Union Elementary District

May 8, 2020

Dear Union Parents, Families and Community,

Hip-Hip Hooray! Give yourself a big pat on the back, you are navigating a huge challenge, and surviving!

When we started this year, none of us would have imagined that we would be ending the year this way. However, I couldn’t be prouder of our Union Elementary School District Community.  Our students, parents, teachers, food service, technology team, maintenance, transportation, office, central service, support staff and administrators have demonstrated creativity, tenacity, flexibility, care and compassion.  Everyone has risen to a challenge we have never faced as a nation, and have juggled family, job responsibilities, and personal/community health concerns and kept your spirits high.

As we near the finish line for the 2019-2020 school year and happily say good-bye to this trying time, we are all looking ahead with great anticipation of happier and safer times. We are all planning for a 2020-2021 school year filled with hopeful, smiling children, happy and energized staff, and an entire community welcoming a safer and healthier world for everyone.

Before we end the year, and gear up for next year, we are closing out with the following activities. 

• First, we are continuing remote instructional opportunities and packet pick-up through the last day of school, Thursday, May 21, 2020.
• Second, we are packing-up classrooms and student’s personal items that were left in the classroom and arranging for parents to pick those items up from our schools. Your school will be contacting you to make those arrangements.
• Third, we will continue grab-n-go meal service through May 21, 2020, and will be announcing summer meal program schedule soon. 
• Fourth, we will be communicating summer learning opportunities and arranging for return of any technology as more information about summer programming becomes available.
• Last, and certainly not least, Dos Rios and Hurley Ranch are planning safe and responsible promotion celebrations for our eighth-grade students and planning to recognize this important educational milestone. Look for details from your school next week.

Enrolling for 2020-2021? 

• Returning to your same school, and live in Union ESD boundaries? You don’t need to do anything! Please keep your contact information current, and follow us on Facebook and visit our website for the latest information.
• Returning to your same school, and live outside Union ESD boundaries? Please just complete a new open enrollment application, contact your school for a form.
• Moving from Union to Hurley Ranch? You don’t need to do anything! Please just keep your contact information current, by contacting Union until May 21, 2020, after that, contact Hurley Ranch.
• New to the Union Elementary School District? Welcome!We have an online registration process, visit http://unionesd.org/enroll. Once your registration is complete, your child’s school will contact you for an appointment.

Thank you, parents and guardians, for supporting your child’s learning; and for collaborating and communicating with their teachers and principals. Thank you for being strong examples of hope, courage and resiliency.  It is together that we inspire hope and empower all our children to courageously pursue their goals and dreams.

Please reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, district staff, or me if you have any questions, comments or concerns. For now, stay home, stay healthy, stay connected. Update your contact information should things change. We will all return stronger and more courageous when this is finally over and be prepared to face any challenges we face in the future, TOGETHER!

8 de mayo de 2020

Estimados padres de familia, familias y comunidad,

¡Hip hip hurra! Date una gran palmada en la espalda, estás navegando un gran desafío y sobreviviendo.

Cuando comenzamos este año, ninguno de nosotros hubiera imaginado que terminaríamos el año de esta manera. Sin embargo, no podría estar más orgulloso de nuestra Comunidad del Distrito Escolar Primario Union. Nuestros estudiantes, padres, maestros, servicio de alimentos, equipo de tecnología, mantenimiento, transporte, oficina, servicio central, personal de apoyo y administradores han demostrado creatividad, tenacidad, flexibilidad, cuidado y compasión. Todos se han enfrentado a un desafío que nunca hemos enfrentado como nación, y hemos hecho malabarismos con la familia, las responsabilidades laborales y las preocupaciones de salud personales / comunitarias y hemos mantenido el ánimo en alto.

A medida que nos acercamos a la línea de meta para el año escolar 2019-2020 y felizmente nos despedimos de este momento difícil, todos miramos hacia el futuro con gran anticipación de tiempos más felices y seguros. Todos estamos planeando un año escolar 2020-2021 lleno de niños esperanzados y sonrientes, personal feliz y lleno de energía, y una comunidad entera que acoge un mundo más seguro y saludable para todos.

