Newsletter #22

Dear parents,

The Student Led Conferences for our JA to J4 students are approaching. They were implemented in the Junior School in 2016 and have been through a few iterations since then. One year ago we were not able to roll out this very important milestone in the learning journey of our students. UNIS closed just a few weeks before we were scheduled to bring parents and students together to reflect on the learning experience.

This year the unique circumstances we are facing will not stop us in this endeavor! 

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” ― Thomas Edison

Given the complexity of organizing Student Led Conferences, and considering the constraints put on us by the pandemic, this year we brought together teams of teachers, team leaders, homeroom teachers, specialist teachers, language teachers. They reflected on the fundamental purpose of Student Led Conferences and the organization that would best support their ultimate goal, taking into account the need to run them virtually.

The goal of these conferences is "to celebrate the Learning Experience and Successes of the school year, in connection with the IB attitudes and attributes". To reach this goal, as in the past, parents have a fundamental role to play as the main interlocutor with our students, your children. You will find below important information to support you in understanding the organization of the conferences this year. We encourage you to watch the video if you did not already participate in our March 3 Parent Coffee, and to review the slides from the presentation that contain very important information about the way the conferences will be held with homeroom, mother tongue, languages, support, and specialist teachers this year.

Note that the Pre-K conferences take place later in the year with a different and age-appropriate format. The Pre-K team, in collaboration with the Junior School Leadership and Curriculum Office, is currently working on the organization, content, and date when these conferences will be held. The goal will be similar to the one we have for our other grades: celebrating learning.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

We encourage you to watch the video below recorded during the March 3 Parent Coffee dedicated to the Student-Led Conferences.

On Thursday, March 11th, the ability to sign up for your JS children’s Student Led Conferences on March 18 and March 19 will be made available. JS classes will not be held on either of those two days and students will not be on campus. Students and their guardians will connect with their teachers remotely, from home. 

Important Dates:

• • Wednesday, March 17th at 7:00pm: Webinar with the Principal and Assistant Principals - "Guidelines for parents: How to support a succesful Student Led Conference" [Webinar ID: 92097161214 | Passcode: 739566]

  • Thursday, March 18th: from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm JA - J4 Conferences

  • Friday, March 19th: from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm JA-J4 Conferences

Sign-Up Period 

• • Start / Open: Thursday, March 11th at 5:00 pm 

  • End / Close: Tuesday, March 16th at 5:00 pm 

Student benefits:

• empowers students to take responsibility for their own learning

• encourages reflection and self-evaluation

• increases self-confidence, self-esteem and motivation

• improves communication and critical thinking skills

• student ownership of celebrating the learning experience

• opportunity to celebrate what students are most proud of

Parent benefits:

• encourages active participation in their child’s education

• provides parents the opportunity to observe their child as a learner

• increases parents’ understanding of their child’s learning experience.

• involves parents with realistic goal-setting

• allows communication in the home language

Teacher benefits:

• keeps student well-being and resilience at the forefront of conversations this year

• emphasizes shared responsibility and encourages partnership approach

• more reflective of actual classroom learning experience where the teacher is "guide on the side"

• increases parent participation

Students

Before 

• Students and teachers work together on reflections and choose pieces of work which are representative of the student’s learning experience. 

• Students work with teachers to prepare for sharing Zoom screens and samples of their work during conferences.

• Students reflect on their learning experiences and successes throughout the hybrid model school year.

• Students reflect and report on their social and emotional lives at school.

• Students prepare for sharing their reflections and celebrations of the year. They will review with their teacher what they would like to celebrate and the pieces of work that will support their reflections.

• Students understand what good speaking skills look like and sound like. They practice with and support other students to develop these skills while using Zoom.

During

• The student is the main speaker during the conference.

• Students will share their reflections and celebrations of the school year connecting them to the samples of work they chose to share with parents.

Parents

Before

• Parents and teachers reach out to each other with any issues or concerns well before the conferences take place.

• Parents attend the Student-Led Conference Parent Coffee on March 3, led by the Principal and Assistant Principal to clarify expectations and the structure of the conferences.

•  Parents read the March 8 Parent Newsletter to understand the goals and structure of the Student-Led Conferences.

During

• Parents must remember to let the student lead the conversation, saving questions for the students until the end.

• Parents will listen to their child’s explanations and reflections as the student presents their celebrations, reflections, and work samples.

• Parents may provide feedback, ask the child questions about his/her work and offer encouragement to their child.

• Parents may ask how they can help and what the student needs from them.

Teachers

Before

• Teachers meet with parents when there are any issues or concerns well before conferences take place.

• Teachers guide students in preparing for their conferences, specifically on what they would like to celebrate and the pieces of work they are proud of and that will support their reflections.

• Teachers prepare students for sharing their work by modeling and practicing a conference.

• Teachers and students will review roles and identify criteria for success.

• Teachers will give students an opportunity to practice in class by using the Zoom features and other tech resources they will utilize during the conferences. 

During

• The teacher welcomes the family and establishes clear guidelines: the child will lead, parents will listen, the time at end is for a final reflection and celebration.

