Dear Families,

As we begin preparing for the upcoming academic year, I understand that many families are interested in the classroom placement process. Our policy is that we do not accept specific teacher requests. This decision is based on our commitment to creating supportive and balanced learning environments for all our students.

I want to clarify our approach to classroom assignments. Our grade-level teams work collaboratively to make thoughtful placement decisions, considering a wide range of factors to ensure that each classroom is conducive to learning and growth for every student. You should know that placements are carefully considered and not made at random.

We aim to create classroom communities that are balanced and harmonious, where every child can thrive. Student placement involves considering the dynamics of student personalities, learning styles, and various needs to foster a productive and positive classroom atmosphere.

Although we cannot accommodate requests for specific teachers, we value parental input regarding your child's learning experience. We welcome any insights about your child's needs, learning style, or any extenuating circumstances you believe we should consider. Such insights can be instrumental in our decision-making process, helping us to support your child's educational journey more effectively.

Please do not hesitate to share this information with us, knowing that it will be thoughtfully considered alongside the broader context of our placement criteria. Our goal is always the well-being and academic success of every student.

Thank you for your understanding that we are unable to honor specific teacher requests. We appreciate your trust in us to make the best decisions for all our students. Current classroom teachers are not able to promise a particular teacher for next year.

If you have any questions or additional information you wish to share, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,

Renee Fiema, Ed.D.

As we begin planning for the next school year, it’s important for us to have an accurate count of returning students. If your child will NOT be returning next school year, please email our office staff as soon as possible. This information helps us with student placement and ensures a smooth transition for all our families.

Thank you for your help in our planning process! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the office.

March is here, and that means it’s time to celebrate March is Reading Month! Reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children because it strengthens language acquisition, builds vocabulary, and sparks imagination. The more children read, the more words they are exposed to, and the more confident they become in expressing themselves.

This month, we encourage families to make reading a daily habit. Whether it’s a bedtime story, a family read-aloud, or quiet time with a favorite book, these moments create lasting memories and a love for lifelong learning. Instead of extra screen time, let’s swap devices for books and experience the joy of reading together!

We have many exciting activities planned to make reading fun and engaging, including our weekly reading challenges, special guest readers, and themed activities! Students will need to track daily reading and turn in weekly slips. Students who meet their weekly reading goals for all three weeks will be able to participate in a Mario Kart Party. We have a race care Pit Stop Cafe that will be used for exploring books, Lego car building and car racing. We are even having a car and book parade for those that chose to participate by creating a cardboard car at home. Make sure to read the attached letter outlining the specifics for these exciting activities!!!

All students will receive a Messmore shirt to wear on Fridays. Even if your child did not order a shirt, the MMA through parent donations has covered the cost on the order to include all students.

Thank you to the Depna family and Tectonics for replacing The Future Is In Our Hands sign! The original wooden sign had begun to rot, but thanks to Mr. Depna, we now have a durable replacement. He expertly replicated the design using Dibond, a long-lasting material, and framed it with extruded aluminum for added strength. This new sign will stand the test of time—thank you for your generosity and craftsmanship!

Integrity helps keep things together and one's actions contribute to the greater whole.

It is time to order your Yearbook for the 2024 - 2025 school year ⭐

Click the link Yearbook Market below.

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

March

2- Daddy Daughter Dance

3- March is Reading Month Kick Off- Start Reading Each Day!!!

5- Under the Hood Reading- Bring a Flashlight

7- Wear your Messmore shirt day and turn in reading slip #1!

12- MMA Meeting online

13- Automotive Attire Day

14- Wear your Messmore shirt day and turn in reading slip #2!

19- Car parade featuring books.

20- Turn in reading slip #3

21- Wear your Messmore shirt day, Mario Kart Reward Event, Half Day, End of Marking Period

24 - 28 Spring Break

March 31 - April 4 Spring into Wellness Week

31- Spring Cleaning Day

April

1- Nature Walk Day

2- Yoga Day

3- Healthy Snack Thursday

4- Refresh and Reset Day

April 7 through May 16 - MSTEP Assessment Window

16- MMA Meeting in Person (last one for the school year)

17- 6th Grade Smart Moves Celebration at 9:00 a.m.

18- No School

25- Chuck E Cheese Fundraiser

May

May 5 - May 9 - Teacher Appreciation Week

6- 6th Grade Career Focus

8- 5th Grade DIA Trip

11- Mother's Day

20- Messmore Arts, Beats, and Eats

26- No School Memorial Day

June

6- Field Day

9- Preschool Last day of School

10- Half day of School, Kindergarten Celebration

11- Half day of School, Last Day, Sixth Grade Celebration

Elisabetta Stupera, President

Paulette Qussar, Vice President of Committees

Amanada Hijazi, New Vice President of Fund Raising

Stacee Jones, New Treasurer

Paul Jones, New "Techetary" aka Secretary

3/12 online

4/16 in-person

PowerSchool: https://ps.ucs.misd.net/public

Family Portal (Lunches): https://utica.familyportal.cloud

PaySchools: https://www.payschoolscentral.com/

Utica Community School, in partnership with our community, will empower students to positively transform their future and the world.

Utica Community Schools ignites a passion for learning in all students. We strengthen our community by welcoming all learners, honoring culture, and inspiring remarkable growth and achievement.