The Unity Scoop – May 7

Dear Families of Unity,

It has been a festive past few days in our celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week!  Thank you all for joining the festivities and sharing your appreciation.  Unity is fortunate, and takes the utmost pride, in having a teaching team that is as talented and dedicated as we do.

In so many ways, teachers make the world go round!  We are incredibly grateful to our team!

Wishing you a very happy Mother’s Day!

In unity,

JB

Josh Beauregard
Head of School / Co-founder

Updates as of May 7, 2021:

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

• Juniors – Mandatory Virtual Sessions with Mrs. Eason (May 11, 18, and 25): All juniors must attend the workshop series with Mrs. Eason!  At 3:15pm on May 11th, 18th, and 25th, students will meet with Mrs. Eason to begin working on very important college application documents.  This work is absolutely critical for students’ applications to college, and will help them assemble the strongest applications possible. Junious should review the email from Mrs. Eason for more information.
• College Application Update: As of May 5th, 90% of the Class of 2021 has submitted college applications!  We are so proud of them!
• College Acceptance Update: As of may 5th, 85% of the Class of 2021 has been accepted to at least one college or university!  Please join us in congratulating them!  Members of Unity’s Class of 2021 have been accepted to some of the best schools in the nation, including: Drexel University, Georgia State University, Howard University, Ithaca College, LeMoyne College, Manhattanville College, Marist College, SUNY Albany, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY University at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Stony Brook, Temple University, CUNY Brooklyn College, CUNY City College, CUNY Guttman Community College, CUNY Hunter College, CUNY John Jay College, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY Lehman College, University of Pittsburgh, Quinnipiac University, Skidmore College, Spelman College, and Wheaton College.
• FAFSA – Last Call: Seniors who have not yet applied for financial aid MUST do so immediately!  The federal and state governments are already running low on financial aid funding to provide to students – students who apply late risk not receiving any financial aid.  To get support with this process, please make an appointment with Mr. Gonzalez immediately using this link: Mr. Gonzalez’s Calendly link.
• Summer Jobs and Programs – All students should make appointments with their academic counselors to discuss options for summer programs and jobs.  The Academic Counseling department also held a “Summer Job and Program Fair” designed to support students in finding and applying for jobs and programs.  Check out the recording of that Fair here, and the slides here.

2. New –AP Dance Students Launch Hip-Hop Magazine: Unity’s 8th graders who are now taking AP Dance with Ms. McRae recently launched their very own hip-hop magazine, VIBE U.N.I.T.Y.  This magazine is a culmination of the students’ intensive study of the history of hip-hop and its many facets, including DJing, MCing, graffiti art, and breakdancing. Check out Volume I here!  And thanks to Ms. McRae for creating this experience for our students!
   

3. Recap – See Our Students Shine in Unity’s Middle School’s Spring Showcase!: We thank all of our students who participated in our Spring Showcase – the talents developed this year at Unity are mighty impressive!  For those who are not able to tune into yesterday’s premiere, here is the footage.  Enjoy!
   

4. Recap– Unity Celebrates the Recent Accomplishments of its Middle School Students: It is with pride and joy that we celebrate the recent successes of so many of our middle school students this  from the past month.  Congratulations to each and every student featured below – we are proud of you!

5. Recap– Attention All 7th Grade Students!  Consider Taking A Regents Course This Coming Year as an 8th Grader!  Ms. Shebroe and Ms. McPherson invite all 7th grade students to consider applying to take a Regents course next year at Unity as an 8th grader.  Watch this very fun clip featuring Ms. McPherson to learn more about the benefits of taking a Regents course and how to apply.
   

6. Recap –Issue No. 6 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 Race and Racism and includes a number of powerful submissions created by our students and staff.  Enjoy!
   

7. Recap –Newly Released State and City Graduation Data Highlights the Accomplishments of Unity’s Founding Class!: Graduation statistics from June 2020 for the state and city were recently made public.  In comparison, significantly more Unity students from our founding class graduated in four years compared to both the state average and NYCDOE schools.  Unity’s graduation rate of 98% was 13 percentage points higher than the state average and 19 percentage points higher than the city average (see the table below).  In addition, our graduation rate was in line with – or sometimes higher than – the graduation rates of the vast majority of the city’s well-established charter schools and selective public high schools. As a relatively new, open-enrollment, mom & pop, community charter school, we are honored to serve all students and have much to be proud of!
   
