Letter From Mr. Francis
Dear Uinta Meadows Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back Eagle Nation! I hope this summer brought your family rest, adventure, and special memories. As we begin another exciting school year at Uinta Meadows Elementary, I want to express how thrilled we are to partner with you once again in supporting your child’s learning and growth.
First Day of School & Schedule Reminders
Our first day of school is Monday, August 25th. As a reminder, all Mondays at UME operate on a one-hour delayed start, meaning classes will begin at 10:05 AM. Tuesday through Friday, school begins promptly at 9:05 AM.
For families who need early drop-off, our Early Birds program will continue to open at 8:00 AM each morning. Students will be grouped by grade level and rotate through engaging activities such as academic interventions, enrichment, computers, gym, and homework time. No sign-up is necessary - students who arrive between 8:00 and 9:30 AM will be welcomed. At 9:30, students will transition to recess or breakfast in the cafeteria.
Back to school night will be held on Thursday, August 21st starting at 4:00 pm and running until 6:00 pm. Please come and meet your wonderful teachers!
Soaring Into Summer Reading Challenge
Learning never stops - especially during summer! We hope your child has stayed active with reading and math over the break. Our Soaring into Summer Reading Challenge encourages all Eagles to track their reading minutes and celebrate their progress.
UME is proud to be the ten-time defending Wyoming state champion for most summer reading minutes. Let’s aim for our 11th win this year! It’s not too late to start recording minutes, and we have exciting rewards in store:
600 minutes – Pizza party with Mr. Francis, Dr. Moon, and Mrs. Symes + placement on the base reading shelf
1,000 minutes – Pizza party + UME reading t-shirt + center shelf
1,500 minutes – All of the above + a top-shelf celebration!
New students may submit a parent note or documentation from their previous school to qualify.
PTO & Parent Involvement
We are proud to introduce this year’s PTO Board:
President: Nancy Bunot
Vice President: Yvonne Wilson
Secretary: Kendra Asay
Treasurer: Mary Souza
Membership: Vanessa Ludwig
Our PTO is one of the largest and most active in the state—your involvement matters! Please consider joining and attending our monthly meetings. In addition, our Parent/Teacher Connections Council meets quarterly to discuss school-wide goals and educational topics. We welcome your voice and ideas.
Smith’s Earn and Learn Program
A simple way to support our school is by enrolling in the Smith’s Earn and Learn Program at www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/inspire. It costs nothing, must be renewed annually, and earned UME over $800 last year. Friends and family from anywhere in the nation can sign up in support of Uinta Meadows!
Stay Connected
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Uinta Meadows Elementary School. This is our home for regular updates and celebrations. We also use BrightArrow through PowerSchool to send important messages via phone, text, and email. Please ensure your contact information is current so you stay informed throughout the year.
New Faces at UME
Please help us give a warm Eagle welcome to the newest members of our UME staff. We are confident these new team members will make a positive and lasting impact on our students:
Nicole Page - 5th Grade Teacher
Jacob Jelesiewicz – 1st Grade Teacher
Danielle Jelesiewicz – Kindergarten Teacher
Shayla Walker – Paraprofessional
Kandace Asay – Paraprofessional
Sadie Hieftje - Paraprofessional
Maddie Connelly - Paraprofessional
Becca Brandley - Paraprofessional
Maria Perez - Paraprofessional
Mikalya Fotheringham - Paraprofessional
We can’t wait to see our students and families back in the halls of UME. Together, let’s make this year one of growth, connection, and success. Let’s WIN today—and every day. Go Eagles!
Warmly,
Brad Francis, Principal
Austin Moon, Dean of Students