Parent/Family Update

Dear Parents and Families,

I hope this message finds you well. I want to share a few updates with you all, so please review below when you have a moment:

1. Black History Month Celebration: February marks the beginning of Black History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the achievements, contributions, and rich history of African Americans. To honor this month, our school is hosting a door/bulletin competition between classes. We will be encouraging our parents to participate in selecting the winners by voting for their favorite displays. During this month, teachers will importantly be taking an opportunity to teach our students of the contribution of African Americans through readings, class discussions, creative projects, art activities, and more. For Black History Month lessons, activities, and resources, please click on the link below.

Link: National Education Association - Black History Month Lessons & Resources

2. Middle of the Year (MOY) Meetings: We will be conducting Middle of the Year meetings to review the progress monitoring assessments from the beginning of the school year and compare them with our most recently completed assessments. Senior administrators will be on campus this week to assist in analyzing the data, visiting classrooms, and providing additional support to enhance student learning gains. If you have any questions about your child's assessment scores, please feel free to contact their teacher or Ms. Morgan directly at mmusic@ucpcfl.org.

3. Important Dates:

• Rodeo Day: Friday, February 16 - No School
• Presidents Day: Monday, February 19 - School is in session
  
  

4. FTE Week: FTE ("Full Time Equivalent") refers to the number of full-time students attending our school. This week, from February 4 to February 9, the state will be monitoring our attendance to review which students are marked "present" at least in the week. The state subsequently uses this data to allocate funding, resources, and support based on our student population. Your child's attendance this week directly impacts our school's funding. Our goal is to have 100% of our students present at least once during this critical week; the more students present, the more resources we can access to provide quality education, innovative programs, and essential resources for both students and staff. Besides the funding implications, regular attendance is vital for your child's academic success. Each day of learning is an opportunity for growth and development.

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We encourage you to take a moment to explore the information and resources provided in this newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, as always, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership. Let' make it a great week!

Sincerely,

Dr. Alejandro Lozano

Let's Team up in Teams!

Parents and Families:

Progress Monitoring 2 data analysis have been done and I will team up with some families to provide strategies to assist in academics. The purpose is to work with parents individually to support the learning growth. This week I will be contacting selected parents via email or phone. We will set up a date/time to meet via Teams.
If you do not receive a phone call or email but would like to meet with me via Teams to discuss academics, feel free to contact me. My email is Coraly.Santos@ucpcfl.org.

To download Teams, please use the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app
Download Microsoft Teams Desktop and Mobile Apps | Microsoft Teams
Download Microsoft Teams for desktop and mobile and get connected across devices on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Collaborate better with the Microsoft Teams app.
www.microsoft.com

UCP Osceola-UCP Familia is here to support you!

PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday February 5th at 8:30am. If interested you can attend on campus or via zoom:

Traci Glodery is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Feb PTO meeting Time: Feb 5, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83600915147?pwd=ES2k0HqyOaEntohRte5HW6W59Bxv86.1

Meeting ID: 836 0091 5147

Passcode: jFK2N8

"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

Quarter 3 Important Dates (regularly updated)

• Monday, January 15 - Martin L. King, Jr. Day (Teacher/Student Holiday)
• Friday, January 26 - 100th Day of School (Dress as a 100 Year Old!)
• February 1 - March 1 - Black History Month
• Friday, February 2 - "First Friday" Early Release (12PM - No Aftercare Available)
• Friday, February 16 - Rodeo Day (Teacher/ Student Holiday)
• CLARIFICATION: Monday, February 19 - President's Day (regular school day; school IS in session)
• Friday, March 1 -- "First Friday" Early Release (12PM - No Aftercare Available)
• Thursday, March 7 - End of 3rd Quarter (Last Day for Students)
• Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15 - Spring Break (Teacher/Student Holiday)

We want to give a special shoutout to students from the Flamingo classroom who demonstrated their wonderful leadership skills on our campus by visiting classrooms of younger students and reading aloud to them. See pictures below!

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.

Flamingos began learning how to mathematically find the radius and circumference of circles while their snowflakes were printing in the 3D printer.

The vpk through the 1st grade worked on their gross and fine motor skills while making mosaic hearts.

The 2nd - 4th grade continued learning about the aboriginal tribes of Australia and even began working on their own "original Aboriginal" dot art paintings.

We wanted to take an opportunity to share a community resource that was passed along to us entitled Positive Behavioral Solutions (PBS). PBS offers mental health/ counseling services to students via telehealth, face-to-face, and/or in community settings (schools, offices, homes) . They accept a variety of commercial and medicaid insurances and have asked us to share this information to our parents/families for informational purposes.

NOTE: We want to inform you that we are sharing information about certain therapies with our families for informational purposes only. It's important to clarify that the school is not personally recommending or endorsing any specific company; rather, our aim is to provide you with a range of resources for your consideration and this is just one of many companies who offer this type of service. Your decisions regarding these therapies are entirely personal, and we encourage you to seek professional advice as needed

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

We believe learning can happen in and out of the traditional classroom setting. Our Curriculum and Technology Integration teams have selected a variety of age-appropriate resources to enhance your child's learning from home. Students with IEPs will benefit from the individualized learning approach that is supported through these platforms. Articles and tips for parents are found on the Home page and student resources are located on the content tabs. Our goal is to partner with our families to ensure ALL UCP students continue to learn and grow. We will continue to update this page with additional resources.

Thank you for supporting your child's educational journey!

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% 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 during 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.