 Antes de terminar el año y prepararnos para el próximo año, estamos cerrando con las siguientes actividades.

• Primero, continuamos con las oportunidades de instrucción remota y la recolección de paquetes hasta el último día de clases, jueves 21 de mayo de 2020.
• En segundo lugar, estamos empacando las aulas y los artículos personales de los estudiantes que se dejaron en el aula y organizando que los padres recojan esos artículos de nuestras escuelas. Su escuela se comunicará con usted para hacer esos arreglos.
• Tercero, continuaremos con el servicio de comidas para llevar hasta el 21 de mayo de 2020, y anunciaremos el horario del programa de comidas de verano pronto.
• Cuarto, comunicaremos las oportunidades de aprendizaje de verano y organizaremos el regreso de cualquier tecnología a medida que haya más información disponible sobre la programación de verano.

Por último, y ciertamente no menos importante, Dos Ríos y Hurley Ranch planean celebraciones de promoción seguras y responsables para nuestros estudiantes de octavo grado y planean reconocer este importante hito educativo. Busque detalles de su escuela la próxima semana.

Enrolling for 2020-2021?  

• ¿Regresar a su misma escuela y vivir en los límites de Union ESD? ¡No necesitas hacer nada! Mantenga actualizada su información de contacto, síganos en Facebook y visite nuestro sitio web para obtener la información más reciente.
• ¿Regresa a su misma escuela y vive fuera de los límites de Union ESD? Simplemente complete una nueva solicitud de inscripción abierta, comuníquese con su escuela para obtener un formulario.
• ¿Se muda de Union a Hurley Ranch? ¡No necesitas hacer nada! Simplemente mantenga actualizada su información de contacto, comunicándose con Union hasta el 21 de mayo de 2020, después de eso, comuníquese con Hurley Ranch.
• ¿Nuevo en el Distrito Escolar Primario Union? ¡Bienvenidos! Tenemos un proceso de registro en línea, visite http://unionesd.org/enroll . Una vez que se complete su registro, la escuela de su hijo se comunicará con usted para programar una cita.

Gracias, padres y tutores, por apoyar el aprendizaje de su hijo; y por colaborar y comunicarse con sus maestros y directores. Gracias por ser fuertes ejemplos de esperanza, coraje y resistencia. Es en conjunto que inspiramos esperanza y empoderamos a todos nuestros niños para que valientemente persigan sus metas y sueños.

Comuníquese con el maestro de su hijo, el director, el personal del distrito o conmigo si tiene alguna pregunta, comentario o inquietud. Por ahora, quédese en casa, manténgase saludable, manténgase conectado. Actualice su información de contacto si las cosas cambian. ¡Todos volveremos más fuertes y valientes cuando esto finalmente termine y estemos preparados para enfrentar cualquier desafío que enfrentemos en el futuro, JUNTOS!

Con mis mejores deseos,
Ms. Kristine Morris
Superintendente

Dear Union Elementary School District Community,

Thank you for embracing and supporting our flexible learning opportunities during the COVID-19 Pandemic school closure. While the virus may have changed how we live, work and play for the short term, our children can not afford for their learning to stop for a full 9 weeks. That is why we have committed to work closely with your family to support your child in continuing teaching and learning at home every day.

Last week our teachers began connecting to their students using our on-line platform Microsoft Teams.  Our amazing teachers set up opportunities for students to learn the platform, talk to one another, engage in group conversations, and to learn important grade level content.  We had almost 900 students log-on to their classroom and engage in their learning!  Thank you parents for helping your child navigate this new technology and for supporting them in connecting to their teacher.

If you still need help connecting your child you can visit our website at http://unionesd.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_300795/File/Community/Student%20Resources/Microsoft%20Teams%20Student%20Login.pdf or contact your child's teacher.

Our teachers have taken the time to prepare work packets to pick up that can be used during the on-line class time, and completed independently.  Additionally, the materials can be sent to you electronically.  We are also excited to share that almost 500 laptops have been distributed to help our students connect to their learning with their classmates.  If your family still needs technology, or your child needs a sign on,  please reach out to the school for assistance.

