Union Middle Weekly Update V5.15!

Hello Union Middle School Families,

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving break. For me personally, it was nice to have a full week to refresh and prepare for the upcoming three weeks prior to our Winter break.

Here are some announcements and reminders...

DANCE THIS FRIDAY - We are looking for a few parent volunteers for the upcoming 7th & 8th grade UMS dance this Friday on December 6th. If you are interested in chaperoning the upcoming UMS dance, please sign up HERE. If you are selected by Mrs. Utley, she will reach out to confirm your availability. As always, students will need to turn in a dance permission form when buying a ticket to attend Friday's dance - paper copies available in the office. Tickets are on sale at lunch this week at the student store.

YEARBOOK AD DEADLINE - 8th Grade Families... the deadline to purchase an ad for your promoting student in the 2024-25 UMS Yearbook is TOMORROW. Here is a link with all of the information. Please ping Catie Wilcox (wilcoxc@unionsd.org) if you have any questions. Please note that this is for 8th grade families only.

YEARBOOK LAST CHANCE PURCHASE - Also, for all families, if you had not ordered a yearbook yet, you received a separate message on how to do so, as we have re-added the yearbook (sans the "kit" items) to our student store for the school days between Thanksgiving and the winter break. This will likely be your last chance to order a yearbook for 2024-25 as we are nearing the end of our print run based on yearbooks already sold.

PRIVATE SCHOOL INFO - If you have a student applying to private schools for 9th grade, please do review these suggestions from our counselors' website. Our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for our 8th grade families as it can get a bit confusing throughout.

INTRO TO USD PRESO (for non-usd families only) - If you know of families who do not currently attend USD schools but are planning on registering to attend UMS in the fall, please let them know that each USD school is holding an "intro to USD" in-person presentation. Union Middle School is holding ours on January 23rd at UMS from 9:00-10:00 am. Please note that this presentation is only for Families who do not attend USD schools. The link for our New to USD families to RSVP for this event is: bit.ly/New-to-USD-Preso. For those families with students already attending USD schools, we will be holding your 5th grade parent night on the third Tuesday of May, the same day of the 5th grade walking field trip. Thank you for your assistance and understanding.

Some quick reminders...

-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.

-Our staff member profile this week is Lia Milhoan, one of our 8th grade Social Studies (& PE) teachers at UMS. I hope you enjoy it!

Todd Feinberg, Principal

• December 1, 2024 - Shrek the Musical Registration closes @ 10 pm!
• December 2, 2024 - Shrek the Musical Auditions begin!
• 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
• December 13, 2024 - Winter Concert/Bands/UMS Gym (6:30-8:00pm)
• December 16, 2024 - USD Board Meeting - UMS Presents!
• January 6, 2024 - Shrek the Musical Rehearsals begin
• 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 23, 2024 - Presentation @ UMS for New-to-USD Families (9:00am-10:00am)
• January 29, 2024 - Fire Drill
• February 7, 2024 - 6th Grade Dance (4-6pm)
• February 14, 2024 - Earthquake Drill
• March 20, 2024 - Fire Drill
• March 28, 2024 - UMS-DMS Spirit Game @ Branham
• April 17, 2024 - Earthquake Drill
• April 25-27, 2024 - Shrek the Musical Performances!
• May 16, 2024 - Fire Drill
• June 2, 2024 - Earthquake Drill

This is Ms. Lia Milhoan's 15th (and if you count student teaching, 16th) year at Union Middle School. She currently serves as one of our 8th grade Social Studies teachers. Lia also teaches one class of PE during 6th period. Enjoy the following Q&A below as we get to meet Lia!

What, if anything, are you currently binge-watching? Or reading? I am reading the Thursday Murder Club mystery series.

What's one thing your students don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out? I graduated from the San Jose Police Academy.

What are your words of wisdom? Difficult experiences can help you grow.

What is your favorite lesson/curriculum to teach each year? Why? I love the "Where Would You Settle?" lesson from early in the year. Students are presented with a number of slides, with each slide showing a different geographic feature (coastline, rivers, vegetation, etc.). In each scenario, they work with a group to determine the most successful location for settlement. I love this activity because it has high engagement and every student can easily participate. It is exciting to hear their thinking process and watch each group reason with each other.

What made you want to become a teacher? My parents have both worked in education and I was fortunate to have outstanding teachers throughout my schooling who inspired me. Through working in the SJPD, I came into contact with numerous people, mostly juveniles, whose access to society was limited by a lack of education/connection to school. Without basic literacy skills, access to jobs was limited, leading to illegal means of acquiring resources. Many of the juveniles lacked an active adult in their lives. I felt I could make a bigger difference in society by being a caring adult for students. Hopefully, through connection and education, more young people will be able to achieve financial stability, provide for their basic needs and fulfill civic responsibilities.

What is the most challenging topic/lesson to teach? Why? I think one of the most challenging lessons to teach is the Constitutional Convention. The compromises that come out of this convention are foundational to American government. However, it is nuanced information and the context is unfamiliar to 13 and 14 year olds. It is challenging to help students see the relevance and make a connection their lives.

Explain why your subject is important for your students to learn. How will they use this information in their future / "real world"? Social studies is vital for developing active, participatory citizens. As Lincoln so eloquently stated in his Gettysburg Address, we strive for, "government of the people, by the people, for the people." This requires citizens to see the value of their voice and to exercise their rights. Social studies helps students learn from the past and see how events, actions and people before them shape their present world. A sense of civic virtue encourages students to think beyond their own needs and to also consider what actions might serve the public good.

What's one instructional practice that you've adopted for your classroom that you now cannot live without? Games! Personally, I love games and trivia. I love to incorporate game review into my classes regularly. I like the energy games bring and the opportunities for team building.

We are in need of parent volunteers for Art Vistas for Ms. Wilcox's 7th grade Social Studies classes in Room 17. Without your help, these students will miss out on an enriching and fun lesson that ties art into what your child is currently learning in social studies. No experience or artistic ability is required, and you will be trained on what to do.

The lesson on 12/12 involves showing African artifacts with the class. The times needed are:

12/12 Period 1 8:30 am - 9:25 am

12/12 Period 5 1:02 pm - 1:54 pm

12/12 Period 6 1:58 pm - 2:50 pm

The lesson on 12/13 involves teaching the students how to do a simple weaving with yarn on a cardboard loom. The time needed is:

12/13 p.5 1:02pm - 1:54 pm

Please contact Majken Bullard with any questions or for sign up information at majken.bullard@gmail.com.

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

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

We have a NEW location for UMS Athletics: bit.ly/unionathletics!

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.

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