Newsletter #12

Dear parents,

As a reminder, all UNIS families may opt for Remote Learning during the week after the Winter Break, January 3 - January 7. To sign up, simply fill out the form included in this newsletter by December 15. If you do not complete it on behalf of your JS children, they will be expected to attend in person. Note that it is not possible to mix both in-person and remote learning during that week. Please be sure to carefully review travel guidelines and restrictions if you are planning on traveling during the Winter Break. These may change due to the new variant and/or COVID-19 surges in certain countries.

Suggested Home Activities were published on the Parent Guidelines Portal a few weeks ago. In response to a question asked by a parent during our last webinar, we remind everyone that these Activities are available to everyone by clicking on the top menu on the Parent Guidelines Portal.  You can also access the page related to your child's grade by clicking on one of the links below.

In response to another question related to technology and safety, iPads are managed through the JAMF platform which allows deep integration and management with the iPads on an individual and group basis. There are a series of hard filters in place blocking out problematic sites, and all families have access to the Screen Time function to track a student's hours on the app. On site at UNIS, the school uses a CIPA compliant firewall and web filter. At home, we do not have complete control over what students can and cannot access on their devices, so we suggest limiting use outside of school time or, if limitation of device use is not practical, we suggest using the Circle app for more complete control over your student's screen time. UNIS provided Chromebooks are also centrally managed and have an additional app called GoGuardian which allows teachers to monitor and manage each student's screen in real time. GoGuardian includes filtering, alerts, and monitoring both on site at UNIS and at home (for students in quarantine or fully remote), as long as the student logs in with their UNIS credentials on a Chromebook or a Chrome browser (browser instructions here). We continue to encourage families to limit use of UNIS devices at home to school activities. 

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

Deadline to Opt In: December 15

Reminder from Dr. Brenner: UNIS will offer a hybrid model of learning from January 3 through January 7 only (the week after Winter Break). Families can opt either to have their children attend classes on campus, or to log in remotely for that full week. All requests for remote will be accommodated.

If you will travel internationally over Winter Break, your child can receive instruction remotely from January 3 through 7 while they are in quarantine. Any student whose family has not opted in for remote learning by submitting the request form by December 15 will be expected on campus on January 3. Teachers will be using the Polys, similarly to last year, during that first week of January.

To opt in for Fully Remote learning from January 3 - January 7 only,

the school requires submission of this

Remote Learning Request Form

no later than Wednesday, December 15 so that we can plan accordingly.

REMINDER: STUDENTS WHO MAY CONNECT TO CLASS REMOTELY

Following Dr. Brenner's direction, access to fully remote learning is an option offered only to students from PK to T4 who have opted in for fully remote for a full marking period, or those who need to quarantine due to direct contact with a positive case, or in the case of a student who tested positive and is asymptomatic. Online learning may also be offered in exceptional or medical circumstances.

Students who have returned from an international trip and are required to quarantine due to travel, do not have access to fully remote learning. Thank you for your understanding.

Note: The exception regarding remote learning is the week of January 3 which must be requested no later than December 15. See sign up form above.

UPDATE YOUR FAMILY CONTACT INFORMATION (VERACROSS PARENT PORTAL)

Please review your family profile and contact information to ensure that your cell phone numbers, email addresses and home address are correct and that they are entered in the correct fields. The only way parents and guardians can be reached in an emergency, or when there are school wide announcements, is through the information that you enter and update in the Portal.

After logging into the Portal at myunis.vc , you may review and update all of your family contact information by:

• Going to Veracross

• Clicking on Household Information

• Updating Household Profile -> Contacts

If you need support in order to make your Portal updates, please email veracross@unis.org

Have questions about COVID?  Want to learn more about vaccinating your child?  Don't miss our upcoming Pediatric Vaccination Information Sessions! 

Tuesday, December 7, 7:00 p.m.

Click here to join this session

Friday, December 10, 8:30 a.m.

Click here to join this session

Our PA meeting on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 6:30pm will be in person.

Guided tours of the Manhattan school campus and light refreshments will be available to meeting attendees. 

Our special guest that evening will be Dr. Judith King-Calnek, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Have a question or suggestion for the PA? 

Email us at unispa@unis.org

Promote UNIS parent-owned businesses at UNISPA Marketplace

Are you a UNIS parent/relative/alum and a small business owner of a restaurant, goods or services? Do you have current student-led enterprises that you'd like other families to know about? Then advertise for free in the UNIS marketplace found at https://www.unis.org/school-life/parents-association/marketplace. Submit your business description, website and image on this form to advertise your company. Work opportunities you or your child may be seeking, like child-sitting or tutoring, are welcomed.

New2UNIS

All parents - whether you are new to UNIS or not - are welcomed to all events!

·      Send us an email at new2unis@unis.org to get on our mailing list for upcoming events. Follow on Instagram too!

Virtual Fundraising for City Harvest by UNIS Community: November 15 - January 17

In these times of the pandemic, with restricted access to the school, we understand that physical donations may not be possible for everyone. We have also created a Virtual Fundraising Drive - we would love for our UNIS community to come together and support this cause. Whatever your age you can use your talents to raise awareness and funds--ask your family and friends to sponsor your push-ups, jumping jacks, playing a musical instrument, running a mile, singing, dancing, creating art and help feed our fellow New Yorkers. So, make your team using the instructions below, and let's get going!

Every $1 donated helps City Harvest feed two New Yorkers for a day. Together, we can make a difference one day, one meal, one New Yorker at a time. Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and support the UNIS City Harvest Drive!

Here is the link to the virtual Drive: http://secure.cityharvest.org/goto/unis

Questions?

