Newsletter #04

Dear parents,

I owe my passion for the ocean to Jacques Cousteau. Cousteau was a well-known author-explorer-inventor-filmmaker-oceanographer who inspired many generations by sharing the wonders of the oceans with the world.  Upon his death on June, 25 1997, French President Jacques Chirac said that Captain Cousteau was "a great Frenchman who also was a citizen of the world. An "enchanter [...] probably the best known Frenchman internationally".

The profound respect that the President had for Cousteau was in contrast to the tension between the two men. "The old man of the sea" was the main opponent to President Jacques Chirac’s decision to resume nuclear tests in the Atoll of Mururoa in the Pacific Ocean. (1)

"Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans." - Jacques Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau inspired generations of activists around the world - the children, men and women who stand to protect our oceans and beyond. Céline Cousteau, his granddaughter, is one of them. Céline is a "socio-environmental advocate and public figure. She is known for her work as a documentary film director, producer, explorer, artist, public speaker, brand ambassador and designer, and is a frequent panelist at the United Nations in New York."(2)

Céline admired, as many did, her grandfather. He was the one who said: "When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself." This is why Céline and members of her expedition team have been speaking in classrooms, schools, and organizations around the world as part of the Tribes on the Edge education initiative. And when Céline, a UNIS alumnus, will be in NYC briefly, she will meet with a number of students from our 3 divisions on September 23rd (3).

I think back on Jacques Cousteau. I never missed one of his documentaries. I traveled the world always intrigued and attracted by our mesmerizing oceans because of this great man. Welcoming Céline back to UNIS is not only an honor, it is a necessity. The world needs our younger generations to become activists for its protection. There is no choice. This is the only way for life to remain beautiful.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal

Susan Scullin, Junior School Assistant Principal


ABOUT CÉLINE COUSTEAU

Céline Cousteau is a social and environmental activist working with a variety of mediums that range from documentaries to art and design, from consulting with corporations and foundations to public speaking. Each form shares the same message of interconnectivity between humans and the natural world. As a documentary film director, producer, and presenter, Céline is the founder and executive director of CauseCentric Productions, creating cause-focused multimedia content.

Extending her family legacy and her expertise, Céline co-founded The Céline Cousteau Film Fellowship, a nonprofit program whose mission is to empower young aspiring filmmakers, creatives, and activists to inspire change through filmmaking. Her work has included being Guest Designer for Swarovski, ambassador for The TreadRight Foundation, and Member of the World Economic Forum Council on Oceans. Céline currently sits on the board of directors of the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the advisory boards of The Himalayan Consensus and Marine Construction Technologies. With a degree in psychology and a masters in Intercultural Relations, Céline is fluent in three languages.

TRIBES ON THE EDGE

Tribes on the Edge – a documentary produced by CauseCentric Productions, directed, produced, and co- written by Céline Cousteau – explores the timely topics of land threats, health crises, and human rights issues of the indigenous peoples in the Brazilian Amazon while expanding the view to how this is relevant to our world. This is a story that invokes the critical importance of respect and care – for land, culture, and humanity. Our survival may depend on it.

The story is set in an indigenous territory called the Vale do Javari which spans 85,000 Sq KMs (the size of Portugal). Home to 6 recognized tribes plus the largest concentration of un-contacted indigenous peoples in the Amazon, the Javari has been listed as ‘irreplaceable’ by the IUCN because of its incredible biodiversity. Considering there is no deforestation in the Amazon where there are indigenous territories, their presence provides a defense against the destruction of the ecosystem and its flora and fauna.

The peoples of the Javari face threats to their survival as a result of numerous dangers: contact with outsiders has brought in diseases that decimate their population; illegal activities such as hunting, fishing, and gold mining are a constant assault; and the governmental dismantling of all protection of their land and their human rights endangers their very existence. Each day, these 5,000 indigenous warriors are fighting to protect their home. In effect, they act as a crucial barrier to deforestation and thus a stronghold for climate change mitigation and preservation of biodiversity. Humans and nature are intimately interconnected. Where there is environmental destruction, humans suffer. In the Brazilian Amazon, where there are indigenous communities, there is no deforestation. If they vanish, we lose the guardians of vital ecosystems and thus may lose that ecosystem as a result. More than a film, Tribes on the Edge has grown into a movement driven by a passionate effort to enact tangible impact through Action, Communication, and Education (ACE) initiatives.

Tribes on the Edge will remind all of us that our survival depends on our actions — to support and protect the people and the ecosystems they safeguard for the benefit of us all.

Jacques Cousteau

Ocean Explorer Jacques Cousteau talks about the importance of conservation because, as he put it, "air and water are the fruits of life."

Céline Cousteau

In this fascinating talk, Céline Cousteau takes us on a journey through the lives of the tribes in the Vale do Javari, Brazilian Amazon, and her own personal experience to tell the world these tribes exist and are at risk. 

IMPORTANT DATES

EVENTS THIS WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS

This is UNIS Junior School!

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

HIGH PRIORITY: SPECIALIST BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

We look forward to welcoming our PK - J4 parents at the JS Specialist Teacher Back to School Night this Wednesday, September 18  from 5:30-8:05. The schedule for the evening can be found here. Please note that this is an event intended for adults only and child care is not available.

HIGH PRIORITY: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

On Friday, September 20, from 8:30-8:45 parents are invited to join their child’s class to reflect on peace in their lives and to observe a minute of silence. The official International Day of Peace provides information about this special day:

“The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

This year's #peaceday theme draws attention to the importance of combatting climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world.”

