Newsletter #06

Dear parents,

On 24 October 1945, the United Nations was established after World War II in order to prevent another similar conflict, and with the mission to maintain international peace and security. 

The UNIS community will be celebrating the 77nd birthday of the UN on Friday, 21 October, and everyone is invited to join us for this celebration.  Your family is welcome to dress in the cultural wear that represents your background, or a place that speaks to your heart. It will be a  colorful demonstration by our school, a miniaturization of the world, that our diversity is our strength, and that we can all live together with dignity and respect for our differences.

A birthday is a joyful event. A time to look back and express our gratitude for the achievements of the United Nations. But a birthday is also a time to look forward. In a period of international, political, humanitarian, economic, and ecological challenges, this birthday will be an opportunity to stand by the UN values, and a reminder to every one of our children’s expectations and their right to a more peaceful, compassionate, and sustainable world. It is a day for all of us at UNIS to express our unconditional support for the UN and its mission. “More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that [...] is why we have the United Nations.”

Please join your child on the morning of October 21st to celebrate UN Day and be a spectator at the JS Parade of Nations. Children and adults are invited to dress in the cultural wear that represents their background, or a place that speaks to their heart. Don’t forget your camera!

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School Assistant Principal

PS: The cardboard challenge was a success... in this Newsletter, we are celebrating this awesome event!

All UNIS community members are invited to dress in cultural wear that represents their background, or a place that speaks to their heart. We know that many of our students have wide experiences and cultural identities, so this is an opportunity to "dress as what defines you." Please ensure that your child wears safe shoes. In the Junior School, if their clothing articles are elaborate, the children may wish to bring a change of clothes for after the parade. 

The Parade of Nations, at 8:45 a.m., can be viewed from the UNIS parking lot. Parents are invited to cheer on the students as they parade to show off their beautiful garb. Parents are also welcome to dress for this special day.

Junior school breakfast is held in the homeroom following the parade and ends by 10:40 a.m We encourage families to collaborate with their child to plan a dish from their family traditions, to make the food together, and to be able to talk about the significance of the dish.

Parents are asked to bring their dish directly to the classroom between 8:15 am to 8:30 am, during arrival, to give it directly to the class parents and then walk back downstairs to watch the parade.

We are again operating on a ZERO FOOD WASTE principle, so whatever is left over from your child’s contribution will go home with him/her.

Though the entire day is off schedule for students, attendance is expected. We have special learning planned to celebrate our UNIS identity and deepen our students’ understanding of what it means to be a Global Citizen.

In preparation for our annual UN Day celebration, Friday, October 21,  193 UN Member State flags have been hung around the school. We hang the flags in the order that the countries are seated in the GA Hall each year, emulating the annual UN rotation. 

Did you know that the symbols used on flags often have the same meaning all over the world?  Looks for these symbols and their meanings on flags:

• The Sun:  The circle of the sun symbolizes unity and energy.

• The Moon:  The moon is usually displayed in crescent shape to distinguish it from the symbol of the sun. 

• The Stars:  Constellations of stars often represent energy, especially when depicting the night sky.

• A Square: The four even lengths of the square symbolize balance and equal opposites.

And did you know...Denmark's flag is the oldest flag currently in use.  It was designed in 1219 and is unchanged since.

Please join your child on the morning of October 21st to celebrate UN Day and be a spectator at the JS Parade of Nations. Don’t forget your camera!

• • Monday, October 10 | UNIS Classes are in Session

  • Monday, October 10 | No Yellow School Bus from the DOE - arrange alternate transportation for your child + update SDM with your dismissal plans

  • Tuesday, October 11 and Wednesday, October 12 | MAP Testing for J3 and J4 (details in this newsletter)

  • Saturday, October 15  |  UNIS Celebrates 75 Years! (see invitation below)

See the PA's section of this newsletter for PA-sponsored events  & information.

