November 12 Family Newsletter - Thank You Veterans

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November 12 Family Newsletter


This evening we take moment to honor all veterans at Union Mill, in our community and across our nation. Thank you for your service. Tonight we are hosting our annual Veterans' Day concert at 6:00 pm in the Union Mill cafeteria. All veterans are welcome. 

Looking ahead to next week, we will be hosting our Glow and Grow Night on Tuesday, November 18th that highlights families' cultures, opportunities to learn literacy strategies to support your child and an opportunity to purchase books from the book fair. We will also be selling pizza to families. If you plan on attending, please complete the following form to RSVP

Next Wednesday, November 19th is our next three-hour early release. Families will receive a reminder tomorrow with their child care preference. 


Upcoming Dates  

Wednesday, November 12th - Full Time AAP Screening Meeting (5:00 pm)

                                                - Veterans' Day Choral Concert (6:00 pm)

Thursday, November 13th - Picture Day Make-ups

Thursday, November 13th - December 10th - SCA Stuffed Animal Drive

Monday, November 17th - 21st - Book Fair

Friday, November 21st - SCA Spirit Day "6-7" 

Tuesday, November 18th - Glow and Grow Night 

                                           - Evening Book Fair (4:00 - 7:00 pm)

Wednesday, November 19th - 3 Hour Early Release 

Monday, December 15th - FCPS Full-time Screening Referral Deadline

FCPS 25-26 Calendar 


Veterans Day Concert - Honoring Our Heroes

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Please join us for our Veterans' Day Concert tonight at 6:00 PM in the Union Mill cafeteria. As a proud Purple Heart School, Union Mill is committed to honoring the brave men and women who have served — and those who continue to serve — in our nation’s military.

This special evening will feature a performance by our 5th and 6th grade chorus members as we come together as a community to express our gratitude and respect for our veterans and active-duty service members.

Families are encouraged to invite the heroes in their lives to attend. We look forward to sharing this meaningful event with you!


Picture Retakes are Tomorrow!

Picture Day REminder

SYA Baseball in PE

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Last week SYA hosted a Baseball and Softball clinic at UMES. This was a very exciting two-day event (Nov. 6th and 7th) where all classes were able to participate. During this event all students had the opportunity to participate in baseball/softball throwing, catching, running, and hitting stations. We would like to give a special thanks to Matt McGuire, Bob Woodruff, Ross Crigler, Herbert Rodriguez, Thomas Erb, Brett Hughes, Angie Hoernke, Dawn Johnson, Thomas Ahn, Eric Reichert, Bill Hitte, Chad Gilman, Kristen Arel, Caiden Sights, Michael Gambone, Graham Rosenthal, Caitlin McGuire and CVHS Baseball players who took time away from work or school to volunteer with us.

If your child enjoyed our clinic and they are interested in learning more, please check out the SYA Sports Website for more information on getting your child involved. If you have further questions, please contact Jenny Murray at jbmurray@fcps.edu, Manda Tirado at mktirado@fcps.edu, or Michelle Orban at morban1@fcps.edu


Advanced Academic Information

Our next information session will cover the Full Time Screening process, this includes pathways to screening as well as parent and school required materials for screening portfolios and important deadlines. Families are invited to learn more about the process and ask their questions tonight at 5:00 p.m. in the Union Mill Library.

The deadline for Full Time Screening referrals is December 15, 2025. This is a firm County-set deadline.


Glow and Grow Night 

We are looking forward to hosting our Glow and Grow Night on Tuesday, November 18th.  This night will celebrate Literacy and Culture at Union Mill. This event is an opportunity to celebrate one another’s unique culture and notice the connections we share as a community. To prepare for the event, please take time to share about your personal family culture and heritage with your child(ren), regardless of whether you plan to share (a display, traditional clothing, or a performance) or simply attend to learn with others. 

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SCA Stuffed Animal Drive

The UMES Student Council Association (SCA) is once again having a stuffed animal drive for the Hershey Bears hockey team collection.  The drive runs from now until December 10th.  The new and gently used stuffed animals will be given out to sick children via the hockey team.  There are collection boxes in the library.  Thank you!