INFORMATION: GREETINGS FROM JS PA TEAM

Dear Junior School Parents,

A warm welcome to you for the new school year!

All the Junior School (JS) parents are part of the Parents Association (PA). The Junior School PA organizes special events with the goal to support the students and foster a sense of community among families. 

Our efforts include:

We are planning for the 2019-20 school year, and we need YOU!  

There are numerous ways you can help the school and build connections with other UNIS families throughout the school year. Volunteering is a fun way to make new friends! Every year JS events are an amazing experience for adults and kids alike thanks to your priceless, wonderful commitment and support. Any time you can give is greatly appreciated! 

Please come aboard by completing the volunteer form below so we can get in touch with you. Thank you!

Nadine Lemm (nadine.lemm@pa.unis.org) and Denise DeBono (denise.debono@pa.unis.org)

INFORMATION: BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT PRESENTATIONS PK TO J4

The grade-wide presentations from the Homeroom Teacher Back to School Night last Wednesday, September 11 can be found here.

Pre-K Back to School Night
JA Back to School Night - 2019/2020
J1 Back to School Night - 2019/2020
J2 Back to School Night - 2019/2020
Copy of J3 Back to School Night with Speaker notes - 2019/2020
For Parents - J4 Back to School Night - 2019/2020

INFORMATION: CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS UPDATED

The Parent Curriculum Documents have been updated. You can access them by clicking on the links below. From the very first year, the social, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, and physical needs of the student are central to the curriculum, so that the classroom becomes a world in which the acquisition of skills and conceptual understanding goes hand in hand with the freedom to inquire, explore, and create. The integrated learning that characterizes school life in the early grades builds a deep understanding of who the children are as inquiring, independent critical thinkers and learners in an international environment.

INFORMATION: MATILDA THE MUSICAL: J3-M4 PARENT Q&A AND NEW DATES

The Junior School and Middle School have combined forces this year to produce the main stage musical, MATILDA, THE MUSICAL. With new performance dates of March 5-14, and auditions beginning September 30, join the co-directors, Mr. Dod and Mr. Hall, for an information session on the production, audition process, changes from years past, and more. The info session will be held on Friday, September 27 from 8:30-9:30am in the cafeteria.

*Note that this musical is J3-M4 students only*


BIT OF NEWS: PRE K DROP OFF TIME CHANGE

PRE K DROP OFF TIME CHANGE

Please note that our Pre K students may be dropped off in their classroom between 8:20-8:30 beginning Monday, September 16. 

JA parents are asked to have their children arrive to school promptly at 8:30 a.m. However, if you arrive earlier than 8:30 you may drop your JA child off in the playground or go to the cafeteria together.

BIT OF NEWS: J3 AND J4 CHORUS ANNOUNCEMENT

The J3 and J4 Choruses start THIS WEEK! There have been some exciting changes for this year:

There will be TWO CHORUSES: one for J3 and one for J4!

We are looking forward to another fun and musical year! If you have any questions, please contact Ms.Travis at atravis@unis.org

Please complete this form to register your child for J3 Chorus

Please complete this form to register your child for J4 Chorus

BIT OF NEWS: MOTHER’S CHORUS

The UNIS Mother’s Chorus have begun rehearsing together for the 2019-2020 school year on Wednesday mornings from 8:10 - 9:00 am in Room 255. Karen Lerner will be leading the ensemble. If you like to sing, please join us! All voices are welcome!

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Lerner at klerner@unis.org. 

BIT OF NEWS: J3 - M4 FALL ’19 DANCE ACADEMY: MUSICAL THEATRE STYLES

Instructors:

REMINDER: DROP OFF UPDATE FOR J3 AND J4 STUDENTS

Instruction in J3 and J4 begins promptly at 8:30am. In order to welcome the students in their classrooms and get settled for the day, parents are asked to have their children arrive to school promptly at 8:20am. However, if you arrive earlier than 8:20 you may drop your child off in the playground or go to the cafeteria together.

In order to encourage their growing independence, we request that our J3 and J4 students enter the Junior School area on their own. The expectation is that they become responsible for putting away their own backpacks, lunch boxes and coats as they are welcomed by their teachers and join their class community.

Therefore, parents/caregivers of J3 and J4 students arriving after 8:20 are asked to drop off their child in the school lobby. This applies as well to parents/caregivers of J3 and J4 students who have been waiting together in the cafeteria. The students will use the C stairway to walk to their classroom.

If you need to meet with your child’s teacher please use email to request an appointment, rather than trying to arrange it in person at morning drop off. In cases where you have an important and brief message that you feel the need to communicate face-to-face you may do so while coming up to speaking with the homeroom teacher. The expectation is however that homeroom teachers are fully focused on greeting their arriving students.

DROP OFF POLICY

Our Junior School morning routines are designed, first, to support out students’ safety. They are also a special opportunity for our teachers to focus solely on welcoming each of their students and helping them settle in for a successful day of learning. All Junior School students must be escorted by parents/caregivers into the school building at drop off time in the morning. Pick up is also within the school building by parents/caregivers at either the 2:55 dismissal from JS or from any extr...

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REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR FAMILY CONTACT INFORMATION IN VERACROSS

UPDATE YOUR FAMILY CONTACT INFORMATION IN VERACROSS TODAY

All departments at UNIS, including the school nurse, rely on the contact information that your family provides to the school in Veracross. Please ensure today that your preferred email addresses, cell phone numbers and home address are up to date and entered accurately in your profile. The information that you provide here is the only way we can reach you regarding your child.

REMINDER: UPDATE THE DISMISSAL INFORMATION & SIGN THE AGREEMENT