Union Middle Weekly Update V5.07!

Hello Union Middle School Families,

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to a busy yet fun October here at Union Middle. Next week's newsletter will have a lengthy preview of some of our upcoming events at Union Middle School. It's going to be an exciting month!

I shared information regarding the new UMS store a few days ago. I hope it provides a better customer experience than the previous version. It's available at bit.ly/umstigers - please bookmark this link now as you'll likely need it in the future. :)

Last Friday, we held our monthly emergency safety drill. Every month we hold a drill, varying between earthquake, fire, shelter-in-place, and run/hide/defend drills. We recognize that these drills can be alarming for some of our students, even as we highlight in advance that these are just drills. The purpose of the drills is so that everyone on campus knows how to respond quickly and calmly in the event of an actual emergency.

It goes without saying that we take the safety of our students, staff, and visitors on our school sites very seriously. We have a very detailed Comprehensive Safety Plan that details what practices are in place for these varied emergency situations. Additionally, UMS works closely with experienced safety consultants who provide feedback and training during these safety drills.

This past Friday, ics4schools (ICS) was present during our fire drill to offer a thorough review of what went well and what needs to be tightened up. With the assistance of ICS, we regularly review all facets of our Incident Command System to ensure our safety plans are implemented with fidelity to ensure the safety of our students and staff on the UMS campus. We also partner with the San Jose Police Department to review and practice our Emergency Evacuation Drills.

I've added the remainder of the school year's drills to our calendar below. If you ever have any questions about these drills and/or concerns about the safety of your student at Union Middle School, please reach out so we can assist. I recognize the trust you place in our hands by sending your student(s) to school each day - thank you for partnering with us to ensure the safety of all of our UMS community members.

Speaking of the safety of our students, I want to remind our families to be extra careful and safe when transporting their students to and from school. Regardless of where you are traveling each morning to drop of your student (whether it is on Pinehurst, Rosswood, Taft, or any other local neighborhood), please be aware that you are traveling through neighborhoods of our local UMS community residents and need to do so in a safe manner, abiding by all local traffic laws and expectations. At no point should any car transporting a UMS student be speeding, blocking a driveway, or anything else that may interfere with the safety of our students and UMS community. We know that there is a rush to get your student to school; however, we need to ensure that they arrive safely therein and appreciate your help in doing so. Thank you for your support.

Some quick reminders...

-Deadline to sign up for the 2024-25 8th grade DC trip (which is not affiliated nor sponsored by UMS/USD) is October 15, 2024. If you would like details, please contact the DC Trip Organizer at: umsdctrip@gmail.com and/or visit the DC Trip Website at bit.ly/dcwebsite25.

-Tryouts are starting! Please visit the athletics website (bit.ly/unionathletics) to stay updated!

-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!

-Our staff member profile this week is Mrs. Liz Froemming, one of our 8th grade ELA teachers. I hope you enjoy it!

Todd Feinberg, Principal

• September 30, 2024 - Tentative Start Date for Wrestling (3 pm Cafeteria)
• October 4, 2024 - NO SCHOOL
• October 7, 2024 - Spelling Bee @ Lunch (All Week)
• October 8, 2024 - Special Assembly Tuesday (See Bell Schedule)
• October 14, 2024 - Girl Soccer Tryouts Begin (check sports website for more information)
• October 14, 2024 - Boys Volleyball Tryouts Begin (check sports website for more information)
• October 17, 2024 - Earthquake Drill
• October 18, 2024 - UMS Games @ UMS Library (6-7:15pm)
• October 21, 2024 - UMS Book Fair Begins!
• October 22, 2024 - Special Assembly Tuesday (See Bell Schedule)
• October 22, 2024 - October HSC Meeting @ UMS Library (8:45-10:15am)
• October 23, 2024 (tentative) - Quality Quad Time @ Lunch (more info to come)
• October 25, 2024 - UMS BLAST - More info to come!
• October 29, 2024 - Halloween Concert @ UMS Quad (6:30-8pm) TENTATIVE DATE
• November 1, 2024 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Staff Professional Development Day
• November 11, 2024 - NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
• November 14, 2024 - Fire Drill
• November 18, 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 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)
• January 29, 2024 - Lockdown Drill
• 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

Mrs. Liz Froemming has been at Union Middle School for the past 13years. She currently teachers 86th grade ELA.. Enjoy the following Q&A below as we get to meet Liz Froemming!

