Knights News
Unity Elementary School
Hello Unity Families!
It is awesome to have all the students back at school. We are off to a good start, and we hope to continue building momentum throughout the year. September seemed to pass by so quickly, and now with October at hand, it will soon be Halloween!
A little recap of September. This is always a busy month, teaching basic expectations and completing iReady diagnostic testing. iReady is the assessment tool that the district uses to help teachers to develop a baseline for students in the areas of Language Arts and Mathematics. We will give the assessment two more times this year, once during winter and the last time during spring. We will also progress monitor our students throughout the year to help ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students.
If you are interested in knowing more about your students iReady scores, please feel free to visit with their teacher during Parent Teacher Conferences. Conferences this year will be held on October 15, 22 and 24. October 15 is the ELL conference that will be held from 3:40 PM to 5:40 PM. October 22 will also run from 3:40 PM to 5:40 PM. Thursday, October 24 will be no school for students and the conference will run from 8:00 AM to 3:40 PM. October 25 will also be no school for students and staff. More information will be out about the My Conference App for parents to schedule their meeting.
If you have any questions regarding your student or the school, please feel free to contact us.
Mr. Finkey
Unity will be celebrating Spirit Week the week of October 7-11. The daily themes are as follows:
Monday, October 7th - Pajama Day
- Slip into your comfiest pajamas and start the week relaxed!
Tuesday, October 8th - Neon Day
- Brighten up the day with your most vibrant neon colors!
Wednesday, October 9th - Wacky Wednesday
- Unleash your creativity with the wackiest outfits you can think of!
Thursday, October 10th - Hat Day
- Top off your look with your favorite hat!
Friday, October 11th - Sports Day
- Show off your team spirit by wearing jerseys or gear from your favorite sports team!
Unity's annual Trunk-or-Treat Event will be held on Sunday, October 13th, from 3:00-5:00. This event will also be a Touch-A-Truck event where Unity students will get the opportunity to get a close up look at several types of trucks. Some of the trucks that will be there include: Tool Truck, Install Truck, Bob Cat, Dump Truck, Semi Truck, Fire Truck, Police Car. If you are able to participate in handing out candy from the trunk of your vehicle, please contact the office ASAP! If we do not get a minimum of 20 cars willing to hand out candy, we may have to cancel this event. Please plan on giving out 500+ pieces of candy that afternoon. This is usually a very popular event for our families.
On behalf of the entire Unity Elementary staff and students, we want to extend a huge Thank You to Morningside University! 13 Students from the Morningside University Baseball Team visited Unity on Wednesday, 9/25, to help out our staff and students for the "Into The Streets" event! They helped in the classrooms, on the playground, in the cafeteria, and anywhere else we needed them! The positive impact these University students have on our students is undeniable, and we are so grateful for their kindness and willingness to lend a hand. This annual tradition continues to make a lasting difference in our school and in the lives of our students!!
There will be no school for students on the following days:
Thursday, October 24th (Conferences)
Friday, October 25th (Exchange Day)
Tuesday, November 5th (Professional Development)
Thursday, November 28th (Thanksgiving Break)
Friday, November 29th (Thanksgiving Break)
Monday, December 23rd - Friday, January 3rd (Christmas Break)
Thursday, January 16th (Teacher Workday)
Monday, February 17th (Professional Development)
Thursday, March 27th (Conferences)
Friday, March 28th (Exchange Day)
Thursday-Monday, April 17th - 21st (Spring Break)
Monday, May 26th (Memorial Day)
Attention Parents/Guardians: If your student needs to use, or keep, Emergency Medications at school, and you have not already done so, please stop by Unity and speak to our school nurse, Mrs. Theresa Van Eldik. She will be at Unity all day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and in the mornings on Fridays. She will be at Clark on Mondays.
SCCSD Families,
Your student’s attendance in school matters. Students who are not in school every day miss important instructional time, putting them at a disadvantage in reaching their potential. A new Iowa law requires school districts like us update our attendance policy to prevent chronic absenteeism. Students are considered chronically absent when they miss 10% of the days in a semester or approximately 8 days.
