The Bobcat Den
August 28, 2026
August 28, 2026
Hello All -
What an incredible start to the school year it has been! Over our first few days, the building has been filled with a vibrant, positive energy as we welcome back familiar faces and greet the new students and families joining our UCS community for the first time. It has been a joy watching old friends reconnect after the long summer break and seeing the very first spark of new friendships beginning to take root.
That sense of connection was on full display this morning during our first All-School Morning Meeting of the year. In a cherished annual tradition, our fourth-grade students presented a special gift to our incoming Kindergarteners, officially welcoming them into the Bobcat Family; the perfect way to close out our first week together. Throughout these initial weeks, our teachers and staff are utilizing the Responsive Classroom approach to create safe, supportive learning spaces. Together, students are learning and practicing our school-wide expectations, setting a daily tone of kindness, respect, and responsibility.
This work deeply aligns with our theme for the year,“Inspiring for Excellence.” This motto reflects our commitment to ensuring that every student, staff member, and family feels seen, valued, and truly connected. By celebrating unique strengths and deepening our relationships, we aim to capture the spirit of who we are and who we strive to be, creating an environment where every individual knows they belong at UCS.
Thank you for your partnership and support in making these opening days so meaningful. We are thrilled for all the growth, learning, and joy this year holds for our students and families!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
September 2nd: PTO Welcome Back Picnic (More info below)
September 4th: NO SCHOOL
September 7th: NO SCHOOL -> Labor Day
September 9th: Student Early Release Day (2 hours earlier)
September 21st: NO SCHOOL -> Yom Kippur
September 24th: Student Picture Day
September 25th: Zuchini Relays (more info to come)
UCS DAILY INFO
ARRIVAL
We welcome students into the building beginning at 7:30a. Our school day begins at 7:50a. Anyone who arrives after 7:50a will need to be buzzed in by the main office!
Arrival - Bus Drop Off
Staff will greet students arriving off the bus. Students will enter the building using the library entrance and head directly to their classrooms.
Arrival - Parent Drop Off
Vehicles will stop at the sidewalk in front of the main office entrance. Students will enter the building using the main office entrance and head directly to their classrooms. If your child needs extra time or support that requires the adult dropping off to exit the vehicle, please park in a designated parking space at the front of the building. From there, you may walk your child to the front entrance.
DISMISSAL
Dismissal - Parent Pick Up (2:20 pm)
Parents will wait outside as dismissal staff radio teachers, calling students by name, allowing students to exit the school building.
Dismissal - Bus Transportation (2:20 pm)
Students will be dismissed by bus # to load buses.
Dismissal - Part2 Afterschool Program at JES (2:17 pm)
Students will be dismissed to the afterschool program by loading an afternoon bus to JES
ATTENDANCE
Consistent and regular attendance is paramount to student development and success. When students are present and on time they build the habits, connections, and confidence that help them succeed all year long. Early attendance sets the tone, it ensures they don’t miss critical introductions to routines, expectations, and learning, and it helps them feel part of the community right away. Every day in the first weeks is an opportunity to make friends, meet teachers, and start building momentum toward their goals. If your student will be absent or tardy, please notify the main office and classroom teacher by 8:00am on the day of absence. If your student is absent due to illness, please copy the health office in your communication.
Main Office: 802-899-4676
Connie Arceneaux: connie.arceneaux@mmuusd.org
Health Office: ucsnurse@mmuusd.org
Our first priority is your child’s safety. If we have not been notified of absence or tardy by the family, the main office will begin contacting families at 8:15 am. If a child is not at school, and contact with family members has been unsuccessful, the principal may call the state police. Students are marked absent until they arrive and check in at the main office.
We want to ensure our families have the resources they need. Please utilize our UCS Resource Sheet, which includes helpful information for families.
PTO WELCOME BACK PICNIC
The UCS PTO is hosting a Welcome Back Picnic on
Wednesday, September 2nd, 5:30-7pm on the UCS Playground!
Please join us for a fun night out to play with friends, connect with families and celebrate a new school year! We'll enjoy picnicking, lawn games and playground fun while seeing old friends and making new ones. Our UCS Community is a very special one. Thank you for being a part of it!
The PTO will be selling pizza, snacks and drinks at the picnic. Your purchases will support programs like Math through Art, enrichment materials like STEAM kits and logic puzzles, field trips to places like Shelburne Farms and the Sailing Center and special supplies for our classrooms and garden. Thank you for supporting our students and teachers!
If you will be attending and want to purchase pizza, please pre-order to help us know how much to get! Pre-orders can be made for a whole pizza or a half of a pizza. There will also be slices available for purchase at the picnic until we run out. Please be sure to fill out this order form ahead of time.
Emergency Safety Response Caregiver Letter
Starting in September, UCS students and staff will be practicing our Emergency Safety Response plans. These drills are evaluated regularly by our UCS Crisis Response Team and follow all state and local guidelines. Here is the UCS Parent/Caregiver School Safety Letter outlining the importance of these drills we conduct throughout the SY. One of these requirements is for schools to conduct two Options Based Response to a Violent Intruder Drills, one to be held in September and the other in the month of January. UCS will be holding the first Options Based Drill the week of September 14h and the second drill will be conducted during the week of January 11th. Please know that age appropriate steps will be taken to reduce student anxiety.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Below is transportation information for the upcoming SY. Please contact the bus garage with specific questions regarding bus routes. They can be reached at 899-4840 or their website.
FOOD SERVICE
All UCS students can receive free breakfast (snack) and a complete lunch every school day. Please note that all food served at school is peanut-free. To help us continue receiving state food service funding, please take a moment to complete this form. You can also review additional meal program information and FAQs for more details on our food services HERE.
FROM THE DISTRICT
2026-2027 SY District Calendar
The district has put out the SY calendar for next year over the weekend.
You can view the full 2026-27 SY Calendar HERE and it was shared in the District Happenings as well!
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Please follow this link to find all of the beginning of the year info from the health office. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact nurse Tara using the information below:
Tara McMahon, MSN RN
Direct number: 802-858-6316
Fax: 802-899-5173
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
STAY CONNECTED with WHAT'S HAPPENING @ UCS