Newsletter #22

03/03/2024

As we step into March, we're excited to remind you that Women's History Month, dedicated to recognizing and honoring the significant contributions of women throughout history, officially began yesterday, March 1st. This coming week, we are honored to welcome our special guest speaker, Gita Varadarajan, a renowned author and educator known for her impactful work. Gita's visit promises to be a highlight of this important month of celebration, offering our community a wonderful opportunity to engage with and learn from her experiences and insights. The assembly with Gita will take place next Thursday, and we will share more about this event, along with photos and comments, in our next newsletter.

Welcome to this edition of the UNIS Junior School's newsletter podcast - your audio compass to the pulsating heart of our school's vibrant activities and essential announcements. Today, you gain insight into our forthcoming school events that weave educational endeavours with cultural celebrations.  From the diligent crafting of future class lists to the innovative Summer Camp programs, and much more, we ensure every voice is hears and every talent nurtured at UNIS. We also include administrative reminders and invite you to engage with our proactive Parent Association. So, whether you're dressing your child for outdoor play or planning their Spring Break, let this podcast be your guide. For the full spectrum of our school community’s happenings, listen to the full podcast by clicking the link below. Immerse yourself in the spirit of UNIS – where every day is a step forward in learning and community building.

Dear parents, 

In September 2023, we had the privilege of meeting with Ollivier Dyens at a conference in Chicago. Ollivir Dyens is the  Chair of the Département des littératures de langue française, de traduction et de création at McGill University. He is also the founder and co-director of McGill’s Building 21, a laboratory dedicated to exploring educational innovations beyond conventional boundaries. This innovative space is inspired by MIT's Building 20 (1943-1998), known as "The Magical Incubator."

MIT's Building 20 was constructed during the Second World War to house the Radiation Laboratory. Despite its temporary nature, it became an epicenter of innovation, lasting far beyond its intended lifespan. Its flexible and accommodating design encouraged a culture of creativity and experimentation, leading to groundbreaking advancements in science and engineering. This environment fostered collaboration and innovation, contributing to the development of numerous fields and the nurturing of nine Nobel laureates' minds. Building 21 at McGill, inspired by this legacy, aims to replicate the same spirit of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. It serves as a testament to the power of environments that encourage creativity, flexibility, and cross-disciplinary exchange.

We were honored to invite Ollivier Dyens to UNIS last Tuesday, where he engaged with our faculty and later, in an enlightening session with parents. His keynotes delved into the transformative power of AI on the World, sparking insightful discussions and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. For those who missed this engaging event or wish to revisit the insights shared, we invite you to watch the video of the parent's keynote.

We embarked on our AI journey with determination and purpose in February 2023: we kicked things off with a special day of activities for our high schoolers, diving into AI's potential and its implications for learning. This was just the beginning of a series of experiments stretching from spring to fall, where many of us probed AI's capabilities, scrutinized its methods, and pondered its philosophical impact on education. Our quest to harness AI in support of teaching led us to collaborate with the Global Online Academy. Last fall, we spent an intensive day focusing on using AI to enrich teaching, from planning lessons to classroom delivery. This collaboration opened our eyes to the nuts and bolts of integrating AI into education. Meanwhile, our leadership, including the Academic Technology Coordinators and Tech Integrators, worked closely with Eric Hudson, our consultant, reflecting on our vision for AI in alignment with our educational goals and UNESCO's guidelines. This period of reflection and experimentation helped us define our stance on AI, culminating in a group of teachers coming together to explore AI's appropriate use in education. A work in progress. Meanwhile, volunteering teachers formed the "AI Explorer Group," a think tank dedicated to envisioning the future of education with AI. Their work is crucial in evaluating AI tools, sparking a vibrant exchange of ideas. Recently, some of our teachers attended an AI conference in Atlanta, gaining insights into using AI to enhance teaching and learning. This experience has been transformative, equipping us with innovative strategies we're eager to implement. Additionally, UNIS has partnered with several international educational organizations, actively participating in and leading the global conversation on AI in education.

As we gathered on Tuesday to reflect on Professor Dyens' insights, we were reminded of Socrates' wisdom: "I know that I know nothing." This humble acknowledgment is not a sign of defeat but a commitment to growth and learning. It urges us to embrace the unknown, to keep questioning, and to deepen our understanding, even if it means leaving with more questions than answers. This quest for knowledge drives us forward, ensuring we're leading our students on this transformative journey.

