Dear students, dear parents, dear teachers, dear UNIS community,

As I am writing these few words, we are celebrating our UN Days here at UNIS. We are celebrating our attachment to the values of the United Nations and its mission, and we are celebrating every one of you who are adhering to the UN Charter and our UNIS Mission by choosing to be here with us, as a student, as a parent or as a UNIS employee.

2020 will be remembered as a critical year of the Modern Time Period. And at UNIS, it will be remembered as the year we all come together to overcome, with passion, effort and resilience, the challenges forced on us by a worldwide pandemic. As we are doing our best to adapt to these circumstances, we are bringing the UN to UNIS today with the Secretary General addressing our students and our community. But, we have also brought UNIS to the UN, thanks to Stephen Margetts, UNIS parent, Board Member and, as you will see below, Germain's best friend! 

“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.” – Robert Orben

It is time for everyone to take a break from school now, to disconnect, enjoy some screen-free time, recharge our batteries, and then return, together again, to learn together, to grow together and... to be happy together.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

• Week of October 26 – October 30 - No Classes for Students – October Break

• Through November 15 -  Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF (details in this newsletter)

• Monday, November 2 - Halloween Dress Up Day (optional) for PREK-J1 and J2, J3, J4 BLUE GROUP (details in this newsletter)

• Tuesday, November 3 - Halloween Dress Up Day (optional) for  J2, J3, J4 YELLOW GROUP (details in this newsletter)

• Wednesday, November 4 - JS Parent Coffee (Webinar) 7:00pm (details in this newsletter) JS Parent Coffee Nov 4 

• Friday, November 6 - Parent Teacher Conference Sign up Opens 7:00pm (details in this newsletter)

• Tuesday, November 10 - Parent Teacher Conference Sign up Closes 7:00pm

• Wednesday, November 11 - No Yellow Bus Service - Veterans Day

• Thursday, November 12 -  PA Meeting (Webinar) 7:00pm  Join PA Meeting 

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE DATES

• Wednesday, November 11 (Evening 5:00-8:00pm) - PK/JA - J4 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

• Thursday, November 12 (Day 8:30-3:00 - No School for Students) - PK/JA - J4 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

• Friday, November 13 (Day 8:30 - 3:00 - No School for Students) - PK/JA - J4 Parent/Teacher Conferences

SIGN-UP PERIOD

• Start / Open: Friday, November 6 at 7:00pm

• End / Close: Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00pm 

• Wednesday, November 25 to Friday, November 27 - School Closed – Thanksgiving Break

• Week of November 30 - December 4 - Remote Make Up & Retake Photos (Coordinated by Stomping Ground with families: Remote Picture Day  )

• Monday, December 21 to Friday, January 1 – Winter Break

• Monday, January 4 – Classes Resume

• Monday, January 4 - Friday, January 8 - Remote Learning Only

• TO DO: UNPLUG (IF YOU CAN)

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION: VIRTUAL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - NOVEMBER 11-13

• PARENT ASSOCIATION CORNER: JS PARENT COFFEE - NOVEMBER 4 at 7:00pm

•  BIT OF NEWS: CARE PROGRAM PROTOCOLS & FAQ

• REMINDER: HALLOWEEN DRESS UP DAY - NOV. 2 AND 3

• REMINDER: TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR UNICEF

• REMINDERS: HEALTH AND SAFETY

• REMINDERS: REMOTE LEARNERS

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

This coming October Break week is an important week for students, teachers, staff and parents who have worked hard to support their children at home to take a break and recharge their batteries. Our mindfulness expert and Learning Support Specialist Karen Ager shares these resources with the community (we hope you can unplug after watching them):

• • Five Mini Meditations You Can Do in One Minute

  • More Mini Meditations

  • Corona Virus Sanity Meditations

  • Five Ways to De-stress From Your Office Chair

  • Self Care - How to Fill up Your Own Cup

  • Calm App Link

  • Smiling Mind App Link

  • Stop, Breathe & Think App - Free for Teachers

  • Headspace for Educators

  • Article: Why Taking a Vacation is Important During COVID

CONFERENCE DATES

• Wednesday, November 11 (5:00 - 8:00pm Evening) - PK/JA - J4 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

