Table of Contents   
 principal
Principal 

You might have noticed that we've designated two sitting areas on our playground as "Buddy Benches". One is located on a small bench in the primary playground, the other is between the black top and the field. The way the buddy bench works is simple and is a great way to help make sure that everyone has someone to play with at recess. 
 
If you are sitting on the bench ...
You are looking for a friend. When someone asks you to play, join them, and always remember to glance over at the school's Buddy Bench to invite new friends to join in on the fun.
 
If you are not sitting on the bench ...
Ask your classmate on the buddy bench to play, and make a new friend today! Keep growing your circle of friends until everyone has someone to play with.


Please also be aware that I will be out for surgery from March 20-22nd. Elizabeth Tencate, a principal mentor with the district, will be here during my absence. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
 
Principal
Team UPark
720.424.3410


pta
PTA News

Please join us Tuesday, March 12th at 6pm for our 
PTA meeting.   We have invited special speaker Susan Westhof from JeffCo Public Health to speak on the youth tobacco crisis in Colorado.  Please RSVP here . Please note we will be voting on updating the budget for the Auction. 

Save the date for Classroom Clean Up Saturday May 4th!

artshow
3rd-5th Grade Art Show Tonight!

The opening reception of our second UPark art show is tonight, Thursday, March 7th, from 3:50 to 5:00. We will celebrate the talent of students in grade 3, 4 and 5! If you'd like to help prepare artwork or hang the show, please email art teacher Carol Redmond at  carol_redmond@dpsk12.org. Thank you to all for providing strong support for the arts in our community!

bookfair
The UPark Spring Book Fair is Coming Soon!

Join us for the UPark Spring Book fair March 11th through March 13th to browse  all the latest titles from Scholastic Books, just in time for spring break reading. The hours each day will be from 8:00-9:00am and 3:45-5:30pm. Also, check out Scholastic's new Book Fair e-Wallet which makes online shopping a breeze. Click  here to see details, and to shop online. 

Volunteers are also needed! Sign-up here to help be a part of the University Park Book Fair!

picture
Class Pictures

Class picture day is Tuesday, March 19th. Order envelopes will be coming home in Thursday folders today. Please return them to your classroom teacher no later than picture day (March 19th).

UPark needs your help to ensure this day runs smoothly! Two adults are needed for a morning shift (9am-noon) and two for an afternoon shift (noon-3pm). Volunteers will be helping line kids up for photos and help the photographers and teachers with other tasks as needed. Each volunteer will also receive a voucher for their photo order. Please email Alexis Matter and Candace Kristensson if you are able to volunteer on the 19th.

auction
Auction Tickets on Sale Now!

We are thrilled to announce that 2019 UPark Auction tickets are ON SALE NOW!!! Lights, Camera, AUCTION! will take place at Archetype Distillery on Saturday April 6th, 2019. This year's event is all new with lots of fun and surprises for all. We have a full program for the night including dinner and LIVE Auction! Following the program there will be DJ and dancing until 11pm. Food, fun and unlimited beverages are included with your $60 ticket. Join us for an amazing night out in support of our school. 

Click here to purchase your tickets!  

University Park prides itself on only hosting two fundraisers per year. Our goal is to raise $77,000 with the auction this year. All of the proceeds will go towards 2.5 homeroom teacher salaries to help maintain our small classroom sizes. However, the success of the auction is only possible with the support of the community. We have spots for sponsors and are still looking for wine bottles valued over $20. Please contact   auction@uparkelementary.org for more information!

backpack
UPark Backpack Program Volunteer Day

The Backpack Program Volunteer Day at Food Bank of the Rockies is Saturday May 11th  from 12:15-3:30! We are looking for 20 people to volunteer in support of our UPark Backpack food bank program. You can sign up to   volunteer here . For each person who works the 3 hour shift, Food Band of the Rockies will donate 20 pounds of food to our Backpack Program.

semantics
Semantics Team Update               

What a season of spelling and success! Our Semantics Team wrapped up their final team competition on Saturday, February 16th at the DPS Written Spelling Contest! Over 300 students from elementary through eighth grade competed in an 85 word written spelling test and 20 word vocabulary test. Students spelled words such as fuchsia, mycophile, junta, bibliothercarial, distraught, shriek and more! Personal and team goals were met and one of our team members placed in the Top 34 in the DISTRICT! Third grader Luke Y earned a spot in the final district spelling event of the year - the DPS City Orals District Spelling Bee held last Thursday at Hamilton Middle School.  Luke was the youngest competitor of the afternoon and earned NINTH PLACE! Congratulations to our whole team of spellers - Team UPark!  Mrs. Wise, Semantics Coach

NC
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION:   Fee-based summer camp registration opened on February 5th and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you have any questions about summer camp, please reach out to the   Discovery Link office   as they're in charge of enrollments! Camp will not be held at U-Park for summer. Click  here  to register.
Spring Break   will be 3/25 - 3/28 at various neighborhood schools. All sites are closed on 3/29. There will be no camp at U-Park over break. For information on how to register and to see which sites are hosting, please click here.

Spring Enrichment has started! Please help remind your children of their after school classes. Teachers were given rosters of what classroom each student will go to after school.

U-Park's Annual Golf Tournament is coming up!  For more information click
here.  Contact   austin_hachmeister@dpsk12.org   or   jesse_broadfoot@dpsk12.org   with questions.

calendar
University Park Elementary Calendar

Click on the calendar icon to the right, look below, or visit the  University Park Website to access calendar information!











owlticket
UPark Owl Ticket Students 
Trait of the Month (March): Responsibility

Congratulations to last week's Owl Ticket students! They were recognized by their teachers for above and beyond positive behavior. 


  
Owl Tickets are given to students for going above and beyond in one of our five core values: caring, cooperation, responsibility, respect and joy. Owl Tickets focus on the school's trait of the month, give students a chance to participate in the weekly "Owl Tickets" photo and will be posted on the new "UPARK" letters in our main hallway.

*At the end of each month we will be donating all clothing in the lost and found and anything left in the halls.
Thursday Extras
This is where you will find a list of flyers that DPS or approved organizations have asked we pass out to our community.  Simply click on the flyer name to view in its entirety.  Please ask the office staff if you need a paper copy.


Quick Links


Looking Ahead:

March 7: 3rd-5th Grade Student Art Show
March 11-13: Book Fair
March 12: PTA Meeting
March 13: 2nd Grade Field Trip
March 19: Class Picture Day
March 25-29: NO SCHOOL

April 2-4: CMAS Testing (3rd-5th)
April 6: UPark Auction
April 9: PTA Meeting
April 9-11: CMAS Testing (3rd-5th)
April 16-18: CMAS Testing (4th and 5th)
April 19: 2nd/3rd Golf Field Trip
April 23: KG Field Trip
April 23: Shakespeare Night (5th)
April 25: Intermediate Band Field Trip
April 25: 1st Grade Field Trip
April 25: Beginning Band Coffee House
April 26: Shakespeare Festival
April 29: NO SCHOOL

May 1: Balarat (Smith/Wilson)
May 2: Intermediate Band Coffee House
May 4: UPark Classroom Clean-Up Day
May 8: Staff Luncheon
May 9: Health Fair
May 11: Golf Tournament
May 14: Band Concert
May 14: PTA Meeting
May 15: Balarat (Jackett)
May 17: Field Day
May 27: NO SCHOOL
May 29: 5th Grade Field Trip
May 30: 5th Grade Continuation
May 31: Kindergarten Bridging
May 31: Last Day of School (half day)
Click here for past newsletters.