Weekly Reminder

• Updated COVID-19 Protocols  (effective Monday, March 28th):  Following the current guidance, UAF’s school board and administration has decided to make the following changes in our protocols effective Monday, March 28^th :

• • Mandatory mask requirement will be lifted for all staff and students in UAF’s school facilities or on school buses.

  • Onsite COVID testing for students will be discontinued.

  • Daily temperature checks will be discontinued.

  • While the mask mandate is being lifted, we request everyone to not let their guard down against COVID-19. We ask everyone to do their part and continue to practice good hygiene! Though masks will be optional, they are strongly encouraged. Please continue to monitor the health of your children, keep them home if they present symptoms, and continue to encourage healthy habits such as frequent hand washing and sanitizing.

What is UAF's Attendance Policy?

• In case of absence, parents must call or email the school at absent@uaftampa.org by 11.59 a.m. to explain the reason(s) for their child(ren)’s absence.  

• Morning arrival and Homeroom is from 8:00- 8:20 am. Students arriving after 8:20 am must report to our Main Office with their parent to get a tardy pass.

• Parents need to make sure to notify the teachers, Divisional Head and the Principal if you plan on traveling PRIOR to traveling. Absence for the students that are traveling is considered an excused absence, unless the reason is approved by the Principal.

Why is attendance important?

Regular attendance is vital to student’s success in school. The student who is frequently absent misses direct instruction from his/her teachers even though written work can be made up. Any day or hour absent is a missed learning opportunity. Also, students that are on Step Up or other scholarships may lose their scholarships if they do not attend a certain number of days as part of their guidelines.

What happens if I forget to call or email the school for my child’s absence on the day of his/her absence?

You may call or email absent@uaftampa.org to verify your child’s absence up to 72 hours after your child has been absent. Absences that are not verified within the time allowed will be considered unexcused absences.

What are the acceptable reasons for an Excused absence?

UAF follows Hillsborough County Public Schools' Attendance Policy and considers the following factors to be make the absences as excused for time missed at school:

  A. Personal illness of the student -  A student who has demonstrated a pattern of absences due to illness may be required to present medical verification to the principal.
  B. Court appearance of the student
  C. Medical appointment of the student
  A note from a health care provider may be required.
  D. Emergencies approved by the principal
  A written request from the parent/legal guardian is submitted to the principal at least three days prior to the date of absence. The parent will be notified of the decision. Absence for the students that are traveling and are not able to attend their zoom sessions are not considered an excused absence, unless the reason is approved by the Principal.
  E. Attendance at a center under Children and Families Services supervision
  F. Accident resulting in injury to the student
  G. Observance of an established religious holiday
  H. Death of a close relative
  For purposes of this policy, close relatives shall be defined as the father, mother, brother, sister,stepbrother, stepsister, half-sister, half-brother, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandparents, or members of his/her own household.
Absences not included in excused absences listed above shall be unexcused.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures:  Please enter from Orient Road gate and exit from Sligh Gate for morning arrival and dismissal.

• Morning arrival and Homeroom is from 8:00- 8:20 am. Students arriving after 8:20 am are considered tardy and must report to our Main Office with their parent to get a tardy pass.

• Breakfast hours are from 7:40 am to 8:00 am. Students who are eating breakfast in the cafeteria may arrive at 7:40 am. All other students should not arrive prior to 8:00 a.m.  Please do not drop off your child(ren) before 7:40 am for breakfast as they should not be on campus unsupervised.

• Dismissal starts at 3:05 pm on Monday - Thursday and 1:03 pm on Fridays. Half day dismissal is at 12:20pm.  Students must be picked up within 20 minutes after dismissal starts, otherwise the parents will be charged for aftercare services.  Please visit https://www.uaftampa.org/aftercare for aftercare rates and details. 

• We have provided each family with two car tags to be used when your child(ren) are picked up from school at the end of the day.  Please make sure to clearly display the car tag on your vehicles or bring it with you when picking up your child if you park across the street. Anyone else that you send to pick up your child must also have this tag to display. If they do not have the tag, they will be required to come to the office to show proper identification.

Please click on the following link to join the 2021 PARENTS CORNER (SELCD) Social Emotional Learning & Character Development Department Google Classroom:

• Classroom Link: https://classroom.google.com/c/MzgxNzgxNjY3NjI5?cjc=c5bazth Class Code: c5bazth

• SecondarySocial Worker (Sr. Amatullah's) Website : https://sites.google.com/uaftampa.org/secondaryssw

• Visit our UAF Instagram Page (https://www.instagram.com/universalacademyofflorida/) page and stay updated about fun information and pictures of our events!
• Please click here for UAF's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UAF-107678428204225
• Please click here for UAF's Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/1598505296998308

• PlusPortals: (www.plusportals.com/UniversalAcademy)

PlusPortals allow parents and students to engage with teachers and administrators in a secure environment. You can also get information about your child's progress, recent scores, attendance totals, discipline incidents and homework/assignments on the Plus Portal. All new or returning inactive parents must have received an email last week with instructions on logging in. If you have not done so already, please access your account as soon as possible to view your child(ren)'s grades and communicate with your child's teachers! Please call the front office if you need assistance with creating the account. 

• For all IT related questions, please email:it@uaftampa.org