Newsletter #20

A Bag of Marbles, a film directed by Christian Duguay, based on French author Joseph Joffo's 1973 autobiographical novel, “Un Sac de Billes".

Dear parents,

Pedagogical theories have been discussed among educators and researchers for centuries, and many of those theories are led by very different perspectives on what successful learning is.

While at college in France, I learned (and was exposed to!) many different styles of teaching. For example, I remember being puzzled by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov's theory. Pavlov was Russian, and a Soviet experimental neurologist, psychologist and physiologist known for his discovery of classical conditioning through experiments with dogs. From his research with dogs, a theory of learning emerged: the Pavlovian approach to education, also known as classical conditioning, a theory of learning based on the idea that behaviors can be learned through the association of stimuli and responses. According to this approach, education is seen as the process of linking stimuli (such as a teacher's instructions or a particular task) with specific responses (such as completing the task or answering a question correctly). Over time, the association between the stimuli and response becomes stronger, leading to the development of new behaviors or habits. I quickly understood the limitations of the Pavlovian approach to support teaching more complex or abstract concepts, such as critical thinking or creativity, because it relies primarily on the formation of simple associations between stimuli and responses.

In this fascinating debate about the method that achieves the best results in terms of learning, there is support for the traditional approach of memorization as an effective method, while others believe that it is not enough to retain knowledge in the long run. On the other hand, approaches that support conceptualization through inquiry-based learning have gaining popularity due to their effectiveness in promoting critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and long-term retention of knowledge.

The practice of memorization has been used for centuries to teach students information and facts. It has been an effective method of learning when it comes to learning lists, dates, definitions, and formulas. However, memorization has its limitations. It does not provide students with a deeper understanding of the content of lessons. It is also a passive method of learning, which does not engage students in the learning process. This can result in students forgetting the material soon after the lesson is over. Inquiry-based learning, on the other hand, focuses on promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. It encourages students to ask questions, find solutions, and apply their knowledge to real-life situations. Inquiry-based learning helps students make connections between different concepts, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the material. This approach is also more active, as students are engaged in the learning process, which results in higher motivation and better retention of knowledge. More importantly, inquiry-based learning can help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are transferable to real-life situations. This is because students are not just memorizing information but also applying their knowledge to solve problems. This can help students develop a sense of ownership over the lessons, as they have a deeper understanding of how the information can be used in practical situations.

As a teacher, while I recognize the merits of memorization, I know that this approach is not enough to support long-term retention of knowledge. Approaches that support conceptualization through inquiry-based learning, what we employ at UNIS, are more efficient and lead to a deeper understanding and better retention of knowledge.

On Friday, 27 January 2023, the memory of Joseph Joffo and millions of Jews was celebrating during the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Ceremony. "The Holocaust Memorial Ceremony was hosted by Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. The event included remarks by United Nations Secretary-General; the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly, the Permanent Representative of Israel and the Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations.[...] Mr. Jacques Grishaver of the Netherlands shared his testimony as a survivor of the Holocaust."

Remembering is essential. Keeping tragedies from the past in human memory now prevents them from reoccurring in the future. So every year the United Nations, and many other organizations around the world, remember the Holocaust hoping to ensure that future generations never replicate the mistakes of the past. But is it enough?

ADL, the world's leading anti-hate organization, founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all" released an audit in April 2022 * which found that antisemitic incidents in United States reached all-time high in 2021:

Memorizing facts from the past is not enough. Conceptual understanding is vital. The study of genocides and crimes against humanity is a critical component of a humanities curriculum. It is essential to understand the concept of genocide, its causes, and the elements that lead to its occurrence. This knowledge can then be used to anticipate and prevent future tragedies. Of course, the approach needs to be age appropriate. In Junior School our focus is on developing tolerance and encouraging our students to recognize kindness and act kindly toward others, to develop empathy by learning strategies that take others’ perspectives into account and to understand others’ points of view. T1 and T2 students focus on identity, oppression, civil rights, and elements that can lead to genocide as the dehumanization of a particular group, propaganda and hate speech, the violation of human rights, or the failure of international and national leaders to intervene, which can also contribute to the occurrence of genocide.

Education and awareness-raising can play a role in preventing future genocides by promoting tolerance, empathy, and respect for human rights. A conceptual understanding of genocide and the elements that lead to its occurrence is essential in order to prevent future atrocities. It is not enough to simply remember the past as a list of facts, but we must intrinsically understand it so that we can anticipate and stop future events. By conceptualizing the concept of genocide and crimes against humanity, we can take steps to avoid future tragedies and promote peace, justice, and respect for human rights.

