Dear parents,

Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black people throughout history. It began as "Negro History Week" in the United States in February 1926 and was expanded to a month-long observance in 1976. The purpose of the observance is to educate people about the history and experiences of Black people and to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for racial equality. During Black History Month, many educational institutions and other organizations host events and activities that focus on the history and culture of Black people. UNIS will also, as we do every year. 

The hope, by encouraging people everywhere to observe Black History Month, is to have a positive impact on reducing racism against Black people through increased awareness of their contributions and experiences, and promoting greater understanding and empathy. That is the hope. I am not sure if any research demonstrates yet that Black History Month has reduced acts of racism in the United States since the 1970's. If it has, I could not find it. However, there is a body of research that suggests education, and increased awareness about marginalized groups, can lead to more positive attitudes and less prejudice. Here are some examples that encourage us to continue in our commitment to celebrating Black History Month. 

A study published in the Journal of Social Issues in 2008 found that education about the history and culture of marginalized groups can lead to increased empathy and reduced prejudice. Another study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology in 2009 found that multicultural education, which includes education about the contributions and experiences of marginalized groups, can lead to more positive attitudes towards diversity and less prejudice. Additionally, research from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University suggests that education and awareness-raising about racial issues can lead to greater understanding and a reduction in racial bias.

It's worth noting that some criticism has been made against Black History Month, arguing that it should not be limited to one month, and that it should be included in the curriculum for all schools all year round. An example, from one state's Department of Education, reads: "Students shall develop an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping on individual freedoms, and examine what it means to be a responsible and respectful person, for the purpose of encouraging tolerance of diversity in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting democratic values and institutions."(1)

The hope, as research shows, is that the students in this particular state will develop awareness and understanding. The main principle behind this effort, to educate compassionate and aware students, is that "No person should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, or sex." (1)

This state is Florida. Its Governor, Ron DeSantis, "last week reiterated Florida’s rejection of a proposed nationwide advanced African American studies course saying it pushes a political agenda. [•••] DeSantis said his administration rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies course because “we want education, not indoctrination.” (2)

While at UNIS we prepare to honor Black History Month because we believe that education and supporting an awareness of racist discrimination is a necessity, others are crushing a curriculum they accuse of being motivated by, ironically, the same motivation that supports their own action: politics. 

Joe Richard Feagin, an American sociologist and social theorist who has conducted extensive research on racial and gender issues, especially in regard to the United States, currently the Ella C. McFadden Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M University, believes that "we cannot have a truly free and democratic society, with ‘liberty and justice for all’ until we do that. The first step to do that is for Whites of all ages to learn an honest history of this country’s systemic racism and the Black movements against it—something many Whites today are not even willing to begin doing.” Feagin said that holding White people accountable for the promises of freedom and equality made by the founding fathers was a major theme in Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech at the nonviolent 1963 protest March on Washington.

It's important to note that, in addition to education, other strategies, such as diverse representation in media, promoting interracial interactions, and addressing systemic racism can help to reduce prejudice and discrimination. Without a doubt, more sustained and comprehensive efforts are needed to address and combat racism.

And, these could be my final words on this important subject.

The values that drive my words are clear. This is what the Principal in a progressive school like UNIS should say. I could re-read my words and feel that I have communicated what I need to share and do as a school Principal, ensuring that I support all the necessary actions planned for this indisputably necessary Black History Month. 

But I am not satisfied. I believe that over the past 5 years, I did much the same thing. Did it make a difference?

"In New York City, the nation's largest city with about 9 million residents, police investigated 619 hate crimes, up 18% for the year and the most since 1992. In Los Angeles, the second most populous U.S. city, police recorded a total of 643 hate crime victims in 2022, up 13% from 2021 and the highest number since 2001. In contrast to most other police agencies, the Los Angeles Police Department counts hate crimes by the number of victims rather than incidents." (3)

Do statistics make a difference? Do they have an effect? What else do we need to say to transform our understanding and awareness and defeat this unbearable feeling that it is not enough?

