Dear parents,

After the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris in 2015, The International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace (IFLAC) adopted “The pen is mightier than the sword” as their main slogan. The evident idea behind those words, as indicated by the Cambridge Dictionary, is that “thinking and writing have more influence on people than the use of force or violence.” It not only stands for the freedom of speech, whether offensive or not, but also stands for the idea that words have been, are, and will be a catalyst for change in society, and for the belief that powerful words by charismatic people can help bring change to society today.

The pencil and sword analogy has many iterations. Verse 4:12 in the biblical Epistle to the Hebrews reads: “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” We also find this analogy in the Muslim world when the Prophet Muhammad says: "The ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr." In Act 2 of Hamlet, William Shakespeare wrote: "These are now the fashion, and so berattle the common stages — so they call them — that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills and dare scarce come thither." In France it's Napoleon Bonaparte who said: "Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets". Going back to the 4th Century BC we find the Greek philosopher Euripides expressing this commonly accepted idea: "The tongue is mightier than the blade."

But it is the British politician and author, Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803–1873), who wrote the exact words "The pen is mightier than the sword", inspired by many before him. The saying quickly gained currency, says Susan Ratcliffe, Associate Editor of the Oxford Quotations Dictionaries: "by the 1840s it was a commonplace."

Let's dive a bit more into this quote. Extracted from its context, we can easily understand how it became a saying widely used to protect freedom of speech, the work of journalism, the activists who stand against oppression with banners used against the firearms of their enemies. It was on March 7, 1839 at Covent Garden Theatre in London, that Edward George Bulwer-Lytton premiered his play "Richelieu: or, the Conspiracy", where we find this quote.

Cardinal de Richelieu was born in 1585 in Paris and died in 1642. He was an important figure of authority in the 17th century monarchy, alongside King Louis XIII. Cardinal de Richelieu was the main minister of state and considered the strongman of reforms carried out in the middle of the 17th century. A fine diplomat and intransigent man, favorable to a strong and absolute monarchy, he imposed himself at the head of power by justifying his most unpopular decisions by reasons of State. To maintain power he censored the press, developed and maintained a huge network of spies, forbade discussion of political matters in public places, and had those who were suspected of conspiring against him executed.

With this context in mind, we understand that Richelieu, when he says that his pen is mightier than a sword, did not have in mind the protection of minorities, but instead considered words to be a mighty tools to conquer power and annihilate his opponents. When IFLAC uses Richelieu's words as their slogan to defend the freedom of speech, they may miss the dark side of Richelieu's words' real intention.

Words are powerful. They can be used to fight the oppression of minorities, but they can also be used to cut as deeply as a sword. As George Orwell said: “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.”

On October 26, 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote to his wife Coretta:

In the following part of the letter, MLK specifically asks Coretta to bring to him in jail...books: Stride Toward Freedom, Paul Tillich’s Systematic Theology Vol 1&2, George Buttrick The Parables of Jesus E. S. Jones Mahatma Gandhi, Horns and Halo, a Bible, a dictionary and eighteen religious sermons: “What is Man” “The Three Dimensions” “The Death of Evil” “Why could not we cast him out?” “Why Jesus called A Man A Fool” “The Good Samaritan” “The Peril of the Sword” “Our God is Able” “Levels of Love” “Loving your Enemies” “God of the Lost” "Vision of A World made New” “Keep Moving From this Mountain” “A Religion of Doing” “Looking Beyond your Circumstances” The Impassable Gulf” “Love for Action” “Christ The Center of our Faith”. But more interestingly he asks Coretta to bring him what he called his reference dictionary: "Increasing Your Word Power". Two years, 10 months and 2 days later, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States in the most memorable of anti-racist speeches.

Our words define the limits of our world. Martin Luther King Jr. knew it and used his talent to make a better world. His words are still resonating today. They will continue to resonate until racism is a thing of the past. At UNIS, we recognize the power of our words. While developing oral, listening, reading, and writing skills, in English, French, and Spanish, we never forget that “the pen is mightier than the sword”, but as does a sword, unkind words can hurt. At UNIS, we agree with Blaise Pascal, the French Mathematician, and Philosopher when he said "Kind words do not cost much, yet they accomplish much.”

While celebrating Black History Month, let's remember the power of kind and transformative words.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal 

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

• Tuesday, February 15 | Interactive Senegalese Dance & Music 6:30pm (details in this newsletter) 

• Wednesday, February 16 | PA Meeting with MLD Director 7:00pm | LINK  (details in this newsletter)

• February 21 - February 25 | February Break - No Classes

REMINDER:

Arrive no later then 8:20 and

Update School Dismissal Manager (SDM) for Semester 2

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

• • February 21 - February 25 | February Break - No Classes

  • Monday, February 28 | Classes Resume

  • March 23 - March 25 | Student Led Conferences (no classes on Thursday & Friday)

  • Friday, March 25 | Remote Marking Period #3 Ends

  • March 28 - April 8 | Spring Break - No Classes

  • Monday, April 11 | Classes Resume

• Check for lice at home (details in this newsletter)

• Semester 2 After School Activities began on February 7. If you haven't already, please update School Dismissal Manager "SDM" with your child's new Athletic, After School, Care, Language and Bus schedule. Accurate daily information entered by parents in SDM is the only way that your child will be escorted to their after school activity after dismissal.

