2300 S. St. Paul St., Denver, CO 80210
720-424-3410
Principal
Sustainable Decoration Challenge

It's back! December 7th -16th all UPark Students are invited to create a hanging winter decoration with the theme of a UPark Owl, Earth, Tree, or "Each One - Teach One" by reusing or repurposing materials and items found in and around their homes. Check your junk drawer and recycling bins! You cannot BUY anything for this challenge, and we encourage kids to think outside the box (e.g., buttons for eyes even though you've got googly eyes in your craft bin). students will hang their decorations up by the front office and use the labels provided to include their name and room number. Prizes will be awarded based on the theme, creativity, materials used, etc. 

If you need some supplies for the challenge, Green Team will host a one-time supply pickup of materials they've collected on Thursday, December 8th at 3:20 by the Ladybug outside of Room 116 (near the younger kid's playground).
Eric Atonna
UPark Principal, Team UPark
PTA
Join Us for the December PTA Meeting- Tuesday, December 13th at 6pm

Please join us for the December PTA meeting on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:00 pm. Join us virtually in the Art Room or remotely via zoom following the link below. 


Meeting ID: 886 6744 6719
Passcode: 595144
Pay it Forward: Contribute to our Caring Community!
Dear UPark Families, 

Join us in donating Target gift cards to the annual UPark Pay it Forward seasonal giving program to support UPark community members! Families receiving the gift cards appreciate the opportunity to shop for their children, and it is easy for donors to participate!

If you would like to participate in the Pay it Forward program, we ask that you do so by purchasing a gift card to Target in an amount that is comfortable for you and your family. If that amount is over $25, we ask that the additional amount be put on separate cards for ease of distribution (For example: If you would like to donate $50, purchase 2 gift cards with $25 on each card). You can purchase cards in one of two ways:
  • Purchase Target gift cards online and email card details to alexis_matter@dpsk12.org. *If you send a gift card via email, please call or email the main office to confirm receipt of your gift card at alexis_matter@dpsk12.org or 720-424-3410.
  • Purchase physical Target gift cards and drop off at the UPark main office by ringing the bell at the main entrance.

The deadline to turn in donated gift cards is Monday, December 12th. 

Thank you in advance for giving what you can. Your generosity will make this season brighter, and bring joy to others in our UPark community! 

If your family would benefit from receiving gift cards this year please fill out this Google Form or call the main office at 720-424-3410. Please let us know no later than December 12th. We will then be in touch to discuss gift card distribution. 

*Target often has their gift card deal the first or second weekend in December. Check out their website this weekend to potentially save 10% on Target gift cards!

May you and your loved ones share a warm and wonderful holiday season! 

Please also check out these resources available throughout the city and county of Denver for families who may require additional support. Please see a list of resources, as well as links to their websites and further information below.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Art Show and Performances
All Kindergarten and 1st Grade Students and Families, please join us on Thursday, December 8th in the hallway outside the gym for a visual arts show and in the auditorium for our dance performances and The Big Chill musical! The live auditorium performance schedule will be as follows:

5:00-5:30 p.m. Ms. Cardenas' and Ms. Bohcali's Classes
5:45-6:15 p.m. Ms. Laurent's and Ms. Gutierrez's Classes
6:30-7:00 p.m. Ms. Gilmore's and Ms. Hale's Classes 

(Ms. Morof's students will appear with whichever Kindergarten or 1st Grade class they attend Specials with during the school day.)

Please stay tuned for more specifics to be communicated by your student's homeroom teacher. We can't wait to see you all on December 8th and we appreciate your support of arts education at UPark!
Trimester 1 Report Cards Available
Report cards are now available in Parent Portal. To access report cards, follow the steps below.
  • Log in to the Parent Portal at https://myportal.dpsk12.org/
  • Grades will appear on the home screen after log in
  • The drop down next to "Student Performance" needs to be changed from T2 to T1 to view this past trimester's grades 
  • To view more details click on the "Report Card Key" and the "Full Report Card" link and change from T2 to T1
  • To view teacher comments view this video for instructions (video link can also be found in the Portal in the full report card section)
DPS Student Health Screenings
Denver Public Schools provides free vision, hearing, and dental screenings for all students in identified grades (Early Childhood Education, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th).

The screenings are NOT an assessment or an evaluation and do NOT replace professional exams. Mass screening is considered best practice to identify students who may be at risk for health concerns affecting the student’s ability to learn, and who may need extra support to reach academic benchmarks.

Your student will receive screenings in the following areas:
Vision, Hearing, and Dental. Resources are available for DPS enrolled students.

You must notify your school nurse directly should you wish to REFUSE/OPT OUT of any of the free screenings for your student.

The health screening components of vision and hearing will be completed at your child’s school on: 

Dates: January 6th, 9th and 10th 

Please contact your school nurse for any questions or concerns about the health screenings. Parents/guardians of students who were absent or who did not have optimal hearing, vision or dental screening results will be notified in writing regarding the results. 

Thank you for your assistance as we work together to educate and support your student!