• Thursday, November 12 (8:30 - 3:00 Day - No Classes for Students) - PK/JA - J4 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

• Friday, November 13 (8:30 - 3:00 Day - No Classes for Students) - PK/JA - J4 Parent/Teacher Conferences

SIGN-UP PERIOD

• Start / Open: Friday, November 6 at 7:00pm

• End / Close: Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00pm 

ACCESS TO CONFERENCE SIGN-UP

• Sign-up is available only through the Veracross Portal (myunis.vc)

• Without access to Veracross, you will not be able to book conference times with your children’s teachers

• If you have not yet received notifications regarding your Veracross login credentials, send an email message now to veracross@unis.org to retrieve them

• If you have received your credentials you must log in to Veracross to access the Parent Teacher Conferences sign up

• When you log on to your portal, you will be able to sign up for conference slots for each of your children

SIGN-UP PROCESS: DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS

• Instructions on booking conference times with your childrens' teachers will be shared with parents after the break.

SCHOOL WILL NOT BE IN SESSION ON NOVEMBER 12 and 13

CHILDCARE AT UNIS IS NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE CONFERENCES

PLEASE PLAN AHEAD

Our next JS Parent Coffee Webinar will be held on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00pm.

Among other things, we will discuss outdoor play and the upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences as well as the expectations for those days.

Please join the Webinar using this link: JS Parent Coffee Nov 4 

Care Program Protocols, Schedule & Frequently Asked Questions

The Care Program is designed to meet the needs of working parents of Junior and Middle School students who want their children to do their homework and be engaged in relaxing activities after school hours. It provides a dependable daily program in a warm and safe environment. The Care Program runs every school day from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM.  

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: 

The Care Program is required to follow the safety measures in place at UNIS. 

Due to the constraints of Covid 19 pandemic and the obligation to social distancing, only limited number registrations are available on full-time basis only. 

The JS Care meets in the cafeteria. The MS Care meets in the gymnasium and/or cafeteria.    

The JS parents are reminded to update the School Dismissal Manager (SDM) to reflect the changes in your child’s schedule. Based on that information the JS dismissing teachers direct the students. We would also remind the parents to please indicate any allergies or restrictions your child may have. 

Registration & Fees Options 

• 1st Semester: September through January  

• 2nd Semester: February through June 

• JA-J1  only Full Time/ Flat Fee discounted rate  $3000/Semester – No Adjustment  

• J2-J3-J4 & M1-M2 Flat Fee discounted rate  $1500/Semester 50% attendance  

Program Schedule

3:00 - 3:30  PM       Students have snacks in the Cafeteria

3:30 - 4:00  PM       Indoor activities and games, reading books, doing puzzles, origami, drawing, coloring, arts & crafts … 

OR

3:30-4:00PM           Fun Light Physical Activities 

1. JA Tuesdays 

2. J1-J2 Wednesdays 

3. J3-J4 Thursdays 

AND

3:30-4:30PM Special Events, Projection of Films & Documentaries & Games - from time to time on Fridays 

4:00 - 4:30  PM      Brainpop Jr., Read books on UNIS Chromebooks 

Remote After School Program starts at 4:00PM on Zoom platform 

MONDAYS: 

• “ Mandarin Intensive” 

• “ Debate & Public Speaking (Primary) 

• “ Clay Design” 

• “ Spanish / Cervantes Institute” 

• “ Stock Market” 

• “ Debate & Public Speaking” 

TUESDAYS: 

• “ Chess” 

• “ Money Matters”  

• “ Bioethics & DNA“ 

• “ Clay Design” 

•  “ Italian” 

• “ German” 

• “ Mandarin Intensive” 

WEDNESDAYS:

• “ Entrepreneurs Club” 

• “ Competitive Debate & Public Speaking” 

• “ Japanese” 

• “ Mandarin Intensive” 

THURSDAYS: 

• “ Chess” 

• “ Writopia”  

• “ Model UN” 

• “ Spanish/ Cervantes Institute” 

• “ Russian” 

• “ Spanish / Cervantes Institute” 

• “ Mandarin Intensive” 

FRIDAYS: 

• “ Soft Skills” 

• “ Debate & Public Speaking /Elementary” 

• “ Italian” 

4:30 - 5:00 PM        Lego, Origami, puzzles, games, drawing, coloring…

5:15 - 5:30 PM        Dismissal begins in the tent  

• End of program Dismissal / Pick-up  The Security guard, at the entrance of the school will call to inform the Care supervisors. The JS students are escorted to the tent (unless otherwise instructed by the security guards).  After 5:15pm: students are picked up in the tent. MS students are allowed to go to the tent.

