Newsletter #30


MONDAY, MAY 17: YELLOW DAY FOR "HYBRID" J2, J3, J4s

ALL STUDENTS PREVIOUSLY CLEARED FOR "FULLY IN PERSON" ARE WELCOME ON CAMPUS

REMINDER: Update SDM with Dismissal Plans for May

On February 12, 2021, J4JH launched our service learning project: Beat the Boredom Blues for a Good Cause. This project, inspired by our first Humanities Unit, Why does Geography matter? was initiated by students at the beginning of November after parts of the Philippines were struck by a number of terrible typhoons. It then took us a few months to work as a class to decide what we wanted to do, to create our website, to create advertisements, and of course to create our “How to…” videos to share on the website. In the meantime we learned how to write letters, and we were lucky enough to be joined by a number of wonderful guest speakers to learn more about the Philippines, its geography and history of natural hazards:



It was a true collaborative and community effort! Friday 23 April marked the end of our project and time to count how much money we raised for the Philippines Red Cross. 


The students J4JH would like to announce that, with your support we raised $1292.25 for the Philippine Red Cross. 


We would like to thank everyone who visited our website and to especially say thank you everyone who donated. Over the coming weeks we will be writing personalized letters to thank everyone who donated. 


Please note that our website is still open for people to visit and watch our videos, however, we will no longer be collecting donations.


If you would like to donate to the Philippine Red Cross you can do so directly through their website.


Jessica Hiebl-McArdle and her Grade 4 students

See all the Junior School Photos 2020-21

IMPORTANT DATES

THIS WEEK


THE HYBRID CALENDAR

See the hybrid calendar for the full year here

UPCOMING EVENTS


IN THIS NEWSLETTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TO DO: J4 GRADUATION AT 9:00am JUNE 11 (SAVE THE DATE)

Save the Date!

J4 graduation will be held at 9:00am on Friday, June 11.

More information and webinar link to follow.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REMINDER FOR ALL JS PARENTS

When your child is sick with stomach ache, fever, headache, etc. there is no expectation from the school that they should attempt to learn remotely. If your child has symptoms that would normally have kept them at home prior to COVID-19, please do not have your child log in to classes. We hope that time will be taken for them to rest and recover. It is difficult for teachers to engage students who are not feeling well, they distract their classmates, and the school believes that children recover more quickly when they are permitted to disconnect and rest.

And, the expectation is that Junior School students attend school consistently, through the end of this school year, in accordance with the learning model the family has opted for at this time (either hybrid, fully in person or fully remote). Inconsistent in person attendance is disruptive for the class as a whole and for the individual student. It is extremely challenging for your child's teachers who need to plan lessons and have materials ready in advance. The school believes that a consistent schedule reinforces learning and appropriate classroom behavior, and reduces anxiety.

INFORMATION: FRIDAY, JUNE 4 DISMISSAL AT 11:45

Our Tut House students will have their graduation ceremony on Friday, June 4 and all Junior School students will be dismissed at 11:45. 

The Care Program and After School and Language Classes will not be running that day so please be sure to arrange for your JS child's pick up no later than 11:45am.

UNIS Transportation has arranged for Yellow Buses to depart the campus at 12:00pm.

INFORMATION: CHROMEBOOK and iPAD RETURN BY JUNE 18

All iPads and Chromebooks assigned to students by the school will be collected at the end of this term on Thursday and Friday, June 17 and June 18.

If your child will not be attending school in person on one of those day, please contact your homeroom teacher, with a copy to fzammarano@unis.org, to coordinate the return of your child's school issued device to the campus on a date no later than June 18.

INFORMATION: SUSTAINABILITY AT UNIS 2021-2022

Sustainability at UNIS—Looking Ahead to 2021-2022


The promise of returning to school in person next year also brings with it many exciting opportunities on the sustainability front at UNIS. The Parent Sustainability Group invites all interested Parents, Faculty and Students to an open meeting on sustainability at UNIS on Thursday, May 20th at 7:00pm (click here for the Zoom link). Come learn about: 

We’ll also talk about ways, large and small, you can support sustainability programming at UNIS next year.

