Table of Contents  
 principal
Principal

Hello UPark Families,

I want to invite all students to join me for morning announcements at 8:55 starting on our first day of school Monday using the Google Meet code upark-announcements. This code will also be linked in each classroom Seesaw page. You probably all know that I'm not very funny on my own, so i need to have students writing my material for me! Please bookmark THIS google form and submit those funny jokes for me to include in my morning announcements. I will also be sharing staff and student birthdays and other fun information daily during these announcements. 

We can't wait for this remote boat to set sail on Monday!

Click here to view the daily learning schedule for UPark students. You can also view the answers to the questions you have submitted here and view the recorded Back to School Q and A meeting here. 

Also, the last day to complete your Annual Family Update is tomorrow, August 21st. Annual Family Update is required for all families each year. Please make sure to complete this process by tomorrow. Reach out to Alexis or Sharon with questions. 

Thank you,
  
Principal
Team UPark

Click here to submit your jokes!
 
AFU
Complete Your Annual Family Update Now!
Closes Tomorrow!

Please complete your Annual Family Update as soon as possible to ensure that we have your registration details! Go to http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/ to get started. 

ALL FAMILIES must update student information before school starts each year through Annual Family Update. This year you will also choose whether your student is in a virtual program or in-person learning as conditions allow after October 16th. As stated in Superintendent Cordova's communication yesterday families will be able to change their enrollment decision into early fall. 

At this time if you would like your student to return to in-person learning as soon as it's available, please select the in-person learning option. If you're certain that you won't feel comfortable having your student participate in in-person learning for the fall semester (December 2020), please select the 100% virtual learning option. Please note that we are still confirming details of this process change and will share more information soon. Families who enroll in the Virtual Program will keep their enrollment slot at UPark.

Also note that due to COVID-19 there will be no in-person registration. All families (for new and returning students) must complete Annual Family Update online this year. Please reach out to Alexis Matter and Sharon Rusin if you need support with this process.

To complete Annual Family Update, you must have an active DPS Parent Portal account. 
Create or log into your Parent Portal Account here. If you do not know your student ID # you can find it here.

For FAQs and step by step instructions click here.
earlybird
Did you Complete Early Bird Annual Family Update in May? Addendum Required!
Due No Later Than August 21st

If you verified your family's information during the "Early Bird" Annual Family Update window this past May we want to collect your preference on the Learning Options (in-person/hybrid as conditions allow or 100% virtual) that will be offered to students this upcoming school year. An updated addendum form has been linked below with current language around the ability to change your choice. If you already filled the previous addendum out you do not need to re-send this updated one.

Download the UPDATED form HERE, fill it out and email it to Sharon Rusin at sharon_rusin@dpsk12.org.

**NEW! You can now complete your learning selection digitally in Parent Portal! Log into your portal account and you should find a digital "Learning Option Change Form" on your homepage. If you make your selection digitally you will not need to submit the PDF addendum linked above.
DL
There are plenty of spots available with Discovery Link at UPark. UPark families had the ability to start registering on 8/10/20. 
 
Please Note: The second registration window opening on 8/24 at 6:00 a.m. for care 9/8-10/16. This will allow more staff and families an opportunity for access. 
 
We acknowledge that this is a trying time for all of our families. We want nothing more than to be back with your kids. We promise to keep you updated in this ever-changing environment. For more information on the program, please visit the links below: 

Program Information:  https://discoverylink.dpsk12.org/school-year-2020-2021-registration-information/ 
Returning Family Registration: https://connect.schoolcareworks.com/login.jsp

Once you are registered to have access to the calendar at UPark you will select days by logging into your connect portal and selecting the teal box marked Attendance.  Then check the boxes of any day(s)  you would like then add to cart and pay.  Here is a step by step link for a video on how to choose days: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-23zbZLOf_piv_MI_GWgE8U57RiE3c71/view
 
The Discovery Link team and I look forward to supporting your family during this time!
backpack
Backpacks for Kids Food Program

