Newsletter #06

Dear Parents,

In a world that is tormented by chaos, last Monday morning at UNIS brought me a sliver of hope, a reminder that humanity still had the potential to unite, to understand, and to heal...

On that Monday, a palpable heaviness hung in the air, thick with the heartbreak and sorrow of recent global upheavals. The heartrending scenes from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory hadn't just filled news channels but had seeped into our very souls, making us question our shared human values and deepening the ache in many already tormented hearts. Such distressing events, sadly, weren't isolated. This recent crisis was but a poignant chapter in a continually expanding book of human anguish. The enduring discord in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the simmering unrest in Ukraine, and the relentless battles in Yemen, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Sudan, and many more, all paint a somber global tapestry.

Being a part of the United Nations International School, these global tremors reverberate through our hallways, touching the very fabric of our diverse community. In moments of international conflict, the impact is often magnified for us. It's a poignant reminder of the intricate tapestry of nations, cultures, and beliefs that we are. And yet, in these trying times, our institution becomes a beacon of hope and unity. When the world outside our walls is torn apart by nationalistic divides, within them, our parents, students, faculty, staff embody a spirit of togetherness. Words of wisdom and compassion echo louder, transcending the nations at war and reaffirming our commitment to peace and mutual respect. At UNIS, even amidst global turmoil, we tirelessly strive for understanding and harmony, holding tight to the belief that here, we are one.

Such escalations in violence often beget further violence, creating a never-ending cycle of atrocities. As I grappled with these thoughts, my feet carried me past Ms. Urieli's class. A grade 2 teacher from Israel, she was assisted by Ms. El Bakli, teaching assistant, from Egypt. My gaze fixed on them. Their camaraderie was palpable, their cultural and religious differences only adding depth to their bond. In a world torn by differences, here they were, complementing each other, their unity serving as a testament to what humanity could achieve.

This snapshot of peace in the midst of global chaos was not lost on just me. Heiddis, a new student from Iceland, had similarly been moved. With an artist's perception, she absorbed the harmony between Ms. Urieli and Ms. El Bakli and translated it into her drawing: Heiddis, ever captivated by stories from diverse cultures, found herself intrigued by the narrative of these two educators. Their collaboration, against the backdrop of historical tensions, showcased the immense potential of unity. Through her artwork, Heiddis captured their essence, illustrating that unity and mutual respect can indeed be stronger than any divide.

The day she revealed her artwork to Ms. Urieli and Ms. El Bakli was one for the books. Their smiles, radiating genuine happiness, reflected the sentiments of the young artist's representation. As they stood side by side, holding the drawing, they became living symbols of peace, echoing Mahatma Gandhi's words, "There is no path to peace. Peace is the path." In this shared moment, they not only celebrated their bond but also inspired many to seek unity and understanding, even in the most trying times.

To our dedicated parents serving at the United Nations, day in and day out, you grapple with geopolitical complexities, working tirelessly to alleviate suffering and rescue the countless innocent lives caught in the crosshairs of war. The world may only catch glimpses of these crises, but you dive into the intricate details, often facing far more harrowing truths than many could bear. Your nights are short, your burdens heavy, and yet your resolve remains unbroken. We place our hopes upon your capable shoulders, and we want you to know that you are not alone. As you endeavor to save lives and bring about global change, be assured that here at UNIS, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing, educating, and providing the best for your children. We stand in admiration of your sacrifices, filled with gratitude, and promise to support and uphold the values you work so hard to instill on the world stage.

And to our entire UNIS community, our thoughts are with every parent, student, and colleague who, today, holds a heavy heart for the safety of a loved one—whether they're in Israel, Palestine, Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine, Yemen, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Sudan, or any corner of the world marred by conflict. We deeply recognize the anguish of hoping and praying for the safety of innocent children who find themselves caught amidst wars they did not choose. These children, emblematic of hope and the future, suffer from circumstances beyond their control, and the pain reverberates within us all. Every child has the right to grow in peace and security.

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

• • Monday & Wednesday, October 16 & 18 | MAP Makeup Tests (details in this newsletter)

  • Week of October 16 | Sneaker Recycling (details in this newsletter)

  • Friday, October 20 | UN Day Celebrations (details in this newsletter).*

  • October 23 - October 25 | October Break

  • Monday, October 30 | Classes Resume

*The cafeteria will be set up for our UN Day assemblies on Friday morning.  Parents and students wishing to have breakfast can use the Oman Assembly Hall.