8. Recap –College Information for Students and Families of Unity: See the updates below from our College & Career Readiness Team!

• Financial Aid Support – For the Class of 2021, you should be hearing from colleges this month!  After offers of admission, colleges will send financial aid packages to accepted students.  Please use these Calendly links for Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Roth to make appointments to review and compare financial aid packages.
• Apply for Scholarships – The Class of 2021 should be searching for and applying for scholarships to help them cover the costs of college.  To help with this search, please create an account at College Greenlight or Fastweb.com.
• Summer Jobs and Programs – All students should make appointments with their academic counselors to discuss options for summer programs and jobs.  The Academic Counseling department also held a “Summer Job and Program Fair” designed to support students in finding and applying for jobs and programs.  Check out the recording of that Fair here, and the slides here.

9. 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:
10. 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 toykim@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.

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Unity Scoop – March 26

Announcement – Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn Board of Trustees Meeting

Please see below for a public notice of meeting of the Board of Trustees of Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn.

Notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting of the Board of Trustees of
Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 7:00pm.

Members of the public may view a livestream of the meeting by using the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhkGzAEcDA0SHn3W1tthSg/live

The Unity Scoop – August 26

Board of Trustees Meeting Announcement

To Whom It May Concern,

Please see below for a public notice of meeting of the Board of Trustees of Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn.

NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF UNITY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL OF BROOKLYN

Notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 7:00pm.

Members of the public may view a livestream of the meeting by using the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhkGzAEcDA0SHn3W1tthSg/live

A Message from Unity’s Head of School – no classes tomorrow, June 2nd

A Message from Unity’s Head of School

Dear community members of Unity:

At no other time in our students’ lives has society seem so unjust.  Personally, I am ashamed, saddened, and angered by racial injustices that continue to plague our society as demonstrated by the glaring, inequitable impact of the pandemic on black and brown communities we serve and by the recent and continued killing of black and brown people by members of law enforcement.

While we all wrestle with the atrocities that continue to persist and what we must do to address them, it has been uplifting over the past few days to see people all over the country come together to demand change through protest.  The words of our leaders in society have also provided clarity, direction, and helpful reflection.  In the words of Michelle Obama:

“Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it.  It’s up to all of us—Black, white, everyone—no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out.  It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.”

When reflecting on Michelle Obama’s words and in grappling with my own beliefs and what needs to be done, I come to two core beliefs that I hold dearly and that I believe align with our collective work at Unity.

First, I believe that eradicating institutional racism needs to be the single greatest objective of our society.  This is why I and so many of Unity’s faculty and staff devote our professional and personal lives to public education where the inequities are profound and deeply entrenched.  Second, I believe that the protest of institutional racism must take the form of deliberate actions that are ingrained in our daily lives in order for us to make lasting forward progress in eliminating racism in our institutions.  We, and by we, I mean white people alongside people of color, must take action each and every day over a prolonged period of time in order to realize lasting change.

As a school that was founded on the empowerment of all students through providing an exceptional education that equips them to lead fulfilling lives, I do believe that our consistent, daily work as a school has created positive and lasting change through our impact on students, their learning, and their outlook on the world.  I feel most optimistic about the future of our society when I think of our graduating seniors using their Unity education on college campuses and in career training programs next year to engage in serious advocacy to change the status quo alongside their peers.

At the same time, there is much more that we as a school can and must do in the near term and long term to meaningfully contribute to eliminating  institutional racism in our society.  And here is where I feel not just grounded but inspired to work alongside our entire community and take ownership of my role in enacting meaningful change.

In the near term, we will continue to empower our students by teaching them to think critically about current events and their connections to history and other aspects of students’ lives.  Tragically, what we are seeing is not new, but we have an opportunity to support students in improving our world so that what we are seeing ceases to be the norm.   We will also continue to develop the core skills that lead to students being empowered and strong advocates for themselves and others.  Finally, we will continue to create safe spaces for students to voice their hopes and fears in response to the world around them and do so with empathy, encouragement, and love.