How long have you been at UMS? What do you love about being an educator at UMS? I've been at UMS for the past 13 years. I love the community here. I feel lucky to teach in a supportive community and to have inspiring colleagues.

What's one thing your students don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out?

I like to get up early and go for a run before school starts.

What, if anything, are you currently binge-watching? Or reading? I'm waiting for the next season of the Great British Bake Off and for the next season of All Creatures Great and Small. I'm usually reading 3-4 books at a time, depending on what my mood is at the moment. There's usually something nonfiction, a lighter mystery, and something literary.

What are your words of wisdom? "Begin Anyhow" - often we wait for inspiration or a perfect time to do something, and then it just keeps getting put off. Even if you're not sure, just get started.

What makes you proud to be a UMS tiger? Our positive school culture.

Explain why your subject is important for your students to learn. How will they use this information in their future / "real world"? The goal of ELA is to help you read critically, write effectively, and speak clearly. No matter what subject area you study, you'll be able to use those skills. We also hope you'll apply those skills in your own life when taking in the world around you.

What made you want to become a teacher? I like working with people, and being a teacher is never boring. Every day is brings a new challenge.

You are invited to the biggest UMS event of the year: the annual UMS BLAST! Sponsored by the UMS Home & School Club, the annual UMS BLAST provides a chance for the whole family to join for this community event; enjoy the food, games, prizes, photo booth, DJ, inflatables, and more! This year the theme is DISCO, so bust out your best disco outfit and accessories and have a BLAST on the UMS quad! To check out more info about the event and to sign up for donations and volunteering, visit the UMS HSC Blast website!

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.

​It will be 40 years since 8 parents at Alta Vista Elementary school got together and started the Art Vistas program for their students. For almost 40 years, we've delivered the finest art education to Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms in Union School District and beyond, exposing students to art history and technique, bringing the joy of art and growing creative confidence in children, everywhere.

40th Anniversary Gala - Support Art Vistas with a fun night out!

Date/Time: Saturday, October 12th, 2024 6pm - 9pm
Location: The San Jose Clubhouse/We and Our Neighbors
Address: 15480 Union Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124

The Gala will include:

• Appetizers, drinks and adult beverages
• Stand-up comedy featuring local comedians, with headliner Kathy Guest
• Art-themed trivia, silent auction and more....

Purchase your tickets HERE.

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.

USD is seeking qualified, interested individuals to serve on a committee of community leaders which will serve as the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (“COC”) for the implementation of the District’s Measure J and Measure R school facilities and technology bond program. COC members are appointed to two-year terms, and the time commitment is approximately one hour per quarter.

The vacancies are currently in the role of:

• Business Representative - Active in a business organization representing local business

• Taxpayer Organization Member - Active in a bona fide taxpayers’ association.

If you are interested in serving, applications are available here.

We are actively seeking parents to join the District's Wellness Committee. This committee will meet monthly to review and provide valuable feedback on the District's initiatives to support student wellness through various areas: including health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and a safe and healthy school environment. If you are interested in joining the District’s Wellness Committee please contact Rachel Duncan at duncanr@unionsd.org.

he Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program is hosting two engaging and informative evenings, packed with tips on talking to your teens about vaping, cannabis, and tobacco. Available in both English and Spanish, you’ll leave with the knowledge and resources to guide your family towards a safer, healthier future.

When & Where:

• Thursday, October 24 | 6-7:30 PM
  1290 Ridder Park San Jose, CA 95131
  (English: Oak Grove Room | Spanish: Milpitas Room)

Registration: sccoe.to/parentsRP

• Tuesday, October 29 | 6-7:30 PM
  South County Annex Gilroy, CA 95020
  (English: Conference Room | Spanish: Multi-Purpose Room)

Registration: sccoe.to/parentSCA

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