Family Handbook
2009-2010
SCHOOL ADDRESSES
Lower School Campus (K-4) Upper School Campus (5-12)
3828 Old Charlotte Highway 675 N. M.L. King Jr. Blvd.
Monroe, NC 28110 Monroe, NC 28110
Phone 704-283-5678 Phone 704-238-8883
Fax 704-283-0406 Fax 704-238-8823
Web Site: www.unionacademy.org
Union Academy - Sharing A Dream … Building A Future
June 2009
Dear parents and families,
Since being offered the Headship of Union Academy, I have known that UA is special. Its parent community both as founders and partners in the educative process, continue to make a difference and shape the evolving nature of the school. The students themselves who are warm and friendly, who set high standards and goals for themselves and an “honor code” built on the hallmarks our character education component, all help to make that visible difference, that is felt as soon as you walk through the doors of the Academy.
I follow in the footsteps of Mr. Templeton and you follow in the footsteps of your predecessors who built this charter school and who live its ideals.
I hope that this handbook articulates the pertinent information that you will need as we move through the course of this academic year. Should there be other questions, do not hesitate to telephone or ask the reception and office staff, Mr. Lawrence Sullivan now serving as Dean of Students, Mrs. Diana Gagne, serving as Dean of Academic Affairs, Mrs. Katie Holmberg, Head of the Lower School or myself – and of course the teaching staff who are ready to assist you in any way possible.
This year’s challenges before you are always challenges that can be met and should not be seen as an obstacle or burden. We hope to soon make sure that each and every student is known, and known well, by at least one member of staff. Education will be one of your most important, valuable and permanent assets as the children become the men and women of our future. Union Academy is certainly part of that formula.
Sincerely,
Raymond Reinsant
Headmaster
Union Academy - Our HeritageUnion Academy began as a dream. It was a big idea that grew as more and more parents and educators saw its merit. It began with a parent and teacher who tried to find out what concerns families in Union County had with regard to public education. As these concerns began to share patterns of commonality, it became evident that a new type of school was necessary. The concerns expressed included the desire for academic challenge, equity for all students, structured learning environments, freedom for teachers to teach children as individuals rather than "teaching to the test," subjects taught to mastery, an integrated curriculum, longer school days with time for recess and special subjects, enrichment classes, global emphasis in education, character education, parent involvement, and community service.
A founding board of eight members was formed to create a charter for a school that would satisfy this dream for a new kind of school. It included a diverse and highly motivated group of Union County residents and, in August 1999, a charter school proposal was completed and sent to the state legislature for approval. The proposal included an Education Plan for Lower and Middle School, a five-year Budget, a Behavior Management Plan, and a Physical Education Plan. The president of the Union County Builder’s Association joined the board to assist with plans to help build a school, and local government officials, bankers, and professionals in marketing joined this group as well. Finally, a positive response from the state concerning the proposed Union Academy Charter School was received in February of 2000 and the real work needed to make this dream a reality began.
The first item on the board’s agenda was to hire a headmaster and they quickly chose former Charlotte Latin High School Principal and Gaston Day School Headmaster, Ken Templeton. Next, the board held a series of information sessions to present the dream of a school that was fast becoming a reality to prospective parents around Union County. The first admissions lottery was held in early May, and families from every part of Union County applied, filling each open space in grades K–4, and forming a waiting list. Each year, the school would add a grade for students as they were promoted through Middle School. Teachers and staff were hired, and the dream began to have structure.
As the start date for that first school year drew near, the search for a suitable facility began in earnest. Finally, through a joint agreement involving Union County Commissioners, the Union County School Board, South Piedmont Community College, and the Union Academy Board, the school moved into the Old Shiloh School facility on Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe. Families met each other and voted on issues regarding Union Academy. Uniforms were adopted, and parents structured the school’s volunteer requirement with various pathways to service through 15 different service teams. The week before school was to begin, furniture and text books began to arrive with very excited teachers and, on August 10, 2000, Union Academy opened its doors to the first classes of students.
