Newsletter #30

05/12/2024

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"

Dear parents, 

For this week's newsletter, concluding our celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, I've taken a creative approach to honor the spirit of teaching. Inspired by the iconic character John Keating from the film "Dead Poets Society," I have crafted a digital persona—a bot—programmed with passages from the movie that embody Keating's philosophy and style. This bot, channeling the voice of Professor Keating, was tasked with drafting a message. I asked it to compose a letter that Keating himself might have written to parents, teachers, and students if he were the one celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with us. The following message is a tribute to the art of teaching, a profession that touches lives and shapes futures, encapsulated through the what could have been the poetic and passionate lens of John Keating.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal
Francesca Zammarano, Junior School Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Educators,

As I pen this letter, I am reminded of the essence of what we do and why we gather in this powerful symphony of teaching and learning. We are united not just by our responsibilities but by the shared passion that drives the human spirit—our pursuit of knowledge, beauty, and truth.

"We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion." In our classrooms, we strive not only to educate but to ignite the sparks of creativity and desire that make life worth living. Medicine, law, and business are noble pursuits, necessary to sustain life. But it is poetry, beauty, romance, and love that sustain our souls.

I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to you, parents, for joining us in celebrating the art of teaching. Your support and recognition enhance our endeavor to mold not just minds but hearts that will cherish and seek the wonders of the world.

In our halls, as I once encouraged my students, we stand by the belief that life is a powerful play, and we each have a verse to contribute. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may," for time is indeed fleeting, and each moment we spend with your children is a priceless gem, woven into the fabric of their futures.

To our students, I leave you with this perennial wisdom: Seize the day. Let your life be extraordinary. Be bold in your pursuits and steadfast in your dreams. Remember, the world is your oyster, full of hope and possibilities. As you walk through these halls, as did those before you, let their whispers of legacy inspire you to carve out your own path of greatness.

In the end, what we teach, what we share, and what we inspire comes down to the indelible marks we leave on each other’s lives. Thank you, parents and fellow educators, for making each teaching moment a profound opportunity to touch the future.

Carpe Diem,

John Keating

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.

In this week's edition, we honor the spirit of Teacher Appreciation Week, drawing inspiration from John Keating of "Dead Poets Society" to celebrate the art and impact of teaching. We weave through administrative updates, highlight student achievements, and peek into upcoming events that promise fun and learning. From discussing current world events sensitively with your children to preparing for the Storybook Parade, each segment is crafted to enrich, inform, and inspire our community. Join us as we explore the stories that shape our days at UNIS, encouraging every listener to 'seize the day' and cherish the journey of learning. Tune in to our podcast to catch all this and more, staying connected and engaged with the heartbeat of our school.

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, 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

HALF DAY IN JS on FRIDAY, MAY 31 (11:50 DISMISSAL)

Mark your calendars, alert your caregivers, and update SchoolPass:

AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES WILL BE ENDING

PARENT TO DO LIST:


SPORTS PROGRAM AFTER SCHOOL LAST CLASS DATES (Questions: doconnor@unis.org)


AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES LAST CLASS DATES (Questions: ljalilvand@unis.org)

Monday EXCEPTIONS:

SPANISH  June 10  Final class / any changes will be announced by the teacher


Tuesday EXCEPTIONS:

GERMAN & SWEDISH Final class date to be announced by the teachers

MOVEABLE MACHINE (JA-J1)  May 21 -  Final Class

CHESS (JS / MS)  May 21  - Final Class

MONEY MATTERS (MS)  May 21 - Final Class


Wednesday EXCEPTIONS:

ADVANCED COMPETITIVE DEBATE  (TH)  May 30 - Final Class

ITALIAN  June 5 - Final Class / Any changes will be announced by the teacher


Thursday EXCEPTIONS:

JAPANESE  May 29 - Final Class

ITALIAN  June 6 - Final Class / Any changes will be announced by the teacher


LANGUAGE AFTER SCHOOL LAST CLASS DATES (Questions: pbarbamoran@unis.org)


IMPORTANT DISMISSAL REMINDERS - SEMESTER 2

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

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 rainy days, 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)

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: JS PARENT SURVEY

As members of the Junior School, your insights and opinions are essential in shaping a caring, effective, and collaborative environment for our students. This survey is structured to gather your thoughts on several key areas including communication, making learning visible, and our school culture/community. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to our shared vision for a brighter future for our students. 

