Newsletter #01

Dear Parents,

When the physicist Richard Feynman observed the curious behavior of spaghetti—namely, its tendency to break into more than two pieces when bent (1) —he was highlighting a key tenet of physics: systems, regardless of scale, from subatomic particles to everyday phenomena, obey certain underlying principles. One such principle that holds significant relevance across varied scales is the Principle of Least Action.

In the quantum realm, particles don't necessarily follow a singular, straightforward trajectory from one state to another. Instead, the quantum framework allows for a particle to explore all possible trajectories. Yet, when quantum probabilities collapse, it's often seen that nature chooses the path that involves the least action, a concept encapsulated by Hamilton's Principle (2). The Principle of Least Action is a captivating principle of physics that offers a profound perspective on the universe's inner workings. At its heart, as briefly explained above, this principle suggests that nature, in all its complexities, follows a path of optimal efficiency. Imagine a universe where every motion, from the flight of a bird to the trajectory of a planet, is not random or arbitrary but is instead the most efficient path possible. It's as if the universe itself has an inherent economy, always choosing the route that requires the least effort. This idea is not only elegant but also transformative. It implies that there is an underlying order and simplicity in the midst of the vast intricacies of the cosmos. The fascination lies in the realization that nature, for all its apparent chaos and unpredictability, is fundamentally guided by a principle of minimalism and efficiency.

Drawing a parallel to our own Junior School Community's experience, consider the seemingly chaotic scene of last week's arrivals and dismissals. Upon initial scientific observation, the movements, decisions, and behaviors of individuals may have appeared random, if not entirely... let's admit... totally unpredictable. However, just as in quantum mechanics, underlying this apparent chaos were principles guiding each individual's actions. Each person, consciously or subconsciously, was optimizing their own "path" based on their circumstances, desires, and constraints.

In systems dynamics, there's a concept called "emergent behavior." (3) It describes how simple entities operating on local information and principles can lead to complex behaviors at a macroscopic level. During arrival and dismissal, each individual acted as an agent, optimizing their path based on local factors like finding the quickest path to the teacher, the shortest queue, or the safest route. When you aggregate these individual decisions, you get the macroscopic scene of what seemed like chaos. But, from a school Principal's perspective, this was not random chaos; it was deterministic chaos, much like the trajectories explored by quantum particles: all was perfectly planned. Every movement, every decision, was the epitome of minimalism and efficiency. The entire process was practically a real-world demonstration of the Principle of Least Action!

The beauty of being a Principal, as it is in Physics, lies in finding the underlying order in what, at first glance, appears to be disorder.

Well... I can't help but detect that unmistakable twinkle of skepticism in today's Newsletter's audience. Perhaps, in the spirit of continual improvement, it's worth revisiting the drawing board to see if we can't find an even more 'optimized' way to welcome and dismiss students—a method so efficient that even the Principle of Least Action might nod in approval. 

Outlined below are the specific directions for how Arrival and Dismissal will be organized next week for PreK to J4 students. We kindly ask for your attention to ensure a smooth process for all involved.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal
Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

(1) Junior School Weekly Newsletter #14, December 3, 2018
(2) Hamilton's Principle, often referred to as the Principle of Stationary Action, is a fundamental principle in classical mechanics. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the behavior of physical systems over time. In its essence, Hamilton's Principle states that the dynamics of any physical system evolve in such a way that a particular quantity, called the "action," is stationary (it neither maximizes nor minimizes but remains constant or achieves a specific value).
(3) "Emergent behavior is behavior of a system that does not depend on its individual parts, but on their relationships to one another." (Twing.org)

Please review the maps below. Our goal is not only to echo the elegance found in the 'Principles of Least Action' but to surpass it! By refining our arrival and dismissal processes, we aim to craft an experience even more optimized, efficient, and minimalist than what nature's own laws might spontaneously produce. Your cooperation is necessarry in supporting a better experience for our students, parents, and staff. Thank you!