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

AI Disclaimer: This newsletter's language, transcription, and content have been initially enhanced and supplemented using AI engines including OpenAI (ChatGPT), Claude.ai, Notta.ai for video transcription, and Perplexity.ai for research assistance. While these advanced technologies play a supportive role in improving language, transcription, and research, the core ideas and intentions behind this newsletter remain human-generated. Our team's oversight stays paramount to ensure quality and precision of communications, as the innovative advantages of AI serve as an aid rather than a replacement for traditional methods. The concepts and substance within this newsletter ultimately come from a human perspective, with AI functioning as a tool to streamline certain processes.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS


TO DO: 

Keep your child's SchoolPass account up to date

Accurate dismissal information entered by you in SchoolPass

is the only way that your child 

can be escorted to the correct location at dismissal.

If your child's After School Activities have changed, remember to update SchoolPass.


SchoolPass


Hourly dismissal options have been set up so that parents of students who move between multiple activities on campus between 3:00 and 6:00, after dismissal from the academic day, can select each of the activities individually and sequentially, with the time that the student is expected to attend the activity clarified. 


Whenever a child stays for activities after dismissal, a "Carpool" must be designated for pick-up. The time of the pick-up does not have to be specified, but is expected that the student will be picked up and depart campus within 10 minutes of the end of that last registered activity. 


Important: If your child is already registered for a bus, to avoid confusion for dismissing teachers and disruption to the flow of buses departing campus, on any day when your child stays for an activity instead of taking the bus, you must move them to a Carpool as well. Selecting Carpool instead of bus on any day when there are activities also allows you to cancel the activities and Carpool and revert back to authorize bus ridership if your plans change at short notice.


Please take the time each week to review and refine your child's daily Activities plans in SchoolPass. 


To Do: Select all of the Activities (Athletics, Language, Mary Poppins, After School Classes, Care Program, Private Music Lessons, etc.) that your child attends each day after school and remember to confirm your Carpool at the end of your child's day on campus.


If you have questions please reach out to jsoffice@unis.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Note the dates when After School Classes are not in session due to Student Led Conferences:

Wednesday, March 27 - Friday, March 29 (update SchoolPass accordingly)



Note these dates in April when yellow bus service will not be provided by the DOE:

Remember to make alternate travel arrangements and update SchoolPass with your dismissal plan for these days (for example, Pick Up/Carpool or Care Program).

Private Queens & Brooklyn buses will operate as usual.

IMPORTANT DISMISSAL REMINDERS - SEMESTER 2

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

CALL TO ACTION: 

Our teachers will soon begin the process of creating class lists for the 2024-2025 school year. Homeroom teachers, specialists, the school psychologist and the counselors collaborate to create balanced classes across each grade. Friendships and social interactions from this and previous years are taken into account and care is taken to ensure that children are placed in a group with familiar friends and where they will also have the opportunity to develop new friendships. While the Junior School does not accept requests for specific teachers, if you have any serious concerns about next year’s class placement for your child be sure to email their counselor by Friday, March 29, prior to Spring Break, to have those concerns addressed.

CALL TO ACTION: STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES

The Student-Led Conferences for our PK to J4 students are approaching. They were implemented in the Junior School in 2016 and have been through a few iterations since then.


STUDENT LED CONFERENCES: GOAL

The goal of these conferences is "to celebrate the Learning Experience and Successes of the school year, in connection with the IB attitudes and attributes". To reach this goal, as in the past, parents have a fundamental role to play as the main interlocutor with our students, your children. You will find below important information to support you in understanding the goal and organization of the conferences this year.


STUDENT LED CONFERENCES: WHY

Student benefits:


Parent benefits:


Teacher benefits:



STUDENT LED CONFERENCES: WHAT TO EXPECT?

Students

Before


During


Parents

Before


During



STUDENT LED CONFERENCES: WHEN?

The conferences will be held on Wednesday evening, March 27 (for J1, J2, J3, and J4), and during school hours on Thursday, March 28, and Friday, March 29 (for PK, JA, J1, J2, J3, and J4).

Regular JS classes will not be held on Thursday and Friday. On those two days, JS students and their families are invited to campus for the length of their conferences only.


