UCPS Launches Family Fun Fest To Support Title I Schools
UCPS is hosting its inaugural Family Fun Fest on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Monroe Middle School. This event is designed to support Title I school communities with a variety of free resources and engaging activities. Attendees will receive health and community resources, visit the UCPS Mobile Book Bus, and enjoy free giveaways including school supplies and uniform pants. Food trucks will be on site, offering a range of tasty options. Additionally, the fest will feature information on afterschool programs, academic and college planning resources, student support services and job opportunities for adults.
UPCS Student Support Staff Wellness Day: August 20 At Sun Valley High
Head to Sun Valley High on August 20 for the UCPS Student Support Professional Development Day, where the student support staff, which include school social workers, school counselors, psychologist and nurses will engage in essential professional development and wellness activities. It’s vital for student support staff to care for themselves to effectively support the students.
Trailblazing Teacher Assistant Apprentice
UCPS, in partnership with Wingate University and South Piedmont Community College (SPCC), launched Next Stop: Teach UCPS in 2023. It is a teacher pipeline program that removes financial barriers for aspiring educators. The program offers four pathways: three for high school students to earn a degree and one for teacher assistants to become certified teachers.
Belinda Sanchez-Garcia is the first teacher assistant apprentice in the Next Stop: Teach UCPS program. A recent Porter Ridge High School graduate, Sanchez-Garcia begins her career as a teacher assistant at Poplin Elementary this fall. She will complete her associate degree at South Piedmont Community College, benefit from the Gateway to Wingate Scholarship, and pursue her bachelor’s degree and teaching certification at Wingate University. UCPS supports aspiring educators by providing up to $2,500 per year in tuition assistance, helping ease the financial burden of higher education. In return, graduates commit to teaching in UCPS for at least three years in a Title I school or four years in other schools.
Revitalizing Schools: Union County’s $134M Bond In Action
On November 8, 2022, Union County voters made a pivotal decision for the future of the schools by approving a $134 million bond referendum. This bond provided funding to upgraded outdated facilities and build replacement schools for East Elementary and Forest Hills High. Construction on the new schools are expected to be complete in the fall of 2025. The bond’s impact is already visible as construction advances towards creating modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces for the students.
Expanding Horizons: Dual Language Immersion Program Grows Across Union County
This fall, East Union Middle will join the 30 schools offering Dual Language Immersion, alongside new grade-level expansions at New Town (second grade), Rea View (first grade), Porter Ridge Elementary (fifth grade), Wingate Elementary (fifth grade) and Monroe Middle (seventh grade). Our DLI program continues to thrive, enhancing bilingual education and cultural fluency for our students.
Empowering Future Interpreters: Dual Language Immersion Students Pursue Certification
Two Dual Language Immersion students from Sun Valley High School are enrolling in the new Community Spanish Interpreter Certificate program at South Piedmont Community College. This certification is crucial because it provides students with valuable professional skills and also addresses the growing need for bilingual professionals in our community. By equipping students with these skills, UCPS is enhancing their career prospects but also contributing to the broader community’s ability to bridge cultural and language gaps.