• • Tuesday, October 18 and Wednesday, October 19 | MAP Make Up Testing

  • Friday, October 21  |  UN Day Celebrated at UNIS: JS Parade 9:15-10:00 & JS International Breakfast 10:00-10:40 (details in this newsletter)

  • October 24 - October 28 |  No Classes for Students / October Break

  • Wednesday, November 2 | JS Parent Coffee (save the date) 

  • Wednesday, November 9 - Friday, November 11 | Parent Teacher Conferences for PK - J4 (save the date - details to follow)

    • • Wednesday, November 9 (Evening 5:00-8:00pm)

      • Thursday, November 10 (Day 8:30-3:00 - No School for Students)

      • Friday, November 11 (Day 8:30 - 3:00 - No School for Students)

  • November 9 - November 11 | After School Programs are Cancelled during Parent Teacher Conferences (Wednesday through Friday)

  • Thursday, November 17  |  Photo Retake Day (details from Stomping Ground are here: School Photo Page )

  • Wednesday, November 23 - Friday, November 25 | School Closed / Thanksgiving Break

  • Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2 | No Classes for Students / Winter Break

  • Tuesday, January 3 | Classes Resume

Your 100% tax-deductible donation to UNICEF USA will help UNICEF support children all around the World. The 2022 fundraising campaign runs from October -, 2022 through October 31, 2022.

UNIS families can make their donation by visiting our fundraising page

MAP Testing on October 11 and October 12 

We will be administering the first Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment for J3 to T1 students during the second and third weeks of October 2022. In Junior School, the assessments will be administered on October 11 and 12, with makeups taking place on October 18 and 19.

MAP Growth reports give us an external measure to continue to monitor our student learning. It is one data point among many that we collect in order to meet the needs of our students. MAP scores are not factored into student grades; UNIS report cards include information about student learning from both formal and informal assessments, which are conducted in the context of our curriculum. 

Your child does not need to do anything special to prepare for MAP assessments.  As for all school days, we encourage a good night’s rest the night before and a healthy breakfast on the mornings of MAP.

Halloween will be held in Junior School this year. It will take place on: Monday, October 31 - Optional Halloween Dress Up Day

SIGN-UP PROCESS

In advance of registration opening from November 3 - November 7 for the Parent Teacher Conferences held on November 9 - November 11, please review the instructions for signing up for appointments. 

If you have questions or concerns about the sign up process, please reach out to tech.support@unis.org as soon as possible.

CONFERENCE DATES

Wednesday, November 9 (5:00 - 8:00pm Evening) - PK/JA - J4 Parent Teacher Conferences 

Thursday, November 10 (8:30 - 3:00 Day - No Classes for Students) - PK/JA - J4 Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday, November 11 (8:30 - 3:00 Day - No Classes for Students) - PK/JA - J4 Parent Teacher Conferences

SIGN-UP PERIOD

Opens: Thursday, November 3 at 7:00pm

Closes: Monday, November 7 at 7:00pm

ACCESS TO CONFERENCE SIGN-UP

Sign-up is available through the link on the Veracross Parent Portal (myunis.vc).

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

If you have not yet received notifications regarding your Veracross login credentials, or have forgotten your password, please send an email message now to tech.support@unis.org to retrieve them.

If you have your credentials you must use your Veracross credentials to access the Parent Teacher Conferences sign up system.

When you login to the conference portal, you will be able to sign up for conference slots for each of your children.

SCHOOL WILL NOT BE IN SESSION ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 and 11

CHILDCARE AT UNIS IS NOT AVAILABLE DURING CONFERENCES

All After School Programs are cancelled Wednesday through Friday during Parent Teacher Conferences / The Care Program is available Wednesday only

PLEASE PLAN AHEAD

Junior School Parent Coffee Topic Survey

The UNIS Parents' Association (PA) organizes Junior School parent coffees on a monthly basis, in collaboration with the Junior School team and the parent community. The parent coffees offer an open forum to discuss a wide range of topics of common interest, with the participation of parent speakers, UNIS faculty and staff, as well as special guests from outside the school. Your input is highly appreciated to help us plan the Junior School parent coffees for the 2022-23 school year.

 Please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey to tell us if there is a topic that you wish to discuss or would like to learn more about in the Junior School. We look forward to hearing from you: Junior School Parent Coffee Topic Survey 

JS Parent Coffee - October 4

For those of you not able to join our discussion at the Parent Coffee held on October 4, you can find the information that was shared here:

Upcoming PA Events

• Wednesday, November 2:  Junior School Parent Coffee (Save the Date)

The late arrival of students in the morning is disruptive for faculty and staff and your child's classmates.

 J2, J3 and J4 students are expected to arrive at 8:15 and proceed directly to their homeroom. 

PK, JA and J1 are expected to arrive at 8:20 and proceed directly to their homeroom.

