Dear Families of Unity,

I hope that the first week of March was good to you and your loved ones.

I’m going to jump right into updates today.  In this edition of The Unity Scoop, I spotlight two school initiatives that we are proud of – our student literary magazine and our intramurals program.  I also provide a number of useful reminders as we forge ahead to spring.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best Regards,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of March 6, 2021:

1. New – Issue No. 5 of the Unity Review is Available for your Reading Pleasure!  I am excited to share with you the sixth issue of the Unity Review literary magazine.  The Unity Review team continues to work incredibly hard to bring to you the ideas and talents of our young writers and artists.  This edition’s theme is Love and Hate and includes a number of impressive submissions.  Enjoy!

2. New – Take Part in our Opt-in, In-Person, Intramural Athletics Program!: Unity’s intramural program provides students with opportunities to exercise, learn, and interact with their peers six days a week.  We currently offer the following sports: Basketball, Soccer, Step, Volleyball, and Track.  If you are interested in registering your child, please contact Mr. Coleman (Acoleman@unityprep.org) for the middle school or Mr. Noblia (Pnoblia@unityprep.org) for the high school.

3. Recap – Working Papers for HS Students During Remote Learning: We know many students will be applying for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) or Ladders For Leaders in the coming weeks.  In order to do so, students may wish to obtain their working papers.  The process for obtaining working papers during remote learning is as follows:

1.  Parent/guardian completes section I of this form:  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/documents/AT17-0320Fillable.pdf

(Form can be typed directly into and saved.)

2.  Email the form to Ms. Kim: ykim@unityprep.org.

3.  Ms. Kim must also see the student’s birth certificate and a completed physical from the student’s doctor dated within one year OR a letter from the doctor stating the student is physically fit to work also dated within one year.  These documents can be emailed to ykim@unityprep.org OR a Zoom call can be scheduled where the documents can be presented.

4.  After these steps are complete, the working papers will be mailed to your home.

If there are any questions about this process, please email Ms. Kim at ykim@unityprep.org.

4. Recap – College Information for Students and Families of Unity: See the updates below from our College & Career Readiness Team!

• Important Notes & Semester 2 Key Dates for 12th Grade Students – Please note the following KEY DATES for the remainder of the school year:
  • Quarter 3: 2/1/2021 – 3/19/2021 (February 1st – March 19th)
  • Quarter 4: 3/22/2021 – 5/28/2021 (March 22nd – May 28th)

If you do not complete your graduation requirements and pass all of your current classes in that time period, you will be programmed for a mandatory credit recovery period in June and/or mandatory summer school.  If you have ANY questions about whether or not you are on track to complete your graduation requirements by May 28th, please reach out to Ms. Roth or Mr. Gonzalez ASAP.

• If you have:

1. Not completed your college applications
2. Not completed your FAFSA and TAP applications
3. Have any questions about your graduation status

Please contact Ms. Roth and/or Mr. Gonzalez ASAP. These are time sensitive conversations and must happen immediately.

• Unity Students Earn College Credits! – We are so proud when Unity students demonstrate initiative and resilience – two values which are so important in college and throughout life.  The following students exhibited these values by earning college credits through our partnership with CUNY City Tech last semester.  Despite being in a pandemic, learning remotely, attending to responsibilities at home and their regular high school courses, all of these students completed actual college courses and earned impressive grades!  Please join us in congratulating them!
  • Daniella W.
  • Jaemiah W.
  • Jennifer S.
  • Keon H.
  • Malika S.
  • Roshawanna S.
  • Samija T.

• College Acceptances (already!!!) – Although it is incredibly early in the college admissions process for schools to accept students, several Unity students have already been accepted to college!  So far, seniors have been accepted to: Ithaca College, LeMoyne College, Manhattanville College, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY University at Buffalo (one of the best schools in the nation!!!), SUNY Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport, Temple University (alma mater of three amazing Unity staff members), Drexel University, CUNY John Jay College, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, and CUNY Lehman College.  Please join us in congratulating them!  Stay tuned for more great news in the coming weeks!

5. Recap – Miscellaneous Updates for our High School Families:

• Check out the Unity Prep High School Parent Corner: there are some really cool additions to the parent site this month, including a presentation on supporting your teen’s mental health, a full list of enrichment opportunities, and SUNY virtual experience information. Please remember to check the family site regularly for updates.

• SAT Updates: Many families have been reaching out with questions about the SAT. College Board introduced some very significant changes this week:
  • Subject Tests have been eliminated for all U.S. students, effective immediately. They will remain available for all international students through this summer. Beginning in Fall of 2021, they will be eliminated for international students as well.
  • The SAT Essay will be phased out after the June 2021 administration. However, it will still be offered for statewide testing when there is a state level contract (e.g., Delaware).
  • A digital version of the SAT is coming soon, likely sometime later this year. More details to follow in April. The College Board is looking at ways to “streamline and upgrade” the SAT.
• 11th Grade Academic Counseling:
  • Please remind your student to check the 11th grade academic counseling Google Classroom regularly.
  • *NEW* Open Office Hours have changed! New Hours: Tuesdays 12PM-12:30PM & Fridays 11:10AM-11:40AM (Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8406380546) 11th grade students and families are welcome to pop in with quick academic questions and concerns.
  • To schedule an individual student or family session with Ms. Eason use this link: https://calendly.com/leason/20min

6. Recap – Unity’s School Calendar for Families through the End of June 2021: In the spirit of providing you with the information you need to best support your child with school at home, here are our updated middle and high school calendars through June 2021.

