Superintendent Update - November 2025

Dear UPSD Parents and Families: 

Believe it or not, today marks the beginning of the 2nd quarter of the 2025/26 school year! The first 45 days of the year have been outstanding thanks to our amazing students, phenomenal staff, and tremendous community.  Please review this parent update for some important information and updates.

Remember to VOTE!!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4, 2026 is election day. Absentee ballots were mailed to homes just over two weeks ago.  Please remember to fill out and return your ballot.  It is very important that parents' voices be heard in each and every election.  Each election is unique but there is always a direct or indirect connection to public education.  Candidates for school board are on the ballot in the current election.  In February 2026, two school levies and a school construction bond will be on the ballot.  

Food Assistance in UP and UPSD
The ongoing shutdown of the federal government has resulted in a decrease in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits for many Americans.  This may create serious food insecurity problems for some families in UPSD.  If you can, please consider a donation to our local food bank, Families Unlimited Network (F.U.N.). I give monthly to F.U.N. but am making an additional donation this week because of the loss of food assistance benefits for many. 

If your family has been impacted by loss of employment or food assistance, you can apply for free or reduced-price school meals at any time. Meal applications are processed within 24–48 hours. All TK-4th grade students already have access to free breakfast and lunch at school and we want to do all we can to ensure that every student has access to healthy meals. Applications are available on our website or you can reach out directly to our Nutrition Services team with any questions at 253-566-5700. Additional resources for families are available on our Nutrition Services page.

Thank you Veterans!
There is no school next Tuesday, November 11, 2025 in recognition of Veterans Day.  Students and staff at all UPSD schools will honor and celebrate the many sacrifices and accomplishments of veterans at patriotic music concerts and school assemblies later this week.  If you are a veteran of the United States armed services, thank you for your service.  

Interested in a School Tour?
As I noted in my last update, we will be asking UP voters to approve school construction bonds to replace Sunset Primary, Chambers Primary and the 100, 200, 300 and 400E buildings at Curtis High School in a special election on February 10, 2026. It is very important to us that parents and citizens have information about these facilities and why they need to be replaced.  We are offering several community presentations and tours in the coming months. If you would like to attend a tour and/or a presentation check out the levy and bond section of our webpage.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Please never hesitate to reach out to me with questions, suggestions or concerns.  My email address is jchamberlin@upsd83.org and my direct telephone line is 253-566-5600 x3316. 

Best regards, 

Jeff Chamberlin
Superintendent