I hope that this note finds you safe and in continued good health.  In addition, I know that being stuck at home, not being able to be outside, and not being able to visit friends and loved ones has been hard so I hope that you have found ways to stay busy and stay positive.

The amount of new updates from Unity has slowed down as of late.  This is a good thing in that we have settled into a solid routine and are now staying the course.  The reminders below in this edition of the Unity Scoop reflect just that – staying the course.

Please continue to be well, continue to stay busy, and continue to stay positive.

In unity,

Josh Beauregard

Updates as of April 27, 2020

1. Reminder – Remote HS Caregiver Conferences: The high school will hold remote caregiver conferences on Thursday, April 30th, and Friday, May 1st. Conferences will be conducted in 30-minute sessions with the student’s advisor or teacher. We will begin outreach to schedule conferences within the next few days.  Be on the lookout for an email and Jupiter message. Promotion-in-Doubt and Graduation-in-Doubt notifications are also being shared by email this week. Academic counselors will be holding caregiver conferences for students whose grade-level promotion, including graduation, are in doubt.

2. Reminder –  A Brief Note on PE and Dance Classes at our Middle School: Ms. McRae and Mr. Coleman look forward to continuing to teach students to lead and maintain healthy lifestyles through exercise and fun this coming week.  The schedule for classes is below.  Zoom links for all classes can be found here.  If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. McRae (Cmcrae@unityprep.org) or Mr. Coleman (Acoleman@unityprep.org).

• 6th grade: 1 – 1:50 PM Monday / Thursday
• 7th grade: 1 – 1:50 PM Tuesday / Friday
• 8th grade: 2 – 2:50 PM Monday / Thursday

3. Reminder – Updated Middle School Zoom Expectations: Students are expected to adhere to the following updated guidelines when participating in remote classes via Zoom:

• All students must use their names (not nicknames) on Zoom:
  • All students must be on camera for Zoom classes
  • Appropriate Zoom backgrounds are acceptable
• Students must dress appropriately for school – clothing should be appropriate for a dress down day at school
• Communicate with teachers if there are technical issues with the camera or other concerns

4. Reminder – Decisions to Frequently Asked Questions: A number of frequently asked questions, such as those listed below, have recently come up.  We are still seeking guidance on these important topics from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE).  For other school-based questions, we will be in touch with families as soon as decisions are made.  As always, our decisions are guided by our school mission and what is best for the safety and well-being of our school community.

• When will we be returning to school for live instruction?

Unity will extend its suspension of all onsite educational programming, including extra-curricular events, through May 15th.  This timeline and plan aligns with the NYC Department of Education’s plan, as announced by Governor Cuomo.  Students will not report to our middle and high school sites for instruction during this time.

• Are Regents exams being administered in June?

No. Regents Exams are canceled this year. Unity’s academic counselors will be providing more information soon.

• What is the plan for Roundtables?

We are now considering how Roundtables can be modified if the school building remains closed past May 15th and will let you know as soon as a decision is made.

• What is the plan for middle school graduation, senior activities, and high school graduation?

We are waiting for additional guidance from Governor Cuomo and the NYSED regarding the ability to hold end-of-year events, and will let you know as soon as a decision is made.

5. Reminder – 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.

6. Reminder – Free Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner available for Students and Adults: Any New Yorker, child or adult, has access to three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city (including PS44), between 7:30am – 11:30am for children and families and from 11:30am to 1:30pm for adults. More details, including a search tool, is available by clicking here.

7. Reminder – Resources for Mental Health and Talking to Young People About COVID-19: The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has provided this guide for self-care and strategies for talking about COVID-19 honestly and effectively with young people. In addition, here is a link for webinars for “Parenting During COVID-19” through the Weil Cornell Psychiatry Department. 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 (1888-NYC-WELL) or text (text WELL to 65173) or by internet chat via their website: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/.  In addition, a mental health hotline has been established in New York City that will provide FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider. The hotline number is: 1-844-863-9314.

8. Reminder – Mental Health Counseling and Social Work Services Available to Unity Students who Receive Counseling: Social workers will continue to hold remote counseling sessions for all students who receive counseling throughout this week.  Please reach out to Ms. Del Purgatorio via phone or text (347-688-9107) or email (tdelpurgatorio@unityprep.org) if you have any questions about the continuation of counseling services or if you are concerned about your child’s mental health. Unity social workers can also be of assistance in providing information regarding social services (for example: housing, access to food, access to community mental health services, referrals to mental health providers, crisis intervention, etc.).