I have known Tracey Turner since 2014. She is an ELL teacher and was for many years a homeroom teacher. She is a Black American teacher. The Junior School is celebrated her work every day along with Rose Fico, Fabrice Duval, and Catherine Bell, our three wonderful Black teacher assistants. But Tracey Turner believes as we do that, we need more teachers of color at UNIS. We need more teachers representing the diversity that we are promoting. This is why Alessandra Camilo and Kenya Washington, Junior School, and Tutorial House Assistant Principals, will travel to Washington D.C. for a Diversity Job Fair where we hope to meet a diverse group of educators who could join UNIS over the next few years. We are working very hard to be ready for this conference. It's important. 

Tracey Turner. She has two beautiful Black young men. They are UNIS graduates. She is very proud of them. Eli is the elder at 28. He joined UNIS when he was in J3, with Tony O'Sullivan as his teacher. Eli graduated from law school in 2022. He went to Dartmouth as an undergrad and then to Columbia Law School. He now works at Quinn Emanuel as an attorney. Jacob is 24. He is a UNIS survivor and graduated in 2017. His first teacher as a JA was Carmen Escobar, who is still teaching at UNIS. Jacob graduated from Pomona College in 2020. He is working as a studio assistant for an artist, making music and art, and DJing.

Tracey's father, Judge Robert M. Duncan, was a federal judge appointed by Nixon to the US Military Court of Appeals and then to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, where he served from his appointment in 1984 until 2020. He was known for his strong stance against discrimination and racism, particularly against Black people. Judge Duncan was a member of the Federal Judges Association and a vocal advocate for equality and worked to address discrimination in the court system. He was known for his fair and impartial treatment of all litigants and for his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

It's possible, maybe inevitable, that Tyre Nichols' mother, while cooking her son's favorite sesame chicken was worried about him returning home. She probably always worried. It was part of her life. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man from Tennessee, who was hospitalized in critical condition and died three days later, after a January 7th traffic stop, will never return to his mom. 

In 2021, 37% of all hate crimes committed in the state of Tennessee were crimes against Black people.  These statistics include Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry, religious, sexual, and disability biases. 

In 2018, The Sentencing Project submitted a report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. The report says that "African-American adults are 5.9 times as likely to be incarcerated than Whites and Hispanics are 3.1 times as likely. As of 2001, one of every three Black boys born in that year could expect to go to prison in his lifetime, as could one of every six Latinos—compared to one of every seventeen White boys. (5)

Researchers have identified several key areas of concern for Black parents in the United States that are not typically a concern for White parents. These include but not limited to:

• Racial discrimination and bias: Black children are more likely to experience discrimination and bias in various settings, including schools, neighborhoods, and the criminal justice system. This can have negative impacts on their academic and social development, as well as their mental and physical health.

• Educational disparities: Black children are more likely to attend underfunded schools and to have less access to high-quality educational resources, which can limit their academic achievement and future opportunities.

• Police brutality and criminalization: Black children are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement and are at greater risk of being subject to police brutality and criminalization. This can lead to trauma and mistrust of authority figures, and can also have long-term negative impacts on their life chances.

• Economic insecurity: Black families are more likely to live in poverty and to have less access to stable housing, healthy food, and other basic necessities, which can lead to poor health and limited opportunities for children.

• Health disparities: Black parents are more likely to worry about the health of their children as they are more affected by health disparities such as hypertension, diabetes, and COVID-19.

• Representation and visibility: Black parents may worry about the lack of positive representation and visibility of Black children in media and popular culture.

These concerns are based on research and studies that have been conducted on the experiences of Black families in the US. It is important to note that these concerns are not exhaustive and there are other concerns that Black parents may have for their children that are not typical for White parents.

