Dear parents,

As indicated in last week's JS newsletter and the email from Dr. Brenner, beginning Monday, April 26, the Junior School is offering the following models of learning for our students:

For PreK, JA, and J1 (as before):

• Fully remote (as before)

• Fully in person (as before)

For J2, J3, and J4:

• Fully remote (as before)

• Hybrid (as before)

• Fully in person (new option available)

Based on the replies to the survey we asked parents to complete last week, we are anticipating more students on campus on a daily basis. This will impact some of our protocols in the Junior School:

• Arrival (minor update)

• Dismissal (minor update)

• Lunch and snack (major update)

Our updated protocols are below. 

Based on the parent survey regarding their choice of Learning Model beginning April 26, we updated the document shared in the weekly Junior School Newsletter indicating which days JS students are expected to be on campus or learning remotely. We ask that all families now verify the accuracy of the information for their children by opening the "Choice of Learning Junior School Data Page" (see the link below) for this coming week. Please email jsoffice@unis.org this weekend if you find a discrepancy.

Again, our updated protocols are below. And, we encourage all families to review the information for their child(ren) by clicking on the link below. 

Thank you for your support as we make this transition.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

The JS morning Arrival Protocol remains the same. However, as we will now welcome more students from grades 2 through 4, it is critical that students DO NOT arrive earlier than the arrival time for their grade indicated below. This is to avoid large gatherings of parents and students outside the gate. We encourage all families to follow social distancing recommendations from the CDC when waiting outside school premises.

The JS Dismissal Protocol has received a minor update: in order to optimize the spacing of students between the two tents, some grades have been assigned to a different tent. See below for more information.

All students will eat snacks and lunch in their designated classroom. An exception applies to specific homerooms with students who have severe allergies and specific health plans indicating that, for safety reasons, food is not allowed within their classroom. A second dedicated space is made available for this homeroom where only this group of students is permitted to eat. Paragraphs in bold and italic have been updated as we welcome more students into the classroom beginning Monday, April 26. 

Students will be asked to follow these guidelines:

• All students wash their hands before eating snack or lunch

• All students wash their hands after eating snack and lunch

• Students sit in their designated location in class for lunch. 

• Based on the classroom seating chart, students are divided into two groups

• The groups are created so that two students directly seated side by side are not in the same group

• Group 1 eats for the first half of the lunch period

• Group 2 eats for the second half of the lunch period

• While Group 1 is eating, students in Group 2 are required to keep their mask on at all times, and to sit behind their plastic shield or to move to an area of the classroom at least 6 feet away from the closest Group 1 student.

• When Group 2 is eating, students in Group 1 are required to keep their mask at all times, and to sit behind their plastic shield or to move to an area of the classroom at least 6 feet away from the closest Group 2 student.

• Students who are eating are allowed to remove their masks and are required to eat behind their shields.

• Students are not allowed to share food. If a student does not have lunch, the teacher will inform the Junior School Office and parents will be contacted. Parents may be asked to purchase a lunch for that day from Flik.

• Snack and lunch are supervised by an adult.

• Staff uses the provided disinfectant, gloves, and paper towels to thoroughly clean the tables after students have eaten.

• Flik has developed a system of boxed lunches that can be ordered and paid for in advance and delivered to classrooms.

Parents who do not purchase lunch service provided by the school will need to provide lunch for their child that does not require either heating or refrigeration and can be eaten independently, without requiring support from an adult to manipulate boxes or bags in order to open them. This is in order to limit cross-contamination.

• • Saturday, May 1 - JS Talent Show 5:00pm      LINK  / Webinar ID:  97450065239 / Passcode: 622817 (details in this newsletter)

• • Thursday, May 6 - PA Meeting Webinar (Save the Date)

  • May 9 through May 16 - Virtual Book Fair (Mark Your Calendar)

  • Wednesday, May 12 - JS Parent Coffee 7:00pm (Save the Date)

  • Saturday, May 15 - Virtual International Food & Fun Fair (Save the Date)

  • Friday, May 28 and Monday, May 31 - School Closed - Memorial Day Weekend

  • Tuesday, June 1 - Classes Resume

  • Friday, June 4 - 11:45 Dismissal for JS  (TH Graduation Day)

  • Friday, June 18 - JS Last of Classes (Full Day)

• JUNIOR SCHOOL UPDATED PROTOCOLS

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION: THREE MODELS OF LEARNING

• INFORMATION: EARTH DAY

• PARENT ASSOCIATION CORNER: JS VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW / VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR / IFFF

• REMINDER: ARRIVAL BY 8:30

• REMINDER: FOR FULLY REMOTE FAMILIES

• REMINDERS: HEALTH AND SAFETY

• REMINDERS: REMOTE LEARNERS

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

• REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

As you know, following recent changes with CDC guidelines and NYDOH rules, UNIS will be welcoming many of our students on campus every day, beginning Monday, April 26. 