Important SLC Dates for PK - J4:


Note for PK Families: PK homeroom teachers will reach out to families directly to schedule their SLC appointment time. Specialist teacher work will be included in the homeroom classrooms’ immersive experience.  PK families will not use the automated booking system. Look for your PK teacher's email on March 21st to book your time to visit the classroom with your PK student on March 28 or 29.



Sign-Up Period



STUDENT LED CONFERENCES: THINGS TO KNOW

CALL TO ACTION: SUMMER CAMP FOR JA-J2

play:science & design engineering

UNIS Summer Camp JA, J1, J2 Students


When? 

June 24-28 Five Days of STEAM Making

July 1-5 (July 4th camp closed) Four Days of Coding/Robotics

July 8-12 Five Days of Engineering a Lunar Colony


What? 

Join Ms Zammarano in the CoLaboratory Jr. for a week of play through science and design engineering experiences. You can sign up for one week or all three, we guarantee fun and play throughout! 


Structure:

The daily schedule will follow the design process model where the students will all be introduced to a 1) Problem to Solve, 2) Brainstorm solutions, 3) Design and Prototype, 4) Build, 5) Iterate and get Feedback finally 6) Share the Process with each other.


8:30 - 9:00 - Settle in to camp, free play

9:00 - 10:00 - Daily Problem to Solve and Brainstorm Solutions through

guided structured lessons

10:00 - 10:30 - Snack and short outside play

10:30 - 11:45 - Design and Prototype (Guided and independent work)

11:45 - 12:45 - Lunch and long outside play

12:45 - 1:45 - Build (Guided and independent work)

1:45 - 2:30 - Iterate / Test (Guided and independent work)

2:30 - 3:00 - Snack and short outside play

3:00 - 3:30 - Share Closing circle


Students will each get their own prototyping notebook and bring home design solutions - make sure you keep room for their creations at home! Snack and Lunch is not provided by the school, please plan on packing these for them. A Parent Showcase will occur at the end of each week. 


Fee: 

$800 per week per camper


Questions? 

Please email fzammarano@unis.org


Space is limited to 20 campers per week, so please fill out the interest form as soon as possible. 

HIGH-PRIORITY NEWS: REVIEW YOUR FAMILY'S CONTACT INFORMATION TODAY

IMPORTANT: 

REVIEW & UPDATE YOUR HOUSEHOLD CONTACT INFORMATION

All departments at UNIS, including the nurse, rely on the information that you enter 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 or weather emergencies, 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 since 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:


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

HIGH-PRIORITY NEWS: EARLY DISMISSAL REQUESTS

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 Executive Director, Dr. Dan 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:

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.

HIGH-PRIORITY NEWS: ARRIVAL

PK & JA Arrival Reminder

To ensuring a safe and orderly entry to the academic day for our PKs and JAs, the doors to the PK/JA area will be locked before 8:20 am and after 8:40 am, reinforcing not just the physical boundaries that protect our students, but also the temporal ones that frame their day with predictability and security. 

Arrival Reminder

To accommodate JS families during winter months, caregivers arriving before 8:15 are welcome to supervise their children in the main school lobby instead of lining up outside the Stairwell D entrance to wait for the JS doors to open at 8:15/8:20.

If they wait in the lobby, caregivers of  J1 - J4 students escort them to the Stairwell D entrance outside at 8:15, as usual, so students can use the D stairs to their 2nd floor homeroom.

If they wait in the lobby, caregivers of  JA - PK students escort them to the Staircase D entrance outside where they will be welcomed at the door at 8:20 and escorted by their teachers to their classrooms as usual.

HIGH-PRIORITY NEWS: SUPPORT TEAM RESOURCES & CONTACT INFO (ISRAEL / PALESTINE)

Over the past weeks, the Student Support Team has been attuned to our students' needs concerning the situation between Israel and Palestine. 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:



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)

IN THE LOOP: SENIOR SPEAKEASY - MARCH 22

IN THE LOOP: ATHLETICS CAMP REGISTRATION - SPRING BREAK

Spring Break Sports Camp Registration is open!   


