Parent/Family Update

Dear Parents and Families,

As we swiftly move through December, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continuous support and involvement in our school community. Firstly, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive feedback we received regarding the recent SeaWorld field trip. It brings me great happiness to hear that everyone had such a fantastic time. The shared experiences and memories created during these outings are invaluable in enhancing our students' learning journey. Check out some pictures below :-)

As we approach the end of the semester (2 weeks remaining), our students will be engaging in progress monitoring assessments. These assessments are designed to measure their growth and progress from the beginning of the academic year. Please know that we will communicate the individual results of these assessments with you as soon as they become available.

As we navigate through December, there are numerous upcoming events and activities planned. Please make sure to mark your calendars and keep an eye out for more detailed information as the days unfold.

• December 4 - 13 Campus Food Drive
• December 8 - Pictures w/ Santa OR Snowman
  
• December 12 - Winter Holiday Concert (5:30 PM)
  
• December 15 - Last Day of Classes / Winter Carnival Day!
• December 18 to January 1 - Winter Break
• January 3 - All Students/ Staff Return

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out. We're always here to help and support!

Cheers,

Dr. Alejandro Lozano, Principal

UCP Osceola staff are working on reading and math interventions to enhance student learning. In two weeks, students will enjoy the Christmas break. I encourage you to continue working informally reading and math skills during this time. It is recommended to use research-based programs that are proven to increase learning growth. We want our students to get used to using these programs at home over Youtube or TikTok. For reading and math interventions, students are using Freckle. For intensive reading, students are using Lalilo. Another great program is IXL. The benefits for a continuum of exposure to skills in an informal way during the Christmas break are the following: 1. Using these programs for 15-25 minutes daily may help with decreasing regression. 2. It will reinforce skills 3. the transition to school in January may be smoother because they are working on a known platform 4. It gives the parent the opportunity to know better the programs. Please, contact your child's teacher for the username and password if you do not have it already. I am sharing with you the article Why you should assign homework over the holidays.

https://study.com/blog/why-you-should-assign-homework-over-the-holidays.html

There's a PTO meeting scheduled tomorrow (Monday) December 4 at 8:30 AM in the Breakroom. If you'd like to attend virtually, please review the Zoom meeting information below:

Topic: Dec PTO meeting Time: Dec 4, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87138715250?pwd=cVVFkEMHLRt1VQKn8Ojq9WOhXWJiN1.1

Meeting ID: 871 3871 5250 Passcode: 3nHy8B

"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.

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

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 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 :-)

Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors.

The Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.

Inclusive Schools Week allows us all to take a moment to applaud the progress we’ve made toward building more inclusive school communities while pledging to continue our work toward becoming a more inclusive society.

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

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We want to ensure you're aware of our procedure regarding absences due to autism treatment appointments for your child. When it comes to therapy sessions like applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, or occupational therapy related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), these appointments are considered excused absences upon submission of the necessary documentation.

Additionally, as part of our commitment to your child's educational progress, we evaluate their development according to grade-level standards outlined in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In alignment with this, we ask for your cooperation in:

• Notifying us in advance about upcoming appointments.
• Scheduling appointments at times that minimize the impact on your child's classroom learning.
• Understanding that regular attendance is crucial, as chronic absenteeism, even with valid reasons, can sometimes pose challenges like grade retention or the risk of students leaving school prematurely.
  
  

Your understanding and cooperation in these matters greatly assist us in providing the best support and educational environment for your child.

BREAKFAST

Monday: Fresh Seasonal Fruit, 100% Orange Juice, Whole Grain Bread, Margarine

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

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

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

Friday: Fruit Cup, 100% Apple Juice, Whole Wheat English Muffin

LUNCH

Monday: Milk, Hamburger, Baked Beans, Sweet Potato, 100% Blended Juice

Tuesday: Milk, Chicken & Rice, Seasoned Spinach, Pinto Beans, Applesauce Cup, Whole Grain Roll

Wednesday: Milk, Chicken Parmesan Casserole, Green beans, 100% Blended Juice, Whole Grain Roll

Thursday: Milk, Baked Chicken Drum, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Butternut Squash, Applesauce Cup, Whole Grain Roll

Friday: Milk, BBQ Meatballs, Black Beans & Rice, Squash Medley, 100% Apple 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.