• Middle School Calendar for Families through June 2021
• High School Calendar for Families through June 2021

7. Recap – Unity’s Panther Den is Open to Middle and High School Students who Demonstrate PRIDE!: The Panther Den is where students can redeem the Core Value (PRIDE) points that they’ve earned for prizes and gifts of their choice.

• Middle school students can submit their requests for the Panther Den prizes via the following link.  Middle school students should reach out to their grade level dean with any questions.
• The High School Den is open to students on Wednesdays from 3:05-3:50pm and can be accessed using this link.

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

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

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

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Middle School Students: All students are expected to have the following school supplies:
  • 5 composition notebooks
  • 10+ pencils
  • 10+ pens
  • Ruler with centimeters (science only)
  • Blank white paper
  • Colored pencils
  • New York City Public Library Card

• High School Students: High school supplies are organized by course and can be found here.  Students are expected to have the supplies listed for each of the courses they are taking.  In addition, we thank all of the families that picked up their class resource bags.  Members of our high school operations team have been contacting students and families who were unable to pick up their bags to coordinate alternative pick up times and will continue to do so this coming week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Families of Unity,

It felt great to be back in action this week following a restful February break.

The week was an eventful one for our community as we continued to honor Black history, including a full day of learning and celebration on Friday.  In addition, our students took part in a weeklong career fair in which they were exposed to a wide array of professions.  On behalf of our entire community, I wish to thank our staff, faculty, and community volunteers who led the way and/or contributed to the eventful week and all that it offered to our students as they consider their role in history and their career aspirations.

In this edition of The Unity Scoop, I spotlight the events of the past week.  I also include an important survey that we kindly ask our families to complete.  Finally, I provide a number of useful reminders as we enter the month of March.  I look forward to the week ahead and the longer days and warmer temperatures that come with the early spring!

Have a lovely weekend.

Best Regards,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of February 27, 2021:

1. New – Unity Continues its Celebration of Black History: It has been a festive month and past week with our honoring of Black history.  Our celebration continued on Friday with workshops, presentations, a keynote speaking engagement, and fun through trivia and other festivities.  Enjoy the photos from the celebration below!

2. New – Unity Experiences its Fifth Annual Career Fair!: Unity students in grades 6-12 were exposed to a host of career options this week, including but not limited to: professions in the music industry, law, advertising, technology, business, social work, and farming!  Appreciate the event by taking in the photos below.

3. New – We Want Your Feedback on Our Remote Learning Program as We Make Decisions on Future Programming!  We are eager to learn about your satisfaction and comfort with our remote program as of now.  We are also interested in gaining your input on how we close out the 2020-21 school year and whether we further expand our in-person programming to best serve our students and families.  We kindly ask all families to take five minutes to complete this survey.  Thanks in advance – your input is important to us!

4. New – Working Papers for HS Students During Remote Learning: We know many students will be applying for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) or Ladders For Leaders in the coming weeks.  As a result, students may wish to obtain their working papers.  The process for obtaining working papers during remote learning is as follows:

1.  Parent/guardian completes section I of this form:  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/documents/AT17-0320Fillable.pdf

(Form can be typed directly into and saved.)

2.  Email the form to Ms. Del Purgatorio: tdelpurgatorio@unityprep.org.

3.  Ms. Del Purgatorio must also see the student’s birth certificate and a completed physical from the student’s doctor dated within one year OR a letter from the doctor stating the student is physically fit to work also dated within one year.  These documents can be emailed to tdelpurgatorio@unityprep.org OR a Zoom call can be scheduled where the documents can be presented.

4.  After these steps are complete, the working papers will be mailed to your home.

If there are any questions about this process, please email Tina Del Purgatorio at  tdelpurgatorio@unityprep.org.

5. Recap – College Information for Students and Families of Unity: See the updates below from our College & Career Readiness Team!

• Important Notes & Semester 2 Key Dates for 12th Grade Students – Please note the following KEY DATES for the remainder of the school year:
  • Quarter 3: 2/1/2021 – 3/19/2021 (February 1st – March 19th)
  • Quarter 4: 3/22/2021 – 5/28/2021 (March 22nd – May 28th)

If you do not complete your graduation requirements and pass all of your current classes in that time period, you will be programmed for a mandatory credit recovery period in June and/or mandatory summer school.  If you have ANY questions about whether or not you are on track to complete your graduation requirements by May 28th, please reach out to Ms. Roth or Mr. Gonzalez ASAP.