9. Reminder – 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.

10. Reminder – Supplemental Resources to Continue Your Child’s Learning at Home: Between now and the launch of remoting learning, we encourage you to support your child at home in keeping their academic skills fresh.  The NYCDOE’s Learn at Home site provides learning resources to students to complete while they are receiving instruction.  It is important that students continue to read, write, complete social studies and science activities, and work on math problems.  The materials are organized by grade level and include the following:

• Suggested daily study schedules
• Guides and materials for instructional activities
• Recommended educational television shows
• Links to a variety of books, magazines, and websites on a wide range of topics that appeal to children at all ages

11. Reminder – Free Internet at Home: A variety of internet providers are offering free internet  access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have an internet subscription. Internet access at home will be critical for students to complete their remote learning assignments To enroll, call

• 1-844-579-3743 for Spectrum
• 1-844-488-8395 for Charter Communications
• 1- 866-200-9522 for Optimum

Note that Installation fees will be waived for new households.

Junior High School: 432 Monroe Street, Brooklyn NY 11221 • (718) 455-5046

High School: 584 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11211 • (718) 682-3725

Our full staff and faculty were back in action today as we prepare to launch remote learning at Unity.  While it felt different to be engaging with each other 100% virtually, it was comforting and inspirational to reconnect with our dedicated team, roll up our sleeves, and wholeheartedly prepare to engage your child in their learning in a new way.  I anticipate the same comfort and inspiration during the first days of remote learning, when we resume our important work alongside you in providing an excellent education to your child.

We thank our families who picked up materials at our middle school or high school today.  We look forward to disseminating materials to more families tomorrow.

See the important updates below.  In addition to a number of reminders from prior Scoop editions, an update of note concerns student and family orientation.  It is critical that all of our families are fully prepared and equipped to engage in remote school work in the coming days.  Participating in a one-on-one remote orientation by phone will accomplish this.  Details for how orientations will work are included below.

As a reminder, The Daily Scoop will also be posted on our homepage at unityprep.org.  If you have questions, concerns, and/or ideas in response to any update, don’t hesitate to respond to this note by email.   A Unity staff member will then be in touch at their earliest convenience.  Thank you to those who offered responses to updates yesterday.

Updates as of March 18, 2020

1. Pick-up of Materials to Engage in Remote Learning on Wednesday and Thursday: Thank you to our families who picked up materials today.  See the time slots for picking up materials tomorrow below:

• Middle School Students, Grades 6-8:
  • What will be picked up?
    • A packet with 5 days of work for ELA, Math, Science, and History:
      • Remote Learning Packet Spring 2020 – 6th Grade (87 pages)
      • Remote Learning Packet Spring 2020 – 7th Grade (90 pages)
      • Remote Learning Packet Spring 2020 – 8th Grade (107 pages)
    • Packets will also be posted to student’s Google Classroom accounts by the end of day tomorrow, March 19th.
    • Families only need to pick up hard copies of the packet if they do not have computer or wifi access at home.
  • When is pick-up?
    • Thursday, March 19th, 9 AM – 1 PM (note – this is an updated window of time)
    • Pick up will be on the first floor, as students and families are not currently allowed in the building
  • What else do I need to know?
    • Students are expected to take part in remote learning beginning on Friday, March 19th.
    • Student attendance and grades will be based on the completion of their remote work.
    • All students must have this packet of work in order to earn credit toward Trimester 3 grades and be marked as “present” in school during the time out of the building.
    • Spectrum is offering free internet for households with grades K-12 students; caregivers should call 1-844-488-8395 to sign up.
  • If I have questions, who do I contact?
    • Darline Charles via Jupiter, email at dcharles@unityprep.org, or 347-687-3650

• High School Students, Grades 9-12:
  • What will be picked up?
    • Laptops (Samsung Chromebooks)
  • When is pick-up?
    • On Wednesday (3/18) afternoon and Thursday (3/19).  A Unity staff member will contact you via Jupiter with your appointment time.
  • What else do I need to know?
    • If you need access to wifi, please call 1-844-488-8395 to have Spectrum setup free internet for your home.
    • When picking up a laptop, students or family members will be required to sign a memo of responsibility,  outlining how to care for the laptop while in use during remote learning.
    • Students will be required to return the laptops after remote learning has concluded.
    • To help us prepare for laptop distribution, please make sure you have filled out this survey: https://tinyurl.com/UPHSlaptop.
    • Students with full access to a laptop are not required to pick up a laptop.
  • If I have questions, who do I contact?
    • Brandon Lopez via Jupiter

