Welcome to the Union Elementary Wise Owl! We hope that you enjoy this new way of learning what's going on at UES! If you'd like to have the Wise Owl sent to you, please send your email address to chrish@mpsvt.org. I'll be updating the Owl at least once a week with both news and celebrations, and I'd love to be able to send it directly to you if
that's what you'd like. Here are some very important updates that you’ll need to know:
that's what you'd like. Here are some very important updates that you’ll need to know:
NEW SECURITY SYSTEM AT UES! Beginning on the morning of Monday, December 2, the UES community will enter a new era of security and safety as we continue to do our best to keep our children and staff safe. Faculty and staff will be issued photo ID cards today, and these cards will each have a chip embedded in them allowing entry into the building. Keys will no longer be necessary.
Exterior doors will now be locked at all times before, during, and after school. Guests visiting UES will now enter the building through the main, front entrance using a video/buzzer system linked to the front office. Upon entry, guests (parents, contractors, etc.) will sign in at the front office and be given a guest ID pass. From December 2 on, all faculty, staff, and guests must have an ID or guest pass visible at all times while in the building. If you don't have an ID and are in the building, an adult (or maybe even a student!) will ask you to return to the office to get one.
We fully recognize that this is an entirely new way of allowing access to our school for the community, but we hope that you can all understand that these changes need to happen. As we all get used to this new system in the coming weeks, we welcome your questions, suggestions, and feedback. Please let us know what you think!
SCHOOL EXPERIENCE SURVEY: In an effort to get more feedback from UES families, we've put out a School Experience Survey on our website. The survey will only take a few moments to fill out, so please look at it when you have a chance. We really want to know how you think we're doing!
NOVEMBER ASSEMBLIES: RESPONSIBILITY! If you happened to stop by our assemblies before or after your Thanksgiving lunch last week, you got to see quite a show! Ms. Kelley's class had the task of putting together a show with the theme of Responsibility, and did they ever come through! The students presented a well rehearsed and planned out show that was both informational and entertaining. Outstanding job!
Please check out the Wise Owl Blog on the UES website to see some great photos from the assemblies!
8:00 START TIME: With the cold weather and new security system going into effect after Thanksgiving, we think it's a good time to remind the community that Union Elementary does not open its doors until 8:00. As of December 2, the doors to the school will be locked and staff will not be available until that hour, so it's very important to make sure your child isn't dropped off before that time. Adult supervision inside and out will begin at 8:00 in the cafeteria for those who want breakfast, the playground, and "Quiet Start" in the library (which is limited to the first 40 students who choose to go to the library). The bell rings at 8:20 for the official start to the day. The half hour between 7:30 and 8:00 is always busy for our faculty and staff preparing the day and participating in meetings, so we really appreciate all of your cooperation with this! Please let me know if you have any questions.