• If your child attends an activity after school, clarify in SDM where you child should go afterwards (Care Program or Pick Up for example). 

• Pack a reusable water bottle for your child every day.

• Pack at least 2 replacement masks for your child every day.

• If your child uses yellow bus service to or from school, please reinforce safety and behavior policies with them on a regular basis.

From the School Nurse:

The health office would like to take a moment to provide some education regarding lice. Evidence-based research and guidelines from the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics and National School Nurses Association report that “screening for nits alone is not an accurate way of predicting which children are or will become infested, and screening for live lice has not been proven to have a significant effect on the incidence of head lice in a school community over time.  Because of the lack of evidence of efficacy, routine classroom or school wide screening should be discouraged." 

We ask for your cooperation in ensuring that head lice are managed successfully, through a school and parent partnership. We would like to recommend that all parents be vigilant in checking their children for evidence of head lice on a frequent basis, as early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to prevent widespread transmission. Working together, let’s limit lice interruptions in school. 

Please note that students found to have active cases of lice (live bugs), and those with moderate/severe cases of nits (eggs) will be sent home for immediate treatment. Those students who are found to have a mild case of nits will be able to finish the school day and will require treatment after dismissal. 

Treatment can be provided by any company of your choosing or done at home. There are many effective creams and shampoos available over the counter or by prescription from your doctor. You may also seek treatment at any professional lice removal salons. After treatment it is important to continue combing the hair daily for 14 days to prevent re-infestation. A retreatment may be necessary 10 days after the first treatment. 

Please read the attachment “Facts about Head Lice” for additional information. You may also find more information on these websites: 

www.healthychildren.org 

www.cdc.gov 

If you have any questions, comments, or would like additional information, please speak to your child’s pediatrician.

Facts about Head Lice 

What are head lice? 

Head lice are parasites, which are found on the scalp. Head lice cause itching, commonly at the back of the head and neck or behind the ears. The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and can be the color of your child’s hair. Eggs, or nits, are smaller and silver in color. Lice do not transmit infections and do not endanger a person’s health. 

Who gets head lice? 

Head lice occur commonly among school age children. This is a condition that each year affects approximately 6 to 12 million US children ages 3 to 11. Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and anyone can get them. It doesn't matter how clean your hair or home may be. It doesn't matter where children and families live, play, or work. 

How is lice spread? 

Head lice are crawling insects. They cannot jump, hop, or fly. Lice pass from person to person by direct contact or by sharing clothing, items with lice on them. Anyone who comes in head-to-head contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk. Lice can also be spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, hair ties, sports and bike helmets, or towels) used by an infested person. 

How can lice be prevented? 

If your child has long hair, it is best to have it pulled back into a bun or braid during the school day. Avoid sharing personal items 

How to check for lice? 

Regular checks for head lice are a good way to spot head lice before they have time to multiply and infest your child's head. 

∙Seat your child in a brightly lit room. 

∙Part the hair and look at your child's scalp. 

∙Look through hair for crawling lice and for nits. 

Live lice are hard to find. They avoid light and move quickly. Nits will look like small white or yellow-brown specks and be firmly attached to the hair near the scalp. 

The easiest place to find them is at the hairline at the back of the neck or behind the ears. Nits can be confused with many other things, such as dandruff, dirt particles, or

hair spray droplets. The way to tell the difference is that nits are attached while dandruff, dirt, or other particles are not. 

What is the treatment for lice? 

There are several medicated shampoos or cream rinses that are available over the counter. Retreatment after 7 to 10 days is usually recommended to assure that no eggs have survived. Nit combs are available to help remove nits from hair. To avoid side effects and toxicity, dose and duration of treatment should be followed according to label instructions. Please seek further guidance from your pediatrician when using over-the-counter products. You may also seek professional treatment for a lice-removal salon of your choice. Many of these salons use non-toxic, all natural products. 

To prevent re-infection following treatment, clothing and bedding should be laundered in hot water (140 degrees F for 20 minutes) followed by a hot drying cycle to destroy lice and eggs. Since lice eggs hatch within 6 - 10 days, and lice can survive for only 1 - 2 days away from a scalp, storing infested items in a sealed plastic bag for 10 days is effective for items that cannot be laundered. 

