Dear Unity Families,

Thank you for participating in conferences last night and today. We deeply value the opportunity to connect with you and discuss your child’s progress and experiences at Unity. Your partnership and support are essential to their growth and success, and we are grateful for your time and engagement.  Thank you for being such an integral part of the Unity community!

On behalf of Unity’s staff and faculty, I wish all of our families a delightful Thanksgiving holiday.  We are immensely grateful to you for supporting your children at home to be their best at school every day.  We look forward to our continued collaboration over the coming months and school year.

In this edition of The Unity Scoop, we highlight recent family conferences, share our first week of the December calendar, and celebrate our November i-Ready Challenge winners. We’re also excited to introduce a new opportunity to help others through our Winter Coat Drive.

Take a moment to appreciate the abundance of opportunities for lending a hand to others in need for our community this holiday season. It’s truly heartwarming and speaks to the deep care we show for one another.

The next edition of The Scoop will be disseminated on December 5th.

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of November 25, 2025:

1. Updated – Thank You for a Successful Fall Family Conference!: Thank you to all of our families who participated in our first round of Fall Family Conferences! Your engagement and partnership meant so much to us. These meetings were a powerful opportunity to come together, celebrate student progress, and chart next steps.

Thank you for showing up for your children and for continuing to lift up their growth alongside us.

2. New – December 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the first week of December.  A full calendar for the month will be available in the next edition.

3. Updated – Congratulations to Our November i-Ready Challenge Winners!: We are excited to recognize the winners of our November i-Ready Challenge! Throughout the month, students demonstrated #progress and #integrity as they worked to strengthen their academic skills. All students who completed 80 minutes or more of i-Ready practice in November will be recognized on our 7th-grade hallway bulletin board—stop by to see our hardworking learners being celebrated!

Congratulations to all students highlighted below—we look forward to recognizing our December winners in just a few weeks!

Congratulations to our Top Students for Reading Practice

6th Grade: Rabies Islam, 229 minutes

8th Grade: Chelsea Grant, 197 minutes

Congratulations to our Top Students for Math Practice

6th Grade: K’Lynn-Monae Holdon, 188 minutes

7th Grade: Taylor Tibbs, 262 minutes

4. New – Unity’s Winter Coat Drive: December 1–18!; We’re collecting new and gently used coats to support students and families in our community as the weather turns colder. If you’re able, please consider donating — every contribution helps keep someone warm this winter. See the flier below for additional details, and thank you in advance for your generosity!

5. Recap – Latinx Dance Performance Showcase at Unity Middle!: This week, our middle school dancers shined in an informal showcase featuring both original student choreography and pieces learned in class. It was a joyful celebration of creativity, culture, and collaboration. Enjoy the accompanying video clip below that captures the energy and spirit of our talented young performers!

6. Recap – Unity High Students Visit BAM and MOMA!: Unity High students had the opportunity this week to explore two of New York City’s cultural gems.

At the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), students experienced the Next Wave program, which highlights innovative works by groundbreaking artists across dance, music, theater, performance, and visual art.

Meanwhile, at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), students enjoyed a guided tour of the museum’s permanent collection and explored several current exhibitions, including New Photography 2025. It was an inspiring day that expanded students’ understanding of modern and contemporary art.

7. Recap – Unity Student-Athletes Shine at Conference All-Star Games!: This week, we highlight a number of our All-Stars from this fall’s athletic season, including members of our soccer teams and flag football teams!  Enjoy the interview and photos of our student athletes below.

8. Recap – Your Feedback Empowers Us – Please Take a Moment to Share Your Experiences With Us By Completing our Fall Family Perception Survey: Our purpose as a school is to best serve you and your child. To do that well, we rely on honest feedback from our families. Please take a few minutes to complete one of the surveys below as we kick off the school year. The survey includes questions about communication, engagement, support, school climate, and safety. Responses are anonymous, and your collective feedback will guide our decisions in the months ahead.

As a small thank-you, all families who complete the survey by the December 2^nd deadline will be entered into a raffle for a $100 Amazon gift card.

Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback and for helping us continue to improve.

• Each family has a unique link to complete the survey. Invites were distributed via email yesterday evening.
• Note: in the event that you have children attending both our middle school and high school, please complete the high school survey.

9. Recap – Kudos to our P.R.I.D.E. Leaders as of the Month of October: Our P.R.I.D.E. Core Values of Progress, Respect for All, Integrity, Discovery, and Empathy represent qualities that we covet as a school community.  They also represent qualities that we believe empower our students to lead fulfilling lives and, therefore, qualities that we have a responsibility to actively teach and positively reinforce.

The students listed below are our leaders from the month of October, being recognized by their teachers for demonstrating our Core Values.  On behalf of our school community, we are proud of these students, and look forward to continuing to shout out all of our students when they demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. in our community.

10. Recap – Unity High’ NHS Practical Care Drive!: Unity High’s National Honor Society is leading a Practical Care Drive to support the Bowery Mission. All donated items will be used to assemble practical care kits for neighbors in need. See details below on how you can contribute and make a meaningful impact.

11. Recap – Unity’s In-School Food Pantry Is Here for You!: Our in-school food pantry is open and available to all Unity families—across every grade level. Families are welcome to stop by to pick up groceries, snacks, and essential items—no questions asked.  Together, we’re making sure every member of our Unity community has what they need.

• Location: Unity Middle School, 432 Monroe Street
• Hours: See details below
• Contact: Mr. Beckford with any questions

12. Recap – UnityConnect Referral Program is Here!: Help our small and mighty Unity family grow — and earn rewards while you do!  When you refer a new family who applies for the 2026–27 school year, you’ll earn Unity Connector Rewards like Unity swag, gift cards, and special recognition at Unity events.

Your voice matters — share your Unity experience with friends, neighbors, and families from your child’s former school community. Together, we’ll help more students belong, believe, and become!

Learn more about the program with our UnityConnect one-pager here and submit your referrals here.

13. Recap – Unity High Gets Ready for a Festive December!: The holiday spirit is in the air at Unity High! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting festivities and celebrations we have planned for our community this December. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead — it’s going to be a joyful finish to the year!

14. Recap – Unity’s School Safety Plan — We Welcome Your Feedback!: Unity’s draft District-Wide School Safety Plan for the 2025–26 school year is now available for review. We invite all Unity families to take a look and share feedback on this important document, which helps guide how we keep our community safe and prepared.  You can view the plan here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email Chris Doscher at cdoscher@unityprep.org by December 14, 2025.

15. Recap – Attention Unity Students in Grades 8-11 – Apply Now for a Paid Internship with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now recruiting students in grades 8–11 for the 2026 Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!

More information is available online at bbg.org/gap.  Additional details include:

BBG Garden Apprentices:

            •           Earn a monetary award after apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).

•           Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.

•           Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.

•           Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.

•           Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.

•           Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.

•           Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.

Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and answers to frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 5th.

16. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

17. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

18. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

19. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

20. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Unity Families,

I hope the full week was good to you and your loved ones.

We look forward to meeting with all of our families during fall conferences on Monday and Tuesday — see the details below!

In this edition of the Unity Scoop, we honor our latest Core Value leaders. We also spotlight a dance recital, field trips to two of New York City’s cultural institutions, and our student-athlete all-stars. In addition, we highlight two community service events supporting our broader community this holiday season.

Have a terrific weekend!

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of November 22, 2025:

1. Updated – Fall Family Conferences Are This Coming Week: November 24–25!: Our first round of Fall Family Conferences is around the corner, and we can’t wait to connect with you!

Conference Schedule:
• Monday, 11/24 in person from 4-7pm
• Tuesday, 11/25 on Zoom from 3-6pm

These meetings are a powerful moment for families and educators to come together, celebrate progress, and chart next steps. Our goal is bold and worthy of our community: that 100% of our students are represented by a family member.