Please ensure that your child arrives at the time assigned for your child's grade.

IF YOU DROP OFF YOUR CHILD AT ARRIVAL TIME FOR THEIR GRADE

IF YOU GO TO THE CAFETERIA BEFORE DROPPING OFF YOUR CHILD

• Legal guardians may access the school building to wait near the drop-off zone, and remain in the company of their children until the announcement is made for students to line up with their classes at 8:15 (J2/J3/J4) or 8:20 (PreK, JA, J1).

• Legal guardians may access the school building to sit in the cafeteria, beginning at 7:30 am, and remain in the company of their children until the announcement is made for students to walk independently to their classes at 8:15 (J2/J3/J4) or to line up outside Staircase D to meet their teachers and walk to their classrooms at 8:20 (PreK, JA, J1).

• Legal guardians may remain in the cafeteria until 9:00 am.

• Legal guardians who arrive earlier than 8:15/8:20 in order to have breakfast in the cafeteria must supervise their children at all times while on the premises until an announcement is made for students to line up with their teachers or proceed directly to their classrooms (dependent upon grade). 

• At no time is playground access permitted for students being supervised by their guardians. Playground access is reserved solely for students arriving by Yellow Bus who are in the care of school personnel.

• At no time may legal guardians enter the 2nd floor or access any classrooms.

• Legal guardians and students are expected to arrive at the campus no later than the arrival time for their grade as shared by the school's administration. Late arrivals impact the efficiency of our protocols designed for smooth transitions, as well as to detract from our community's safety. Families are strongly encouraged to ensure that their child(ren) arrives at UNIS at the time assigned for their grade, and no earlier or later.

• Students arriving at school by bus will be welcomed and supervised in the playground.

• J2, J3 and J4 students arriving at 8:15 am walk independently to their classrooms. If J2, J3 and J4 students have arrived earlier and are in the cafeteria supervised by their legal guardians, an announcement will be made at 8:15 for those students to proceed to their classrooms independently using Staircase D.

• J1 students arriving at 8:20 walk independently to their classrooms. If J1 students have arrived earlier and are in the cafeteria supervised by their legal guardians, an announcement will be made at 8:20 for those students to line up outside Staircase D with their legal guardians and then proceed to their classrooms independently.

• PK and JA are welcomed by their teachers at 8:20 at Staircase D and proceed directly to their classrooms. 

• PK and JA students who are in the cafeteria being supervised by their legal guardians will hear an announcement at 8:20 to meet their teachers at Staircase D to proceed to their classroom.

There is a strict hand-to-hand policy in the Junior School for dismissal:

JS teachers will only dismiss at the end of the day to a parent, authorized caregiver, after school/after care/athletics teacher/coach, or bus supervisor. JS students are not permitted to leave the front gate of the campus without adult supervision. Only a sibling in M3 or older may be given permission to escort their sibling from campus.

During Dismissal time, legal guardians should not gather inside the school premises to wait for their child. If their child is not at the designated location, they should continue to walk, following the flow, until their child arrives.

PreK through J4 students are not permitted to meet parents or caregivers outside the school’s front gate. Teachers must release students whose dismissal is indicated as being “Pick-up” in SDM, to parents, or another adult authorized by the parents, following the dismissal guidelines as indicated below.

Please note that parents and caregivers are expected to arrive at UNIS no later than the time indicated in this section. If parents or caregivers are not able to arrive on time on a regular basis, please contact our Office of Special Programs to register for the Care Program. If you or your caregiver is running late in unusual circumstances and will arrive later than the time indicated, the school will place your student in the Care Program. Parents are aware that Non‐Registered Care Program drop off has a specific cost (see After Care protocol for most updated fees).

To give permission for a new caregiver to enter UNIS to pick up or drop off your child, please log in to the Veracross Parent Portal at myunis.vc:

• Log in to Veracross

• Click on Household Information

• Update Household Profile by clicking on Contacts for My Children and +Add New

• Enter that caregiver’s details under the Contacts section (add as many additional contacts and caregivers as you need)

• Next, grant the contacts Pickup Authorization as needed by clicking on Pickup Authorization on the right and +Add New.

After you enter that information in Veracross, your caregiver can have a UNIS ID made that will allow him/her access to the school to pick up and drop off. In the interim, until the caregiver information is populated by IT to the Security Access card system, fill in this ID Authorization Form, print and sign it, and have the caregiver carry this form along with a photo ID to present to Security at the front gate until a physical UNIS ID card is printed.

