Newsletter #29


Dear parents,

"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future."

John F. Kennedy gave us these words and, because they are the world's most valuable resource, children need to know they are loved, supported and safe. 

But as we parents know, it can be hard and it is a lifetime responsibility. Current events are challenging the harmonious and safe balance we strive to give our children.

I am a dad and, like anyone else, my children are everything to me. I want them safe. Two weeks ago my older daughter, for the first time, truly understood that she will not graduate Middle School in the way she expected. All year long she has looked forward to this moment when she, with her dearest friends, could celebrate this milestone and achievements, which have seemed a lifetime for her.

The current situation that we find ourselves in is now affecting my child, our children, in an ever more personal way. It is getting more difficult to put filters between our children and the “World". It feels so unfair to them, and to us.

I wanted to acknowledge my daughter’s sense of unfairness, a valid and understandable emotion, and at the same time help her to place this moment in perspective. I have had to do that for myself many times over the last few weeks! After an exhausting day I just need to reconnect with the nightly news in order to put my own burdens in perspective and feel instead an enormous gratitude for those who are dedicating their lives to save others. But how can I allow my daughter to put her pain in perspective without exposing her to nightly news that is unbearably stressful?

Two weeks ago, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem closed indefinitely. Among everything else that is happening in the world, I thought this event was one that would allow my daughter to put in perspective her own pain, while still recognizing it. 

My daughter is passionate about world history. When I explained that the last time this church closed was in 1349, she suddenly realized that we were living an extraordinary moment in the history of humanity. She suddenly understood that the loss of her graduation was a consequence just as much as this ancient church closing its doors. She understood that what she is facing today is part of history and that she will be remembered as the generation of students who faced Covid-19.

This moment in our history forces upon us an event that has not occurred for 671 years.

My daughter hugged me and walked away. She's still hurt, but I believe she will be able to put her pain in perspective.

As parents, we hope to provide our children with a safe haven while all around us the world challenges and threatens. There is no doubt in my mind that the 80 strong teachers, staff and administrators of the Junior School are committed to supporting you in this mission, doing everything they can, tirelessly, to create the same safe space for your children as they do for their own loved ones. It is not easy. Nobody said it would be. But together we can.


Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Susan Scullin, Junior School Assistant Principal

REMINDER

We know that not all families are able to join all live learning sessions. We understand that some families have unique circumstances that may prevent this. In those cases, students may work instead on the asynchronous Seesaw activities provided by their teachers, at a time convenient for the family, as the activities remain relevant to the day’s lessons. As we explore our technology in the coming weeks, we hope to be able to include recorded sessions for those who were not able to attend live.

Please note that we are still in the process of developing our use of technology and its integration with our curriculum and teaching. Our teachers are working hard to transform their lessons in this new environment; we know that there will be tech glitches and unforeseen issues. We will address them as they arise!

IN RESPONSE TO PARENT FEEDBACK, WE WILL NO LONGER ASK PARENTS TO COMPLETE A DAILY ATTENDANCE FORM. WE WILL REACH OUT TO FAMILIES TO OFFER SUPPORT WHEN WE NOTE THAT A STUDENT IS NOT ENGAGING IN LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES. 

Sofia J2CF during storytelling time with the Principals on Wednesday morning.

IMPORTANT DATES

EVENTS THIS WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Last week J3 students accepted the challenge presented by the Getty Museum: “We challenge you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home,” the museum wrote. That is exactly what they did on Wellness Wednesday! The rules were simple: Choose your favorite work of art. Use three things from your house to recreate it. Then, take a picture and share it!

We are so proud of the J3s as they let their creative minds SOAR!!!

TO DO: BEFORE YOUR MORNING MEETING STARTS EACH DAY!

TO DO: PROBLEM WITH YOUR CHILD NAME ON ZOOM? TRY THIS

Last week, Toro J4AC contacted me about an issue with his name on his Chromebook. We looked at it together and we found a way to change his name.

Problem: when you click on a Zoom link which contains the ID and encrypted password, it opens the meeting directly and does not give  the user a chance to change their name in the Zoom app.