We look forward to partnering with you and lifting up our students’ growth together.

2. New – Latinx Dance Performance Showcase at Unity Middle!: This week, our middle school dancers shined in an informal showcase featuring both original student choreography and pieces learned in class. It was a joyful celebration of creativity, culture, and collaboration. Enjoy the accompanying video clip below that captures the energy and spirit of our talented young performers!

3. New – Unity High Students Visit BAM and MOMA!: Unity High students had the opportunity this week to explore two of New York City’s cultural gems.

At the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), students experienced the Next Wave program, which highlights innovative works by groundbreaking artists across dance, music, theater, performance, and visual art.

Meanwhile, at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), students enjoyed a guided tour of the museum’s permanent collection and explored several current exhibitions, including New Photography 2025. It was an inspiring day that expanded students’ understanding of modern and contemporary art.

4.  New – Unity Student-Athletes Shine at Conference All-Star Games!: This week, we highlight a number of our All-Stars from this fall’s athletic season, including members of our soccer teams and flag football teams!  Enjoy the interview and photos of our student athletes below.

5. New – Your Feedback Empowers Us – Please Take a Moment to Share Your Experiences With Us By Completing our Fall Family Perception Survey: Our purpose as a school is to best serve you and your child. To do that well, we rely on honest feedback from our families. Please take a few minutes to complete one of the surveys below as we kick off the school year. The survey includes questions about communication, engagement, support, school climate, and safety. Responses are anonymous, and your collective feedback will guide our decisions in the months ahead.

As a small thank-you, all families who complete the survey by the December 2^nd deadline will be entered into a raffle for a $100 Amazon gift card.

Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback and for helping us continue to improve.

• Each family has a unique link to complete the survey. Invites were distributed via email yesterday evening.
• Note: in the event that you have children attending both our middle school and high school, please complete the high school survey.

6. New – Kudos to our P.R.I.D.E. Leaders as of the Month of October: Our P.R.I.D.E. Core Values of Progress, Respect for All, Integrity, Discovery, and Empathy represent qualities that we covet as a school community.  They also represent qualities that we believe empower our students to lead fulfilling lives and, therefore, qualities that we have a responsibility to actively teach and positively reinforce.

The students listed below are our leaders from the month of October, being recognized by their teachers for demonstrating our Core Values.  On behalf of our school community, we are proud of these students, and look forward to continuing to shout out all of our students when they demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. in our community.

7. New – Community Thanksgiving Meals Available This Monday, November 24th: We are grateful to share an opportunity from Assembly Member Zinerman’s office to support families this Thanksgiving season. This Monday, November 24th, a Thanksgiving Luncheon for 100 guests will take place from 1–3pm, and 100 to-go meals will also be available for pickup between 10am–12pm.

Given the impact of citywide budget cuts, many families across our community may be experiencing food insecurity. We encourage any Unity family who would benefit from a warm holiday meal to take part. Please see the flyer below for full details.

We thank Assembly Member Zinerman and her team for their continued partnership and support of our community.

8. New – Unity High’ NHS Practical Care Drive!: Unity High’s National Honor Society is leading a Practical Care Drive to support the Bowery Mission. All donated items will be used to assemble practical care kits for neighbors in need. See details below on how you can contribute and make a meaningful impact.

9. Recap – Congrats to Unity’s Students of the Month!:  Kudos to our Students of the Month from October!  We celebrate these students for showing exemplary scholarship and citizenship!

10. Recap – Unity’s In-School Food Pantry Is Here for You!: Our in-school food pantry is open and available to all Unity families—across every grade level. Families are welcome to stop by to pick up groceries, snacks, and essential items—no questions asked.  Together, we’re making sure every member of our Unity community has what they need.

• Location: Unity Middle School, 432 Monroe Street
• Hours: See details below
• Contact: Mr. Beckford with any questions

11. Recap – High School Fall Spirit Week Brought the Festivities!: Unity High celebrated its Fall Spirit Week and Annual Hallowsfest Extravaganza this past week and the energy was incredible! See the photos below of our students and staff showing their spirit on Twin Day and Red Flags and White Lies.

12. Recap – Unity High Dance Students Shine at Streb, Inc!: Our dance students recently visited Streb, Inc. for an unforgettable experience – a private show and demonstration followed by a PopAction class led by Streb’s own artists!

They even had the incredible opportunity to meet Elizabeth Streb herself — a true legend in the world of movement and performance. Our students represented Unity beautifully and had an amazing time learning, performing, and connecting through the art of dance.  Thank you to Ms. Fontenot for making the trip possible!

13. Recap – UnityConnect Referral Program is Here!: Help our small and mighty Unity family grow — and earn rewards while you do!  When you refer a new family who applies for the 2026–27 school year, you’ll earn Unity Connector Rewards like Unity swag, gift cards, and special recognition at Unity events.

Your voice matters — share your Unity experience with friends, neighbors, and families from your child’s former school community. Together, we’ll help more students belong, believe, and become!

Learn more about the program with our UnityConnect one-pager here and submit your referrals here.

14. Recap – Thank you, Families, for Taking Part in our Recent Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We’re so grateful to all of the families who joined us for our recent Family Ambassadors Meeting. As always, the gathering was productive, energizing, and filled with great conversation and community spirit!

You can find the meeting agenda and slides linked here. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on Thursday, December 4th!

15. Recap – Unity High Gets Ready for a Festive December!: The holiday spirit is in the air at Unity High! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting festivities and celebrations we have planned for our community this December. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead — it’s going to be a joyful finish to the year!

16. Recap – Unity’s School Safety Plan — We Welcome Your Feedback!: Unity’s draft District-Wide School Safety Plan for the 2025–26 school year is now available for review. We invite all Unity families to take a look and share feedback on this important document, which helps guide how we keep our community safe and prepared.  You can view the plan here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email Chris Doscher at cdoscher@unityprep.org by December 14, 2025.

17. Recap – November 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of November – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

18. Recap – Attention Unity Students in Grades 8-11 – Apply Now for a Paid Internship with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now recruiting students in grades 8–11 for the 2026 Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!

More information is available online at bbg.org/gap.  Additional details include:

BBG Garden Apprentices:

            •           Earn a monetary award after apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).

•           Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.

•           Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.

•           Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.

•           Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.

•           Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.

•           Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.

Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and answers to frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 5th.

19. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

20. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

21. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

22. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

23. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Unity Families,

I hope that the weekend is treating you and your loved ones well and congratulations on rounding out a short but bustling work week!

We’re looking forward to a full five days of learning next week before meeting with you during Fall Family Conferences and heading into a well-deserved and joyful holiday break.

A friendly reminder: if you haven’t yet scheduled your conference, please do so as soon as possible. Conferences are a meaningful opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers, share insights, and partner together to support your child’s success—both at school and at home. We can’t wait to make the most of these conversations with you!

This week, we celebrate our October Students of the Month and those with perfect attendance! We’re also launching new initiatives like our in-school food pantry, free eye exams, and the UnityConnect Referral Program for families. Plus, check out highlights from Spirit Week, a Unity High dance field trip, and updates from our Family Ambassadors Meeting. Don’t miss Principal Terry’s Family Chat on Tuesday and upcoming December festivities at Unity High!

Best wishes in the week ahead.

Warmly,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of November 16, 2025:

1. New – Congrats to Unity’s Students of the Month!:  Kudos to our Students of the Month from October!  We celebrate these students for showing exemplary scholarship and citizenship!

2. New – Unity’s In-School Food Pantry Is Here for You!

Our in-school food pantry is open and available to all Unity families—across every grade level. Families are welcome to stop by to pick up groceries, snacks, and essential items—no questions asked.  Together, we’re making sure every member of our Unity community has what they need.