• If you have:

1. Not completed your college applications
2. Not completed your FAFSA and TAP applications
3. Have any questions about your graduation status

Please contact Ms. Roth and/or Mr. Gonzalez ASAP. These are time sensitive conversations and must happen immediately.

• Unity Students Earn College Credits! – We are so proud when Unity students demonstrate initiative and resilience – two values which are so important in college and throughout life.  The following students exhibited these values by earning college credits through our partnership with CUNY City Tech last semester.  Despite being in a pandemic, learning remotely, attending to responsibilities at home and their regular high school courses, all of these students completed actual college courses and earned impressive grades!  Please join us in congratulating them!
  • Daniella W.
  • Jaemiah W.
  • Jennifer S.
  • Keon H.
  • Malika S.
  • Roshawanna S.
  • Samija T.
• College Acceptances (already!!!) – Although it is incredibly early in the college admissions process for schools to accept students, several Unity students have already been accepted to college!  So far, seniors have been accepted to: Ithaca College, LeMoyne College, Manhattanville College, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY University at Buffalo (one of the best schools in the nation!!!), SUNY Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport, Temple University (alma mater of three amazing Unity staff members), Drexel University, CUNY John Jay College, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, and CUNY Lehman College.  Please join us in congratulating them!  Stay tuned for more great news in the coming weeks!

6. Recap – A Brief Update on School Programming for the 2020-21 School Year: I am writing today to provide a brief update on our school programming for the 2020-21 school year.  Given what we now know and new information gathered over the past month, the continuation of our remote program is the best course of action for our school community.  We will extend our remote programming through at least April 12, 2021.  As I have said before, we are at our best as a small, tight-knit community when we are operating in person and we are eager to transition back to in-person programming when it is safe to do so.  With this interest in mind, we will re-evaluate conditions in early March and provide an update on how we will conclude the school year during the week of March 8th.

7. Recap – Miscellaneous Updates for our High School Families:

• Check out the Unity Prep High School Parent Corner: there are some really cool additions to the parent site this month, including a presentation on supporting your teen’s mental health, a full list of enrichment opportunities, and SUNY virtual experience information. Please remember to check the family site regularly for updates.

• SAT Updates: Many families have been reaching out with questions about the SAT. College Board introduced some very significant changes this week:
  • Subject Tests have been eliminated for all U.S. students, effective immediately. They will remain available for all international students through this summer. Beginning in Fall of 2021, they will be eliminated for international students as well.
  • The SAT Essay will be phased out after the June 2021 administration. However, it will still be offered for statewide testing when there is a state level contract (e.g., Delaware).
  • A digital version of the SAT is coming soon, likely sometime later this year. More details to follow in April. The College Board is looking at ways to “streamline and upgrade” the SAT.

• 11th Grade Academic Counseling:
  • Please remind your student to check the 11th grade academic counseling Google Classroom regularly.
  • *NEW* Open Office Hours have changed! New Hours: Tuesdays 12PM-12:30PM & Fridays 11:10AM-11:40AM (Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8406380546) 11th grade students and families are welcome to pop in with quick academic questions and concerns.
  • To schedule an individual student or family session with Ms. Eason use this link: https://calendly.com/leason/20min

8. Recap – Unity’s School Calendar for Families through the End of June 2021: In the spirit of providing you with the information you need to best support your child with school at home, here are our updated middle and high school calendars through June 2021.

• Middle School Calendar for Families through June 2021
• High School Calendar for Families through June 2021

9. Recap – Unity’s Panther Den is Open to Middle and High School Students who Demonstrate PRIDE!: The Panther Den is where students can redeem the Core Value (PRIDE) points that they’ve earned for prizes and gifts of their choice.

• Middle school students can submit their requests for the Panther Den prizes via the following link.  Middle school students should reach out to their grade level dean with any questions.
• The High School Den is open to students on Wednesdays from 3:05-3:50pm and can be accessed using this link.

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

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

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

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

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Families of Unity,

I hope that the first week of February was good to you and loved ones.  As you well know, February is recognized nationally as Black History Month.  While we, as a school, take pride in honoring, celebrating, and learning about Black history every month and each day of the calendar year, we are excited to pay special tribute to Black history over the coming weeks through a host of events and festivities within our school community and beyond.

In this edition of The Unity Scoop, I highlight a number of the events that took place this past week and preview upcoming events to honor Black history.  In addition, please join me in celebrating the recents achievements of our students and alumni.

I would like to end my introductory note with special thank you to Unity’s academic counselors as a part of National School Counseling Week.  Unity is fortunate to have an extremely talented and dedicated team of academic counselors who play a central role in supporting our students in making the most of their educational experience at Unity.  On behalf of our entire community, I would like to thank Ms. Roth, Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Eason, Ms. Simon, and Ms. Madera for all that they do for our school and community.

Best Regards,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of February 6, 2021:

1. New – Congrats to our Middle School’s January Students of the Month!:  Kudos to our Students of Month for showing exemplary scholarship, citizenship, and growth – we are proud of you!