Our commitment to you and your child is to teaching and learning everyday.  Our teachers will be ready with on-line sessions and recorded lessons for you and your child to access.  We ask that you support your child by picking up packets, signing onto the on-line platform, and contacting your child's teacher and/or school if you have any challenges. We still  have 5 more weeks of instruction for this quarter.  Please keep your child progressing so they end this year strong, continue their progress, and are ready to start the new year in the fall.

Stay safe, stay connected, and stay learning.

Warm regards,

Ms. Kristine Morris

Superintendent

Estimada Comunidad del Distrito Escolar Primario Union, Gracias por abrazar y apoyar nuestras oportunidades de aprendizaje flexibles durante el cierre de la escuela COVID-19 Pandemic. Si bien el virus puede haber cambiado la forma en que vivimos, trabajamos y jugamos a corto plazo, nuestros niños no pueden permitirse que su aprendizaje se detenga por 9 semanas completas. Es por eso que nos hemos comprometido a trabajar estrechamente con su familia para apoyar a su hijo en el aprendizaje continuo en el hogar y nos hemos comprometido a continuar enseñando y aprendiendo todos los días.

La semana pasada, nuestros maestros comenzaron a conectarse con sus estudiantes utilizando nuestra plataforma en línea Microsoft Teams. Nuestros maestros increíbles crean oportunidades para que los estudiantes aprendan la plataforma, se comuniquen entre ellos, participen en conversaciones grupales y aprendan contenido importante de nivel de grado. ¡Tuvimos casi 900 estudiantes iniciando sesión en su aula y participando en su aprendizaje! Gracias a los padres por ayudar a su hijo a navegar esta nueva tecnología y por apoyarlos a conectarse con su maestro.

Si aún necesita ayuda para conectar a su hijo, puede visitar nuestro sitio web en http://unionesd.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_300795/File/Community/Student%20Resources/Microsoft%20Teams%20Student%20Login.pdf o comunicarse con el maestro de su hijo .

Nuestros maestros se han tomado el tiempo para preparar paquetes de trabajo para recoger que se pueden usar durante el tiempo de clase en línea y completar de forma independiente. Además, los materiales pueden enviarse electrónicamente. También nos complace compartir que se han distribuido casi 500 computadoras portátiles para ayudar a nuestros estudiantes a conectarse a su aprendizaje con sus compañeros de clase. Si su familia aún necesita tecnología, o si su hijo necesita un inicio de sesión, comuníquese con la escuela para obtener ayuda.

Nuestro compromiso con usted y su hijo es enseñar y aprender todos los días. Nuestros maestros estarán listos con sesiones en línea y lecciones grabadas para que usted y su hijo tengan acceso. Le pedimos que apoye a su hijo recogiendo paquetes, iniciando sesión en la plataforma en línea y contactando al maestro y / o la escuela de su hijo si tiene algún problema. Todavía tenemos 5 semanas más de instrucción para este trimestre. Mantenga a su hijo progresando para que termine este año fuerte, continúe su progreso y esté listo para comenzar el nuevo año en el otoño.

Mantente seguro, mantente conectado y sigue aprendiendo.

Un cordial saludo,

Ms. Kristine Morris

Superintendente

April 9, 2020

Dear Union, Elementary School District Families,

We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy!

Since we received notice on March 30, 2020, that schools were going to remain closed for the remainder of the year, your Union ESD team has been working diligently to find ways to continue learning opportunities for our students.  As we come to terms with the reality that we will not be seeing our students in person and saying our goodbyes in traditional ways, it becomes even more important for us to remain connected.

To facilitate this connection, starting next week, April 13, 2020, our teachers will be hosting some on-line sessions to check-in, build connections, teach mini-lessons, and provide some support for your child’s learning at home. We will be conducting this using Microsoft Teams. 

Please visit http://unionesd.org/community/student_resources/microsoft_teams_login_instructions for instructions on logging on to Teams.  Your child’s teacher will provide you with the username and temporary password.