As mentioned in my first Principal's letter, sent each year to new families, by joining UNIS your child embarks on a journey guided and shaped by the principles of the United Nations. Inspiring our students to become an active force in shaping a better world is at the heart of everything we do. As did Kofi Annan, we believe that “knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” By joining UNIS, you demonstrate a shared understanding of the essence of learning with us: a process that leads to a sustained and demonstrable consolidation of concepts, competencies, and character for our learners. 

To support our students’ success, our goal and yours, UNIS teachers will continue to focus, beyond the content of our curriculum, on necessary lifelong skills and a conceptual understanding the world so that they can make the world a better place for everyone. For us. 

Pascal Vallet, Junior School Principal

Alessandra Camilo, Junior School assistant Principal

* ADL Audit Finds Antisemitic Incidents in United States Reached All-Time High in 2021

DUE TODAY: 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.

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

    • • • • Remember to update School Dismissal Manager "SDM" with:

            • • • Semester 2 After School Classes & Athletic activities & Care Program

                • Semester 2 yellow bus ridership schedule

  • Friday, February 10 | PA Meeting 8:30am

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

IMPORTANT DISMISSAL REMINDER - Semester 2 Begins on Monday, February 6

If your child rides the bus or takes a class after school, remember to:

• alert caregivers

• update your own calendars and School Dismissal Manager (SDM) 

to reflect the updates in your JS child's Semester 2 after school Athletics and After School Class/Care Program schedule, and school bus ridership.

In order for your child to attend an Athletics or After School class or ride the Yellow Bus home, your child's SDM account must indicate that they are authorized by you to attend a specific after school activity, or take the bus. This must be updated for each day of the week.

Every afternoon, dismissing teachers and Athletics and After School instructors only follow the instructions that you, the parents, enter and authorize in School Dismissal Manager.

• • 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 | No Classes for Students / President's Day Break

  • Friday, February 17 | No Classes for Students / President's Day Break

  • 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 were published on Friday, February 3 on the Veracross Parent Portal. 

If you haven't done so already, 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 were 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".

This Friday, February 10 is the deadline for questions 

about a specific JS teacher’s grading. 

Please contact the teacher directly by email no later than the 10 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.

Thank you to the community for your enthusiasm with our Birthday Boxes project. The project will last another week and the PA graciously extended their help and arranged great destinations for the boxes!

The families at Briarwood Family Center in Queens were the first recipients. The Briarwood Family Residence is a temporary housing shelter for over 90 homeless families. One of the goals of Briarwood is to provide a pleasant, safe and well-maintained environment that encourages families to use the available social-service programs in order to move into permanent housing. A highly skilled professional social-service team conducts comprehensive family-needs assessments.  Programs are offered for budgeting and saving, education and job training. Referrals for drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence are available.  It is confirmed that they have access to an oven to make the cakes!

Congratulations to Truike Boekholt and the students who made this happen! A huge thank you goes out to Jessica Veloso and Nini Selwanes who have a relationship with Briarwood, and are the ones who advocated for and coordinated donations. 

Four TH Students Share DEI Experiences at JS Faculty Meeting

Four Tutorial House students joined the Junior School faculty meeting on Tuesday, January 31st to share their experiences and insights after attending the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in San Antonio, TX in November/December.  

Enkhdari Gereltogtokh (T2), Ria Minnam (T2), Helena Rocha (T3), and Saya Scott (T3) led the JS faculty through the ice breaker "Silent Movement" that focused on the significance of identities in a school community.  The students encouraged leaning into and embracing potentially uncomfortable (and important) conversations, and developing a mindset that replaces judgement with curiosity in order to "open your horizons" to foster an environment where all feel a sense of belonging and that differences are seen, heard and valued.  This was followed by an enriching Q&A session.  

Judith King-Calnek, PhD | Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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.

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

• Please note that the volunteer list is closed. The PA continues to accept and encourage donations of edible items.

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

• All donations must be nut free. Items can be store bought.

• Biodegradable packaging is encouraged but not mandatory.

• Looking for parents to donate Top 9 allergen free items and vegan items.

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

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 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. 

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. 

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

Tickets are online only. Buy your tickets here. Tickets are selling fast. Buy your tickets now!

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! 

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

JS PARENT COFFEE - 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. 

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. 

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.