KUA News
October 2024 Newsletter
Empowerment Through Opportunity
Our mission: to break down barriers for students by providing more instructional time, enriching programs and a high-expectations, no-excuses environment to ensure high school graduation, college success and career readiness are reasonable goals for all students regardless of race, language, ethnicity, gender, economic status or zip code.
A month of celebration!
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month. And we are ALL celebrating!
Students at Kids Unlimited Academy have been learning about countries in Latin America and others where Spanish is spoken, along with those countries’ influential figures. Classes participated in our annual “flag parade” last month. KUA students also contributed to a school community bulletin board featuring their drawings, poems, writing and pictures.
KUA students from Spanish-speaking families or who have cultural roots in Spanish-speaking countries have been interviewing their families about their heritage. But this month is a time for all students to increase their multicultural competence and to recognize differences between themselves and others. These types of celebrations encourage all students to take pride in who they are.
Learning about different ethnicities can help students develop empathy, improve critical thinking and gain a better understanding of the world and community in which they live. Increasing multicultural awareness also is part of the Oregon State Educational Standards.
The contributions of Hispanic and Latino people to the United States’ history, culture and achievements are observed nationwide between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15. The celebration’s origins date to 1968, when Hispanic Heritage Week was designated under President Lyndon Johnson. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observation to its current 30-day period.
Did we mention it’s a blast?! Students and staff love to draw inspiration from the people and places featured, make and appreciate artwork, watch musical and dance performances and try new foods, as well as share traditional dishes.
Although the nationwide observance will have concluded, KUA will continue its celebration through the end of the month with its Día de los Muertos display near the front office. Visit KUA anytime in October — and all year — for the sights, sounds and flavors of Hispanic Heritage!
— English language development teachers Yolanda Ortega, Jaqueline Rangel and Elaina Rich
Lindsay Ochs
Principal
From the Principal’s desk
Talking isn’t just the words we say; it’s our intentions behind them.
With the intention to develop students’ language skills — and social-emotional well-being — we at Kids Unlimited Academy are promoting the importance of everyday conversation during at-home time. It’s not news that Americans of every age and demographic increasingly choose time with electronics over time with people. And nationwide studies show the trend is taking its toll on everyone’s physical, mental and emotional health.
When kids unplug from technology and tune into an active discussion, they understand that face-to-face interactions — with teachers, classmates and their own parents — are worth the time and effort. When parents set down their devices and converse with their kids, it sends the message that their children — and what they have to say — are important.
We’re calling our effort “Table Talk,” but encouraging families to do this simple activity whenever it’s convenient within your daily routine — whether that’s mealtime, downtime after the school day, unwinding before bedtime or even in the car. Choose a time and place with minimal distractions and possibility for interruption.
It sounds easy, but sometimes even parents struggle with how to introduce new topics of conversation with their children. Keep questions open-ended but specific enough that kids can focus on explaining a single aspect of their very busy schedule at school. Instead of “How was your day?” ask kids to share one activity they enjoyed or tell you about one person who makes them feel special.
Use the ideas in this newsletter and our monthly Table Talk flyers to keep the conversation flowing! Return the signed flyers for credit toward an hour of KUA volunteering.
Donating healthy snacks to your child’s classroom is another way to fulfill required monthly engagement hours. Please ensure that any snacks accompanying kids to school contain no added sugar. Snacks with fiber, such as whole-grain crackers or fruit, and protein, such as nuts and cheese, keep kids feeling fuller longer.
And we can all stay healthy as we enter cold and flu season by modeling and practicing good hand-washing, covering our faces when we sneeze and cough and getting plenty of rest. Please do not send sick kids to school and consult the Student/Parent Handbook (English and Spanish) for guidance on when to stay home.
Attendance matters!
Regular school attendance promotes school success and is required by Oregon Law, which mandates that students miss no more than 15 school days each academic year. Any student absent for 10 or more consecutive days will be dropped from KUA enrollment. Your child may lose his/her spot at KUA.
The loss of learning that takes place when your child is absent cannot be replaced. Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten can predict lower test scores, poor attendance and retention in later grades. If you need help getting your child to school on time, please reach out to us!