6th Grade:

• Elizabeth P. (citizenship)
• Emma C. (scholarship)

7th Grade:

• Elijah M. (citizenship)
• Charmaine J. (scholarship)
• Meleik M. (most Improved)

8th Grade:

• Francisco M. (citizenship)
• Junaydah H. (scholarship)
• Tatyana H. (most improved)

2. New – Unity‘s Alumni are On Campus!:  Now that spring semester at colleges has begun, some students are moving onto campus, including Unity Alumnus Nigel D.!  Nigel is one of three Unity graduates who attend Ithaca College (see the photo below).  The college was shut down in the fall for safety reasons, but they have opened up for the spring semester – and Nigel is now on campus!  We are excited for this next chapter for him and his fellow Unity Alumni/Ithaca classmates, Zariah F. and Tyrek B.  Please join us in wishing them and all of the other Unity Alumni a great, healthy semester!

3. New – Unity Celebrates Black History Month!: All month, our school community will honor and commemorate Black History Month through a variety of events. Here is what happened this past week:

• In our history classes, our teachers highlighted prominent figures in black history each day of the week, including Kamala Harris, Angela Davis, and Amanda Gorman.
• In our dance classes, our teachers honored Black/African-American dancers.  As Ms. McRae describes:

A part of Pre-AP Dance is teaching scholars about the history of dance and about iconic people within each dance genre. Many Black/African American dancers have shaped dance culture and communities as we know it today. I enjoy telling the scholars my personal stories and videos of my professional dancing experience prior to teaching to make connections. Within that, I decided that the iconic Black/African American dancers should be recognized for Black History Month. In honor of such, my class has been learning about new dancers every day through text, amazing video footage, and even great discussion questions. My regular dance classes are also being greeted as they log in with a video and quick information on a dancer.

• High school students and staff participated in BLACKOUT WEDNESDAY by wearing all black in honor of those we have tragically lost in our history and struggle with racial injustice, including but not limited to:
  • Rayshard Brooks – Atlanta, GA
  • Daniel Prude – Rochester, NY
  • George Floyd – Minneapolis, MN
  • Breonna Taylor –  Louisville, KY
  • Atatiana Jefferson – Miami, FL

• Upcoming events and festivities in honor of Black history include:

• 2/8 – Rep Your Roots (Unity High) – represent your cultural background by wearing anything that represents your background and Pan-African colors of red, black, and green
• 2/11 – One Love (Unity High) – wear pink or red as a symbol of unity
• 2/11 – Black Film – a virtual movie screening in honor of black film and cinematography
• 2/23 – The Movement (Unity High) – live performance by LEAP that features untold stories of young people living in the south during the 1960s
• 2/25 – Black Excellence (Unity High) – dress to impress or dress as a black icon who inspires you
• 2/26 – Unity‘s BHM Celebration – this is a full-school event that will feature readings, poems, videos, discussions, games, and a keynote speech by a special guest.

4. New – A Message from Mr. Coleman and our Athletics Department – Take Part in the Knicks Virtual Webinar Celebrating the Black Experience Career in Sports, Wednesday, February 10th, 4pm:  See the flyer below for details. Here is the registration link: https://www.nba.com/knicks/sign-up/2021-bhm-career-in-sports

When registering, select “group member” and Unity.  Once you register, the zoom link will be sent on the day of the event.  Contact Paul LoFaso of MSG Sports with questions.

5. New – College Information for Students and Families of Unity: See the updates below from our College & Career Readiness Team!

• Important Notes & Semester 2 Key Dates for 12th Grade Students – Please note the following KEY DATES for the remainder of the school year:
  • Quarter 3: 2/1/2021 – 3//19/2021 (February 1st – March 19th)
  • Quarter 4: 3/22/2021 – 5/28/2021 (March 22nd – May 28th)

If you do not complete your graduation requirements and pass all of your current classes in that time period, you will be programmed for a mandatory credit recovery period in June and/or mandatory summer school.  If you have ANY questions about whether or not you are on track to complete your graduation requirements by May 28th, please reach out to Ms. Roth or Mr. Gonzalez ASAP.

• If you have:

1. Not completed your college applications
2. Not completed your FAFSA and TAP applications
3. Have any questions about your graduation status

Please contact Ms. Roth and/or Mr. Gonzalez ASAP. These are time sensitive conversations and must happen immediately.

