Table of Contents   
Principal
Principal

CSC Representatives Wanted!
  
Are you interested in becoming a CSC Representative? University Park will have 2 openings for two-year parent/guardian positions beginning in August, 2016. Meetings are typically 1.5 hours, once a month. The primary functions of the CSC include assisting Principal Varveris with the school's mission & vision, providing guidance on an annual balanced budget/UIP, and obtaining community involvement to help achieve school and district goals when appropriate. Please review the  nomination form and submit to  Alexis Matter in the main office by Thursday, April 28th if you are interested.

Team UPark
720.424.3410

*Don't forget to download the UPark App  here!

PTA
PTA
 
Thank you to teachers Jamie Archambault, Sue Bryers, and Sara h Smith for last  week's wonderful presentation on the new math standards and Zearn.  If you missed it, you can see the Powerpoint presentation HERE .  We hope to see you at the auction on Saturday!


auction
It's auction week!!! There are two ways to get in on the action.

The online auction is going on right now! Bidding closes between 8-9pm TONIGHT. Don't let those amazing opportunities slip away!  Click here to start your bidding.
 
Don't forget to buy your tickets for the auction this Saturday night at DU from 6-10pm. They are almost sold out! Get yours today!   A $30 ticket gets you dinner, games, and of course, the chance to bid on some one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Buy your tickets today at www.uparkelementary.org/auction. See parking information here. Come for the kids.....without the kids. See you there!  

Spelling
It's time for the UPark School Wide Spelling Bee!

Teachers in first through fifth grades are distributing spelling word lists this week to those students interested in participating in the spelling bee process. All classroom spelling bees will take place by Friday, May 6th (please reach out to your child's teacher for details). Once all three classrooms in each grade level have completed their bees and they have their TOP FIVE from each classroom, I will hold a grade level spelling bee in my classroom for each grade level's TOP 15 students on Monday, May 9th (schedule TBD). The TOP FIVE from each grade level spelling bee (25 students total from grades 1-5) will participate in the school wide spelling bee after school on Monday, May 23rd from 5-6:30pm!

A link to all grade level lists on my website is below - please email me with any questions. Thank you! Heather Wise, UPark GT Teacher


Yearbook
Or der Your 2015-16 Yearbook Today!

Yearbook order forms are coming home with students today. Please fill out your order form and return it to school no later than Friday, May 13th. 

Thank you to all families that sent in photo submissions for the yearbook! 

pjday
Help Put Homelessness to Bed

Wear your PJ's to school May 3rd to help raise money to support Denver's homeless population. PJ day gives students the opportunity to give back to their community by helping the homeless. Students may get involved by donating $1 on May 3,  2016.

PJ day is Denver's Road Home annual fundraiser to help the homeless and a reminder that not everyone has a place to put on their pajamas and sleep at night.

choir
Citywide Honor Choir

Congratulations to the following students for being selected to represent UPark at the DPS Citywide Honor Choir!                   
  • Sequoyah Matibag
  • Gabriella Pappas
  • Kira Smith
  • Isabella Cardoza
  • Helen Reichert
  • Noah Johnson
  • Rodion Khristoforov
  • Amielia Lauritano
This choir is an opportunity for some of the top vocalists from around the district to come together in song. The choir performs Thursday, May 5th at West High School.

ikea
UPark Wins $1000 from IKEA Because of You!

Thank you to all who voted for UPark in IKEA's Life Improvement Challenge contest. Although UPark did not win first place, we came in second and the prize is $1000 in IKEA furnishings. The title of the grant submitted by UPark is  "Room to Read" so the $1000 prize will be spent on furnishings to add to our awesome updated library and create some common space readings areas for students.  Thank you for your support and involvement. We couldn't have done it without you!


animals
Stuffed Animal Collection THANK YOU!

Dear Families of University Park:
 
Thank you so much for your stuffed animal donations!  Everyone helped make our Second Grade Service Learning Project a huge success.  We collected 560 animals this year!  That's a lot of happiness to spread around.
 
With heartfelt thanks,
2nd Grade students and teachers

testing
Spring Testing Schedule

Testing is underway and we want to make sure our 3rd-5th grade students have multiple opportunities to prepare for the PARCC tests. Click  here  for information, practice tests and more. 

Please keep in mind the week of April 25th will be a testing week. Please do not schedule appointments or vacations during these times, as all students are expected to be present during testing. Prompt arrival, not only on testing dates, will make for a stronger daily educational experience for your child.

Important dates (testing is completed in the morning and each test is approximately 60 minutes): 
CMAS Science and Social Studies:   4th and 5th grades April 25-27

Neighborhood

Kaleidoscope Corner 2016-2017 Registration
 
Current Family Registration:
 
@University Park, Office 210
Monday April 25th, Tuesday April 26th, Wednesday April 27th: 3:00PM to 6:00PM
 
@1617 S Acoma St
April 21st - April 29th, weekdays from 9:00AM to 4:00PM
 
New Family Registration:
 
@University Park, Office 210
Monday May 2nd: 4:00PM to 6:00PM
 
@1617 S Acoma St
May 2nd - May 6th: 9:00AM to 4:00PM

Golf Tournament 

University Park is holding its first Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 14th. All proceeds will benefit the UPark Neighborhood Center. For more information click  here. To register click here.
 

calendars   
University Park Elementary Calendar

3 ways to access calendar information! Go to the University Park Website,  click on the CALENDAR ICON, or look below!  
  
  

  


BlueOrange
5 Star Wizard Hat Students

Congratulations to last week's 5 Star Wizard Hat students! They were recognized by their teachers for positive behavior. 

Last week's students include: Ryan Kim, Tyler Dolan, Bauer Bodhaine, Jayme Cairns, Logan Shirey, Noah Hayes, Luke Yeh, Grant Jungwirth, Devin Vest-Moore, Qoteda Elgadi, Wynn Morris, Cain Wetherall, Elaina Nederveld, Amelia Babbitt, Ivy Bieker, Franziska Henze, Charlie Davis, Dax Johnson, Frankie Jackson, Remy MacDonald, Seriana Safieh, Sam McPherson, Adrianna Villalpando, Duncan Monroe, Rachel Garcia-Villatoro, Amielia Lauritano, Kyle Kojima, Landon Metzger, Addi Samaras, Augie Reichart, Benjamin Slater, Brianna Beach, Dennis Cheng. 

Wizard Hats are given throughout UPark to celebrate students' good choices and positive behavior. We use a common vocabulary and teach Critical Thinking skills using the BrainWise curriculum.  Each week there is a random drawing of 2 students done by classroom teachers. These children are photographed and receive a token of our appreciation.
*At the end of each month we will be donating all clothing in the lost and found and anything left in the halls(all clothing will go into our little red school house in our parking lot).