Here is a link for a video that can assist you in the at home treatment and removal of lice. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9y6c3Opr9w 

Recipe for natural lice shampoo: 

● Kill lice by stopping their respiratory systems with a mixture of 1-part baking soda and 3-parts hair conditioner. 

● Apply the mixture and comb the hair by sections. Use a soft tissue to wipe off the comb and remove the nits, baby lice, and adult lice.

As has been shared in this Newsletter, and our JS Guidelines, students with medical and other appointments during school hours are asked not to attend classes that day, either in person or remotely. Although the school fully understands and excuses absences for medical or other reasons, the Junior School cannot offer flexibility in the schedules and duties of our faculty and staff to escort students to or from the gate during school hours. All of the school's personnel are fully dedicated to the routines of our division, and our students, and follow a full daily schedule. In addition, leaving early or arriving late disrupts the flow of learning in the classroom and affects the entire class.

Note that, as the school's leadership has shared in previous correspondence, the school provides the option of remote learning to only those students in quarantine or for exceptional medical reasons. If it is necessary for your child to attend an appointment during school hours, the expectation is that they are absent for that full day.

Your child's teacher will support them with catching up when they return. Thank you for your understanding and for supporting the school protocols.

If your child uses OPT's yellow school bus service to or from school, families are asked to review and reinforce the policies that go along with that privilege this weekend.

Last week, JS Assistant Principal Alessandra Camilo boarded the school buses before they departed from campus to address all the students on board, both JS and MS, regarding behavior and safety expectations.

Students at UNIS are developing young people in an intense period of personal growth and physical and emotional development. They are seeking an identity, searching for a clear sense of purpose, learning new competencies and assuming a new role of autonomy. UNIS, therefore, attempts to instill a strong sense of communal values as the core of its behavioral education. These values will help shape and complement the students’ own emerging values systems.

UNIS students learn to take responsibility for their actions and the consequences of their decisions. Discipline at UNIS is carried out with individual development and personal growth in mind. The goal of discipline at UNIS is to reinforce and enhance self-respect and understanding and to help students live up to the best standards of behavior at all times. We expect and need both students and parents to cooperate with UNIS in following the School’s policies and rules.

The school's expectation is that all families relying on yellow bus service review these policies with their children at home, now and going forward, with the understanding that yellow bus service may be revoked, either temporarily or permanently, if a student is not able to adhere to school policies.

For your convenience, the UNIS expectations for bus riders excerpted from our HANDBOOK are here, and the Junior School Essential Agreements follow: 

EXPECTATIONS OF UNIS STUDENTS WHO RIDE THE YELLOW BUS (JS & MS)

In order to make the school bus experience safe and pleasant for everyone, kindly share the following rules of conduct and behavior tips with your children.

• Follow the driver’s instructions. The driver is in charge of the school bus and will assign seats if necessary.

• Follow the safety instructions of the driver during pick up, drop off and while on the bus.

• Be courteous and respectful to the driver and other students.

• Remain seated and wear your seatbelt at all times while on the bus.

• Don’t bring objects on the bus that may create a safety hazard (for example: a scooter). All large objects must be kept either in a backpack or in a closed case.

• No eating or drinking on the bus.

• Keep the bus clean and don’t throw trash on the floor or out of the windows.

• Keep all body parts and objects to yourself inside of the bus, and out of the aisle.

• Loud talking, laughing and yelling can be distracting to the driver. Speak at a moderate level and do not cause disturbances on the bus.

• No Bullying, Fighting or Foul Language.

Also, with regards to the usage of chromebooks and electronic devices, please be advised that Middle School students are not allowed to use their chromebooks while riding the school bus.

Smart phones are allowed as long as:

• No sound is used on video games.

• Headphones are always used if sound is needed.

• There are no conflicts or arguments over these items.

Please be aware that students bring these items on the bus at their own risk and the school and the drivers are not responsible for lost or broken electronic devices.

Please remind your child/children that the failure to follow these rules of conduct may result in losing the privilege of riding the bus.

In the event of significant or recurring problems, further disciplinary procedures will follow.

JUNIOR SCHOOL ESSENTIAL AGREEMENTS

UNIS Junior School Essential Agreements sends the message that there are common expectations for all of Junior School.  These agreements  serves as the basis for us to guide students towards positive behavior.

Some of the common themes that they came up with are:

• Respect the learning community/Treat others with respect/Be kind and helpful/

• Responsibility for self and others/Take ownership of learning/Feel safe/Be trustworthy/Be empathetic/

• Responsibility for the environment/Care for the school materials

Our primary goal is to build a safe environment in support of teaching and learning by celebrating being part of the same community, the UNIS community, while understanding and embracing the diversity which could be view as "the art of thinking independently together".

Our monthly PA meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 16 at 7pm featuring a spotlight on the Modern Languages Department with its director, Paco Barba-Morán. 