• Career Fair – A Week-Long Event! – A Unity tradition, our Annual Career Fair, has gone virtual this year.  During their lunch breaks (11:45am – 12:30pm) on February 22, 23, 24, and 25th, Unity students will be able to interact with dozens of adult volunteers who work in a variety of industries, including advertising, law, technology, airline travel, fashion, television, finance, business, sports & entertainment, social work, dance, and even farming!  Students will be able to sign up for sessions each day beginning next week!
• Unity Students Earn College Credits! – We are so proud when Unity students demonstrate initiative and resilience – two values which are so important in college and throughout life.  The following students exhibited these values by earning college credits through our partnership with CUNY City Tech last semester.  Despite being in a pandemic, learning remotely, attending to responsibilities at home and their regular high school courses, all of these students completed actual college courses and earned impressive grades!  Please join us in congratulating them!
  • Daniella W.
  • Jaemiah W.
  • Jennifer S.
  • Keon H.
  • Malika S.
  • Roshawanna S.
  • Samija T.
• Financial Aid – FAFSA and TAP – Parents/Caregivers of the Class of 2021 – please make sure that your children in the senior class complete and submit both their FAFSA and TAP applications before this Sunday, January 31!  This can lead to over $11,000 in free money for your child’s college education!  If you need help or have questions, please contact Mr. Gonzalez or Ms. Roth as soon as possible.
• College Acceptances (already!!!) – Although it is incredibly early in the college admissions process for schools to accept students, several Unity students have already been accepted to college!  So far, seniors have been accepted to: Ithaca College, LeMoyne College, Manhattanville College, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY University at Buffalo (one of the best schools in the nation!!!), SUNY Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport, Temple University (alma mater of three amazing Unity staff members), Drexel University, CUNY John Jay College, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, and CUNY Lehman College.  Please join us in congratulating them!  Stay tuned for more great news in the coming weeks!

6. Recap – A Brief Update on School Programming for the 2020-21 School Year: I am writing today to provide a brief update on our school programming for the 2020-21 school year.  Given what we now know and new information gathered over the past month, the continuation of our remote program is the best course of action for our school community.  We will extend our remote programming through at least April 12, 2021.  As I have said before, we are at our best as a small, tight-knit community when we are operating in person and we are eager to transition back to in-person programming when it is safe to do so.  With this interest in mind, we will re-evaluate conditions in early March and provide an update on how we will conclude the school year during the week of March 8th.

7. Recap – Miscellaneous Updates for our High School Families:

• Check out the Unity Prep High School Parent Corner: there are some really cool additions to the parent site this month, including a presentation on supporting your teen’s mental health, a full list of enrichment opportunities, and SUNY virtual experience information. Please remember to check the family site regularly for updates.

• SAT Updates: Many families have been reaching out with questions about the SAT. College Board introduced some very significant changes this week:
  • Subject Tests have been eliminated for all U.S. students, effective immediately. They will remain available for all international students through this summer. Beginning in Fall of 2021, they will be eliminated for international students as well.
  • The SAT Essay will be phased out after the June 2021 administration. However, it will still be offered for statewide testing when there is a state level contract (e.g., Delaware).
  • A digital version of the SAT is coming soon, likely sometime later this year. More details to follow in April. The College Board is looking at ways to “streamline and upgrade” the SAT.
• 11th Grade Academic Counseling:
  • Please remind your student to check the 11th grade academic counseling Google Classroom regularly.
  • *NEW* Open Office Hours have changed! New Hours: Tuesdays 12PM-12:30PM & Fridays 11:10AM-11:40AM (Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8406380546) 11th grade students and families are welcome to pop in with quick academic questions and concerns.
  • To schedule an individual student or family session with Ms. Eason use this link: https://calendly.com/leason/20min

8. Recap – Unity’s School Calendar for Families through the End of June 2021: In the spirit of providing you with the information you need to best support your child with school at home, here are our updated middle and high school calendars through June 2021.

• Middle School Calendar for Families through June 2021
• High School Calendar for Families through June 2021

9. Recap – Unity’s Panther Den is Open to Middle and High School Students who Demonstrate PRIDE!: The Panther Den is where students can redeem the Core Value (PRIDE) points that they’ve earned for prizes and gifts of their choice.

• Middle school students can submit their requests for the Panther Den prizes via the following link.  Middle school students should reach out to their grade level dean with any questions.
• The High School Den is open to students on Wednesdays from 3:05-3:50pm and can be accessed using this link.

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

• Link to complete form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Middle School Students: All students are expected to have the following school supplies:
  • 5 composition notebooks
  • 10+ pencils
  • 10+ pens
  • Ruler with centimeters (science only)
  • Blank white paper
  • Colored pencils
  • New York City Public Library Card

• High School Students: High school supplies are organized by course and can be found here.  Students are expected to have the supplies listed for each of the courses they are taking.  In addition, we thank all of the families that picked up their class resource bags.  Members of our high school operations team have been contacting students and families who were unable to pick up their bags to coordinate alternative pick up times and will continue to do so this coming week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Families of Unity,

I hope that the past week and its events, most notably Wednesday’s inauguration, has offered a sense of calmness and hope.  What we have experienced together over the past year has been truly astounding.  I am proud of our community, both in our support of one another and in our active contributions in making society a better place.  Together, we have provided care for our community’s health and safety throughout the pandemic, taken forward steps to advance racial equity, and encouraged voter participation and engagement in our election process.

This week’s inauguration ceremony was historic on a number of levels.  Our staff and faculty were honored to share in the moment alongside our students and one another.  Below is a screenshot of the watch party with our middle school community.  Again, there is much to be proud of and hopeful for as we move fully into the new year.

In this edition of The Unity Scoop, I offer a number of new high school announcements, including details on next week’s end-of quarter exams at the high school.

