IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• March 21st ~ PTO Spring Fling Family Dance Party @ BRMS Cafeteria (5:30-7:30p)   

• March 31st ~ NO SCHOOL 

• April 1st - April 4th ~ UCS Spring Book Fair 

• April 7th - April 10th ~ VTCAP Testing at UCS

• April 11th ~ PTO Donuts at Drop-Off

• April 21 - April 25 ~ Spring Vacation

Are you interested in volunteering for Field Trips or any class events at UCS? Please take a moment to complete the quick and easy VOLUNTEER FORM ... Note that the form is valid for 5 years, so if you previously filled it out for older siblings, it may have expired. If you'd like to volunteer, please submit the form again. Thank you!

Throughout the rest of the school year, each class at UCS will lead a Friday All-School meeting 1x a month.  The meetings are on Fridays from 8:00-8:30.  When your child's class is leading the meeting, families will be notified ahead of time, invited to join and be in the audience. Stay tuned for when your child's class will be leading a meeting so you don't miss out on this great opportunity!

** NEXT UP: Ms. Poor's Class - Friday, April 4th **

The Vermont Comprehensive Assessment (VTCAP) is happening again this spring. This is the third year of the statewide VTCAP assessment, and will be conducted similarly as last  year. VTCAP is required by the State of Vermont Agency of Education (VT AOE). UCS Students in grades 3 & 4 will be taking the assessment during the week of April 7th; and will be assessed in both English Language Arts & Mathematics. A parent/caregiver letter was sent home in your child's folder earlier this week. An electronic version of the letter can also be found HERE.

We know that registration for camps and summer childcare will be taking place soon, therefore, we want to share the following information that may be helpful.  

• The last student day of this school year is June 18th. However, in an effort to help parents/caregivers plan for the summer months, we implemented a practice 2 years ago that the last student day will be no later than June 18th.  Any additional student school days added to the school calendar will be repurposed for staff professional development.  Please note, we will update the school year calendar on the schools' websites if the last student day changes due to school cancellations.  

• The 2025-26 Champlain Valley Regional School Year Calendar has not been approved, but the initial drafts have the tentative first student day scheduled for August 27, 2025.  The District will inform the school community when the first student day of 2025-26 has been approved by regional superintendents and when the MMUUSD 2025-26 School Year Calendar has been finalized.

We welcomed spring with an amazing Spring Fling Family Dance on Friday, where we had fun, made connections, showed off some sweet dance moves and raised money to support our after school movement activities (Kids on Bikes and Girls on the Run). Thank you to all who came, donated items, bought raffle tickets (see below for winners!!), helped set up or clean up, ran one of the tables during the night, or talked it up to your friends. Your efforts helped us raise nearly $1,000! THANK YOU!!! 

Our raffle was supported by a number of wonderful small businesses. Please support them like they support us! Raffle winners, your prizes can be picked up this week in the main office!

Snowflake Chocolate Gift Certificate - Heather Sikorsky

Ben and Jerry Cup and Pints - Victoria Barbine

Green Mountain Reiki Institute 1 Hour Treatment - Liza 

Matt's Wash and Wax Car Wash - Austen Tolve

Poorhouse Pies Gift Card and Palmer Lane Cones - Tate Brogle 

Darn Tough Socks - Lucy Greer 

The Y will no longer be running after-school at Underhill following the break. I completely understand the inconvenience. We are excited to announce a collaboration with the Part2 program out of Richmond to provide after-school care for the remainder of the school year! Starting the week of Monday, March 17th, students will take bus #24 from UCS and transfer to bus #22 @ BRMS before arriving at RES each afternoon. Here they will participate in the Part2 after-school program. Pick-up will be at RES no later than 6:00p. 

Registration Link: https://part2afterschool2.campbrainregistration.com/

Contacts for Questions

• Program Questions: Kaitlyn Bertelsen (Coordinator) – assistadmin@part2kids.com

• Registration Questions: Jess Lamorey (Registrar) – registration@part2kids.com

• Payment/Subsidy Questions: Katie Fieldsend (Bookkeeper) – bookkeeper@part2kids.com

STEAM After School at Poker Hill Arts has spots available right now on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Dan DiFranco leads this fun and diverse after school enrichment program. His music program has expanded to new areas of interest for students in after school for the 2024/25 school year at Poker Hill Arts!

Dan has led many after school programs over the past fifteen years in both South Burlington and Middlebury as the program director and program administrator. He also was the program director of the YMCA Summer Camp program at UCS three summers ago.