Here is important information you need to know about the District’s new attendance policy:
· There is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. All absences and tardies count. Students are considered absent when they are not in school, including time missed for general illnesses, doctor’s appointments, and family vacations. Parents are required to call the building to report the reason for an absence. This information will be used to determine the level of support a student needs.
· If your student misses four days of school in a semester, your student’s school will connect with you to resolve the attendance issues and address any concerns you may have.
· If your student misses 10% of the days in a semester or 8 days, your student is considered chronically absent, and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office will be notified. Your student’s school will schedule an in-person meeting with you to discuss your student’s absences and review the District’s attendance policy.
· If your student misses 15% of the days in a semester or 12 days, a school engagement meeting will be scheduled with you. The school will also follow up weekly with you for the remainder of the semester.
· If your student misses 20% of the days in a semester or 15 days, your student will be considered truant and the District will notify the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office for further action, which may include a warrant for compulsory attendance.
The expectation is that your student will be in school, however, we also understand that illnesses and emergencies can and do happen. Our district remains committed to working with you when these occasions arise while also following Iowa law to ensure your student is in school. If your student needs to miss school, you must call your student’s school to report the reason for their absence. This information will be used to help the school determine the level of support and attendance plan your student needs.
For additional information on the District’s attendance policy, we encourage you to review the Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook, available on the District’s website. Please contact your student’s school with any questions.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
If you are willing or interested in joining Unity PTO next year, we would really appreciate your willingness to help out! Unity PTO meets once a month and plans fun and exciting things for our staff and students. If you are interested, you can send an email to Unitypto@yahoo.com or contact us in the main office at the beginning of the school year. Thank you!
The next PTO meeting will be held on Monday, October 7th, at 6:00 pm, in the library!
Happy October!
This month I am continuing the program of explaining one emotion each week. The emotions for the month of October are calm, mad, distracted, and sad. I will also be sending out the poster and definition on Talking Points if you’d like to discuss it with your student. When students can name the emotion they are feeling it usually provides a better sense of control and ability to handle the emotion.
The upcoming focus of our Character Strong education taught by the main classroom teachers will be Responsibility. There are tie-in parent resources that I will send out through Talking Points. My hope is to send around 1 message a week so it doesn’t get overwhelming.
At the end of the month we will be having our annual Red Ribbon Week program to discuss drug prevention and a drug free lifestyle. I will be focusing on peer pressure as a tie-in to the topic during that time. Classsroom lessons provided by me this month will revolve around understanding how sensations relate to emotions and a specific focus on handling anger.
I have enjoyed getting to know all the students and am still making connections. If you have a concern about your child, please email me at niehusc3@live.siouxcityschools.com or message me in Talking Points. I’d love to work with you and help your child feel safe and happy.
Happy Spooky Season!
Bullying and Harassment Free District
The District is committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The District’s Anti-Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing policy defines bullying and harassment as well as the procedures for reporting and investigating bullying or harassment complaints.
Bullying and harassment are defined as any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
· Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
· Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
· Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.
· Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
If your student feels they are being bullied or harassed, encourage your student to visit with the student involved and tell them to stop. They should also tell a teacher, principal, or trusted adult at their school. An online discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hazing complaint form is also available on the District’s website and may be completed by the student, parent, or school employee.
Volunteers are needed to join the District’s Grassroots Advocacy Committee. As a volunteer, you will receive email updates about important legislative events that could impact public education and be asked to contact local and state leaders to advocate for our schools. Volunteer today and let your voice be heard! Contact Communications@live.siouxcityschools.com to volunteer.
Our TK & Kindergarten students exit from doors 25 and 26 (Mrs. Poulson and Mrs. Anderson's rooms). Our 1st and 2nd-grade students exit from the main entryway (door 1). Our 3rd-grade students exit from door 3 which is located behind our loading dock. The 4th and 5th graders exit from door 4 at the North end of the building. Please see the image below to assist you with this visualization. Please work with your family to agree to a common meeting place outside of the building. We do our best to limit student traffic within the building after school.
If you have a preschool child, they will dismiss out the main front entryway.