Over the long term, as an institution that seeks to model that which we aspire for our broader society to reflect, we will continue to re-examine our systems at Unity, including our policies on school culture and restorative justice, and the ways in which we actively support, receive feedback from, and advocate for our families.  This work is something that we have consistently done each year since our founding, but we need to do it with even greater urgency and effectiveness.

The road to a more just society is a long one.  I believe in our collective resilience and resolve to make this world a better place for our children.  Your support and commitment to our school’s mission has never been so challenged and is more greatly appreciated now than ever before.

With determination and in unity,

Joshua Beauregard

Head of School

Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn

Unity Scoop – May 27th

Dear Students and Families of Unity,

It is hard to believe that we are just a few days away from June.  On behalf of our entire staff, I am excited to fully embrace each day in closing out the school year as strongly as possible.

This edition of The Scoop is similar to last week’s edition.  We continue to offer important updates on end-of-year events and summer initiatives.  We also continue to honor Unity students and their recent accomplishments.  Congrats to our students with stellar attendance this week with a special shout-out to any students newly appearing on the list this week.

Congrats to the Unity family member who won last week’s trivia contest and a Seamless gift card!  We encourage all family members to take part in this week’s trivia!

In unity,

Josh Beauregard

Head of School

Updates as of May 29, 2020:

1. Update – End-of-Year Events to Honor Unity’s First-Ever Graduating Class – The Class of 2020!: We have one update for you this week re: end-of-year activities for our “one and only” senior class:

• Our Virtual Senior Signing Day has been rescheduled to Friday, June 12th. By rescheduling this special event, we are able to rally our students and staff to come together in an informal, but important way, to connect and rejoice in all that we’ve experienced over the past seven years, as well as look forward to exciting times ahead.  This day is meant to celebrate the next chapter of our 12th grader’s educational journey.  More details will be provided in the upcoming edition of The Scoop, if not sooner.
• We will have a proper, in-person graduation ceremony when it is safe to do so – this is important to us. In the interim, we will also hold a virtual graduation ceremony on Friday, June 26th, at 6pm.  Please save the date; all Unity families are invited to attend.  This is a milestone event for our school as we celebrate the accomplishments and future aspirations of our senior class.  For now, please mark your calendars.  More details will be provided in upcoming editions of The Scoop.

2. Update – Middle School End-of-Year Reflections Update: Please see the video clip and slides below with important information about End Of Year Reflections at the middle school! .

Video:  Unity Middle School End Of Year Reflections 2020 Overview

Slides: Unity Middle School End Of Year Reflections 2020

3. More Celebration of Academic Excellence at Unity!: Our students have been working very hard this year, especially over the past month during the transition to remote learning. We are excited to celebrate their achievements in their coursework and learning. Today, we highlight four new students at our high school who are excelling in their coursework.  Congrats again to our middle school Students of the Month from April!

• Middle School Students of the Month from April!
  • 6th Grade:
    • Katelynn R.
    • Francis A.
  • 7th Grade:
    • Jalicia W.
    • Jade B.
  • 8th Grade:
    • Shaniel C.
    • Elizabeth Y.

• High School Student Shout-outs from Teachers for Excellence in Remote Learning!
  • 9th Grade: Lakeshia Johnson – Lakeshia, shout out to you for showing so much kindness, resilience, and respect! You bring a lot of positive energy to class, help your friends, ask to attend tutoring and office hours, and you try to improve your performance during remote learning every day!  Thank you for being a great listener, responding to feedback and working so well with your teachers!

• 10th Grade: Samija Thomas – Samija, you are an all-around ALL STAR—staying on top of all work, having no missing work, and meeting all deadlines. You are a standout performer during debates and still manage to rock out on the cheerleading team!

