Newsletter #15

Dear parents,

After one week of fully remote instruction for all we are heading back to campus with those students whose families have chosen for them to learn at school, while the others who have chosen the fully remote option for the remainder of this period will connect using the same links that students used during the week of January 3.

As Dr. Brenner informed the community in his most recent emails, our protocols have been updated to adapt to the new COVID-19 variant:

As indicated above, the school will increase testing onsite due to the new protocols for students and employees returning from quarantine and for students and employees identified as direct contacts:

• Those who are returning from Quarantine after testing positive must take a home antigen test on day 6 and test negative to return to school.  They then must test negative for 5 consecutive days on a home test and email it to covid@unis.org prior to attending school.  If necessary, the school will provide the tests to take home.

• Close contacts must take a home test on day 1 and send it covid@unis.org prior to the school day.  For the next five days, they will participate in the daily pool testing at school.  

• Junior School students must arrive with a parent for the pool testing for days 2-5. Those students will not be allowed to take the bus on the associated pool testing days.

In order to accommodate this new flow of students in the morning, the arrival process has been updated:

• Monday, January 10 |  Return to Learning on Campus 

• Monday, January 10 |  J1 Students Walk to Class Independently (details in this newsletter)

REMINDER for JANUARY:

Arrive no later then 8:20 and

Update School Dismissal Manager (SDM)

with your child's dismissal instructions for Athletics, After School, Language, Care Program & Bus

• • Monday, January 17 | School Closed (MLK Day)

  • Monday, January 17 | Deadline to Opt In for Fully Remote Period #3 (Jan 24 - March 18) Click here to choose remote learning

  • Wednesday, January 19 | JS Parent Coffee 7:00pm (save the date)

  • Monday, January 24  | UNIS Vaccine Mandate Begins (details in this newsletter)

  • Friday, January 28 | Semester #1 Report Cards Published - Note that recently enrolled students who have attended UNIS for less than 8 weeks, will not receive a report card this semester.

  • Monday, February 7 | Semester 2 After School Activities Begin (update School Dismissal Manager "SDM" with new activities)

  • February 21 - February 25 | February Break - School Closed

Mask use is required at all times for any community member who is on either UNIS campus. 

How to wear a mask?

They should fit securely, covering the nose and mouth completely without causing discomfort and creating a tight seal at the edges with no gaps. It should fit snugly along the sides of the face and can be held on with ear loops or ties.

What type of masks are best?

Medical experts are finding that Omicron is highly transmissible and spreads quickly. Upgrading your masks from the simple cloth masks is a good idea to help protect you and your family from COVID19. Everyone (children included) should upgrade from reusable fabric masks to medical-grade masks and even consider double masking. KN95, KF94, 3-ply surgical masks are the masks medical experts are now recommending as the pandemic continues.

What are KN94 masks?

“KF” in KF94 stands for “Korean filter,” and the “94” indicates a 94 percent filtration efficacy. “It is the South Korean equivalent to the N95 mask.

Where can we purchase upgraded masks?

As always, it is best to do your own research and work with your private physicians to find the best options for you and your family. Here are some keywords that can help you search for masks: Kimberly-Clark Child's Face Masks, KF94, KN95, KF94 children's mask

Do you have a helpful infographic to understand why upgrading our masks is important?

Yes we do, please see below:

Where can we find more information?

As always, your pediatrician is your primary and best source of information for all health related matters. 

Here are some links with helpful information:

• healthychildren.org

• aap.org

Beginning on Monday, January 10, all J1 students will walk independently to their classrooms upon arrival instead of meeting their teachers in the south tent and walking to the building together as a class. This will allow the school to dedicate one tent to accomodate community members who require COVID testing on site.

We encourage J1 families to prepare their children for this change in their routine in advance of Monday morning. They will follow the same route as our J2, J3 and J4 students and will use the staircase that is dedicated to JS student arrival. Staff will be available to support them. As a reminder, 8:20 is J1 arrival time and we ask that all students arrive no later than then.

For those who missed Dr. Brenner's Town Hall last week, the recording can be found here:

January 5, 2022

Town Hall Meeting on COVID Protocols

TOWN HALL LINK

As you were informed in Dr. Brenner's January 4 email update, and following the CDC and DOH guidelines for schools in NYC, new COVID-19 protocols for UNIS have been put in place. In this newsletter you will find a flow chart to help you navigate these new rules. You may also view the town hall meeting held by Dr. Brenner on January 5, during which many parent questions were answered.

As a reminder, these are the criteria for being eligible for remote learning:

1. Students who are signed up for the current marking period

2. Students who are on a state-mandated quarantine following a positive test (minimum 5 days)

3. Students with extended documented illness lasting more than 5 days

Note that students with short-term illness (non Covid related) are expected to stay home (see flowchart) but are not eligible for remote learning.

We invite parents to confirm that their child's masks fit properly. N95 or K94 masks that fit children are available. Surgical masks that are properly fitted for children are also acceptable. However, cloth masks, especially those that are not properly fitted, do not protect your child and others against Covid-19. 

Additionally, families are reminded that Covid-19 social distancing and mask rules should NOT stop at the gates of the school: children should protect themselves and the community by continuing to wear their face mask properly, even outside of the school gates and on the way home.