• October 23 - October 25 | October Break

• Monday, October 30 | Classes Resume

• Tuesday, October 31 | Halloween Dress Up day (optional)

•  Thursday, November 2 | Parent Coffee Follow-up  (details in this newsletter).

• November 15 - November 17 | Parent Teacher Conferences (details to follow)

• November 22 - 24  |  Thanksgiving Break

• Tuesday, November 28 |  Photo Makeup and Retake Day (students absent on October 3 can have their portrait taken or request a retake at:  Stomping Ground)

• December 18 - January 2 | Winter Break - No Classes for Students

• Monday, January 3 | Classes Resume

• Monday, January 15 | School Closed (MLK Day)

Our UN Day celebration will take place this Friday, October 20. This special day is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the diverse cultures and identities that make up our school community.

This year's UN Day will include:

• A student parade from 9:15-10am that parents can view from outside the school building. In case of rain, the indoor parade will be for students only.

• An international breakfast potluck in classrooms from 10-10:45am, where families can collaborate on a dish representing your cultural traditions to deliver to the classroom between 8:15-8:30am during arrival.

• Students are encouraged to come dressed representing their cultural background and identities. In the Junior School, they may want to bring a change of clothes for after the parade if their attire is elaborate.

Please note a few important details:

• We are a nut/seed aware school, so no items containing nuts/seeds or their byproducts.

• To reduce waste, bring reusable containers and utensils to take home afterwards. Avoid single-use plastics.

• Label dishes clearly with all ingredients. Use disposable gloves when preparing/serving.

• After dropping off your breakfast dish at arrival in your child's classroom, please head outside to view the parade.

• We need 2 parent volunteers per class to help set up and clean up breakfast. Please let us know if you can assist!

While the teaching schedule is adjusted on this day, attendance is still expected as we have special UNIS identity learning planned. We hope you and your family can take part in this wonderful celebration of our diverse community! Please let me know if you have questions.

Grandparents (or other important family members) are invited to enter the campus to watch the parade, although we are not able to invite them into the building due to crowding constraints. These guests must enter the front gate accompanied by parents holding UNIS ID cards, be prepared to show a government issued ID, and wait outdoors along the parade route. They are expected to exit the campus after the parade ends.

An exception will be made for students whose parents are not able to join them in the classroom for the International Breakfast. If a parent is not able to attend, a grandparent may take their place in the class. If this is the case, please alert jsoffice@unis.org and your child’s homeroom teacher (include the full name of your child and the full name of the grandparent taking the place of the parent) no later than Thursday, October 19 by 10:00am so that necessary security protocols can be put in place. 

Note that due to classroom capacities, UNIS JS students must remain in their own homeroom during the International Breakfast on UN Day. Parents are welcome to move between homerooms between 10:00 -10:40 if they have more than one child in the Junior School, but siblings must remain with their own homeroom and cannot visit another sibling’s class. Thank you for your support and understanding as we follow health and safety guidelines for the full community. 

In the spirit of collaborative progress, we extend an invitation to all parents for the follow-up Parent Coffee on Thursday, November 2 form 8:40am to 9:30am. Your engagement will be instrumental as we, together, navigate the path to a holistic and enriched educational experience at UNIS.

IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT EARLY DISMISSAL REQUESTS

Early dismissal for students is strongly discouraged. Parents are expected to schedule their child’s appointments and travel plans outside of school hours. Early dismissal is reserved for urgent needs only or exceptional circumstances approved directly by the Director Executive, Dr. Brenner.

In no event should requests be made for an early dismissal to attend an athletic activity, class or lesson outside of UNIS. The expectation is that after school activities be scheduled at a time that aligns with the dismissal time for your child’s grade or, if that is not possible, your child arrives late to their after school activity:

• PK & JA: 2:45

• J1 - J2: 2:50

• J3 - J4: 2:55

Early dismissals disrupt academics in the classroom for your child as well as all students in the class. Early dismissals pull our faculty and staff away from instruction time and tasks that affect the smooth and safe operation of the Junior School. 

