Newsletter #02

Dear JS Parents,

The Approaches to Learning were developed by the International Baccalaureate (IB). It is intended that through the ATL, students develop skills that have relevance across the curriculum that help them "learn how to learn". The ATL skills can be learned and taught, improved with practice, and developed incrementally. They provide a solid foundation for learning independently, and with others, and represent the skills that students need in order to become self-regulated, intrinsically motivated learners. They provide a common language that students and teachers can use to reflect on, and articulate on, the process of learning. 

The IB programmes identify 5 ATL skill categories, expanded into developmentally appropriate skill clusters.

Although these skills areas are presented as distinct categories, there are obviously close links and areas of overlap between them, and it is intended that these categories should be seen as interrelated. It is also the intention that the ATL skills should be seen as linking closely with the attitudes and dispositions identified in the IB Learner Profile.

The International Baccalaureate also brings to our curriculum the IB Learner profile which describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others, and the world around them. UNIS is therefore committed to the development of students according to this learner profile.

The profile aims to develop learners who are:

• Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

• Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

• Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

• Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively, in more than one language, and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

• Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

• Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values, and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view and are willing to grow from the experience.

• Caring: They show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

• Risk-takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

• Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

• Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Finally, those attributes find their roots in specific attitudes we are aiming for with our students, your children: tolerance, respect, integrity, independence, enthusiasm, empathy, curiosity, creativity, cooperation, confidence, commitment, appreciation, etc...

In 1970, students at 12 schools from 10 countries, including two state schools in Germany and France, took the first official IB Diploma Program exams. UNIS was one of those 12 schools. Stephen Hartke, now Distinguished Professor of Composition at the University of Southern California, and winner of the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2013, was one of the first UNIS students to sit the new exams at UNIS: "I was part of the initial group to study the IB, and took the full programme. “Some of the classes were quite small. Only two of us took scientific studies, which was taught by the school’s entertaining three-man team of science teachers. I also found the world literature component of the English curriculum stimulating, and it got me into the habit of delving into literature from all over the world. “The most valuable aspect of the IB was the research experience I acquired. I fondly remember studying George Orwell, as well as the growth of American power in the Pacific and the Spanish-American War.”

While writing these words for the newsletter today, or when sharing them with our students during our first JS Assembly last Friday (which I invite you to watch using the link below) it is evident that the IB, with the Learner Profile, its Attributes and Approaches to Learning, and our school, connect with a bond that makes us part of the same family.

Each week, in our Newsletter, we will celebrate one of the Attributes or Attitudes in our "Learner Profile of the Week". It will be an opportunity for us to refocus on the essence of our curriculum, driven by our Mission Statement. 

This week, Isla, a PreK student, and Germain, illustrate the Attribute of "Caring". And we are extremely grateful to them for that!

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

• • Monday, September 13 | PK First Full Day 8:20 - 2:45 pm

• • Monday, September 20 | 1st Day Yellow Bus Service for J1-J4 & JAs with older siblings

  • Monday, September 20 | PA Meeting (Webinar) 6:30pm| PA Meeting Link

  • Tuesday, September 21 | International Day of Peace

  • Wednesday, September 22 | Webinar JS Back to School Night - Homeroom Teachers

  • Monday, September 27 | 1st Day Yellow School Bus for JAs without older siblings

  • Wednesday, September 29 | Webinar JS Back to School Night - Specialist Teachers

  • Monday, October 4 | After School Classes Begin

  • Tuesday, October 5 | JS Parent Coffee 7:00pm | Parent Coffee Webinar Link

  • October 25 - October 29 | October Break - No Classes for Students

Our dismissing teachers follow the instructions entered by parents in School Dismissal Manager (SDM) at the end of each day. SDM is the only way of letting your child's dismissing teacher know where your child should go. This ensures a safe and orderly dismissal process for your child.

In addition to indicating that your child has 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.

Your SDM account should be updated regularly to indicate what the plans are for your child each day of the week. 

• School Dismissal Manager (SDM) is the required method of communicating dismissal plans to UNIS JS.

• Parents are asked to use School Dismissal Manager (SDM) to keep the dismissal process safe and orderly for all of our JS students. Emails, notes or verbal instructions to inform the homeroom teacher and/or the JS Office about your child's dismissal plans are not accepted.