You can find the Spring Break Camp on the website, or use the registration links below:


Spring Break Sports Camp: April 1st - 5th and April 8th - April 12th

April Spring Break Sports Camp Registration Link (PK-M4)

IN THE LOOP: IB ART EXHIBIT

EMERGING PERSPECTIVES: IB ART EXHIBIT

The Performing and Visual Arts Department invites you to join us for Emerging Perspectives, this year’s annual IB Art Exhibit.


Dates/Times

Opening Reception on March 15th from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. 

Open Gallery on March 16th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.


Location

The Caelum Gallery

Suite 315

526 W. 26th Street


Do not miss this exciting annual UNIS Visual Art Event!

IN THE LOOP: STEVE & KATE'S SUMMER CAMP AT UNIS

We’re excited to announce that Steve & Kate’s Camp is coming to United Nations

International School this summer, and will be available for children ages 4–12.


Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s Camp has put kids in charge of their own learning experience – allowing campers to choose from a variety of activities in real-time. Activities include sewing, stop-motion animation, coding & gaming, sports & recreation, maker crafts, water play, baking, and more.


And there’s plenty of perks for adults too. Families can attend for a day, the entire summer, or

anything in between. There’s no weekly sessions or reservations required. Plus – they’ll

automatically refund any unused Passes at the end of the summer.


Lunch, snacks, and all hours (8am–6pm) are included. Camp at United Nations International

School runs from June 26 – August 16.


Learn more about Steve & Kate’s Camp – Manhattan–Kips Bay, 

and reserve your spot HERE !

IN THE LOOP: OUTDOOR PLAY IN COLD WEATHER / LABELING CLOTHING / LOST AND FOUND

Outdoor Activity & Recess Policy During Cold Weather

Winter is here so please be sure your child is dressed for outdoor play every day, with a warm coat, sweatshirt, gloves and hat as needed.

UNIS JS follows the Dept of Health guidelines for outdoor play: "New York City Department of Health Guidelines regarding outdoor play in cold weather policy states “Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. Unless it is snowing or there is ice on the playground low temperatures should not be a barrier to outside play, as long as children are appropriately dressed. The City’s Health Department strongly encourages principals to maintain outdoor play periods on the vast majority of winter days.”

Recommendations are as follows: If the wind chill factor is above 20 degrees, it is safe to play outside. If the wind chill factor is 0-20, outside play is advised provided that students are appropriately dressed and under observation to make sure that they are wearing their coats, hats and gloves." 

From:  New York City Department of Education and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Labeling Clothing

With students wearing extra layers of clothing, it's time for families to be sure that all coats, jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, etc. are clearly labeled with your child's first and last name and homeroom. Our faculty and staff do their best to return misplaced items to their owners, but clear labeling is needed to do that.

Lost & Found

Please 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 unclaimed items will periodically be donated. 

For more information on donations, please contact the PA Social Responsibility Committee at abhilasha.mahan@pa.unis.org  

IN THE LOOP: SNEAKER RECYCLING CONTINUES

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 will be accepted from October 16 through June 2024


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


We will take sneakers in any size and any condition!

Your sneakers can have holes in them and the elastic falling off!  We will take them!

Any size kid and adult sneakers are accepted!


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 in a box with the label gotsneakers. Boxes will be placed in the UNIS lobby and near the JS morning entrance.


Thank you for supporting us!


Rose Fico | JS Sustainability Coordinator

PARENTS ASSOCIATION CORNER:  BOOK DRIVE / NYICFF / IFFF VOLUNTEERS / PARENT OPPORTUNITIES / VIDEO LIBRARY / ARCHIVES

Donate Towards the UNIS Book Drive on March 4 - 8


Annual UNIS PA Book Drive

Date:  Monday, March 4 - Thursday, March 8

Time: 8:00-8:30am

Location: UNIS Lobby

Light dinner and refreshments will be served. Childcare provided with advance registration

Click to RSVP


Give back to your community, donate your gently used children’s books. 

Books needed: Children’s books for ages 0 – teens, including board books, early readers, and especially books in foreign languages. Young Adult books and Non-fiction books are good too. Please NO adult books, text books, religious books, or out-of-date nonfiction/ reference books. 


