Newsletter #14

12/11/2022

Dear parents,

"Do you want to be the MC for the Junior School Talent Show?” my mom asked me after-school one day. “What is a MC?” I asked. My mom explained, “Well, MC stands for Master of Ceremonies.  This person is the host of the show.  You introduce each performer and will be responsible for keeping the audience entertained and the show moving.” “Hmm,” I thought. “That sounds interesting.” “Ok, I’ll do it!” I exclaimed. 


As the day of the Talent Show approached, I started to have some doubts. What if I can’t memorize my lines? What if the microphone stopped working halfway? What if I tripped and fell on the stage? And I split my pants in front of everyone?! I was going to be partners with Erin Martin from J3. We barely knew each other and we hardly had any time to rehearse! Maybe we’ll just have to wing it…


On the day of the Talent Show, as we were driving to school, all my fears flew out the window. “I got this!” I told myself. We arrived at the theatre about 2 hours before the Show began.  It was already a hive of activity, with performers practicing and parents setting up.  I met up with Erin and we went over the script about 100 times.  We also practiced walking across the stage, using the microphones and eating burritos (just kidding).   By the time the Show started, it was like we had been partners forever. We had this in the bag! 


Things could not have gone better. There were even moments when I was able to slip in a few of my favorite jokes (I heard they opened a restaurant on the moon. It has good food, but the problem is … it does not have any atmosphere….) Every single performance was fantastic and the audience was enthusiastic and supportive.  I knew UNIS kids are a talented bunch, it was nevertheless amazing to discover we have drummers, pianists, singers, fencers, dancers, magicians … walking our halls every day. 


Despite my doubts, my MC gig with Erin worked out perfectly. I felt good about collaborating with the kids in the Junior School even though I had moved up to Middle School.  Best of all, I had a lot of fun doing something I had never done before.  


I encourage everyone to be a part of next year’s Talent Show, as a performer, a volunteer or maybe even as the MC. It was simply awesome seeing the youngest members of the UNIS community get on stage, and share their talents with a roomful of people. You Rock!


Thanks,


Colton B., M1O4 and Talent Show 2022 Master of Ceremonies

Dear parents,


The talent show was amazing! There is a lot of talent in the junior school. I felt really good being the MC of this talent show. I strongly recommend that next year you either watch the talent show or perform in it. There is something different in each performance and it is amazing. I’m very grateful to have helped  make the talent show a success, but who did a lot of the work was the performers and Mr. Vallet Jen and the parent volunteers. I really enjoyed being the MC of that show with Colton. next year we might have new MC’s and that great so more people can feel that goodness of being a UNIS talent show MC.



Erin M., J3R and Talent Show 2022 Master of Ceremonies

COLD WEATHER REMINDERS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Cold weather has arrived and the Junior School has important transitions and reminders to bring to your attention:

​

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY YELLOW BUS

With colder weather, Junior School students who ride the yellow bus in the morning will now assemble in the tents in front of the school after leaving the bus and then, instead of remaining outdoors in the tents, will be escorted by school personnel to line up indoors in the cafeteria area until 8:15/8:20 when they transition to their homeroom classes.

Note that, at arrival, designated school personnel are assigned to the supervision of bus riding students only.



STUDENTS ARRIVING WITH A CAREGIVER

Students who arrive with a caregiver in the morning may continue to line up outside Stairwell D to wait to enter the building at 8:15/8:20 or, if the weather is too cold or wet, may wait accompanied by their adult caregiver at all times in the cafeteria. At the 8:15/8:20 start time for their grade, students who are waiting in the cafeteria with their caregiver can transition to their homeroom by walking through Stairwell D.



UNACCOMPANIED JS STUDENTS

We have recently noted a number of Junior School students entering the school gates unaccompanied by an adult caregiver. These students are arriving between 8:00 - 8:15, which is too early for them to transition to their homeroom. School personnel are not available to supervise them prior to them joining their homeroom class.

As a reminder:

IMPORTANT DATES

THIS WEEK: DECEMBER 12

As COVID-19, RSV and flu levels are increasing, the NYC Health Department issued this Commissioner's Advisory on December 9: NYC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISORY

PURCHASING JS STUDENT PORTRAIT PHOTOS FROM STOMPING GROUND 


TO DO: Update SDM for the weeks ahead

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

DATES WITHOUT YELLOW SCHOOL BUS SERVICE DURING 2022-23

Note these dates in February and April when bus service will not be provided by the DOE. 

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

INFORMATION: SOUND DEMONSTRATION IN J1B

I wanted to demonstrate how creating music is like any other form of communication in that we 1) begin with an idea or a goal, 2) organize basic elements into larger units, 3) and make creative decisions about how to use these units to express ourselves. For example, in writing (or speech), we have words, sentences, paragraphs, and finally stories. In music, we have pitches, phrases, arrangements, and finally songs. 

