PARENTS
Getting To School
Ride The Bus
Please make sure students are on time at the bus stop. Students are required to sit appropriately and use inside voices. All electronic devices should be turned off. Bus drop off is located at the back of the school by the gym. Students sit in commons or cafeteria area until school begins.
Walk
Students must enter through appropriate gate in front of the school (by the CTA train tracks) on either Laramie Avenue or 54th Avenue. Students will enter through Door #1 directly in front of the building and sit in either the commons area or cafeteria.
Get Dropped Off
When dropping off a student please pull all the way up to the West Side of the building before letting student get out of the car. Do not drop students off on the side of the building. If you drop your students off across the street please make sure they walk to the crossing guard and cross appropriately.
Ride A Bike
Students must attend bike safety class and have a permission slip signed by a parent. Students must get off of their bike before entering school grounds and walk their bike to the bike racks located by each school office on both sides of the building. Please lock your bikes!
Arriving On Time, Looking Sharp, Prepared For Success
Students need to be at school at 7:50 a.m. and will be marked tardy at 7:55 a.m. If your child will be absent, you need to call the office.
Student ID's must be on and visible before entering school property, cell phones must be turned off and put into their backpacks.
Breakfast is served daily in the classroom from 7:50-8:00 a.m. If your child does not eat the school's breakfast please make sure they bring a healthy breakfast to school or eat one at home.
Clothes must be properly fitted. No hoodies are allowed to be worn in school. Navy blue pants must be worn. No jeans of any kind are allowed except on Fridays.
Grey collared shirt must be worn. White or Grey undershirts can only be worn. Shoes must be white, black, brown, grey or any combination of those colors.
Belts are brown, black or white.
School Wide Expectations
Be Respectful
Respectful students....
Respect oneself, Listen to staff directions, walk quietly in the correct hallways, use appropriate language and voice levels, respect the privacy and personal space of others.
Be Responsible
Responsible students....
Arrive to classes on time, are prepared to learn, come to school everyday in appropriate dress attire including their accessories, have cell phones turned off and in lockers, use District approved websites when using their Chromebooks, keep IDs on and in good condition at all times.
Be Safe
Safe students....
Know who they are communicating with online, report any safety concerns to an adult, stay on school grounds, wear appropriate clothing during changing weather conditions, remain in their seat while on a moving school bus, report any damage or vandalism immediately.
Growth Mindset
Every month on School Improvement Days (Half-Days), students look at their own data. Reflecting on their numbers and setting goals for improvement and growth
School And Life Success Model
#1 Standards Progression
#2 Attendance #3 Activities
#4 MAP #5 HERO Points
Grading and Homework Expectations
Grades will be tied to the standards, NOT to participation. "Behaviors to Support Learning" reflects participation, homework completion, and other executive functioning skills. All grading will be Standards Based Grading (Proficiency of Standards).
4= Exceeding The Standard: The student can not only ride the bike independently, but also perform stuns!
3= Meeting The Standard: The student is successful at riding the bike independently.
2= Progressing Toward The Standard: The student is pedaling well and staying upright, as long as someone is assisting.
1= Not Meeting The Standard: The student is riding a bike, but only with the use of training wheels.
Homework is assigned regularly. Please check your students' digital planners. Homework assignments are part of "Behaviors that Support Learning". Teachers will provide feedback to students regularly.
Graduation
Graduation is a privilege; not a right. In order to graduate and participate in graduation celebrations (i.e. Great America, Dinner Dance), students must have passed at least three quarters, have good attendance and have good behavior.
A graduation requirement letter is sent home every year. Parents will also be notified at least 10 days prior to events if their student is unable to participate, full refunds will be given. Dates and payment schedules come out in November/December.
Unity Jr. High believes it is never to early to get ready for college and that is why all of our students get the opportunity to meet with a guidance counselor to help them start thinking about where they would like to go to college!
Get Involved!
Get involved! Attend school events, family and curriculum nights and Coffee Talks.
Check PowerSchool to monitor your child's attendance and grades weekly. Ensure that your child attends school daily from 7:50 a.m.- 2:10 p.m.
Communicate with teachers, staff and administrators.
Ensure your child reads at home for at least 30 minutes per night, provide them with a quiet place to do work and ask them about their day!
Make it clear to your child that they must follow school rules and policies including to and from school. Talk to them about the dangers of Social Media and monitor their use. Know who their friends are!
Attend our monthly coffee talks where you can meet with administration and receive tech support on our learning platforms, heart what is happening at Unity, and listen to presenters on informative topics that affect you and your child. In-person coffee talks are during the day while virtual coffee talks take place in the evening.