Please contact the PA Social Responsibility Committee Co-chairs:

·        Abhilasha Mahan (Abhilasha.mahan@pa.unis.org)

·        Giulia Celli (Giulia.Celli@pa.unis.org)

·        Melissa Chow (Melissa.Chow@pa.unis.org)

Message from Rose Fico, JS Sustainability Coordinator:

On Tuesday, we started a recycling competition in grades J1-J4 with all the grades participating! All the classes in a grade are competing against each other to become the best recyclers in that grade. The winning class will get a trophy as the best recyclers in that grade. The class will have their picture taken with the trophy and posted in the newsletter.  There is such a buzz of excitement going on in the JS around recycling.  From watching J4OD students emptying the bins to investigate its content to listening to the J2MU students trying to decide where an item belongs. To continue that momentum, on Thursday, an outside speaker presented to the J3s and J4s about recycling and the environment. This same speaker will be presenting to the JAs-J2s on Wednesday, Dec. 8 about recycling and the environment.

On November 18th, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team hosted a webinar A Conversation with Writer/Director Rebecca Hall, during which Ms. Hall discussed her critically acclaimed and recently released Netflix film Passing.  The conversation was moderated by students Mikayla "Miki" Pike-Sharpe (T3), Elias Widawsky (T4), Black@UNIS alumni Chelsi Thomas (2011) and Boris Nyonzima (2016).  The virtual event provided the nearly 100 viewers with an engaging exchange of reflections and insights from Hall as she thoughtfully responded to questions on racial identity, family history, filmmaking, acting and more.  One line from the film that resonated with many and characterized Hall's message was, "Things aren't always what they seem." 

Return to School After Illness or Positive Result Protocol:

• All school students, teachers, and staff with new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 must be excluded from school, regardless of vaccination status, and either 

  1. 1. • (a) provide a negative PCR COVID test result- We will accept a negative rapid test with PCR results pending. PCR results must be submitted to avoid exclusion, or 

        • (b) remain excluded from school for a minimum of 10 calendar days from symptom onset, prior to returning to school, if you do not test. 

• If student, teacher, or staff symptoms are improving AND they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines, they may return to school with a copy of the negative test result. 

• Given the growing prevalence of breakthrough infections among vaccinated populations nationwide, there is no recommended exemption for symptomatic vaccinated people. 

PROCESS FOR QUARANTINE, CONTACT TRACING & RETURN TO SCHOOL

The Junior School Office, in collaboration with the Nurse's Office and Security Team, has set in place a process for contact tracing in the event of a positive case and for informing the family:

1. Parents are asked to inform the Nurse's Office schoolnurse@unis.org and the Junior School Office jsattendance@unis.org in the event that their child tests positive for COVID or is a contact of a positive case.

2. The Nurse's Office and the Director of Security, in collaboration with the Junior School, identify the students who may need to quarantine

3. The Nurse's Office and the Director of Security call the parents of any students who need to quarantine and give any information related to the quarantine over the phone.

4. The Principal sends an email containing important information about the quarantine (reiterating the phone call) and all the information needed to connect remotely to the student's class. However, students who are not feeling well are expected to rest and not to connect remotely to their class until they feel better.

5. The Junior School Office informs the student's teachers so they can be ready to connect the student(s) remotely during their quarantine.

6. The Parents send their child's PCR test results by email to jsattendance@unis.org with a copy to schoolnurse@unis.org. The Junior School Office will collect test results submitted by families.

7. The Principal sends an email acknowledging receipt of the negative test to the family with the updated return to campus date.

8. The Junior School Office informs teachers of student return dates.

PROCESS FOR STUDENT ILLNESS AND RETURN TO SCHOOL

The Junior School Office, in collaboration with the Nurse's Office and Security Team, has set in place a process for clearing students to return to campus after an absence due to illness.

1. Parents are asked to inform the Junior School Office at jsattendance@unis.org if their child is sick.

2. The Junior School Office sends an email containing important information about the protocol in order for the student to return to campus.

3. When the student feels better and has tested negative for COVID, the parents send the rapid test results by email to jsattendance@unis.org with a copy to the schoolnurse@unis.org. The Junior School Office will collect test results submitted by families.

4. The Principal sends an email acknowledging receipt of the negative test result to the family.

5. The Junior School Office informs the student's teachers that the rapid test result has been received.

6. With a rapid test negative result, and without any symptoms, the students is welcome back on campus.

STUDENTS WHO MAY CONNECT TO CLASS REMOTELY

Following Dr. Brenner's direction, access to fully remote learning is an option offered only to students from PK to T4 who have opted in for fully remote for a full marking period, or those who need to quarantine due to direct contact with a positive case, or in the case of a student who tested positive and is asymptomatic. Online learning may also be offered in exceptional or medical circumstances. 

Students who have returned from an international trip and are required to quarantine due to travel, do not have access to fully remote learning. Thank you for your understanding. 

For families with a JS child connecting remotely to class while under quarantine, a daily Academic Tech Support session has been scheduled.

Junior School Remote Student Live Support for ACADEMIC TECH

Monday - Friday from 8:20 - 8:40am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://unis.zoom.us/j/9673245905

Meeting ID: 967 324 5905 

Francesca Zammarano & Javier Alvez, JS Design Engineering Teachers, and/or a member of the JS office, will be available for the support or guidance that you and your child may need regarding connecting to the JS academic technology learning tools such as Seesaw, Dreambox, etc. 

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

Learning Model Consistency

The expectation is that Junior School students attend school consistently, through the end of this marking period, 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. 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. JS students are expected to arrive no later than 8:20 and the front 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 2 or 3 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:  

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the community safe!  

Please use the guidance shared by our Nursing Staff in this newsletter in coordination with your physician to address any illness.

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 and fzammarano@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 work hard to address the glitches we face. 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.