Solution (tested on Chromebook and Mac os x): connect to a meeting created for that purpose and enter the Meeting ID manually which gives time to change the name:

On ANDROID, the Zoom APP asks for the name before joining the meeting (if you are not already logged into the app, we could not test this yet with iOs)

We are working with the IT Department to enhance the Zoom experience for our students. Stay tuned!

TO DO: ACCESSING STUDENTS' SCHEDULES FROM THEIR DEVICE? TRY THIS!

In response to requests from parents asking that students have access to their schedules directly from their own devices, and thanks to the creativity of Javier Alvez, our Tech Integrator, we have been able to add all of our JS students' schedules to their CLEVER accounts:

From a school Chromebook:

From iOs or Android:

From personal Chromebook, Mac os x or PC:

HIGH PRIORITY: JS DISTANCE LEARNING WEBINAR #01 04-16-2020

If you were not able to join us for the JS Webinar for parents last Thursday, April 16, you can watch it by clicking on the link below.

HIGH PRIORITY: JS EARTH DAY ASSEMBLY WEBINAR - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22  10:00AM

On Wednesday, April 22, the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It is a time to reaffirm our commitment to understanding our planet's interconnected systems and to protecting it for future generations.The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action at this particular time has given a group of Junior School students inspiration to organize this virtual assembly. It will be an opportunity to sing together, hear about what began this movement 50 years ago, and actions that we can take as individuals and as a community.  Please join us to celebrate and to act together on Wednesday, April 22nd at 10 am. 

Vanessa Go, JS Science Teacher 

HIGH PRIORITY: 2020 - 2021 CLASSES

Our teachers will soon begin the process of creating class lists for the 2020-2021 school year. Homeroom teachers and specialists collaborate to create balanced classes across each grade. Teachers take into account friendships and social interactions from this and previous years and are careful to ensure that children are placed in a group with familiar friends and where they will also have the opportunity to develop new friendships. Our school psychologist and counselors review all class groupings before they are finalized.

While we cannot honor specific requests for teachers, if you have any concerns about next year’s class placement be sure to contact your child’s counselor before Friday, April 24.  

TECH SUPPORT: 11:00-12:00 EVERY DAY FOR FAMILIES

It was a pleasure "seeing" so many of you at the JS Parent Q&A last Thursday evening. As a reminder, every week, Monday through Friday between 11:00-12:00, LIVE tech support is available for you and your child. Please use this link to connect with us with your questions: Live Tech Support for Families. 

You can also find this link at the very top of the homeroom schedule shared in the email from Mr. Vallet dated April 19th.

Francesca Zammarano and Javier Alvez  | JS Academic Technology Integrators


EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: RESOURCES & INFORMATION

The UNIS Support Team recognizes that many families and students are struggling during these challenging times. Please consider using these resources for support :

Additional Resources from the JS Support Team, geared for our younger students, can be found here:

As we continue Distance Learning, you may find yourself re-establishing routines, setting new goals and creating more structures.

Checking in on our students' social and emotional health is more important now than ever. We have included this fun Daily Check In for your child(ren). These daily check-ins focus on emotions and also provide your child(ren) with additional practice and review of social emotional learning skills that they have been learning over the school year.  This check in explores how your child is feeling, offers a self-care tip of the day, provides a question to think about, introduces a character trait of the day, and teaches a mindful exercise.

Some additional resources that may be helpful are the following:

Finally, we wanted to leave you with a reminder about the importance of a little act of kindness and strength that goes a long way in the midst of this world wide issue. Each night at 7pm, you may have heard and participated in cheering, clapping,  banging, and singing in unity to give thanks to all of the healthcare workers around the city. This act of gratitude has brought smiles, warmed the hearts of so many, and is a constant reminder about connection, coming together to support one another, and a sense of good in this dark time. It is essential for our well being and the well being of our children to see lightness in the dark. This act is just one of many that are happening around our country. Here are just a few more to remind you about kindness, gratitude and heroism  that are happening right now!

