2300 S. St. Paul St., Denver, CO 80210
720-424-3410
Principal
As we head into our winter break I want to take some time to reflect on all of the great things that have happened at UPark this school year. First and most importantly we have not had COVID disruptions! It was so great to actually see unmasked smiling faces on the first day of school. We also received news from the state that our school received an "exceeds" rating for both academic achievement and growth as measured by the state SPF!  

One very important word you see everywhere this time of year is joy and when you enter UPark you see that word defined in so many different ways. I see joy in classrooms when students are sharing their thinking with each other during a turn and talk. I feel the joy when a student stops me in the hall to tell me a joke. I see joy in our staff meetings when teachers are sharing student successes with colleagues. You can feel the joy on the blacktop every morning and afternoon as parents spend a little extra time enjoying each other's company while sending or picking up their kiddos. UPark is a truly joyful place for all! Have a wonderful break and we will see you in 2023! 
Eric Atonna
UPark Principal, Team 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)
  • If you would like a paper copy of your student's report card, please contact the main office.
Lost and Found
Are you missing a sweatshirt? A jacket? Maybe a lunchbox? Come check out the Lost and Found on the playground this week. There are tons of coats and other winter gear that your students may want over the winter break! Throughout the year, when we find lost items around the school, we always put them in this large bin, so be sure to check the bin often! 
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.
Get Your UPark Spirit Gear for the New Year!
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/
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
Winter Enrichment
Winter Session will begin the week of January 18th.

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.
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
UPark Owl Ticket Students
Congratulations to this 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 "UPARK" letters in our main hallway.
University Park Elementary Calendar

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

December 19-30: NO SCHOOL-Winter Break

January 2-3: NO SCHOOL-Winter Break
January 6-10: Vision and Hearing Screenings
January 16: NO SCHOOL-MLK Day
January 17: School Tours
January 19: School Tours
January 24: School Tours
January 28: School Tours-Open House