Eagle News
September 4, 2024
From Dr. Davis
Thank you to everyone who attended our Sneak A Peek Open House! Your support helped us kick off the school year on a high note. We’ve had a fantastic first week, with students and staff settling in wonderfully. Our arrival and dismissal routines are improving each day, thanks to your cooperation.
We’re excited to invite you to our Back to School Night Fair for grades Pre-K through 5 on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a variety of foods and treats from local food trucks available for purchase. Students can explore a mobile planetarium in the gym, and there will be community resources available for families. Teacher and grade-level presentations will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
We will publish the next Eagle Newsletter on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. However, if you would like to read back issues of the Eagle News Newsletter, you can find this year's published newsletters on our school's website under the heading 'Announcements and Newsletters.' If you have questions between now and then, please contact me at Toi.Davis@pgcps.org or 301-985-1898.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) continues to follow the state and local guidance in the collection of student and teacher attendance. Administrative Procedure 5113 identifies this process for lawful and unlawful absences. PGCPS is responsible for identifying, collecting, and transmitting data to local, state, and federal agencies for purposes of compliance, accountability, and school system funding for student attendance. Strong monitoring of systems, implementation of a streamlined process, and using objective and accurate data related to attendance collection is crucial. Physical attendance of staff and students will be collected in the 2024-2025 school year and daily attendance procedures will be communicated so all stakeholders are aware of PGCPS’ definition of being considered present.
Communication and Parent Engagement
The PGCPS Office of Communications and Community Engagement will continue to deliver timely communication that achieves our goals of safety, equity, and excellence.
Communication Tools
The Office of Communications and Community Engagement uses five key tools to reach audiences:
School Messenger
○ Text/SMS
○ Robocall
Websites
○ PGCPS (www.pgcps.org)
○ PGCPS en español (www.pgcps.org/es)
Newsletters
○ Engage PGCPS (families and communities), weekly
○ Acción PGCPS (Spanish-speaking families and communities), weekly
○ Partner PGCPS (business, faith-based and nonprofit
groups), monthly
Social media
○ Facebook (@PGCPS)
○ Facebook en español (@PGCPSenespanol)
○ Twitter (@PGCPS, @DrMonicaCEO)
○ Instagram (@PGCPS)
○ YouTube
PGCPS-TV
○ Verizon 38
○ Comcast 96
○ YouTube
○ Video-on-demand
The steps for the approval process are below.
The volunteer approval process must be completed for each academic school year. To reinstate your SafeSchools account for SY '24-25, you will need to complete an updated registration form which can be found by clicking this LINK.
Returning Volunteers renewal applications can be completed in just four easy steps!
- Use the email address you originally registered with and your existing volunteer identification number (VIN) to complete your application for the 2024 -2025 school year.
- Click the green plus + sign below the Register Volunteer column to enter/edit your volunteer details that may have changed from the previous school year.
- Read and sign the disclaimer statement.
- Submit your application.
- You will receive an email from SafeSchools in approximately 48 hours with the training plan for SY '24-'25.
Please ensure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor recess. Parents can click the button below to read Administrative Procedure 6130 - Guidelines for Outdoor Activities and Playground and Recess Supervision for further information.
We use the criteria below to determine when there will be indoor recess.
"Recess, other outdoor activities, and Physical Education
should be considered for an inside activity if the following
conditions exist:
(1) Temperature with or without a wind chill factor is
below 32 degrees.
(2) Definite rain, sleet or snow with accumulation.
(3) Soggy, wet conditions.
(4) Heat temperatures that fall within the categories for a
Code Orange, Code Red or Code Purple. See
Attachment 1, Chart for Heat Designations."
La Clinica Del Pueblo
La Clinia Del Pueblo will provide mental health services and support to University Park Families again this year. Evelyn Cedillo is the Family Support Worker assigned to University Park ES. Evelyn will be on site on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Please read below to learn a little about Evelyn.
My name is Evelyn Cedillo, and I am fluent in English and Spanish. I graduated from the University of Baltimore with a bachelor’s degree in health management. I am the first generation in my family to graduate from a university. I am currently working for La Clínica del Pueblo as a Family Support Worker. I provide case management services to families served in the school wellness program of La Clinica at Prince George's County Public Schools. My focus has been on gaining a deep understanding of community development best practices to enhance my ability to contribute effectively.
Lockdown Drills
The first Lockdown Drill is Thursday, September 19, 2024, shortly after 9:30 a.m. Teachers will practice Lockdown Drill procedures with students Monday, September 16, 2024-Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The Lockdown Drill procedures and expectations are below.
1. Students are told if they are locked out during a drill or real emergency, they could run away from the building.
Students are not to stand in front of the entrance during a drill or a real emergency.
2. Teachers will point out other areas in the building where students can hide if locked out of the classroom.
3. The best places to hide,” thoughtful hiding”(Conference room, Principal’s Office, bathrooms, teacher’s lounge, copy rooms, book room, etc.) are identified for students.