• 11th Grade: Jada, Jordie, and Joelle Wardlow – Wardlow Sisters! You deserve to be recognized individually because you have not once taken the easy way out, even though you live together. You are all honest, hard working, curious, and show an extreme amount of hustle. You exhibit powerful reflection and are super hungry for feedback!  All three of you individually advocate for your own success!
  • Jada, you show a ton of bravery and drive to improve your writing throughout this whole year in AP Lit!
  • Jordie, you have outstanding work ethic and hunger for success in math!
  • Joelle, you show a very exciting mastery in math class!

• 12th Grade: Jalik Douglas – Jalik, you are our Senior of the week! You have been regularly attending class, turning in high quality work, and engaging in class through zoom chat. You’ve also been taking and implementing feedback from teachers and sharing a positive outlook!

4. Celebrating Stellar Student Attendance!: In addition to academic excellence, it is also worth highlighting the dedication of so many of our students to their studies through their excellent attendance in our remote classrooms. This past week, 139 students had 100% attendance in their classes. Here is the all-star list!

Middle School Students:

High School Students:

5. Congrats to our Student-Athletes in Making All-Conference Teams!: We congrat our student-athletes for their accomplishments on the basketball court this past season! The following students have been recognized by our athlete leagues as all-stars:

Middle School:

• Quadier P.

High School:

• Adewale F.
• Malik D.
• Jaquanden L.

6. Through Your Support, the Unity High Queens Steppers Continue to the Next Round!: World of Step has creatively designed a virtual competition that utilizes pre-recorded performance material to allow their hard work to continue to be celebrated in hopes of snatching one last title. Unity’s Queen Steppers have continued on to the next rounds through your support. The team appreciates your support and kindly requests that you continue to show it!   You can cast your vote by visiting the World of Step website: http://www.worldofstep.com.

7. Unity’s Weekly Trivia Contest for a Seamless Gift Card: Congratulations to Ms. Charles for winning last week’s trivia contest! Each week, The Scoop will feature Unity Trivia! Answer each question correctly for an opportunity to win a Seamless gift card. The winner will be selected at random and announced in next week’s Scoop. Click here to access this week’s trivia contest (due Monday at 5pm) and reach out to cbeckford@unityprep.org with any questions.  Students and caregivers are both eligible to participate.

8. Reminder: Unity’s Summer Academy will be Remote this Summer: Summer Academy for grades 6-12 will be held remotely this summer. We will provide details to all families whose children are required to attend summer school in the coming weeks.

9. Reminder: High School Grading Policy Update: Please read the attached memo regarding Remote Grading Policy updates at our high school. For questions and clarifications about the policies or your student’s academic standing, reach out to their academic counselor.

• 9th and 10th Grade Academic Counselor: Louise Eason
• 11th Grade Academic Counselor: Lia Simon
• 12th Grade Academic Counselors: Alia Roth and Mr. Eric Gonzalez

10. Reminder – Clarification on Unity’s Grading Policy in Relation to Attendance for Remote Learning: The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) recently released its Grading Policy Guidance for Remote Learning, which included a statement that it would not use attendance to calculate grades. A few students and families have since reached out to inquire how this applies to Unity’s grading and attendance policy during remote learning. In terms of attendance, the expectations for Unity students continues to be the same: student attendance during remote learning is mandatory and essential to successful academic outcomes.  We are committed to providing instruction and academic support during our remote learning period to ensure all Unity students are best positioned to begin next school year ready for the next grade level.  In order to accomplish this, students must engage in online remote learning with teachers every day.  Students who are not able to attend classes may fall behind in coursework and may be required to continue classwork during the summer.  Please reach out to your student’s middle school teacher or high school academic counselor if you have any questions about attendance.

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

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.

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

Resources for Mental Health and Talking to Young People About COVID-19: The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has provided this guide for self-care and strategies for talking about COVID-19 honestly and effectively with young people. In addition, here is a link for webinars for “Parenting During COVID-19” through the Weil Cornell Psychiatry Department. If your child or family member is experiencing a mental health crisis, NYC Well is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed by phone (1888-NYC-WELL) or text (text WELL to 65173) or by internet chat via their website: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/.  In addition, a mental health hotline has been established in New York City that will provide FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider. The hotline number is: 1-844-863-9314.

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

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? 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.