The new paper packet will be available for pick-up on Monday 4/13/2020, from 8am-3pm. Please plan to pick this up on Monday 4/13/2020. The packet will contain the week’s activities, a schedule of ‘live’ opportunities, and times when the teacher is available for support.

The packet for the following week, April 20-27, will be available for pick up on Friday April 17^th between 8am-3pm. 

Weekly meal service will continue at Hurley Ranch & Dos Rios on Wednesday 4/15/2020 at 4pm. As the weather gets warmer, we may be changing hours, so please keep your contact information up to date and visit our Facebook page, and website for the most current information.

Union ESD is closed for Spring Holiday on April 10, 2020. All offices will resume taking calls during our normal business hours on April 13, 2020. However, we are practicing social distancing so if there are any other needs please call ahead of time to ensure that we are available to meet those needs: Union (623) 478-5000, Hurley Ranch (623) 478-5100,  Dos Rios (623) 474-7000, District Office 623-478-5005.  Stay in contact via our website and Facebook.

We hope to find creative ways to celebrate and close out the year and will be communicating with you about those ways in the weeks to come. In the meantime, please let us know if there are any questions you have or additional supports we can provide.  We stand ready to help.  Please stay safe and connected.

Warm regards,

Kristine Morris

9 de abril de 2020

Estimada Familias de Union Elementary School District,

¡Esperamos que usted y su familia estén sanos y salvos!

Desde que recibimos la notificación el 30 de marzo de 2020, de que las escuelas iban a permanecer cerradas por el resto del año escolar, nuestro equipo de Union ESD ha estado trabajando diligentemente para encontrar maneras de continuar el aprendizaje de nuestros estudiantes.  Mientras nos hacemos a la idea de que no veremos a nuestros estudiantes en persona y no podremos despedirnos de maneras tradicional, será muy importante permanecer en contacto.

Para mantener una comunicación con nuestros estudiantes, a partir de la próxima semana, el 13 de abril de 2020, nuestros maestros organizarán algunas sesiones en línea para ofrecer mini lecciones y proporcionar un poco de apoyo a las familias y estudiantes. Estas sesiones en línea se llevarán a cabo por medio de Microsoft Teams. Por favor, visite http://unionesd.org/community/student_resources/microsoft_teams_login_instructions

para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo iniciar sesión en Microsoft Teams. El maestro de su hijo le proporcionará el nombre de usuario y la contraseña.

El nuevo paquete de tareas para su hijo/a estará disponible el lunes 4/13/2020, de 8am-3pm. Por favor, planee recoger esto el lunes 4/13/2020. El paquete contendrá las actividades de la semana, un horario de las sesiones "en vivo" y horas en las que el maestro estará disponible.

El paquete para la semana siguiente, del 20 al 27 de abril, estará disponible el viernes 17 de abril entre las 8am-3pm. 

El servicio de comidas semanal continuará en Hurley Ranch & Dos Ríos el miércoles 4/15/2020 a las 4pm. A medida que el clima se calienta, es posible que cambiemos de horario, así que por favor mantenga su información de contacto actualizada y visite nuestra página de Facebook y el sitio web para obtener la información más actualizada.

Union ESD estará cerrado el 10 de abril de 2020 por vacaciones de primavera. Todas las oficinas reanudarán la toma de llamadas durante nuestro horario de oficina el 13 de abril de 2020. Estamos practicando el distanciamiento social por lo que si hay otras necesidades por favor llame con anticipación para asegurarse de que estamos disponibles para ayudarle con sus necesidades: Unión (623) 478-5000, Hurley Ranch (623) 478-5100, Dos Ríos (623) 474-7000, Oficina de Distrito 623-478-5005.  Manténgase en contacto a través de nuestro sitio web y Facebook.

Esperamos encontrar formas de celebrar y cerrar el año y nos comunicaremos con usted acerca de esas maneras en las próximas semanas. Mientras tanto, déjenos saber si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita apoyo adicional que podemos proporcionar.  Estamos listos para ayudar.  Por favor, manténgase a salvo y conectado.

