Universal Vare's Educational Program is tailored to the middle years. At Universal Vare, we offer:

• Small Classes
• Math and Reading Clinics
• Saturday Enrichment Program
• Extended School Day
• Free Uniforms
• Seamless Transition to High School through Our Special Relationship with Universal Audenried Charter High School

Education never stops Universal Vare Charter Middle School. Winter and summer learning keeps students on track during vacation. Every student has an individualized education plan. Family and Student Resource Center provides extra support and case management including behavior health support and home visits.

Administration

Prinicipal: Sharon Nurse

Ms. Sharon Nurse graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  Recruited to join Teach for America, she began her teaching career in New York City.  While in the classroom, she earned her Master’s Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University.  After several years of teaching, Ms. Nurse became a citywide staff developer for the City of New York, working with Chancellor Joel Klein.   Her work is published in the New York City Balanced Literacy Curriculum, produced by the Chancellor.  After receiving her Supervisory Certification, Ms. Nurse became an Assistant Principal in East Harlem, New York, and then moved on to work for Universal Companies as an Assistant Principal in the Flagship Universal School, Universal Institute Charter School.  Ms. Nurse is currently the Principal of Universal Vare Charter Middle School in South Philadelphia.  Deeply rooted in education and education reform, Ms. Nurse has built a career in education that spans almost twenty years.

Assistant Principal of Operations:  Lawrence Threadgill

Mr. Lawrence Threadgill graduated from Delaware State College in Dover, De; where he earned his  Bachelor of Criminal Justice. He began his journey working in Chester High School then he branched off and worked at St. Gabes as a Language Arts teacher for five years with troubled youths. After after leaving St. Gabs, he was later recruited by Friere Charter High School as a Dean of Students and Athletic Director for 10 years. Mr. Threadgill had the pleasure of sending of many players to Division 1 Basketball because of his coaching skills. Also at Freire, he had the opportunity to learn what it takes to run and manage a school under the leadership of the CEO. He was later encouraged to go back for his Masters in School Leadership (education) at Wilmington University in Delaware while living in Philadelphia.  He was then recruited by Gans and Gans to come be apart of Universal Companies where he is currently an Assistant Principal of Operations in addition to being a member of the Universal Kitchen Cabinet.

Assistant Principal of Academics: Taryn Roane

Ms. Taryn Roane graduated from Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware in 2004; where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Primary Education, with certification in K-6 studies. However, her journey through the art of teaching and learning began years before her graduation day!  Ms. Roane has spent over 12 years in her field. She has worked in various private and public sectors, her first being Colonial School District where she taught 1^st and 5^th grade, while also earning her Masters degree in School Leadership.  Almost immediately, Ms. Roane knew she wanted to become a school leader; therefore, her next steps were leading a well known Child Care Center on the campus of Thomas Jefferson University in Center City, Philadelphia, where she learned practical leadership experience, as well as how to navigate her way through the city of Brotherly Love. Working as a childcare director allowed Ms. Roane to explore the birth through K education field, which only broadened her experiences.  After leaving the big city, she later found herself in the right place at the right time, and she landed a position as a 4^th and 5^th grade ELL teacher leader, which quickly turned into her coaching her peers to become more effective teachers.  Her superiors soon saw her potential, and within months, she was Acting Assistant Principal of a Title I school, in Red Clay School District, located in Wilmington, Delaware.  It was in her first Assistant Principal position that Ms. Roane learned what it really meant to lead a school community to academic success.  With Ms. Roane as a key player on the leadership team, her school made Adequate Yearly Progress after struggling to do so years prior.  Within Ms. Roane’s journey through education, she also went back to teach over 10 courses for the College of Education at Wilmington University, were she works to inspire others to pursue a career in the field of education.  She was a Teacher of the Year nominee in 2010-2011.  It doesn’t stop there for Ms. Roane; she is currently working on her Doctoral Degree in Wilmington, DE, where she will earn her Superintendent’s Certification.  Ms. Roane was recruited by another Universal employee, and asked to join the Universal Family in 2011, where she is currently an Assistant Principal of Academics.  In her own words, “I love the day to day challenges of being a school leader; it is in this position that you can truly make miracles happen, and be a change agent for an entire community.  There are few jobs like this one!” 