Sincerely,
School Nurse: Sydney Olson, RN
School Nurse Direct phone number: 720-424-3415
School Nurse E-mail: sydney_olson@dpsk12.net

Help Us Support a UPark Family
With the permission of his parents we want to share that Sevyn Garner, one of our amazing 4th graders, has been fighting a very serious bacterial infection and as a result has suffered a complete loss of hearing. We have asked the family how our community can best support them during this difficult time and they shared this Meal Train that was started by friends of theirs. If you are able to share a meal or donate a gift card through the link above the Garner family would truly appreciate the love and support of our incredible UPark community.

We are sending all our love to Sevyn, his younger sister Nyla (UPark 1st grader) and the whole family.
UPark is Hiring!
UPark is currently hiring for Paraprofessionals! If you or anyone you know might be interested in working at UPark, check out the job descriptions on the DPS Job Board here. To find our specific position descriptions and applications you can search for University Park in the "School or Building" field. Please let us know if you plan to apply or if have any questions!
Donate Your Child's Outgrown Clothing!
UPark is looking for clothing that your child has grown out of, specifically pants and leggings! When students get wet or muddy we have extra clothing in the office that students can change into. That supply has dwindled and we are looking for any outgrow clothing that you might be able to donate to the school. We are in need of pants and leggings, but will take any article of clothing that you are ready to part with. Drop your donations off at the main office anytime between 8 and 4. Thank you so much!
Winter Enrichment Registration is Open
Fall Enrichments End Next Week (12/6-12/9)
Fall Enrichment Ends Soon!
The current enrichment session will end next week (12/5-12/9). There are a couple that end earlier so please review your enrichment confirmation email from the beginning of the session or check last sessions enrichment brochure here.

Winter Enrichment
Winter Session Begins AFTER Winter Break
Our Winter Enrichment Session is just around the corner and we are happy to share the 2023 Winter Brochure with all of you! Registration will be from November 21st at 6am until December 8th at 10pm. Please ensure you are updating your student’s profile with all important information, phone numbers and grade level.

If you have any questions, please email enrichment_extendedlearning@dpsk12.org. When you email, please provide your school, student’s name, and all relevant information.

For information on how to register, please read this document (English and Spanish) in full.

Limited Scholarship are available. Please reach out to the UPark office at 720-424-3410 or email Joie Cohen at joie_cohen@dpsk12.org if you would like to request one.
Drop-off and Pick-up Safety Protocols
Please remember that the safety of our students and staff are top priority at UPark. The following guidelines are intended to reduce traffic safety issues and keep our students, staff and family members healthy and safe.
  • No student drop off or pick up in the staff parking lot! This poses a huge safety concern with cars backing up during busy times on our school grounds.
  • When coming to school from the Iliff side of the building, walk on the sidewalk on the West side of the staff parking lot, not through the parking lot.
  • Do not park in the staff parking lot at any time. Teachers are having to park on the street due to community members parking in the lot.
  • These guidelines also apply to Discovery Link and Enrichment pick-up and drop-off as it can be a busy and dangerous time in the parking lot.
  • Please utilize the Kiss and Go lane to streamline student arrival and keep people safe.
  • Do not cut out of the Kiss and Go lane before or after dropping students off as this can and has created traffic congestion and car accidents.
  • Try to avoid driving South down St. Paul Street during arrival to minimize traffic congestion.
  • Use crosswalks when crossing any street around the school building

In addition, please send your student to school with weather appropriate clothing during cold months. Coats, hats and gloves are helpful for outside recess and snow boots can keep feet dry and warm when there is snow or slush on the ground. On snowy days, send students with an easy pair of shoes to change into after being outside.
Holiday Cards and Gifts from Minted
Order holiday cards and gifts from Minted! You save 20% and Minted donates 15% to UPark! Code: FUNDRAISEUPESDENVER is valid year round!
Prospective Family School Tours
Our amazing PTA has begun giving prospective families tours of UPark. If you have friends or neighbors that are looking for an outstanding school for their kiddos let them know about our school tours. See the dates below and visit the UPark Tour webpage for more details.
  • Tuesday, December 13th at 9am and 2pm
  • Tuesday, January 17th at 9am and 2pm
  • Thursday, January 19th at 9am and 2pm
  • Tuesday, January 24th at 9am and 2pm
  • OPEN HOUSE Saturday, January 28th 10am-noon
  • Monday, February 13th at 9am
Get Your UPark Spirit Gear!
Are you looking for fun gifts for your kiddos? Are you looking for ways to show your UPark spirit? Shop for UPark gear at our online store! Check it out here: https://upark.dpsk12.org/info-for-families/spirit-gear/
University Park Elementary Calendar

To access additional calendar information click here or visit the calendar link on the University Park Website.
Looking Ahead

December 8: Kindergarten/1st Grade Art Show and Performances
December 12: Pay it Forward Gift Card Donation Deadline
December 13: School Tours
December 13: CSC Meeting
December 13: PTA Meeting
December 19-30: NO SCHOOL-Winter Break

January 2-3: NO SCHOOL-Winter Break
January 16: NO SCHOOL-MLK Day
January 17: School Tours
January 19: School Tours
January 24: School Tours
January 28: School Tours-Open House