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Good morning families,
The second semester is off and running, with only 63 more school days until the state testing window opens up at the end of the year. Every day, every hour matters. Continue to help and encourage your students, while also holding them accountable to doing the right things. Your students have already made tremendous progress this year, I am looking forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the last third.
Mr. Shuford has begun meeting with all upper grades to discuss schedules and options for next year. Please reach out to him at any time with questions, and be on the lookout for more information about how to sign up for a meeting. I am excited for our 10th grade students to enter into their first year of the IB Diploma Program as we continue to build both our traditions and reputation.
You have always been, and always will be, our best source for new families. Know a family that would be a good fit at UDS? Encourage them to reach out and come by for a tour, we would love to add them to the community for the 26-27 school year.
As always, make sure to read the whole-school newsletter.
Thanks,
-Foster
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
February
2/16 - Teacher Workday (no school for students)
March
3/3 - PSAT 10th grade
3/11 - ACT 11th grade
3/14 - Middle School Dance (details to come)
3/19 - Staff vs Student Basketball Game 6p UFCA
IB Middle Years Program
IB Middle Years Program
Meet the new IB MYP Coordinator, Ms. Graham
Meet the new IB MYP Coordinator, Ms. Graham
Ms. Kamille Graham - former IB MYP/DP student in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools, graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Aggie Pride!), educator, author, engineer, plant mom
When not working, I can be found between the pages of a good book or likely reciting a spoken word poem and/or inspirational quote!
I will be responsible for ensuring that UDS is honoring the expectations of the International Baccalaureate Organization with fidelity. Please feel free to email me for ANY questions related to IB MYP, Toddle, etc.: Kamille.Graham@uniondayschool.com
Updates for the Week of Jan. 12
Updates for the Week of Jan. 12
Community Project (8th grade) students should be in the 'Taking Action' portion of their project and evidencing their progress in Toddle via the Process Journal.
January is Part 4 of the Community Project timeline where 8th grade students are expected to be carrying out their service action, recording 3-5 process journal entries in Toddle, and brainstorming ideas for upcoming Community Project Showcase.
Personal Project (10th grade) students should be preparing for their February Advisory Meeting by finalizing their Personal Project Report and Presentation:
Attend your fourth supervisor meeting (on Friday 2.13.2026 during your Advisory) to discuss specifics of your project and obtain second signatures on the Academic Honesty Form. See Supervisor Meeting Agendas on page 9 of the Personal Project Student Handbook to see what’s expected of you at this meeting. A draft of the final section of your report, plus the bibliography, is due at this meeting!
After the meeting, continue refining your report and bibliography.
Prepare for your final supervisor meeting in February by reviewing Supervisor Meeting Agendas on page 8. At this meeting, all required elements will be turned in to your supervisor.
Attention Parents/Families: Applications for IB Student Ambassadors have been sent out! Students interested in becoming an IB Student Ambassador must be in good standing with their Community Project (8th grade) or Personal Project (10th grade) and other IB requirements. IB Student Ambassadors will be responsible for positively representing the IB program at UDS and will serve as mentors to younger students.
Physics Rollercoasters
Physics Rollercoasters
Kinetic and Gravitational Potential Energy
Kinetic and Gravitational Potential Energy
Students in Ms. Goodson's physics class designed and created their own rollercoasters out of insulation pipes and tape to demonstrate kinetic and potential energy. They tested with marbles, and the requirement was to have the marble stop 10 cm from the end of the pipe (similar to a real rollercoaster!). Students then had to calculate the kinetic and potential energy of their marble from different points of their rollercoasters.
IB Diploma Program
IB Diploma Program
Updates for the Week of Feb. 9
Updates for the Week of Feb. 9
Be aware of IA and EE due dates coming up in February for each class.
CAS Opportunity: Spring Festival in St. John's Forest --> Contact Ms. Goodson for more information
Wondering what IB Seminar is??? It is a time for high school students and teachers to come together and build community through different activities once a month. We are excited to implement this!
February's Seminar Theme: Intercultural Understanding and Respect
This will be a fun, interactive one that will carry into an event in the Spring!
New Junior to Sophomore Mentoring Program to Kick off Next Week
New Junior to Sophomore Mentoring Program to Kick off Next Week
Next week all of our sophomores will be assigned a mentor. 10 of our IB Diploma Programme Juniors will serve as Mentors to our sophomore students. They will meet with them regularly about assigned topics to ease anxiety and offer real life experiences . Our Junior to Sophomore program is being designed Jemma Elliott and led by Captains Madeline Siegel and Collin Perrera.
