferences are quickly approaching! We look forward to seeing everyone in October. Please see below for specific information, including the sign up link that will become active on October 7.
In November, we will officially kick off our new chapter of Rachel's Challenge school wide. We 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.
Our current student club information is now available to students on our bulletin board near the front office. Currently, the following clubs have begun!
Please have your child check the Student Club bulletin board by the main office as well as listening to the morning announcements for current and upcoming opportunities.
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!
October Parent-Teacher conferences:
Actual Conference Meeting Dates & Times are: (10 minute conference slots)
Official Conference Sign-Up Link will be published via FOF on Friday, Oct 4
(Link will open on October 7 @ 7 am – Closes October 13 @ 12 am.)
All conference scheduling will be done via SignUpGenius link.
INTERPRETOR SERVICES:
If you require interpreting services for any school event, including conferences, please contact Mrs. Mitnick at Tamera.Mitnick@fcps.org at least 10 business days in advance.
Important Announcements & Required Notices:
This week, 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 November 7, 2019.
The Urbana Middle School PTSA is sponsoring a Destination Imagination Team this year.
Please plan to attend the introductory meeting on Monday, October 7, 7-8 PM in the UMS Media Center to learn more about this program and how your child can get involved!
Destination Imagination is a STEAM based global competition. Students will be able to sign up to compete in one of 6 challenges of their choosing. This is a 100% student-run tournament where students have the freedom to release their creativity in a subject they are passionate about. Students may even have an opportunity to earn a scholarship!
We are also looking for parents who would be willing to sign up to be coaches for DI teams of 2-7 students.
For additional information or questions, please contact Mr. Rich Felice @ rich.felice@gmail.com
*Please join us at our next PTSA General Meeting, Tuesday, October 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