With care and support,

Alyssa Frost (J2/J4), Amy Iamundo (J1/J3) and Dr. Dana Marnin

INFORMATION: JS LIBRARY - UPDATED LINKS TO ACTIVITIES 

Here are some more links from your librarians to activities and information for you and your children during lockdown - all available on the Junior School Library Homepage.

Please visit the JS Library Homepage -  Junior School Library where you can find these and other continuously updated links to activities for you and your children during this time of distance learning.

Love from the librarians, Ms. Barrer and Ms. Iwasykiw

INFORMATION: MOVING UP WEBINAR FOR J4 PARENTS - MAY 7

INFORMATION: UNIS SPEAKERS SERIES RECORDINGS AND EVENTS

IF YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO WATCH THE CONCERT LIVE, CLICK ON THE VIDEO LINK. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! SPECIAL THUMBS UP FOR EVELYN OUR VIRTUOSO J2 PIANIST!

Justice Breyer

UNIS Speakers Series 1

Max Hollein

UNIS Speakers Series 2

Michael Mayer

UNIS Speakers Series  3


INFORMATION: GETTING TO ZERO WASTE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE - TUESDAY, APRIL 21 AT 7:15

Getting to Zero Waste in Your Daily Life

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 7:15 p.m. 

Join Guest Speaker Sandra Noonan,

Founder of the Zero Waste NYC Meetup, Chief Sustainability Officer of Just Salad and

Co-Founder of the Zero Waste NYC Workshop

For a discussion on simple and achievable ways to more sustainable living 

BIT OF NEWS: VIRTUAL INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND FUN FAIR 2020

The UNIS PA presents the inaugural "International Food and Fun Fair 2020"! Lee Bruner, MS teacher, had this wonderful idea of bringing IFFF to online to bring the community together. We couldn't agree more. 

Idea is simple. You can go online and add your own recipe(s) from your country (from the heart or physical location) along with pictures or videos to share. The origin of the recipe will be pinned on the world map. It would be wonderful to see our student chefs there, too.  

There will be no line to sample these delicious recipes from all over the world, the Padlet is live as of Saturday and will stay open so please post your recipes when you can and keep checking back for new ones! 

We do hope to see many of you there. 

Stay healthy and keep cooking,

UNIS PA Cultural Event Committee

BIT OF NEWS: ALPACA

Sahil (PK) enjoyed Mr. Vallet’s Wednesday morning read aloud so much that he insisted his dad take him right away to say hi to his friends across the street! 

REMINDER: MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR A MEETING WITH THE SUPPORT TEAM

In order to meet with a member of our Support Team:

You will receive a notification from Calendly.

Once the Support Team receives your request, they will send you an email with:

REMINDER: VIRTUAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

We hope that this message will find you, your children and everybody in your family safe and healthy. 

For your information and convenience, below we are listing courses that are virtually available from after school providers. If interested, please feel free to register using their links. We will keep sharing with you more and more online resources.  

Please note that UNIS has NOT processed charges for the registration in the Spring After School Activities. 

FROM THE AFTER SCHOOL PROVIDERS: 

Amanda Sawyer is offering all her classes remotely. She has also recently partnered with a few specialists in self-defense & physical fitness, yoga… 

If interested please register using the above link. 

Writopia 

US Chess Academy 

CinemaKidz

Spark Business Academy 

Parker Anderson Enrichment 

MORE ONLINE RESOURCES at your disposal: 

Some more resources for students: 

Additional free learning websites: 

We will share more resources, as we learn about them. I am at your disposal if you need any further information. 

Please stay safe! 

Lidana Jalilvand, Director of Special Programs

REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Please take the time now to review your family profile and contact information to ensure that your cell phone numbers, email addresses and home address are correct and are entered in the correct fields. You may update your information at any point throughout the year, but if you have not reviewed your information recently, we encourage you to do it today. 

All departments at UNIS rely on the information that you provide in the Veracross Parent Portal to contact you. The only way you can be reached in an emergency, or when there are school wide announcements, is through the information that you have entered in the Portal. After logging into the Portal at myunis.vc , you may review and update all of your family contact information by:

If you need support in order to make your updates, please email veracross@unis.org