The

Panther Prowl News

UNIVERSITY PREP ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dear UPA Middle Families,

The fall season is in full swing and our 2016-17 school year has gotten off to a GREAT start!

It is our goal that we continue to develop meaningful relationships with our families in order to help our scholars reach excellence academically and socially. To that end, I would

like to thank all the families that came completed their learning team meetings with crew leaders. We had 81% of our families in attendance. I would also like to say thank you to all the families that attended the 1st Quarter Parent Teacher Conference. It was great to see

parents being equal partners in their child’s education. We had a great turn out even with the date change. Having meetings with teachers this early allows us to celebrate progress

made thus far and encourage our scholars to finish strong. It also allows us to implement course corrections before the quarter ends. Many of our teachers, on average, met with 30

families individually. In February 2017, we will be going to the Student Led Conference format. Our next round of Parent Teacher Conference is April 2017. As we look forward to the second quarter we have some great things happening at UPA

Middle School. In November, on Mondays and Wednesdays, our Lady Panthers basketball team plays other schools in their league. Game times and locations are included in the

calendar in this newsletter. Please come out and root our athletes on to victory! We have also have a few opportunities for our parents, which includes November 9th we will host

our Fearless Fathers’ Dad Club Meeting from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Coffee with the Principal (for parents) on November 15th from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. and OK2Say for Parents on November 17th from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Your attendance and support for these events are

needed to support the success for our students. This month, we will also kick off our Adopt-A-Family initiative. We look forward to being

a blessing for several families in our community. On November 11th, we will have our Quarter 1 Honor’s Assembly, recognizing students with a 3.0 and higher. Also on

November 11th, students with no behavior infractions will participate in the Super Kids Fun day. We are going to be busy for the month of November. Your attendance and support for these events are needed to support the success for our students.

We look forward to seeing many of you at these events. As November is often a month to

reflect on what we are thankful for, I know that I speak on behalf of the entire staff when I say that we are thankful for the opportunity to work with your children and all the families

in the UPA community. UPA Middle School is very fortunate to have such a strong parent/teacher partnership. We wish you a wonderful month of November.

Educationally Yours, Principal Scott aisha.scott@uprepschools.com @UPAMiddle

5310 ST. ANTOINE, DETROIT, MI 48202 (313) 831-0100 WWW.UPA.UPREPSCHOOLS.COM Mission Statement

[We exist] to give students the courage to pursue a future full of possibilities.

Greetings UPAMS Families,

“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or

algorithms; it is about understanding”. – William Paul

Thurston

This month I want to emphasize the importance

of expressing confidence in your child’s ability to figure it

out. Don’t allow them to become stuck in their moments

of frustration. There is more than one way to solve a

math problem. Emphasis on problem solving skills allows

students to use their math strengths and creates multiple

pathways for solutions. In math there typically is only

one right answer, but there is more than one right way to

get it!

November Math Homework Tip

If your child is frustrated by mathematics, show him/her

how to focus. Ask specific questions that allows them an

opportunity to talk through what their thinking and

focuses on identifying what they understand. Encourage

him/her to elaborate on their thoughts using some of the

following questions:

What is the goal of the problem?

Why does that step work?

Why would we want to do that next?

What does this step in the process accomplish?

How do I know if my answer is reasonable?

Can I check my work to make sure it makes

sense to me?

Ms. Tamala Wiley, Instructional Coach

A Message from our Instructional Coaches

National Novel Writing Month Can you imagine publishing your first novel in middle school? That’s exactly what we hope our increased enthusiasm for writing will inspire in our students this month. As part of this year’s National Novel Writing Month activities, students in grades 6-8 will participate in an annual internet-based writing project called NaNoWriMo (na-noh-RY-moh). The NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program challenges participants to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Weekly words of encouragement and tips from other authors help students stay motivated throughout the writing frenzy. Word counts are validated online. The idea is to focus on completion, not perfection. They will have the

opportunity to go back and edit their work throughout

the year. Thus students should feel free to “write

away”! They can go back to edit their work later. Crew Leaders will help students register and writing activities in Crew during November will include novel writing strategies. Students are expected to add to their novel’s word count every night for homework. Family members are also welcome to sign-up and take on the challenge. The novel writing fun begins on November 1, 2016 and ends at 11:59p.m. November 30, 2016. Visit nanowrimo.org for more details.

