Newsletter #37


re·sil·ience

/rəˈzilyəns/

noun

Dear students, parents, teachers,

The first time the noun resilience was introduced to the English dictionary was in 1620. It was derived from ‘resiliens’, the present participle of Latin ‘resilire’, which means ‘to recoil or rebound’. In the 1640s, resilient was used to mean ‘springing back’. It had roots in the same Latin verb ‘resilire’, but was not used figuratively about individuals or groups of people until 1830.

In 2000, Suniya Luthar, Professor Emerita at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Foundation and Professor of Psychology at the Arizona State University, defined resilience as “a dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation with the context of significant adversity”. She states that there are two critical conditions that must be met to be resilient: exposure to significant threat or severe adversity and the achievement of positive adaptation. Luthar, similar to other researchers, proposes that resilience is not a personal trait but a product of the environment and the interaction between the child and the environment. 

Dr. Emmy Werner, a developmental psychologist and Professor Emerita at the University of California, defined resilience as “The capacity [of individuals] to cope effectively with the internal stresses of their vulnerabilities [...] and external stresses”. Simply phrased she describes as resilient those children who “worked well, played well, loved well, and expected well”. 

Dr. Norman Garmezy, a clinical psychologist, identified factors that can explain the level of resilience we may observe in a child:

This research highlights the primary reason that the Junior School as a whole, including leadership, faculty, staff and parents, has always worked as hard as we do to support this notion of PARTNERSHIP, which we have consistently put to the forefront of everything we do, together.

On December 11th, 2006, Kofi Annan delivered his final speech as United Nations Secretary General. In August 2018, we welcomed our Faculty back with a newsletter incorporating elements of that speech. While focusing on worldwide security, development and welfare, we believed then that Annan’s five lessons could guide the work of the Junior School in our journey towards a greater UNIS for our students. Annan's fourth lesson was on the concept of mutual accountability, accountable for our actions at our class level, at the school level. A mutual accountability is necessary to support greater achievements.

While we recognize how complex it has been, and how external variables may have impacted some families more than others, we can step back and look at our COLLECTIVE achievements. In this very complex and unexpected situation unfolding before us, by being accountable one to another, all together, our students, your children, have overcome their challenges. They have climbed their own "Mountains".

If in March we said WE CAN DO IT, today I believe we can safely say WE DID IT. However, the journey does not end here. We are looking ahead of us now, at the school reopening. Again, we are collectively saying WE CAN DO IT. And we will.

And, as we agree that everyone has contributed to overcoming our challenges, I must highlight one person who has been extremely instrumental on this journey. Our Assistant Principal, Susan Scullin, who retires this year.

Ms. Scullin, I will paraphrase Frédéric Chopin by saying that we could express our feelings more easily if they could be put into notes of music, but as the very best concert would not cover our affection for you, dear colleague, we must use the simple words of our heart, to lay before you our utmost gratitude and affection:

Wordle create with the words shared by our students and faculty that best describe Susan Scullin

Susan, Merci. You have officially graduated after 28 years of dedication to our UNIS students, teachers, parents, and mission!

It is now time for us to end the 2019-2020 school year. But not without sharing one more video with you. It captures in 4 minutes our JS students' journey this past year. Truth be told, when Ms. Scullin and I created this video we used up a lot of tissues. It is always very emotional to recognize again how creative, resilient and beautiful our students and teachers are. So prepare yourself, you may need some tissues too!

As Dr. Brenner said in his last update, beginning the week of July 6, our Executive Director will email weekly updates regarding our progress towards reopening in September. Please know that the UNIS leadership team will continue to work on the school reopening throughout the summer to ensure that we rise to the occasion once again, and to provide the best support we can to our students and families. 

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Susan Scullin, Junior School Assistant Principal

SOURCES:

SUSAN SCULLIN: FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM FOR OUR FACULTY BEFORE SAYING GOODBYE

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to reflect on the past 31 years.  I have so many fond memories of my days at UNIS, the people I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learned. 

I first came to UNIS as a parent when my son was placed in Sheila Desmond’s class. Sheila knew I was teaching education courses at a local university but sensed I missed being in the elementary classroom. After a while she took me aside and encouraged me to apply for a teaching position. Twenty-eight years ago, I joined the UNIS faculty.  

Thank you Sheila for encouraging me to apply and for guiding me once I got here. 

When I started teaching at UNIS I already knew Principal Lea Rangel Ribeiro from many days spent as a class parent, working with Sidney Maas and Sue Enzer to plan the original Food, Book and Crafts Fairs.  Lea loved to delight children with special events and taught me the importance of bringing a sense of joy and wonder to children.

You’ve all heard stories of Lea walking through the JS with a llama, but my personal favorite was the morning we arrived at school to see a sculptor in the playground wielding his tools to create a dove out of a block of ice.