This quote from Martin Luther King Jr. encapsulates the idea that discrimination and injustice towards one group of people is a threat to justice for all. Black History Month serves as an important reminder of the contributions and struggles of the Black community, but the fight for equality and against discrimination must continue every day. The ongoing fight for racial justice is not just a Black issue, but a human rights issue that affects us all. As a society, it is our responsibility to actively work towards ending discrimination and creating a more just and equal world for all. For the Black people. For all of our children to grow in a more compassionate, fair and just world. A better one. Tyre Nichols' mother would have hoped for this for her son.

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School assistant Principal

Below are just a few examples of the many studies that have been conducted on these issues. It's important to note that these issues are complex and multifaceted and that research on them is ongoing.

Racial discrimination and bias: A study published in the Journal of Child Development in 2018 found that Black children as young as 5 years old are more likely to be perceived as older and less innocent than their white peers, which can have negative consequences for their treatment in various settings. Another study, published in the Journal of Educational Psychology in 2017, found that Black students are more likely to be suspended and expelled from schools than white students, even when controlling for other factors.

Educational disparities: A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology in 2019 found that Black students are less likely to have access to high-quality teachers and more likely to be taught by inexperienced teachers than white students. Another study published in Educational Researcher in 2016, found that Black students are more likely to attend high-poverty schools with fewer resources than white students.

Police brutality and criminalization: A report published by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control in 2016 found that Black people are disproportionately likely to be killed by law enforcement in the United States. Another study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence in 2017, found that Black boys are more likely to be perceived as older and more threatening than their white peers, which can contribute to their overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system.

Economic insecurity: A report published by the Economic Policy Institute in 2019 found that the poverty rate for Black families is more than twice as high as the poverty rate for white families in the United States. Another study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2018 found that Black families are more likely to experience housing insecurity and food insecurity than white families.

Health disparities: A report published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2020 found that Black people are disproportionately affected by hypertension and diabetes. Another report published by the National Center for Health Research in 2020 found that Black people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and have a higher rate of mortality.

Representation and visibility: A study published in the Journal of Social Psychology in 2019, found that media representation of Black people is often stereotypical and negative which can affect the self-esteem of Black children. Another study published in the Journal of Children and Media in 2020 found that the representation of Black children in children's literature is limited which affects the cultural identity and socialization of Black children.

• (1) African American History, Florida Department of Education

• (2) Florida’s rejection of Black history course stirs debate, By Terry Spencer and Anthony Izaguirre, January 23, 2023, AP NEWS

• (3) Report: Hate Crimes Increased in Several Major US Cities in 2022, By Masood Farivar, January 21, 2023, VOA NEWS

• (4) 2021 Hate Crimes In Tennessee, Tennessee Bureau Of Investigation, August 22, 2022

• (5) Report to the United Nations on Racial Disparities in the U.S. Criminal Justice System, April 19, 2018, The Sentencing Project

TO DO: Update your child's SDM account for Bus & Semester 2 Activities After School

Accurate daily information entered by you in SDM 

is the only way that your child 

can be escorted to the correct location at dismissal.

• • Friday, February 3 | Semester 1 Report Cards published 5:00pm (details for access are in this newsletter)

  • Saturday, February 4 | Lunar New Year Celebration 

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

IMPORTANT DISMISSAL REMINDER - SEMESTER 2 on FEBRUARY 6

Remember to update your own calendars and School Dismissal Manager (SDM) to reflect changes in your JS child's Semester 2 After School Athletics and After School schedule, as well as their school bus ridership.

In order for your child to attend an Athletics and After School class beginning on or after February 6, or ride the Yellow Bus home on any particular day, your child's SDM account must indicate that they are authorized by you to attend that specific activity, or ride the bus home, on that date. 

Dismissing teachers and Athletics and After School instructors follow the instructions that you, the parents, have entered and authorized in School Dismissal Manager for that day. 

• • Monday, February 6 | Semester 2 After School & Athletics Activities begin this week

    • • • • Remember to update School Dismissal Manager "SDM" with your child's new Semester 2 after school activity & yellow bus ridership schedules.