Books will be provided to the Children of Bellevue (CoB) is a non-profit organization established to improve the health and well-being of children at Bellevue Hospital Center. Children of Bellevue’s Reach out and Read is part of a national initiative that encourages reading aloud as a regular, joyful home activity that can improve language development, parent-child interactions, and academic success. Pediatricians provide a brand new book to every child at regular well visits starting at birth. To find out more, please visit: childrenofbellevue.org/reach-out-and-read. We also donate to Project Cicero is a non-profit annual book drive to help under-resourced New York City public schools create and enhance classroom and school libraries. 

LET’S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES

New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) takes place March 2 - 17 throughout NYC. It’s full of fun, thoughtful, and all-new film programs to spark your kids’ curiosity and imaginations. Even better, our school earns $2 back for every ticket you purchase!


It’s easy for hangouts, playdates, or group outings:


And just like that, our PA earns $2 for every ticket you purchase.

SAVE THE DATE AND VOLUNTEER AT THE UNIS INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND FUN FAIR


As you might know, our school comes together with a huge celebration of the diversity of our community with our International Food and Fun Fair. This event brings our community together for a day of global flavors and camaraderie.


This event will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024. This is a parent volunteer run event through and through.


How Can You Help?


Your participation is vital to making this event a success. More soon! 


Save the date and get ready for a day of international delicacies and fun!

Parent Engagement Opportunities



SUMMERTIME ON YOUR MIND




Staff Appreciation Luncheon and Upcoming Potluck on Friday, April 19th from 11 am-1:30 pm

Save the date for our Annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon  - it is a beloved tradition and a way for parents to show appreciation for all that the UNIS teachers and staff do for our children. This year’s Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be a potluck for UNIS staff with contributions from families and will be held on Friday, April 19th from 11 am-1:30 pm in the Staff Lounge on the 3rd floor. Parent help is needed from 8 am to 2:30 pm. The success of this luncheon is entirely dependent on your contributions!


Thank you in advance for your food donation and/or volunteering to help. 

SIGN UP TO DONATE AND/OR VOLUNTEER 

https://forms.gle/3x5Ai21phwZJYXx17




UNIS Connect

We are inviting you to create a profile on our UNIS Connect platform where UNIS community members can create a profile. The profiles can be accessed by UNIS staff who are organizing events with students, faculty or parents and who are looking for speakers to cover themes in the range of UN work and/or values. 


By utilizing this platform, teachers can search for parents, alumni, teachers, and students who possess specialized knowledge, skills, or real-world experiences relevant to their subject areas.


Please scroll down to find a “Create Your Profile” button. When your profile is finished please press the green button “Publish” so we can enter it into our catalogue.  



LGBTQIA Caregiver Group 

The UNIS PA invites community members to join the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group.

What's an affinity group at UNIS? The purpose is to provide an opportunity for the adults in our community to share and explore life and experiences within safe and supportive spaces defined by membership in a specific identity group. Self-managed, members take collective responsibility for ensuring respectful interaction. Affinity group participants celebrate identities, share successes and challenges, advocate for and support the community at UNIS and engage freely. LGBTQIA+ Parents/Staff/Caregivers and Parents of LGBTQIA+ students are welcome. If interested in joining the UNIS PA LGBTQIA+ affinity group, please email Yvonne.Brown@pa.unis.org.



Cultural Events Committee Launches Supper Clubs

The UNIS PA Cultural Events Committee has launched monthly supper clubs. If you're up for delicious meals and great conversations on world culture, join us! Please email Marie at marie.libeson@pa.unis.org.  



Parent Book Clubs

Want to meet other parents and talk about books?  Join a UNIS Parent Book Club.  Please send your name and child's grade to marie.libeson@pa.unis.org and we will get you connected with a bookclub.  Happy Reading! 



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.


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. 

UNIS VIDEO LIBRARY

If you missed a meeting or want to review what you remember from a past meeting, UNIS maintains a library of recordings available at https://vimeo.com/unisny.  Some highlights include a Fireside Chat with the Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and a This is Junior School video. 

ARCHIVE

New2UNIS If you’d like to meet other parents - new or current to UNIS- sign up for the New2UNIS listserv at new2unis@unis.org Follow them Instagram too! 


Book Club Join a UNIS Parent book club!  We have an active parent book club in each division (JS, MS, TH) for you to join.  Send an email to parenthelpnetwork@pa.unis.org to sign up.  


Publicize your Business or Seek Services - UNIS marketplace. Submit your info on this form to publicize. Scroll through businesses/services here. 