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

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

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

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

Note that Installation fees will be waived for new households.

Unity Scoop – May 20th

Dear Students and Families of Unity,

I hope this note finds you in good spirits as we embrace the recent spring weather.

With this edition of The Scoop, we offer a few important updates on end-of-year events and summer initiatives.  In addition, we continue to honor Unity students and their recent accomplishments.  Congrats to our students with stellar attendance this week; we admire your dedication and resilience.  We also shout-out (for a second time) our high school students who have been taking their Advanced Placement exams over the past week – we are so proud and wish you well!

On a final note, congrats to the Unity family member who won last week’s trivia contest and a Seamless gift card!  We encourage all family members to take part in this week’s trivia!

It’s hard to believe that we are two days away from Memorial Day weekend.  I wish all of our families a safe and joyful long weekend with loved ones.

In unity,

Josh Beauregard

Head of School

Updates as of May 21, 2020:

1. Updates for our Unity’s First-Ever Graduating Class – The Class of 2020!: Ms. Bonaminio and Ms. Fuller sent out important updates to the families of seniors via Jupiter this week. Here are are few headlines worth reiterating:

• First and foremost, we are so proud of you! This has been seven years in the making!
• We will have a proper, in-person graduation ceremony when it is safe to do so – this is important to us. In the interim, we will also hold a virtual graduation ceremony on Friday, June 26th, at 6pm.  Please save the date; all Unity families are invited to attend.  This is a milestone event for our school as we celebrate the accomplishments and future aspirations of our senior class.  For now, please mark your calendars.  More details will be provided in upcoming editions of The Scoop.
• Virtual Senior Signing Day will take place on Monday, June 1st. This day is meant to celebrate the next chapter of our 12th grader’s educational journey.  The event will feature each of our seniors and their college and career plans for 2020 and beyond.  For now, please mark your calendars.  More details will be provided in the upcoming edition of The Scoop, if not sooner.

2. Unity’s Summer Academy will be Remote this Summer: Summer Academy for grades 6-12 will be held remotely this summer. We will provide details to all families whose children are required to attend summer school in the coming weeks.

3. High School Grading Policy Update: Please read the attached memo regarding Remote Grading Policy updates at our high school. For questions and clarifications about the policies or your student’s academic standing, reach out to their academic counselor.

• 9th and 10th Grade Academic Counselor: Louise Eason
• 11th Grade Academic Counselor: Lia Simon
• 12th Grade Academic Counselors: Alia Roth and Mr. Eric Gonzalez

4. Senior Spotlight of the Week: This week, we are beginning a new Scoop feature in which we spotlight a member of our first graduating class. Today, we celebrate Jhovani D! Jhovani has been with Unity since our founding year in 2013. He is heading to SUNY Oswego this fall to begin his studies in the zoology field. Jhovani’s advice to all future Unity seniors is to “just do your work!” and his favorite quote is, “An ignorant person does no more good than a lazy person.” Congratulations, Jhovani, in making your college aspirations a reality.  We are so proud of you – you’ve come far since 8th grade (see the 8th grade graduation photo below – the one and only Jhovani is seated on the far right) and your future looks bright!

5. A Flashback to our Student vs. Faculty Games at the Barclays Center: On March 9th, one week before we transitioned to remote learning, our community enjoyed a fun and festive evening at the Barclays Center for our Annual Student vs. Faculty Basketball games. In all, eight of our athletic teams were featured over the course of the evening. Thank you to so many of our families who came out to support our teams and the athletic program.  Enjoy the photo below – so many smiles!

6. Middle School Roundtable Presentation Update: In order to accommodate the challenges associated with remote learning and the ongoing pandemic, unfortunately, we will not have Roundtable presentations as we have experienced in prior years. Instead, students will create an End-of-Year Reflection in their English Language Arts class. Students will share that presentation with staff and families during the time that was previously set aside for Roundtables in June.  Students will also complete projects in all classes that are an appropriate conclusion for remote learning.  We will schedule time slots for End-of-Year Reflections in June.