Thank you for supporting the UNIS community and scheduling your child’s outside activities at times that do not interfere with teaching and learning.

Over the past week, the Student Support Team has been attuned to our students' needs concerning the situation between Israel and Hamas. In the Junior School, we emphasize listening to and following our students' lead. Conversations can evolve based on the topics and concerns they express, always ensuring our responses are appropriate for their developmental stage. We believe in the importance of addressing their inquiries directly, rather than guiding the conversation ourselves. In classes where no questions or concerns arose, especially in the lower grades, we refrained from introducing the topic, adhering to our Junior School ethos.  Our primary focus in the Junior School remains to anchor our students in their regular school routines and foster their social connections.

For those of you who wish to continue these conversations at home, the team has curated a list of age-appropriate resources to assist you:

• Helping Children Cope With Terrorism - Tips for Families and Educators

• Common Sense - Explaining the News to Kids

• APA - Building resilience in response to indirect terrorism

• SAMHSA - Talking to kids after trauma

• Child Mind - Helping kids cope after trauma

If you observe shifts in behavior or hear concerns at home, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Support Team:

Dr. Dana Marnin dmarnin@unis.org (JS Psychologist)

Amy Iamundo aiamundo@unis.org (Counselor for J1, J3 JAS)

Alyssa Frost afrost@unis.org  (Counselor for J2, J4, JAW, JAF, JAK)

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please note that the health office has been informed of a few cases of lice. Head lice occur commonly among school age children, but can happen to anyone. This is a condition that each year affects approximately 6 to 12 million US children ages 3 to 11. Head lice are parasites, which are found on the scalp, around the ears, and at the back of the neck. Head lice cause itching, commonly at the back of the head and neck or behind the ears. The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and can be the color of your child’s hair. Eggs, or nits, are smaller and silver in color. 

Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene, and anyone can get them. Lice do not transmit infections and do not endanger a person’s health. Lice pass from person to person by direct contact or by sharing clothing with lice on them. 

There are many effective creams and shampoos available over the counter or by prescription from your doctor. You may also seek treatment at any professional lice removal salons. The UNIS health office recommends you check your children frequently, and treat immediately. After initial treatment it is important to continue combing the hair daily for 14 days to prevent reinfestation. A retreatment may be necessary 10 days after the first treatment. 

UNIS has a “no head lice and no nit” policy, which means that students found to have active cases of lice (live bugs), and those with moderate/severe cases of nits (eggs) will be sent home for treatment. Treatment can be provided by any company of your choosing or done at home. Students who are sent home for treatment will be required to follow up in the nurses office prior to entering class the next day for clearance. Once your child has returned to school, we will check to ensure that they, as well as any siblings, are free of lice/nits. If lice/nits are still present, the child/children sent home again. We continue to do this until we are as sure as possible that a child has no remaining lice/nits. 

We would like to recommend that all parents be vigilant in checking their children for evidence of head lice on a frequent basis, as early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to prevent widespread transmission. If your child has long hair, please pull it back or keep it braided during the school day. Please remind your child not to share personal items such as brushes, combs or hats with other students. We ask that if you have found lice or nits on your child’s head, please inform the nurse’s office as soon as possible, even if your child has already been treated and appears to be lice-free. 

We ask for your cooperation in ensuring that head lice are managed successfully, through a school and parent partnership. Working together, let’s limit lice interruptions in school. If you have any questions or comments, or would like additional information, please speak to your child’s pediatrician or feel free to contact the UNIS Health Office at 212-584-3078. You may also find more information on these websites: www.cdc.org or www.healthychildren.org. 

Sincerely, 

Marisa Rivera MS, RN, FNP, CPN 

Director of School Health and Nursing

mrivera@unis.org

Facts about Head Lice 

What are head lice? 

Head lice are parasites, which are found on the scalp. Head lice cause itching, commonly at the back of the head and neck or behind the ears. The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and can be the color of your child’s hair. Eggs, or nits, are smaller and silver in color. Lice do not transmit infections and do not endanger a person’s health. 

Who gets head lice? 

Head lice occur commonly among school age children. This is a condition that each year affects approximately 6 to 12 million US children ages 3 to 11. Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and anyone can get them. It doesn't matter how clean your hair or home may be. It doesn't matter where children and families live, play, or work. 