Three Models of Learning are now offered to UNIS families:

• • Option 1: on campus every day

  • Option 2: hybrid schedule (continuing the yellow & blue group rotation) 

  • Option 3: fully remote learning 

UNIS will continue offering the hybrid model through June, as a transition path for remote families, and to help reduce the logistical challenges associated with the return of a large number of students on site. 

If you would like to request a learning model change for your JS child, please send an email to both jsoffice@unis.org and your homeroom teacher with a minimum of 2 school days notice. 

Note that fully remote students requesting a transition to on campus learning (either hybrid or full time) require health clearance from the Nurse as the first step. Please follow these directions to initiate the process: 

If you decide to opt for in person learning, either hybrid or 100% in person, please inform these departments at a minimum of 2 full school days in advance of the date that you would like to have your child return (for example, no later than Wednesday afternoon of the week prior to a Monday return):

• jsoffice@unis.org

• mrivera@unis.org

• schoolnurse@unis.org

• your homeroom teacher

The first step will be for the nurse to confirm that all of your child's health forms are in order and that they are cleared to return to campus.

After you have the nurse's health clearance, please coordinate directly with your homeroom teacher the best date for your child's return to learning in person.

Inform jsoffice@unis.org about the agreed upon in person start date.

When your child returns to campus, you'll need to complete the daily Ruvna Health Screening that you will begin receiving by text and email each morning at about 5:00am.

You'll also need to update School Dismissal Manager (SDM) with your dismissal plan for each day that your JS child attends school on campus. The dismissing teachers will rely on the information you provide in SDM to escort your child to the correct location at the end of the school day (for example: pick up / care program / yellow bus).

Note that your child will not be permitted to take the bus unless the SDM report printed for our Transportation Department each day indicates your choice of that dismissal option. Please contact Charles Umbach at transportation@unis.org as soon as possible if you want to arrange for yellow school bus service.

We look forward to welcoming your child back to campus! 

Our students celebrated Earth Day on Thursday, April 22. It was an opportunity for their teachers to remind them that our Earth needs to be celebrated... every day. You can access the special portal we built with them and for them below. The portal is not exhaustive as teachers did much more with their students before and during Earth Day. We encourage you to navigate with your children through this portal again. Even while we are facing extreme and unique events that require our focus and attention, we must always act to protect our planet, the only home we have.

2021 International Food and Fun Fair - A Virtual Event on Saturday, May 15

*Best food in the city recommended by UNIS community*

Dear UNIS Community,

This year's International Food and Fun Fair (IFFF) happens all over the map of New York City! Our second year of virtual IFFF invites everyone to share their favorite restaurants and grocery/specialty stores where authentic foods could be sampled and purchased. Let's support local businesses in these challenging times and share with each other our beloved food destinations in the city. PLUS, UNIS's favorite IFFF Raffle is back with an amazing selection of prizes for all ages!

Stay tuned for more details in the coming days!

UNIS PA Cultural Events Committee

ARRIVAL

• To support the Junior School, we ask parents to time their morning arrival at school to the staggered schedule for each grade, but no later than 8:30.

• Please keep in mind that late arriving students disrupt their homeroom morning meetings and delay the work day for our staff. 

• Staff is stationed in the tents to supervise students at these times:

  • • 8:15 - 8:30: arrival for J2, J3, J4

    • 8:20: arrival for PK, JA

    • 8:30: arrival for J1

• Arrival is staggered by grade to ensure that we do not exceed a safe number of students in the tents at any given time, or families waiting at the gate.

• The JS gates should be closed no later than 8:40. 

• We understand that commuting in the morning can be a challenge so please allow enough time to arrive by 8:30.

Thank you for your support.