7. Congrats to High School Advanced Placement Students!: As we finish out our second year of AP exams, we offer our congratulations to the many sophomore, junior, and senior students who took Advanced Placement exams over the past two weeks. Unity students have been focused and resilient through the many shifts to this process, and we are incredibly proud of you. Also, THANK YOU again families, for supporting your children through these exams and helping them get ready for college! If you want to see even more shout outs, check out this video here.

8. More Celebration of Academic Excellence at Unity!: Our students have been working very hard this year, especially over the past month during the transition to remote learning. We are excited to celebrate their achievements in their coursework and learning. Today, we highlight four new students across grades 9-12 who are excelling in their coursework.  Congrats again to our middle school Students of the Month for April!

• Middle School Students of the Month for April!
  • 6th Grade:
    • Katelynn R.
    • Francis A.
  • 7th Grade:
    • Jalicia W.
    • Jade B.
  • 8th Grade:
    • Shaniel C.
    • Elizabeth Y.

• High School Student Shout-outs from Teachers for Excellence in Remote Learning!
  • 9th Grade: Amber S. – your hard work and resilience don’t go unnoticed. You are a whiz at using the chat function! You also take the extra time to come to tutoring and take feedback very well and implement it.  You are so kind and helpful towards your peers. Keep up the good work!
  • 10th Grade: Arianna S-W. – you have taken a more active role in class, asking for more work than the usual, and being more reflective! Keep taking advantage of learning remotely because you are rocking it out!
  • 11th Grade: Roshawana S. – Shout out to 11th grader, Roshawana. During virtual learning you have increased hustle, continuously showed growth, and are engaging in high levels of self-advocacy. Way to use this opportunity to get better and stronger!
  • 12th Grade: Jah’Mir M. – you have almost all A’s in your classes. You are on time to every class and you complete your coursework almost immediately after class.  You communicate regularly with your teachers and counselors and you are performing extraordinarily well in all of your classes.  All of your teachers and counselors are so proud of you, Jah’Mir!

9. Celebrating Stellar Student Attendance!: In addition to academic excellence, it is also worth highlighting the dedication of so many of our students to their studies through their excellent attendance in our remote classrooms. This past week, 120 students had 100% attendance in their classes. Here is the all-star list!

Middle School Students:

High School Students:

10. Clarification on Unity’s Grading Policy in Relation to Attendance for Remote Learning: The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) recently released its Grading Policy Guidance for Remote Learning, which included a statement that it would not use attendance to calculate grades. A few students and families have since reached out to inquire how this applies to Unity’s grading and attendance policy during remote learning. In terms of attendance, the expectations for Unity students continues to be the same: student attendance during remote learning is mandatory and essential to successful academic outcomes.  We are committed to providing instruction and academic support during our remote learning period to ensure all Unity students are best positioned to begin next school year ready for the next grade level.  In order to accomplish this, students must engage in online remote learning with teachers every day.  Students who are not able to attend classes may fall behind in coursework and may be required to continue classwork during the summer.  Please reach out to your student’s middle school teacher or high school academic counselor if you have any questions about attendance.

11. Support the Unity Queens Steppers’ as Their Season Continues Virtually!: World of Step has creatively designed a virtual competition that utilizes pre-recorded performance material to allow their hard work to continue to be celebrated in hopes of snatching one last title. The virtual competition will take place during the week of 5/18. The team asks for your help by voting for their performance online.  Voting will begin 5/18 and end 5/22 – you can cast your vote by visiting the World of Step website: http://www.worldofstep.com.  Please show support by joining the live by following @WorldofStep and @Unity.Queens_ on Instagram.

12. Unity’s Weekly Trivia Contest for a Seamless Gift Card: Congratulations to Ms. Francis for winning last week’s trivia contest! Each week, The Scoop will feature Unity Trivia! Answer each question correctly for an opportunity to win a Seamless gift card. The winner will be selected at random and announced in next week’s Scoop. Click here to access this week’s trivia contest (due Friday at 5pm) and reach out to cbeckford@unityprep.org with any questions.  Students and caregivers are both eligible to participate.

