Back to School Night
Parents meet with teachers in grade level groups at the beginning of the school year to discuss expectations (e.g., supplies, homework, etc.), upcoming events (for example, overnight field trips), and other issues relevant to the child’s new classroom. Parents also meet the Specialists at Back to School Night.
Beginning of the year Class Socials
One family in each classroom volunteers to host its event. The class social is a time at the very beginning of the year when students and their families get acquainted.
Milk and Cookies Sing Along
This is an early elementary event. Approximately two times a month the students meet together for an all-campus sing along/performance. Parents are invited to attend and come to school 1/2 hour before pick-up, sing with and watch the performances then join their child in the classroom for milk and cookies to end the day. Before going home, children have a chance to show their parents around the classroom and talk about the projects they have been working on. Parents sign up to provide classroom cookies for this event.
Grandparent/Special Friends Day
This event is designed to offer extended family members and family friends an opportunity to visit UCDS. Great emphasis is placed on the student community to be hosts to our guests for this event. The students spend much of the day with classroom visitors, usually participate in some type of performance and have lunch with their guests. The Parent Association works with the school to organize this event and provides substantial parent assistance during the day.
UCDS Exploratoriam
UCDS faculty offer this curricular event each fall. Each child attends with one parent and has the opportunity to explore hands on math and science activities at all the different grade levels in the school.
Winterlude
For three days in December, the early elementary and First Floor communities travel to a nearby ski resort to celebrate the arrival of winter. Parents join us as chaperones. Each morning students work with ski instructors to build their skiing skills and each afternoon parents and students are free to ski and play at their leisure. Winterlude is an important community-building event for the early elementary and First Floor communities.
Literature Week/Author Visits
UCDS faculty offer this enriching week-long series to students and families in celebration of the art of literature. We bring in authors and illustrators to work with the students, tell stories and lead workshops with families.
Parent Workshops
Several times each year UCDS faculty offer parents an opportunity to spend an entire morning experiencing math and science with the same methodology and materials their children experience each day.
Parent/Volunteer Appreciation Party
Each spring the school and Parent Association sponsor a Parent/Volunteer Appreciation Party for parents who volunteered throughout the school year. The Party features great food, time to socialize with other parents and faculty/staff, and a presentation of acknowledgement gifts.
Theme Fair
This family event celebrates the culmination of the year’s concept study. Children attend school with their families and participate in concept/theme related activities provided by each UCDS classroom. The UCDS Parent Association provides lunch at this event.
All School Picnics
Shortly after the school year begins in the fall and again on the last day of school in the summer, the entire community enjoys a picnic dinner together on the playground at the North Campus.