• The app is compatible with Android and Apple devices.

• Android: Open a Chrome browser window, go to www.schooldismissalmanager.com, and login.  Then click the three stacked dots at the top right corner, scroll down and click on Add to Home Screen, and follow the onscreen instructions to install the app.

• iPhone: Open a Safari browser, go to www.schooldismissalmanager.com, and login.  Then click on the box with the arrow pointing up, scroll down, and click Add to Home Screen.  Type in (or click on if auto-filled) SDM and then tap Add to install the app.

• Parents are issued a username and temporary password by email. Please use these for your initial log in to SDM. Email jsoffice@unis.org if you need your user name and temporary password resent to you.

• Parents are first required to set their “Default Dismissal” for the remainder of the school year.

• Parents set “Recurring Exceptions” as needed.

• Parents set any “Exception” to the default dismissal as needed.

  • The cut-off to add a one-time “Exception” to any day’s dismissal is 1:00 pm. If a change in your plans occurs after 1:00 pm on any day, you may phone the JS Office up until 2:30 pm. But the expectation is that all changes will be made by parents directly in SDM before 1:00 pm.

• Parents are required to check every week to confirm that the information provided in SDM is accurate for the week ahead.

In an effort to optimize our dismissal, to lower the risk for our community of cross-contamination, and increase the safety of our students, the JS dismissal protocols have evolved, based on our observations on the first day of school.

In collaboration with the Security Team, starting Thursday, September 9, dismissal has been adapted as follows:

• Parents and caregivers are asked to line up, as much as possible, along the river side of the pathway

• JA and J3 students will wait in the North Tent

• PreK and J1 students will wait in the South Tent

• J2 and J4 students will wait in the covered area past the tents, closer to the school, near the school lobby.

Once you enter the school gates we ask that you continually follow the flow of foot traffic, do not stop and speak with teachers, and please, arrive on time, not too early, not too late. Thank you!  We will continue to assess arrival and dismissal to optimize and prioritize the safety of all during these two very important moments of the day.

For new Junior School families who were not able to join us on Friday, September 3 for our New Family Orientation, find below the link to a recording.

Who is on the Approved Remote Learners List?

Only the following three categories of students are on the approved Remote Learners List:

• Students who have been registered by their parents as remote learners for the entire marking period.

• Students who are unable to return to the United States at this time

• Students who are quarantined as a result of a Covid (note: vaccinated people do NOT need to quarantine if in contact with someone testing positive with Covid-19)

Can students Zoom in during a sick day?

No, JS students who are sick will be marked absent. There is no expectation that sick students participate in lessons remotely.

Can students view recorded lessons if they're absent?

No, UNIS lessons are meant to be synchronous, with discussions and student engagement.

If a student is not on the Remote Learners List, can he/she still access the Zoom class from the link shared?

No, only students with active UNIS Zoom credentials will be able to access online classes. Students who are not on the Remote Learners List are expected to learn on site. 

Keeping Your Cool For Back To School: Mindful Parenting During High-Stress Times

This Fall, parents are continuing to navigate a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty - and it can be very easy to get caught up in endless worries, compare ourselves to others, or project our frustrations onto our kids. Thankfully, there is another way.

During this 60 minute free parenting workshop on September 14, Rachel Henes will introduce parents to an evidence-based approach for managing stress and improving relationships with children. Parents will learn how to:

• Recognize signs of stress (before you find yourself in a power struggle);

• Tune into what is going on behind kids' challenging behaviors;

• Stay grounded and centered during the daily storms so you can show up as the parent you want to be.

For more information or to register: Keeping It Cool Parenting Workshop

When Your Child is Sick

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, they should not join classes remotely. We hope that time will be taken for them to rest and recover and the school believes that children recover more quickly when they are permitted to disconnect and rest.

Learning Model Consistency

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 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.

Dismissal for 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. 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. 

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 students are expected to arrive no later than 8:20 and the gates should be closing no later than 8:30. 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 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. Days with Appointments or Travel:

Because parents and caregivers are not permitted inside the school gate, a request for either late arrival or early dismissal for a JS student requires that school personnel leave their work in order to escort your child. 

Please support the school by arranging appointments and travel outside of school hours.

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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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 regularly on campus.

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. 

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 your child has 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.