When we got together, we decided as a group to record and produce a new version of one of the kids’ favorite songs, Funga Alafia. The guiding idea here, which the kids came up with, was that we would do a rock and roll version of the song. We determined the key and tempo after trying out a few options and deciding on what worked best. Next, the kids sang together into the microphone, keeping time with the metronome. Then we applied some effects to the vocal recording to eliminate and boost certain frequencies and create a rich, full sound. From there, we decided which instruments to add, what kinds of counter melodies to incorporate, and how each track should sound. Ultimately, we created a heavy 4/4 drumbeat, keyboard arpeggios, and distorted electric guitars, in addition to doubling the vocals and adding some cool echo, delay, and reverb effects to create space in the mix. 

We had a lot of fun. We started with a familiar melody, but we transformed it with our arrangement. And we could’ve settled on any number of alternate arrangements: Instead of rock instrumentation, we could’ve used a string quartet, or trap beats, or “found sounds.” And each arrangement would’ve been a valid, unique form of expression. 

What I really wanted to get across is that communication can take all kinds of forms, and there is not one right way. Expressing our ideas is an intensely personal practice. I hope the kids feel empowered to make their own kinds of music, write their own kinds of stories, and be themselves without regard for what everyone else is doing or what anyone else might think. 

TL/DR: we arranged a familiar melody using unexpected instrumentation to demonstrate how we can use elements of sound to express ourselves creatively. 

Billy, father of Hannah J1B

INFORMATION: TOY & BOOK SALE on DEC 13 + BOOK SALE on DEC 14

This year’s Toy & Book Sale will be held on Tuesday, December 13, when JS students will be visiting the Sale with their homerooms. Please send $5 in a ziplock bag plus a shopping bag to school with your child, with your child's name and homeroom written on both.

The Toy and Book collection has been phenomenally successful.  We have collected over a thousand titles of picture books, chapter books, young readers and novels of all genres.  All books are in great condition.  

In addition to offering these books for sale on Tuesday, we will be running a standalone Book Sale on Wednesday morning December 14.  This will take place during drop-off, from 8:00-8:45am in the school lobby. Parents and children will have the opportunity to browse and purchase together.  All books will be sold for 2 for $1, with proceeds going to the PA, which will be funneled back to benefit the school. 

The PA is looking for volunteers to help set up on Monday 12/12 from 4:30 - 6:00pm and on Wednesday 12/14 from 8:00 - 10:00am. 

Please email the JS Coordinators at pa_jscoordinators@pa.unis.org if you are available to help.

Thank You, 

Zhenzhen Huang, Mindy Tan, Sue Jing and Conwell Tam

INFORMATION: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

International Human Rights Day is recognized annually on December 10


The UNIS Human Rights Club would like to join you in recognizing this year's International Human Rights Day on December 10th. Human Rights Day, marking the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, celebrates the progress the global community has made in advancing the protection of human rights worldwide and underscores the important steps that still must be made. This year's theme is centered around Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All, values promoted in SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. 


The UN Human Rights Commission welcomes ALL to join them for a year-long campaign to promote and recognise the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To learn more about Human Rights Day and this year’s theme, visit the UN’s website. You can also test your knowledge about human rights with a UN quiz here.

-- Happy Human Rights Day!


INFORMATION: UNIS MERCHANDISE

This limited edition 75th Anniversary weekender tote is the perfect UNIS accessory! Made of 24 oz. cotton canvas, and includes a front pocket, top zippered closure, and 30-inch handles, it's the perfect weekend getaway bag or carry-on for your upcoming holiday travels. The best part is that it is just $20! Shop now.


For all our UNIS gear, check out the UNICORN STORE.  

PARENT ASSOCIATION CORNER: JS TOY & BOOK SALES / JS PARENT COFFEES / LUNAR NEW YEAR / VIDEO LIBRARY / ARCHIVE LINKS

 JS Books & Toy Sale for Students: Tuesday, December 13 


Book Sale for Parents & Children: Wednesday, December 14 from 8:00 - 8:45


We are looking for volunteers to help set up on 

Monday 12/12 from 4:30 - 6:00pm and 

Wednesday 12/14 from 8:00 -10:00am. 

Please email JS Coordinators at pa_jscoordinators@pa.unis.org if you are available to help. 

Junior School Parent Coffees


Mark your calendar to join us on Tuesday, January 10 at 8:30am in the Cafe for the next JS Parent Coffee on the topic of School Lunch. Join Tara Marcelle from FLIK DINING and the Administration Team to learn about lunch and lunch routines in the cafeteria. Please send questions in advance to your class parents by Friday, December 16.


For those of you not able to join us on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:30am in the Cafe, you can watch the video of Ms. Zammarano, Mr. Alvez and Ms. Mourlot to learn about our Design Engineering and Science Curriculum here JS Parent Coffee Nov 30 2022

Lunar New Year - Saturday, February 4

UNISPA Cultural Committee invites you to bring in the Lunar New Year with us to celebrate the arrival of spring and the year of the Rabbit!