Never too late to volunteer with the PA. Submit your interest here. 


Green the Blue. Watch this short video clip and help us keep it green at UNIS!


Top Summer Camps and Programs recommended by UNIS parents here. Share your favorites here.


Affinity Groups. Please complete this survey if you are interested in joining a parent affinity group.


Watch recordings from virtual meetings Visit the UNIS video library on Vimeo located here at https://vimeo.com/unisny 


VOLUNTEER OR SUGGEST ACTIVITIES/EVENTS FOR THE PA COMMUNITY

If you have any suggestions for volunteering, events for our community or speakers to invite, please email us at unispa@unis.org.


Email unispa@unis.org 

REMEMBER THIS

Semester 1 Report Cards for Junior School students were published at 5:00pm on Friday, February 2 on the Veracross Parent Portal.

If you haven't already, we encourage you to save and review this report card with your child 

to celebrate his/her achievements during this past semester 

and engage in conversation about their growth.

Your child’s academic achievement for each individual subject is reported separately from his/her learning skills. The descriptors for academic achievement levels ensure a greater JA to T4 alignment and provide clarity in the transition between the word-based scale used in JA to M2 and the numeric scale used from M3 to T4. Previous used Learning to Learn Skills have been replaced by the IB Approaches to Learning Skills. The skills selected for a K-12 progression (Social Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management Skills, Thinking Skills) are developmentally defined and will be assessed from a frequency of observable behavior.

What is the purpose of the report cards?

The purpose of the report card is to communicate your student’s achievement and learning goals. It is designed to provide you with clear and specific information about your child’s academic progress and the development of behaviors that support lifelong learning. This information includes identifying your child’s level of progress; areas of strength; areas needing additional time, effort, and/or support; and opportunities for growth, based on assessments that demonstrate evidence of learning and teachers’ evaluation.

What grade descriptors are used (JA-M2 Descriptors)

How do I access my child’s report cards?

Semester 1 Report Cards were published on the Parent Portal of Veracross on Friday, February 2. 

To view report cards:

If you do not have access to the Veracross portal and need instructions on how to do so, please contact tech.support@unis.org for support.

Go to myunis.vc and login with your username and password

Click on "Can't access password" and follow instructions if you do not remember your login and password

Click on "Classes and Reports" to access the Report Card for Semester 1

REMINDER FROM ATHLETICS - APPROPRIATE PE GEAR FOR WINTER

Our Physical Education teachers remind all JS families about appropriate dress on days when their child has PE lessons. 

Students in JS are expected to arrive at school wearing their full UNIS PE uniform on days when they have PE.

IMPORTANT: 

Uniform Expectations:

For Safety During PE Lessons:

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:

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:


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

Jacket or Sweatshirt Needed Every Day

Weather can be changeable and we encourage all JS families to send their child to school each day with a jacket or sweatshirt (labeled with your child's full name and homeroom class). Students are outside on the playground twice a day and will need an extra layer with them for chillier days.

And, on warm days, air conditioning will be on indoors. There may be days when your child will need an extra layer in the classroom as well.

LOST & FOUND

Please take time to label all clothing, school supplies, water bottles, lunch boxes, athletic gear, etc. with your child’s first and last name and homeroom before they are brought to school.

Students are expected to be accountable for their own possessions and we encourage clear labeling on all of your child's clothing and school supplies (both first and last names) including coats and jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts, athletic gear, backpacks, pencil cases, lunch boxes and water bottles. Your reinforcement of this at home with your children is encouraged.

Note that:

JS faculty and staff do their best to reunite students with misplaced items, but without a full name and homeroom it is not possible.

Labels like these are recommended: Name bubbles 

Lost & Found Location

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 their lost items. All unclaimed items will periodically be donated. 

For more information on donations, please contact the PA Social Responsibility Committee at abhilasha.mahan@pa.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:


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:

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:

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.

LICE ADVICE FROM THE NURSE

Dear Parents/Guardians:

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 RN, BSN, 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.


Here is a link for a video that can assist you in the at home treatment and

removal of lice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9y6c3Opr9w


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.

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:

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).

If you have parent portal or technology issues, please send an email to tech.support@unis.org

If you have academic tech questions, please contact Ms. Zammarano at fzammarano@unis.org