  • Tuesday, February 14 | JS Bake Sale (details in this newsletter)

  • Tuesday, February 14 | JA Friendship Day celebration with parents (more information from your teacher)

  • Thursday, February 16 & Friday, February 17 & Monday, February 20 | No Classes for Students / President's Day Break

  • Tuesday, February 21 | Classes Resume

  • Wednesday, February 22 | Nepal Club Auction (details in this newsletter)

  • Thursday, February 23 & Friday, February 24 | No Yellow Bus Service (update SDM with pick up plans)

  • Tuesday, February 28 | State of the School 6:00pm (save the date)

  • Tuesday, March 7 | JS Parent Coffee 8:30am (save the date)

  • Saturday, March 18 | JS Family Carnival Fundraiser (details in this newsletter)

  • March 27 - April 7 | No Classes for Students / Spring Break (camp registrations are in this newsletter)

IMPORTANT: 

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 adds to our UNIS Portal. 

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.

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

• Going to Veracross

• Clicking on Household Information

• Updating Household Profile -> Contacts.

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

Semester 1 Report Cards for Junior School students will be published on Friday, February 3 at 5:00pm on the Veracross Parent Portal. 

We encourage you to review the report card with your child to celebrate his/her achievements during the past semester and engage in conversation about their potential growth.

Your child’s academic achievement for each individual subject is reported separately from his/her learning skills. The descriptors for academic achievement levels ensure a greater JA to T4 alignment and provide clarity in the transition between the word-based scale used in JA to M2 and the numeric scale used from M3 to T4. Previous used Learning to Learn Skills have been replaced by the IB Approaches to Learning Skills. The skills selected for a K-12 progression (Social Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management Skills, Thinking Skills) are developmentally defined and will be assessed from a frequency of observable behavior.

What is the purpose of the report cards?

The purpose of the report card is to communicate your student’s achievement and learning goals. It is designed to provide you with clear and specific information about your child’s academic progress and the development of behaviors that support lifelong learning. This information includes identifying your child’s level of progress; areas of strength; areas needing additional time, effort, and/or support; and opportunities for growth, based on assessments that demonstrate evidence of learning and teachers’ evaluation.

What grade descriptors are used (JA-M2 Descriptors)

• MASTERING: The student is mastering the required grade level concepts, knowledge and skills by applying and extending these in a wide range of complex situations independently.

• PROFICIENT: The student is proficient in demonstrating understanding of the required grade level concepts, knowledge and skills with minimal or no teacher support needed to transfer learning to new situations.

• PROGRESSING: The student is progressing in demonstrating, with some gaps, understanding of the required grade level concepts, knowledge and skills by applying them in familiar situations with occasional teacher support.

• EMERGING: The student demonstrates emerging understanding of the required grade level concepts. The student is beginning to apply related knowledge and skills but needs a high level of teacher support.

How do I access my child’s report cards?

The Report Cards will be published on the Parent Portal of Veracross on February 3. To view them, access the Parent Portal of Veracross (link found on the Parent Portal from the UNIS Website). After logging in to Veracross, simply click on "Classes & Reports", and then on "Report Card".

Friday, February 10 will be the deadline for questions about a specific JS teacher’s grading. Please contact the teacher directly by email no later than the 10th of February with a copy to jsoffice@unis.org.

If you do not yet have access to the Veracross portal and need instructions on how to do so, please contact veracross@unis.org for support.

1. From UNIS website, select “Parent Portal”

2. Click on "Veracross Parent Portal"

3. Select “Classes & Reports”

4. Under PROGRESS REPORT, select the required report card

Again, if you do not have access to the Veracross portal and need instructions or support, please contact veracross@unis.org to get information.

The Green Team needs your help!

Parents, please reinforce at home that if your child brings lunch from home they should also bring their water bottle with them when they eat.

At the request of The Green Team, the Cafeteria will no longer be providing single use cups!

And, because the school does not have an endless supply of reusable cups, students need to bring their water bottle with them or use the water fountain. 

It takes all of us as a community to help UNIS go green one step at a time! Thank you for your support!