• • Monday, September 11 | PK/JA/J1 Parent Social (Omani Hall) 8:30-9:25

  • Tuesday, September 12 | Care Program Available for JA

  • Thursday, September 14 | J2/J3/J4 Parent Social  (UNIS Cafe) 8:30-9:25

  • Saturday, September 17 | Family Fun Day is postponed

• • Monday, September 18 | 1st Day Yellow Bus Service J1-J4

  • Wednesday, September 20 | 1st Day Yellow Bus for JA with older siblings 

  • Thursday, September 21 | JS Back to School Night - Save the Date

  • Monday, September 25 | 1st Day Yellow Bus for all JA 

  • Tuesday, October 3 | JS Photo Day

  • Saturday, October 7 | Cardboard Challenge 

  • Monday, October 9 | 1st Day After School Program

  • Monday, October 9 | No Yellow Bus Service

  • Friday, October 20 | UN Day Celebrations

  • October 23 - October 25 | October Break

  • Monday, October 30 | Classes Resume

YELLOW BUS START DATES

• Monday, September 18 : Yellow Bus Service begins for J1-J4

• Wednesday, September 20: Yellow Bus Service begins for JA students whose older sibling(s) rides the bus

• Monday, September 25: Yellow Bus Service begins for JA students without a sibling who rides the bus

IMPORTANT: 

All departments at UNIS, including the nurse, rely on the information that you provide in the Veracross Parent Portal to contact you. 

The only way you or your caregiver can be reached in an emergency, or when there are schoolwide announcements, is through the information that your family adds to our UNIS Portal. 

Please review your family profile and contact information to ensure that all of your local cell phone numbers, work phone numbers, email addresses and home address are correct and are entered in the correct fields. 

If you have not reviewed your information in September, we encourage you to do it today so that we can reach you quickly if needed, especially if you have relocated from abroad.

After logging into the Portal at myunis.vc , you may review and update all of your family contact information by:

• Going to Veracross

• Clicking on Household Information

• Updating Household Profile -> Contacts.

Thank you for taking the time to review and update your contact information now, and throughout the school year. The school's ability to contact you depends on it.

If you need support in order to make updates, please email tech.support@unis.org

Click on the link below to access specific information regarding your child's grade.

Just a few months ago, a fundraising scavenger hunt led by Max Hochman (Class of 2024), helped support the relief effort for the victims of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey: bravo to everyone who assisted with that initiative!  

Many tragedies strike populations around the globe which deserve our attention and compassion. This is yet another call to action, and a test of our UNIS mission to make a Better World. 

Antoine Delaitre, Tutorial House Principal

The High School students who may be interested in leading -or simply supporting in any way they can- a new relief effort, are encouraged to step forward and notify the Th Office of their initiatives. We will keep our Junior School Community updated so we can support our Tutorial School Students in their initiatives.

Current COVID Guidelines 

We are all excited to welcome our students back and are looking forward to a healthy and happy school year. We would like to share the current COVID guidelines for NYC schools in an effort to keep us all healthy and off to a good start.

Students and staff who are feeling sick should stay home and test (at home-tests are fine). 

Please send a picture of your COVID test results to covid@unis.org

For positive COVID results:

No symptoms:  Isolate 5 days and return on Day 6

With Symptoms:  Isolate for 5 days 

  Symptoms must be improving AND Fever free (without medications) for 24 hours

  Masks need to be worn on Days 6-10

When determining how long to isolate and wear a mask, Day 0 is the day of COVID-19 symptom onset and Day 1 is the first full day after when symptoms started. 

For people who had no symptoms, Day 0 is the test date and Day 1 is the first full day following the test date.

Marisa Rivera, MS, RN, FNP, CPN 

mrivera@unis.org

Mask Wearing at School

Mask wearing while on campus is optional and the discretion of your family. Be assured that all JS students whose families choose to have them remain masked at school will be fully supported by our faculty and staff.

If your child will wear a mask at school be sure you have packed at least 2 spare masks in a clean bag in your child's backpack, as well as an extra bag to hold used masks if they aren't disposable. 

Health Protocols

We would like to remind everyone about our health protocols:

• When your child is sick with runny nose, cough, stomach ache, fever, headache, etc. there is no expectation from the Junior School that they should attend class in person or attempt to learn from home. 

• If your child has symptoms that would normally have kept them at home prior to COVID-19, we ask that families not send their children to school or request for schoolwork to be sent home.

• We hope that time will be taken for your child to rest and recover at home as the school believes that children recover more quickly when they are permitted to disconnect and rest, and when care is taken by everyone to avoid spreading communicable illnesses.

• If your child had any symptoms that could be consistent with COVID, they need to remain at home and take a rapid test. 

You may review the full protocols on our website COVID & Health Protocols. 

Thank you for supporting the entire UNIS community by keeping your children at home when they are not well. 

When your child will be absent, please email your homeroom teacher before 8:00am with a copy to jsattendance@unis.org, and update SchoolPass to alert all departments, especially After School Activities and Transportation, that your child is not at school.