Parents are asked to retrieve and turn in ID cards issued to caregivers who are no longer employed.

• PK and JA are dismissed by their teachers at 2:45 pm

• J1 and J2 are dismissed by their teachers at 2:50 pm

• J3 and J4 are dismissed by their teachers at 3:00 pm

To support our Security team and ensure a smooth transition, parents and guardians arriving to pick up their children at dismissal should avoid entering the school building.

• Parents/legal guardians arriving on time at school for dismissal can pick up their child at designated areas indicated in the Dismissal Map.

• After JS dismissal and before 5:45pm: parents may pick up their child in the cafeteria by following the directions given by the security guards.

• Parents are required to indicate in the note field in SDM the identity of the parent/caregiver who will pick up their child, providing both the first and last name as it appears on that person’s identification. This information needs to be accurate on any given day. If the information is not provided correctly by the family, but the parent/caregiver is registered as a parent or an authorized caregiver in Veracross, and UNIS personnel are able to verify that information, the student will be allowed to leave with him/her. This information is required at dismissal as well as when the pick-up is scheduled after an After School, Care Program or Athletic activity.

• Parents are required to list all caregivers/babysitters on the portal in Veracross. Security will not allow entrance to caregivers/babysitters who are undocumented/not listed in Veracross. To avoid delay and complications at pick-up, please make sure to maintain an updated list of all caregivers/babysitters in Veracross on the portal. In case of an emergency, parents are required to call and email the JS Office or After School program (depending on the pick up time) providing the full name of the individual who is picking up their child and confirming that that person will carry a government issued photo ID.

Any student scheduled to be picked up at school by the parent/caregiver, and that parent/caregiver fails to collect the child at dismissal, will be brought to the Care Program and the family will be billed accordingly. Parents are aware that Non‐Registered Care Program drop off has a cost (see After Care protocol for most updated fees).

When Your Child is Sick

When your child is sick with runny nose, cough, stomach ache, fever, headache, etc. there is no expectation from the school that they should attend school in person or attempt to learn from home. 

If your child has symptoms that would normally have kept them at home prior to COVID-19, we ask that families not send their children to school or request for schoolwork to be sent home.

We hope that time will be taken for your child to rest and recover at home as the school believes that children recover more quickly when they are permitted to disconnect and rest, and when care is taken by everyone to avoid spreading communicable illnesses.

Please be mindful as you pack lunches for your Junior School child(ren) as these will remain stored in their backpacks until snack or lunch time. If lunch items require cooling, please be sure to include insulated ice packs in the packaging for your child's lunch. No additional heating or cooling options are available. 

For reasons related to student allergies and health, the policy for JS student birthday celebrations on campus has been updated.

• Birthdays will continue to be acknowledged and celebrated in the JS Homeroom and/or with the Mother Tongue group. 

• Students may bring a special food treat for themself from home on their birthday to enjoy at snack or lunch time.

• Instead of bringing food treats from home to be shared with classmates, the birthday student may choose from a menu of fun activities offered by the Homeroom or MT teacher for the class to participate in together. The activities will be age-appropriate and vary by grade.

• At the discretion of the Homeroom teacher, there may be individual celebrations for each student, or there may be grouped, monthly birthday celebrations. 

• Details about the birthday celebration policy for your child’s homeroom will be discussed in more detail with parents at Back to School Night on September 28.

At this time, mask wearing while on campus is optional and the discretion of your family. Be assured that all JS students whose families choose to have them remain masked at school will be fully supported by our faculty and staff.

If your child will wear a mask at school be sure you have packed at least 2 spare masks in a clean bag in your child's backpack, as well as an extra bag to hold used masks if they aren't disposable. 

This means that students, families, faculty and staff are respectfully asked to refrain from bringing peanuts, nuts, and seeds of any kind or foods processed with these items or their by products, such as oils, into the school. This includes products which state "may contain traces of nuts/peanuts/tree nuts” or "manufactured in a facility which processes" nuts/peanuts/tree nuts.

For example, tree nuts (such as almonds, pistachios, pine nuts, cashews, brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts, etc.) and foods associated with them (such as nutella, pesto, granola bars, marzipan, macaroons, hummus (containing sesame), etc.) may present a risk to others.