Welcome to our Community Survey! CLICK HERE

IN THE LOOP: PK/JA & J1 SPORTS DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

UNIS PK/JA & J1 Sports Days Volunteer Sign-Up

Please use this FORM to select times to volunteer for PK /JA Sports Day and/or the J1 Sports Day.  




This is one of the best days of the year, full of fun activities designed by the Physical Education department.  The PE Department has planned a full day of activities, they will provide colored t-shirts for each student, and the day will end with popsicles! 


This day is only made possible by you, the parent volunteers.  


We need your help to run the games in the morning from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on both June 4 and June 5. Mr. De Rosa (PE Teacher) will meet with volunteers on the day of the event at 8:15 at the  Playground stairs and will explain the jobs for the entire morning.  


If you have any questions now, please email Juan De Rosa, UNIS PK, JA, J1 PE Teacher, at  jrosa@unis.org  


Thank you for your help and support!! Please use the link below to sign up.


Juan De Rosa | UNIS PK - J1 Physical Education Teacher

IN THE LOOP: STORYBOOK PARADE & BOOK FAIR - FRIDAY, MAY 17

STORYBOOK PARADE & BOOK FAIR - MAY 17


Junior School's "Storybook Parade," will take place on the morning of Friday, May 17, from 9:00 to 10:00. 

All parents are invited to view the Storybook Parade and we also encourage everyone, students, faculty and parents, to dress up as their favorite book character and proudly display a copy of the book. The book can be brought from home or borrowed from the Library in advance.

Spectators will follow the same directions as they did for the UN Day Parade and line up along the walls and fence outside the building, allowing plenty of space for the classes to pass them and end the parade in the playground, behind the school. 

Students will be photographed with their classes in the playground and should be back in the classroom by 10:00 to follow the special schedule for the day and visit the Book Fair.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the joy of reading. Whether you dress up or not (it is certainly not mandatory to dress up), we hope you can join us that morning to watch this delightful event.  

We encourage parents and caregivers to browse the Book Fair in the JA Gym between drop off time and the start of the parade. In addition to cash, credit cards, checks, ApplePay and GooglePay will be accepted.

All JS homeroom classes will visit the Book Fair on Friday, May 17, with their teacher, and we hope that you will send your child(ren) to school that day with cash for purchase. 

For guidance, prices start at $4.99 for paperbacks, $12.99 for graphic novels and $17.99 for hardcover books.  Bookmarks will also be available and will be priced at $6.99.  Depending on how many books you wish your child(ren) to purchase, please send cash accordingly.

The Book Fair organizers invite parents to assist during the Book Fair and also with set up and take down. Please sign up here to join us Book Fair Parent Volunteer Sign Up Form 

IN THE LOOP: BLOOD DRIVE - MONDAY, MAY 20 from 8:00 - 12:30

TUT HOUSE STUDENTS BLOOD DRIVE

For the first time in our school’s history, Tutorial House students have organized to host a blood drive in collaboration with the New York Blood Center! The drive will take place on Monday, May 20th in the Oman Hall, from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Students, staff, faculty, and UNIS parents with a UNIS ID can donate! Donors must be 16 or older.

If you want to sign up, please go to this link: https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/321060. 

Select 1 donation time only. Select either "Whole Blood Donation" or “Double Red”. The entire process for a “Whole Blood Donation” takes 45 minutes from start to finish, while a “Double Red” donation takes about 30 minutes longer.

Each donation can save 3 lives, so if you are a parent or staff member, we strongly encourage you to participate! If you want to know more about eligibility for donation and the entire donation process, please click here.  


Sincerely,

Lissy Vinocur, Chloe Fong, Marek Zeleny, and Sofia Bendezu (Tutorial House T3s)

IN THE LOOP: MS WELCOME FOR J4 PARENTS - MAY 22 

MS Welcome Evening for J4 Parents: Wednesday, May 22 6-7 pm in Oman Hall


Middle School Admin and Faculty gladly invite all current J4 parents to a Welcome Evening in the Oman Hall on Wednesday, May 22 from 6:00-7:00 pm. 


This event will also be livestreamed and the link will be sent at a closer date. 


At this event, parents will have the opportunity to learn all about the life of a middle schooler and what to expect as their J4 child transitions to middle school. There will also be a Q&A session at the end. We are very much looking forward to meeting our future M1’s so we hope to see you there!