Always notify the school, by calling the office at 541-774-3900 between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., when your child is absent or going to be absent for any reason. Please provide the student’s full name, grade and reason for absence. A doctor’s note is required for absences of longer than 3 days.
Attendance matters!
Regular school attendance promotes school success and is required by Oregon Law, which mandates that students miss no more than 15 school days each academic year. Any student absent for 10 or more consecutive days will be dropped from KUA enrollment. Your child may lose his/her spot at KUA.
The loss of learning that takes place when your child is absent cannot be replaced. Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten can predict lower test scores, poor attendance and retention in later grades. If you need help getting your child to school on time, please reach out to us!
Always notify the school, by calling the office at 541-774-3900 between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., when your child is absent or going to be absent for any reason. Please provide the student’s full name, grade and reason for absence. A doctor’s note is required for absences of longer than 3 days.
Why year-round school?
We can’t speak highly enough of our year-round academic calendar, which is overwhelmingly supported by our families. Below are a few key reasons why we decided in 2021 to become Oregon’s first year-round public school.
- Students retain what they learn all year, rather than experience summer learning loss.
- Additional time for authentic hands-on learning opportunities, excursions and field trips.
- Additional school days help to close the achievement gap.
- Increased opportunities for extra help and tutoring.
- Consistent routines lead to better-adjusted students — and teachers
- Easier access for vacations during the school year.
- Decreased teacher and student absences.
What’s cooking?
Our new Food Program puts more variety on students’ plates.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus incorporate more locally produced ingredients, including seasonally fresh fruits and vegetables. Beef and veggie Stroganoff and chicken, sausage and veggie jambalaya are new recipes to complement favorites like carnitas tacos and green pozole. Check out the menu at kuaoregon.org/menu
All KUA students are eligible for free breakfast, lunch and dinner — cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients in our on-site kitchen. We are an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Our nationally recognized, award-winning food program is unique in the Medford school district, and we take pride in providing students’ daily nutrition. Build your kids’ healthy habits at home with whole foods instead of processed ones.
Harness kids’ enthusiasm for pumpkins this month and serve the winter squash in appealing ways, such as these muffins. Pumpkin, whether fresh or canned, is full of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Peeled and diced, fresh pumpkin is delicious roasted or steamed with sweet or savory seasonings. Canned pumpkin typically has a more consistent texture and higher moisture content, making it better for baked goods. Check the label to ensure you’re purchasing plain pumpkin puree, not pie filling.
Using a whole can of pumpkin puree, make a double batch of this recipe and freeze a dozen muffins for breakfasts on the go. Take one muffin out of the freezer each morning, microwave for 1 minute or heat in a toaster oven for 5 minutes. Find more family-friendly, quick-fix, wholesome recipes at cookingmatters.org
Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 chopped nuts, raisins or cup chocolate chips (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray, as needed
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl, mix the flours, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.
- In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and combine with the canned pumpkin, yogurt, oil and vanilla. Mix well.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- If using the chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips, stir in now.
- Spray a muffin pan with some of the nonstick cooking spray or line with paper muffin cups. Fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full with batter. Bake in preheated oven on middle rack until muffin tops are golden-brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, for about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan for about 5 minutes. Tap muffins out of pan. Cool completely before serving.
NOTE: To make pumpkin bread instead of muffins, coat a 9-inch loaf pan with some nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter into pan. Bake in preheated oven until top is golden-brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, for about 55-60 minutes.
Makes 12 servings.
Table Talk
Family conversations during meals or before bedtime are a great way to reconnect, help younger kids to develop language skills and help parents to stay informed about happenings at school.
If kids are reluctant to talk about events of the day out loud, encourage them to explore their feelings by drawing or — for older kids — writing some thoughts on paper. Use the Table Talk flyer sent home with students as a guide and return it to the front office for credit toward fulfilling monthly volunteer hours.
“Share one thing you learned about Hispanic Heritage Month.”
“What are some fruits and veggies harvested in the fall?”
“What is your favorite Halloween candy and why?”