• Location: Unity Middle School, 432 Monroe Street
• Hours: See details below
• Contact: Mr. Beckford with any questions

3. New – Free Eye Exams for Unity Middle Students – November 21st!: Unity Middle School students will have the opportunity to receive free eye exams on Thursday, November 21st! This is a wonderful chance to ensure every scholar can see—and learn—their very best.

Please see the details below, including a QR code for registration and contact information for any questions. Don’t miss this valuable service for our students!

4. New – High School Fall Spirit Week Brought the Festivities!: Unity High celebrated its Fall Spirit Week and Annual Hallowsfest Extravaganza this past week and the energy was incredible! See the photos below of our students and staff showing their spirit on Twin Day and Red Flags and White Lies.

5. New – Unity High Dance Students Shine at Streb, Inc!: Our dance students recently visited Streb, Inc. for an unforgettable experience – a private show and demonstration followed by a PopAction class led by Streb’s own artists!

They even had the incredible opportunity to meet Elizabeth Streb herself — a true legend in the world of movement and performance. Our students represented Unity beautifully and had an amazing time learning, performing, and connecting through the art of dance.  Thank you to Ms. Fontenot for making the trip possible!

6. New – UnityConnect Referral Program is Here!: Help our small and mighty Unity family grow — and earn rewards while you do!  When you refer a new family who applies for the 2026–27 school year, you’ll earn Unity Connector Rewards like Unity swag, gift cards, and special recognition at Unity events.

Your voice matters — share your Unity experience with friends, neighbors, and families from your child’s former school community. Together, we’ll help more students belong, believe, and become!

Learn more about the program with our UnityConnect one-pager here and submit your referrals here.

7. New – Thank you, Families, for Taking Part in our Recent Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We’re so grateful to all of the families who joined us for our recent Family Ambassadors Meeting. As always, the gathering was productive, energizing, and filled with great conversation and community spirit!

You can find the meeting agenda and slides linked here. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on Thursday, December 4th!

8. New – Join Middle School Principal Terry for Our Next Family Chat, Tuesday, November 18th at 10am (432 Monroe St.):! We’re excited to invite all Unity families to our next in-person Family Chat with Middle School Principal Terry — a relaxed opportunity to connect, share updates, and hear directly from you.  Discussion items during the chat include:

• How to support scholars as they prepare for IA Exams
• Our academic goals for the year
• Student culture and community building
• Health and wellness initiatives at Unity
• Supporting families during times of uncertainty
• Upcoming events and ways to get involved

We hope you’ll join Principal Terry and the Unity team for good conversation, light refreshments, and community connection!

9. New – Unity High Gets Ready for a Festive December!: The holiday spirit is in the air at Unity High! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting festivities and celebrations we have planned for our community this December. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead — it’s going to be a joyful finish to the year!

10. New – Unity’s School Safety Plan — We Welcome Your Feedback!: Unity’s draft District-Wide School Safety Plan for the 2025–26 school year is now available for review. We invite all Unity families to take a look and share feedback on this important document, which helps guide how we keep our community safe and prepared.  You can view the plan here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email Chris Doscher at cdoscher@unityprep.org by December 14, 2025.

11. Recap – Celebrating Unity’s Newest National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society Members!: Unity’s chapters of the NJHS and NHS are growing, and this week we proudly welcomed our newest members at our Induction Ceremony. It was a wonderful evening honoring students for their scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Congratulations to all inductees and heartfelt thanks to the families and supporters who joined us for this special celebration!

12. Recap – Fall Family Conferences Are Just a Week Away: November 24–25!: Our first round of Fall Family Conferences is around the corner, and we can’t wait to connect with you!

Conference Schedule:
• Monday, 11/24 in person from 4-7pm
• Tuesday, 11/25 on Zoom from 3-6pm

Advisors and staff have already begun reaching out to book appointments. These meetings are a powerful moment for families and educators to come together, celebrate progress, and chart next steps. Our ambition is bold and worthy of our community: 100% of our students represented by a family member.

We look forward to partnering with you and lifting up our students’ growth together.

13. Recap – Congratulations to Our October i-Ready Challenge Winners!: We are excited to recognize the winners of our October i-Ready Challenge! Throughout the month, students demonstrated #progress and #integrity as they worked to strengthen their academic skills. All students who completed 80 minutes or more of i-Ready practice in October will be recognized on our 7th-grade hallway bulletin board—stop by to see our hardworking learners being celebrated!

14. Recap – Perfect Attendance in October!: The following lengthy list of students demonstrated a strong and consistent dedication to their education by showing stellar attendance this past month.  Kudos to these students – we love seeing you each and every day!  And, of course, we look forward to celebrating additional students at the end of this month!

15. Recap – November 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of November – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

16. Updated – Unity Prep Soccer Game at Sports Illustrated Stadium — A Fantastic Community Event!: Our Unity community recently came together for an unforgettable soccer game at Sports Illustrated Stadium (also known as Red Bulls Stadium). Families, students, and supporters filled the stands to cheer on our players and celebrate Unity pride in a big way.  Enjoy the photos below capturing the energy, teamwork, and excitement of the day!

17. Recap – Attention Unity Students in Grades 8-11 – Apply Now for a Paid Internship with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now recruiting students in grades 8–11 for the 2026 Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!

More information is available online at bbg.org/gap.  Additional details include:

BBG Garden Apprentices:

            •           Earn a monetary award after apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).

•           Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.

•           Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.

•           Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.

•           Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.

•           Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.

•           Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.

Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and answers to frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 5th.

18. Recap – Unity’s Annual Canned Food Drive!: Unity is proud to partner with City Harvest to collect non-perishable food items through November 17th. Every donation—big or small—will help support local families in need and remind us of the power of kindness and community.

Students who contribute will also earn Panther Pride Points for showing Empathy and making a difference in the lives of others.

19. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

20. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

21. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

22. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

23. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Unity Families,

I hope the week has treated you well and that you’ve been adjusting smoothly to the time change. I want to begin by thanking our high school families for their flexibility as we worked through the flooding issues caused by last week’s storm. I’m pleased to share that installation of a new gym floor will begin this weekend and is expected to be completed by the middle of next week.

As we officially embark on November, I’m excited to see our entire school community put its best foot forward and launch the second quarter on a strong note. This past week, we proudly honored our newest inductees into the National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society. We look forward to the leadership and service they will bring to Unity in the months ahead. A reminder that family-teacher conferences are just over two weeks away—we look forward to sitting down with you and your child to discuss their progress so far, celebrating strengths and identifying areas for continued growth.

Looking to the week ahead, we will have a four-day school week: Monday is a full school day, followed by the Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday (no school). At the high school, students will enjoy Fall Spirit Week—see below for themes and festivities. Our middle schoolers have several exciting field trips on Wednesday, and middle school athletic tryouts will take place on Monday and Wednesday. We’ll also host a student-staff volleyball game on Thursday and a track meet on Friday. Go Panthers!

Wishing you a joyful weekend, and looking forward to making the most of all that the coming week has to offer!

In unity,
Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of November 7, 2025:

1. New – Celebrating Unity’s Newest National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society Members!: Unity’s chapters of the NJHS and NHS are growing, and this week we proudly welcomed our newest members at our Induction Ceremony. It was a wonderful evening honoring students for their scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Congratulations to all inductees and heartfelt thanks to the families and supporters who joined us for this special celebration!

2. New – Fall Family Conferences Are Just Two Weeks Away: November 24–25!: Our first round of Fall Family Conferences is around the corner, and we can’t wait to connect with you!