I end my introductory note today with the final six lines of Amanda Gorman’s powerful poem, which she recited magnificently during Wednesday’s inauguration:

When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it

Best regards,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of January 23, 2020:

1. New – High School End-of Quarter Exams Happening Next Week:  From 1/25-1/29, high schoolers will have end-of-quarter exams (Interim Assessments 2).  Students have been studying hard for their first remote exams, and exam schedules were sent to students via email yesterday. Thank you in advance for supporting your student in getting a good night’s sleep and signing in on time. Here are reminders that were shared with students at Community Meetings:

• CHECK YOUR UNITY EMAIL
  • Use the Zoom links that were emailed to you
  • DO NOT USE your regular class zoom link
  • Check your Unity email before Monday morning in case there are updates
• BE ON TIME
  • Exams are timed and will start promptly
  • If you are more than 30 minutes late, you will not be able to take your test
  • If you miss an exam, you will make-up the exam on Friday.
• TAKE STAR EXAMS SERIOUSLY
  • The ELA and Math Star exams are very important! They measure your skill growth over time.
  • They will also count for class credit. Do your best!
• IF YOU NEED EXTRA HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS…
  • Email help.hs@unityprep.org

2. New – College Information for Students and Families of Unity High: See the updates below from our College & Career Readiness Team!

• Class of 2021 – Keep pushing! – As of Thursday, January 21st, 68% of our senior class has submitted college applications!  We are so proud of them!  For those who are still working on applications, please make sure to contact Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Roth as soon as possible so you can submit your applications before the deadline!
• College Acceptances (already!!!) – Although it is incredibly early in the college admissions process for schools to accept students, several Unity students have already been accepted to college!  So far, seniors have been accepted to: Ithaca College, LeMoyne College, Manhattanville College, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY University at Buffalo (one of the best schools in the nation!!!), SUNY Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport, Temple University (alma mater of three amazing Unity staff members), Drexel University, CUNY John Jay College, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, and CUNY Lehman College.  Please join us in congratulating them!  Stay tuned for more great news in the coming weeks!
• Financial Aid – FAFSA + TAP – Parents/Caregivers of the Class of 2021 – please make sure that your children in the senior class complete and submit both their FAFSA and TAP applications before January 31!  This can lead to over $11,000 in free money for your child’s college education!  If you need help or have questions, please contact Mr. Gonzalez or Ms. Roth as soon as possible.

3. New – Miscellaneous Updates for our High School Families:

• Check out the Unity Prep High School Parent Corner: there are some really cool additions to the parent site this month, including a presentation on supporting our teen’s mental health, a full list of enrichment opportunities, and SUNY virtual experience information. Please remember to check the family site regularly for updates.

• SAT Updates: Many families have been reaching out with questions about the SAT. College Board introduced some very significant changes this week:
  • Subject Tests have been eliminated for all U.S. students, effective immediately. They will remain available for all international students through this summer. Beginning in Fall of 2021, they will be eliminated for international students, as well.
  • The SAT Essay will be phased out after the June 2021 administration. However, it will still be offered for statewide testing when there is a state level contract (e.g., Delaware).
  • A digital version of the SAT is coming soon, likely sometime later this year. More details to follow in April. The College Board is looking at ways to “streamline and upgrade” the SAT.
• 11th Grade Academic Counseling:
  • Please remind your student to check the 11th grade academic counseling Google Classroom regularly. Special Shout-out to Samija T. for checking this week’s updates and registering for the January 22nd SUNY FInancial Aid session, as well as the HBCU Virtual Experience.
  • *NEW* Open Office Hours have changed! New Hours: Tuesdays 12PM-12:30PM & Fridays 11:10AM-11:40AM (Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8406380546) 11th grade students and families are welcome to pop in with quick academic questions and concerns.
  • To schedule an individual student or family session with Ms. Eason use this link: https://calendly.com/leason/20min

4. New – Kudos to our High School Students who have Shown Strong or Improved Impressive Daily Attendance!  Congratulations to our high school students who have exhibited one our three B’s in BEING READY for class consistently during the week of January 11th.  We celebrate our students who had class attendance of 96% or higher and those who showed improvements of 25% or higher over the past week.

5. New – A Spotlight on What Students are Doing in our High School Dance Course: Dancers at the High School are using yoga as a part of our current unit of study on Healthy Dance Habits.  Over the course of the unit, students are learning about the body, flexibility, and injury prevention. Dancers are also setting their goals for this unit by creating virtual vision boards for self-motivation and self-accountability (see the student samples below).  As students prepare for their end-of-quarter exams, students are learning more about prana breathing techniques and how yoga can help them relax and focus their attention.

6. Recap – Issue No. 3 of the Unity Review is Available for your Reading Pleasure!  I am excited to share with you the third issue of the Unity Review literary magazine.  The Unity Review team has been working incredibly hard to bring to you their third issue.  Along the way, they continue to develop new skills as young writers and artists.  Here is a quick note from two members of Unity Review’s editing team, Tatyana and Jade: For this issue, we chose to base this edition of Unity Lit Mag on Winter Wonderland because of the holidays, because it was Christmas, and because we love the snow!  We had to postpone our issue because of winter break, but this way, the holiday season can live on a little bit longer!

