Announcement for the 2025-2026 SY 

Our enrollment has increased from our projected numbers. This increases our average class size to 18.9, above the district threshold. To support this growth, we are hiring a full-time 1-2 Multiage Classroom Teacher. Our 2025–2026 classroom alignment will be:

• Kindergarten -> 2 classrooms (Ms. Cowan, Ms. Poor)

• Grades 1–2 -> 3 classrooms (Ms. Jones, Ms. Ferreira, +1)

• Grades 3–4 -> 3 classrooms (Mia, Abby, Kristy)

This change won’t impact the district budget or staffing at UCS as current positions will remain the same next year. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• April 21 - April 25 ~ Spring Vacation

• May 1st ~ UCS Music & Art Night (5:00p)

• May 5th - May 9th ~ Teacher Appreciation Week (see note in PTO section below)

• May 7th ~ Student Early Release Day

• May 16th ~ All-School Morning Meeting (Mrs. Cowan's Class) 

• May 21st ~ BRMS Music Presentation @ UCS 

• May 26th ~ NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

• May 29th ~ 4th Grade Track Meet @ MMU

• May 30th ~ 4th Grade Move-Up Day @ BRMS   

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. Cowan's Class - Friday, May 16th **

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is also around the corner!! We are looking for volunteers who can help us execute a wonderful week. Please email us by April 16 at UCSPTO@MMUUSD.org to be on the Appreciation Week planning and activation committee! We need your great ideas and energetic support! 

If you can't volunteer, but can help by donating something to make the week great, click here to sign up for a list of items we need. Donated items can be dropped off in the main office starting April 28! Of course, we also welcome cash donations to support our annual catered lunch. You can also purchase items from the UCS school wishlists (updated links to come). As always, everything you donate goes to help our school, dedicated team, and amazing students! THANK YOU!

We are looking for a new PTO board member to serve as secretary and lead communications for next year.  We also need a new PTO President-Elect! This person will serve alongside the existing board next year in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a GREAT role for a kindergarten, first or second grade parent. We need you! Please reach out to us at UCSPTO@mmuusd.org or attend our next meeting (4/15 at 7pm) to learn more!

Please check your children carefully each day for ticks (How To Do A Tick Check) ... Go to healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart for facts about tick-borne diseases in Vermont and to see a video to learn how to safely remove a tick.

Health Department offers these tips to Be Tick Smart:

Protect

• Ticks live in wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with host-seeking ticks.

• Take extra precautions in spring through fall when ticks are most active.

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on your skin.

• Consider treating clothing with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact and gives protection through several washes. Do not use permethrin on skin.

• Talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention products for pets.

• Wear pants, long sleeves and long socks. Light-colored clothing can help you spot ticks more easily.

Check

• Check clothing, gear, and pets before going inside.

• Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes.

• Perform daily tick checks on yourself, your children, and pets

• Shower soon after spending time outdoors

Remove

• Use tweezers to grab the tick up close to the skin

• Pull the tick straight up, do not twist

• Wash hands and bite area with soap and water

Watch 

• Watch for symptoms of tickborne illness for 30 days after a tick bite.

• Symptoms may include fever, chills, rash, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, or fatigue. Not all people with Lyme disease report a rash.

• Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms, and tell them about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and your outdoor activities.

• Some tickborne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, can be treated with antibiotics.

• Most people who receive a timely diagnosis and begin treatment early in the course of their illness fully recover. 

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

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!