How is lice spread? 

Head lice are crawling insects. They cannot jump, hop, or fly. Lice pass from person to person by direct contact or by sharing clothing, items with lice on them. Anyone who comes in head-to-head contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk. Lice can also be spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, hair ties, sports and bike helmets, or towels) used by an infested person. 

How can lice be prevented? 

If your child has long hair, it is best to have it pulled back into a bun or braid during the school day. Avoid sharing personal items 

How to check for lice? 

Regular checks for head lice are a good way to spot head lice before they have time to multiply and infest your child's head. 

∙Seat your child in a brightly lit room. 

∙Part the hair and look at your child's scalp. 

∙Look through hair for crawling lice and for nits. 

Live lice are hard to find. They avoid light and move quickly. Nits will look like small white or yellow-brown specks and be firmly attached to the hair near the scalp.

The easiest place to find them is at the hairline at the back of the neck or behind the ears. Nits can be confused with many other things, such as dandruff, dirt particles, or hair spray droplets. The way to tell the difference is that nits are attached while dandruff, dirt, or other particles are not. 

What is the treatment for lice? 

There are several medicated shampoos or cream rinses that are available over the counter. Retreatment after 7 to 10 days is usually recommended to assure that no eggs have survived. Nit combs are available to help remove nits from hair. To avoid side effects and toxicity, dose and duration of treatment should be followed according to label instructions. Please seek further guidance from your pediatrician when using over-the-counter products. You may also seek professional treatment for a lice-removal salon of your choice. Many of these salons use non-toxic, all natural products. 

To prevent re-infection following treatment, clothing and bedding should be laundered in hot water (140 degrees F for 20 minutes) followed by a hot drying cycle to destroy lice and eggs. Since lice eggs hatch within 6 - 10 days, and lice can survive for only 1 - 2 days away from a scalp, storing infested items in a sealed plastic bag for 10 days is effective for items that cannot be laundered. Hair should be pulled back in a braid or bun at all times to reduce re-infection. 

UNIS partners with Lice Treatment Center for our screening. They also provide in home treatment, should you wish to use them. There are many companies you can find with a simple online search. Should you wish to treat at home please use the video to assist you. Please remember, after initial treatment it is important to continue combing the hair daily for 14 days to prevent reinfestation. A retreatment may be necessary 10 days after the first treatment. 

Recipe for natural lice shampoo: 

Kill lice by stopping their respiratory systems with a mixture of 1-part baking soda and 3-parts hair conditioner. Apply the mixture and comb the hair by sections. Use a soft tissue to wipe off the comb and remove the nits, baby lice, and adult lice.

Please come and visit the UNIS Lost and Found. Items are on display by the A Stairwell behind the security desk. Please stop by or send your child to be reunited with lost items. All items not claimed by end of day Friday, October 20, 2023 will be donated. For more information on donations, please contact the PA Social Responsibility Committee

In preparation for our annual UN Day celebration, Friday, October 20, 2023, 193 UN Member State flags have been hung around the school. We rotate the hanging of the flags each year and flags are hung in alphabetical order from the 1st to the 5th floors. This year the first flag is New Zealand.

Where do I find my flag?

New Zealand - St. Kitts UNIS Lobby

St. Lucia - Andorra UNIS Cafe

Angola - Burundi 2nd Floor

Cabo Verde - Dominican Republic  3rd Floor

Ecuador - Hungary Middle School Area (4th Floor)

Iceland - Marshall Islands 4th Floor

Mauritania - Netherlands- Germany 5th Floor

Fun facts about flags:

Did you know Denmark has the oldest flag in the world?  It is believed that the design was created in 1291.

Did you know purple is the rarest color found on a flag?  It is found on only two flags - Nicaragua and Dominica.

Did you know Nepal is the only flag in the world that does not have four sides?  Go look at it and see that it is made of two triangles.

Please respect the flags!  Flags represent nations and people of those nations.  If you see a flag down or missing, please report it to maintenance.

Happy UN Day!!!!

RECYCLE YOUR OLD SNEAKERS!

The Junior School GREEN TEAM is launching a gotsneakers recycling program.

Don’t throw away your old sneakers - donate them!