7. Recap – Opt-in, In-Person, Intramural Winter Athletics Launched at Unity on January 19th: High school intramurals began earlier this week and will continue to take place on Monday through Friday afternoons.  Middle school intramurals will take place on Saturdays only.  All programming will take place in the gymnasium of Unity’s high school facility at 584 Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg.   Please contact Mr. Noblia (pnoblia@unityprep.org) with questions about high school intramurals.  If you have any questions about middle school Intramurals, contact Mr. Coleman (acoleman@unityprep.org).

8. Recap – A Brief Update on School Programming for the 2020-21 School Year: As promised just over a month ago, I am writing today to provide a brief update on our school programming for the 2020-21 school year.  At this time, given what we know and what new information we have gathered over the past month, there is no change to our existing plan.  We will continue with our remote programming through at least February 28, 2021.  Expect a new update during the week by January 29, 2021.  We are still living in very uncertain times, but we hope to have additional information about the state of health and safety in New York by the end of January, to best inform our plans moving forward.

As I mentioned in my last note in November, we are at our best as a school when we are working fully in-person alongside one another, and alongside our students.  My hope is that we experience this again as soon as possible.  The safety and health of our entire community will drive this decision.

9. Recap – Unity’s School Calendar for Families through the End of June 2021: In the spirit of providing you with the information you need to best support your child with school at home, here are our updated middle and high school calendars through June 2021.

• Middle School Calendar for Families through June 2021
• High School Calendar for Families through June 2021

10. Recap – Unity’s Panther Den is Open to Middle and High School Students who Demonstrate PRIDE!: The Panther Den is where students can redeem the Core Value (PRIDE) points that they’ve earned for prizes and gifts of their choice.

• Middle school students can submit their requests for the Panther Den prizes via the following link.  Middle school students should reach out to their grade level dean with any questions.
• The High School Den is open to students on Wednesdays from 3:05-3:50pm and can be accessed using this link.

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

• Link to complete form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Middle School Students: All students are expected to have the following school supplies:
  • 5 composition notebooks
  • 10+ pencils
  • 10+ pens
  • Ruler with centimeters (science only)
  • Blank white paper
  • Colored pencils
  • New York City Public Library Card

• High School Students: High school supplies are organized by course and can be found here.  Students are expected to have the supplies listed for each of the courses they are taking.  In addition, we thank all of the families that picked up their class resource bags.  Members of our high school operations team have been contacting students and families who were unable to pick up their bags to coordinate alternative pick up times and will continue to do so this coming week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Families of Unity,

On behalf of our staff and faculty, I would like to begin this edition of The Unity Scoop by honoring a very special group of people in our community – our family members who serve as Essential Workers!

Below, I offer a number of new announcements and congratulatory notes to students who have shined across various areas of our school.  Continue to make us proud!

I wish you a safe and joyous long weekend in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Best,

Josh

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of January 15, 2020:

1. New – Congrats to our Middle School’s December Students of the Month!:  Kudos to our Students of Month for showing exemplary scholarship and citizenship – we are proud of you!

6th Grade:

• Abilene B. (scholarship)
• Shanae B. (citizenship)

7th Grade:

• Savion R. (scholarship)
• Tymir M. (citizenship)
• Meliek M. (most improved)

8th Grade:

• Ajani D. (scholarship)
• Samara S. (citizenship)

2. New – Kudos to our Middle School Students who have Shown Impressive Improvements in their Attendance!  Congratulations to our students who made impressive strides in their attendance.  Continue to make us proud!

7th Grade:

• Omari H.
• Chase S.
• Jeremiah W.

8th Grade:

• Ryan I.
• Muhammed Q.
• Zuri T.
• Tiffanny P.
• Brooke A.
• Kalel E.

3. New – Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Event: The 35th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, January 18th, 11am: Audience members from around the world, including our Unity community, are invited to take part in New York City’s largest public celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, a free virtual program featuring world-renowned activists, public figures, and civic leaders alongside musicians and other performers.

4. New – Congrats to the Winners of our Middle School Showcase!  Our Middle School Showcase this past month was an absolute delight for our community.  Thank you to all of our talented students who participated!

• 1st Place: Chinua I.
• 2nd Place: Gabriel G. / Madison B.
• 3rd Place: Savion R.

5. New – Coffee with our Middle School Co-Principals, Thursday, January 21st, 9am: Please plan to join us at the first Coffee with Unity Co-Principals (CWP) of 2021. The next CWP is scheduled for Thursday, January 21st from 9:00-10:00am. Bring a warm cup of joe, and join the conversation with Unity Middle Co-principals, Ms. Gaines, and Mr. Burns. There’s a bunch to talk about as we continue remote learning, and progress through Trimester 2.  To RSVP, please respond to the message sent earlier this week via Jupiter.  Feel free to email Mr. Beckford with any questions.  Finally, click the link below next Thursday to join:

• MS CWTCP on Thursday, January 21st at 9am

6. New – Unity’s Middle School Track Team Awarded with New Running Sneakers by the New York City Road Runners!: Through its partnership with the New York Road Runners organization, Unity’s Athletic Department was recently able to provide members of the 2019-20 MS Track Team with brand new running shoes.  While it is still uncertain when the track and cross-country seasons will resume, we encourage athletes to train on their own and put those sneakers to good use!

