Table of Contents   
principal
Principal

School Performance Framework (SPF)
Our 2018 School Performance Framework (SPF) results are in and University Park has achieved an overall Green Rating which is the second highest rating category that a DPS school can achieve. The SPF is like a report card for schools, telling us important information about how our students are learning, growing and performing on state assessments. UPark students are continuing to achieve at very high levels in comparison to students at all other DPS schools. When looking at individual indicators some big celebrations are:
  • UPark has achieved the highest rating of Blue / Exceeds with 87.73 % of points earned for students performing at or above grade level
  • We are ranked 17th out of 205 schools in the district when it comes to students performing at or above grade level!
  • We achieved an exceeding rating for students performing at grade level in both Literacy and Math when compared to similar schools.
  • We are meeting expectation for how we serve students of color (meets), students in poverty (meets), and students with disabilities (exceeds).
  • We are meeting expectations for parent engagement and student satisfaction.

There are many reasons why UPark is a great school that go beyond the academic successes listed above. We pride ourselves on valuing each learner as an active participant on a personal journey toward success. From our strong staff of dedicated teachers, supportive families and PTA, to our Green Team, Wellness Committee, Band and before and after school programming, UPark truly is a community of mighty thinkers and doers! To view the full report click hereI hope you will join us for our November PTA meeting where we will discuss the report in more detail.

Thank you,
 
Principal
Team UPark
720.424.3410


pta
PTA News

UPark Fun Run and Carnival
Get your registration in NOW for the 13th Annual UPark One Mile Fun Run and Carnival! This event is open to the community, so please invite relatives and neighbors.
 
Sunday, October 28th 11:30 to 2:30pm
Registration is open ONLINE! Click HERE to register by Tuesday, Oct 23rd so that kids can have Fun Run t-shirts in time for spirit day.  You can also purchase carnival wristbands, meal tickets and extra t-shirts online. Day of event registration for the Fun Run will be $5 dollars more so save by registering ahead.
 
We need parent volunteers for the carnival and at the grill for lunch!  Click HERE to help. We currently have only 6 parents signed up to help.  
 
We will have a pumpkin carving contest at the carnival so bring your pre-carved/decorated pumpkin - we will pick the scariest, funnies and most creative.  Kids are also welcome to come in costumes.
 
For more information on the Fun Run, check out the UPark Fun Run web page  HERE.
 
Thank you to our sponsors: Orangetheory Fitness (Cherry Hills), Evolve Martial Arts, CareNow Urgent Care, Kids Choice, Dartmania, Oak Environmental, Parkside Remodeling, ABCNannies and Angeltouch.

running
Before School Running

Let's get running! Gearing up for the Fun Run, the before school running at UPark started on Monday, October 15th and finishes on Friday, October 26th. Kids will run on school days only (no school October 19, 22 & 23). Please volunteer to help before school. Meet us at the school track right behind the garden near the baseball fence. Younger (grades K-2) kids will earn charms for each lap completed and older grades will run laps to earn prizes. We'll be passing out charms for the younger runners and hole punching for the older runners. Lots of fun! Sign up HERE to help.

vera
UPark Auction Event at Vera Bradley-Cherry Creek Mall!
 
Have you heard? Vera Bradley is releasing a special edition holiday print and it's.... OWLS!! Store Manager Kirsten Ziegler Pratt (parent to three UPark alumni!) is thrilled to have the UPark Auction host an event in conjunction with the release of this new print. The shopping event will be held Thursday, October 25th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. All UPark shoppers will get 15% off of their total order and a portion of the sales that night will go towards items for the UPark Auction! The holiday owl print is sure to be a hit and would make great teacher gifts! Light refreshments will be served during our shopping event. Vera Bradley is located inside the Cherry Creek mall on the upper level across from Macy's. Parking in the East Parking garage is closest. Check the University Park Facebook page in the coming days for the event invitation or email [email protected] and be sure to RSVP!

spirit
Spirit Week is coming!
 
Spirit Week is just around the corner from Monday, October 29th-Friday, November 2nd.
 