• Teachers will intervene only when the student needs support to continue the conference.

• In the event intervention is needed, the teacher will facilitate as needed by giving prompts and asking questions related to the work samples being shared.

• After approximately 15 minutes, the teacher will prompt the student to end their part of the conference.

• Parents and teacher will have the final 2-3 minutes to celebrate and reflect on the learning experience of the students, as well as the successes and challenges of the school year.

• The teacher will help close the conference on time to keep on schedule.

• • Monday, March 8 - Celebrating International Women's Day (and in this Newsletter!)

  • Monday, March 8 - Celebrating 100 Days of School this year!

  • Thursday, March 11 - JS Student Led Conference JA - J4 Sign Up Opens 5:00pm (details in this newsletter)

THE HYBRID CALENDAR

• Tuesday, March 16  - JS Student Led Conference Sign Up Closes  5:00pm

• Wednesday, March 17 - JS Webinar: Student Led Conferences 7:00 - 8:00pm  SLC Webinar Link

• Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19 - UNIS-UN Conference

• Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19 - JA - J4 Student Led Conferences 8:30 - 3:00pm 

- No Classes for JS Students on March 18 and 19 

- No JS Students on Campus on March 18 and 19

• 6-Part Parent Workshop Series:  Mindful Parenting in an Upside-Down World on Tuesdays from 7:30 - 8:45 

  • Tuesday, March 9 - NO WORKSHOP

  • Tuesday, March 16

  • Tuesday, March 23

  • Tuesday, March 30

• April 5 through April 16 – No Classes for Students – Spring Break

• Monday, April 19 – Classes Resume

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

• INFORMATION: PARENT WORKSHOP #3: MINDFUL PARENTING IN AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD

• PARENT ASSOCIATION CORNER: MARCH 17 SLC WEBINAR

•  BIT OF NEWS: ISAMU J1H SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE

•  BIT OF NEWS: ART WITH UNDINE GROEGER

• REMINDERS: YEARBOOK /  BOARD OF TRUSTEE APPLICATIONS

• REMINDERS: HEALTH AND SAFETY

• REMINDERS: REMOTE LEARNERS

• REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR CHILD’S DISMISSAL PLANS in SDM

• REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Please join us for a special Fireside Chat with H.E. Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. E.S.T. We are fortunate to have one hour to hear from the Deputy Secretary-General on calling out gender bias and inequality and celebrating women's achievement. In the interest of time, we will not have the customary opportunity for questions to be asked live during this event. Instead, we encourage you to submit your questions here for our student moderators to ask on your behalf. Please RSVP and submit your questions by Friday, March 5th. 

Dear Parent,

Thank you for attending our third workshop: Understanding Perfectionism & Embracing Mistakes. I hope that you found the session worthwhile.

Resources

Please find the slide deck attached. In addition, here are a couple of articles that can support your continued learning and reflection on the topic:

• The Perils of the Child Perfectionist

• It's time to give up perfectionist parenting - forever. Here's how

Additional Learning & Support 

If you're interested in learning more about all the important topics we've been discussing, there are still a few spots left in my upcoming group: Parenting in a Pandemic: Moving Beyond Survival Mode.

This is an opportunity to put Mindful Parenting practices into place and get additional support and coaching. You can learn more here.

With gratitude,

Rachel

Rachel Henes, LMSW

e: rachel@rachelhenes.com 

Save the Date! 

Wednesday, March 17 at 7pm we plan to hold a webinar for parents on the topic of Student Led Conferences. We hope you will join us then.

J3 Remote Learning in Visual Arts

 J3 Students were introduced to self-portraiture when UNIS was fully remote in the beginning of January 2021. Seeing themselves on screen when learning remotely helped them to draw themselves. Their self-portraits are representative of the times we live in. Some students drew themselves with masks and headphones. All self-portraits can be viewed on UNIS' Visual Arts website

J4 Homeroom and Art Class Collaboration

Olivia Decicco and Undine Groeger collaborated across the J4 homeroom and art class to create a story quilt within the context of the MLK celebration and black history month using geometric patterns and "I have a dream" speeches written by Ms. Decicco’s J4 students. Below are highlights from the students’ important work. In their upcoming art class, the students will curate it to be displayed in their homeroom.

"Staycation" Photos for Yearbook 

This year, instead of celebrating Globe Trotting and travel in the Yearbook, we will be featuring the time spent at home with family. Our section this year will be called Staycation and we invite you to share photos of new hobbies, activities and memories from the past year while at home due to the pandemic.

Please submit only ONE PHOTO per family through the following form.

Photos must be submitted by Wednesday, MARCH 10.

Thank you for helping to make this year's yearbook a special one!

Please feel free to reach out with questions regarding submission to mburgess@unis.org. 

Board of Trustees Applications - Deadline Extended to March 18

The UNIS Board of Trustees has launched the application process to fill a number of expected vacancies on the Board for the school years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

They invite parents, alumni and friends of UNIS to apply or encourage someone they think would be suitable for the Board to submit an application. The application package is accessible by clicking the link here. Applications should be sent to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for UNIS, Ms. Joan W. McDonald, at mcdonald@un.org, with a copy to caceresk@un.org.

