The Unity Scoop – November 13

Dear Families of Unity,

I hope that the week has been good to you and your loved ones.

In kicking off this edition of the Scoop, I would like to lead with an update on our school programming for the 2020-21 school year.

We have now been operating remotely for approximately three months this school year, and eight months since March.  While we would prefer as a school to be working in-person alongside one another and alongside our students, as this is where we are at our best, we have implemented a model of remote learning that best preserves the health and safety of our community while also offering the best possible educational experience for our students.  There is so much to be proud of as I reflect on our tireless efforts over the past three months.

In assessing the current health climate as well as the fidelity and promise of our remote learning program, it is clear that our best course of action over the near term as a school is to continue with our current remote program and continue to make improvements to it so that all of our students are experiencing success in a remote setting.  With this interest at the forefront of our hearts and minds, we will continue with our remote programming through at least February 28, 2021.  An updated plan will be provided during the week of December 14th.  We anticipate having additional information about the state of health and safety in New York at that time to best inform our plans moving forward.

I applaud our community for going above and beyond to support one another during these unprecedented times.  I am inspired by what we have accomplished and look forward to our continued good work as a team and community.

Wishing you a safe and pleasant weekend.

In unity,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of November 13, 2020:

1. New – Mandatory Unity Middle School Materials Pick-Up – Materials for middle school Science and ELA courses will be distributed next week at 432 Monroe Street, according to the schedule below. Please bring a large bag.

• 6th Grade: Tuesday, 11/17 at 1-3:30pm
• 7th Grade: Wednesday, 11/18 at 1-3:30pm
• 8th Grade: Thursday, 11/19 at 1-3:30pm

2. New – Middle School Coffee With The Co-Principals! Unity Middle will be hosting a remote Coffee With The Co-Principals event as an opportunity to discuss Unity’s progress and important updates directly with the Co-Principals – click the link below next Friday to join:

• MS CWTCP on Friday, November 20th at 9am

3. Reminder – Issue No. 1 of the Unity Review is Available for your Reading Pleasure!  I am excited to share with you our very first issue of the Unity Review literary magazine.  The Unity Review team, composed of the middle school students featured in the photo below, has been working incredibly hard to bring to you their first issue.  Along the way, they learned so many new skills.  Congrats to the team on your impressive work – we thank you for your contribution to our school!

4. Reminder – Academic Interventions on Fridays at Unity High are In Full Effect: Unity High has kicked off targeted interventions for students who need greater support in their studies.  ELA, math, science, history, and elective classes will each have a 30-minute intervention block on Fridays.  Students will only attend the courses in which they need additional support.  Students in good academic standing will not have tutoring on Fridays.

Each Wednesday, students who have Friday interventions will receive an invitation from their teachers via Jupiter.  Please support your child in joining their  interventions on time!  For your record, all interventions will use this Zoom code (https://zoom.us/j/94895064457).

This intervention time will be prioritized for students who need additional instruction. If your child has general questions or wants to make up individual assignments, they should attend that teacher’s office hours at a separate time.

5. Reminder – College Information for Students and Families of Unity High:

• College Counseling Office Hours with Mr. Gonzalez
  • What and Why:
    • If any senior has questions about any aspect of the college application process, Mr. G’s Office Hours are for YOU!
      • Ask questions re: college lists, essay feedback, application process
      • Ask questions about FAFSA
      • Ask any other questions about the college application process
      • Check-in with Mr. G!  No appointment necessary!
  • Where:
    • Mr. G’s Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7263050289
  • When:
    • Mondays (until December 18):  3:30pm – 4:30pm
    • Tuesdays (until December 18):  3:30pm – 4:30pm
    • Wednesdays (until December 18):  3:30pm – 4:30pm
    • Thursdays (until December 18): 4:30pm – 5:00pm
    • Fridays (until December 18): 3:30pm – 4:30pm
• Upcoming College Application Deadlines – Please support your children in meeting the following deadlines: 
  • Personal Statement approved by Counselor: Sunday, Oct. 25th (past due)
  • College list approved by Counselor: Friday, Oct. 30th (past due)
  • Supplemental essays completed: Friday, Nov. 6th (past due)
  • Resume/Activities completed: Wednesday, Nov. 11th (past due)
  • EVERYTHING submitted: Sunday, Nov. 15th
• Senior To-Do List: We have officially moved into the second phase of the college application process!  Seniors are now finishing their personal statements and creating their college lists.  By the end of this month, all seniors can be finished with their college application process if they keep to the schedule set up by their college counselors.  To ensure students are on schedule, seniors should have completed the following six steps already:

1. Search for your desired CUNY majors here.
2. Check for an academic (GPA) match at CUNY schools here.
3. Find six (6) different programs/majors that interest you (these are the subject(s) you want to study in college).
4. Email the list of six (6) colleges and programs to your counselor.
5. Continue entering your FAFSA information with your parent/caregiver (see the Financial Aid Resources, included below!).
6. Make an appointment with Mr. G or Ms. Roth to discuss questions:
   1. To make an appointment with Mr. Gonzalez click here.
   2. To make an appointment with Ms. Roth, click here.

