Union Middle Weekly Update V5.12!

Hello Union Middle School Families,

I hope all of our UMS students and families had a relaxing three day weekend. During the professional development day Friday, the UMS staff met together to review our district's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). In short, MTSS is a framework that helps schools/districts provide the right level of support for every student. Friday, we focused on our new Data Protocols, looking at what areas of need we can identify for our students, what standards/concepts do we want to revisit and/or heavily focus upon, and how this data review will lead toward the specific supports our students need to be successful. It was a long yet very productive professional development day for our staff.

Halloween at UMS was a success. Just like last year, it was relatively drama free and for the first time in a long time, zero costume issues! Thank you for your support in ensuring Thursday was a fun day for everyone.

Halloween is a bit of a reflective time for me personally. Two years ago on Halloween, I returned to campus for the first time, following my heart surgery two weeks earlier on 10/17/22. It feels like a lifetime ago... as they say in the parenting world, the days are quite long but the years just fly by.

From our Home & School Club - Extra Halloween candy? Please drop off any extra or unwanted Halloween candy November 4-6 at the office. Halloween candy is a huge treat for the unhoused population in downtown San Jose, and we will be delivering the candy to them on November 7.

Some quick reminders...

-Do you have a UMS athlete living under your roof? Get your athlete yard sign today!! Show your Tiger pride and support UMS Sports Boosters at the same time. The yard sign will be delivered directly to your home and installed. Order Your UMS Athlete Yard Sign Here

-Looking to show your UMS pride at upcoming sporting events. Check out the new Tiger gear here! Order UMS Spirit Wear Here

-The *NEW* UMS Store is available at bit.ly/umstigers. I am very hopeful that this version of the UMS Store is a bit more seamless for our UMS community. Feedback always welcome.

-We are looking for more lunchtime supervisors. It's just a half hour daily and is a paid position. You can sign up for one to five days a week - it's up to you! No experience necessary. If interested, please email Mrs. Mantell at mantellA@unionsd.org. Thank you!

-If you haven't purchase school pictures yet this year (retakes or otherwise), please consider doing so. All of the recent photo day portraits are now ready to view and order. To view your child's gallery,, click on the link provided and enter your child’s student ID number for their online code HERE. Questions? Contact Generations School Photography at: orders@gsp-photos.com.

-Our staff member profile this week is Carla Dunavan, one of our 7th grade English-Language Arts teachers at UMS. I hope you enjoy it!

Todd Feinberg, Principal

• November 11, 2024 - NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
• November 14, 2024 - Lockdown Drill
• November 18, 2024 - USD Board Meeting
• November 19, 2024 - November HSC Meeting @ UMS Teacher's Lounge (6:30pm)
• November 19, 2024 - Mid Quarter Reports - Check PowerSchool!
• November 19, 2024 - Special Assembly Tuesday (See Bell Schedule)
• November 25-29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
• December 5, 2024 - Winter Concert/Clubs/UMS Gym - (6:30-8:00pm)
• December 6, 2024 - 7th & 8th Grade Winter Dance @ UMS Gym (6-8pm)
• December 10, 2024 - Special Assembly Tuesday (See Bell Schedule)
• December 10, 2024 - Fire Drill
• December 13, 2024 - Girls Basketball Tryouts Begin (check sports website for more information)
• December 13, 2024 - Winter Concert/Bands/UMS Gym (6:30-8:00pm)
• December 16, 2024 - USD Board Meeting - UMS Presents!
• January 10, 2024 - UMS Reads - Library (6:00-7:15pm)
• January 13, 2024 - USD Board Meeting
• January 20, 2024 - Martin Luther King Jr Day - No School
• January 22, 2024 - HSC Meeting w/ Leigh Principal (8:30am-10:15am)
• January 29, 2024 - Fire Drill
• February 7, 2024 - 6th Grade Dance (4-6pm)
• February 14, 2024 - Earthquake Drill
• March 20, 2024 - Fire Drill
• April 17, 2024 - Earthquake Drill
• May 16, 2024 - Fire Drill
• June 2, 2024 - Earthquake Drill

Carla Dunavan has been at Union Middle School for the past 28 years. She currently serves as one of our 7th grade English-Language Arts teachers. She also teaches an elective called Design Thinking. Enjoy the following Q&A below as we get to meet Carla Dunavan!

