The Bobcat Den
August 29, 2025
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ROLLING WITH POSITIVITY at UCS!
ROLLING WITH POSITIVITY at UCS!
What an incredible first 3 days to the school year it has been! The building is filled with positive energy as we welcome back familiar faces and greet new ones joining our UCS community for the first time. It’s been wonderful to see students reconnect with friends they haven’t seen all summer, and to watch new friendships beginning to form.
During these first few weeks, our teachers and staff use the Responsive Classroom approach to build strong classroom communities. Students are learning and practicing our school-wide expectations, setting the tone for a year of kindness, respect, and responsibility. These early days are so important as we establish a foundation where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn.
Looking ahead, I hope you’ll join us for our Welcome Back Family Picnic next Thursday, September 4th from 5:30–7:00 p.m. The PTO will have burgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks for sale, along with a 50/50 raffle. It’s always a fun evening to connect as a school community, and more details can be found below in this newsletter.
Lastly, a quick reminder that there is no school on Monday in observance of Labor Day.
Thank you for helping make these first few days so special. We’re excited for all that this year holds for our students and families!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
September 1st ~ NO SCHOOL -> Labor Day
September 4th ~ PTO Welcome Back Picnic (5:30-7:00p)
September 10th ~ Student Early Release Day (2 hours earlier than normal)
September 15th ~ 3rd & 4th Grade Sailing Center Field Trip - Melone & Bernier
September 19th ~ 3rd & 4th Grade Sailing Center Field Trip - Giguere
September 25th ~ Student Picture Day
September 26th ~ Annual Zucchini Relays (more info to come)
UCS DAILY INFO
ARRIVAL
We will welcome students into the building beginning at 7:30 a.m. Our school day begins at 7:50 a.m. It's important that your child arrives on time so they do not miss any learning opportunities.
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. Staff will open the vehicle door and greet your child and family. Students will enter the building using the main office entrance and head directly to their classrooms.
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 (JES)
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. On time arrival provides a student with the most positive start to the day. If your student will be absent or tardy, please notify the main office and classroom teacher by 8:00 am 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.
VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS
In accordance with the 2023 Vermont Agency of Education Access Control and Visitor Management Policy, and MMUUSD ACCESS CONTROL AND VISITOR MANAGEMENT POLICY all exterior doors at Underhill Elementary School will remain locked at all times.
All visitors, regardless of the length or purpose of their visit, must enter through the main entrance and check in at the main office. Visitors with a scheduled meeting or classroom visit will be required to sign in before proceeding beyond the office.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Here 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.
2025-2026 AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Part2 will be providing after school programming at UCS. HERE is additional information about the program and be on the lookout for direct communication coming soon from the program director. PartAfter School programming will be communicating directly with families throughout the year. If more spots open, they will communicate this with those on the waiting list AND school as well!
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 17th and the second drill will be conducted during the week of January 19th. Please know that age appropriate steps will be taken to reduce student anxiety.
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.
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
UCS has been recognized as a 2024-2025 GOLD Level Asthma-Friendly School by the VT DOH Asthma Program. The program recognizes schools who demonstrate the commitment to improving & maintaining asthma-friendly policies & practices & promoting good asthma management among students.
We are also pleased to recognize Tara McMahon, our School Nurse, as an Asthma Champion for 2024-2025 for demonstrating exceptional commitment to improving and promoting asthma friendly policies and practices in our school!
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
LET'S GET TOGETHER! There will be a Welcome Back Picnic/PTO BBQ on Thursday, September 4th from 5:30-7:00p. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner or enjoy some grilled burgers/hot dogs for a small cost to support our PTO. The PTO will also have a 50/50 raffle for those in attendance.
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
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
COUGAR CUB FIELD HOCKEY CLINICS
On Tuesday September 16th and Tuesday September 30th from 3:30pm - 5:00pm the MMU Field Hockey program will be hosting Cougar Cub Field Hockey Clinics for K-4th grade students on their field at MMU. No previous experience necessary.
If your are interested in details, please reach out to Paige Manning at pb4wego421@gmail.com
September 12th 5pm-7pm BRMS Cafeteria - We invite kids of all genders, grades K-5 to join Jericho/Underhill’s Cub Scout Pack 620!
To learn more, join us at the Browns River Middle School cafeteria Friday Sept 12th from 5pm-7pm. (This is a drop-in event, so come any time!)
*Scout focused activities and crafts
Rockets
Pinewood Derby and Lego cars
Knot tying and Paracord bracelets
*Experience a brief Pack meeting at 5:30
*Camp Fire and S’mores
*Time to talk with leaders and current Scouts and families
Reach out to Cub Master Jeremy Edwards (edwards.jeremy26@gmail.com) with any questions and we hope to see you there!
Openings in ReTribe's Fall Forest School & Wild Woods Afterschool in Underhill
Would your child enjoy spending time each week connecting with nature through the seasons, learning outdoor skills and crafts, and playing joyfully with a community of friends and mentors?
ReTribe is accepting students ages 6-13 for their Forest School and Wild Woods Afterschool programs. Forest School has spaces open on Wednesday and Thursdays in Underhill from 9am-3pm. Wild Woods Afterschool meets Mondays and Thursdays in Underhill from 3-5:30pm. Learn more at www.retribe.org/the-forest-school. & https://www.retribe.org/after-school
UVM Cheerleading Camp
UVM Cheerleading Camp
UVM is hosting a youth cheerleading clinic on September 27th. Here is a Registration Link participants need to fill out ahead of time. Students involved will learn new skills and receive special UVM Cheerleading merchandise. The clinic leads up to a UVM Soccer game where the UVM Cheerleaders will be in attendance selling fan gear!
STAY CONNECTED with WHAT'S HAPPENING @ UCS
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 will communicate weekly either by newsletter or blog.
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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