• Snack Menu   Subject to change / options in accordance with the safety measure. 

• Health & Safety  The Care Program follows the safety guidelines in place as well as the safety guidelines concerning food and allergies (online UNIS’ Allergy and Anaphylaxis Policy)    

Homework 

• The students may complete their homework in the Care Program in accordance with UNIS Student Parent Handbook.  Parents will be made aware at pick-up time if their child has not been able to finish their homework or had difficulty completing it. 

PARENTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Who can pick‐up my child? Parents are required to list the caregivers/babysitters on the portal/SDM. The security guards will not allow pickups to undocumented/not listed caregivers/babysitters.  

• Where do I pick up my child? Between 3:00 to 5:30pm - the Security guard, at the entrance of the school will call to inform the Care supervisors - The JS student are escorted to the tent (unless otherwise instructed by the security guards).  MS students may directly go to the tent.  

• What do I do if I am running late after 5:30PM? If parents are running late we ask that they inform the front desk security guard at 212-684-7400 

• How does my child get to the Care Program? The homeroom teacher hands over to the Care Leaders the students registered in the Care Program. 

• Who do I call for information or in case of emergency? 

• Front Desk - Security Guard    Tel #:  212-684-7400

• Office of Special Programs      Tel #: 212-584-3083 

• Email:  ljalilvand@unis.org   or    careprogram@unis.org 

Halloween will still be held at UNIS this year. It will take place on:

• • Monday, November 2 - Halloween Dress Up Day (optional) for PREK-J1 and J2, J3, J4 BLUE GROUP

  • Tuesday, November 3 - Halloween Dress Up Day (optional) for  J2, J3, J4 YELLOW GROUP

Halloween is a regular school day. While we want our students to enjoy dressing up, we also want to ensure that the day is focused on learning. 

• • All students who choose to dress up should arrive at school fully dressed in costume. Time will not be provided for students to change into their costumes at school. 

  • Please be sure your child will be comfortable in their costume for the full school day.

  • If students have PE on that day, they should have their PE clothes under their costumes.

  • Costumes should not insult a particular ethnicity, religion, or gender.

  • Costumes should be safe.

  • Props or costumes that simulate a weapon or promote violence are not permitted.

  • Students need to remember that it is a regular school day.

And of course students must still wear a mask aligned with our Covid-19 Protocols. A Halloween mask in not a substitute to the mask they wear on regular days for safety purposes!

UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund that raises money to help children around the world to provide education, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter, health/medicine, and emergencies.

Since 1950, millions of children across the United States have Trick-Or-Treated on Halloween with UNICEF collection boxes, calling out, "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!" Trick or Treat for UNICEF has helped to raise nearly $177 million since 1950. 

The donations on Halloween add up to lifesaving changes for kids across the world. For example, $1 can provide children important medical shots or provide pencils for a class of 30 students; $2 can provide 66 children with vitamin A capsules for a year which helps them grow strong and protects them; $2.46 can provide school supplies (pencils, books, chalk, slate board and paper) for one child; 

$9 can provide a pack of 200 water purification tablets for safe drinking water; and $55 can buy one box of therapeutic food treatment to save a child from malnutrition.

Although we will not be collecting donations for UNICEF at school this year, we hope your friends and family will consider donating directly: 

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

Your 100% tax-deductible donation to UNICEF USA will give the world’s most vulnerable children the nutrition, water and medical supplies they desperately need. 

Through November 15, parents can register their children and create an online profile by visiting Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF where they will receive a Virtual Collection Box with a customized link and QR code. 

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.