The Unity Scoop – January 3

Dear Families of Unity,

Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well, and I extend my warmest wishes to all of our families for a happy and successful 2025.

It felt great to reconnect with students today following the break. January marks the midpoint of the school year, as well as the end of the first semester for our high school students.  Over the next two weeks, leading up to Semester 1 final exams later this month, we are encouraging all high school students to finish the semester strong.  This means being in school on time every day, staying on top of all assignments, and seeking out extra help when they need it.

On our middle school campus, students will complete mock exams in ELA and math later this month. These assessments are designed to gauge readiness for the spring state exams and to evaluate mastery of key skills and concepts.  The results will help us refine lesson plans and assignments to better meet students’ needs in the months ahead.

Beyond academics, January also marks the heart of the winter athletics season.  Unity’s student-athletes continue to bring pride, joy, and a sense of connection for our community.  There are several exciting  events coming up this week – please see the calendar below for details.  Families are warmly invited to attend and cheer on our teams.  Athletics play a vital role in our school community, and we are proud of the teamwork, perseverance, and growth our students experience alongside their teammates throughout the season.

Thank you for your continued support, and enjoy your weekend!

In unity,
Josh
Joshua Beauregard
Executive Director / Co-founder

Updates as of January 3, 2025:

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

2. Updated – More Photos of our Annual Love Your Neighbor Community Service Day!: In the spirit of giving, our school community engaged in a morning of community service.  Students and staff volunteered their time and talents to over a dozen different service projects.  Projects included partnering with a number of local nonprofit organizations, including The Campaign Against Hunger, Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Center, CHiPS Soup Kitchen & Women’s Shelter, and Hope Gardens Senior Center.  Enjoy the photos below!

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

4. Recap – Congratulations to our Quarter I Honor Roll Students in Grades 9-12!: The following students earned Honor Roll status in the first quarter of the school year.  Kudos to these students for their consistent hard work and dedication to their studies.  I look forward to celebrating your efforts again at the end of Quarter 2!

5. Recap – Thank you, Families, for Taking Part in Last Night’s Family Ambassadors Meeting!: We are grateful to our families who participated in our Family Ambassadors meeting on Zoom last night.  The meeting was productive, energizing, and, of course, fun!  Here are the slides from the meeting.  Contact Mr. Beckford with questions.  Unity’s Family Ambassadors will meet again on Thursday, January 23rd, at 6pm – all families are encouraged to attend.

6. Recap – Unity Family Ambassador Spotlight of the Month!: We are thrilled to resume an exciting feature to the Unity Scoop, a monthly profile of our amazing Unity Family Ambassadors. This month, we are thrilled to profile Ms. Tiffany Rivers, the mother of Unity 6th grade scholar, Carter Lewis.  The Unity Family Ambassadors are a group of caregivers who meet monthly and serve as thought partners for many of our school’s initiatives. If you are interested in learning more about or joining the Unity Family Ambassadors, please reach out to Mr. Beckford.

Ms. Tiffany Rivers (Mother of Carter Lewis, Unity 6th Grader)

Profession:

Supportive Housing Manager

Favorite Restaurant in Brooklyn?

Peaches

Your favorite self-care activity?

Pedicure

Why did you choose to send your child to Unity?

Mr. Beckford was a phenomenal advocate for the school. The website spoke volumes of cultivating academics, sports and community.

What is the best advice you could provide for an incoming caregiver?

Communicate with staff consistently! Please remember that middle school is the stepping stone of independence so work alongside the teachers and staff to see your scholar through their middle school years.

What is your favorite aspect of Unity?

Mr. Beckford!!!!!!!!!!! Principal Terry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What inspired you to ‘give back’ to our community by joining the Unity Family Ambassadors this year?

My voice/concerns/suggestions need to be heard!

7. Recap – Unity Engages in Winter Spirit Week with Gusto!  Students and staff celebrated our Winter Spirit Week this past week.  Spirit was on full display with ugly holiday sweaters, wacky pajamas, and all of the plaid one could ever want in life.  See the photos below to fully appreciate the festivities – gotta love those ugly (and beautiful) sweaters!

8. Recap – Unity’s Basketball Teams Get Off to a Hot Start this Season!: Our Hoops teams were in full swing this past week.  Congrats to all teams at the start of their seasons.  Go Panthers, and enjoy the photos below of our teams in action!

9. Recap – Unity Continues in its Community Service with a Practical Care Drive and Toy Drive this Month!: Thank you to all families who participated in Community Service Drives over the past few weeks – your generosity brought joy to families in need this holiday season!

10. Recap – Unity’s Family Ambassadors and Basketball Teams Bring Movie Night to our Community, Friday, January 31st at 5:30pm:  Unity’s Family Ambassadors and basketball teams are joining forces to bring our first Movie Night of the year to Unity.  The event will take place in the auditorium of our middle school campus (432 Monroe Street).  The featured film will be Coach Carter in honor of our basketball team’s upcoming seasons.  Let’s go, Panthers!  There is a modest admission fee of $3 at the door.  Food and beverage concessions will be available for purchase.  All proceeds will go to funding our teams’ success and development this season!  RSVP here to reserve your seat in advance.

11. Recap – 2024-25 School Calendar of Key Events and Vacations for Families: Calendars for the 2024-25 school year can be accessed using the links below.  Note that we have two versions this year – one version for our middle school (grades 6-8) and another version for our high school (grades 9-12).

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