Donations begin October 16

gotsneakers is an organization that takes old sneakers and refurbishes them for reuse or turns the unusable sneakers into playground surfaces. 

IT'S AS EASY AS 1 2 3 

DONATE YOUR OLD SNEAKERS AND THE JS GREEN TEAM WILL EARN MONEY TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT’S GREEN INITIATIVES!

Donate your old sneakers by putting them into a box with the label gotsneakers. Boxes will be in the UNIS lobby and near the JS morning entrance.

Thank you for supporting us!

Rose Fico | JS Sustainability Coordinator

In celebration of Zero Waste Month, let's embark on a journey towards a greener future! The little things matter: from bringing your own cup to cafes, to growing greens at home, and even switching to alternative energy sources. Small steps like using glass jars instead of plastic containers and embracing reusable bags can significantly reduce our environmental footprint. Remember, sustainability isn't just a trend—it's a lifestyle. 

Halloween is a time of joy, creativity, and community - a tradition we embrace at the United Nations International School with our annual Halloween Dress Up Day, particularly in our Junior School. On Tuesday, October 31, we invite students who wish to participate in this celebration to come to school wearing their costumes. However, we would also like to ensure that our focus remains squarely on our educational responsibilities and fostering a conscious and respectful school environment.

This year, we kindly ask you to help guide your child in making a thoughtful decision when selecting their Halloween costume, bearing in mind the following guidelines:

• Halloween Dress Up Day is a regular school day, so dressing up is completely optional.

• Students choosing to dress up should arrive at school fully dressed in their costumes – there will be no time allotted for costume changes at school.

• Please make sure your child’s costume is comfortable and suitable for a full school day.

• If a student has PE on this day, they should wear their PE clothes underneath their costume.

• Costumes should not stereotype or insult any particular culture, ethnicity, religion, or gender, and should be entirely safe. Any props or costumes that depict violence or resemble weapons are strictly prohibited.

We invite you and your child to consider and discuss the following questions regarding their costume choice:

• Does this costume stereotype or marginalize a group of people?

• Does it symbolize colonial rule?

• Does the object or image carry any cultural or traditional significance?

• Does the use of this costume or object trivialize a culture or group of people?

• Could this costume be mistaken as a misuse of another person's culture?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes', please rethink the costume choice. Our pursuit of a non-bias, inclusive school community calls for avoiding any form of cultural appropriation.

Moreover, we ask:

• Please avoid any full-head masks for safety reasons.

• Ensure your child wears comfortable and secure footwear.

• The costume should be easy for the child to remove should they need to use the bathroom or feel uncomfortable.

• We discourage the choice of political costumes and do not permit candy or treats to be brought or shared at school.

Our teachers are prepared to engage students in discussions about these crucial topics, encouraging respect for cultural diversity and understanding different cultures' significance.

We appreciate your support and thank you in advance for assisting your children in making thoughtful and respectful costume choices and fostering a fun, educational, and inclusive environment.

The Child Mind Institute marked World Mental Health Day this year by convening a panel featuring members of their Youth Council in conversation with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy at UNIS on Tuesday, 10 October 2023. Our very own Wyatt Whitman (T3) and Chapin’s Alexis Li moderated the panel discussion.  These remarkable young people and visionary leaders came together to discuss the mental health challenges facing kids today, the causes of this crisis, and strategies that everyone — from kids themselves to world leaders — can use to help.

Please click here to see the recording of the event. 

Dreambox for JA, J1, J2 Families

As a reminder, please review these directions for accessing your child's Dreambox account on a personal device:

Dreambox How-to Login for JS Families

 October Sports Camps

Registration is now open for the MultiSports and Basketball Camps which will take place during the October break. The camps will be run by coaches who are part of the UNIS Athletics and AfterSchool and Weekend Sports Department.

The dates of the camps are October 24 - 27, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Register for the full or half day, one or all four days. 

Students should wear Athletic clothing and sneakers, and need to bring lunch, plenty of snacks, and drinks.

All the information can be found on the registration forms below.

Register for the MultiSports Camp for PK to M4 Students here.

Register for the Basketball Camp for M1 to T4 Students here.

The Basketball Camp is a great way to prepare for the Basketball season with tryouts taking place the following week for M3 to T4 students for the Middle School and High School teams.