The Backpacks for Kids Program provides food assistance to UPark families in need by providing bags of nutritious food once per week. We believe every child should be prepared for an active and healthy lifestyle, full of learning and curiosity. We help with this by providing fresh fruit and bread, healthy meals, and nutritious snacks for UPark children who may not have access to such food on the weekends. During remote learning the volunteers of the program are offering two different distribution methods to meet each family's needs. Families may pick up the bags on Fridays from 3pm-4pm at UPark in the UPark parking lot, or have the bags delivered to them each Friday. If your family is currently in need of food assistance, and not already enrolled in the program, please complete this electronic form. If you are currently enrolled in the program, no action is necessary at this time. If you have any questions about the program, or would like more information, please reach out to our School Psychologist, Alicia Vega, by phone at 720-424-3458 or by email at alicia_vega@dpsk12.org.
distribution
UPark Device and Material Distribution
Week of August 17th! All students will need to pick-up school materials!

Today is the last day for supply pick up. Please reach out to us if you have not picked up your classroom materials or did not get a device this week.  



August 20

Drive Through Supply Distribution

Cardenas:10:00-11:30
Havenar: 11:30-1:00
Jones: 1:00-2:30
Morof: 2:30-4:00 
library
UPark Library Book Return

Because of the abrupt shift to remote learning in the spring, the University Park Library currently has over 200 books that were checked out last school year and have not yet been returned. Families, please help your students look for any books that might belong to University Park Elementary, and return them the week of August 17 during our Supply Distribution. Thank you for helping us continue to keep University Park Library resources available for all of our students!
supplydrive
PTA School Supply Drive

In an effort to ensure that all UPark students have the supplies they need to be successful while learning online this fall, the PTA will be collecting school supplies to put together complete kits for families that need assistance.

The PTA will be purchasing a large number of headphones, but we'd love for the UPark school community to help in collecting the additional supplies needed to compile these kits. All donations can be dropped off in the donation box on Audrey DeHarty's front porch at 1970 S Clayton St (or shipped directly to her house if ordered online). We will continue to accept donations for the next couple of weeks.

We've noticed that many of the items on the supply list are currently only available in bulk quantities on Amazon, so if you're already ordering for your student, please consider donating the extras to our supply drive. 

Of course, you are welcome to purchase the supplies from any store that you like, but for your convenience, in the list below, we've included Amazon Smile links to products that appear to be a good value and that are currently in stock. 
Also remember to select "University Park Elementary PTA" as your charity in Amazon Smile, and the PTA will receive a small donation back from Amazon.

SUPPLY LIST WITH LINKS FOR CONVENIENCE
*PTA is purchasing headphones for families in need
supply bag (large enough to hold ruler and other supplies)
seesaw
Technology Resources and Seesaw: Remote Learning System for All Grade Levels

Please familiarize yourself with the Seesaw Learning System to ensure that your student is prepared for learning on August 24th! Today, August 20th, all families will receive an email invitation to create your Seesaw account. This account will then connect to your student and allow you to access to their learning. Parents with an existing account can use previously created login information. Please view the resources below for more Seesaw information.
lunch
DPS School Lunch Program

To apply for or opt out of the Free and Reduced lunch program please click here. 

Click here to visit the Food and Nutrition Services web page.
dates
2020-21 Important Dates Updated!

July 27-August 21:  Annual Family Update (All families must complete online. There will be no in-person registration this year)
July 30: UPark Q and A session hosted by Mr. Atonna and Ms. Jacobsen. (click here for the recording)
Tuesday, August 11: Class rosters were sent out. Click here for the email.
Monday, August 17: Back to School Q and A
August 17-21: UPark Teachers will be connecting with families. More info to come.
August 18-20: School Supply Distribution
Monday, August 24: First Day of School 
Friday, September 4: Regular Instructional Day (We will no longer be having a no school planning day on this date)
Monday, September 7: No School-Labor Day

Helpful Links:
 
Please email Alexis Matter or Sharon Rusin 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!
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 our office staff if you need a paper copy.


Quick Links



Looking Ahead:

August 17-21: UPark Teachers to Connect With Families
August 18-20: Supply Distribution
August 24: 1st Day of School (Remote Learning)

September 7: NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
September 28: NO SCHOOL (DPS Planning Day)



Click here for past newsletters.