Students who are returning to campus from positive quarantine are expected to eat by themselves (6 feet or more from others) during the first five days back at school.

Students who have been remote and intend to return in person on January 24 will be expected to have a negative PCR test before starting in-person instruction. Email your test result to covid@unis.org.

UNIS has instituted a vaccine mandate for students ages 5 and up. 

This COVID mandate will begin on January 24, 2022:

• All students must present evidence of their first vaccination by January 24 in order to continue to attend in-person instruction at UNIS. 

• The second vaccine must be completed no later than February 28. 

Students who are not in compliance will not be allowed on campus. 

Please upload your child’s vaccination into Magnus Health through the Veracross parent portal. Here is a step-by-step guide to assist you in this process.

As an alternative, families may choose to learn remotely. (Click here to choose remote learning). The new remote option will take effect at the start of the new semester on January 24, 2022. As has been the case all year, choosing remote learning is a commitment for the following quarter of the instructional year. In this case, the period extends from January 24 until March 18, 2022. Students will not be allowed to shift between remote learning and in-person learning during this period. You must indicate your choice of remote instruction by January 17. If students are unvaccinated, they may still continue their UNIS education, but only as fully remote students.

Continuing what we began in December, all J2, J3 and J4 students are instructed to bring their school-issued Chromebooks back and forth to school each day. This will ensure that all JS students are prepared to learn remotely on short notice (due to quarantine or school closure).

Note that:

• Student Chromebooks will be charged in the homeroom each day.

• Due to supply chain issues, the UNIS order for Chromebook charges for each student is delayed indefinitely. However, the charger required is a standard USB Type C charger that many families already have at home. Your child is also able to charge at home if you have this type available.

• The school-issued Chromebook (as opposed to a family computer) is required because it is set up to connect to the learning apps like Clever and Seesaw that our students use for their classwork.

• JA and J1 students already bring their school-issued iPads back and forth to school each day and will continue to do so.

• School-issued devices are intended for school work only. They should not be used at home except to connect to remote classes and to complete assignments from UNIS teachers.

There is no need to use the Chromebook at home outside the normal school hours. Parents are encouraged to keep the Chromebook in a safe place at home. We also encourage parents not to store the Chromebook in their child's bedroom. As a reminder, the Chromebooks are set up with a filtering system that works regardless of the Network (school or home).

We understand that the Chromebook adds weight to a student's backpack. This is why, while lower grade students have been  bringing their iPads home since the beginning of the school year, we postponed this decision for the J2, J3 and J4s. We will continue to monitor this policy and update you as needed. 

Save the Date:  JS Parent Coffee Wednesday, January 19 at 7:00pm

Gender Identity and Pronouns Webinar

Please join us for an informative webinar on Gender Identity and Pronouns, Wednesday January 19th at 8:30 a.m.  The UNIS Parents' Association and the DEI Committee have invited specialist Dr. Emily Meadows to give a presentation, followed by a Q&A moderated by Ms. Suzan Steinberg, Health Team Leader at UNIS. 

Here are the zoom details:

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting 

Webinar ID: 980 5760 6258 

Passcode: 809225 

Please send your questions in advance here.

See you on the 19th! For those who are unable to attend, the session will be recorded.

Reminder: UNIS Arts Festival: Call for Parent Photography!

This year UNIS will be mounting a school wide Arts Festival May 16th-20th and the UNIS PA Arts Committee will be curating a parents photography exhibition as part of it! Using the 17 SDG Goals as inspiration, and perhaps as you travel for the holidays during this or one of the other breaks, take a moment to share through photography what these goals mean to you or your family. Please email your submission to tali.harel@pa.unis.org by May 1, 2022.

Call for volunteers! If you are interested in helping us collect and manage submissions, including creating a slideshow, please email amanda.dubois@pa.unis.org as we would love to have your help!

In keeping in line with COVID restrictions, the UNIS Performing and Visual Arts Department has developed a creative alternative to the traditional JS musical. This year we are proud to announce the Junior School arts initiative, "Step into the Spotlight"! In this series of dancing, singing, and acting workshops, J3 and J4 students will have the opportunity to develop the confidence and skills needed to perform on stage. This after-school program is the perfect place for all future Broadway stars to "step into the spotlight" and shine!

“Step into the Spotlight” is for J3 and J4 students, and will take place from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. on Tuesdays-Thursdays. Classes will begin on April 12th and run through June 2nd. The cost for the program is $650. There will be a livestream showcase for parents in June.

This program is a three day commitment. Please realize that these classes take place at the exact same time as classes being offered in the after school, sports, or private lesson program. It will not be possible to be enrolled in both if the days coincide. Due to Covid restrictions, we are only able to enroll twenty-four J3 students and twenty-four J4 students.

Registration is now open for Step into the Spotlight. Students will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are interested in registering for this program, please complete this Google Form.

Once completed, the form will send you a copy of your responses. Please keep this for your records. Please note: submission of this form DOES NOT guarantee a seat in Step into the Spotlight. The Performing and Visual Arts Department will contact you directly regarding your registration status.

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.