The core of the STEAM program will continue to be teaching music from many angles. Students will learn to play various instruments, learn about different types of music around the world, play fun and immersive games related to music, as well as helping students find their creative sides when playing and listening to music through arts and crafts.

After School STEAM will offer hands-on activities that revolve around nature, art, science, and technology. Some examples of activities will be; birdwatching and identification, science experiments such as creating a milk jar xylophone, leaf breathing (shows how leaves breathe with bubbles they produce underwater), learning about gardening and tree planting (we will have easy DIY projects that students can take home!), creating gliders, making a solar oven, sundials, looking at the world of science in both an inquizitive and artistic mindset, and MANY more activities throughout the year. Technology related activities will also be offered by creating music, digital art, and computer building!

In addition, most days there are multiple choices of activities for students! Outside play time is also a big part of this program, as being outside and getting out energy is one of the most crucial elements for child development.

Students who attend STEAM can get bussed from UCS directly 

Cost:

Wednesdays $175/Month (early release days are picked up by the STEAM Program so there is an extra two hours of STEAM programming once a month on Wednesdays via the MMUUSD Calendar.)

Thursdays $150/Month

Here is the link to the Google Form if you would like to sign your child up: STEAM After School Program Registration Form

OR you can contact Dan DiFranco if you are interested in signing up for the 24/25 School Year at email: timbolandusa@gmail.com OR you can call or text at (802) 404-7626.

U.S. Measles Cases are Rising–Make Sure Your Family is Protected

Dear MMUUSD Community,

In the first few months of 2025, there have been multiple outbreaks of measles. Notably, there is an ongoing outbreak of measles in Quebec. Most cases have been in children and teens who are unvaccinated against measles. Get current information about cases and outbreaks (CDC). This is a very serious disease that can cause death. 

Measles is not just a little rash. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that

can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Some may suffer from

severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis

(swelling of the brain). Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with

measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Measles is almost entirely preventable with vaccines. While most people in the U.S.

and Vermont are vaccinated against measles, communities with lower vaccine coverage

are at higher risk for outbreaks. Vaccinating your family protects other children from

measles who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have medical

conditions. Being vaccinated against measles is your best defense against measles.

Here’s how you can help keep your family, school, and community healthy:

• Make sure you and your family are vaccinated against measles—especially if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the U.S. by unvaccinated travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. 

  • Children should get two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—the first dose at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years.

  • Babies 6-11 months old who are traveling internationally should get an early dose of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before travel.

• If your child is sick with measles symptoms, stay home and call your doctor. 

  • Symptoms usually start with a high fever, then a cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes. A rash usually appears three to five days after the first symptoms. 

  • If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to care. 

  • If you suspect measles, make sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, the hospital, or a clinic to let them know about symptoms. Because the virus is so contagious, the office will need to take precautions before you arrive. 

  • While there is no treatment for measles, your doctor will have the best guidance on how to care for a child with measles.

For more information on measles and vaccines, visit HealthVermont.gov/measles.  Thank you for your attention to this important health information. 

Best regards, 

Tara McMahon, School Nurse Coordinator

John Alberghini, Superintendent 

Illness is on the rise across the country.  We are seeing it here at school as well.  Please review with your child the importance of good hand-washing

How can I prevent the spread of germs?

There are many ways you can prevent the spread of germs. The best thing you can do is wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Other ways to prevent the spread of germs include:

• Using hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. This works in a pinch if you can’t access soap and water to wash your hands.

• Sneezing or coughing into your elbow or covering your nose or mouth with a tissue.

• Staying home if you’re sick.

• Avoiding people who are sick.

• Practicing good food handling when cooking and storing food.

• Frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are touched often.

Source: Cleveland Clinic.orgma

Free VIRTUAL/Online Parent Education Programs to any parent/caregiver in Vermont who wants support and/or to learn new parenting skills. Do you or someone you know want to learn more about the programs offered? 

• Visit the website at: www.pcavt.org/family-support-programs

• Email at familysupport@pcavt.org

• Call 1-800-CHILDREN

Mount Mansfield Youth Lacrosse - Registration Open

Mount Mansfield Boys Youth Lacrosse (3rd-8th grade) 2025 Spring Season and Tiny Sticks (All Genders, K-2) registrations are open. Limited spots are available for 3rd-8th grade players, so if your child would like to play, please sign up ASAP. No experience necessary at any level. ALL are welcome!  

To register and get more information on the program(s), please use THIS LINK

We will keep our WEBSITE updated on a regular basis. We also invite you to follow us on our two main social media pages: TWITTER (X) and INSTAGRAM. I also encourage you to reach out to the classroom teachers as they all communicate in a variety of different platforms!