August 21 Family Newsletter

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/21/2024 05:03 PM EDT
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August 21 Family Newsletter

What an amazing first three days of school it has been! Our students and staff have been reconnecting, smiling and getting back into routines at school. Mr. Williams, Mrs. Graham and I have enjoyed connecting with students during our "Welcome Back Relay." We have been reviewing expectations for the year and providing an opportunity for students to share, "What they enjoy most about Union Mill" and "How can we make Union Mill better?" Next week we will share some of the highlights of our conversations. 

Looking ahead to next week, we will be hosting our Back to School Night on the following days:  

  • Monday, August 26th – Grades 3rd - 6th at 5:30 pm
    • 5:20 – 5:30 pm – Doors open to connect with specialists, PTA
    • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Session 1
    • 6:10 – 6:40 pm – Session 2
    • 6:10 - 6:40 pm - Smart Phone Conversation in Cafeteria 
  • Tuesday, August 27th – Kindergarten - 2nd Grade at 5:30 pm 
    • 5:20 – 5:30 pm – Doors open to connect with specialists, PTA
    • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Session 1
    • 6:10 – 6:40 pm – Session 2

Upcoming Dates 

Monday, August 26th – Back to School Night (3rd - 6th) @ 5:30pm 

Tuesday, August 27th – Back to School Night (Kindergarten - 2nd) @ 5:30pm

Friday, August 30th - Labor Day Break (Holiday)

Monday, September 2nd - Labor Day Break (Holiday)

Thursday, September 26th - Union Mill Fun Run 

2024-2025 School Calendar

The 2024 - 2025 FCPS School Year Calendar can be accessed here. We encourage families to review the calendar when considering trips or preplanned absences.  

Back to School Night

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Back to School Night will be held on August 26th and August 27th. It is an opportunity for families to meet the teacher to learn about expectations, routines, procedures and curriculum for the year. 

  • Monday, August 26th – Grades 3rd - 6th at 5:30 pm
    • 5:20 – 5:30 pm – Doors open to connect with specialists, PTA
    • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Session 1
    • 6:10 – 6:40 pm – Session 2
  • Tuesday, August 27th – Kindergarten - 2nd Grade at 5:30 pm 
    • 5:20 – 5:30 pm – Doors open to connect with specialists, PTA
    • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Session 1
    • 6:10 – 6:40 pm – Session 2

“Smart Phones, Smarter Families”

Parent & Caregiver Conversation

Join us for a roundtable discussion on navigating an ever-changing digital world alongside our kids. Facilitated by UMES parent and FCPS educator Katy Kownacki, this session will allow families an opportunity to learn effective strategies, share personal experiences, and ask pressing questions about managing smartphones and technology for our kids. Together, we can help our children thrive in the digital age.

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5th and 6th Grade Chorus

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All 5th and 6th graders are able to sing in the school Chorus. Mrs. Cunningham, Mrs. Kieley, and Mrs. Tinker all work with the students. They will meet during the school day on Wednesday afternoons and will have several performances during the school year. 

If you are interested in signing up, please click here. 

Community Flier Distribution

This semester’s nonprofit Community Flier distribution will take place on Friday, September 20th.  To submit a flier for approval, it must be received in the office by Friday, September 6th and include the following disclaimer – “This event [or activity] is sponsored by [name of organization] and is operated independently of the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, and Union Mill Elementary School.”

Once the flier is approved, please deliver 35 sets of 30 copies each (plus a few extras for front office staff) by close of business on September 13th.  Fliers will go home with students on Friday, September 20th.

Parent Volunteer Opportunity 

UMES is looking for parent volunteers who would be willing to donate their time labeling our new language arts curriculum materials.  The labels are already printed, so you would just need to stick them on the books.  Please email Wendy Hare, one of our reading specialists if you would like to help wrhare@fcps.edu.    

Early Release Mondays

The Centreville Pyramid, which includes Union Mill Elementary, will have the following three-hour early release days. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

  • September 23
  • October 28
  • November 25
  • February 24
  • March 17
  • April 28
  • May 19

To help us plan for childcare needs during our early release Mondays, please fill out this form for each of your children enrolled at Union Mill Elementary. This form will cover the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024, and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, please submit a separate form for each one. We’ll follow up with you to confirm the after-school supervision plan for your child. Thank you for your help in making these days smooth and enjoyable for everyone!

Additional information can be found on the FCPS  Early Release Mondays webpage. If you have immediate questions, please email ESPlanning@fcps.edu. 

3-hour early release flier

Union Mill PTA

The UMES PTA is a non-profit organization focused on supporting and enriching students, families, and staff members of Union Mill Elementary. We raise money for programs that provide support to Union Mill staff and students and build school community.

Membership 

PTA Memberships are only good for one year. Members get PTA information first, discounts and benefits at PTA-sponsored events, and are the first to know about volunteer opportunities at the school!

Why Join?

Membership is only $15/year for a family and $7.50/year for an individual or staff member and shows you value our school community - students, staff and your fellow parents and caregivers. It’s a small investment - you spend more than that on Starbucks or gas every week! Show your love and support of Union Mill and click here to join today.

Back to School Nights

We are excited to meet you during our upcoming Back to School Nights! Be sure to stop by the PTA table for a free gift (while supplies last), grab information on membership and volunteering, and buy spirit wear! We will have UMES t-shirts, magnets, and stickers packs. 

  • Monday, August 26th– Grades 3rd - 6th at 5:30pm, 5:20-5:30pm doors open to connect with specialists and PTA, 5:30-6:00pm - Session 1, 6:10-6:40pm - Session 2
  • Tuesday, August 27th– Kindergarten - 2nd Grade at 5:30pm, 5:20-5:30pm doors open to connect with specialists and PTA, 5:30-6:00pm - Session 1, 6:10-6:40pm - Session 2

Save the Date - Union Mill Fun Run 2024

The Union Mill Fun Run 2024 will be Thursday, September 26 this year! All Union Mill students may participate in the Fun Run and receive a free prize for registering. The PTA will purchase a shirt for each and every student and staff member regardless of participation in the fundraising portion of the Fun Run. Look for more information later this month.

Business Sponsorship Opportunities for 2024:

The UMES PTA is offering Fun Run business sponsorships - the primary perk is your logo (or name) on every Fun Run shirt, that's over 1,000 shirts! We have also built in a few other perks for sponsorship. You can view options online at the UMES PTA store: https://umespta.givebacks.com/store

 

Questions? Email Juliet Prillaman at waysandmeans@unionmillpta.org.

PTA Meetings

Our first PTA meeting will take place in September. Be sure to join as a 2024-2025 member so you receive alerts on meetings dates for September and the rest of the year and links/information to join! Our first meeting will highlight volunteer opportunities, review our draft annual budget, and give you a chance to meet our PTA Board members and our administrators, plus fellow parents and caregivers!

Office Hours

Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:15 pm