NEW FAMILIES 2024-25
Dear Families,
We are delighted to welcome you to the UNIS community for the upcoming school year.
As you join us, your family becomes an integral part of a journey that is guided by the principles of the United Nations—aimed at nurturing young minds to make a meaningful impact on the world.
At UNIS, we hold true to Kofi Annan's belief that "knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” Your decision to join us underscores a commitment to a learning process that not only builds strong academic foundations but also cultivates critical lifelong skills. These skills—critical thinking, effective communication, social engagement, self-management, and research—are at the core of our educational philosophy.
Together, we embark on a collaborative partnership that will grow throughout your child's educational journey at UNIS. This partnership is built on our shared goals and commitments to ensuring the success of every student.
As we look forward to the new academic year, the entire Junior School team is eager to begin a path of discovery, learning, and growth with our new families. We are committed to fostering an environment where your children will develop into inquisitive learners and global citizens—knowledgeable, thoughtful, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced, and reflective, ready to contribute positively to the world.
Warm regards,
Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal
NEW FAMILY CHECKLIST
UNIS Security Request Form for UNIS Photo ID
Magnus health forms at Nurse
Veracross Parent Portal for family contact information at Household Profile
SchoolPass for daily dismissal plans at Dismissal
Supply Lists for each grade at Getting Ready
PE Uniform at PE FAQ and Getting Ready
Swim Permission Form for students entering Grades 2, 3 and 4 at Getting Ready
Yellow bus service, private bus, and MetroCards at Transportation
After School and Care Programs and Athletics after school at Athletics
UNIS ID cards for caregivers at Security
Language Selection (see below)
Welcome from the UNIS PA and Link to Mentor Request Form (see below)
UNIS calendars of holidays and school events at Calendars
LANGUAGE SELECTION
At UNIS we celebrate the many cultures and languages we have within our community, promote the appreciation of diversity, and encourage students to maintain the fluency of their Home Languages while valuing the acquisition of other languages.
The Junior School language program offers two options based on the student’s language profile:
French or Spanish as a Language B (Foreign language acquisition)
French or Spanish as a Language A (Mother Tongue level)
Note that enrollment in the Junior School Language A Program is subject to a placement test. In the French Language A Program, students learn Language, Math, and Humanities in French.
In the Spanish Language A Program, students learn Language and Humanities in Spanish.
Please consider language selection very carefully as this choice represents a long-term commitment through High School.
Please indicate your preference for French or Spanish instruction for your child in the form below. Please fill out one form per new student. If you already have a child enrolled at UNIS, you do not need to complete a form for the returning student.
Note regarding ELL and/or Learning Support:
ELL or Learning Support for Students in French / Spanish Foreign Language
Students who are deemed as possible English Language Learners (ELL) or in need of Learning Support will be assessed during the first weeks of school. If these students do not meet the criteria for the assessment, they will not be eligible to join a language class, but instead will attend English Language Learning (ELL) or Learning Support depending on the student's need.
ELL or Learning Support for Students in French / Spanish Language A program
Students who are deemed as possible English Language Learners (ELL) or in need of Learning Support will be assessed during the first weeks of school. Based on the assessment results, the number of hours in French or Spanish may vary until the student meets the exit criteria for ELL or Learning Support.
We appreciate your prompt return of the form and look forward to welcoming you to UNIS.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATIONS
New Students will be welcomed in person, along with their parents, for their orientation on:
Friday, August 30 | New to UNIS J1 - J4 Student Orientation with Parents
Tuesday, September 3 | PreK and JA Student Orientation with Parents
The orientation sessions are designed to welcome new students and their parents to the school, ensuring a seamless introduction to the academic community. The orientations begin with the distribution of UNIS photo IDs, followed by a meet and greet session with the Junior School team. This initial phase helps students and their families meet essential faculty and staff members and establishes a supportive and welcoming environment right from the start. As students explore their new classrooms alongside their homeroom teachers, parents receive valuable insights into the school's organization and resources, empowering them to support their child's educational journey effectively. The events are structured to foster a strong sense of community, making sure that all attendees, both students and parents, leave feeling well-informed and welcomed into the school family.
MODIFIED SCHEDULE FOR FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL ONLY
Friday, August 30
J1 - J4 Families of New Students: On Campus Orientation for students and parents (see above)
Tuesday, September 3
PK - JA Families of New Students: On Campus Orientation for students and parents (see above)
Wednesday, September 4
First Day of School
Full Day for J1-J4 only 8:20 - 2:50
PK ½ Day 9:30 - 11:00 (Dismissal before Lunch)
JA ½ Day 9:30 - 11:00 (Dismissal before Lunch)
Care Program is available for J1 - J4 only
Thursday, September 5
PK and JA ½ Day 8:20 - 11:00 (Dismissal before Lunch)
Friday, September 6
PK and JA ½ Day 8:20 - 12:30 (1st Lunch at School / Dismissal after Lunch)
Monday, September 9
PK and JA First Full Day 8:20 - 2:50 pm
Care Program is available for JA
YELLOW BUS SERVICE START DATES
Yellow School Bus start dates are to be confirmed, based on New York City’s Department of Education. Please make plans to escort your JS children to and from campus for the first weeks of school until school bus start dates are confirmed.
Monday, September 16 (proposed/to be confirmed)
Yellow Bus Service begins for J1-J4
Wednesday, September 18 (proposed/to be confirmed)
Yellow Bus Service begins for JA students whose older sibling(s) rides the bus
Monday, September 23 (proposed/to be confirmed)
Yellow Bus Service begins for JA students without a sibling who rides the bus