Monday: Sports Day- Wear clothes of your favorite sports team
Tuesday: Tacky Tourist Tuesday- Dress up in your best "touristy/vacation" attire  
Wednesday: Halloween- Arrive at school in your costume. Please be sure to bring a change of clothes to wear after the Halloween festivities
Thursday: PJ Day- Come to school in your pajamas. Pajamas must follow the school dress code and no slippers allowed
Friday: Twin Day- Plan to dress similar to another student
 
Remember your child does NOT have to participate if they don't want to, it is optional, but we hope they will. Thank you!
 
From,
The UPark Student Council

screening
UPark Health Screenings

Health screenings for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades will be October 30th through November 2nd. Screenings are not an assessment or an evaluation. Click here to read the Nursing Services Screening Letter with more information. If you do not want your child to participate, please email Antoinette, our school nurse, prior to October 30th. If your student is absent through screenings or did not have optimal hearing, vision or dental screenings you will be notified in writing regarding the results. If you have any concerns or questions please contact Antoinette at [email protected].

halloween
Halloween Festivities October 31

UPark's annual Halloween parade around the track starts around 9:15 with Mr. Herman leading the classes through the school and out to the track! Families are welcome to come watch. The school band will be playing a festive set while the classes parade. If students are planning to wear costumes for the parade they must wear them to school with regular clothing underneath or with a change of clothes in the backpack. Costumes must be taken off before recess/lunch. Classroom celebrations will follow the parade. Specific information will be communicated by room parents or teachers with specific needs.
 
Please follow these guidelines for parties/costumes:
  • No weapons at school.
  • Keep the scary stuff at a minimum for school celebrations (we have young students who will be watching also).
  • Adult visitors may not wear masks on school property.
  • Do not send Halloween candy to pass out.
tasting
Wine Tasting Event to Support UPark...
It's Like Restaurant Night, But Just For the Adults
 
Pearl Wine Company is giving 100% of the ticket sale proceeds for their upcoming 3rd Anniversary Wine Tasting event on November 3rd to neighborhood schools, including UPark. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste over 150 wines and receive event only discounts on orders. Tickets can be purchased from the UPark PTA for $40 (via cash or check made out to "UPark PTA"). Email [email protected] to purchase a ticket, or talk to PTA VP Angela Rathbun on the playground at pickup or drop off.
 
Pearl Wine 3rd Anniversary Wine Tasting
November 3, 2018 from 5:30-8:30 pm
Space Gallery, 400 S. Santa Fe Dr.

bookfair
UPark Book Fair

The University Park 2018 Fall Book Fair will be held November 5th - November 8th in the school library. The hours will be as follows:
 
Monday, November 5 through Wednesday, November 7:
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
Thursday, November 8:
8:00 a.m. - 9 a.m. (morning hours only)
 
Online Sales will be from October 28th through November 12th. 
Click HERE for the interactive flyer and to purchase books through the online store.

portal
New on Parent Portal: Make Student Payments Online
 
Families now have the option to make student payments online, thanks to a DPS partnership with MySchoolBucks. With a Parent Portal account, paying for meals, ECE or full-day kindergarten tuition and student fees - like field trips or classroom supply fees - has never been easier!
We want to be sure the tool is easy for you to use. That's why there's payonline.dpsk12.org , a site that provides detailed instructions on how to sign in to MySchoolBucks through your Parent Portal account or access MySchoolBucks.com directly. On payonline.dpsk12.org , you'll also find a MySchoolBucks user guide that can be translated into multiple languages and contact information if you need support.

NC

Austin will be out of the office Thursday, October 11 - Thursday, October 25. Please contact Kyle Wiley for any Discovery Link or Enrichment absences during this time at (720) 467-1671 or [email protected]. E-mail communication works best. For immediate assistance with other questions about Discovery Link - contact Jesse Broadfoot at [email protected].

Winter Enrichment planning has started and the brochure will be sent out by Monday, October 29th. The registration window will be announced upon brochure release. Remember, current Discovery Link & enrichment families do not need to make a new account! Winter enrichment sessions begin on Monday, November 26th.

With autumn weather finally here... remember to start sending coats and warm gear for those who want to get out the wiggles outdoors before & after school!

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!




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