4. “RUN, HIDE, and FIGHT!”
Depending on the situation it may be more appropriate to RUN or FIGHT instead of a traditional lockdown.
5. RUN and/or SCATTER may increase survival rates when escaping from an ACTIVE THREAT.
If there is a clear path of escape, RUN and/or SCATTER.
If you have questions/concerns, contact the PGCPS Safety Office because individual schools do not and cannot determine the procedures and practices for Lockdowns.
PTA Updates
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is planning lots of great events and activities with the school this year!
Mark your calendars for our first PTA meeting of the school year, September 18th at 6pm. Join us in the school media center. There is no cost to be a member of the PTA, and it's a great way to learn about everything that’s happening at UPES!
Visit our website (https://www.upespta.com) to learn more about the PTA, how you can get involved, and to join the UPES PTA Listserv.
Have a question, suggestion, or looking to reach out to the PTA team? Contact us: UPESPTABoard@gmail.com
Committee Updates (Volunteer Opportunities)
Fall Fest
Calling all Volunteers!
Please join us for a UPES tradition, Fall Fest, on October 11, 2024. Students, Pre-K through Grade 2, will enjoy a day of games and activities with their class in the school field.
In order to make this event a success, we need volunteers to lead stations like apple tasting, obstacle course, and arts and crafts.
At this time, please complete the sign-up survey to indicate your availability, in the coming weeks we will be in touch with additional information about the event. You do not need to be a cleared PGCPS volunteer to help with Fall Fest.
For the hyperlink:
After School Enrichment
After School Enrichment Classes will be running from early October through the first week of December. If you are a PTA member and have flexibility during the daytime, we need volunteers to escort students to their classes at 1:40pm a few days a week. Please reach out to Danielle Tiley at upesafterschool@gmail.com if you can help!
Teacher Appreciation
Teacher Appreciation has kicked off the year with cake for new and returning staff! We're planning for this school year and hope we can count on your support when we send sign ups via email and Class Dojo. If you are interested in joining our committee and have #squadgoals please contact Michele Pintur at mpintur@gmail.com.
Feather Our Nest Fall Fundraiser
We are planning for Nov 4-26 for the Feather Our Nest Fall Fundraiser (we shortened from last year’s 5 weeks to 3 weeks). Look out for opportunities to get involved!
Azalea Classic
It's only September, but it's not too early to mark your calendar for our annual Azalea Classic, the PTA's spring 1K/1-mile/5K fundraiser. This year, the race will be held on May 10. We need volunteers year-round to make the event a success--email upesazaleaclassic5K@gmail.com if you want to learn how you can help!
Library Committee
Heart of America, over the summer, did measurements and is currently gathering input from key stakeholders to finalize the design.
PTA Reminders
Volunteer Renewals for Returning Volunteers
The volunteer approval process must be completed for each academic school year. To reinstate your SafeSchools account for SY '24-25, you will need to complete an updated registration form which can be found by clicking this LINK or By going to Step 1: and clicking on the online volunteer application link (https://www.pgcps.org/offices/ograc/volunteer#volunteer-process).
Returning Volunteers renewal applications can be completed in just four easy steps!
Use the email address you originally registered with and your existing volunteer identification number (VIN) to complete your application for the 2024 -2025 school year.
Click the green plus + sign below the Register Volunteer column to enter/edit your volunteer details that may have changed from the previous school year.
Read and sign the disclaimer statement.
Submit your application.
You will receive an email from SafeSchools in approximately 48 hours with the training plan for SY '24-'25.
New Volunteer Registration
Follow Steps 1, 2 and 3 on PGCPS page for Volunteer Registration and Approval Process (https://www.pgcps.org/offices/ograc/volunteer#volunteer-process). PGCPS requires a fingerprint background check and Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance for each person who will provide volunteer services more than once each school year. This fee of $61 is waived for parents/guardians of students who are approved for free/reduced meals. You must bring a copy of the approval letter to your appointment. Please note that this is a one-time requirement for all volunteers.
Upcoming Events
Back to School Night Fair-5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 19 -Lockdown Drill
Helpful Links/Enlaces Importantes
1. School finder...know what school your child belongs to… Buscador de escuelas... sepa a qué escuela pertenece su hijo... http://gis.pgcps.org/schoolfinder/
Registration requirements...know exactly what you need to register your child... / Requisitos de inscripción... sepa exactamente qué necesita para inscribir a su hijo...
https://www1.pgcps.org/registration/
2. Lunch...apply for free/reduced meals... / Almuerzo... solicitar comidas gratuitas/reducidas... https://www.myschoolapps.com/ |
University Park Elementary
Email: upark@pgcps.org
Website: https://www1.pgcps.org/universitypark/
Location: 4315 Underwood Street, University Park, MD, USA
Phone: 301-985-1898
Facebook: facebook.com/UniversityParkElementary-PGCPS
Twitter: @UPSoaringEagles