Parent/Family Update

Dear Parents and Families,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the wonderful community we have here at UCP Osceola. This season is a time for reflection, appreciation, and spending quality moments with loved ones.

Thanksgiving provides us with the perfect opportunity to pause and count our blessings, recognizing the many things we have to be thankful for in our lives. It's a time to celebrate the spirit of gratitude, fostering a sense of appreciation that extends far beyond the holiday itself.

As you begin with your Thanksgiving preparations, we wanted to pass along a gentle reminder that there is no school all next week (November 20-24) as this marks our Thanksgiving Break. This is a time for our students and their families to come together, create lasting memories, and recharge for the remainder of the school year. We encourage you to take full advantage of this break to focus on what truly matters and to embrace the joy that comes from spending time with those who hold a special place in our hearts.

We look forward to welcoming all our students back on Monday, November 27th, refreshed and ready to resume learning and growing.

Wishing you and your families a warm and joyous Thanksgiving filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments. May this holiday season bring you an abundance of reasons to be grateful.

With sincere appreciation,

Dr. Alejandro Lozano

Principal

Teamwork and to team up are two essential aspects of student success. Teamwork is defined as work done by a group acting together so that each member does a part that contributes to the efficiency of the whole (Merriam-Webster dictionary). There are four benefits of teamwork for student development and success. They are the following: 1. teach essential social skills 2. improves self-confidence 3. reduces bullying and 4. sets students up for future success (marlborough.org).

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to team up is defined as to join someone to work together. Parents and relatives let's team up! I will start the Team up in Teams! The purpose of this activity is to discuss a topic regarding parenting or how to help your child to be successful in school and/or his/her personal life. The other half is to address concerns, recommendations, share positive news, connect with other parents, share effective strategies used at home, brainstorm future parents/relatives activities in the school, among others.

The first Team Up in Teams! will be November 30th from 7:00-8:00 pm. The 7:00-7:30 pm session will be for English speaking families. The 7:30-8:00 pm session is for Spanish speaking ones. A topic discussion will be done in the first 15 minutes. The other 15 minutes will be for parents to express themselves.

What would you like to be the first topic to be discussed with you as parents/relatives of our UCP-Familia? You can send an email to Coraly.Santos@ucpcfl.org.

As always, thank you so much for supporting our school and being an active member of the success of your child!

https://www.marlborough.org/news/~board/stem/post/four-benefits-of-teamwork-for-student-development-success

PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 13 at 8:30 AM on campus in the break room.

You can also join our meeting virtually (click link below).

"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 hope this message finds you well. We would like to inform you of an upcoming meeting of the Charter School Board of Directors, which is open to the public. This meeting is an excellent opportunity for you to stay informed about the decisions and wonderful progress of our school.

Thank you for your continued support!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Geneliz Nieves at GNieves@ucpcfl.org

Date: November 16, 2023

Time: 6:00 PM

Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82726018131

Meeting ID: 827 2601 8131

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

To enrich our students’ learning and to provide an enhanced educational experience beyond the classroom setting, we're so excited to announce that we have scheduled a field trip to Sea World for all students at UCP Osceola. This educational adventure will provide our students with a unique opportunity to learn about marine life an conservation efforts. This trip is scheduled for November 30, 2023. Please be on the lookout for permission slips and more details in the coming days. We look forward to an unforgettable experience for our children at Sea World!

NOTE: In the event that your child requires individualized support during our upcoming field trip, we kindly request that you be prepared to accompany them. Your involvement ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all students. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation

We are delighted to inform you that as part of our commitment to providing a well-rounded education, all our students have the opportunity to participate in Visual Art and Physical Education as part of their "special area" curriculum. These enriching programs are offered to all students on campus throughout the week. Additionally, our 5th-grade class enjoys the added benefit of engaging in STEM activities, including coding and 3D printing, providing them with valuable hands-on experiences in the world of technology and innovation. We believe these programs contribute significantly to our students' holistic development and academic growth. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a well-rounded education for our students.

Step Up For Students is a state-approved, nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization that empowers families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children.

Step Up For Students administers Florida’s school choice programs. These programs include the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Opportunities (FES-EO), the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC), the Hope Scholarship for students who are bullied or are victims of violence in a public school, and the New Worlds Scholarship Program for public school students in kindergarten through fifth grades who struggle with math and/or reading.

On July 1, 2023, the state of Florida expanded educational choice programs to all K-12 Florida students with the conversion of the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship into educational savings accounts (ESAs). With this expansion also came the Personalized Education Program. Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, every Florida resident student eligible to enroll in a public K-12 school may receive a school choice scholarship to utilize in different ways, such as for paying for transportation services.

Please click on the link below for more information.

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.

This week, we're excited

Starting with this week, it gives me great pleasure to shine a spotlight on the amazing "Ms. Millie." Not only is Ms. Millie a proud UCP mama bear, she also makes wonderful custom tees -- everything from screen prints to sublimations, you can make each tee your own with customizable options.