Ms. Kyla Byas, Instructional Coach

From the Desk of the Dean of Culture

Dear Parents,

My main goal is to ensure that every student at UPREP

Middle School is provided the highest quality of

education possible in a safe and supportive learning

environment. Working together as a team with our staff

and parents, I am committed to helping each student

achieve their very best. Every student is valued and

worthy of our best effort.

In order to accomplish this goal, I have developed over

the years a philosophical phrase: The 4 E’s to

Success. These are: Engage, Empowerment, Encourage

and Educate. I will be spending a considerable amount

of time discussing and implementing these concepts into

what we are already doing at UPREP Middle School. I

sincerely believe that by adhering to the basic ideas

embedded in these four concepts, our students will

become well-rounded individuals and ready for the next

phase, high school. When we, as adults and role models,

also adhere to these concepts, our students will better see

the value of these concepts. Over the past few weeks we as a team have observed some behaviors in class which are of concern to us. Up to this point, we have handled these behaviors by giving verbal warnings, having one on one discussions and assigning detention. Our primary concern is that disruptive behaviors interfere with other students being able to learn to the best of their ability. If the behaviors continue, we may request a conference to discuss other options to facilitate better behavior. I am very passionate about the middle school years. What happens during these few short years will have a lasting impression on our student’s development and growth. The entire school year will be busy, exciting, and hopefully very rewarding for each student. The entire UPREP staff want you to join us in making this the very best experience for your children. Please do not hesitate to contact me, 313-831-0100 or use my Google Voice number 248-294-0833, for the most current information on how you can be a part of our positive school community.

Mr. James Miller, Dean of Culture

Greetings Families,

Please make sure all Immunization records are up to date and turned

into the office before November 1st

If students Immunization are not

updated they will not be allowed to come to school. You can also

submit waivers until student receive updated immunization records.

ID Make up Day will be on

November 4th. UPA Middle School Canned Food Drive

is Tuesday, Nov. 1st– Wednesday, Nov.

30th

(The class with the most canned food products collected receives a pizza party on Friday, December 9

th)

We retain an open door policy, should you ever have questions or concerns feel free to contact the main office and a member of

the administration team will be happy to assist you.

Best Regards, Mrs. Santos King School Operations Manager

From the Desk of the School

Operations Manager

The District regularly practices emergency procedures by

having periodic fire drills, lockdown drills, and evacuation

drills. This ensures that all District staff members and

students know what to do and where they need to go in

case of a real emergency.

When the District is having a lockdown drill or emergency,

no one is allowed to enter or exit the buildings (this

includes students, staff, parents, visitors and volunteers).

Students cannot be released to go home or to appointments

during a lockdown. During a fire drill or evacuation

drill/emergency, students cannot be signed out to go

home.

How can you help? ♦ Please do not drive to the front door in an emergency.

Driveways will need to be open to allow for emergency

vehicle access if needed.

♦ Please do not go to your child’s building attempting to

sign your child out in an emergency. We cannot release

your child. ♦ If you happen to arrive at school during a drill, please be

patient. We cannot release your child until the completion

of the drill. ♦ Please do not call the school to inquire about an

emergency. It is important that the phone lines remain

open and available to police, fire and other emergency

organizations.

Resources

Do You Need Eyeglasses for Your Child?

New Eyes for the Needy

New Eyes purchases new prescription eyeglasses for

low-income individuals in the U.S. through a voucher

program. · Have household income at or below 100% of the U.S.

Poverty guidelines.

Have had a recent eye exam. New Eyes does not pay

for eye exams. The prescription must be from within the

last 12 months. · Have no other resources available to them to pay for

glasses, including federal or state programs or assistance

from local charitable organizations.

