Weekly Parent Newsletter

Week of December 9, 2024

This is our last week of normal classes before exam week! Here’s what you need to know:

EXAM WEEK SCHEDULE

EXAM WEEK DETAILS

Please read the following exam week guidance fully so you and your student are prepared for exam week:

• Students do not need to be at school if they have a study hall. However, if they are at school and are not taking an exam, they must attend study hall.

• Students who are failing or behind in classwork will also be required to attend study hall to catch up.

• Attendance during exam week is very important. There are no make-ups allowed after the week. If students know they will be absent, they must connect with their teacher to get the exam completed earlier.

• Pizza will be available Monday through Wednesday for $2 a slice starting at noon.

• Students must exit the building by 1:45 on exam days. Families should arrange to have rides ready, carpool, or have a way to drop students off at the South Holland Library.

• If sports practice is later in the day, student athletes must leave and can return 30 minutes prior to their practice.

HOT CHOCOLATE & BAKE SALE THIS WEEK

Student government will be having a hot chocolate and bake sale this week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch. All proceeds will go to help fund UCA’s homecoming dance.

MENTAL HEALTH PANEL

Two of UCA's Seniors, Rylee August and Veronica Overstreet, have been completing their internship with Ms. Mikitka during Quarter 2, as they both have interest in the mental health professions. Rylee and Veronica saw an opportunity to provide UCA families a night to hear and learn from local pastors about the intersection of how our faith connects to our mental health experiences.

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th, from 6-7:30pm at UCA's Chapel for the Mind Matters Pastor Panel. Community mental health resources will be represented and open to connecting at the conclusion of the event. Light refreshments will also be provided! Sign up using this link, or refer to the QR code on the flyer below:

DRIVER’S ED

The $200 fee for the in-class Driver’s Ed course is due on Wednesday, December 18th.

• Driver’s Education class will begin on Wednesday, January 8th, and will conclude on Wednesday, May 7th. Class will be held on Wednesday mornings (our late start day) from 7:30 A.M. until 9:30 A.M.

• Students looking to join must be 15 y.o. by March 15th to be eligible

• New this year, a Vision and Permit Test will be available to families at Thornwood High School in February.

• Behind the Wheel training will also be available this year.

ACT-SO ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

The NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a 11 month long student enrichment program led by volunteer mentors that are business leaders across many fields. The program is aimed to inspire and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among high school students. ACT-SO includes 33 competitions in STEM, Humanities, Business, and Performing, Visual and Culinary Arts where the students compete for awards and prizes. 

The students will meet every 2nd and 4th Saturday, unless otherwise communicated by the coordinators. The next meeting will take place on December 14th from 10 AM-1 PM at Bessie Coleman Library 731 E 63rd Street, Chicago, IL.

Click here for the student application. If you are interested please submit the application to schiactso@gmail.com. Click the following link to learn more about what ACT-SO has to offer: www.actsochicagosouthside.org

FALL 2024 PARENT ENGAGEMENT SURVEY

Your feedback is essential to the mission and organizational health of Unity Christian Academy. Please answer openly and honestly. We are eager to hear back from you so that we can celebrate, learn, and grow! Fill out the survey here.

The due date for your responses is Friday, 12/13 at 5:00 p.m.

RAISE RIGHT/TRIP

SAVE TUITION with all your Holiday Shopping! The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is now available at the following link: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/910835872/

Scan the UCA RaiseRight QR Code to join our program and start saving tuition on gas, groceries, entertainment, holiday shopping and travel! **750+ brands**

Send questions to raiseright@weareuca.org

Click the follow links for: Raise Right registration — Raise Right polices — Ordering schedule

SOUTH HOLLAND HOLIDAY EVENTS

The Village of South Holland has published a list of holiday worship services and events through the end of the year. View the list here.

LOOKING AHEAD

• Christmas Break runs December 23 – January 6.

• A no-school Faculty Institute will take place on Monday, January 6, followed by the start of Quarter 3 on Tuesday, January 7.

• Want to cheer on our Phoenix? Visit UCA’s Snap page to view the upcoming sports schedules all in one place! View here