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

Letter Sent Home to the Families of All High School Students Taking Health this Semester – Last week, all students who are currently enrolled in health class were given this letter from the NYC Department of Education to bring home to their parent or guardian.  This letter pertains to the upcoming classes that will focus on sexual health, more specifically HIV/STI prevention.  Please review the letter and reach out to your child’s Health teacher, Mr. Martinez (tmartinez@unityprep.org) or Mr. Coleman (acoleman@unityprep.org).

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.

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

Resources for Mental Health and Talking to Young People About COVID-19: The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has provided this guide for self-care and strategies for talking about COVID-19 honestly and effectively with young people. In addition, here is a link for webinars for “Parenting During COVID-19” through the Weil Cornell Psychiatry Department. If your child or family member is experiencing a mental health crisis, NYC Well is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed by phone (1888-NYC-WELL) or text (text WELL to 65173) or by internet chat via their website: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/.  In addition, a mental health hotline has been established in New York City that will provide FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider. The hotline number is: 1-844-863-9314.

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

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? 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.

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

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

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

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

Note that Installation fees will be waived for new households.

The Unity Scoop – May 13, 2020

Dear Students and Families of Unity,

I hope that the week is treating you and your loved ones well.

With this edition of The Scoop, we continue to celebrate Unity students and their recent accomplishments.  I am thrilled that so many students had perfect attendance in their remote classes last week.  We also shout-out our high school students who are taking their Advanced Placement exams this week – we are so proud and wish you well!  Finally, we are excited to support our Unity Steppers in their virtual competition this coming week.  Details are below on how you can support their success.

On a final note, congrats to the Unity family member who won last week’s trivia contest and a Seamless gift card!  We encourage all family members to take part in this week’s trivia – you can’t win if you don’t try!

In unity,

Josh Beauregard

Head of School

Updates as of May 13, 2020:

1. Congrats to High School Advanced Placement Students!: Unity would like to offer an emphatic congratulations to our sophomore, junior, and senior Panthers who are taking AP Exams over the next few weeks.  These students have always been trailblazers – when presented with two high school paths, they chose the harder option by taking a college-level class in high school.  Now, they’re blazing a new trail and taking the first-ever remote AP exams from home! Thank YOU, Unity families, for supporting them through these challenging classes and exams during a stressful time in life.  Please give them a comfortable spot to work with as much peace and quiet as possible, along with a lot of love and cheerleading as they test.  We are so proud of their hard work and determination!  If you want to see even more shout-outs, check out this video.

2. More Celebration of Academic Excellence at Unity!: Our students have been working very hard this year, especially over the past month during the transition to remote learning.  We are excited to celebrate their achievements in their coursework and learning.  Today, we highlight four new students across grades 9-12 who are excelling in their coursework.  Congrats again to our middle school Students of the Month for April!

• Middle School Students of the Month for April!
  • 6th Grade:
    • Katelynn R.
    • Francis A.
  • 7th Grade:
    • Jalicia W.
    • Jade B.
  • 8th Grade:
    • Shaniel C.
    • Elizabeth Y.

• High School Student Shout-outs from Teachers for Excellence in Remote Learning!
  • 9th Grade: Joshua W. – you are the king of time and place!  You’re always professional and fun!  You work really hard to stay academically at the top of your class by being consistent with completing your classwork and homework.
  • 10th Grade: Alex C. – You have really stepped up during remote learning!  You’ve gone from not attending your classes to attending all your classes each day. In addition, you help other students in break out rooms and are turning in extra work assignments to stay on track.  We are proud of you!
  • 11th Grade: Corey S. – You have been crushing your classwork across multiple contents and we want to specifically shout you out for how much your depth of insight, questioning, and work ethic has improved! Keep up the amazing transformation!  We are proud of you!
  • 12th Grade: Akameak K. – You’ve taken remote learning by the horns – asking questions, completing all assignments, and proving how resilient our Senior Class is.  We are proud to see you taking feedback and applying it, as well as, showing up to do your best despite the many distractions that plague all of us day-to-day.  Good job!