Instructions on how to enroll and the application can be found here: Instructions for Enrollment

Universal Vare Charter School Behavior Support Guide 2011/2012 was sent home with students on November 8th, 2011.  This guide (in the form of a folder) outlines the behavioral expectations and responsibilities for students, staff and parents.  This guide also outlines attendance procedures, level 1 and level 2 infractions and consequences as well as suspension and expulsion guidelines.  Students and parents should refer to this folder as often as needed.  Students should carry this folder with them at all times at Universal Vare Middle School.  

Universal Vare Charter School Pledge 

As a student of The Universal Vare Charter Middle School, I understand that my daily attendance is the key to my success.  I understand that violent behavior and abusive language are unacceptable and do not help to solve problems.

I understand that damage to and theft of property is unnecessary and harmful to my learning. 

I, therefore, pledge to work to my full potential following the rules set forth in this Behavior Support Guide.  Yes, I will be proud of myself.

Summary of U.V.C.M.S. Regarding Behavior

It is the goal of Universal Vare Charter Middle School to provide a positive educational setting for every student.  This requires an understanding of and adherence to acceptable standards of respectful behavior, which will allow learning to take place in the classroom.  Every student is entitled to an education and the right to be free of a climate that disrupts the education of others.

The Behavior Support Guide establishes a zero tolerance policy for conduct that endangers the safety of the school and/or disrupts the educational experience for other students.  Every student must follow all of the rules of the Behavior Support Guide before, during, and after school.  The Guide applies to students in the school building, on school grounds, at related school activities, and on the way to or from school.  Students must follow these rules on the yellow bus or public transit systems that bring them to school or take them home.  The Guide also applies to students off school grounds when the conduct may reasonably be expected to undermine or disrupt the proper disciplinary authority of the school or endanger the safely of a member of the school community. 

The home shares the responsibility in the education of our youth; parents and guardians should be sure to know and understand The Behavior Support Guide and their child’s school handbook.

 This Behavior Support Guide provides definitions of behavior offenses.  Some definitions include examples.  These examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list; the behaviors covered by the definitions include, but are not limited to, the examples given. 

The safety and security of all school children are our highest priority and we are committed to providing a safe learning environment.  Parents who have questions or concerns should contact the principal.   

Vare's February Events

Saturday School 

February 4th and 25th from 8am - 10am.  Saturday School is an intervention for behavior and attendance issues.

Networking Cafe

Come to the FSRC for an event from 11-1pm on February 6th and February 27th

 
Job Readiness Workshops

Come to the FSRC on February 14th and February 28th for a Job Readiness Workshop.

CSAP Workshop

 February 23rd from 5-6pm.  Come learn about CSAP (Comprehensive Student Assistance Program)

Honor Roll Assembly & Black History Month Celebration

Come to Universal Vare to celebrate Black History Month and our Honor Roll recipients on February 24th at 10am for grades 5th & 6th and 11:15am for grades 7 & 8.

Videos

Check out videos of past events!

Peace Rally

Character Awards Assembly 

Click here to download the academic calendar for the year!

Pictures show examples of an 8th grade student uniform.

• 5th grade students wear a blue dress shirt
• 6th grade students wear a yellow dress shirt
• 7th & 8th grade wear a white dress shirt
• All students must wear khaki pants/skirt
• All students must wear a sweater vest (with Universal Vare logo) and tie.
• Shoes, not sneakers

School Wide Websites

First In Math - An interactive online game students can play at school or at home.  Students can earn points and compete against other students in the school!

Class Website of the Month

Ms. Candeloros classroom has been updating their website with pictures and information, check it out - Ms. Candeloro's class website.    Congratulations on all your hard work!

The Universal Vare "Family and Student Resource Center" ensures that all students receive the full complement of  educational and behavioral health services when a need is identified.  The identification of students' needs generally begins in the classroom and is addressed by the classroom teacher with the implementation of progressive interventions.  These interventions are documented on Intervention Records (one record for each week of interventions implemented).

Referrals may be made directly to the Family and Student Resource Center for immediate student needs that a teacher identifies or is made aware of, i.e. poor hygiene, abuse, truancy (three or more days absent), repeated uniform violations, etc.  

If you have any questions, please contact the Resource Center Manager, Valarie Smith Webb (vwebb@universalcompanies.org)  

Be sure to check out the following programs and services through our Family and Student Resource Center!