For more information email Daniel O'Connor doconnor@unis.org 

JS Photo Make Up and Retake Day - Mark Your Calendar for November 28

Junior School students had their individual, as well as homeroom group photos, taken last week on Tuesday, October 3.

These photos will be available to parents for purchase directly from Stomping Ground, and will be used in the annual UNIS yearbook.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 28: Photo Makeup & Retake Day.

• Students who were absent on October 3 can have their individual portrait photos taken that day. 

• Parents may also coordinate directly with Stomping Ground to retake their child's October 3 portrait. 

• Use this link to coordinate a retake directly with Stomping Ground:  STOMPING GROUND PORTAL

Note: Homeroom group photos will NOT be taken on November 28. Attendance on October 3 was the only opportunity for a JS student to be included in their homeroom's group photo. 

STOMPING GROUND PORTAL

Dear Antoine and Kenya,

I am writing to share the kind act your TH students (mixed grades) demonstrated today!

When the TH students were on their way to Lunch from upstairs, 19 kindergarteners were going up to visit the JS office. We were about to cross each other in Staircase B, and I asked the first line of the TH students if they could stop and wait for us to pass by. They immediately stopped. Then, the rest of the students followed and stopped, waiting for us to pass by. The whole staircase was filled with TH students waiting patiently! We thanked them for their kindness. We felt warm inside our hearts. 

In our class, we reflect on the day and share the kind acts that happened in our community at the end of the day every day. One of us remembered how kind the "big students" were. We agreed that we wanted to show gratitude for your students' kindness by giving them a kindness leaf on our kindness tree. Please see the photos below. Vera, the leader of the week, chose the red maple leaf and placed it on one of the branches. This leaf belongs to your kind and caring students, and it will become a gentle reminder of how to be kind to each other in our classroom and UNIS communities. 

Please kindly share this with the TH Student Council/student group if possible.

Kindly,

Junko Saito and the Learning Lions (JAS)

 UN Day International Breakfast - Friday, October 20

When: Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, following the UN Day parade in the morning

Where: Homeroom Classroom

Who: Class Parents will organize for each homeroom

How: Families bring a dish to share with their homeroom

More details are shared through your class parents!

THIS HALLOWEEN, LET'S TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR UNICEF!

Do you know that $208 could provide a school-in-a-box to help 40 students keep learning through crisis? Do you know that $525 could deliver 2 months of therapeutic food to 10 children to help them recover from severe acute malnutrition? 

This Halloween, join many families in the UNIS community to give every child the future they deserve. Let's help UNICEF deliver health care and immunizations, nutrition, safe water and emergency relief to the children in need. Every donation counts. No amount is too small! 

Please make your donations to UNICEF now through this link:

https://unicefusa.donorsupport.co/-/NDSFFSNN

17 Goals for People, for Planet

As United Nations Day approaches on October 20, we want to continue to share information about the UN priorities which include the Sustainable Development Goals, a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals. Today, progress is being made in many places, but, overall, action to meet the Goals is not yet advancing at the speed or scale required to deliver the Goals by 2030. We encourage us all to look at the SDG and see what actions we can take to be a part of achieving these goals. This guide can be a resource.  

Parent Engagement Opportunities

Hiking Club

Anyone interested in a parent-led hiking club?  If you are, please email New2UNIS@unis.org with the subject line Hiking Clubdifficulty.  All families and UNIS staff members .  We will survey interested parents and determine whether and how to organize into groups based on hiking are welcomed.

LGBTQIA Caregiver Group 

If interested in joining a caregiver group to support our LGBTQIA students and community members, please email Yvonne.Brown@pa.unis.org

General Volunteering

To volunteer in any way - help sell “merch” or photographers/designers welcomed as well as potential event planners, please contact us at unispa@unis.org and we will direct your request accordingly.

There are several communities commemorating their heritages, identities, and histories this month including Filipina/o/x American History Month, Polish American Heritage Month, and National LGBTQ+ History Month. If you’d like to share information about your cultures’ heritage or historical celebrations or events with the UNIS community, contact us at unispa@unis.org. We wish everyone a great start to the autumn season!

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. 

Please be mindful of the type of snacks that you pack for your child. UNIS is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all the children in our school. Food allergies are becoming increasingly common among children, and we have several students with severe and/or life-threatening allergic reactions to nuts, peanuts, and seeds of any kind, as well as other allergens, including wheat, eggs, gluten and other food items.