If you are a fully remote family considering a move from fully remote to either hybrid or 100% on campus learning for your JS child before the end of this current school year, these are the steps you will need to take:

If you decide to opt for in person learning, either hybrid or 100% in person, please inform these departments at a minimum of 2 full school days in advance of the date that you would like to have your child return (for example, no later than Wednesday afternoon of the week prior to a Monday return):

• jsoffice@unis.org

• mrivera@unis.org

• schoolnurse@unis.org

• your homeroom teacher

The first step will be for the nurse to confirm that all of your child's health forms are in order and that they are cleared to return to campus.

After you have the nurse's health clearance, please coordinate directly with your homeroom teacher the best date for your child's return to learning in person.

Inform jsoffice@unis.org about the agreed upon in person start date.

When your child returns to campus, you'll need to complete the daily Ruvna Health Screening that you will begin receiving by text and email each morning at about 5:00am.

You'll also need to update School Dismissal Manager (SDM) with your dismissal plan for each day that your JS child attends school on campus. The dismissing teachers will rely on the information you provide in SDM to escort your child to the correct location at the end of the school day (for example: pick up / care program / yellow bus).

Note that your child will not be permitted to take the bus unless the SDM report printed for our Transportation Department each day indicates your choice of that dismissal option. Please contact Charles Umbach at transportation@unis.org as soon as possible if you want to arrange for yellow school bus service.

We look forward to welcoming your child back to campus! Let the JS Office know if you have any specific questions.

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: Arrival of JS students after 8:30 in the morning delays our faculty and staff moving back to their positions and disrupts morning meetings in the homeroom. 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. Use Remote Learning on Days with Appointments or Travel:

We ask that you opt to have your child learn remotely on days when you have scheduled appointments outside of school or when you need to leave early for travel. 

Because parents and caregivers are not permitted inside the school gate, a request for early dismissal for a JS student requires that school personnel leave their work in order to escort your child. There is no guarantee that we can free staff from their work duties at any point during the day to accommodate an early dismissal.

Instead of requesting an early pick up, please enter Remote Learning as an Exception in SDM to alert your teacher that your child will connect remotely instead of joining in person.

Of course, if your child falls ill during the school day, the nurse's office will coordinate an early pick plan with families.

5. Switching from Remote to Hybrid or 100% In Person: When requesting a switch from full time Remote Learning to 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 or has had an extended absence)

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 and NYSDOH guidance, students who are sent home or become ill may not return to UNIS until the following:

WITH A COVID TEST: MUST BE  A PCR NOT A RAPID (AS PER NYS)

• A negative COVID test must be emailed to the health office for clearance to return to on campus learning. 

• At least 24 hours symptom free.

WITHOUT COVID TEST: 

• • Must have a physician note. Must explicitly state that the student or employee is cleared to return to school. Physicians must also document an alternative diagnosis if symptoms are due to illness (ie- lab confirmed influenza, strep throat) or preexisting diagnosis and not COVID.

  • 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.

* Note: a signed note by the health care provider documenting unconfirmed acute illness, such as viral upper respiratory illness (URI) or viral gastroenteritis will not be accepted. If this is the physician indicated diagnosis, please know a negative COVID test will also be required to be cleared for on campus learning.

We kindly ask if your child is exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID to 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.

Mt. Sinai are our consulting physicians and can help find a Mt. Sinai practice that will offer expedited results. You are also free to utilize any testing practitioner you are comfortable with.

For anyone who needs confirmatory testing, please email AccessDowntown@mountsinai.org or call 646-531-1504 and identify yourself as a part of the UNIS community. If there are any issues, please reach out to their team directly at BusinessHealth@mountsinai.org and they will assist.

If you are a parent and you are having your child tested at Mt. Sinai, please know you will need to create a MyChart account to access your minor child's test results. You will also need to ask the practice manager to upload the results to the mychart account, as it doesn't happen automatically for minors.

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.

9. When Your Child Learns From Home For A Medical Reason:  If you elect to keep your child home for a medical reason (allergies, running nose, etc.) but your child feels well enough to engage in learning remotely, please inform your teachers as far in advance as possible, and certainly before 8:00am.

Of course, when your child is sick there is no expectation that they should log in to class - we hope that time will be taken for them to rest and recover. 

However, if you plan to have your child engage remotely at any point during the school day, it is crucial that your teachers are aware before the school day begins for them at 8:00am, and preferable the day before, by emailing your teacher directly and using SDM to alert the office. Informing your teacher in advance allows them to anticipate and prepare to support your child as a remote learner. Appearing on the screen when they are expected in the classroom can be disruptive for the class and divides your teacher's attention.

Thank you for your support.

• • 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.