Conference Schedule:
• Monday, 11/24 in person from 4-7pm
• Tuesday, 11/25 on Zoom from 3-6pm

Advisors and staff have already begun reaching out to book appointments. These meetings are a powerful moment for families and educators to come together, celebrate progress, and chart next steps. Our ambition is bold and worthy of our community: 100% of our students represented by a family member.

We look forward to partnering with you and lifting up our students’ growth together.

3. Updated – Congratulations to Our October i-Ready Challenge Winners!: We are excited to recognize the winners of our October i-Ready Challenge! Throughout the month, students demonstrated #progress and #integrity as they worked to strengthen their academic skills. All students who completed 80 minutes or more of i-Ready practice in October will be recognized on our 7th-grade hallway bulletin board—stop by to see our hardworking learners being celebrated!

4. New – Join Us for Our Next Family Ambassadors Meeting on Thursday, November 13th (new date)!: We invite all Unity families to join us for our upcoming Family Ambassadors Meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 6pm on Zoom. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow families, share ideas, and help strengthen our school community. We look forward to seeing you there!

5. New – Kudos to our P.R.I.D.E. Leaders as of the Month of October: Our P.R.I.D.E. Core Values of Progress, Respect for All, Integrity, Discovery, and Empathy represent qualities that we covet as a school community.  They also represent qualities that we believe empower our students to lead fulfilling lives and, therefore, qualities that we have a responsibility to actively teach and positively reinforce.

The students listed below are our leaders from the month of October, being recognized by their teachers for demonstrating our Core Values.  On behalf of our school community, we are proud of these students, and look forward to continuing to shout out all of our students when they demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. in our community.

6. Recap – Unity High Students Explore, Learn, and Lead Beyond the Classroom!: This past week, our high school students took part in a series of exciting enrichment trips across the city—including visits to Microsoft Headquarters, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and the Museum of Art and Technology. These experiences offered students opportunities to connect classroom learning to the real world, explore future careers, and engage with art, culture, and innovation in meaningful ways.  Enjoy the photos below capturing our students learning, discovering, and representing Unity with pride!

7. Recap – November 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of November – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

8. Recap – Middle School Fall Spirit Week Brought the Festivities!: Unity Middle celebrated its Fall Spirit Week and Annual Hallowsfest Extravaganza this past week and the energy was incredible! See the photos below of our students and staff showing their spirit on Twin Day and Character Day.

9. New – High School Fall Spirit Week Kicks Off Soon!: Unity High’s Fall Spirit Week begins on Monday, November 10th, and we can’t wait to see our students and staff show off their school pride and creativity each day! See the flier below for the full schedule of themed days and activities.

10. Recap – Alumni Spotlight of the Month – Keon Henry, Unity’s Class of 2021: We are thrilled to share with our entire community the accomplishments of our alumni whenever we can.  This month, we proudly provide an update on the postsecondary success of Keon Henry ‘21!

11. Recap – Unity Campuses Joined Forces to Support The American Cancer Society!: Last Sunday, members of our community from grades 6 through 12 came together to participate in a 3-mile walk in support of The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event raised lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers. We’re so proud of our students, families, and staff for showing their Unity spirit and making a difference together!

12. Updated – Unity Prep Soccer Game at Sports Illustrated Stadium — A Fantastic Community Event!: Last Tuesday, our Unity community came together for an unforgettable soccer game at Sports Illustrated Stadium (also known as Red Bulls Stadium). Families, students, and supporters filled the stands to cheer on our players and celebrate Unity pride in a big way.  Enjoy the photos below capturing the energy, teamwork, and excitement of the day!

13. Recap – Attention Unity Students in Grades 8-11 – Apply Now for a Paid Internship with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now recruiting students in grades 8–11 for the 2026 Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!

More information is available online at bbg.org/gap.  Additional details include:

BBG Garden Apprentices:

            •           Earn a monetary award after apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).

•           Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.

•           Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.

•           Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.

•           Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.

•           Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.

•           Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.

Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and answers to frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 5th.

14. Recap – Unity’s Annual Canned Food Drive!: Unity is proud to partner with City Harvest to collect non-perishable food items through November 17th. Every donation—big or small—will help support local families in need and remind us of the power of kindness and community.

Students who contribute will also earn Panther Pride Points for showing Empathy and making a difference in the lives of others.

15. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

16. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

17. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

18. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

19. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Unity Families,

I hope the week has been kind to you and your loved ones after a full stretch of learning. It’s been an eventful time at Unity, with Spirit Week at our middle school and the conclusion of Quarter 1 across grades 6–12. Congratulations to our students, staff, and families on reaching this milestone together—and best wishes for an even stronger Quarter 2 ahead!

Yesterday’s severe rainfall and flooding in our high school gymnasium required us to transition to a day of remote learning. I want to thank our high school families for your flexibility, partnership, and understanding as we acted swiftly to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. We look forward to resuming normal programming next week.

Looking ahead, next week will be a four-day week, as there is no school on Tuesday in observance of Election Day. We encourage all families to take part in this important civic moment and engage in the democratic process together.

In this edition of the Scoop, you’ll find photos capturing our students and staff learning, exploring, and having fun together, as well as our November school calendar.

Enjoy Halloween festivities today, the marathon this weekend, and the extra hour on Sunday as we turn the clocks back for daylight savings!

In unity,
Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of October 31, 2025:

1. New – Unity High Students Explore, Learn, and Lead Beyond the Classroom!: This past week, our high school students took part in a series of exciting enrichment trips across the city—including visits to Microsoft Headquarters, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and the Museum of Art and Technology. These experiences offered students opportunities to connect classroom learning to the real world, explore future careers, and engage with art, culture, and innovation in meaningful ways.  Enjoy the photos below capturing our students learning, discovering, and representing Unity with pride!

2. New – Congratulations to Unity’s Newest National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society Members!: Unity’s chapters of the NJHS and NHS are growing, and we’re excited to celebrate our newest members and their achievements at the Induction Ceremony this Monday, November 3rd, at 5:30pm at our middle school campus (432 Monroe St.). Families and supporters are warmly invited to join us for this special celebration of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

3. New – November 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of November – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

4. New – Middle School Fall Spirit Week Brought the Festivities!: Unity Middle celebrated its Fall Spirit Week and Annual Hallowsfest Extravaganza this past week and the energy was incredible! See the photos below of our students and staff showing their spirit on Twin Day and Character Day.

5. New – High School Fall Spirit Week Kicks Off Soon!: Unity High’s Fall Spirit Week begins on Monday, November 10th, and we can’t wait to see our students and staff show off their school pride and creativity each day! See the flier below for the full schedule of themed days and activities.

6. New – Alumni Spotlight of the Month – Keon Henry, Unity’s Class of 2021: We are thrilled to share with our entire community the accomplishments of our alumni whenever we can.  This month, we proudly provide an update on the postsecondary success of Keon Henry ‘21!

7. New – Join Us for Our Next Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We invite all Unity families to join us for our upcoming Family Ambassadors Meeting on Thursday, November 6th at 6pm on Zoom. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow families, share ideas, and help strengthen our school community. We look forward to seeing you there!

8. New – Unity Campuses Joined Forces to Support The American Cancer Society!: Last Sunday, members of our community from grades 6 through 12 came together to participate in a 3-mile walk in support of The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event raised lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers. We’re so proud of our students, families, and staff for showing their Unity spirit and making a difference together!

9. New – Unity Prep Soccer Game at Sports Illustrated Stadium — Tuesday, November 4th!: Get ready for an exciting Unity community event at Sports Illustrated Stadium (also known as Red Bulls Stadium)! Parents, families, and supporters can purchase tickets using the QR code on the flyer to join in on the fun and cheer on our players.

This year’s game will have a fun twist — instead of our traditional Students vs. Faculty matchup, we’ll be mixing up the teams for a spirited and inclusive game showcasing Unity pride at its best!