Regards,

MS Admin and M1 Faculty 

IN THE LOOP: J1 - J4 SPRING CONCERT VIDEOS

Here are the links to the JS Spring Concerts to be enjoyed by family and friends:


J1 Spring Concert 2024


J2 Spring Concert 2024


J3 Spring Concert 2024


J4 Spring Concert 2024

IN THE LOOP: SOAP MAKING IN J4 LITERACY

In J4 literacy class, students have been mastering the art of crafting 'How to' texts. As a culminating activity, they researched and composed a step-by-step guide on how to make soap. The students then followed their own instructions to create soaps just in time to share them with their mothers and grandmothers. 

Petra Zerovnik | Learning Specialist

IN THE LOOP: FRENCH MT OLYMPIC READING GAMES

On Thursday morning, the J1 to J4 students in the French Mother tongue program organized the Reading Olympic Games. It was a way to celebrate their reading  progress in a playful manner. As a way to announce the real Olympic Games taking place this summer in France, there was an opening ceremony with each class carrying the olympic flame, rounds of reading where each level could demonstrate its reading skills, creativity and team spirit. The jury was composed of impartial parents while an international audience cheered the competing contestants. Each participant received a well deserved medal, because as de Coubertin said, the most important thing is to show up and do your best.

Isabelle Chu, Molida Khuon and Néhad Soliman | French Teachers

IN THE LOOP: ENERGY OBSERVER AT UNIS

To celebrate Earth Day, J3 and J4 Francophone students had the chance to learn about a boat "The Energy Observer" which is doing a round-of-the-world, the journey started in 2017 and will end in June 2024. It was in New York City last week and is heading to Boston as we speak. The Energy Observer is a groundbreaking initiative in sustainable maritime exploration. It is the world's first self-sufficient vessel, powered by a combination of renewable energy sources including hydrogen, solar, wind, and water power. This innovative project aims to push the boundaries of zero-emission technologies while promoting environmental conservation. 

A few students went to see the boat…

Molida Khuon | J1-J3 French Teacher

IN THE LOOP: MOTHER TONGUE FRENCH FAVORITE BOOKS

On Friday, May 3rd, the J1, J2, J3, and J4 French mother tongue students voted for their favorite book among 4 books studied for the Albertine Contest, a French bookstore in New York. The contest offers 3 different books for each level, as well as one book common to all 4 classes.


Like genuine voters, and with their voter ID cards, they took the 4 book covers and a small envelope, went into the voting booth, and placed the cover of their favorite book in the envelope, then into the ballot box, and signed to confirm they had voted. There you go, our future young citizens are ready for the elections! 


Nehad Soliman | French Teacher

IN THE LOOP: STUDENT WITHDRAWAL PROTOCOLS

If your child is not returning to UNIS in September please make the withdrawal official, and facilitate the release of the UNIS records you'll need to enroll your child in their new school, by emailing the Business Office, Registrar and JS Principal as soon as possible at:

When asking your child's teacher for a letter of recommendation, please copy evanaken@unis.org and jsoffice@unis.org  on your request. Note that recommendations are not returned to the family. They are officially transmitted from school to school through the Registrar's office.

IN THE LOOP: SPRING JACKETS & LABELS

Jacket or Sweatshirt Needed Every Day

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

And, once the weather heats up, the air conditioning will be on. There may be days when your child will need an extra layer indoors as well.


Label those Jacket and Sweatshirts

With the change of seasons, please take time to label all new clothing, especially outerwear, water bottles, lunch boxes, athletic gear, school supplies, etc. with your child’s first name, 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 supplies (both first and last names). 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 

IN THE LOOP:  SUMMER ATHLETICS CAMP REGISTRATION 

Join us for an unforgettable summer filled with sports, friendship, and fun at our Summer Sports Camps! Our camps offer an exciting opportunity for UNIS children to stay active, learn new skills, and develop a love for sports in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Activities:

Participants will have the chance to explore a variety of sports and activities, including:

Features:

Our camp features include:

Dates & Registration:

Our camp runs weekly sessions throughout the summer, starting in June and ending in August. Flexible scheduling options are available, including full-day and half-day sessions. Registration is now open, but spaces are limited, so reserve your child's spot today!

Conclusion:

Don't miss out on the ultimate summer sports experience! Whether your child is a seasoned athlete or new to sports, our Summer Sports Camp offers something for everyone. Join us for a summer of skill-building, camaraderie, and memories that will last a lifetime!

For more information and to register, visit our website or contact us directly.