My mentor and friend Tonya Porter shepherded the Junior School through the year following 9/11. Tonya taught me the importance of making sure that every child has a close connection with at least one adult in the building and to pay attention to the geranium on the windowsill.

Sidney, Sue, Tonya and I continue to be close friends but there are other friends and colleagues who left us too soon: Lea, Sandra Acauan, Ros Cutforth and Sharon Tan,  I miss you every day.  

I am grateful for my early years spent as a homeroom teacher, but I’m also grateful for the 15 years I spent as a learning specialist, teaching beside Amy, Karen and Alexis.  And later working with Dana, Alyssa and Sam.

I have fond memories of my years in the Staff Association planning events and parties, but also working to keep the school strong during some challenging years.

I won’t forget the morning coffee or lunchtime soups that I enjoyed in the cafeteria and will always remember the warm greetings from Sabita and the Flik crew.  

I appreciate the hard work of Willy, Allen, Santiago and the entire maintenance team who now, more than ever, are essential in keeping our school operating.

I smile when I think of Barry and the security guards greeting me each morning by name, but always checking to see that I am wearing my UNIS ID. Thank you all for keeping us safe.  

Thank you to Pedon, Priya and the playground team for keeping the JS office and playground going, maintaining everything from dismissal plans to the estimation station, birthday bracelets and virtual recess.

Thank you to Danae for all you do to keep me organized and on task at UNIS, but also for your friendship outside the building.  Only a good friend would spend Spring Break learning about Ayurveda and eating at the Kripalu Buddha Bar instead of relaxing on a beach somewhere.

Thank you to Sal Uy who three years ago invited me to move into the role of JS Assistant Principal. His confidence in me led me to accept his challenge to take on this role and I hope I made him proud.

Thank you to Pascal for having me at his side these past three years. I am constantly in awe of how he always advocates to make sure the needs of the JS children come first in all decisions, how much he knows about education, technology, politics, philosophy and poetry and how hard he works - Saturdays and Sundays included.  

Most of all, thank you Pascal for your constant support, kindness and humor. We always laugh together, even through the difficult days.  

I do love a story with a good twist at the end and this year didn’t disappoint. To all of you who have so kindly commented that this was not the way I expected my UNIS journey to end, you are correct.  However, I am proud to have been part of the leadership team led by Dan Brenner.  Students first is the leitmotif that has guided Pascal and I during these past three years and in this time of crisis our school leaders have made critical decisions and have always put the needs of our students first. 

I am thankful for my Junior School family and for all of my UNIS friends and colleagues. Thank you everyone for a wonderful journey.

Susan Scullin, Assistant Principal

Junior School Photo Album 2019-20

IMPORTANT DATES

UPCOMING EVENTS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Yellow Bus Service (dates are subject to change)

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: SEMESTER 2 REPORT CARDS - JUNE 12

Semester 2 Report Cards for Junior School students will be published today Friday, June 12 on the Veracross Parent Portal after 5pm. We encourage you to review this report card with your child to celebrate his/her achievements during this past year and engage in conversation on their potential growth.

For questions about a specific JS teacher’s comments please contact the teacher directly by email, with a copy to jsoffice@unis.org, no later than Monday, June 15, 2020.

The June 2020 UNIS Junior School report card reflects the opportunities for assessment during this term, which included our first exploration of distance learning. The report does not assign achievement levels in deference to the variability of students’ access to instruction, materials and appropriate supports, and the impact of this variability on student performance. For the core areas of math, reading, writing, and languages, you’ll find a brief course description followed by bulleted statements that capture your child’s performance across the term as evidenced by their live and asynchronous participation in coursework. These reflect the strengths your child has demonstrated this term, as well as the areas that would benefit from more attention in the future. For the specialist subjects of science, music and theater, art, and physical education, you’ll find the course description that gives the context for your child’s learning in these areas this term. 

How do I access my child’s report cards?

The 2nd Semester Report Cards for JS students will be published on the Parent Portal of Veracross at 5:00pm on Friday, June 12. To view them, access the Parent Portal of Veracross (link found on the Parent Portal from the UNIS Website). After logging in to Veracross, simply click on "Classes & Reports", and then on "Report Card" (see screenshot). If you do not yet have access to the Veracross portal and need instructions on how to do so, please contact veracross@unis.org to get information. 

1. From UNIS website, select “Parent Portal”

2. Click on "Veracoss Parent Portal"

3. Select “Classes & Reports”

4. Under PROGRESS REPORT, select the required report card

INFORMATION: JUNIOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

Our last assembly of the year was an opportunity to share with our students age appropriate resources to understand and unpack the concept of racism. You will find below the two videos we shared with them so that you can answer questions and continue the conversation on this very important topic. The second part of the assembly was dedicated to celebrating the students and teachers who are leaving UNIS. Ms. Scullin's sons, both UNIS alumni, joined us offering warm messages for their mother but also sharing with our students their experience at UNIS and how this experience has supported them in their respective lives.