Since that first year, Union Academy has continued to grow and to build on the dream that supplied its cornerstone. Along with this growth, the need for fundraising has become increasingly important. State and local governments provide all operational and facilities funding to traditional public schools, whereas they provide operational funding but no facilities funding to charter schools. To reduce this inequity, the Union Academy Foundation was established to support capital fundraising. Fundraisers at Union Academy are ongoing and have been successful due to the hard work and the generosity of our Union Academy families and our good friends in the community.
With this successful fundraising, Union Academy began its fifth year in 2004 at two campuses, the Old Shiloh School, housing grades K–4, and phase one of the new facility, built on 50 acres near downtown Monroe donated by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Murray, housing grades 5–8. This year also began with a celebration of the charter renewal through the 2014-2015 school year by the state of North Carolina. This renewal enabled Union Academy to continue to grow by one grade level each year, ending with the addition of Grade 12 in high school in 2008. The school began working on the regional accreditation process, and hired a staff counselor to assist with this process beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.
Union Academy continues to challenge students academically. The school has received both the School of Distinction and School of Excellence awards from the state of North Carolina, and annual Iowa Test Scores indicate that we are teaching our students well above the basic minimum state requirements in a successful inclusion program.
Union Academy’s Community Service program has evolved to motivate students to serve others in the community appropriately as they grow and develop to maturity. Once a month, students go out into the community and work with children in preschools, the elderly in retirement homes, Habitat for Humanity, recycling programs, the American Red Cross, and many more public service agencies.
The Character Education Program continues to be a favorite of students, parents, staff, and faculty alike, and it serves as the basis for the school’s Behavior Response Plan. This program creates a positive and supportive environment for all.
Enrichment activities, field trips, clubs, and school sports are consistently popular and well-attended by students, staff, and families. These offer many opportunities to enhance the education of our students, support the school, and have fun with other Union Academy Families.
Parent Involvement is key to the success of Union Academy and its students. There are 17 Service Teams through which most of the volunteer efforts are coordinated. Parents, guided by Service Team Leaders (who also compose the Parent Council), are able to find ways to volunteer the sixty hours expected per the school’s Partnership Agreement in a variety of ways and at a variety of times to suit their schedules. Our Union Academy families, extended families, and friends continue to be our most valuable resource. The skill, work, creativity, and many gifts offered by our families enable the school to achieve success beyond its original dreams.
Staff, faculty, students, parents, grandparents, extended family, and friends within the community: each person is an integral part of Union Academy Charter School. It takes hundreds of small things done, gifts given, and talents shared to maintain the lively growth and innovation of the school. Working together, we have achieved our dream of a school which challenges, encourages, and stretches educational possibilities for children in a global sense. Something truly unique and exciting has been established, and as Union Academy continues to grow and embrace new families each year, we look forward to new perspectives, new ideas, and new dreams to continue to build on what we have accomplished. It is exciting to be part of a place where dreams come true and where future dreams are more than possibilities imagined.
Vision Statement
Union Academy is a pathway by which children mature into confident young adults who are highly prepared and motivated to make positive contributions to their local and global communities.
As a school of challenge, character, and community, Union Academy places great value on:
- High standards and expectations for academic achievement and continuing education.
- High standards and expectations for character and personal integrity.
- School as a community of students, teachers, families, and friends.
- Commitment of service to others.
Mission Statement
Union Academy (UA) is a collaborative venture that involves the whole family and the whole community in the education and development of the whole child. UA cultivates learning that integrates high expectations for academic achievement with high standards for character development in a structured environment. This environment is designed and managed by a motivated and well-resourced professional faculty.
Union Academy Pledge
“At Union Academy, we do the right thing
even when no one is looking.”
Union Academy Character Traits
Compassion: Help others and be kind.
Adaptability: Cooperate and be accepting of change.
Respect: Be nice. Be respectful.
Trustworthiness: Keep your promises.
Perseverance: Don’t give up.
Initiative: Do something without being told.
Responsibility: Do what is right. Take care of things.
Optimism: Believe that something can happen.