JOIN ZOOM MEETING

Meeting ID: 655 157 7945 

PARENT ASSOCIATION CORNER

JS Talent Show


In case you missed it live, here is the link to the May 1st JS Virtual Talent Show:


JS TALENT SHOW LINK 

Parents Association Meeting


In case you missed it live, here is the link to a recording of the May 6th Parents Association Meeting and the slides that were presented:


RECORDING - PA MEETING MAY 6 2021 

SLIDES - PA MEETING MAY 6 2021 

Virtual Book Drive


One of the greatest gifts we can give a child is a love of reading. To this end, the UNIS Community has been running an Annual Book Drive to benefit the Reach Out and Read program at our neighbor Children of Bellevue Hospital. Until we are once again able to collect and deliver gently used books in person post pandemic, we are collecting donations as part of the Virtual UNIS Book Fair that will be used to purchase new children's books for this wonderful program.


Please consider making a donation to Children of Bellevue’s Reach out and Read Program. Every donation counts!!!!


Click here to donate:   DONATE HERE


In Gratitude,

Abhilasha & Magda

With nearly 200 entries, our UNIS approved gastronomic map is off to a good start! Please visit the MAP and enjoy the list and plan where to eat next time. We are not sharing actual foods this year, but we are sharing our tips so we can eat in spirit together. The recommendations are as extensive as our tremendous buffet! Parents, students, administration, teachers and staff members, THANK YOU  so much for your participation! 

Here are some tips for the smooth experience:

Don't forget to purchase your raffle ticket. You can do it HERE. The winners will be drawn and announced live at the June 8th PA meeting.

Till we eat together again, take care and be safe!

with Forks, Spoons and Chopsticks, UNIS PA Cultural Events Committee

 BIT OF NEWS: CELEBRATING AAPI HERITAGE MONTH

To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is hosting a special “CONVERSATION ON THE AAPI EXPERIENCE” on Tuesday, May 18th, 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom. The panel will be moderated by students and feature members of the UNIS community.

Stay tuned for a link and more information from the DEI staff! 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! “Asian American” is a rich, complex, and complicated label in and of itself, encompassing communities of Americans with links back to nations all across East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. The Asian American experience here in the United States is just as rich and complex, from celebrated contributions in arts and culture to more sobering instances of racism, discrimination, and exclusion. Amid rising instances of Anti-Asian hate and violence around the country, it is vital that we take the time to celebrate and elevate the AAPI experience. Through authentic connection and inclusive representation, we can foster a sense of community to counter and turn back these long-standing inequities and xenophobia.

[Read the White House’s official proclamation on Asian American and Pacific islander Heritage month HERE.]

Please see the resources listed below for opportunities to learn more about AAPI history and culture with seminars, activities, reading lists, etc.


BIT OF NEWS: SCS SOLAR FUNDRAISER / ADOPT A BAND / YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST

Help raise money for a solar-powered charger at our local park through the SCS Solar Fundraiser! With your donation, you are helping the Stuyvesant Cove Stewards (SCS), a UNIS club and organization, to raise funds in order to cover the cost of a solar-powered charger to be implemented in Stuyvesant Cove Park. This renewable energy source will help keep our local community sustainable and healthy! 


Donate at https://go.rallyup.com/scssolarfund between now and June 6th, and reach out to scs@clubs.unis.org if you have any questions! 

Extended Until Friday, May 21, 2021 

ADOPT A BAND CLUB

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DRIVE

The Adopt a Band club will be running a musical instrument drive to acquire second-hand instruments from UNIS families to donate to those who have limited access to musical instruments.

When: Until Friday, May 21, 2021

Where: Outside the UNIS gate every day from 8:00-8:30 AM.

What: We accept all musical instruments and music accessories.

Contact:  excom.aab@clubs.unis.org, aab@clubs.unis.org, 24agurney@unis.org, 22kgurney@unis.org, 24jvasic@unis.org, 24hrocha@unis.org, 24alatkany@unis.org


2021 International Essay Contest for Young People

Theme: What is Life? 

Youth Essay Contest with Cash Prizes


All Youth are invited and encouraged to share their views and ideas by writing an essay.

Click on the link for more info.


The deadline is June 15 and there are 2 categories: 

a) Children (ages up to 14) 

b) Youth (ages 15 – 25


Call for Applications: Goi Peace Foundation Essay Contest

The Goi Peace Foundation's annual international essay contest is organized to harness the creativity and innovation of the world’s youth. The theme of this year's contest, "What is Life?", asks youth what they can do to cherish and invigorate their own life and all life on earth. Anyone up to 25 years old can submit their essays by 15 June.