7. New – Opportunity to Support a Unity Family in Need: One of our families recently fell victim to a fire that destroyed their home and belongings.  Fortunately, the family is safe and members of our staff and community have now engaged in a donations drive to support the family as it overcomes this tragic event.  Donations can be made here.

8. Recap – Issue No. 3 of the Unity Review is Available for your Reading Pleasure!  I am excited to share with you the third issue of the Unity Review literary magazine.  The Unity Review team has been working incredibly hard to bring to you their third issue.  Along the way, they continue to develop new skills as young writers and artists.  Here is a quick note from two members of Unity Review’s editing team, Tatyana and Jade: For this issue, we chose to base this edition of Unity Lit Mag on Winter Wonderland because of the holidays, because it was Christmas, and because we love the snow!  We had to postpone our issue because of winter break, but this way, the holiday season can live on a little bit longer!

9. Recap – Calling for Submissions to the Coming Unity Lit Mag!: We are so excited to announce our fourth theme for Lit Mag: “A New Fresh Beginning.”  A HUGE shoutout to Ms. McPherson and Mr. Teixeira who have submitted on behalf of staff, and a shout-out to Ms. Stagliano who sent along some 7th grade poems that were beautiful!  We are now encouraging new submissions for our fourth edition from our school community!

• Submit your own work (art, poems, narratives, essays, articles, listicles etc.)
• Submit essays or schoolwork that students have completed that relates in any way to new, fresh, or beginnings.
• Encourage students to send along their work or artwork.

Submissions are due to unitylitmag@gmail.com by Friday, January 15th.  You can also send submissions to Ms. Driscoll at mdriscoll@unityprep.org or Queen Jade at jadespringfield@unityprep.org.

10. Recap – Opt-in, In-Person, Intramural Winter Athletics to Launch at Unity on January 19th: High school intramurals will take place on Monday through Friday afternoons.  Middle school intramurals will take place on Saturdays only.  All programming will take place in the gymnasium of Unity’s high school facility at 584 Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg.  For those students who are interested in participating, a Jupiter message with directions on how to register your child will be sent out this coming Monday, January 11th.  Please contact Mr. Noblia (pnoblia@unityprep.org) with questions about high school intramurals.  If you have any questions about middle school Intramurals, contact Mr. Coleman (acoleman@unityprep.org).

11. Recap – A Brief Update on School Programming for the 2020-21 School Year: As promised just over a month ago, I am writing today to provide a brief update on our school programming for the 2020-21 school year.  At this time, given what we know and what new information we have gathered over the past month, there is no change to our existing plan.  We will continue with our remote programming through at least February 28, 2021.  Expect a new update during the week by January 29, 2021.  We are still living in very uncertain times, but we hope to have additional information about the state of health and safety in New York by the end of January, to best inform our plans moving forward.

As I mentioned in my last note in November, we are at our best as a school when we are working fully in-person alongside one another, and alongside our students.  My hope is that we experience this again as soon as possible.  The safety and health of our entire community will drive this decision.

12. Recap – Unity’s School Calendar for Families through the End of June 2021: In the spirit of providing you with the information you need to best support your child with school at home, here are our updated middle and high school calendars through June 2021.

• Middle School Calendar for Families through June 2021
• High School Calendar for Families through June 2021

13. Recap – Unity’s Panther Den is Open to Middle and High School Students who Demonstrate PRIDE!: The Panther Den is where students can redeem the Core Value (PRIDE) points that they’ve earned for prizes and gifts of their choice.

• Middle school students can submit their requests for the Panther Den prizes via the following link.  Middle school students should reach out to their grade level dean with any questions.
• The High School Den is open to students on Wednesdays from 3:05-3:50pm and can be accessed using this link.

14. Recap – College Information for Students and Families of Unity High:

• Financial Aid Resources: In case you were not able to attend the recent financial aid workshop, here are two resources from that session.  These resources will help students and parents/caregivers complete 70% of the financial aid application process:
  • Recording of last week’s workshop
  • Slides from last week’s workshop

• PSAT and SAT Updates: The College Board has not yet clarified testing options for students, but we want to enable students in different grade levels to take either the SAT or PSAT this fall or winter.
  • 11th Graders: We are assessing the possibility of administering the PSAT to juniors in January.  More information will be provided as we get closer to the testing dates.  Please note that in addition to the PSAT, 11th graders should strongly consider taking the SAT twice this spring (in March and either April or May).  More information will be provided later in the school year.  Until then, students may join Khan Academy to prepare for the PSAT in the event that it is offered in January.

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

• Link to complete form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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