How long have you been at UMS? What do you love about being an educator at UMS?I have been at UMS for 28 years. I love the life-long friendships I have built with colleagues. I believe we are a kind and welcoming staff that genuinely supports each other and helps each other to be our best selves.

What are you most proud of in your career so far? Inspiring former students to pursue a career as an ELA teacher.

What’s one thing on your bucket list? I love the show All Creatures Great and Small. I'd love to do a walking tour in the Yorkshire Dales where the veterinarian the show revolves around was based.

What's one thing your students don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out? I got suspended once in middle school. A group of neighborhood kids and I were throwing dirt clods at each other at recess/break. I accidentally picked up a chunk of concrete and hit one of the boys in the head. (He needed stitches.) For context, I won the softball throw that year (6th grade). I apparently had a decent arm and aim. 🤷🏻‍♀️ By the way, in-house suspension was a thing back in the day. They bused us to another MS for the day where we sat in an empty room with nothing on the walls. We sat there and weren't allowed to do anything. (Principal note - if you know Mrs. Dunavan, this story is absolutely mind-blowing and almost impossible to believe)

What are your words of wisdom? "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."

What is your favorite lesson/curriculum to teach each year? Why? I love teaching both ELA 7 and Design Thinking 7/8. One of my favorite units in Design Thinking is one I made based off of a John Spencer video called "Invent THAT Class!" (You know, the one you'd like to take.) I love seeing what the students feel should be another offering at UMS. I love that other teachers, staff, and admin. continue to come see the student presentations over the years. And, best of all--we literally have and continue to offer electives that students have pitched in this class. It's so empowering for students to have their voices heard like this.

What made you want to become a teacher? I loved my middle school and then junior and senior year high school English teachers and wanted to be just like them when I grew up. I also loved being in band, both in middle school and high school. I had to decide at some point which "kind" of teacher/credential path to pursue. But I knew either way, I wanted to help others love learning like I did when I was a student.

If you had to describe your classroom in just a few words/sentences, what would you say? Welcoming, organized, full of Squishmallows, student-centered.

What is the most challenging topic/lesson to teach? Why? Hmm. Probably theme. The concept is a difficult one to grasp. Themes can be abstract, there is not necessarily a right answer, it's based on what each individual brings to and takes from a story.

What's one instructional practice that you've adopted for your classroom that you now cannot live without? Socratic seminars are great. Whether they are discussions that are focused around a story, novel, or argumentative text, watching and listening to kids share their ideas and then build upon those of others is an incredible thing to be a part of!

What is Measure V?

Measure V is a local annual parcel tax measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot which would renew Measure B with a $52 increase, for a total of $148 per/parcel, for seven years. Measure V funding will be used to support students in grades TK-8 by maintaining high-quality educational programs, including math, reading, and writing, and hands-on science instruction, technology and engineering; attract and retain highly qualified teachers and instructional support staff; provide high quality programs in music, visual, and performing arts and more for a well-rounded education. Click here for more information.

What happens if Measure V does not pass?

Without the renewal of the Measure B funding and increase through Measure V on the November 5th ballot, some existing local school funding, about 1.3 million dollars will disappear from USD school budgets. Our local TK-8 schools will have to make cuts to academic programs and increase class sizes. USD depends on local revenue to supplement limited State funding. Renewing Measure B won’t address all funding needs, but it will help retain exceptional teachers and protect core programs.

Look for Measure V on the Ballot! Voter Registration Info available here.

UMS is partnering again with the Cupertino De Anza Lions Club in its community-based Thanksgiving Food Drive to provide 180 boxes filled with Thanksgiving food items and pantry staples for local families experiencing hunger or need this holiday season. Here is how you can help:

Donate non-perishable items. Please drop off donations of the following items to bins outside the office from November 12-22: 1) 1 lb bags of rice, 2) canned vegetables, 3) canned soup, 4) boxed mac and cheese, 5) peanut butter, 6) cranberry sauce, 7) pasta, 8) stuffing or 9) 1lb bags of dried beans.

Sponsor a Family. Our popular Sponsor a Family program is back this year, where for a $50 tax-deductible donation you can provide enough funds for us to create, assemble and deliver a large box of turkey, all the fixings and lots of staples that will feed a family of 4 for Thanksgiving dinner and to fill their pantry for the coming weeks.

