Parent/Family Update

Dear Parents/Families:

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your patience and adaptability regarding our new dismissal procedures. The alternative dismissal process, especially for walkers and those picking up between 2:30-3:20, has been a success. This adjustment has not only improved the efficiency of our dismissal process but also enhanced the safety of our students and staff. Also, your cooperation and vigilance during carline have been commendable, and I want to thank each one of you for making safety a top priority.

On a related note, I'd like to draw your attention to the health of our school community. We have observed an increase in flu-related symptoms among both students and staff, and unfortunately, some cases of COVID-19 and RSV have also been reported. We kindly urge you to continue practicing diligence in monitoring your child's health. If your child exhibits any signs of illness, please keep them at home to ensure a swift recovery and to prevent any potential spread of illness within our school. Your proactive approach greatly contributes to the well-being of all members of our school community.

As we are in the midst of hurricane season, the National Weather Service has anticipated an "above normal" level of activity for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season due to warmer sea surface temperatures. While we sincerely hope for the best, it's crucial that we are well-prepared for the possibility of tropical storms or hurricanes. We will be closely monitoring any developments and will keep you informed regarding any potential school closures.

We strongly encourage you to take proactive measures to ensure your family's safety during adverse weather conditions. This could include creating an emergency kit, staying informed about weather forecasts, and having a family communication plan in place. By planning ahead, you can collectively mitigate any potential challenges that may arise during severe weather events.

Your continued support and cooperation are invaluable as we navigate these challenges together. The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain at the forefront of our priorities. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our school community.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Alejandro Lozano, Principal

It is with great pleasure to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. As a part of our instructional practices, we wanted to share with you the incorporation of the First/Then strategy within select classrooms. This approach is designed to empower our students to smoothly transition between activities outlined in their daily schedules, fostering improved preparation and self-regulation skills.

The First/Then strategy serves as a bridge between tasks, aiding students in understanding what comes next and cultivating a sense of readiness. This method has demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting students' ability to navigate their daily routines with greater ease and confidence.

We firmly believe that when parents and educators work collaboratively, the impact on a child's growth is substantial. We wholeheartedly encourage you to consider integrating this strategy at home as well. By aligning our efforts, we can enhance the consistency and effectiveness of this approach across various environments.

Please find attached a copy of sample "First, Then" visuals for your review/ optional use. We also wanted to include some information the article entitled, "Toilet Training Children with Autism -- Behavior Frontiers (click here).

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education, and we look forward to a year of shared growth and accomplishment

There is a PTO meeting scheduled for Monday, August 28, 2023 at 8:30 AM in the campus breakroom. Please feel free to join us!

Also - please be advised the PTO is looking for parents to serve in executive positions:

* President

*Treasurer

*Secretary

If any parents have interest, please email: ucposceolapto@outlook.com

"Roar with Knowledge" emphasizes the importance of learning, curiosity, and intellectual growth. It encourages students to be vocal in their pursuit of knowledge and to boldly express their ideas and thoughts.

"Lead with Pride" signifies the leadership qualities associated with lions. It inspires students to be confident, responsible, and compassionate leaders in their school and community. It also reflects the sense of pride they should feel in their accomplishments, achievements, and contributions to the world around them.

Together, this mantra encourages students to be academically ambitious, courageous, and empathetic leaders who contribute positively to their school and society as they grow into responsible individuals.

I would like to bring to your attention an important reminder: every first Friday of the month, we have early dismissal starting at 12 PM. Therefore, on this upcoming Friday, September 1, all students will be dismissed at 12:00 PM.

Additionally, please be aware that there will be no school on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day.

Please take an opportunity to view the school calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. Pay close attention to early release dates, as well as days where we have no school programming. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly: Alejandro.Lozano@ucpcfl.org

Please look at the exciting things happening in Art with Heather Pentecost

We are excited to introduce a new initiative - the Parent Spotlight, which will be a weekly feature showcasing the businesses and professions of our parents. We invite you to share your business cards or information with us if you wish to be highlighted.

Starting with this week, it gives me great pleasure to shine a spotlight on the amazing Yolanda Cortez. Yolanda has been a part of the UCP community for a long time and is also a skilled Loan Officer who can assist you with all your home loan requirements. Please take a moment to explore her business card below and don't hesitate to connect with her directly if you have any inquiries.

Thank you for contributing to the vibrant diversity of our school community.

UCP Charter Schools follows the protocols and policy required by state statue on the use of Outside Care Providers (OCPs)/Private Instructional Personnel (PIP) requested by parents and guardians to supplement a student’s educational, medical, and/or behavior services in a public school during the school year including observing the student in the educational setting, collaborating with instructional personnel in the educational setting, and providing services in the educational setting.