2. Remote Orientation Sessions for Students and Families:  See the details below for these important meetings.

• Middle School Students, Grades 6-8:
  • Students will receive a phone call from a Unity staff member tomorrow between 9 AM – 4 PM on Thursday, March 19.
  • During the call, staff members will discuss the schedule and technology needs for remote learning, scheduled to begin on Friday, March 20th.
  • Soft copies of log-in information for Google Classroom and Zoom will be distributed by the end of the day tomorrow, Thursday, March 19th.
• High School Students, Grades 9-12:
  • Remote orientations for high school students and families will be provided on Friday.  More details will be provided in tomorrow’s Scoop.

3. Checkout Hard Copies of Books from Unity Middle School’s Library Tomorrow, March 19th, from 12pm to 3pm – Open to Unity High School Students Too: Details about how to support reading at home (including creating a Brooklyn Public Library account and accessing e-books) will be forthcoming.  Until then, the last chance for students to checkout hard copies of books from the Unity library (until further notice) will be tomorrow, March 19th, from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM by appointment only.  Contact Ms. Conner at lconner@unityprep.org to schedule an appointment.

4. Reminder – Supplemental Resources to Continue Your Child’s Learning at Home: Between now and the launch of remoting learning, we encourage you to support your child at home in keeping their academic skills fresh.  The NYCDOE’s Learn at Home site provides learning resources to students to complete while they are receiving instruction.  It is important that students continue to read, write, complete social studies and science activities, and work on math problems.  The materials are organized by grade level and include the following:

• Suggested daily study schedules
• Guides and materials for instructional activities
• Recommended educational television shows
• Links to a variety of books, magazines, and websites on a wide range of topics that appeal to children at all ages

5. Reminder – Extension of Remote Learning through April 20th: Unity will extend its suspension of all onsite educational programming, including extra-curricular events, through April 20th.  This timeline and plan aligns with the NYC Department of Education’s plan, as announced yesterday for all of its schools.  Students will not report to our middle and high school sites for instruction during this time.

6. Reminder – Free Internet at Home: Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Internet access at home will be critical for students to complete their remote learning assignments To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

7. Reminder – Breakfast and Lunch Grab-and-Go Meals are available at all NYCDOE Public Schools: Unity students may go to any NYCDOE school building (including PS44) between 7:30am – 1:30pm today and until further notice to pick up a bagged breakfast and bagged lunch for free.  Meals will be in the lobby or cafeteria of each building.

8. Reminder – Mental Health Counseling and Social Work Services Available to Unity Students who Receive Counseling:  If your child receives counseling, you will hear from their counselor in the coming days to coordinate services and identify needs.  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 (1888-NYC-WELL) or text (text WELL to 65173) or by internet chat via their website:  https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/

Please reach out to Ms. Del Purgatorio via phone or text (347-688-9107) or email (tdelpurgatorio@unityprep.org) if you have any questions about continuation of counseling services or are concerned about your child’s mental health.  Unity social workers can also be of assistance in providing information regarding social services (for example: housing, access to food, access to community mental health services, referrals to mental health providers, crisis intervention, etc.).

9. Updated – We encourage families to check NYSDOH’s website and the CDC’s website regularly for updates:  Here are the last recommendations as posted on the NYCDOE’s website as of March 17th, include the following:

Precautions:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
• Do not shake hands. Instead, wave or elbow bump.
• Monitor your health more closely than usual for cold or flu symptoms.
• Get your flu shot – it’s never too late.
• Reduce overcrowding by walking or biking to work, if possible.
• If the train is too packed, wait for the next one.

If You Feel Sick:

• Stay home and call your doctor if you have symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, fever, sore throat.
• If you do not feel better in 24-48 hours, contact your doctor.
• Do not go to school or to work until you have been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing drugs like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
• If you need help getting medical care, call 311.

For More Information:

• Please read the Health Department’s What You Need to Know factsheet for more information.

In unity,

Josh Beauregard

Head of School / Co-founder