Please join us for exciting updates about languages at UNIS.  

February 16, 2022 

PA meeting 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Webinar ID: 996 1040 6224 

Passcode: 954461

UNIS Food Fair 2022 - Call for Volunteers!  

We are reaching out to you, as the beloved Annual Food Fair might be back at UNIS this May, after a gap of 2 years!

However, the scale and scope might be different to it’s pre-Covid form.

We are looking for volunteers and if you can help out or if know of someone who would like to volunteer, please get in touch with us. We are looking for volunteers for:

• Regional chairs for the various food regions

• Country food chairs

• Ticketing and Raffle

• Outdoor Games and Rentals

• Graphics

• Sustainability

• TH Clubs

• Arts & Crafts

• Outdoor Dance

• Flowers & Decoration

Please reach out if you have any questions and tune in to the PA meeting on February 16 as we will give more specifics on each role. Looking forward to a successful fair!

Best regards

Abhilasha and Sabrina

UNIS PA Cultural Committee

Abhilasha 646 436 4047 (abhilasha.mahan@pa.unis.org)

Sabrina 917 270 0276  (sabrina.zancan@pa.unis.org) 

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!

As UNIS celebrates Black History Month 2022, let us view with our many lenses the meaning of health and wellness throughout the African Diaspora. What contributions have they shared throughout the world, what tribulations must we be mindful of that may affect their well-being.

Throughout the month look forward to highlighted experiences shared across the UNIS community that both celebrate and acknowledge their far reaching and  often overlooked realities.

Do visit the main lobby for a more enriched view and sounds. As scientists and doctors were highlighted in the first week, the second week noted mental health and the biases in medicine and treatment (Marginalization, Pluralism and No Consideration). 

As the weeks, months and years continue, how do we heal ourselves? How do we see ourselves? How may this be expressed?  Are you up for the Challenge?

Look for the many experiences that will be shared with you in celebration of UNIS

Black History Month. 

PA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Presents - Reminder

In recognition of Black History Month, the UNIS PA DEI Committee presents:

Our Harlem History 

Thursday, February 17th, 7:00 pm EST via ZOOM Link 

Webinar ID: 983 9281 7485    Passcode: 230941 

Critical Conversations Speaker on January 20 - Van Jones

For those of you who were unable to attend the January 20th webinar of A Critical Conversation with Van Jones, or if you would like to watch it again, you can view it until February 20th using the link and password:  VAN JONES Critical Conversation / PW: Justice 

In this program, we will have a very short introductory session on Senegal and its culture. This will be followed by an interactive session to learn the basic version of the same dance under the guidance of BAM teaching artists, who provide live drumming accompaniment, in a workshop streamed live.

This is a FREE event sponsored by thee UNIS PA. While pre-registration isn’t required, please email us at unispa@unis.org, if you are planning to attend. If you have any questions please contact the UNIS Cultural Committee: Abhilasha

Abhilasha (abhilasha.mahan@pa.unis.org) 

Sabrina (Sabrina.zancan@pa.unis.org) 

FUNDING BRIGHT FUTURES

Hi, JS Parents! 

My name is Nicolas Corona and I am a T4 at UNIS. I, along with my brother Matias Corona (T3), currently lead Funding Bright Futures (FBF): a non-profit organization based in New York City working to raise funds for scholarships for underprivileged children around the globe. FBF raises money by providing a variety of student-led athletic/creative classes—soccer, basketball, LEGO, and Minecraft— as well as academic tutoring services— Math, English, French, Humanities, Percussion, and Spanish Tutoring— to children from the ages 7-14. FBF charges 10$ for group classes (1 hour) and 20$ for private classes (1 hour). FBF is proud to say that 100% of the money made from the organization’s classes (since FBF’s start in 2016) has gone to our partners in India—Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch and Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha— and has directly funded the education of over 750 disadvantaged Indian children. 

If you are interested in supporting FBF’s mission by enrolling your JS child/children in an engaging or educational weekly class taught by experienced high school coaches and tutors, please click this link . Don’t see a class that interests you listed in the Google form or in the message above? FBF welcomes your feedback (on the form linked in the previous sentence) and is more than willing to find a tutor for a class that meets you and your child’s needs. FBF also appreciates direct donations to our cause, which can be made through this link . 

If you have any other questions about us, feel free to visit our website fundingbrightfutures.org  or email fundingbrightfutures@gmail.com. 

STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT REGISTRATION

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.

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.

• In full consultation with our medical experts at Mount Sinai Hospital, UNIS has instituted a vaccine mandate for students ages 5 and up. This COVID mandate began 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.

• Your child’s vaccination should be uploaded into Magnus Health through the Veracross parent portal. Here is a step-by-step guide to assist you in this process.

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

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

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. If it is necessary for your child to attend an appointment during school hours, the expectation is that they are absent for that full day. 

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.