A New Eyes voucher typically covers only the cost of a

basic pair of single or lined bifocal eyeglasses.

http://www.new-eyes.org/who-is-eligible

Please contact for your school social worker for local

food pantry resources.

UPA Middle School Social Worker:

Briana Strong, LMSW, SSW

313-831-0100 ext: 5111 briana.strong@uprepschools.com

Greetings UPA Families,

From the words of Michigan First Credit Union, “Give a child a dollar and he’s rich for a day, teach a child

to save and he’s rich for life!” During the entire month of November, crew teachers are asked to remind their students of the importance of

saving. Please have them to complete their application form, with their joint account holder’s information and signature, along with $20 to open the account. Students with existing accounts should be reminded to

continue to save (ideally, at least $5).

There will be a pizza party awarded to each grade level crew with the most deposits of $5 or more, made in the month of November (new enrollments do not count as deposits). Also, as an incentive, I am awarding a $20

gift card to the winning grade level crew teacher as well. What’s the catch you ask? Your crew must meet the

minimum goal of $90 for the month (an average of 18 deposits of at least $5 for the entire month). The pizza party

and gift cards will be provided in December—date TBD.

Your time starts now. Michigan First will be back next Tuesday, November 1, 2016 from 1:30 to 2:30. Good Luck and Good Savings!

Thank you,

Mrs. Jacqueline Smith

From Mohammed the Counselor

The Counseling Center has developed a Peer Mediation program. Four 8th grade

students have been trained in peer mediation and they are ready to assist students come to agreements regarding conflicts in school. If your student is having issues with another student in school encourage them to partake in peer mediation.

The Letters of Encouragement Campaign has begun. Students leave Detroit every year

and go away to school. Finals can be an be a stressful time for a college student. UPAMS students will be writing letters of encouragement to these students. They will

explore some of the stresses of college and of being away from home, and the out of state college options that are out here,

Eighth graders at UPA have the opportunity to complete an 8th grade project. The project will stair step them through various career exploration activities. They will

explore the jobs they are interested in, colleges, and the Detroit business community. This project is optional , but highly encouraged. Participants will have internships, win

prizes, and receive awards at graduation. You student was given a copy of the project from their Crew leader. They can jump into the project at any time, and get instructions from Mrs. Mohammed. Reach out to Mrs. Mohammed if you have any

questions.

Be sure to check out mohammedthecounselor.com

◄ October 2016 November 2016 December

2016 ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

UPAMS Girls’ Basketball vs. Timbuktu at DEPSA

5:45 p.m.

Fearless Fathers’ Dad

Club Mtg.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

3

4

Fall Harvest

Dance BOYS Basketball

tryouts 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Rep the Prep

Spirit Fridays

5

6 Daylight

Saving Time Ends

7

Last Day of Q1 UPAMS Girls’ Basketball vs DEPSA at UPA 4:30

p.m.

8

No School

9

Early Release UPAMS Girls’ Basketball vs GWC at DEPSA 5:45

p.m.

10 Report Cards Mailed

11 Veterans' Day Adopt-A-Family

Kick-off Honors

Recognition Super Kids Fun Day

(Q1) Rep the Prep

Spirit Fridays

12

13 14

Anti-Bully Week

15

Anti-Bully Week Coffee with the Principal

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

16

Anti-Bully Week UPAMS Girls’ Basketball vs UYA at UPA 4:30 p.m.

17

Anti-Bully Week

Ok2Say Parent Meeting

5:30 – 6:30

18

Anti-Bully Week Rep the Prep

Spirit Fridays

Canned Food

Drive Ends

19

20 21

Induction Ceremony

4:00-5:30

22

Credit Union Open 1:00 – 2:30

Auditorium

23 Early Release

24

No School

25

No School

26

27 28

Presentation

UPAMS Girls’ Basketball vs

Chandler Park at Chandler

Park 4:30 p.m.

29

Mobile Dentist

30 Canned Food Drive Ends

Notes: