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September 7, 2023
Dear Utopia ISD Parents or Guardians:
Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The attached information will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.
In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.
It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:
• Failed to secure the firearm; or
• Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access
The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).
Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.
Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.
Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.
Sincerely,
Utopia ISD
(830) 333-9989
Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate for the volleyball games in Uvalde on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Bags may be searched before entering the game. Clear bags are preferred, but not required. Use the link below to purchase tickets online.
https://athletics.ucisd.net/tickets
Brackettville has just requested that the varsity volleyball game be played first at 4:00 PM this afternoon followed by the junior varsity game to allow the varsity girls to participate in their football game activities. The bus will still leave at the same time.
Due to weather conditions the administration in Dilley will not allow their volleyball team to travel. Therefore, the volleyball games for tonight, Tuesday, August 22, 2023 have been cancelled. At this time there is no word on whether the games will be rescheduled.
UTOPIA ISD JOB POSTING
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19pOtAuCa-8sI29jGIZO-1qEXxyxRy9EU/view?usp=sharing
The cross country meet Friday, August 25, 2023 will still be held at Garner State Park. The bus will still leave the school at 2:30 PM. However, the start times have been changed by the host due to heat concerns. Junior High Girls will now begin at 5:00 PM, followed by Junior High Boys at 5:30 PM, followed by High School Girls at 6:00 PM, and finally High School Boys at 6:30 PM.
Our Food Service Department received the 'Best Newcomer' award at the Walker Quality Service Food Service Conference in July! During the conference they earned 16 hours of professional development and learned new culinary skills.
Today's lunch offerings were Loaded Baked Potato Bar, Cheeseburger with baked chips, or Mandarin Orange Salad.
If you are planning on attending the volleyball game in La Pryor on August 15, 2023 you will need to purchase tickets online. Please use the link below to purchase your tickets.
https://www.lapryor.net/Content2/onlineticketsales
If you choose to notify the school when you would like your student to receive breakfast please use the Breakfast in the Classroom order form link https://forms.gle/rUeAKMsWK6zwL39q6
Utopia ISD will continue to utilize Breakfast in the Classroom Program for the 2023-2024 school year. Please use the Breakfast in the Classroom Survey Link to choose how you will want your student to participate in the Breakfast in the Classroom program with this link https://forms.gle/z7BnuXQVDAzAMkW96
Utopia ISD will be transitioning to a new phone system during the 2023-2024 school year. The reason for the switch is that the new system will allow the district to integrate the phone system with the intercom/announcement system, the bell system, and the newly required panic alert system with a savings to the district.
The current intercom/announcement system has been malfunctioning for several years now and because of its age, parts cannot be purchased to repair it. The current bell system is in the same condition as the intercom system and is not repairable. Finally, the 88th legislature mandated that a “silent panic alert system” be installed in every classroom in every public school in the State of Texas. The combined cost of replacing the intercom/announcement system and bell system as well as purchasing a new “silent panic alert system would have been well over $75,000. The phone system, which includes all three systems plus adds a phone in every classroom and several additional phones throughout the district will cost about $10,000 over the next five years.
Unfortunately, the current phone company will not allow the district to transfer the current phone numbers to the new company. Therefore, the district will have to transition to new phone numbers. The current main numbers - (830) 966-3339, (830) 966-1928, and (830) 966-1930 – will remain active until at least the end of December 2023 to allow time for everyone to transition to the new numbers. When dialing any of these numbers the caller will automatically be transferred to the system.
The new main number for the district is (830) 333-9989. When dialing this number, the caller will be directed to choose from several options as to whom they wish to speak. The district has also publish a list of extensions on the web site under the “staff” listing on the “About Utopia ISD” page. This will allow callers to connect directly to the person they wish to speak.
Please be aware that the ringers on all classroom phones will be turned off during school hours so as not to interrupt instruction. However, the caller will still be able to leave a voicemail at any time.
We anticipate that there will be a transition curve as we get the new information distributed. We greatly appreciate your patience as well as your assistance in distributing this information.
Back to School Information:
Schedule pick up for 5th-12th graders is 8/9 1:00-4:00 and 8/10 & 8/11 8:00-11:30 and 1:00-4:00. School supplies available for everyone at the same times. Meet the Teacher is 8/17 5:15-6:45. Meet in the gym. School starts 8/14 at 7:45. UISD will provide breakfast for all students that day. All school assembly 8/14 at 8:15.
Volleyball practice begins Monday, July 31, 2023 at 8:00 AM in the competition gym. All high school girls interested in participating in Utopia Lady Buffaloe Volleyball must have a physical and complete all athletic forms. We look forward to seeing everyone Monday morning!
REMINDER ABOUT ATHLETIC PHYSICALS AND UIL FORMS
Athletic physicals will be available at the Medical Clinic in Utopia on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Physicals will cost $10 per person. Please bring cash. All students in grades 7-12 wanting to participate in any UIL athletic event will be required to have a physical this year. Athletes are not permitted to participate in any sports practices until they have completed their physical. Athletic packets, including physicals, will be available at Central Office beginning Monday, July 24, 2023. All forms must be complete before an athlete may participate in any UIL athletic contest.
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Open Gym has changed slightly today, tomorrow and next week.
July 20th - Volleyball open gym
July 21st - Basketball open gym
July 25th - Volleyball open gym
July 28th - Basketball open gym
Strength and conditioning will remain the same. All other dates and times remain the same.
UPDATED SUMMER GYM AND WORKOUT SCHEDULE
Please see the attached summer gym and workout schedule for additional volleyball opportunities.
2023 UTOPIA ISD ATHLETIC SCHEDULE AND OPEN GYM
Lunch Menu Changes Friday 4/28/23
There will only be Main Entree & Salad Options
There WILL NOT be a Fun Lunch / Basket
Main Entree
McRib Sandwich
Curly Fries
Fruit & Milk
Salad option
Chef Salad W/Turkey
