No Images? Click here UDA Weekly UpdateFebruary 26, 2017Trimester II ExhibitionsUDA will host two exhibition nights to celebrate learning this trimester. Grades 5-8 will exhibit from 5-7pm on March 2 and grades K-4 will exhibit on March 6 from 5-7pm as well. We are so excited to come together as a community to engage in the powerful student learning that has been occurring this trimester. Spring PortraitsSpring portraits will be taken on Tuesday, March 14 at UDA. This will be a free dress day for all students. Stay tuned for information on ordering. Pennies for PatientsStarting Monday, February 27, UDA is participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Pennies for Patients program, a service-learning program that gives students the unique experience of working together to help raise awareness and funds in honor of thousands of children and adults fighting against blood cancers. We are asking that everyone (students, staff, parents, etc.) at UDA join in this effort of raising awareness and collecting funds to benefit the mission of LLS, which is “to find cures for blood cancers and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.” Your child may leave the donation with his/her classroom teacher. Thank you for supporting LLS and UDA's participation in the Pennies program! Together, we can reach our goal of $1,000. For more information about Pennies for Patients or other LLS Student Series programs, please visit www.studentseries.org. Middle School DanceLast week, the Patio was transformed into an exhilarating dance floor complete with a vibrant light display and deejay. It was an evening full of merriment for students as they sang and danced to favorites such as “Thriller,” “Cotton-Eye Joe,” and “Cupid Shuffle.” A special thanks to Coach Farren, ASB, and Nick Weiss for making this memorable night possible. Performing ArtsStudents in kindergarten have been learning about and practicing multicultural dances, including the Hula, and are looking forward to showcasing these dances at their upcoming Exhibition Night. Students in 3rd grade have been delving into Reader’s Theatre, and are currently working together to bring "The Little Red Hen" to life. STEAMIn STEAM class, 1st grade students are exploring plant parts and root systems. Students were amazed by how much their plant roots descended in just 4.5 days! Grade 6 STEAM students have designed and created simple water filters, and are eager to begin testing them. Fifth GradeFifth graders reflected on Presidents' Day through research, proposing changes, and finding ways they would implement their goals if they were president for a day. In addition, the students also met with their Reading Pods to analyze articles about important issues. This month, they tackled the essential question: Should orcas be held in captivity or set free to live in the wild? The opinions were very diverse and presentations were outstanding. Sixth GradeHow does water define and sustain us? Sixth grade spent a day at the Natural History Museum last week doing some hands-on learning in a Water and Human Impact workshop to continue exploring their Trimester 2 essential question. From Ancient Egypt and modern day Sudan, to Flint, MI and San Diego, 6th grade students are learning about the importance and complications of access to clean, safe water. Eighth GradeEighth grade recently witnessed the rhythms and wisdom of Kunama Mtendaji, a performer of African and African American history through music and tribal ritual. Students participated in a traditional African dance (teachers, as well) and all were given a brief history of African American achievements. It was an educational and exciting experience. Art ClubThe final classes for art club will be held this week on Tuesday, February 28 and Thursday, March 2. Art Club will not meet during the week of conferences. Interested kinder-2nd grade students may register for a new session of Art Club here, which will meet on Tuesdays (beginning April 4) from 3-4:15pm. Enrollment Application DeadlineUDA families that would like to enroll a sibling of a current student for next school year must submit an online application through Schoolmint by Tuesday, February 28. This deadline applies to all applicants, so if any family friends are interested in enrollment, please remind them to also submit an application by this date. A Message from Network ParentsNetwork Executive Board Positions Open It is time for us to begin soliciting nominations for two positions on our Network Executive Committee. We are looking for people that are eager to be an active part of making UDA a great place for our kids. Both positions are two year appointments.
Please follow this link <https://goo.gl/forms/MMw8a6Md7kwgVKq92> and nominate yourself or someone you know. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions about serving on the Executive Board, please email Jen Jeffress. Network Executive Board Meeting The next meeting will be held on on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:15 am in the conference room at UDA. Any parents are welcome to attend; kids can go to the Hive starting at 7:15. Parents are also encouraged to attend our Coffee Social on Friday and hear all sorts of announcements and happenings from the Network and UDA admin while sipping coffee and munching muffins with other parents in the Hive! Dinner and a Show We are arranging 2 food trucks (Famoso and Urbn) to be in the school's parking lot on our Spring Exhibition Nights, March 2nd and 6th. You won't have to go far to purchase a nice, hot meal! Make a plan to eat "al fresco" with other UDA families. Seating will be provided. Conference Day Programming Registration(Applies to STAR students)Conferences will be held on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of March, and students will be released at 12pm on each of these days. UDA will provide free Conference Day Programming (from 12-3pm) on Tuesday and Thursday for families who register, however, Conference Day Programming will not be available on Wednesday, March 8 since Wednesdays are typically minimum days. Students who will attend STAR at 3pm MUST register. Register your child(ren) using the following links by Sunday, March 5: Spring Book FairOur camping-themed Spring Book Fair will be held from March 2-March 9, and Mr. Kevin is looking for different items to transform The Stack into The Great Outdoors. Tents, branches/logs, rope, astro turf/green rugs, camping pots, lanterns, flashlights, fake trees (re-useable christmas trees), red, yellow, and orange tissue paper, sleeping bags and pillows, star projector, and anything else that will make this space come alive. The fair will be open during exhibition/conference week, so stop by to camp under the stars with a new book. Volunteers will be needed on March 1st to help set up; please contact Mr. Kevin at klyons@urbansd.com if available. Volleyball Coach NeededUDA Athletics is currently searching for a volleyball coach for the upcoming Boys Volleyball season, which will run from March 14 through mid-May. Days required are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Coach Spy as soon as possible at jspychalski@urbansd.com. Camp Urban SolIf you're looking for a fun and educational camp this summer, look no further! Camp Urban Sol, hosted by the UDA Foundation, offers an assortment of half-day courses to interest and excite any child. All courses are taught by credentialed teachers, so your child can continue to learn over summer through hands-on activities, experiments, community adventures, and play. The courses include: Lego, Photography, Engineering Design, Hip-Hop Dance, Culinary Experience, Yoga and Mindfulness, Grossology, Ballet, Comic Expo, Soccer Academy, Creative Play, Disc Golf, and Cardboard Regatta. Dates: July 10-August 4, 2017 1 week courses, 4 hours each day (8-12 pm, 1-5 pm) $150 per course (1 week, 4 hours each day) Please visit the Foundation website for course descriptions, registration, and payment. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Buie at mbuie@urbandiscoveryacademy.com. Upcoming Dates
View the school calendar here. |