The application deadline has been extended to 18 March 2021.

1. Arrival: To speed arrival for everyone, please have your child take possession of their backpack and lunch before they approach the entry gate in the morning and check to see that their mask is on, fits well, and is covering their nose.

2. Late Arrival: The late arrival of students in the morning delay our faculty and staff moving back to their positions. The JS gates should be closing no later than 8:40. Please ensure that you arrive at the time assigned for your child's grade.

3. Masks: Be sure you have packed spare masks in a clean bag in your child's backpack, as well as an extra bag to hold used ones. For the safety and peace of mind of all, do not send your child to school in a vented mask. We understand that many of you do use vented masks with filters inserted. But our teachers cannot be certain that every vented mask has the filter necessary to keep them safe. Please respect our community and do not send your child to school in a vented mask.

4. Remote Learning on Days with Appointments: We ask that you opt to have your child learn remotely on the days that they have appointments outside of school. Parents and caregivers will not be permitted inside the gate and late arrivals and early dismissals pull vital personnel from their assigned posts in order to escort your child. Just enter Remote Learning as an Exception in SDM to alert your teacher that your child will connect remotely instead of joining in person.

5. Switching from Remote to Hybrid: When requesting a switch from full time Remote Learning to Hybrid attending in-person classes, at least 48 hours (2 full school days) in advance, please email:

• your homeroom teacher

• jsoffice@unis.org

• schoolnurse@unis.org (to request health clearance to attend in person if your child has not been on campus yet)

The last step is to update SDM with your dismissal plans for each day your child is on campus.

6. Returning to Campus After Illness:  Based on CDC guidance, students who are sent home or become ill may not return to UNIS until the following:

• WITH A COVID TEST: A negative COVID test and clearance note from MD. Must explicitly state that the student is cleared to return to school.

• WITHOUT COVID TEST: Must be fever free (less than 100F) for 3 days with no fever reducing medications and improvement of symptoms

  • AND must be 10 days post-symptom (No symptoms in last 10 days)

  • AND report general feelings of wellness.

All students who are returning to campus after an illness, MUST FIRST SEE THE NURSE WHEN COMING BACK ON CAMPUS BEFORE STARTING CLASSES.

If your child is exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID please have them tested so we can alert potential contacts within UNIS. This helps us keep everyone safe. If you feel these symptoms are due to a cause other than COVID, please have your physician clearly document this in your return to school clearance letter. For health related questions please email: schoolnurse@unis.org and mrivera@unis.org

7. Social Distancing Outside of UNIS: Exercise caution and, whenever possible, to stay clear of gatherings where social distancing or face masks might not be the norm. We advise students and families to be particularly vigilant on playgrounds and during play dates, keeping in mind the impact they may have on the safety of everyone in our community.

8. COVID Testing: We recommend that students be tested at least ONCE a month, preferably every two weeks. All UNIS Faculty and Staff will be pool-tested every other week on campus.

• • Instruction begins at 8:40 each morning. Remote learners are expected to connect with their homeroom no later than 8:40 to participate in Morning Meeting. Students who try to connect after that time disrupt the class and pull the teacher away from the rest who are already engaged in person or remotely. It is tremendously important that students are ready to join at 8:40. Meanwhile, we recognize that due to technical glitches or late arrivals, not all teachers will always be able to start at 8:40. We thank you for your patience. But, once the class begins, students who join between 8:40 and 9:00 are missing important direction and are inevitably disrupting the class. Let's try our best together!

  • Question related to technology should be addressed by email to tech.support@unis.org only. Tech Support will need your child's full name, teacher name and grade in order to assist you quickly. Please do not disrupt your teacher's instruction time to address tech support issues for your family. We understand it can be frustrating sometimes; we recognize it and are working hard to address the glitches we are facing. But we have noticed teachers trying to troubleshoot a system while teaching, a system that really requires technician intervention. They do it out of caring and concern about their students not being able to connect. Please help them by reaching out to our Tech Department for support instead. 

  • All families should check their internet connection. The audio when your child connects from home should never be distorted - it is disruptive to the class when that happens and is likely the result from a poor connection at home. You should have at least 3mbps up and download. A 5mbps up and download will ensure optimal quality. You can check your bandwidth here: fast.com 

Our homeroom teachers follow the instructions entered by parents in School Dismissal Manager (SDM) each day. Please update your SDM account to regularly indicate what the plans are for your child each day of the week. SDM is always mandatory for Dismissal but can easily be used for Attendance as well. If your child will be learning remotely on a day that he/she is normally scheduled to be on campus, please use SDM and select "Remote Learning as an Exception". On days when your child will not engage in classes either remotely or in person, please use SDM to mark your child "Absent".

SDM is the only way of letting the dismissing teacher know where your child should go at dismissal. In addition to indicating that there is an After School Activity, you must enter a description of the activity in the box below. If the activity name is not entered in SDM your child may be placed in the Care Program instead.

No student will be placed on a bus at dismissal if their SDM account does not authorize their ridership on that date.  They will be placed in the Care Program instead.