Saludos cálidos,

Kristine Morris

Superintendente

March 30, 2020

Dear Union Elementary School District Families,

Earlier today Governor Ducey announced school closure through the remainder of the year. See message below.

While this changes where we provide education, it does not change the need for us to continue to deliver educational opportunities for our students.  We are continuing with our plan to deliver hybrid learning opportunities through paper packets and online learning using Microsoft Teams.  Additionally, unless told to stop, Each Wednesday at 4pm, we will continue to hold weekly grab-n-go meal service at Dos Rios and Hurley Ranch. 

We have posted online enrichment activities for all the different grade levels for you to choose those that are most appropriate for your child at our website https://bit.ly/2JjOAUQ.  We will have a new set of learning enrichment activities for you to pick up this week, March 30th.  All offices will be taking calls during our normal business hours. We expect to be available from 8am to 11am for families to continue to pick up instructional materials. However, we are practicing social distancing so if there are any other needs please call ahead of time to ensure that we are available to meet those needs: Union (623) 478-5000, Hurley Ranch (623) 478-5100,  Dos Rios (623) 474-7000, District Office 623-478-5005.  Stay in contact via our website and Facebook.

If you are not receiving our communication from both school messenger and Smore, you probably need to update your information.  Please call or email your school office.  Office Manger emails: Union Elementary= [email protected]; Hurley Ranch= [email protected], and Dos Rios= [email protected]

If you have not completed our survey, please do so asap at https://bit.ly/2Jk2PZW . We will be reaching out to families for information to better support at-home learning opportunities over the for the remainder of the year.

You will be receiving specific information from your school to help support your child’s learning.  Please let us know if there are any questions you have or additional supports we can provide during this closure. 

Sincerely,

Ms. Kristine Morris

Superintendent

Dear Union ESD Community,

The demand for our school meal program this evening 3/18/2020 was greater than our supply.  We know that continued meal service is important and will increase our supply for next Wednesday 3/25/2020. 

In the meantime, any child under 18 can participate in the following meal programs at our neighboring school districts.  

Tolleson Elementary School District  

8:00am – 11:00am. Monday – Friday will distribute breakfast and lunch daily. 

Pendergast Elementary School District will also welcome children under 18. 

Visit their website http://www.pesd92.org/districtnews/2019_20/announcements/Grab%20and%20Go%20Flyer.pdf

Please contact your school if you have any questions. 

Thank you.

Our teachers are amazing! This month we celebrated Union Elementary School District teachers for the academic growth their students made on the Middle of Year (MOY) Galileo assessments.  The teachers who attended were selected because their class exceeded the MOY growth expectations in either Math or ELA. Our partner, Million Dollar Teacher project, hosted a luncheon sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, Microsoft, and Office Depot.  Teachers had an hour away from their campus to enjoy lunch with their colleagues, play some games, win prizes, and most importantly be celebrated for their work with our students to improve academically.   Congratulations to our teachers and their students for their hard work!

The Union and Hurley Ranch 2^nd and 3^rd grade teams hosted an informative and fun “Moving Up” evening to welcome future 3^rd graders to the Hurley Ranch campus.  Over the past several months our schools have worked together to help our 2^nd graders and their families get excited and informed about the transition to Hurley and to help ease any nerves or concerns that families and/or students might have.  Parents, if you were unable to attend the Moving Up event, Principal Watkins would be happy to answer any questions and help you and your child prepare for a smooth transition.  

Parent teacher conferences are right around the corner, March 2-7.  Thank you for taking time to meet with your child's teacher.  Our goal is to have 100% of families attend.  If you haven't set up your appointment, reach out to your school today.  

Families, thank you for believing in and supporting your local public schools. We know you have choices and we thank you for choosing Union ESD #62 as your education partner. Thank you to those who have recommitted to your school by returning your letter.  This process helps us better plan for future enrollment, supplies, materials, and helps us create a welcoming space for your child's first day back next year.  Additionally, it helps us gauge how many open enrollments we can accept.  If you live out of District and interested in your child attending a Union ESD school, please contact the school, arrange for a visit, and submit an open enrollment form today.

