The Bobcat Den
November 7, 2025
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Gathering Gratitude at UCS
Gathering Gratitude at UCS
As we welcome November, I want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful events of the past two weeks and share a few important updates. First of all, a big shout-out to everyone who participated in and volunteered for this year’s PTO Fun Run at Mills Riverside Park! It was a fantastic community event filled with energy, smiles, and teamwork. Thank you for helping make it such a success!
This month’s SEL theme is Gratitude. We kicked things off with an inspiring All-School Morning Meeting led by Ms. Melone’s class, where students shared heartfelt examples of what they are grateful for. We were also treated to a beautiful performance by the MMU Chorus, whose voices filled the room and reminded us of the joy that comes from sharing our talents.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue exploring the theme of Gratitude and what it looks like both within our school and throughout our wider community. Save The Date for this year’s Turkey Trot on Friday, November 21st, beginning at 1:45 p.m. It’s always a fun UCS tradition and a great way to come together before the November school break.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Wishing you and your family a wonderful couple of weeks ahead!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
November 12: Art to Remember order forms due (see below)
November 14: SEL Friday (Belonging Survey)
November 21: SEL Friday (Buddy Class Time)
November 21: UCS Turkey Trot (1:45p)
November 24 - November 28: School Recess
December 5: SEL Friday (All-School Morning Mtg)
December 10: Student 2hr Early Release/Staff PD Day
UCS RESOURCE SHEET & GIFT CARD DRIVE
With the holiday season approaching and SNAP benefits possibly ending for some Vermonters, we want to ensure our families have the resources they need.
Please utilize our UCS Resource Sheet, which includes helpful information for families. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.
The Annual UCS Food Drive will kick off when we return from School Recess later this month. The drive will begin on Monday, December 1st and run until we do a school-wide Food Chain on December 17th! More info to come later this month!
FROM the ART ROOM
The amazing Art to Remember Fundraiser is going on now at UCS! These make great keepsakes for families to have for years to come!
Deadline Approaching!
The regular order window closes Tuesday November 12th for the Art to Remember Fundraiser
Feel free to contact art teacher Kim Aucter with any questions at kim.aucter@mmuusd.org. Thanks for supporting the art room!
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.
SNOW MOTION at UCS
The snow motion program at Cochran's will be open to all UCS students again this winter. The program's mission is to "provide local youth the opportunity to ski/snowboard during the school day at NO cost."
The UCS Snow Motion program is a fully inclusive program where students receive free transportation, rental equipment, lift tickets and lessons.
We are always looking for volunteers and a paper has been sent home with your student this week. If you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Amanda Cowan (PE teacher) at amanda.cowan@mmmuusd.org
FROM THE DISTRICT
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
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
It is that time of year where we come across head lice in the class. This is a reminder to check your child’s head for lice periodically - checking weekly is a good habit. Head lice are tiny insects that live in the hair and on the scalp.. They do not fly or jump, but they can crawl from one person to another with close contact. Lice lay eggs called nits that stick tightly to the hair near the scalp, often behind the ears or at the back of the neck. Nits look like small white or brown specks and can’t be easily brushed away. If your child is scratching their head or neck more than usual, it’s a good idea to take a close look. Head lice are common among school-aged children and can happen to anyone - they’re not a sign of being dirty or unclean. If you do find lice or nits, your pharmacist or health care provider can help you choose a treatment. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, including retreating in 7-10 days if indicated. Additionally, it is essential to comb your child’s hair with a lice comb daily for at least 2 full weeks to remove nits. Following this treatment plan is the best way to keep lice from coming back.
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
GET YOUR BOBCAT GEAR!!!
GET YOUR BOBCAT GEAR!!!
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
Thank you to everyone who participated in the UCS Fun Run last weekend! We had some great costumes and fast running by both students and parents. Thanks to all the 4th grade parents and other volunteers that made this event possible.
In December, we will host the last PTO event of 2025...Kids Day Out! This is the second grade parents' event to lead and run. Please reach out to the PTO (ucspto@mmuusd.org) if you would be willing to be one of the organizers for this fun event! A sign-up genius for other volunteer roles will be shared with second grade parents after we have identified event leaders. And a flyer on the event will be shared with everyone soon!
Another important reminder: there is a PTO meeting on Thursday, November 18 at 7pm. Please join us! Especially if you are a second grade parent. Information to join can be found below.
Thank you for supporting our school! From the Welcome Back Picnic to the Harvest Market Parade, Back to School Night to the Fun Run, it's been a GREAT fall at UCS! We couldn't do it without your support!
Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 18th (7:00 - 8:00p) -> virtual link
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 & INFO
Because federal funds are delayed, the State of Vermont is stepping in to make sure 3SquaresVT benefits continue for the start of November. You’ll get half of your usual monthly benefit now, to cover the first 15 days of the month. This will be available to you by November 7th. If the federal funding lapse continues, the State will decide on November 13 whether to issue the second half of your benefit for the rest of the month. For example, if you usually get $200 a month in 3SquaresVT benefits, here's what you can expect:
By November 7th: $100 in benefits to cover the first 15 days of November.
On November 13: If federal funding is still delayed, the state will decide about issuing your other $100 for the rest of November.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need additional resources and support. You may also find ESD's one-pager useful to share!
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).
Key Details:
Key Details:
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
STAY CONNECTED with WHAT'S HAPPENING @ UCS
Underhill Central School
Underhill Central School
Email: ucsoffice@mmuusd.org
Location: 6 Irish Settlement Rd, Underhill, VT 05489
Phone: 802.899.4676
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