Each Outside Care Provider goes through a local school district approval as a contact vendor and meets with the campus Principal prior to providing on-campus services. As vendors, they provide services deemed as a medical necessity by the related insurance carrier and services are focused on increasing opportunities for personal and educational growth by matching student needs with the approved services.

For more information on how your child's clinician can become a UCP Outside Care Provider/ Private Instructional Personnel, please visit the link below.

*NEW Link: Registration Information for Outside Care Providers

BREAKFAST

Monday: Fresh Seasonal Fruit, 100% Orange Juice, Whole Wheat English Muffin

Tuesday: Fresh Seasonal Fruit, 100% Apple Juice, Whole Grain Raisin Bread, Margarine

Wednesday: Fruit Cup, 100% Blended Juice, Whole Grain Bread, Margarine

Thursday: Fruit Cup, 100% Apple Juice, Whole Grain Bread, Sunflower Kernels

Friday: Fresh Seasonal Fruit, 100% Blended Juice, Whole Grain Bread

LUNCH

Monday: Milk, BBQ Chicken on Hamburger Bun, Mashed Sweet Potato, Black Beans, 100% Blended Juice

Tuesday: Milk, Teriyaki Meatballs, Broccoli, Green Peas, Applesauce Cup, Whole Grain Roll

Wednesday: Milk, Macaroni & Cheese, Blacked-Eyed Peas, Mixed Vegetables, 100% Apple Juice, Whole Grain Roll

Thursday: Milk, Chicken Salad, Fresh Baby Carrots, Potato Salad, Seasonal Fresh Fruit. Whole Wheat Bread

Friday: Milk, Ham or Turkey Sandwich with Cheese, Juice

As we embark on a new academic year, I would like to reiterate our commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all our students. In line with this, I want to remind everyone that our school is a nut-free environment. This policy has been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, especially those who have severe nut allergies. Even trace amounts of nuts or nut products can trigger severe allergic reactions in some children, which can be life-threatening. By maintaining a nut-free school, we aim to create a space where every child can thrive without the worry of exposure to allergens. We kindly request your cooperation in adhering to this policy by refraining from sending any nut-based products or foods containing nuts to school with your child. Thank you, as always, for your continued support!

As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19, I wanted to reach out to you with some important updates regarding the situation on our campus.

In recent days, we have noticed a concerning uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases among our school community. While some illness at the beginning of the school year is to be expected, this recent increase in cases serves as a reminder that we must remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts to mitigate the spread of illness on our campus:

We kindly request your assistance in reinforcing some critical hygiene practices at home and at school:

1. Frequent Handwashing: Encourage your child to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, using the restroom, or touching shared surfaces.

2. Symptom Monitoring: Please monitor your child for any symptoms of illness daily before sending them to school. If they are experiencing any symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea or loss of taste or smell, it is crucial that they stay home and seek medical guidance as needed.

3. Student Illness Notification: In the event that a student is observed as unwell while at school, our health assistant will contact you promptly. You will receive a Student Illness Notification form that outlines the details of the situation. This form will provide important information for your awareness and assistance.

We understand that adhering to these guidelines can be challenging and inconvenient at times, but it's important to recognize that each action we take to keep our school community healthy contributes to the collective well-being of our students, teachers, and staff members.

Your understanding and cooperation during this period are deeply appreciated. As a community, we are all responsible for the safety of our students and the success of our educational endeavors. By working together and following these protocols diligently, we can help ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment for everyone.

UCP now has a new vendor for student uniforms. If you are interested in purchasing uniforms, please follow the steps below:

▰Step 1: Visit www.Ibiley.com

▰Step 2: Find your School (UCP Osceola)

▰Step 3: Look through the various options and pay.

NOTE: For UCP Charter School K-5th Grade parents - we have some limited scholarships to help buy UCP Uniforms for UCP Students. If you are in financial need for this support - please click HERE to fill out the form.

As a reminder - UCP Charter School K-5th grade students are required to wear a UCP polo to school. Here is a link to the Uniform policy/on-line store: https://www.ucpcharter.org/uniforms

Few activities produce such valuable benefits for so many as school partnership and volunteering. Your involvement as an OASIS Volunteer or a Partner in Education for Osceola's schools reaps great rewards for students, teachers, parents, and administrators alike:

• Positive attitude toward school
• Improved attendance and academic performance
• Higher quality education
• Preparation for tomorrow's workforce and decision makers

As part of the school district's community relations efforts, the OASIS Department oversees the OASIS Volunteers and Partners in Education. Both of these programs help foster a strong sense of community between our schools and Osceola County as a whole.

Our schools need support for a variety of programs and projects. In order to help, you must first become an approved OASIS Volunteer.

Click here to submit a new application or to renew your volunteer status for the 2023-2024 school year.