
Otter News
UMA — Diverse, Innovative, Inclusive, Supportive, Academic!
Weather, Online Audio Books, and Conferences -
UMA Community -
Weather - as beautiful as Minnesota is, we know it is also frustrating and dangerous when it comes to severe weather. Again last week we made tough decisions to close school multiple days. Please understand that there are many, many factors that go into a decision to close school. As we each experienced the snow storm differently, I recognize that it appeared to be both a 'right' and 'wrong' decision. We do gather information from many sources (transportation, food service, local resources, on the ground road conditions, etc.), double check, weigh options and consequences, and we work hard to make clear decisions as early as possible. Thanks for your continued support in these crunch moments.
Online Audio Books now available - Students and a parent/guardian will receive an email regarding an audio book reading program that UMA is now able to access - Learning Ally.
Learning Ally is structured for any reader at any level. It can be accessed through a downloaded app or a website. Students will have an individual login through their UMA email address and another one through their parent/guarding email address on file with UMA. Please note, only one parent/guardian email address was able to be registered for each student at this time.
All of UMA has the opportunity to use the audio books as an extra option whenever they would like. I understand some of the language from the company used the phrase 'struggling student'. UMA has made this audio book tool available to all of our students - we know everyone is working on using strong reading skills and we already know that many students enjoy the media aspect as they read in print. All of the books are read by 'humans' - so the voices are a strong addition as well. There are an incredible amount of choices and more added regularly by Learning Ally.
More information will be forthcoming as we explore ways that audio books can support all of UMA.
Conferences - UMA is looking forward to conversations this week around teaching and learning as we support our students and families during conferences. Spring conferences are a great check in, early enough to 'catch up' or 'extend' a learning opportunity for students. We encourage you to response to invites sent by the Advisory teachers and to also drop in and chat with any teacher when they are available.
Conferences are set for Thursday, March 2 - 1:30 - 8:00 pm (please note there will be a dinner break for staff), and Friday, March 3 - 8:40 am - 12:30 pm.
Thanks for all you do for UMA -
AE
The Counselor's Corner
Welcome to March!
With Springtime approaching there are many exciting things happening including some post-secondary events. People for PSEO will be coming to discuss PSEO planning for students March 24th, stay tuned for additional guests and information. All 11th graders will have the opportunity to take the ACT at UMA in late April. Preparation materials are available for interested 11th graders. Please reach out to me with any questions!
Josh Klimek, UMA School Counselor
Updates and Announcements
Second Harvest Heartland Trip
Animals at UMA!
New Date for Bring A Friend To School Day
Only those visiting students for whom we have permission forms will be able to join us for Bring a Friend to School Day. Parents/Guardians of visiting students are responsible for their student's transportation to and from UMA. Visiting students must adhere to UMA policies and procedures.
Please contact us at (651) 528-8091 or admissions@umissacademy.org with any questions.
Fabric Donations Needed
March Lunch Menu
UMA Junior & Senior Prom
UMA HS Costa Rica 2024 Scholarship Opportunity
Dear current 8th - 11th grade students,
-COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE SUNDAY, MARCH 5th, 2023.
-Scholarships will be announced the week of March 13th, 2023.
-Scholarship recipients must accept their scholarships by signing up with Explorica on or before March 29th, 2023. After which, Nordwall will transfer funds directly into the recipient's Explorica account. Scholarship will be forfeited if the recipient is not able to sign up for the trip on or before March 29th, 2023.
-If a recipient accepts the scholarship and has to cancel their participation with the trip between now and our departure date, the scholarship must be given back to UMA for future travelers.
UMA 2024 Costa Rica Scholarship Application
Contact person is Erik Nordwall: erik.nordwall@umissacademy.org
Trip Website: explorica.com/nordwall-4932
¡Pura vida!
Nordwall
COVID Reporting and Protocol
UMA COVID Protocol
- Day 0: Positive Test
- Days 1-5: Stay Home and Self Isolate for 5 days, regardless of symptoms
- Day 6: If you are feeling better and test negative and have no symptoms and do not have a fever you can come back to school
- Days 7-11: Monitor your health and wear a high quality mask while in school/public
Take care of yourself and the people around you, be safe and be well!
UMA is mask respectful. UMA expects all community members to respect those who choose to wear a mask, as well as those who choose to not wear one. Masks are available in the front office. Any students, staff, or visitor are welcome to wear them. Masks are encouraged for the unvaccinated and those who are not feeling well.
Since returning from winter break, we have had four confirmed cases of COVID for UMA staff and/or students. One action that is supportive is to monitor symptoms in order to separate from the UMA community before infecting others or testing positive. We also understand that families are in a wide variety of spaces when they are not in school and separation may not always be possible. Please be mindful of symptoms, stay home when feeling ill, test for COVID if you have or suspect an infection, and let us know if you are absent from school.
UMA continues to have test kits and high quality masks readily available in the main office.
Work at Upper Mississippi Academy
Employment at UMA encourages “teachers as designers” and looks for teachers who are interested in embracing new challenges without fear of failure and who encourage their students to do the same. We look for teachers and staff members who are active, continuous learners and want to grow in their practice with input from students, colleagues, and community.
Let your friends know you can still enroll at UMA for 2022 - 2023
Students learn, grow and expand their world at UMA. Find out how by visiting us during an Open House.
A public charter school located in St. Paul, Upper Mississippi Academy is a collaborative community engaging lifelong learners in active, authentic experiences. If you’re looking for a vibrant, pioneering, experience-based charter school with a growing student body, UMA could be for you.
Attend an information session hosted by teachers and school administrators. These sessions cover information on curriculum, daily schedule, student work, and student support. Information sessions for prospective students and their families will take place 6:00pm - 7:30pm on the following dates: March 14th, April 11th, May 9th and June 6th. Complete this form to sign up for an information session, or email recruitment@umissacademy.org for more information.
Upper Mississippi Academy Open Houses
UMA will be hosting open houses for prospective students, their families and the community on April 22nd (9am -12pm) and June 3rd (9am - 12pm). These events will be an informal drop-in version of our information sessions.
Indigenous People Advisory Committee
UMA students who identify as Native American, Alaskan Native and/or First Nations, their family members and community members are invited to participate in the Indigenous People Advisory Committee. Our next meeting will be March 7th at 4:00pm. Email elizabeth.saunby@umissacademy.org for additional information.
Important Dates
Upper Mississippi Academy Calendar
The UMA website calendar: https://umissacademy.org/calendar/
Student Release Day
Thursday, Mar 2, 2023, 12:00 AM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Conferences
Thursday, Mar 2, 2023, 01:30 PM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
No School for Students
Friday, Mar 3, 2023, 12:00 AM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Conferences
Friday, Mar 3, 2023, 08:45 AM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Indigenous People Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Mar 7, 2023, 04:00 PM
undefined
Community Day
Friday, Mar 10, 2023, 09:15 AM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Upper Mississippi Academy Prospective Student Information Session: Grades 6-12
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2023, 06:00 PM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, Mar 15, 2023, 05:15 PM
Upper Mississippi Academy, East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Contact Us
Email: info@umissacademy.org
Website: https://umissacademy.org/
Location: 19 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 528-8091
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMAotters