The Bobcat Den
October 24, 2025
October 24, 2025
What a wonderful couple of weeks it has been here at UCS! Thank you to all the families who took part in our Family–Teacher Conferences over the past two weeks. We truly value the time to connect, celebrate early successes, and discuss goals for continued growth. Your partnership makes such a difference in supporting each child’s learning journey.
Last Friday, we kicked off our first SEL Friday lesson, focusing on acceptance and courage. Students created colorful Bobcat paws that showed what makes each of them unique, and these are now proudly displayed in our front entryway; a daily reminder of the strength and beauty in our differences. Students also enjoyed a fun taste test with the district’s food service team, sampling several varieties of apples during lunch. It was a tasty way to explore healthy choices and spark some great lunchtime conversations!
In classrooms, teachers and students continue to measure academic progress and settle into the routines and expectations of the school year. It’s exciting to see the growing confidence and independence across all grade levels. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support in helping make UCS a place where every student feels seen, valued, and ready to learn.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
October 27th: Recycle Rhonda Visit
October 27th - October 31st: UCS Book Fair
October 27th - October 31st: Bike Week @ UCS
November 1st: PTO Fun Run @ Mills Riverside Park
November 5th: Student 2hr Early Release Day AND Picture Retake Day
UCS BIKE WEEK
This year we will be having our biking unit the week of October 27th to 31st. Attached is a letter (liked here too) outlining the unit along with important information about bringing bikes/helmets and volunteering.
Please let Mrs. Cowan (PE) know if you have any questions!
BOOK FAIR is COMING to UCS!
STUDENT BELONGING SURVEY
All students will be provided with either an online (3-4) or paper (K-2) survey in November during one of our SEL Friday lessons related to their sense of belonging in school. This brief (four question) survey aims to collect data on students sense of belonging to inform our efforts to better support students' well-being. This is also part of our school's "Continual Improvement Plan" and something that we value a great deal here at UCS. If you would like your student to opt out or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to connect with me.
FROM THE DISTRICT
A Note from Central Office about Halloween
We value opportunities to celebrate learning and community with our students, and as part of our district’s focus on inclusivity and belonging, MMUUSD recognizes that not every family celebrates Halloween, and not every family celebrates holidays in the same way. Out of respect to our students' cultural, economic, social and religious differences, our schools do not celebrate Halloween, and we ask that staff and students leave costumes and candy at home.
2025-2026 SY District Calendar
The district has put out the SY calendar for next year over the weekend. There are minimal changes compared to this year’s school calendar. The First Student Day is back on a Wednesday (August 27th).
You can view the full 2025-26 SY Calendar HERE and it was shared in the District Happenings as well!
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Vision and Hearing Screening
Over the next three weeks, the health office will be conducting hearing and vision screenings for students in Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grades, as well as for students receiving special services. Families will be notified if their child does not pass a screening or if additional follow-up is recommended. We will pull students from class 2 at a time for the screening. Please send me times that will not work on those days. On Oct 28, a volunteer from the Lions Club will be at school with a photo vision screener for students in K and 1.
Food Allergy Safe School Information
Food Allergy Safe School Information for Celebrations
The Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District elementary schools are “Food Allergy Aware / Safe Schools” and have adopted a food-free birthday celebration model. Please do not send in food to celebrate your student’s birthday. For classroom or whole school celebrations involving food, all food will be provided by the teacher, school administration, or parent-teacher organization, in accordance with our food safety procedures.
Stay Home When Sick
Refer to the MMUUSD District Illness Guidelines to determine if your child should stay home from school.
Periodic Reminder to Check Your Child for Lice and Nits
This notice serves as a reminder to check your child’s head for lice periodically. Consider checking weekly. Head lice are tiny, crawling insects that live in the human hair. They do not fly or jump. The females lay eggs called nits on the hair shaft close to the scalp, often at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. The nits are small, oval-shaped specks that can vary from whitish to brownish in color, and are firmly cemented in place and cannot be brushed or flicked away. Persistent itching of the head and back of the neck can indicate head lice. Most important is the examination of the hair and scalp, especially the nape of the neck and behind the ears, for nits. Lice outbreaks are common in school-aged children. Even the cleanest child can become infested. It is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty. If you discover lice or nits, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about treatment options. School nurses can also answer questions about head lice
Please feel free to contact the health office if you have questions about sending your child to school after an illness.
You can contact us at 802-858-6316 or ucshealthoffice@mmuusd.org
ONLINE SCHOOL STORE
Welcome to the UCS Bobcats Online Sideline Store, the place to score personalized Bobcat Swag and accessories from all your favorite brands 24/7/365. Get ready for the summer with new styles and brands
**Profits do go back to the UCS** Happy shopping!!!
NEWS FROM THE PTO
Don't forget to sign up for the PTO fun run! This year's fun run will be on November 1st at Mills Riverside Park. We will have a 1 mile run/walk and then a longer 5k race. Students, parents, friends, family and community members of all abilities are welcome to join. Costume encouraged! Prizes and refreshments for all runners!
This event is being organized by the 4th grade parents. We are looking for more parent volunteers -- Sign up to help!
Hello UCS Families! Please review the PTO flyer and calendar below. Each grade will be responsible for one fundraiser or community event this year. Please email the UCS PTO (ucspto@mmuusd.org) if you want to help! Please consider making a donation at any point to the PTO. Checks or cash can be sent to the main office at any time or you can use the QR code on the flyer to donate. Your generosity ensures UCS is a more dynamic place for our kids to learn and a healthier place for them to grow.
Buying labels for your family's gear? Use our school's name to help support the PTO's fundraising efforts for opportunities such as Math through Art, visiting authors and artists and more. All families need to do is click the link, under support, type in our school (Underhill Central School) in the search bar in the middle of the screen, and start buying!
UCS PTO will receive 20% of each sale.
FREE FAMILY SUPPORT/EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Champlain Center is excited to share that we have received additional grant funding to offer another group through our parent coaching program: Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). CPRT is an evidence-based,10-week intervention designed to strengthen the parent-child bond and improve children's behavioral and emotional functioning through play-based techniques.
This opportunity is completely free for participating families, thanks to additional generous support of Building Bright Futures. (For more information, click here).
What: CPRT (Child-Parent Relationship Therapy) Group
Who: Parents/caregivers of children ages 3-8
When: Mondays, Oct. 13 through Dec. 15 from 11 AM -1 PM
Where: Offered virtually to any Vermont resident
Cost: Free to parents (grant-funded), register here
Led by: Katie Wessels, LICSW and Carolynn Nagao Marcotte, LICSW from
Champlain Center for Play Therapy and Family Counseling
We are currently enrolling for CPRT groups. This group is especially helpful for parents of children experiencing:
Behavioral challenges (e.g., defiance, aggression)
Anxiety or emotional regulation difficulties
Attachment concerns or relational stress at home
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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