Please click on the link below to access her online store. You can also add her on FB by clicking on this link.

Thank you for contributing to the vibrant diversity of our school community, Ms. Millie!

We wanted to give a special shoutout to the FLAMINGO TEAM for assisting our classrooms and teachers with STEM-related activities this past week. Please see below for some pictures :-)

Please join us in wishing our amazing team members a Happy Birthday!

Dear Parent/Caregiver,

On behalf of UCP Osceola, I’d like to share with you about New Worlds Reading, Florida’s FREE book delivery program. New Worlds Reading mails free books and activities to eligible children to help strengthen their literacy skills, build reading confidence and nurture a lifelong love of reading. Once enrolled, students will automatically receive free books and resources through fifth grade, even if their reading scores improve.

New Worlds Reading is administered by the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning, which has selected Scholastic as a partner. Books are selected in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education, with materials available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole or braille. This is an incredible opportunity to help your child build a free personalized at-home library and foster a love for reading in your home.

To be eligible, a child must be in VPK and not yet meeting age-appropriate standards according to FAST Star Early Literacy or in K-5th grade and not yet reading on grade level in a public or charter school. Apply for your child today by scanning the QR code below or visiting newworldsreading.com/enroll.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Additionally, you can email the program directly at support@newworldsreading.com.

Thank you for continuing to encourage your child’s love of reading!

--

Estimado padre/madre/cuidador(a),

En nombre de UCP Osceola, me gustaría compartir con ustedes sobre New Worlds Reading, el programa de entrega de libros GRATUITO de Florida. New Worlds Reading envía por correo libros y actividades gratuitos a niños elegibles para ayudarlos a fortalecer sus habilidades de lectoescritura, desarrollar confianza en su capacidad de leer y fomentar un amor de por vida por la lectura. Una vez inscritos, los estudiantes recibirán automáticamente libros y recursos gratuitos hasta el quinto grado, incluso si sus calificaciones en lectura mejoran.

New Worlds Reading es administrado por el Centro para el Aprendizaje Lastinger de la Universidad de Florida, que ha seleccionado a Scholastic como socio. Los libros se seleccionan en colaboración con el Departamento de Educación de Florida. Los materiales están disponibles en inglés, español, criollo haitiano o braille. Esta es una oportunidad increíble de crear una biblioteca personalizada y gratuita para su niño/a, y fomentar en el hogar el amor por la lectura.

Para ser eligible, el niño deberá estar en VPK (programa de prekindergarten voluntario) y no cumplir todavía con los estándares apropiados para su edad según la evaluación FAST Star Early Literacy, o estar en kindergarten al 5.º grado en una escuela pública o chárter y no leer todavía al nivel de su grado. Inscriba a su niño/a hoy mismo. Para hacerlo, escanee el código QR que aparece a continuación o visite newworldsreading.com/enroll.

No dude en comunicarse conmigo si tiene alguna pregunta o duda. También puede enviar un correo electrónico al programa directamente a support@newworldsreading.com.

¡Gracias por continuar fomentando el amor por la lectura en su niño/a!

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% Blended Juice, Whole Grain Bread, Sunflower Kernels

Tuesday: Fruit Cup, 100% Orange Juice, Whole Grain Bread

Wednesday: Fruit Cup, 100% Blended Juice, Whole Wheat English Muffin

Thursday: Fresh Seasonal Fruit, 100% Orange Juice, Whole Grain Raisin Bread

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

LUNCH

Monday: Milk, Tacos w/ Shredded Cheese, Stewed Tomato, Black Beans & Rice, Applesauce Cup, Whole Grain Tortilla

Tuesday: Milk, Meatloaf w/ Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Succotash, Applesauce Cup, Whole Grain Roll

Wednesday: Milk, Lemon Pepper Diced Chicken, Butternut Squash, Black-Eyed Peas, 100% Apple Juice, Whole Grain Bread

Thursday: Milk, Pasta w/ Meat Sauce, Broccoli w/ Cheese Sauce, Yellow Corn, Whole Grain Roll, Margarine Cup

Friday: Chicken Nuggets, Baked Beans, Carrot Coins, 100% Orange Juice, Whole Grain Roll

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!

While some illness at the beginning of the school year is to be expected, 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 (sample attached) that outlines the details of the situation. This form will provide important information for your awareness and assistance. Importantly -- note that the form may also specify a time-period where a student may be asked to quarantine/ stay home. Please be sure to review the form carefully and call us with any follow-up questions you may have.

We understand that adhering to school health 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.

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.

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.

The Code of Student Conduct is published each year to clearly communicate the behavioral expectations of students at all grade levels and to summarize the policies of The School District of Osceola County relative to management of student conduct. This handbook outlines the responsibilities and rights of all students, defines the District's rules of conduct and the behavioral expectations for students, identifies the consequences for violations of the rules of conduct, and clarifies the procedures for processing disciplinary infractions.