Thank you for choosing Union Elementary School District #62.   Together we will inspire hope and empower all children to courageously pursue their goals and dreams. Have a great Spring Break March 9-13.

Sincerely,

Ms. Kristine Morris
Superintendent

School Contact Numbers

Dos Rios Elementary 623-474-7000

Union Elementary      623-478-5000

Hurley Ranch Elementary 623-478-5100

Happy Fall! It has been a great start to our year and I’m excited to share with you an update on the progress we have made together and some challenges we will overcome.

First, thank you for making school attendance a priority for your child during the first quarter. Both Union Elementary and Hurley Ranch made student attendance a priority this year.  As a result of their efforts during quarter 1 Union Elementary improved attendance by 1.04 percentage points and Hurley improved their attendance rate by .55 percentage points when compared to last year's attendance! Additionally, both schools reduced their chronic absentee rates by over 3 percentage points! Your children depend on you to get them to school on time each-and-every day, and your efforts are showing. As we head into the Thanksgiving and Winter Break, let’s keep it going. The days leading up to the break, and immediately following the break, are important for your child’s learning.  Please schedule trips and appointments during the vacation days only and help your child develop important habits that will last a lifetime.

We had the highest beginning of year enrollment in recent history, at 1800 students.  Not only is it important for your child’s learning that they attend every day; but, starting at the beginning of the school year ensures that we receive the full appropriation of resources from the state to support their learning.  The state determines how much funding to send to the district based on how many students are enrolled from the first through the 100^th day of school.  If a student starts 5 days late, the state will only provide the district with 95% of the funds that were set aside for their education.  Additionally, when a student arrives after the 100^th day, there is no state funding provided for that student.  Thank you for choosing Union, for showing up on day one, and for helping us ensure the full resources are garnered to support our students.

Thank you for attending parent teacher conferences.  During the Fall parent-teacher conferences we were able to meet with 69% of parents about their child’s progress.  These meetings give you and your child’s teacher important face-to-face time to discuss the strengths and areas for growth for your child and they are very important to us.  These meetings not only give you  the chance to meet face to face with your child’s teacher, they also show your child that you and the teacher care about their progress, and that you are on the same page about the child’s goals.  We will be having conferences in the spring and look forward to this opportunity again. We hope to reach 100% participation in the spring.  In the meantime, if you have a question or concern, call or email your child’s teacher, they are happy to have you as their partner in learning.

We are so very proud of our teachers and staff and appreciate the work they do to help our students feel safe, supported, and to make academic progress.  Unfortunately, we have faced some challenges with staff turnover. Sometimes unavoidable life circumstances cause mid-year changes to our classrooms and although we ask that employees afford us time to find quality replacements; that cannot always occur.  We are grateful to our guest teachers, parents, and support staff for their patience and consideration of this situation. Thank you for working with us as we seek caring and qualified employees who are committed to ensuring your child’s success.   

The Arizona Department of Education recently released school letter grades from the 2018-19 school year. We have a celebration and one area for growth. Dos Rios kept pace with State averages and received a C letter grade.  They also made significant progress and were 2 points away from a B letter grade. Unfortunately, Hurley Ranch’s last year’s student achievement and growth did not keep pace with State averages and resulted in Hurley Ranch receiving a D letter grade.  We are so proud of all our Union Elementary School District students, staff, and community and know that we will do even better. We are confident that through the adjustments we have put into place for this current school year, we will make greater progress and improve our State standing.

We know you have a choice in where your child attends school and we are committed to ensuring your child experiences outstanding instruction every day. Thank you for engaging in your school through events, parent-teacher conferences, literacy & math nights, PTO events, etc.  It is your firsthand engagement, relationships with staff, conversations with and modeling for your child that education is an important family matter, that will help us strengthen our services, improve our outcomes, and inspire all children with hope and empower them to courageously pursue their goals and dreams. 

Wishing you a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving break, shared in the company of those you care about. Thank you for a great start and looking forward to an even stronger middle of the 2019-2020 school year!

With warm regard,

Ms. Kristine Morris