10. Updated – Panther Athletics!: This week, we’re excited to share a series of new sports highlights as we enter the final stretch of the fall season and begin preparing the winter season — including action shots of our JV basketball team, HS soccer team and team photos for MS volleyball, MS cross country, and HS soccer.

11. Recap – Attention Middle School Families!  Picture Day to Take Place on Wednesday, November 5th: We are excited to have our middle school filled with smiles!

12. Recap – Unity High Art Students Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – One of the Premier Botanic Gardens in the World!: Unity High’s art students explored the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this week to draw inspiration from its stunning natural landscapes and refine their sketching skills. Kudos to Ms. Gjakova for making this enriching experience possible!

13. Recap – Attention Unity Students in Grades 8-11 – Apply Now for a Paid Internship with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now recruiting students in grades 8–11 for the 2026 Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!

More information is available online at bbg.org/gap.  Additional details include:

BBG Garden Apprentices:

            •           Earn a monetary award after apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).

•           Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.

•           Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.

•           Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.

•           Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.

•           Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.

•           Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.

Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and answers to frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 5th.

14. Recap – Get Ready for Our October i-Ready Challenge!
Unity Middle is kicking off a fun, schoolwide competition from October 22nd–31st to get our students excited about learning and earning rewards! During this two-week challenge, students will log minutes on i-Ready Math and ELA, with prizes for top performers — including a pizza lunch, dress-down passes, and other fun surprises.

This kickoff round is designed to spark excitement, build great learning habits, and set the stage for our monthly i-Ready Challenges beginning in November. Let’s cheer on our students as they learn, grow, and have fun along the way!

15. Recap – Unity’s Annual Canned Food Drive!: Unity is proud to partner with City Harvest to collect non-perishable food items through November 17th. Every donation—big or small—will help support local families in need and remind us of the power of kindness and community.

Students who contribute will also earn Panther Pride Points for showing Empathy and making a difference in the lives of others.

16. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

17. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

18. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

19. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

20. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Families of Unity,

Congratulations on rounding out a full week of school! Thank you to all middle school families who participated in this week’s Talks with Principal Terry. Here is the resource she shared with our middle school parents who took part.

This Sunday, Unity’s campuses will join forces to support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk (see details below). All families are encouraged to take part in this important act of community service!

Next week, our middle school students will celebrate Fall Spirit Week, which includes our annual Hallowfest on Tuesday! See the details on all festivities below. (Note: Spirit Week for high school students will take place during the week of November 10th.)

In this edition of the Scoop, we highlight our students as historians and scientists in action, our student-athletes on the field, and our student-artists drawing inspiration from nature. Finally, we preview a number of exciting upcoming school events and opportunities for you and your family.

Have an excellent weekend—and again, we hope to see you at Sunday’s walk!

In unity,
Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of October 25, 2025:

1. New – Highlights of Students and their Teachers in Action this Week!: Enjoy the photos below of our students and teachers in action! This week, our 6th graders stepped into the role of historians as they analyzed primary sources to uncover evidence and draw conclusions about the past. Meanwhile, our high school chemistry students worked as scientists do—conducting experiments in the lab to explore chemical reactions and strengthen their skills through hands-on investigation.

2. New – Unity High Art Students Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – One of the Premier Botanic Gardens in the World!: Unity High’s art students explored the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this week to draw inspiration from its stunning natural landscapes and refine their sketching skills. Kudos to Ms. Gjakova for making this enriching experience possible!

3. Updated – Unity’s Campuses to Join Forces to Support The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer this Sunday Morning!: Members of our community from grades 6 through 12 will participate in a 3-mile walk on Sunday, October 26th, in support of The American Cancer Society (ACS).  ACS’s Making Strides initiative raises lifesaving funds that support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers through every step of the journey.  Unity families are encouraged to take part!

4. Updated – Thank You for Wearing Pink on Wednesdays for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!: Throughout October, our community came together in support and solidarity by wearing pink each Wednesday. Your participation helped raise awareness and honor those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer. We applaud our Unity community for advocating with heart and showing what it means to stand together!

5. New – Middle School Fall Spirit Week is this Coming Week!:  See the fliers below for Unity Middle’s Spirit Week and Annual Hallowsfest Extravaganza during the Week of October 27th!

6. New – Panther Athletics!: This week, we’re excited to share a series of sports highlights as we enter the final stretch of the fall season — including action shots of our HS soccer team and team photos for MS volleyball, MS cross country, and HS soccer!

7. New – Attention Middle School Families!  Picture Day to Take Place on Wednesday, November 5th: We are excited to have our middle school filled with smiles!

8. New – Attention Unity Students in Grades 8-11 – Apply Now for a Paid Internship with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now recruiting students in grades 8–11 for the 2026 Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!

More information is available online at bbg.org/gap.  Additional details include:

BBG Garden Apprentices:

            •           Earn a monetary award after apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).

•           Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.

•           Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.

•           Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.

•           Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.

•           Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.

•           Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.

Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and answers to frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 5th.

9. Recap – Congrats to Unity’s Students of the Month!:  Kudos to our Students of the Month from September!  We celebrate these students for showing exemplary scholarship and citizenship!

10. Recap – Get Ready for Our October i-Ready Challenge!
Unity Middle is kicking off a fun, schoolwide competition from October 22nd–31st to get our students excited about learning and earning rewards! During this two-week challenge, students will log minutes on i-Ready Math and ELA, with prizes for top performers — including a pizza lunch, dress-down passes, and other fun surprises.

This kickoff round is designed to spark excitement, build great learning habits, and set the stage for our monthly i-Ready Challenges beginning in November. Let’s cheer on our students as they learn, grow, and have fun along the way!

11. Recap – We Salute our Middle School Student-Athletes of the Month for September!  Let’s give it up for our Unity Middle School Students of the Month! These Panthers showed outstanding effort, teamwork, and character all month long. You set the bar high—keep shining and leading the way!

12. Recap – Unity Stands Up Against Bullying!: Over the past few weeks, Unity students and staff proudly stood together against bullying—promoting kindness, inclusion, and respect throughout our community. Many showed their solidarity by wearing orange and blue, reminding us all to speak up, reach out, and support one another every day.

This past week, Unity High students also took part in Community Circles to reflect on how we can prevent harmful behaviors and actively promote healthy relationships and a positive school culture for all.

13. Recap – October 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of October – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

14. Recap – Thank You for Joining Our High School (HS) Info Session this Week!: A huge shout-out to all caregivers who joined our Unity Prep HS Virtual Information Session – it was fantastic seeing so many families together on Zoom! The session was packed with high-quality information on academics, extracurriculars, athletics, and family/student testimonials.

Follow-Up & Next Steps:

• Info Session Slides
• Tour Unity Prep HS: Every Tuesday at 9:30 AM — sign up at bit.ly/UPHStours
• Reserve Your Seat: Email cbeckford@unityprep.org if you’d like to confirm your child’s seat at UPHS for the fall of 2026
• DOE MySchools Overview

We’re excited to partner with you for a great high school experience!

15. Recap – Congratulations to Unity High’s Newly Elected Student Government Association (SGA)!: Congratulations to our newly elected representatives of the SGA! Kudos to all students who ran for office and took on the challenge of leading a campaign—sharing their ideas, vision, and voice with our community. We look forward to seeing the SGA make a meaningful impact on our school in the months ahead!

16. Recap – Unity’s Annual Canned Food Drive!: Unity is proud to partner with City Harvest to collect non-perishable food items through November 17th. Every donation—big or small—will help support local families in need and remind us of the power of kindness and community.

Students who contribute will also earn Panther Pride Points for showing Empathy and making a difference in the lives of others.

17. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

18. Recap –  Attention Middle School Families Who Are Interested in Afterschool Programming!: The partnership with our middle school and St. Nick’s Alliance continues strongly this year.  St. Nick’s offers a rich array of afterschool programming in academic enrichment, leadership development, and extra-curricular activities for our middle school students.  Programming began on Monday, September 15th. Afterschool applications have been distributed to students and additional copies are available in the main office. Through St. Nick’s programming, 17 students from each grade have access to a free field trip to Dorney Park Halloween Haunt!

Details on St. Nick’s Alliance afterschool program and the upcoming field trip will be shared with families after submitting their application. Please contact Program Director, Luis Rodriguez, with questions via email at lrodriguez@stnickallliance.org, or by phone at 646-676-1309.

19. Recap – Guidance on Supporting Your Child with School at Home: As communicated last week, there are four key actions you are encouraged to engage in at home throughout this month to help your child get off to a strong start to the school year.  Congratulations on completing #4 below this week!

 Four Actions for a Strong Start

 Ask Your Child About Their Day
Engage your child in conversations about their school day and week. If our team can help ensure your child is enjoying their school experience, please reach out to:

• help.ms@unityprep.org
• help.hs@unityprep.org
• or your child’s advisor

 Check Jupiter for Progress Updates
Stay informed about your child’s progress in Jupiter.

• Watch this brief video tutorial for instructions.
• Email your child’s advisor with any questions about their specific gradebook or assignments.

 Create a Homework Space & Routine
Help your child set a consistent space and routine for completing homework or practicing skills. Routines build strong study habits that will pay off all year long.

 Attend Back-to-School Night this Week!
Meet teachers, learn about curricula, and see what your child will be learning this year!

• High School: Tuesday, 9/16

• Middle School: Wednesday, 9/17

20. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

21. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

22. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

23. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Families of Unity,

I hope that this past week has been good to you and your loved ones. I’ll begin this edition of the Unity Scoop with two brief but important shout-outs.

First, congratulations to our students for showcasing all that they have learned so far this year through the completion of their first round of interim assessments. Our high school students will wrap up their assessments this coming Wednesday—kudos to all for putting forth their best efforts!

In addition, kudos to our student-athletes for their efforts this week – see the calendar below this coming week’s athletic contests and enjoy the photo here of our MS soccer team.

Finally, a big shout-out to our entire community for continuing to champion anti-bullying awareness and for standing united in the fight against breast cancer. Our advocacy continues this week as all students wear pink in solidarity on Wednesday and take part in the Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, where all family members are encouraged to participate. See the flier below for details.

In this edition of the Scoop, we spotlight a number of community members, including our Students of the Month for September and our MS Student-Athletes of the Month. We also share details about a number of exciting and recent school events for you and your family.

Best wishes in the week ahead!

In unity,
Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of October 19, 2025:

1. New – Congrats to Unity’s Students of the Month!:  Kudos to our Students of the Month from September!  We celebrate these students for showing exemplary scholarship and citizenship!

2. New – Get Ready for Our October i-Ready Challenge!
Unity Middle is kicking off a fun, schoolwide competition from October 22nd–31st to get our students excited about learning and earning rewards! During this two-week challenge, students will log minutes on i-Ready Math and ELA, with prizes for top performers — including a pizza lunch, dress-down passes, and other fun surprises.

This kickoff round is designed to spark excitement, build great learning habits, and set the stage for our monthly i-Ready Challenges beginning in November. Let’s cheer on our students as they learn, grow, and have fun along the way!

3. New – We Salute our Middle School Student-Athletes of the Month for September!  Let’s give it up for our Unity Middle School Students of the Month! These Panthers showed outstanding effort, teamwork, and character all month long. You set the bar high—keep shining and leading the way!

4. Updated – Unity Stands Up Against Bullying!: Over the past few weeks, Unity students and staff proudly stood together against bullying—promoting kindness, inclusion, and respect throughout our community. Many showed their solidarity by wearing orange and blue, reminding us all to speak up, reach out, and support one another every day.

This past week, Unity High students also took part in Community Circles to reflect on how we can prevent harmful behaviors and actively promote healthy relationships and a positive school culture for all.

5. Recap – October 2025 Schoolwide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of October – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

6. Recap – Kudos to our P.R.I.D.E. Leaders as of the Month of September: Our P.R.I.D.E. Core Values of Progress, Respect for All, Integrity, Discovery, and Empathy represent qualities that we covet as a school community.  They also represent qualities that we believe empower our students to lead fulfilling lives and, therefore, qualities that we have a responsibility to actively teach and positively reinforce.

The students listed below are our leaders from the month of September, being recognized by their teachers for demonstrating our Core Values.  On behalf of our school community, we are proud of these students, and look forward to continuing to shout out all of our students when they demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. in our community.

7. Recap – Thank You for Joining Our High School (HS) Info Session this Week!: A huge shout-out to all caregivers who joined our Unity Prep HS Virtual Information Session – it was fantastic seeing so many families together on Zoom! The session was packed with high-quality information on academics, extracurriculars, athletics, and family/student testimonials.

Follow-Up & Next Steps:

• Info Session Slides
• Tour Unity Prep HS: Every Tuesday at 9:30 AM — sign up at bit.ly/UPHStours
• Reserve Your Seat: Email cbeckford@unityprep.org if you’d like to confirm your child’s seat at UPHS for the fall of 2026
• DOE MySchools Overview

We’re excited to partner with you for a great high school experience!

8, Recap – Congratulations to Unity High’s Newly Elected Student Government Association (SGA)!: Congratulations to our newly elected representatives of the SGA! Kudos to all students who ran for office and took on the challenge of leading a campaign—sharing their ideas, vision, and voice with our community. We look forward to seeing the SGA make a meaningful impact on our school in the months ahead!

9. Recap – Unity’s Annual Canned Food Drive!: Unity is proud to partner with City Harvest to collect non-perishable food items through November 17th. Every donation—big or small—will help support local families in need and remind us of the power of kindness and community.

Students who contribute will also earn Panther Pride Points for showing Empathy and making a difference in the lives of others.

10. Recap – Wear Pink on Wednesdays for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!: Join us in showing support and solidarity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink!  Your participation helps raise awareness and honors those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.  Let’s fill our halls with pink and unity!

11. Recap – Save the Date! Unity’s Campuses to Join Forces to Support The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 26th (note – this date is now correct): Members of our community from grades 6 through 12 will participate in a 3-mile walk on Sunday, October 26th, in support of The American Cancer Society (ACS).  ACS’s Making Strides initiative raises lifesaving funds that support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers through every step of the journey.  Unity families are encouraged to take part!

12. Recap –  Thank you, Families, for Taking Part in our Recent Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We are grateful to our families who participated in our Family Ambassadors meeting. As always, the meeting was productive, energizing, and, of course, fun! The agenda from the meeting is below.  Here are the slides from the meeting. And see the meeting below. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on November 6th!

13. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

14. Recap –  Attention Middle School Families Who Are Interested in Afterschool Programming!: The partnership with our middle school and St. Nick’s Alliance continues strongly this year.  St. Nick’s offers a rich array of afterschool programming in academic enrichment, leadership development, and extra-curricular activities for our middle school students.  Programming began on Monday, September 15th. Afterschool applications have been distributed to students and additional copies are available in the main office. Through St. Nick’s programming, 17 students from each grade have access to a free field trip to Dorney Park Halloween Haunt!

Details on St. Nick’s Alliance afterschool program and the upcoming field trip will be shared with families after submitting their application. Please contact Program Director, Luis Rodriguez, with questions via email at lrodriguez@stnickallliance.org, or by phone at 646-676-1309.