Volunteer. We need volunteers for the weekend of the Food Drive, November 23-25. We will be outside Lunardi’s asking shoppers for donations and assembling and delivering boxes from our Cupertino headquarters. Supervised children are welcome. Please sign up here.

Thank you for your support in providing much-needed food items to local families this Thanksgiving. Questions? clairekalia at gmail dot com

A huge thank you from the clients and staff at Catholic Charities for the generous sock donations. When we delivered the donations, clients were already lining up to receive their new socks, and they were so glad to receive the simplest of things - a clean, new pair of socks as the weather gets colder.

Do you, or someone you know, have a business or organization and would like to support Union Middle School? We invite you to donate to the Union Middle School Home and School Club’s Community Sponsorship program. UMS Home & School Club is a registered charitable trust and a non-profit association under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Community Sponsors donate ONCE, and in exchange, receive visibility to the Union Middle School community. Sponsors receive recognition on our Home and School Club website, in our multiple Music programs throughout the year, our Drama production, our Dodgeball tournament, as well as our biggest community event, coming up in a few short weeks on October 25th, The Blast. To learn more and donate please go to www.unionhsc.org/community-sponsorships.html

There are many ways to get involved at Union Middle School. From leading Art Vistas lessons or helping at the Scholastic Book Fair to participating in fundraisers or supporting music, drama, or athletics, there’s definitely an opportunity to fit your schedule and interests. Sign up here: www.unionhsc.org/volunteer.html.

This year, our primary way to fundraise will be through the Annual Membership Drive. We rely on your generous donations to hit our fundraising goals. If your employer provides Corporate Matching, this is another way for you to double your donation and help support Union Middle School students, teachers, and school programs. Please follow the steps below and donate online today!

Donate online now: bit.ly/umstigers

Your HSC Membership donations support:

• HSC donates approximately $175 per student each year

• Art Vistas, Athletics, Music, Drama, Technology, and Cheer programs

• All of our teachers, who receive $500 each for teaching and classroom supplies, resources, and online education subscriptions

• Grants made available to faculty to fund one-time expenses

• A wide range of student resources and support programs including orientation for new 6th graders (WEB), mentoring, UMS Reads, and leadership training.

Donate online now: bit.ly/umstigers

Bridge the Gap is a principal discretionary fund that enables the principal and staff to provide the best possible educational experience for the students at Union Middle School. Your Bridge the Gap donations support:

• Teacher development and teacher recognition events

• Existing programs that may have been drastically cut or risk cancellation

• Student clubs and student recognition events.

You can easily double your donation via Corporate Matching. Find more information here: www.unionhsc.org/corporate-matching.html

All are welcome at our monthly HSC meetings. Visit the HSC website for updates and information all year long: www.unionhsc.org.

Our morning clinics have begun!

If your student needs extra support, homework help, and/or test preparation, our UMS clinics can help! Whether they are struggling with the curriculum or just want to sharpen their academic skills, our staff (and high school tutors) are ready to assist them. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these opportunities, available throughout the week. Students should arrive with work to do and/or questions to ask - Clinics aren't necessarily 1:1 tutoring; they're a place where students can get extra help with their academic questions.

Math Clinic: Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:05 am to 8:25 am in Room 3

ELA Clinic: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:05 to 8:25 am in Room 4

Science Clinic: Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:05 to 8:25 am in Room 30

Teacher Team Links included below and are available through Teams & Staff on our homepage (via unionms.unionsd.org). Your student should know which team they're on. And of course, please bookmark the below link for usage throughout the school year.

6th Grade Happy Campers

6th Grade Avengers

7th Grade Otters

7th Grade Firefly

8th Grade Mustangs

8th Grade Penguins

As the seasons progress, more information will be added for whatever after-school sports become available. Please visit the website for tryout information and other key topics. Questions: Mrs. Moore is our athletic director and is available to answer any questions not already shared on the UMS Athletics website.

Dale Jones, former Guadalupe principal and parenting guru, will lead a mini-parenting workshop series titled "Intentional Parenting". The second presentation will be on November 22nd at UMS.

Email: feinbergt@unionsd.org
Website: Unionms.Unionsd.org
Location: 2130 Los Gatos Almaden Road, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: (408) 371-0366
Twitter: @goteamums