Make Sure Your Child's Health Records are Up-to-Date

In keeping with state laws and UNIS policy, several student health and medical forms must be completed annually and submitted directly by parents via Magnus Health Student Medical Record (SMR). These forms may be uploaded, faxed or mailed directly to Magnus. In order to protect the confidentiality of student health and related information, please note that the health office is unable to accept and upload health forms. Once completed and received by Magnus, the forms are available to our school nurses for final review and approval.

If you are experiencing delays to obtain an appointment with your regular doctor/pediatrician, note that you can also obtain these medical forms through any urgent care center in New York City without any appointment. You can always update your records at a later date once you have been able to also see your regular doctor/pediatrician.

Required health forms which MUST be uploaded/acknowledged on Magnus Health:

• Annual physical exam

• Up-to-date immunization record

• Vital health record

• Consent to treat form

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medication form

If you experience difficulty with uploading, please contact Magnus Health SMR customer support at service@magnushealthportal.com or by phone 877-461-6831. If you have trouble accessing Magnus, please email the tech team at websupport@unis.org. 

A school nurse is available during the school day, from 8am to 6pm. You can contact our Health Office at schoolnurse@unis.org, or contact Nurse Marisa Rivera, Director of Student Health and Nursing, at mrivera@unis.org (212-584-3078).

Join us in the upcoming Junior School Parent Socials!

• Parent Social (Pre-K, JA, J1 parents), Monday, 9/11, 8:30-9:25am, Oman Hall

• Parent Social (J2, J3,J4 parents), Thursday, 9/14, 8:30-9:25am, UNIS Cafeteria

Note that plans for the Family Fun Day on September 17 have been postponed.

UNIS Is An Allergy Aware School

This means that students, families, faculty and staff are respectfully asked to refrain from bringing peanuts, nuts, and seeds of any kind or foods processed with these items or their by products, such as oils, into the school. This includes products which state "may contain traces of nuts/peanuts/tree nuts” or "manufactured in a facility which processes" nuts/peanuts/tree nuts.

For example, tree nuts (such as almonds, pistachios, pine nuts, cashews, brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts, etc.) and foods associated with them (such as nutella, pesto, granola bars, marzipan, macaroons, hummus (containing sesame), etc.) may present a risk to others. 

PreK - J4 Lunch Brought from Home

Please be mindful as you pack lunches for your Junior School child(ren) as these remain stored in their backpacks until snack or lunch time. If lunch items require cooling, please be sure to include insulated ice packs in the packaging for your child's lunch. No additional heating or cooling options are available. 

No Money, Toys, Electronics, Smartwatches at School 

Junior School children should not bring money to school and they are not permitted to purchase food in the Cafeteria.  If they forget their lunch from home one day, they can ask the JS Office to help arrange for school lunch for that day. Parents are expected to send payment of $8.00 cash for the Food Service Director the following day in an envelope with their child’s name and homeroom. 

JS students are not permitted to bring toys from home, including electronics, balls and trading cards. Aside from often being lost, these items are a distraction from learning in the classroom, and a cause of conflict at play and during after school programs.

We understand that some families provide their children with smartwatches or cell phones for safety reasons. However, upon entering the school building, all watches and phones are to be silenced and placed securely in the students backpack and remain there until they are dismissed. We ask that parents not attempt to text, call or send alerts to their Junior School child during the school day. If you need to reach your JS child on an urgent matter, please phone the JS Office at 212-584-3190 or email jsoffice@unis.org with a copy to your child's teacher.

Gum chewing is not permitted at school at any point during the school day, including during playtime, and students are not permitted to bring any gum or candy to school.

Note that the school is not responsible for the loss of any personal items, valuable or not, that students have brought from home. This includes jewelry, smart watches, cell phones, electronic devices, toys, etc.

JS Birthday Celebration Policy

For reasons related to student allergies and health, this is the policy for JS student birthday celebrations on campus:

• Birthdays will be acknowledged and celebrated in the JS Homeroom and/or with the Mother Tongue group. 

• Students may bring a special food treat for themself from home on their birthday to enjoy at snack or lunch time.

• Instead of bringing food treats from home to be shared with classmates, the birthday student may choose from a menu of fun activities offered by the Homeroom or MT teacher for the class to participate in together. The activities will be age-appropriate and vary by grade.

• At the discretion of the Homeroom teacher, there may be individual celebrations for each student, or there may be grouped, monthly birthday celebrations. 

• Details about the birthday celebration policy for your child’s homeroom will be discussed in more detail with parents at Back to School Night.