Fall is around the corner! Are you ready for sweater weather, pumpkin spice everything and changing leaves? UCPS is ready for it and for so much more! Students and staff had a fantastic start to the school year and are working hard to maintain that momentum.
UCPS continues to be a state leader
2021-2022 Accountability results show UCPS ranked second in the state for overall proficiency rates.

Among the 12 largest districts, UCPS ranked first in the following areas:
• Graduation Rate (92.3%)
• ACT Composite Score of 19 or higher (57.6 %)
• Grade Level Proficiency (67.7%)

For more information, click here.
Attend the 2022 bond information community meetings
On Nov. 8, Union County residents will vote on $134,405,000 in school bonds. This bond package will address aging facilities and replace current buildings at East Elementary and Forest Hills High.

UCPS has more than $800 million in facility needs to address renovations, upgrades and future planning. The 2022 bond will build on previous investments and provide adequate facilities for students and staff. With a successful bond, more projects will move up on the priority list for capital needs and future bonds.

We want you to be informed about this bond referendum. Please visit www.ucps.k12.nc.us/bond2022 to learn more about the projects, review frequently asked questions and see renderings of the proposed buildings. There are five remaining community meetings to discuss the bond projects. You can view the schedule here.

Register to vote at the Union County Board of Elections. Early voting starts Oct. 20.
UCPS teacher becomes a North Carolina Space Education Ambassador
Many people are following the news about the launching of Artemis 1 but UCPS has its own NASA connection at Sun Valley Middle.

Carolyn Manikas, a teacher at Sun Valley Middle, has been selected as a North Carolina Space Education Ambassador, joining a cohort of 16 master teachers representing 11 school districts across the state. The North Carolina Space Education Ambassador (NCSEA) aims to build a statewide network of master teachers who deliver NASA educational content to their local students, schools and communities. Manikas will be working with NASA for the next year as part of the grant to bring lessons to the classroom.

Manikas was also selected last year for a Space Academy for Educators in Huntsville, Ala. where she was able to take part in a simulated zero-gravity moonwalk to install solar panels on an array on the moon's surface. She participated in activities such as a rocket launch, moonwalking with 1/6 gravity, water rescue from a mock flight crash, parachute training on a zip line over water, building a rover and lander, and discussing various space programs. She was even allowed to ride in a Multi-Axis Trainer. This trainer allowed her to recreate a tumble spin that an astronaut would encounter in space.
Read important information for
students and families
Scoir is an online system that streamlines the process of requesting, processing, sending tracking the electronic delivery of all application-related documents for high school students. More importantly, it's much more helpful for students and parents during the college search and selection process. On Scoir, colleges come to life through pictures, videos and links that highlight active student clubs and organizations. This better enables students to identify colleges that are a good fit with their personal and academic interests, which increases college retention.

Scoir also provides parents with useful financial calculators so you can determine the likely cost of attendance at different colleges and consider the affordability when deciding where to apply. These features, along with more convenient scheduling and communication tools, will help keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the college application process. Scoir exists to help more students achieve more positive outcomes, and we're excited that our students have access to this system and the opportunities it provides.
The College Readiness Department is hosting a webinar for families so they can learn the differences between the ACT and SAT. They will also discuss what tools UCPS provides to assist students.

Don't miss it! Join the webinar on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.
Nominate a UCPS employee who inspires
We invite our employees, students, parents and community members to nominate a Union County Public Schools employee for our monthly "UCPS Influencers" recognition program. The purpose of this award is to recognize employees who exemplify outstanding service through his or her work and influences others.

Celebrate with us!
UCPS is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Teachers, students and staff across the district have planned and organized various events and cultural exchanges all in an effort to introduce UCPS students to the beauty, diversity and depth of Hispanic heritage and culture. 
Mark your calendar
  • Sept. 19 - Wolfe - Required Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
  • Sept. 20 - Wolfe - Optional Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
  • Sept. 21 - Oct. 7 - Wolfe - Fall Intercession (No School for Students)
  • Sept. 21 - School Bond 2022 Community Meeting - Porter Ridge High, 6 p.m.
  • Sept. 26 - Traditional - Optional Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
  • Sept. 26 - Early College - Optional Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
  • Sept. 27 - School Bond 2022 Community Meeting - East Elementary School, 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 5 - Traditional - Required Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
  • Oct. 6 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.