Strict avoidance of the allergen is the ONLY way to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction. Due to the nature of peanut/nut products, it is more challenging to prevent contamination of surfaces in the classroom, cafeteria, bathrooms, keyboards and other areas in the building.

In order to enhance safety for all students, 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 into the school. This includes products that state "may contain traces of" nuts/peanuts/tree nuts.

While some allergic reactions can be mild, many students with severe food allergies experience serious and potentially life-threatening reactions. You can help by not sending your child to school with foods that contain nuts, peanuts or seeds of any kind.

We ask our students and families to help make the school environment safer for all students, by following these simple suggestions:

• Please remind your child never to share his/her food and drinks with other students.

• If your child has eaten nuts prior to coming to school, please make sure they wash their hands and face before leaving home.

• Please remind your child often to wash their hands before and after eating.

• While some may perceive this as “inconvenient”, for many others it is simply a matter of life or death. We believe all families understand a parent/guardian’s concern and worry about safety and will join us in ensuring that our learning environment is conducive to this goal. Together we can make a difference!

IMPORTANT: UPDATE YOUR HOUSEHOLD CONTACT INFORMATION

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

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.

Birthday Celebrations Outside of School

We understand the importance of celebrating our students' milestones outside of school, particularly birthday celebrations, and how they can foster stronger bonds among classmates. However, to maintain an environment focused on academics within the classroom and to preserve the feelings of all students, we kindly request your cooperation with the following policy regarding birthday invitations:

• Invitations to birthday parties held outside school may not be distributed or communicated in the classroom.

• Families wishing to invite classmates to a party held outside of school should utilize the WhatsApp group set up for their class, or reach out to their Class Parents for support.

• This policy allows our faculty to focus on academics in the classroom and preserves student trust and confidence in them in the event that an invitation is not received.

We appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy.

JS Birthday Celebration in the Classroom 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. 

• For details about the birthday celebration policy for your child’s homeroom please reach out to your teacher by email.

HEALTH NEWS FROM THE NURSE

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.

Magnus: 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).

MEDICAL RECORDS COMPLIANCE

Message from Dr. Brenner

Dear UNIS Community,

Ensuring the health and compliance of our students with the regulations set forth by the New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) is of paramount importance to us.

Annually, the NYCDOH provides UNIS with a 30-day window following the commencement of the school year to collect physical examinations, immunization records, and other essential medical information from our student body. This crucial process ensures that we possess the most up-to-date information required to deliver proper care and support throughout the academic year. We have messaged you many times about this beginning in the late summer and continuing throughout the current school year.

We would like to draw your attention to a pertinent excerpt from our Schoolwide Student & Parent Handbook, conveniently accessible via the Veracross Parent Portal:

"Physical examinations, immunization records, and all other forms must be submitted annually for all students. All forms, except for immunization records, remain valid for 12 months. Immunization due dates align with NYC vaccination requirements and schedules. Until these vital forms are completed, students will not be able to attend classes, join sports teams, or participate in pre-season athletic training. Your cooperation in diligently completing these forms in their entirety is instrumental in ensuring UNIS' continued compliance with NYC Department of Health regulations. This vital information also enhances the capacity of our school nurses to provide safe and effective care and support to your children throughout the school year.

*Please be aware that all documentation requiring physician completion and signatures must be handled by the child's physician(s). UNIS does not accept signatures or physician stamps from a student's parent(s)/guardian(s) who are physicians. This policy is rooted in the AMA Code of Medical Ethics' Opinion on Physicians Treating Family Members."

The conclusion of our 30-day grace period is swiftly approaching. Unfortunately, students for whom we do not possess all updated documentation on Magnus Health by this deadline will be unable to attend school or partake in student-related activities such as Week Without Walls, Middle School Camps, and sports activities.

To access all necessary information and forms, please visit our Veracross Parent Portal Health & Wellness Center Page, where you can conveniently upload new documentation through Magnus Health.

For any inquiries or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email at schoolnurse@unis.org.

Please help us and your children be safe at school as well help UNIS stay in compliance with City law.

Kind Regards,

Dr. Dan Brenner