Newsletter #11

Interview with Remi   11/2/2019

• Dad:  Principal Vallet asked me to interview you about Halloween.

• Remi: OK

• Dad: Did you enjoy Halloween at UNIS this year and why?

• Remi: Yes, I was really looking forward to showing everyone my costume and to share the special event happening in my life.

• Dad: When did you decide you were going to have such an elaborate costume?

• Remi: A year ago, I was walking home from physical therapy with Domo and a guy on the street introduced himself and said he worked for [a not for profit company called] Magic Wheelchair.   They create costumes for kids who use wheelchairs – for free! He gave to me his card to give to my parents. And then later they visited me at home and discussed ideas for an amazing Halloween costume.  Since I like cats, I suggested Pusheen [Pusheen is a cartoon cat and subject of comic strips] and they suggested a Pusheen car… and then they suggested a robotic tail and blinking eyes as headlights.

• Dad: How long did it take them to make Pusheen?

• Remi: I don’t know… probably six months.

• Dad: It was probably longer.  And when did you see Pusheen for the first time? 

• Remi: Magic Wheelchair invited us to Comic Con [at Javits Center on October 5th] and revealed it there along with another boy’s costume. 

• Dad: What did you think when your first saw it?

• Remi: I was amazed and loved it.

• Dad: What are some of the special things about Pusheen that you like?

• Remi: Cartoon stickers all over the car, a robotic tail, eyes that change shape and glow, cookie wheels… they also made a giant stuffed Sloth for me, but you said it was too much to bring to school.

• Dad: So what did you feel when you revealed Pusheen at UNIS?

• Remi: HAPPY!  I looked behind me and there were thousands of students following me and in front of me.

• Dad: Thousands?

• Remi: Yes… when I made the turn, I heard people say “Good job!” and “How did you do this?” and “Did you make this?”.  I felt so proud. You know I don’t like it when people stare at me or at my wheelchair; but on Halloween people were staring at me because of Pusheen and it didn’t bother me.  They weren’t actually staring at me, they were staring at Pusheen. It felt good.

• Dad: Did the costume make you feel good about using a wheelchair? That is one of the goals behind Magic Wheelchair.

• Remi: Yes, the people at Magic Wheelchair put a smile on my face. The costume wasn’t exactly how I imagined it – it was better than I had imagined it. 

• Dad: Do you want to say anything else to your friends at UNIS about Magic Wheelchair?

• Remi: Yes, if anyone wants to donate to Magic Wheelchair so other kids using wheelchairs can enjoy Halloween like I did, that would be great.

• Dad: If Magic Wheelchair was here right now, what would you say to them?

• Remi: THANK YOU Magic Wheelchair! You guys did an amazing job and everyone LOVED my Pusheen car!

Remi, J3MH student

Dad, Journalist for a day

The stage is ready! The JS Talent Show is back by popular demand! Book your calendars for Saturday, December 14th, at 3pm. To apply, please follow the link below. Please read carefully and note that registration will close on 22 November or as soon as we reach 40 acts.

Any question should go to unis.js.talentshow@gmail.com

Many thanks,

Talent Show Team 

Since JA I have raised money for UNICEF. I read a book about a lemonade stand and I take a business class after school so I was inspired to have my own apple juice stand. In Mrs. Hunter's J2 class we are learning about children's rights and UNICEF. We learned what our donations will go towards. I set up a stand in my lobby selling apple juice. My doorman helped me and even gave me marketing tips. The stand ran for four days. I taught people about UNICEF and asked for their donations. I was able to raise $100.23!!! All of that money will be used to make sure children's rights are met. My goal for next year is to raise even more money. What will YOU do to help UNICEF?!

Ethan Lee,  J2EH

We would appreciate the support of the UNIS community to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of our fellow New Yorkers - there are 1.37 million New Yorkers who are struggling to feed themselves currently.  

• How can we help: By donating food items.

• What to donate: Canned veggies and fruit, Canned Meats, Fish & beans, boxed pasta items, hot and cold cereal, rice, grains, pasta sauce and peanut butter in plastic jars.

• NO EXPIRED FOOD OR GLASS JARS

• When: 18-22 November, 2019

• Where: Please drop them in the collection boxes in the lobby at the entrance 

• How many: Between 10-15 food items per kid 

Together let's make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers who need our help.

Toiletries Collection:

Additionally, we are also collecting toiletries  for a Homeless Outreach program in NYC. 

The following items are greatly needed: shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Small sizes from your last hotel stay are perfect.

Volunteers Needed:

Please signup using this link for helping to sort and pack. 

For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Co-Chairs:

• Abhilasha Mahan (Abhilasha.mahan@gmail.com)

• Vesna Golic (vesnagolic@yahoo.co.uk)

• Francois Cayaux (Francois.cayaux@gmail.com)

Let's celebrate the diverse and lively Moroccan culture. This enchanted night is your chance to immerse into unique Moroccan Live Music, Food, Raffle, Fashion, Bazaar, and Fun Activities for children and adults.

Please join us at UNIS on Saturday, December 7th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM so that we can celebrate together!

Ticket sales have begun. Please note there are a limited number of tickets, so please purchase your tickets at www.unis.org/morocco 

General Admission is $25 per person and free for children 4 years old and under. Each ticket automatically enters you into raffle. The raffle prize is TWO round trip tickets to Casablaca generously provided by Royal Air Maroc. 

PA CULTURAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

Photos taken on October 10th are ready to order online. Proofs and instructions were sent home in your child’s backpack.

The deadline to order Winter Sports 2019 apparel for delivery before the holidays is Wednesday, November 6. The store will stay open until Friday, December 20 but delivery will be in 2020 if ordered after November 6.

Beginning Monday, October 28, 2019 UNIS is implementing new lost and found procedures.   Lost and found items will be collected weekly and displayed on racks just outside the front door of the school.  Any Items that are not retrieved by the end of each week will be deposited in our RefashionNYC Bin.  RefashionNYC is NYC's official clothing reuse program in partnership with NYC Department of Sanitation and Housing Works to make textile donations to those in need. Once items are deposited into the RefashionNYC bin, we cannot retrieve them.  We ask that you please label all clothing, lunch boxes and water bottles.  Labeled items will be delivered to the appropriate school office to be reunited with their owners. Please note that unlabeled lunch boxes and unlabeled water bottles will be discarded at the end of each week. We will no longer set out lost and found during parent teacher conferences.  Please stop by the racks on your way in and out of school to retrieve items and ask your children to check for any lost items.