• Financial Aid Resources: In case you were not able to attend the recent financial aid workshop, here are two resources from that session.  These resources will help students and parents/caregivers complete 70% of the financial aid application process:
  • Recording of last week’s workshop
  • Slides from last week’s workshop
• PSAT and SAT Updates: The College Board has not yet clarified testing options for students, but we want to enable students in different grade levels to take either the SAT or PSAT this fall or winter.
  • 11th Graders: We are assessing the possibility of administering the PSAT to juniors in January.  More information will be provided as we get closer to the testing dates.  Please note that in addition to the PSAT, 11th graders should strongly consider taking the SAT twice this spring (in March and either April or May).  More information will be provided later in the school year.  Until then, students may join Khan Academy to prepare for the PSAT in the event that it is offered in January.

6. Reminder – Income Inquiry & Housing Status Form!  We are asking for your help by completing the questions on the form below so we can best assist you and your family during this school year. Your participation in completing this form allows Unity to receive grant money from the state and federal government. The information will be kept confidential.

• Link to complete form

7. Reminder – Mental Health Counseling and Social Work Services at Unity: If you would like to speak to a social worker about your child’s mental health or if you would like your child to receive support from a social worker in school, please reach out to Ms. Del Purgatorio via phone or text (347-688-9107) or email (tdelpurgatorio@unityprep.org).

Unity social workers can also be of assistance in providing information regarding social services (for example: housing, immigration, access to community mental health services & referrals to mental health providers, food security / access to food, public assistance, crisis intervention, etc.).

If your child or family member is experiencing a mental health crisis, NYC Well is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed by phone (1-888-NYC-WELL) or text (text WELL to 65173) or by internet chat via their website: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/.

8. Reminder – A Special Message to the Families of our Senior Class – The Class of 2021!: Senior parents & students – we know that you may have a ton of ideas and questions regarding class festivities and celebratory events. We are currently seeking parents and students to join The Class of 2021 Celebratory Committee. If you are interested, please send a Jupiter message or email (blopez@unityprep.org) Mr. Lopez who is serving as an advisor to the senior class this year. This Celebratory Committee, which will comprise of students, staff, and parent volunteers, will lead the way in creating, organizing, and facilitating senior activities throughout the school year.

9. Reminder – Unity Middle School has 6th Grade Seats Available!: Unity’s 6th grade still has a few remaining seats available.  Please spread the word throughout your respected networks!  If you know a family looking for an amazing middle school, please encourage them to apply today, or complete the following form: Unity Prep Interest Form.  Key features in our 2020-21 program include:

• Each scholar will receive a laptop
• Engage in classes from the safety of home
• Five days of virtual, live instruction each week

Any questions? Please reach out to cbeckford@unityprep.org

10. Reminder – A Website Resource High School Caregivers: The Unity Prep High School Parent Corner is here to assist you with the tools and resources necessary to make your role as a Panther Parent easier. At UPHS, we see you as our partner in education and understand the crucial role you play in the lives of our students. There is no doubt you will have questions and concerns as your student journeys through high school; this page will help to serve as a resource to support you.

Please review the information provided on this page – from calendars to quick navigation to helpful webpages, ways to stay connected, and of course, a place to call or email when you need it. The site is updated weekly, so bookmark it and check it frequently for new information.

11. Reminder – Unity Caregiver Checklist: Now that we are a full week into the school year, you have likely checked a number of the items below off the list.  Again, kudos to you – these are challenging times for families in balancing school from home along with all of the other commitments we are juggling in our lives.  To help you in best supporting your child to get off to a strong start this school year, here is a list of important things that you should be doing:

• Secure a functioning laptop and reliable internet service (we can help here – #10 below)
• Arrange your child’s workspace (see #11 below for tips here)
• Obtain school supplies (see #12 below)
• Purchase Unity school attire – parents and families are encouraged to purchase the Unity uniform now, as uniforms will be required whenever we return to in-person instruction.  During remote learning, students are encouraged, but not mandated, to wear a school uniform (see #13 below)
• Plan your child’s daily routine and schedule to accommodate their class schedule.
• Attend Unity’s Family Orientation Night on September 24th and/or watch the recording of the event (see #14 above for more information).

