University Park Elementary
600 N. Huber
Casper, Wyoming 82609
Phone: (307) 253-3800
Fax: (307) 253-3840
School Website
Hours: 8:40 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.
Grades: PreK - 5
Supply List: Download PDF
Handbook: Download PDF
School Description:
University Park parents, students and staff have created a culture for ensuring all students accomplish educational success. It is imperative that students strive in an environment that values the individual. Staff members ensure that each student develops a positive attitude toward learning and instill a desire to be a lifelong learner.
Factors which contribute to students’ success are small group instructional size, close monitoring of students’ academic progress, high value placed on instructional time, class and student goal-setting, celebrations for attaining academic and behavioral milestones, and continual professional development.
University Park is known as the “best kept secret” on the east side of Casper. It has been recognized by the Wyoming Department of Education and the national Title I program as a distinguished school. University Park is proud of its core programs of Reading First, Saxon Math and 6+1 Traits of Writing.
Families:
Our parent-staff-student organization is known as UP BEAT (University Park Best Educational Alliance Team). All parents are automatically members of UP BEAT and are encouraged to participate in the organization’s activities.
The objectives are to promote the involvement of all parents and staff in the education and development of students; to promote an maintain the highest possible standards of academic excellence and citizenship; to bring into closer relations the home and the school; to increase and facilitate communication and cooperation between the home and the school; to encourage physical and mental education and appropriate social behavior at school; and to provide a forum for the discussion of local school district objectives and local school issues UP BEAT meets the third Tuesday of each quarter at 7 p.m. in the library.
University Park School participates in the federal Reading First initiative. Students have reading instruction for 90 minutes in Houghton Mifflin and 45 minutes of Walk to Read. Students also write daily. Students utilize 6+1 Traits of Writing and Step Up to Writing programs and techniques. Saxon Math will provide your child with a wide variety of mathematics activities.
Students may participate in before- and after-school Bridges, Noon Study Club, Missoula Children’s Theater, Science Fair, Authors’ Club and Walking Club.
Fifth-graders may play basketball and volleyball through the Casper Rec Center.
Students who are noted as "intensive" or "strategic" on benchmark and progress monitoring assessments receive initial reading and math instruction in groups no larger than eight students from a certified teacher. Additional tutoring is provided to these students in groups no larger than five to eight students led by a teaching assistant.
These students are monitored at least twice each month. They also receive pre-teaching or an intervention for an additional 30 minutes.
Staff members meet twice a month in grade-level meetings and monthly through cross grade-level collaboration times.
Students not showing adequate progress on their current program have their instructional program customized. A Response to Intervention (RtI) model is being piloted with scientifically based core programs and interventions utilized.
Bridges is available before and after school for students in need of additional academic support. Before-school hours are 7:45 to 8:15 a.m., and after-school hours are 3:30 to 4 p.m.
All students participate in goal-setting. We believe that one way to enable students’ ownership of their learning is to help them to set specific, measurable, and realistic goals. Students, by their very nature, are goal seekers. They are “nudged” from within by curiosity and questions, excitement, and passion. We are determined to use this excitement and passion for learning to help guide students in setting academic and behavioral goals. Support is provided so that students work toward attaining and surpassing their goals. Goals are set with students, teachers, and parents each quarter.
Breakfast is served daily from 8 to 8:25 a.m.
Preschool is available for children ages 3 to 5, with preference given to 4- and 5-year-olds. Preference is given to children from low-income homes and with the highest need.