Rose Fico | Junior School Sustainability Coordinator 

The members of the newly formed Junior School Equity and Inclusion Board (EIB), along with JS DEI coordinator Ms. Boekholt, put together “explorers baskets”. These beautiful, hand woven African baskets were distributed at the end of the MLK Day assemblies last week.

The DEI members are very excited and think that their JS friends will enjoy discovering and exploring them. The baskets are intended to expose the younger students to a wide and diverse variety of imaginative, cultural toys, tools and global items.

The baskets are available in every JS classroom and students are welcome to add their own materials to share. Every grade has different materials in their basket to keep the explorations exciting, special and unique - just like each one of us. 

Truike Boekholt | JS Music Specialist and DEI Coordinator

The JS EIB will donate these beautifully decorated Birthday Boxes to a local food pantry for those families in need of a birthday cake. The child who receives the box will have a birthday cake they can make and, in this way, we can honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., one of history’s greatest changemakers, by taking steps to make a positive collective impact on the world. 

Truike Boekholt | JS Music Specialist and DEI Coordinator

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR MOANA

Join us for the Middle School Musical, Moana!   Click here to purchase your tickets.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND CASTS:

Please note that Moana is double cast. This means that two different principal casts will share the performance dates. The Sa Donu (You're Welcome) Cast will perform February 9th at 7 p.m. and Feb 11th at 2 p.m. The Vinaka (Thank You) Cast will perform February 10th at 7 p.m. and Feb. 11th at 7 p.m.) The Ocean, Ancestor, and Village Ensembles will perform at all shows. Please click here to see the cast breakdown.

February 9 @ 7PM (Sa Donu Cast)

February 10 @ 7PM (Vinaka Cast)

February 11 @ 2 PM (Sa Donu Cast)

February 11 @ 7PM (Vinaka Cast)

ABOUT THE SHOW: Disney’s Moana is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. Moana features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,”“Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”

This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.

Contribute to the UNIS Cookbook

Dear UNIS Community,

The International Baker's Club is revising the UNIS cookbook for the modern era, and we would like all of you, with your delicious recipes from all over the world to help contribute to it. We will collect and organize your creations into the cookbook, which will be released in June of this year. We hope that you will buy a copy or access the e-book version to cook all of these wonderful foods at home! 

Please fill out this form to submit your recipes. Thank you for your contribution.

After School Activities - Semester 2

The 2nd semester after school program begins on Monday, February 6.

If you wish to register in a 2nd semester after school activity please register using the link above as soon as possible, as space is limited.   

Questions: Dr. Lidana Jalilvand  | Director of After School Activities | afterschoolprogram@unis.org

Athletics After School and Weekend Sports Registration

Semester 2 begins on February 6. 

Registration is now open for the Semester 2 After School and Weekend Sports Program. The information can be found on the UNIS Athletics Website.

The Schedule is the same as Semester 1 with a few new activity additions:

Monday to Friday JS Sports from 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Tuesday MS Pickleball

Tuesday and Wednesday M4-T4 Strength & Conditioning 

Thursday PK-J1 Climbing

Friday Parent Zumba 

Saturday Gymnastics

Questions: Daniel O'Connor | Director of Athletics and Physical Education | doconnor@unis.org

Sports Camps Registration

Registration is also open for the upcoming Sports Camps. The information can be found on the UNIS Athletics Website.

Camps take place at UNIS for JS to T4 Students at the following times:

February Break

Spring Break

Summer Break

October Break

Winter Break starting in 2023

LAST CHANCE

play:science & design engineering

UNIS Spring Break Camp JA, J1, J2 Students

March 27th - 31st, 2023

Join Ms Zammarano in the CoLaboratory Jr. for a week of play through science and design engineering experiences. Every day a new theme will be introduced and experienced through play and the design process. 

Monday: Dash & Dot Robots vs Humans

Tuesday: Paper Engineering

Wednesday: Coding Basics

Thursday: Biomimicry Design Solutions

Friday: Simple Circuits

The daily schedule will follow the design process model where the students will all be introduced to a 1) Problem to Solve, 2) Brainstorm solutions, 3) Design and Prototype, 4) Build, 5) Iterate and get Feedback finally 6) Share the Process with each other. 