All 11th and 12th grade students at UDS are either DP certificate students or full DP candidate students. We welcomed our second class of Diploma Program students with a Year One informational meeting this past week, and are looking forward to their journey over the next two years.
Movie on 9-4-25 at 4.32 PM.mov
IB Learner Profile for February is Principled
IB Learner Profile for February is Principled
From Ms. Goodson
The IB Learner Profile for the month of February is Principled. Being principled means to think about the right and honest thing to do, even when no one is watching.
You can show principle by:
Showing respect to teachers and peers
Being honest with others and yourself
Throughout February, teachers will be looking for students who demonstrate principle in and out of the classroom. Those students will be recognized at the end of the month!
Counselor's Corner
with Mr. Shuford
College Acceptance Update
As of Friday 1/16/2026 our seniors have completed 79 applications with 40 acceptances so far. We have 15 accepted students and eleven who have been offered scholarships totaling $1,646,400 . Way to go UDS seniors. Now it's time to raise the goal to 2 Million and set the standard for future classes.
Prom Tickets
Prom Tickets
Buy before Monday to save $10
Buy before Monday to save $10
February 16th-March 23rd $45 UDS Student
March 24th-April 18th $50 UDS Student
Only students in grades 11-12 may purchase tickets.
Guests Tickets for Guests Outside of UDS please add $10
UDS Students in Grade 9 and 10 May be Guests
Guests outside UDS Must Complete Guest Application on Student Services Website and be approved before Tickets are Purchased
Payment Must be Made using UDS Venmo and Must Include Code: PROM Tickets (Student Name)
Limited Tickets Available
Must Have Purchased Ticket to be nominated or Vote for Prom King/Queen
Pre Registration Underway
Pre Registration Underway
Mr. Shuford has visited every grade level and discussed the following
Distributed a Transcript
Reviewed Graduation Requirements
Discussed Course Sequences and available options
Discussed the overwhelming advantage of the IB Program
Distributed PreRegistration Cards that are DUE FEBRUARY 20th
Reminded students how to make an appointment through Google Classroom
Answered all questions
To Make an appointment to discuss PreRegistration call Mr. Shuford or have your child make an appointment in Google Student Services Classroom
ACT for Juniors in March.....Prepare Now
ACT for Juniors in March.....Prepare Now
Here is information on preparing for the ACT which will be given in March at UDS.
Practice for Your Interview
Practice for Your Interview
Any Senior who has scholarship or admissions interviews planned, please see Mr. Shuford. The Scholarship Committee would like to help by hosting a mock interview with you to help you prepare. Gather valuable experience and feedback to help you advance.
Email Mr. Shuford for November Scholarship Newsletter
Why Everyone Should fill Out the FAFSA
Why Everyone Should fill Out the FAFSA
Everyone should complete the FAFSA because it's the only way to access federal student aid like Pell Grants, work-study funds, and loans, and many states and colleges use it to determine eligibility for their own aid. It provides a clearer picture of your potential costs and financial options, even if you don't think you'll qualify for aid, as some scholarships and grants require it and the benefits can be surprising.
Key reasons to complete the FAFSA
Access to financial aid: It is the application for federal grants, work-study programs, and loans, which are the largest source of student aid.
Eligibility for state and school aid: Many states and individual colleges use FAFSA data to determine eligibility for their own grants and scholarships.
Opens up opportunities: Completing the form doesn't commit you to anything. It simply provides possibilities and a clearer picture of your costs once all potential aid is factored in.
No income cutoff: There is no income cutoff to qualify for some forms of aid, and many scholarships are based on financial need, not just high grades or test scores.
It's free: The "F" in FAFSA stands for "free," so it costs nothing to submit the application.
It's quick and easy: For most families, the application can be completed in under 30 minutes.
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Mr. Shuford serves as counselor for grades 7-12. His office is located in room 203 in the high school hall. He can be reached at barry.shuford@uniondayschool.com
or Ext. 9000
Music
Music
Week of 01/20-01/23
Class Learning:
6th grade students are working their way through the Primer Level Piano Adventures Book! We have learned the two and three black key groups and are completing exercises on the musical alphabet (white keys).
7th and 8th grade continue to work through their current level piano books! Students range from Level 1 to Level 3A. We have discussed the basics of ukulele in class this week, which includes soprano ukulele standard tuning, how to tune each string, and how to hold the ukulele to strum with a felt pick. Next week, students will start working on piano and ukulele in tandem within small groups.
My maternity leave begins within the next two weeks. Please welcome my long-term sub, Ms. Ungaro! She will keep students on track with the plan for continued work as singers, piano players, and ukulele players (7th/8th).
SAVE THE DATE: MYP Spring Concert Tuesday April 28, 2026
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