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UNION GAP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2022
SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE:
Families and Community -
Hasn’t the year flown by? As I walk down the hallways of our school and see all the work our students and staff are doing every day, I am amazed. Teaching and learning are hard work! As I have been reviewing January benchmark assessment to determine student growth, it is evident that our students and staff are working hard! Students scores are improving!
We are running our replacement levy on February 8th as well as a bond to build an additional gym, and make infrastructure, health, and safety improvements. Additionally, with the passage of the bond, the district will be upgrading and/or improving the existing gymnasium, expanding and upgrading parking areas, and acquiring and installing needed playground equipment. The School Board determined that these projects were necessary to improve the athletic facilities, outdated infrastructure, and safety systems. Our current levy and bond expire so these are not requests for new taxes but replacement of those currently in place. For more information, please see our website at www.uniongapschool.org though the ballots may have already been counted by the time this newsletter reaches you.
The district is exploring the concept of a balanced calendar this year and whether it will be beneficial to our district. A balanced calendar is not the same as a “year-round” calendar. Students would still receive the same number of instructional days (180) as a traditional calendar. A balanced calendar modifies the traditional calendar to keep the learning process continuous. Students have periodic, shorter breaks rather than 8 weeks off in the summer. The district does not foresee ever having school in July so family vacations can still occur, and it will not impact traditional holiday breaks. Please see our website to give feedback on this exploration. We had a community meeting on January 26th and a parent survey will be out in February.
I would also like to recognize the importance of the partnership between schools and families in the success of our students. Research demonstrates that family involvement not only increases student achievement, but also increases the likelihood that students will graduate from high school and participate in post-secondary education. The following are some basic ways to support the school in your child’s education:
- Read with your child everyday, in English or your native language.
- Make a regular time and space for homework or practice (reading/math) every day. Turn the TV and computer/electronics off.
- Know what your child is studying. Learn new things yourself.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep each night.
- Involve your family in community activities that expand on learning at school.
- Let your child know you expect good work in school.
- Make attendance and punctuality a priority.
If you would like additional information how to assist your child at home with their learning needs, please let us know.
School board members spend countless hours, with no pay, working to improve educational opportunities for their constituent’s children. The month of January is recognized as Washington School Board Recognition Month. We thank them for their service to our district. The current Union Gap school board directors are listed below:
- Kiel Martin (Chair and WIAA Representative)
- Dianna Grunlose (Vice-Chair & Legislative Representative)
- Nicole Rivera
- Maria Rosas
- Jen Silver
School Improvement Process and the Union Gap Community
All Title I schools are required to complete a School Improvement Plan. The plan must describe strategies for increasing student achievement. As part of the school improvement plan, schools must communicate with parents and provide opportunities for parents to be involved in developing and approving the school improvement plan. Union Gap School has always encouraged parent involvement in the school improvement process and will continue to do so.
We have had parents serve in the past on the Steering Committee which oversees school improvement. The committee meets TWICE a month.
If you are interested in being involved with this process or would like to volunteer in our school, please contact me at 248-3966, extension 306.
Patrick Vincent
Principal
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Union Gap School will begin registering students for kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year starting March 14, from 9 a.m. to 3p.m. Registration will be ongoing for the remainder of this school year.
According to state law, a child must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, to be eligible for kindergarten. A birth certificate, proof of address and a completed certificate of immunization are required.
You need to bring the following documents with you when you enroll your child:
- Birth Certificate, verifying child's age
- Immunization Record – please be sure your child is current with their immunizations.
- 2 pieces of Proof of Residence (mortgage/rental agreement and current light bill, cable bill or land line telephone bill)
Requirements for registration can also be found here on our district website.
If you have any questions about registration, call Union Gap School's main office at 248-3966.
Union Gap School Board Honorees:
These students were honored for their academic excellence for the month of December 2021:
- Leonel Castillo
- Samuel Cruz
- Reed Evert
- Bryan Jones
- Yosmarie Leija
- Alyson Mendoza Ramirez
- Zorayma Valle-Gamino
- Isaac Vazquez-Dominguez
ROSETTA STONE:
Union Gap School continues to use the Rosetta Stone technology based language learning program.
Students and parents use the program to learn English.
Contact Juanita Justo for more information at 248-3966 ext. 400.
Thank you parents, students & staff who made "Cookies with Santa" a successful event!
Left Turn and Parking Lots
Parents/Community Members – please do not turn left into the drive through pick up line in front of the school. Signage and cones are posted restricting left turns.
Parking lots are not to be used for picking up/dropping off students unless your car is parked in a stall.
We have had numerous incidents where students and staff have almost been hit by cars making an illegal left turn into the drive through or pulling into parking lots and picking up/dropping off students without pulling into a parking stall.
Please obey all school signage and cones. Your cooperation will provide a safer parking area for yourself, your students and district staff.
Lisa G. Gredvig
Superintendent
SKATELAND FUN --DECEMBER 2021
NO VALENTINE DELIVERIES
Reminder – Union Gap School District has a NO DELIVERY POLICY in regards to Valentine’s Day.
The no delivery items will include:
- Balloons
- Candy
- Stuffed animals
- Flowers
- Cards
This decision has been made due to the drastic increase of deliveries and lack of space.
These deliveries not only disrupt the function of the office, but disrupt the academic day of our students and can cause potential safety hazards on our school buses.
If you have any questions, please call the office and ask to speak with Mr. Vincent or Mr. Schilperoort.
Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our schools a safe learning environment for your student.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- Feb. 16 Pictures Class/Group/Personality/Club
- Feb. 18 Student Early Release 12:50 p.m.
- Feb. 21 NO SCHOOL-President’s Day
- Feb. 22 Snow Day, if needed or No School
- Feb. 25 Student of the Month
- Feb, 28-Mar. 3 Book Fair
- Mar. 4 NO SCHOOL-District Professional Day
- Mar. 25 Student of the Month
- Mar. 28-Apr. 1 Parent/Teacher Conferences, Early Release at 12: 50 p.m.
- Apr. 4-8 SPRING BREAK: NO SCHOOL
- May 30 NO SCHOOL-Memorial Day
Union Gap School Board Honorees:
These students were honored for their academic excellence for the month of January 2022:
- Arturo Camargo
- Christofer Espino
- Emily Garcia Jimenez
- Joel Marmolejo Jr.
- Metztli Mendez Silva
- Damian Valencia
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Union Gap School District does not tolerate discrimination in connection with any programs, activities, or employment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, creed, religion, age, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the school district Civil Rights Coordinator, Mr. Patrick Vincent, 3201 S. 4th Street, pvincent@uniongap.org (509) 248-3966. You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint. For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination 3210 policy and procedure, contact your school or district office or view it online at www.uniongapschool.org.