8:30 - 9:00 - Settle in to camp, free play

9:00 - 10:00 - Daily Problem to Solve and Brainstorm Solutions through guided structured lessons

10:00 - 10:30 - Snack and short outside play

10:30 - 11:45 - Design and Prototype (Guided and independent work)

11:45 - 12:45 - Lunch and long outside play

12:45 - 1:45 - Build (Guided and independent work)

1:45 - 2:30 - Iterate / Test (Guided and independent work)

2:30 - 3:00 - Feedback 

3:00 - 3:30 - Share Closing circle

Students will each get their own prototyping notebook and bring home design solutions - make sure you keep room for their creations at home! 

Snack and Lunch is not provided by the school, please plan on packing these for them. 

Cost for the week: $750

Please note, in order to run the camp we need a minimum of 11 children and a max of 18.

LAST CHANCE:  By this Friday, February 3, please state your interest in this camp by both:

1. emailing fzammarano@unis.org , and 

2. completing this Interest Survey

Thank you and looking forward to playing:science & de with your kiddos!

2023 Spring Break Camp (March 27 - April 7)

During the upcoming spring break, UNIS offers 2 weeks "Spring Camp" for students in JA through M4. The program description is attached for your convenience. 

  LINK to Registration

UNIS 2022-23 Spring Camp BROCHURE

• Division 1 (JA-J4)    

• Division 2 (M1-M4)

Program Dates & Times: 

Week # 1: Monday, March 27 - Friday, March 31, 2023

Week # 2: Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7, 2023 

Arrival: 8:30am to 9:00am 

Time: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Extended Care Program: 3:30pm-5:30pm 

Division 1 Program (JA-J4) (inclusive)

• Leadership

• Arts & Crafts

• Team Building 

• Art and Design 

Division 2 Program (M1-M4) (inclusive)

• Week # 1  Debate & Public Speaking / Student Government:  Exciting Simulation Model UN - Crisis Committee - Security Council 

•  Art and Design 

• Team Building 

• Week # 2  Debate & Public Speaking / Student Government:  Exciting Simulation Model Congress - Executive Power

• Art and Design 

• Team Building 

Registration Fees: 

Early Bird Fee: $700 per week (if registered by February 15 , 2023)

Regular Fees starting February 16, 2023: $750 per week

*Registration is open on a weekly basis. Families can choose to register their children for both weeks or one of the weeks. The program will be offered if the minimum number of participants is reached. Please register as soon as possible.

The confirmation will be sent on March 15th.

Note: Students must bring their own food and snacks as the cafeteria will be closed during this time.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Lidana Jalilvand, Director of Special Programs

Email: ljalilvand@unis.org

Tel: 212 584 3083  

Nepal Club Auction - Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. 

The UNIS-Nepal Service Learning Trip will again occur this year! Together we raise money to support the school lunch program for schools in rural Nepal. Our funds help employ local women to prepare breakfast and lunch for all students attending our under-resourced partner schools.

We will hold an auction on Wednesday, February 22nd from 6-9pm, and would welcome your participation. 

Please use this link for further details: Nepal Club Auction

Mark your calendar and join us 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at UNIS.

BAKE SALE ON FEBRUARY 14 

UNIS Friendship Day Bake Sale

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

عيد صداقة سعيد

友誼日快樂!/友谊日快乐！

Happy Friendship Day!

Bonne journée de l'amitié !

С днем дружбы!

¡Feliz día de la amistad!

These are the 6 official UN languages and this is how we say Happy Friendship Day! The friendships built and fostered in UNIS serve as a reminder of the UN General Assembly’s position that friendship between people, countries, cultures and individuals inspire peace and build bridges between communities. 