INFORMATION: GETTING READY

To help you get organized for the 2020-2021 school year, you will find valuable information and a supply list for your child's next grade. We encourage you to spend time reviewing this information now.  We are working on a new parent portal that will be launched very soon where this information, and more, will be organized for you. Thanks for your patience!

INFORMATION: LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR THE SUMMER

Children who engage in recreational reading increase their vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension as they enjoy books. Find our librarians recommendations for the summer of 2020 below. You can access more resources at the UNIS Junior School Library.

UNIS Summer Reading 2020.pdf

INFORMATION: JS SUMMER STEAM CHALLENGES

We hope that this digital Padlet will be fun and engaging. It was created for UNIS students to remember what they’ve learned and to help them prepare for the next school year! 

INFORMATION: UNIS MASTER CLASSES

UNIS MASTERCLASS: DISMANTLING RACISM

At this historical impasse when we must decide the direction of race relations globally, please join UNIS alumni and parents for a candid discussion about the impact of racism on society. Our panelists provide the necessary insight and interactive strategies to guide us in difficult dialogues with our children, students, and in our communities. Only through dialogue can social action emerge to ensure a better world.

On Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m, we invited you to listen to Ms. Prem Premsrirut who will share her knowledge of COVID-19. A scientist, President and CEO of Mirimus Inc., Ms. Premsrirut has been working on the second line of the COVID 19 response designing protocols to test and validate new diagnostics. 

On Tuesday, May 12th, we had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with Carol Bellamy. Ms. Bellamy headed the Peace Corps and ran UNICEF. She has been a leader in education, Board Chair of the IBO, and CEO of World Learning. 

On Wednesday, April 28th at 6pm, Mr. Shapiro spoke about his career, including overseeing the production of the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine tragedy, the war in Kosovo, and the Clinton Impeachments. He also spoke about “why media is important” and the role media plays in the time of COVID-19. 

If you were not able to attend the Getting to Zero Waste in Your Daily Life webinar on Tuesday, April 21, with 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, click on the link below!

Smiling Mask Concert

UNIS Event

Michael Mayer

UNIS Speakers Series  3


Max Hollein

UNIS Speakers Series 2

Justice Breyer

UNIS Speakers Series 1

INFORMATION: THANK YOU JS PARENTS

Thank you to all of the parents who supported us this year! So many of you volunteered at special Junior School events and classroom celebrations that we can’t list all of your names. But we do want to acknowledge here the dedication of the Class Parents who met weekly with the Principals throughout the period of distance learning to share parent feedback and offer their support. And, the extraordinary dedication and strong leadership of our JS PA Reps, Nadine Lemm and Denise Debono should be celebrated as well! They have worked tirelessly this year for the good of everyone in Junior School. Please join us in showing them your gratitude!

Nadine Lemm and Denise Debono

In 2020-2021 we welcome three new PA Reps: Jen Fiorese, Melissa Hernandez and Erin Russell

We look forward to another year of collaboration on joyful events for our students, your children!

Jen Fiorese

Melissa Hernandez

Erin Russell

 BIT OF NEWS: A THANK YOU TO THE HEROES!

Over the past two months, Jack Hochman and the Office of Student Activities (OSA) collaborated to organize a Thank You Note Drive for heroes fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. With the help of so many in the UNIS community, we were able to create and contribute more than 500 cards to these front-line workers (examples below). Our cards will be displayed electronically on large monitors in select locations at NYU Langone Medical Center, distributed via email, exhibited at nurses' stations, and even distributed in hard copy.

A big round of applause to all of those who submitted cards and a special thanks to Jack and the OSA for turning a great idea into reality. This drive showcased how well we, as a school, can unite and work together for the greater good. We should all be very proud!

REMINDER: KEEPING CHROMEBOOKS OVER THE SUMMER AND PICKING UP POSSESSIONS FROM CAMPUS

Reminder from Dr. Brenner (emailed June 1):

As we approach the end of the academic year, I want to share the plan for collecting personal belongings and returning school materials. For Manhattan dates and times CLICK HERE

To keep the process safe and orderly in Manhattan, here are the following procedures:

For those who are unable to attend on their scheduled day, there will be a makeup day on August 18. Details to follow.

As part of an effort to upgrade our technology, which will enable us to operate more effectively in a virtual world, we will be refreshing all of the current Chromebooks and MacBooks for students. Also, we will provide all of our Pre-K/Junior School students with new Chromebooks. Students NOT returning to UNIS in the fall should return their laptops during their scheduled time. All other students, please do not return laptops when you come to school at your scheduled time to collect your belongings.

The distribution of the new computers is as follows:

If you have questions about these procedures, please send them to Ernest Lentini, Director of Security (elentini@unis.org), or to your division principal.

REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Periodically, please take the time 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