ECONCONNECT
UNION PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
ECONCONNECT where UPMS is the place to "B"
OCPS Calendar
School Supply List / Lista de Materiales Escolar
Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
July 24 - August 6
Get Your Laptop and Stay Connected!
A Walk In The Park
Incoming Students Sneak Peak (Sat., Aug. 5th)
Final 2022-23 Report Cards are now available
Report Cards on Skyward Family Access
Want to Play a Sport?
FREE sports physicals and ECGs this Saturday at Jones High School
Econ Athletics
Soccer season begins in August!
Econ students and families, Union Park Middle School is excited to offer competitive athletics and intramural sports to our students! Athletics will stress academic success, physical fitness, character development, discipline, and good sportsmanship. We will kick off our school year with girls and boys soccer.

On August 14, 2023 we will host a Parent and Student Information Meeting in the media center from 4:15p – 4:45p. Try outs will be held on August 15, 2023 and August 16, 2023 4:00p - 5:30p. Students must be signed up for the YMCA. All athletic forms must also be complete and on file with the athletic director BEFORE a student is permitted to try out for a sport. Students must meet the academic eligibility requirements, as established by the school board of Orange County (GPA: 2.00), in order to participate in the athletic program.

The below link provides access to the 2023-2024 Sports Physical Form. Middle school students are not required Electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings.

Meet Our New Econs!
Welcome our new reading teacher Ms. Mitchell!
Name: Ms. Kristin Mitchell

Favorite quote: A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.

Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to making new memories!
Welcome our new civics teacher Mr. Lara!
Name: Jean Lara

Favorite Quote: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” -John Dewey

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? I am most excited to be part of an OCPS school and having a teacher partner!
Welcome our new Varying Exceptionalities teacher Ms. Campbell!
Name: CathyAnn (Cathi) Campbell

Favorite Quote: Your time as a caterpillar has expired. Your wings are ready.

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? I'm looking forward to being apart of the middle school crew after teaching primarily in elementary!
Welcome our new math teacher Ms. Ahmudally!
Name: Kearon Victoria Ahmudally 

Favorite Quote: A good education is a compass to a better life.

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? I am looking forward to motivating, inspiring and challenging my students. I can't wait to listen and learn from them and in turn, teach them to THINK.
Welcome our new math teacher Ms. Safavi!
Name: Naureen Safavi (Ms. Safavi)

Favorite Quote: "Knowledge is a treasure, the key for which is asking"

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? Getting to know my students and guiding them to success! 
Welcome our new civics teacher Ms. Collazo!
Name: Kryslynn Collazo

Favorite Quote: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn” - B. Franklin

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? I am looking forward to working alongside a new team. 
Welcome our new English teacher Dr. Philpot!
Name: Dr. Helen Philpot

Favorite Quote: One of my favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? I am looking forward to meeting my students and learning all about their interests and goals for the future!
Welcome our new assistant principal Mr. Alvarado!
Name: Ben Alvarado

Favorite Quote: The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year? I am looking forward to getting the meet and work alongside the students and staff. Go Econs! 
Community News
Mark your calendars for this great community event!! Saturday, July 29th!

This event will provide:
  • Free NEW sneakers 
  • Free haircuts
  • Free backpacks 
  • Free school supplies 
  • Free immunizations 
  • Free food 
FREE Immunizations:
Summer Nights for Teens:
Friday's Motivational Moment!
Focus on your Mental Game in 2023-2024
This past Sunday, July 16th, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the Wimbledon tennis championship. Held in a suburb of London (Wimbledon), this event is the oldest tennis tournament in the world as is still played on grass. As the Gentleman's Singles champion, the Spaniard earned $3.07 million. What is especially impressive is that Carlos Alcarez is only 20 years old! When once asked what his major key to success was, this was his answer:

"I would say my fitness has been important, but definitely the most critical part of my success has been the mental game. That is why I am ranked in the top 10 now and that is why I am playing at a good level."
Spain's Carlos Alcarez (age 20) celebrates with his trophy after beating Serbia's Novak Djokovic to win the final of the men's singles on day fourteen of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London on Sunday, July 16, 2023. He largely credits grit and continued focus for his success in the sport. (photo credit: AP)
The lesson for our Econs? As you prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, start working on your personal goals and be sure to share them with a parent or friend. Part of also being mentally ready for a successful school year includes practicing daily habits that that may not seem to have anything to do directly with your grades, athletics, or other extracurricular goals, but have everything to do with creating the right mindset.

Here are some daily success habits to consider: eating breakfast, making your bed, getting your laptop & case ready for the next day, re-read your goals each evening, exercise or stretch for X minutes, invest 5-10 minutes at night or before school alone to think about the day ahead, set your alarm everyday, tidy up your room, organize your bag according to your schedule and check your supplies, drink water every morning once you first rise, don't complain out loud when something does not work out - count your blessings instead, put your phone out of reach when studying, read something positive/motivational once per day, check your OCPS email/Skyward for messages/updates, conduct one small act of kindness/courtesy, eat at least one meal with your family, write down how you spent your money that day, spread your practice throughout the day vs. all at one sitting as when you are an adult time won't come in long stretches (e.g. art, dance, music, fitness, club projects), time your morning routine, tell your family you love them before leaving for school and every night before bed.
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Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Antonio, Principal
Union Park Middle School
Friday, July 21, 2023
Stay Connected
Union Park Leadership Team
• Principal: Ms. Antonio - 96400@ocps.net
• Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kendall - 24730@ocps.net
• Assistant Principal: Mr. Alvarado - 59266@ocps.net
• Counselor: Mrs. Barcelo - Sonia.Barcelo@ocps.net
• Counselor: Mrs. Griffin - Wendy.Griffin@ocps.net
• Student Support & MTSS: Ms. Brown - Mica.Brown@ocps.net
• Dean: Mr. Richardson – Dennis.Richardson@ocps.net
• Dean: Mr. Brown – Joel.Brown@ocps.net
• Dean: Mrs. Brown: AmberMarie.Peynado@ocps.net
• Math Coach: Ms. Yowler - Angela.Yowler@ocps.net
• Instructional Coach/Testing Coordinator: Mrs. Peterson - Cindy.Peterson@ocps.net
• Staffing Specialist: Ms. Afriani – Sophia.Afriani@ocps.net
• Mental Health Counselor: Ms. Berry – Chiante.Berry@ocps.net
• SAFE Coordinator: Mrs. Rackley – Giselle.Rackley@ocps.net
• Behavior Specialist: Ms. New – Jasmine.New@ocps.net
• Media Specialist: Ms. Joseph - Pamela.Joseph@ocps.net
• ESOL Compliance/CCT: Ms. Bocourt - Ana.BocourtGonzalez@ocps.net
• Parent Engagement Liaison: Ms. Lopez – Denise.Lopez@ocps.net
1844 Westfall Drive
Orlando, FL 32817
Phone 407-249-6309
Fax 407-249-4404 | EEO Statement
This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone.
Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Union Park Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of Union Park Middle School and the Orange County Public Schools. Please contact Ms. Isolda Antonio (Prinicpal) at 96400@ocps.net with any questions or for further information.