On Tuesday, February 14th, the PA will be hosting the Annual UNIS Friendship Day Bake Sale. The Sale will be open to JS and MS students, faculty, staff and parents, with proceeds going to support community activities.  Please join us in this wonderful tradition by donating edible treats or volunteering on the day of the sale. 

In the spirit of sharing, we encourage parents to donate items that reflect the food and diet of their cultures, taking into consideration that UNIS is an allergy-aware school.  To meet the needs of our entire community, the PA is also looking for donations of edible treats that reflect different diet preferences, as well as allergen-free items.  

If you are interested in donating, please sign up here Donate Time & Baked Goods Here

To address our community’s Social Responsibilities around environmental awareness and reducing waste, we ask that:

• Children come to the Sale with their own reusable containers.  Treats bought at the sale will be brought home in these reusable containers.  

• Biodegradable bags and containers will be available for sale for $1 each.  

• Edible donations should, insofar as practical, be sent in reusable containers or packaged in biodegradable packaging.  

For more information on food safety, packaging and donations, please go here Friendship Day Bake Sale - General Information

 [insert hyperlink for the Bake Sale General Info attached to this email] 

If you have any questions, please contact the JS PA Coordinators at pa_jscoordinators@pa.unis.org

Thank you for helping us make this event a great success!

JS FAMILY CARNIVAL FUNDRAISER - MARCH 18

Join us for the Junior School Family Carnival Fundraiser for 2 hours of carnival fun!

Date: Saturday, 18 March 2023

Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm   

Location: Cocoon Tribeca 316 Greenwich Street between Duane and Jay Street 

Price:

• $35 Early Bird **Ends 28 Feb**

• $40 from 1 March

A portion of ticket sales and on-site sales will go to the UNIS PA and UNIS Fund. Each early bird ticket of $35 yields a $5 tax-deductible donation and a $40 general admission ticket yields a $10 tax-deductible donation. Payment amounts in excess of $30 will be tax deductible. A donation receipt will be emailed to you where applicable.

Tickets are online only. Buy your tickets here. This event is likely to sell out as space is limited!

What’s included: 2 hours of carnival fun! Ticket costs cover 4 carnival game tickets, magic show, balloon twisting, a dance party, snacks and non-alcoholic beverage. 

Special highlight: A silent auction featuring several sought-after unique experiences! 

Donations to the Silent Auction and Volunteers Wanted! Please click here for donation ideas. This is a great opportunity to promote your business while supporting the school.

Please lend your time, resources and talent to help us make this event successful! 

If you have any questions, please contact the JS PA Coordinators at pa_jscoordinators@pa.unis.org

JS PARENT COFFEE ON MARCH 7

Save the Date: The next JS Parent Coffee is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7 at 8:30am

GREEN GUIDE TRAINING

In keeping with the theme of UNIS - “Greening the Blue”, we would like to invite you to a Green guide training. This training will last around 20 minutes. And will focus on how to sort waste. If you’re interested in learning about this, please join us at UNIS on Wednesday, 18 of February, at 8:20 AM.

Abhilasha, Saima, Ellen | Social Responsibility Committee

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. 

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COVID PROTOCOLS

If your child had any symptoms that could be consistent with COVID, they need to remain at home and take a rapid test. 

Students can return to school under the following conditions:

• they have tested negative on a rapid antigen

• they are afebrile for at least 24 hours

• their symptoms have resolved or are greatly improving

If your child's test is positive please email a picture of the test to covid@unis.org.

Please review the full protocols on our website https://www.unis.org/covid-protocols." 

HEALTH PROTOCOLS

We would like to remind everyone about our health protocols:

• When your child is sick with runny nose, cough, stomach ache, fever, headache, etc. there is no expectation from the Junior School that they should attend class 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.

• If your child had any symptoms that could be consistent with COVID, they need to remain at home and take a rapid test. Students can return to school under the following conditions:

  • • they have tested negative on a rapid antigen

    • are afebrile for at least 24 hours

    • their symptoms have resolved or are greatly improving

    • If your child's test is positive, please email a picture of the test to covid@unis.org.

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.

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.

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 were 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.