UNIS Sports Camp


UNIS Hoops Basketball Camp


UNIS Excellence Soccer Camp


UNIS Aces Volleyball Camp



Daniel O'Connor, CAA, CIAA. | Director of Athletics and Physical Education

doconnor@unis.org | Office: 212-584-3059  

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

Steve & Kate’s Camp is coming to UNIS this summer

 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 UNIS 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 / LABELING CLOTHING / LOST AND FOUND

Outdoor Activity - Jacket or Sweatshirt Needed Every Day

Spring weather can be changeable and we encourage all JS families to continue to send their child to school each day with a jacket or sweatshirt. Students are outside on the playground twice a day and will need an outer layer with them for chillier days.

And, once the weather heats up even more, the air conditioning will be on. There may be days when your child will need an extra layer indoors as well.

Labeling Clothing

With the change of seasons, please take time to label all new clothing, especially outerwear, water bottles, lunch boxes, athletic gear, school supplies, etc. with your child’s first name, last name and homeroom before they are brought to school.


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:  STORYBOOK PARADE & BOOK FAIR MAY 17 /  PARENT OPPORTUNITIES / VIDEO LIBRARY / ARCHIVES

UNIS BOOK FAIR May 16 and 17, 2024

 

COME READ WITH US!

 

When:

Middle School, Thursday, May 16, 8am – 3pm
Junior School, Friday, May 17, 8am – 3pm

Where: JA Gym

Students will visit the Book Fair during the school day with their classes, but can also stop in before school and during breaks and lunch. 

We encourage parents and caregivers to browse the Book Fair in the JA Gym too. In addition to cash, credit cards, checks, ApplePay and GooglePay will be accepted.

All JS homeroom classes will visit the Book Fair on Friday, May 17th with their teacher, and we hope that you will send your child(ren) to school that day with cash for purchase. 

For guidance, prices start at $4.99 for paperbacks, $12.99 for graphic novels and $17.99 for hardcover books.  Bookmarks will also be available and will be priced at $6.99.  Depending on how many books you wish your child(ren) to purchase, please send cash accordingly.


 

Parent volunteers are needed on both days. The Book Fair organizers invite parents to assist during the Book Fair and also with set up and take down. Please sign up here to join us

 Book Fair Parent Volunteer Sign Up Form 


 

20% of the total sales will be donated to the Middle and Junior School. 

 

Poster By: Lola Canicio Bordas (MS student)

JS STORYBOOK PARADE - FRIDAY, MAY 17


Junior School's "Storybook Parade," will take place on the morning of Friday, May 17, from 9:00 to 10:00. 

All parents are invited to view the Parade and we also encourage everyone, students, faculty and parents, to dress up as their favorite book character and proudly display a copy of the book. The book can be brought from home or borrowed from the Library in advance.

Spectators will follow the same directions as they did for the UN Day Parade and line up along the walls and fence outside the building, allowing plenty of space for the classes to pass them and end the parade in the playground, behind the school. 

Students will be photographed with their classes in the playground and should be back in the classroom by 10:00 to follow the special schedule for the day and visit the Book Fair.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the joy of reading. Whether you dress up or not (it is certainly not mandatory to dress up), we hope you can join us that morning to watch this delightful event.  

We encourage parents and caregivers to browse the Book Fair in the JA Gym between drop off time and the start of the parade. In addition to cash, credit cards, checks, ApplePay and GooglePay will be accepted.


Parent Engagement Opportunities


SUMMERTIME ON YOUR MIND



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. 



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.



Are you looking for information on the PA or past newsletters? 

Then visit this page https://www.unis.org/school-life/parents-association/current-member-info (you’ll have to enter your Veracross ID as we keep this information behind a firewall for current UNIS parents only)


*Past recordings of PA/UNIS meetings

Did you know that our live streamed meetings are automatically recorded? Just visit the same link circulated for livestream and you’ll see the recording.



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

REMINDER FROM ATHLETICS - APPROPRIATE PE GEAR 

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

Spring 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 first and last 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 the 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: April 2024 Update


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York City Department of Health (NYC DOH) have recently updated their guidelines for COVID-19. As a result, we are updating our protocols effective immediately.


One of the most notable changes is the isolation time. Now, you may return to campus 24 hours after you have been fever-free without using fever-reducing medications and after the other symptoms have started to improve. 


However, taking extra precautions in the following days is important, including wearing a mask, covering your sneezes and coughs, frequent hand washing, and using hand sanitizer. 


If you experience a fever again, you must leave campus immediately and isolate yourself again.


Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/updated-respiratory-virus-guidance.html for additional information. 



Marisa Rivera, MS, RN, FNP, CPN 

mrivera@unis.org

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


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