15. Recap – Guidance on Supporting Your Child with School at Home: As communicated last week, there are four key actions you are encouraged to engage in at home throughout this month to help your child get off to a strong start to the school year.  Congratulations on completing #4 below this week!

 Four Actions for a Strong Start

 Ask Your Child About Their Day
Engage your child in conversations about their school day and week. If our team can help ensure your child is enjoying their school experience, please reach out to:

• help.ms@unityprep.org
• help.hs@unityprep.org
• or your child’s advisor

 Check Jupiter for Progress Updates
Stay informed about your child’s progress in Jupiter.

• Watch this brief video tutorial for instructions.
• Email your child’s advisor with any questions about their specific gradebook or assignments.

 Create a Homework Space & Routine
Help your child set a consistent space and routine for completing homework or practicing skills. Routines build strong study habits that will pay off all year long.

 Attend Back-to-School Night this Week!
Meet teachers, learn about curricula, and see what your child will be learning this year!

• High School: Tuesday, 9/16

• Middle School: Wednesday, 9/17

16. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

17. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below. Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

18. Recap – Help Us Welcome New Panthers to Unity Prep!: Unity has a few limited seats available for the 2025–26 school year – and we’re looking to fill them with amazing families like yours!

Finding the right school can be a big decision, and our current families are our best ambassadors. If you know a family who would thrive in our small, caring, college-prep community, please connect them with Mr. Beckford via email or (862) 294-0219.

As a thank-you, both your family and the new family will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies when they enroll. Let’s keep building our small and mighty community—one Panther at a time!

19. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Families of Unity,

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

As we head into a long fall weekend, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks—on behalf of our entire faculty and staff—for your continued partnership and active support. As I mentioned last week, the school year is off to a strong and promising start, and so much of our early success is due to our collaboration with you. Let’s stay the course!

In this edition of the Scoop, we highlight our Core Value Leaders for the first month of school, share important high school information for our 8th-grade families following this week’s session, and congratulate Unity High’s newly elected Student Government Association representatives. We also share updates on a variety of recent and upcoming school events and service initiatives.

Wishing you a joyful and restorative three-day weekend – we look forward to reconvening on Tuesday morning!

In unity,
Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of October 13, 2025:

1. New – Kudos to our P.R.I.D.E. Leaders as of the Month of September: Our P.R.I.D.E. Core Values of Progress, Respect for All, Integrity, Discovery, and Empathy represent qualities that we covet as a school community.  They also represent qualities that we believe empower our students to lead fulfilling lives and, therefore, qualities that we have a responsibility to actively teach and positively reinforce.

The students listed below are our leaders from the month of September, being recognized by their teachers for demonstrating our Core Values.  On behalf of our school community, we are proud of these students, and look forward to continuing to shout out all of our students when they demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. in our community.

2. New – Thank You for Joining Our High School (HS) Info Session this Week!: A huge shout-out to all caregivers who joined our Unity Prep HS Virtual Information Session – it was fantastic seeing so many families together on Zoom! The session was packed with high-quality information on academics, extracurriculars, athletics, and family/student testimonials.

Follow-Up & Next Steps:

• Info Session Slides
• Tour Unity Prep HS: Every Tuesday at 9:30 AM — sign up at bit.ly/UPHStours
• Reserve Your Seat: Email cbeckford@unityprep.org if you’d like to confirm your child’s seat at UPHS for the fall of 2026
• DOE MySchools Overview

We’re excited to partner with you for a great high school experience!

3, New – Congratulations to Unity High’s Newly Elected Student Government Association (SGA)!: Congratulations to our newly elected representatives of the SGA! Kudos to all students who ran for office and took on the challenge of leading a campaign—sharing their ideas, vision, and voice with our community. We look forward to seeing the SGA make a meaningful impact on our school in the months ahead!

4. New – Unity Middle’s Celebration of Latin & Hispanic Heritage Continues!: During Community Meetings on Wednesday, October 22nd, students will cap off the month with a lively game of Jeopardy! – showcasing what they’ve learned about the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Latin and Hispanic communities. ¡Vamos, Unity scholars!

5. New – Unity’s Annual Canned Food Drive!: Unity is partnering with City Harvest to collect non-perishable food items through November 17th.  All donations will support community members in need—and students who participate will earn Panther Pride Points for showing Empathy!

6. New – Strikes and Smiles: Upcoming 7th Grade Bowling Trip on November 12th!: It’s almost time to hit the lanes! 7th graders will enjoy a day of strikes, spares, and smiles together. A quick reminder that the $20 fee is due by 10/22.

7. Updated – Unity High Stands Against Bullying!: Over the past two weeks, Unity students and staff proudly stood together against bullying—promoting kindness, inclusion, and respect throughout our community. Many showed their solidarity by wearing orange or blue, reminding us all to speak up, reach out, and support one another every day.

8. Updated – October 2025 School-wide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of October – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

9. New – Wear Pink on Wednesdays for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!: Join us in showing support and solidarity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink!  Your participation helps raise awareness and honors those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.  Let’s fill our halls with pink and unity!

10. Updated – Save the Date! Unity’s Campuses to Join Forces to Support The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 26th (note – this date is now correct): Members of our community from grades 6 through 12 will participate in a 3-mile walk on Sunday, October 26th, in support of The American Cancer Society (ACS).  ACS’s Making Strides initiative raises lifesaving funds that support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers through every step of the journey.  Unity families are encouraged to take part!

11. Recap –  Thank you, Families, for Taking Part in our Recent Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We are grateful to our families who participated in our Family Ambassadors meeting. As always, the meeting was productive, energizing, and, of course, fun! The agenda from the meeting is below.  Here are the slides from the meeting. And see the meeting below. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on November 6th!

12. Recap – Perfect Attendance in September!: The following lengthy list of students demonstrated a strong and consistent dedication to their education by showing stellar attendance this past month.  Kudos to these students – we love seeing you each and every day!  And, of course, we look forward to celebrating additional students at the end of this month!

13. Recap – Athletics Enrichment Beyond the Court and Field at Unity!!: Last Saturday, we held our Annual Student vs. Faculty Flag Football Game at MetLife Stadium! Our students and staff had the thrilling opportunity to compete on an actual NFL field.  Thank you to all who came out to support the event and/or donated to the cause!

Enjoy the accompanying photos of our community in action: members of the Girls Basketball Team at the NY Liberty’s playoff game and Unity alumni gathering at Citi Field for a Mets game. These moments showcase the enrichment that athletics at Unity provides – building skills, pride, and lasting memories both on and off the court or field.

14. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

15. Recap –  Attention Middle School Families Who Are Interested in Afterschool Programming!: The partnership with our middle school and St. Nick’s Alliance continues strongly this year.  St. Nick’s offers a rich array of afterschool programming in academic enrichment, leadership development, and extra-curricular activities for our middle school students.  Programming began on Monday, September 15th. Afterschool applications have been distributed to students and additional copies are available in the main office. Through St. Nick’s programming, 17 students from each grade have access to a free field trip to Dorney Park Halloween Haunt!

Details on St. Nick’s Alliance afterschool program and the upcoming field trip will be shared with families after submitting their application. Please contact Program Director, Luis Rodriguez, with questions via email at lrodriguez@stnickallliance.org, or by phone at 646-676-1309.

16. Recap – Guidance on Supporting Your Child with School at Home: As communicated last week, there are four key actions you are encouraged to engage in at home throughout this month to help your child get off to a strong start to the school year.  Congratulations on completing #4 below this week!

Four Actions for a Strong Start

1️⃣ Ask Your Child About Their Day
Engage your child in conversations about their school day and week. If our team can help ensure your child is enjoying their school experience, please reach out to:

• help.ms@unityprep.org
• help.hs@unityprep.org
• or your child’s advisor

2️⃣ Check Jupiter for Progress Updates
Stay informed about your child’s progress in Jupiter.