Get2Green EcoCode Competition

EcoCode Contest

UMES Family Needs 

Our school counselors and social workers want to continue to support students and families throughout the year. If your family is seeking support, please review the following form and return to our school counselors, Jenna Schmidt or Wendy Kourajian at jrschmidt@fcps.edu or wtkourajian@fcps.edu, or Lisa Fields, School Social Worker at lmfields@fcps.edu.

All responses are confidential.


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Come see our Fall musical Annie! Performances are November 13-15! Tickets can be purchased by clicking here!


FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning

The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At the Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed.

See the flyers below for more information.

The Connected Family

Career Pathways for Students

Click on the topic below to register to attend.  


UMES Book Fair November 17-21st

It takes a village to run a successful book fair.  Please consider volunteering a bit of your time.  All proceeds from the book fair are put right back into the library, allowing us to purchase more books for the library for your students to check out!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48A9AD2BA7FB6-59843428-fall#/

*Bonus Shopping Hours on Wednesday, November 19th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. 

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November 21st – SCA Spirit Day “6 – 7” 

What does 6 – 7 mean? Nobody knows for sure but we’re going to celebrate it mathematically!  No need to buy anything, use painter’s tape or masking tape to make a 6 or a 7 on your shirt.  Find a friend to buddy up with to be complete or go all out and put a 6 and a 7 on your shirt! Let’s have a math celebration as we celebrate 6 -7!


Early Release Wednesdays

The Centreville Pyramid, which includes Union Mill Elementary, will have the following three-hour early release Wednesdays. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. This time allows for our staff to plan, collaborate and grow professionally. 

  • November 19
  • December 17
  • February 25
  • March 25
  • April 29
  • May 20

Thank you for your help in making these days smooth and enjoyable for everyone!

Additional information can be found on the FCPS Early Release Wednesdays webpage.


It's Time to Order a Yearbook!

It's time to order your 2025-2026 yearbook! Families may place orders at www.buytheyearbook.com with school ID# 732149.  Yearbooks are $16.49 each. 

Don't miss your chance to order a yearbook as there will not be extras available at the end of the year.

The deadline to order is April 15, 2026.


Yearbook flier

UMES PTA


Upcoming Events

  • November 3-24 Holiday Vendor Market is Open
    • Online only event supporting local creators in our community! Get your holiday shopping done! Check back next week for more details!
  • November 18 The Evening of Many!
    • Family Heritage Night
    • Glow & Grow Night
    • Thanksgiving Meal Box Drop Off
    • PTA Short and Sweet Meet and Greet
  • November 20 PTA Spirit Night at Noodles and Co.
    • Fair Lakes location. Check back soon for more details!
  • December 4 Extreme Science Assembly
    • Exciting science event during the day for ALL STUDENTS!

UMES PTA Updates 

Online UMES Spirit Wear Available Now:

The UMES spirit wear store is OPEN now until midnight tonight! After that, orders will be closed. Flannel PJ pants, long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more are available in youth and adult sizes. Orders will be available for pick up before winter break. Order your spirit wear soon!

Spirit wear can be ordered here: https://unionmillelementaryspiritwear2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/

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Give Thanks and Give Back – 6th Annual Thanksgiving Meal Box Food Drive

We look forward to our annual Thanksgiving Meal Box Food Drive on Tuesday, November 18th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm at Union Mill. If you are interested in supporting a family in need, sign up at the link below.  Meal box drop off will take place from 6:00 – 7:00 pm at the Union Mill Kiss & Ride loop near the outdoor learning garden. If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Simon at khaaiho@yahoo.com.

Sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/8050B48A9AC2BABFB6-59786760-umes

 

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Join the PTA:

Do you receive the PTA eNews? It is the best way to keep in touch with your friendly local UMES PTA! 2024-2025 memberships expire October 31st, so if you have not signed up for an annual 2025-2026 membership you will no longer receive your PTA perks and communications!

Link: https://umespta.givebacks.com/shop

You do not have to be a PTA member to take advantage of our school-wide community giveback events (like movie night on the blacktop on November 7th or the Extreme Science assembly coming up in December)! If you would like to donate to contribute to PTA initiatives and givebacks that serve the entire UMES community, please give what you can!

Link: https://www.givebacks.com/donate/umespta

 


Union Mill Hours

Bell Schedule 

Doors open at 8:35 am. Students should be in class by 8:45 am.

Students are dismissed at 3:30 pm.

Office Hours 

Monday - Friday - 8:15 am - 4:15 pm