It is the time to reunite with the family and we would like to come together with our UNIS Family! Join us at UNIS  on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 4 - 7pm


Tickets are $25 per person and free for kids 4 and under. Buy your tickets here: https://www.unis.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=901


To usher in a year full of abundance, good luck and fortune, there will be a food feast, Lion dance, Korean dances, student led musical Performances, lantern making, calligraphy and more….


We are excited to see you all in person!


Abhilasha & Sabrina

Cultural Committee Co-Chairs

abhilasha.mahan@pa.unis.org; sabrina.zancan@pa.unis.org

UNIS VIDEO LIBRARY

If you missed a meeting or want to review what you remember from a past meeting, UNIS maintains a library of recordings available at https://vimeo.com/unisny.  Some highlights include a Fireside Chat with the Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and a recent This is Junior School video. 

ARCHIVE


New2UNIS If you’d like to meet other parents - new or current to UNIS- sign up for the New2UNIS listserv at new2unis@unis.org Follow us on Instagram too!  


Publicize your Business or Seek Services - UNIS marketplace. Submit your business description, website and image on this form to publicize. Scroll through services here. 


Never too late to volunteer with the PA. Submit your interest here. 


Buy UNIS merch online. Visit https://store.unis.org/ And if you want to join the UNIS PA swag team, email unis@unispa.org. 

IMPORTANT: 

Please review your family profile and contact information to ensure that all of your local cell phone numbers, work phone numbers, email addresses and home address are correct and are entered in the correct fields. If you have not reviewed your information since the start of this school year, we encourage you to do it today so that we can reach you quickly if needed, especially if you have relocated from abroad.

All departments at UNIS, including the nurse, rely on the information that you provide in the Veracross Parent Portal to contact you. The only way you or your caregiver can be reached in an emergency, or when there are schoolwide announcements, is through the information that your family enters in our UNIS Portal. 

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


Thank you for taking the time to review and update your contact information now, and throughout the school year if your contact information changes.

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

REMINDER: HEALTH REMINDERS

We would like to remind everyone about our health protocols:

You may review the full protocols on our website COVID & Health Protocols. 

Thank you for supporting the entire UNIS community by keeping your children at home when they are not well. 

When your child will be absent, please email your homeroom teacher before 8:00am with a copy to jsattendance@unis.org . We also encourage families to update SDM in order to alert all other departments, especially After School activities and Transportation.

REMINDER: PREPARING FOR COLDER WEATHER

Outdoor Activity & Recess Policy During Cold Weather

Throughout the winter season, please be sure your child is dressed for outdoor play every day, with a warm coat, sweatshirt, gloves and hat as needed.

UNIS JS follows the Dept of Health guidelines for outdoor play: "New York City Department of Health Guidelines regarding outdoor play in cold weather policy states “Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. Unless it is snowing or there is ice on the playground low temperatures should not be a barrier to outside play, as long as children are appropriately dressed. The City’s Health Department strongly encourages principals to maintain outdoor play periods on the vast majority of winter days.”

Recommendations are as follows: If the wind chill factor is above 20 degrees, it is safe to play outside. If the wind chill factor is 0-20, outside play is advised provided that students are appropriately dressed and under observation to make sure that they are wearing their coats, hats and gloves." 

From:  New York City Department of Education and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Labeling Clothing

With students wearing extra layers of clothing now, it's time for families to be sure that all coats, jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, etc. are clearly labeled with your child's first and last name and homeroom. Our faculty and staff do their best to return misplaced items to their owners, but clear labeling is needed to do that.

REMINDER: ARRIVAL

IMPORTANT REMINDER: 

Be on time for class:

LATE ARRIVAL

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

2. RULES

3. ARRIVAL TIME

REMINDER: DISMISSAL

IMPORTANT NOTICE: JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE CAMPUS ALONE, OR WITH A SIBLING IN M1 or M2. JS STUDENTS ARE ONLY PERMITTED TO LEAVE CAMPUS WITH ADULTS IDENTIFIED IN THE UNIS DATABASE AS PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, M3 - T4 SIBLING, OR CAREGIVER/RELATIVE AUTHORIZED BY PARENTS TO PICK UP THE STUDENT.

2. RULES

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:

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.

ID Authorization Form for Caregivers

3. DISMISSAL TIME

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.

4. DISMISSAL PICK-UP

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).

At dismissal please stay in motion, circling around the outside of 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. 

REMINDER: WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SICK

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.

Pack a Jacket or Sweatshirt Every Day

The weather can be changeable and we encourage all JS families to send their child to school with a warm jacket or sweatshirt every day. Students are outside on the playground twice daily and they will need an outer layer with them on most days. They should be dressed appropriately for rainy days as well.

REMINDER: PK-J4 LUNCH BROUGHT FROM HOME

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. 

REMINDER: JS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION POLICY 

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

REMINDER: MASK WEARING AT SCHOOL

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. 

REMINDER: UNIS IS AN ALLERGY AWARE SCHOOL

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.

If you have technology issues, please send an email to tech.support@unis.org

If you have academic tech questions, please contact Ms. Zammarano at fzammarano@unis.org