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Sustainable Energy Academy is approved for Parkwood schools

The Union County Board of Education approved a new engagement strategy for students at the April 4 meeting. The Sustainable Energy Academy will teach students in the Parkwood Cluster (Prospect Elementary, Western Union Elementary, Waxhaw Elementary, Parkwood Middle and Parkwood High) about energy efficiency, sustainable resources for energy and food production and new energy technologies.


Through a K-12 curriculum, the academy will focus on increasing awareness of sustainable resources and energy efficiency at the elementary level. It also provides exposure to agriculture, natural resources, and robotics in middle school. The academy will specialize in sustainable agriculture, engineering and marketing at the high school level.

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Thank a volunteer!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of volunteers who give their time, skills and resources.



We want to thank all UCPS volunteers for taking time to support our students, teachers and staff. All of our volunteers are important and each one plays a vital role in supporting the educational mission of the district and helping to enrich the lives of students. Whether you assist with classroom and school activities, mentor students, serve as a Reading Buddy, coach or tutor, we appreciate you.

 

Your service has not gone unnoticed. On behalf of our students, staff and senior leaders, thank you for your dedication and support.  

Celebrating excellence in UCPS

Motivated, hardworking and encouraging are traits a great school resource officer possesses. These characteristics, among others, are why Union County Sheriff's Deputy Zachery Pullin was named the 2023 UCPS School Resource Officer of the Year. 


Pullin is the school resource officer at Fairview and Porter Ridge elementary schools and has been a deputy for a decade. Growing up, all he ever wanted to do was to become a law enforcement officer. He saw it as a way to help people change for the better.


“I’m feeling beyond honored and blessed. It’s a team effort from the UCPS staff to the Sheriff’s Office staff. I can remember wanting to be in law enforcement from the time I was three years old. Halloween would roll around and I’d want to dress up like a police officer. As I got older, a personal situation really solidified that it was my calling,” said Deputy Pullin. “I love being around the kids in elementary schools. No day is the same. We are problem solvers, so I like helping students who may be at-risk get off that path.”

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Monroe High School's beloved coach, Johnny Sowell, was named the inaugural Coach of the Year winner during a surprise celebration on April 6.


Student-athletes and staff filled the school auditorium to show their appreciation for him and to share the moment with him. Coach Sowell was in the audience under the guise of a guest speaker coming to talk to the student-athletes. When Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan took to the stage to present the speaker, Coach Sowell had no idea he was the honoree. When it was revealed the atmosphere was booming with excitement, cheers and thunderous applause. He was visibly moved by the outpouring of love and support. His family joined him on stage as he received his plaque and a jacket.


“The district has not had a Coach of the Year until today. I’ve been in UCPS now for seven years. I have never met a more talented coach, a more dedicated human being and a person that is more filled with a sense of ethics, integrity and judgment,” said Dr. Houlihan. “I’ve never met anyone more dedicated to Monroe High School.



The award was a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering dedication and hard work in the sport of football. For 37 years, Sowell has been a mainstay at Monroe High, and his influence on the program is undeniable.

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UCPS students to benefit from a $25K donation from Collins Aerospace

The Union County JobReady Partnership received a generous donation of $25,000 from Collins Aerospace to support Union County Public Schools' Robotics Challenge and provide three scholarships for graduating seniors pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).



The district’s Career and Technical Education Department (CTE) hosts the Robotics Challenge twice a year in the spring and fall, giving middle and high school students the chance to design and build robots to compete in a VEX Robotics challenge. The competition is designed to nurture students' creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Collins Aerospace's donation will allow UCPS to purchase needed equipment for the competition, providing more students with the opportunity to participate in the program and grow their STEM skills.

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Inside the classroom

Curious about a student's typical school day? Take a peek inside the classrooms of Cuthbertson Middle and Porter Ridge High to witness the varied ways in which our students learn, whether through lectures, exploration or hands-on projects.


More upcoming looks inside the classroom will be posted on our UCPS Facebook. Make sure you follow us!

Sun Valley High senior receives

John H. Crowder Award

The John H. Crowder Award was presented to a senior at Sun Valley High School during the April 4 Board of Education meeting. Students who receive this award are academically successful and have an established history of community service.


James Merritt has been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities during his high school years with service to his community being at the forefront of all that he does. He has been a highly active student council member for four years, holding executive leadership roles at the school and state levels.

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In case you missed it...

Student's victory over cancer celebrated

Olivia Reardon, a fifth grader at Indian Trail Elementary, has completed 66 rounds of chemotherapy and is now cancer-free! To celebrate this incredible milestone, Olivia was honored with a hero parade at school on April 4. Her classmates made signs to show their support, and hugs were plentiful as everyone celebrated this momentous occasion. The joy on Olivia's face was truly a sight to behold, and we are all so proud of her strength and perseverance.


We want to take a moment to recognize Olivia's courage and resilience, as well as the unwavering support of her family, friends and community. Congratulations, Olivia!


Thank you to NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt for featuring Olivia in its latest "Good News" segment! Watch here.

In the news...

Next Stop: Teach UCPS, which launched pilot classes this school year, hopes to bring current students back to the classroom one day as teachers and cut into the more than 5,000 teaching vacancies in the state’s public schools. The program creates a variety of pathways for current students and working teacher assistants to return to the classroom as certified professionals.


Spectrum News story: https://bit.ly/40sceV9

Learn more about Next Stop: TeachUCPS: https://bit.ly/3JrRWoP

Mark your calendar

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  • April 28 - Traditional Schools Early Release Day
  • May 2 - Board Meeting, UCPS Professional Development Center, 7 p.m.
  • May 3 - Wolfe School Early Release Day
  • May 10 - Union County Early College Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
  • May 10 - Union County Early College Graduation, Sun Valley High Auditorium, 6 p.m.
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