12. Reminder – Requests for a Laptop and Support with Technology or Internet Access: Unity will provide a laptop to all students who need one.  If you still need a Unity laptop OR do not have internet access at home, please complete the following form: https://bit.ly/Unitylaptops.  After completing this form, somebody from the school will reach out to you. Our goal is for 100% of students to have access to the technology they need to fully engage in their studies.

13. Reminder – Creating the Perfect Workspace for your Child at Home: Virtual learning can be challenging, but with a welcoming, comfortable learning environment, students are more likely to engage fully in their studies without distraction. Here are three simple best practices to turn a corner of your home into a workspace:

1. Find a spot that has lighting: whether it’s natural sunlight from a window or light from an overhead lamp, it’s important that your workspace has enough light so that your student won’t need to strain to see.
2. Make sure the table and chair are comfortable: working while sitting in a chair at a table increases productivity and focus, but it’s just as crucial that students are comfortable, since they’ll likely be sitting for long periods of time.
3. Ensure that the workspace is free of distractions, noise, and clutter: games, toys, phones, laptops – they’re all fun, but they can be distracting to students while they try to learn. Therefore, the workspace should be spacious, quiet, clean, and clear of distractions.

For additional tips on making an ideal, remote workspace for your child, check out this guide and these suggestions.

14. Reminder – School Supply List: For remote learning, the supply list may appear different than previous years.  Please refer to the two supply lists below:

• Middle School Students: All students are expected to have the following school supplies:
  • 5 composition notebooks
  • 10+ pencils
  • 10+ pens
  • Ruler with centimeters (science only)
  • Blank white paper
  • Colored pencils
  • New York City Public Library Card
• High School Students: High school supplies are organized by course and can be found here.  Students are expected to have the supplies listed for each of the courses they are taking.  In addition, we thank all of the families that picked up their class resource bags today.  Members of our high school operations team have been contacting students and families who were unable to pick up their bags to coordinate alternative pick up times and will continue to do so this coming week.

15. Reminder – Information on Uniforms: Students are not required to wear uniforms during virtual learning. However, uniforms and school attire may be purchased by visiting the following links below.

• Flynn O’Hara for middle school students or high school
• Unityprepuniforms.com for high school only

16. Reminder – Recordings of Unity’s Annual Back to School Night: Recording of last night’s Back to School Night can be accessed with the links below.  If you were unable to participate in last night’s festivities, we strongly encourage you to watch the recording to be fully abreast of all supporting your child’s education in the 2020-21 school year.

• Unity Middle’s Back to School Night
• Unity High’s Back to School Night

17. Reminder – Unity’s School Calendar through December 31st: In the spirit of providing you with the information you need to best support your child with school at home, here are our middle and high school calendars through December 31, 2020.

• Middle School Calendar through December 31, 2020
• High School Calendar through December 31, 2020

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

Free Breakfast & Lunch are available for Students – Any student has access to free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city.  More details, including a search tool, is available by clicking here.

Helpful Guidance on Obtaining the Perfect Book for Your Child – With the Unity Library closed for the time being, our public libraries in Brooklyn offer a vast majority of their books and resources online.  Additionally, many private companies are stepping up and offering their services for free.  Check out this helpful guide to gain access to ebooks or audiobooks from the Brooklyn Public Library.  In addition, see the list of resources below:

• Do you have dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, or other reading barriers? Access Bookshare’s free online ebooks.
• Are you an English Language Learner (ELL) and interested in practicing your English? Are you looking to learn a new language? Rosetta Stone is being offered free for three months to all students.
• Are you finding it difficult to spend all day looking at a computer screen? Download BeeLine reader for free, which uses color gradients to make reading just a little bit easier.
• Worried that by spending so much time alone your vocabulary is growing more and more limited by the day? Dictionary.com has free daily activities such as puzzles, quizzes, and a word of the day to keep your vocabulary skills sharp.
• Want to practice your reading and thinking skills? Scholastic has a remote learning program where you can play games and participate in activities.
• Try using Newsela, which is an online news-as-literacy platform that features high-interest articles on everything from current events to myths and legends and from literature to science. Follow this link to create an account.
• Audible is offering free audio books for students. Click here to access a huge selection of audiobooks.

Resources Regarding Unemployment Due to COVID-19 – NYC has developed a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19 or are seeking additional assistance. The website will be updated frequently and includes information on employment/unemployment, food assistance, financial assistance, rent arrears, health and medical assistance, and so forth.