REMINDER: DISMISSAL REMINDER TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

At dismissal please stay in motion, circling through the tents as you wait to pick up your children, or wait outside the main gate between pick ups. Despite the warmer weather, the school has not relaxed it's policies regarding gatherings. Please do not linger or sit down in the tents to wait for a second child, or gather within the school gates to speak with other parents or teachers. At dismissal our goal is to have as few people on campus for the shortest time possible, and always in motion. Thank you for understanding and support as we work to keep our community safe. 

REMINDER: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR STUDENT ATTENDANCE

When your child is sick with stomach ache, fever, headache, etc. there is no expectation from the school that they should attempt to learn remotely. If your child has symptoms that would normally have kept them at home prior to COVID-19, please do not have your child log in to classes. We hope that time will be taken for them to rest and recover. It is difficult for teachers to engage students who are not feeling well, they distract their classmates, and the school believes that children recover more quickly when they are permitted to disconnect and rest.

Please take a few minutes to review our updated protocols regarding student attendance expectations for the three Learning Models we are using now, and we thank you for your support.

Remote Learning For A Medical Reason or Appointment:

Now that the Junior School has moved to Fully In Person Learning for the majority of our students, our protocols are adapted to ensure continuity in student attendance, consistent expectations in the classroom, and effective lesson planning for our teachers.

If your child is required to remain at home for a medical reason such as :

but your child feels well enough to engage in learning remotely, please inform your teachers by email as far in advance as possible, but no later than 8:00am that morning, that your child will connect.

It is crucial that your teachers are aware, before the school day begins for them at 8:00am. Notification the day before is preferable. Emailing your teacher directly and using SDM to alert the JS office informs the school in advance and allows your teacher to anticipate and prepare to support your child as a remote learner. Appearing on the screen when they are expected in the classroom is disruptive for the students, divides your teacher's attention, and interferes with planned lessons.

Note that students who connect from home as an exception, who are not normally remote learners, may not have all the learning materials they will need for that day’s lessons. Ensure that they begin the day with plenty of paper and pencils in front of them when they log in.

However, when your child is sick with stomach ache, fever, headache, etc. there is no expectation that they should log in to class. If your child has symptoms that would normally have kept them at home prior to COVID-19, please do not have your child connect remotely to their classes. We hope that time will be taken for them to rest and recover. It is difficult for teachers to engage students who are not feeling well and the school believes that children recover sooner when they are permitted to disconnect and rest.

Learning Model - Consistent Schedule

The Junior School has moved to fully in person learning for the majority of our students and to ensure continuity, consistent expectations in the classroom, and effective lesson planning for our teachers, we ask that all families adhere to a fixed attendance schedule.

Families have now opted for one of these 3 learning models:

and the expectation is that Junior School students attend school consistently in accordance with the model the family has opted for at this time. Inconsistent in person attendance is disruptive for the class, for the teachers who need to plan lessons, and for the student. The school believes that a consistent schedule reinforces learning and appropriate classroom behavior, and reduces anxiety.

Exceptions to your child’s learning model schedule may be:

Changing the Learning Model for JS Students

The school’s expectation is that families will consistently adhere to the Learning Model they have opted for because a steady and predictable schedule reinforces learning and appropriate classroom behavior, reduces anxiety, and allows our faculty to prepare effective lessons for all of their students.

For those families electing to change their current model during the remainder of this 2020-21 school year:


REMINDER: TRANSITIONING BETWEEN MODELS OF LEARNING

Following recent changes with CDC guidelines and NYDOH rules, UNIS is welcoming many of our students on campus every day.


Three Models of Learning are now offered to UNIS families:

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:


We look forward to welcoming your child back to campus!

REMINDERS: HEALTH AND SAFETY

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. 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 late arrival or 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 a late arrival or early dismissal.

Instead of requesting late arrival or 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. For those families electing to change their current model during the remainder of this 2020-21 school year:


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)

WITHOUT COVID TEST: 

* 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.

REMINDERS: REMOTE LEARNERS

If you have technology issues, please send an email to tech.support@unis.org

If you have academic tech questions, please contact Ms. Zammarano at fzammarano@unis.org 

All other times: If you are having trouble logging in at any other time, please call 212-584-3100 for technology support. 

REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR CHILD’S DISMISSAL PLANS in SDM

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.


REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

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