• Watch this brief video tutorial for instructions.
• Email your child’s advisor with any questions about their specific gradebook or assignments.

3️⃣ Create a Homework Space & Routine
Help your child set a consistent space and routine for completing homework or practicing skills. Routines build strong study habits that will pay off all year long.

4️⃣ ☑Attend Back-to-School Night this Week!
Meet teachers, learn about curricula, and see what your child will be learning this year!

• High School: Tuesday, 9/16
• Middle School: Wednesday, 9/17

17. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

18. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below.  Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

19. Updated – New Students for Fall 2025 – Unity Prep has a few seats available for rising 6th and 9th graders for the 2025-26 school year. Finding the right school can be tough, and our current families (you!) are the best advocates. If you know of any interested families, please reach out to Mr. Beckford via email or cell (862-294-0219). For any families that refer a new family, both will be given a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies.

20. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!

Dear Families of Unity,

Congratulations on supporting your children through a full and vibrant week of school at Unity! Thank you to all who joined us at last night’s Family Ambassadors Meeting — the slides from the meeting are linked below.

In this edition of the Unity Scoop:

• We highlight our students standing proudly behind our Antibullying initiatives. Be sure to visit us on Instagram to see a number of our 6th graders sharing their wisdom on the power of kindness and respect for all.  Click on the image below to view!

• We celebrate students with Perfect Attendance in September across grades 6–12.
• We share updates on a host of school initiatives and upcoming events.

Looking ahead to next week:

• Grades 6–8 Interim Assessments in history and math — our middle schoolers will showcase all they’ve learned so far this year.
• Athletic Contests across both campuses — come out and cheer on our Panthers!
• Unity High School Admissions Information Session for middle school families — Tuesday evening.
• Student Government Elections — high school students will rock the vote on Wednesday.

Enjoy the lovely fall weather this weekend!

In unity,
Josh

Josh Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder
Updates as of October 3, 2025:

1. New – Attention 7th and 8th Grade Unity Families – Attend our Virtual Information Session for Admissions to Unity High, October 7, 2025, 6pm: Join us for an evening to discover what makes Unity High School a small and mighty community where every student is known, supported, and challenged. Learn about our rigorous academics, inclusive culture, robust extracurriculars, and personalized college and career readiness pathways that set us apart.

At this session, you will:
✨ Meet our High School Principal and Leadership Team
✨ Hear directly from current students, alumni, and parents about their Unity experience
✨ Explore the programs, opportunities, and supports that make Unity a distinct choice for families

Did you know? Unity High School has a 97% graduation rate and 100% of students were accepted to college.

RSVP here to reserve your spot!  The Zoom Information Session link is here.

2. New – Thank you, Families, for Taking Part in our Recent Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We are grateful to our families who participated in our Family Ambassadors meeting. As always, the meeting was productive, energizing, and, of course, fun! The agenda from the meeting is below.  Here are the slides from the meeting. And see the meeting below. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on November 6th!

3. New – Perfect Attendance in September!: The following lengthy list of students demonstrated a strong and consistent dedication to their education by showing stellar attendance this past month.  Kudos to these students – we love seeing you each and every day!  And, of course, we look forward to celebrating additional students at the end of this month!

4. Updated – Athletics Enrichment Beyond the Court and Field at Unity!!: Last Saturday, we held our Annual Student vs. Faculty Flag Football Game at MetLife Stadium! Our students and staff had the thrilling opportunity to compete on an actual NFL field.  Thank you to all who came out to support the event and/or donated to the cause!

Enjoy the accompanying photos of our community in action: members of the Girls Basketball Team at the NY Liberty’s playoff game and Unity alumni gathering at Citi Field for a Mets game. These moments showcase the enrichment that athletics at Unity provides – building skills, pride, and lasting memories both on and off the court or field.

5. Updated – Unity High Stands Against Bullying! – Wednesday, October 8th: Unity’s strong stance against bullying and for kindness, inclusion, and respect continues this week. Unity High students and staff are encouraged to wear blue on 10/8 to show solidarity and remind our community to speak up, reach out, and support one another.

6. Recap – October 2025 School-wide Calendar: For your family’s convenience, here is a schoolwide calendar of events for the month of October – print it out and throw it on the refrigerator door!  It is possible that events could change and new events could be added.  An up-to-date events calendar can always be accessed on our website.

7. Recap – Save the Date! Unity’s Campuses to Join Forces to Support The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Saturday, October 25th: Members of our community from grades 6 through 12 will participate in a 3-mile walk on Saturday, October 25th, in support of The American Cancer Society (ACS).  ACS’s Making Strides initiative raises lifesaving funds that support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers through every step of the journey.  Unity families are encouraged to take part!

8. Recap – Urban Advantage Family Science Days: Free Museum Admission for Unity Middle Families!: Through Unity’s partnership with Urban Advantage (UA), students in grades 6–8 and their families can enjoy free admission to some of New York City’s premiere museums and institutions.  Vouchers will be handed out to students in their science classes next week. Each voucher provides free entrance for our Unity scientists plus three guests.

9. Recap –  Attention Middle School Families Who Are Interested in Afterschool Programming!: The partnership with our middle school and St. Nick’s Alliance continues strongly this year.  St. Nick’s offers a rich array of afterschool programming in academic enrichment, leadership development, and extra-curricular activities for our middle school students.  Programming began on Monday, September 15th. Afterschool applications have been distributed to students and additional copies are available in the main office. Through St. Nick’s programming, 17 students from each grade have access to a free field trip to Dorney Park Halloween Haunt!

Details on St. Nick’s Alliance afterschool program and the upcoming field trip will be shared with families after submitting their application. Please contact Program Director, Luis Rodriguez, with questions via email at lrodriguez@stnickallliance.org, or by phone at 646-676-1309.

10. Recap – Guidance on Supporting Your Child with School at Home: As communicated last week, there are four key actions you are encouraged to engage in at home throughout this month to help your child get off to a strong start to the school year.  Congratulations on completing #4 below this week!

Four Actions for a Strong Start

1️⃣ Ask Your Child About Their Day
Engage your child in conversations about their school day and week. If our team can help ensure your child is enjoying their school experience, please reach out to:

• help.ms@unityprep.org
• help.hs@unityprep.org
• or your child’s advisor

2️⃣ Check Jupiter for Progress Updates
Stay informed about your child’s progress in Jupiter.

• Watch this brief video tutorial for instructions.
• Email your child’s advisor with any questions about their specific gradebook or assignments.

3️⃣ Create a Homework Space & Routine
Help your child set a consistent space and routine for completing homework or practicing skills. Routines build strong study habits that will pay off all year long.

4️⃣ ☑Attend Back-to-School Night this Week!
Meet teachers, learn about curricula, and see what your child will be learning this year!

• High School: Tuesday, 9/16
• Middle School: Wednesday, 9/17

11. Recap – Unity’s 2025-26 Student & Family Handbook is Available Here!:

12. Recap – 2025-26 School Year Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2025-26 school year are available below.  Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

• Grades 6-8 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families
• Grades 9-12 2025-26 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families

13. Updated – New Students for Fall 2025 – Unity Prep has a few seats available for rising 6th and 9th graders for the 2025-26 school year. Finding the right school can be tough, and our current families (you!) are the best advocates. If you know of any interested families, please reach out to Mr. Beckford via email or cell (862-294-0219). For any families that refer a new family, both will be given a $100 Amazon gift card for school supplies.

14. Recap – Join our New Unity Prep Instagram (IG) Account Today!: We recently launched our new grades 6-12 IG account to bring our entire community together – @unityprepcharterschool.  Don’t miss out – follow us now!