3. Celebrating Stellar Student Attendance!: In addition to academic excellence, it is also worth highlighting the dedication of so many of our students to their studies through their excellent attendance in our remote classrooms.  This past week, 179 students had 100% attendance in their classes, a large increase over our list of 110 students the week prior!  Be proud, Unity – here is the all-star list!

Middle School Students:

High School Students:

4. Video Conference with Middle School Co-Principals on May 15th: We thank our families who attended yesterday’s virtual lunch meeting with our high school co-principals.  Our middle school co-principals are excited to convene virtually with families this coming Friday morning.  The meeting will be held virtually via Google Meet.  We welcome you to take part in conversation with our co-principals about events and topics that are relevant to our school.  Caregivers are able to attend the meetings by clicking on the links below:

• Virtual Coffee with Middle School Co-Principals: Friday, May 15th at 10:00 AM

5. Clarification on Unity’s Grading Policy in Relation to Attendance for Remote Learning: The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) recently released its Grading Policy Guidance for Remote Learning, which included a statement that it would not use attendance to calculate grades.  A few students and families have since reached out to inquire how this applies to Unity’s grading and attendance policy during remote learning.  In terms of attendance, the expectations for Unity students continues to be the same: student attendance during remote learning is mandatory and essential to successful academic outcomes. We are committed to providing instruction and academic support during our remote learning period to ensure all Unity students are best positioned to begin next school year ready for the next grade level.  In order to accomplish this, students must engage in online remote learning with teachers every day.  Students who are not able to attend classes may fall behind in coursework and may be required to continue classwork during the summer.  Please reach out to your student’s middle school teacher or high school academic counselor if you have any questions about attendance.

6. Support the Unity Queens Steppers’ as Their Season Continues Virtually!:  World of Step has creatively designed a virtual competition that utilizes pre-recorded performance material to allow their hard work to continue to be celebrated in hopes of snatching one last title. The virtual competition will take place during the week of 5/18.  The team asks for your help by voting for their performance online.  Voting will begin 5/18 and end 5/22 – you can cast your vote by visiting the World of Step website: http://www.worldofstep.com.  Additionally, Coach Alley Olivier is being interviewed by the World of Step on Instagram Live on Tuesday, May 19th at 3p.m.  Tune in to hear Coach Olivier discuss her team’s successes,  and inspirations.  Please show support by joining the live by following @WorldofStep and @Unity.Queens_ on Instagram.

7. Information from the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene regarding Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome: Please take a moment to read two resources provided by the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene regarding Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS Letter to Families and PMIS Fact Sheet).  We will continue to forward other informational resources as they become available.

8. Unity’s Weekly Trivia Contest for a Seamless Gift Card: Congratulations to Ms. Beckles last week for winning the trivia contest! Each week, The Scoop will feature Unity Trivia!  Answer each question correctly for an opportunity to win a Seamless gift card. The winner will be selected at random and announced in next week’s Scoop.  Click here to access this week’s trivia contest (due Friday at 5pm) and reach out to cbeckford@unityprep.org with any questions.  Students and caregivers are both eligible to participate.

Relevant Information from Past Editions of The Scoop:

9. Letter Sent Home to the Families of All High School Students Taking Health this Semester – Last week, all students who are currently enrolled in health class were given this letter from the NYC Department of Education to bring home to their parent or guardian.  This letter pertains to the upcoming classes that will focus on sexual health, more specifically HIV/STI prevention.  Please review the letter and reach out to your child’s Health teacher, Mr. Martinez (tmartinez@unityprep.org) or Mr. Coleman (acoleman@unityprep.org).

10. 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.

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

12. Resources for Mental Health and Talking to Young People About COVID-19: The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has provided this guide for self-care and strategies for talking about COVID-19 honestly and effectively with young people. In addition, here is a link for webinars for “Parenting During COVID-19” through the Weil Cornell Psychiatry Department. If your child or family member is experiencing a mental health crisis, NYC Well is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed by phone (1888-NYC-WELL) or text (text WELL to 65173) or by internet chat via their website: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/.  In addition, a mental health hotline has been established in New York City that will provide FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider. The hotline number is: 1-844-863-9314.

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

14. 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.

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

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

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

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

Note that Installation fees will be waived for new households.