The Unity Scoop – January 14

Dear Families of Unity,

I want to begin by conveying my best wishes to all of our families in the New Year.

I also want to thank our families who participated in Wednesday’s evening’s Zoom session regarding our revised safety protocols as we resume in-person learning this coming Tuesday, January 18th.  This includes our moves to provide increased testing and our adoption of the NYCDOE’s test-to-stay policy.  With these changes, we aim to resume in-person learning for all of our students in the safest and most consistent manner possible.

If you missed Wednesday’s session, here is a recording and here are the informational slides.  As you know, we are providing test kits to all of our families today.  Please review these materials at your earliest convenience so that you are up-to-date on updated protocols and actions to be taken prior to Tuesday.  Families may pick up kits at our middle school or high school between 9am and 3pm today; instructions on how to administer a test at home are available via this video. 

To ensure the safest possible return to school, we are asking that families have children tested between now and Monday, January 17th, and to submit proof of a negative test result using this form by Monday at 5pm.  $10 Amazon gift cards will be provided to all families that submit valid test results.

Finally, I want to thank all of our families for having their children vaccinated and, if eligible, boosted over the December break.  As I mentioned in our last edition of The Scoop in December, the degree to which our entire community is fully vaccinated and boosted will directly impact our ability to safely operate school without disruption to learning in the coming weeks and months.  This is a cause worth acting on immediately and I applaud you for doing your part.

We are excited to reconnect with your children in person on Tuesday morning.  I wish you and your loved one a safe and joyous long weekend in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his lasting legacy.

In unity,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

2021-22 School Year Vacation Calendar for Students and other Key Dates: So that you may begin making plans for the year, with our school schedule in mind, the table below provides the vacation dates for students and families for the 2021-22 school year.  Students will not report to school on these dates.  Moreover, here are a few important notes regarding next year’s calendar:

COVID-19 Vaccines: Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines: the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines. The vaccine can prevent COVID-19 symptoms and severe COVID-19 illness. People 5 and older are eligible for the vaccine. Those who are fully vaccinated can more safely gather with friends and enjoy other benefits of vaccination. Many vaccination sites in the city no longer require appointments.

• See a list of sites where you can get a walk-up vaccination today. To find a vaccination site near you, including those that take appointments, use the City’s Vaccine Finder.
• Note, people who are 12 to 17 years old can only receive the Pfizer vaccine.

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/.

Update on P-EBT Benefits for Families:  New York State is providing Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits to all households with children who are eligible to receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act and whose school was closed or operating with reduced in-school attendance due to COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 academic year. Issuance of the food benefit will continue for several months, due to the large number of eligible children and schools participating in the National School Lunch Program across the state. For additional information visit NYSOTDA P-EBT Benefits Information Page.

• If your child(ren) is eligible and has not received P-EBT benefit by November 2021, you may fill out the P-EBT Information Form.
• If you have misplaced a P-EBT Food Benefit card issued to your child[ren), you may order a replacement card by calling 1-888-328-6399.  If your child(ren) received P-EBT benefits on a Medicaid card and you need to order a replacement NYS Medicaid card or select a PIN, go to otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/P-EBT-Medicaid-Card-PIN-Instructions.asp for more information.
• Once you have set up a PIN to access your P-EBT food benefits, you can check your family’s P-EBT food benefits balance by visiting www.connectebt.com or by calling 1-888-328-6399.

Discounts on Home Internet Services Available: If your household is struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a monthly service discount through the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Please visit this information page or call 833-511-0311 for more information.

NYC Rental Assistance Program – The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a new program that will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. If you know of somebody who might be eligible for the program, please encourage them to learn more or apply here.