Knights News
Unity Elementary School
Hello Unity Families!
Mother Nature has been a little unpredictable this year! Some sunny record high days, and some cold, icy days as well. Please communicate with your child about weather appropriate clothes and when outer layers are appropriate. We have had a few students in shorts and without jackets during recess time, and it is too cold for that now. Just a reminder that the district practice is that we have outside recess when the “feels like” temperature is above 15 degrees and there is no precipitation. Thank you, and I know your kids will appreciate it also.
The music department have completed two performances involving four grade levels. We appreciate all of you who took the time to join us for the concerts. Mrs. Morse is currently working on the musical “Aristocats” which is currently scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th at 4:30 PM (Progress Monitoring) and Friday April 12th at 2:00 PM. These dates are subject to change, so please follow us on our Facebook page.
It is time for our 5th graders to start preparing for their next educational step into middle school. Currently tours have been set up with North Middle School on Tuesday, April 9th, and at East Middle School on Tuesday, May 7th. Students will be provided with more information as the dates get closer. If parents have any questions, please call the school office.
The Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, or ISASP has been scheduled for April 23-26, and 30. The assessments are aligned with the Iowa Core standards and provide a clear and accurate assessment of student learning outcomes. Student growth, proficiency and readiness indicator will be reported. These assessments will involve our 3rd-5th grade students and cover Language Arts, Math, and Science (5th grade only). We will be sending out more information as the time gets closer, but please help partner with us and make sure your child has plenty of rest and is ready to go on testing day!
In April, third grade students will get an opportunity to step back in time and observe what education looked like over a hundred and twenty-five years ago. Our students will participate in an educational field trip to Fairview School built near the turn of the 20th century. Students will participate in a day of learning, like it was in the past. This is an exceptional opportunity for our students, and a tradition that many parents will be able to share with their children.
Kindergarten “Round-Up” and registration will be on Tuesday May 7th from 8:45 AM. Until 2:15 PM. TK (Transitional Kindergarten) or Transitional Kindergarten registration will be on this day as well, from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Staff will be on site to help answer any questions. Parents, to register your student, you need to live within the Unity Boundary or have an older student attending Unity in 2024-2025. If you have any questions about boundaries, please contact the office.
Upcoming Title Parent Events. Thank you to everyone who participates in our parent/community title events. The turnout has been great, and it is such a fantastic opportunity for families to network with the staff. There are a few more events that are coming that I would like to make everyone aware of. Family Fun Night is for parents of 3rd,4th and 5th graders and will be coming in April. The Writer’s Celebration will take place in May. Each class will select an outstanding writer who will be recognized at this event. Flip, Flop, Summer Won’t Stop Our Reading, is scheduled to be an outdoor event near the end of the school year, weather permitting of course. More information will be coming soon on these events. Bring a Book, Take a Book is an extremely popular event that happens once a month before the school day starts. Students can bring up to 5 books and exchange them for different books. April’s event will be on the 26th, and a finalized date for May has not yet been determined.
Parent/Teacher Conferences were again very successful! Everyone at Unity would like to thank all parents and families who take such care and interest in their student(s) education. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your students’ teacher.
Kevin Finkey, Principal
Spring Pictures at Unity will be on Wednesday, April 3rd. All students will be having their photos taken on this day. Parents/Guardians will have the option to go online, view the photos, and decide whether or not to order. Preschool students do not have school on this day, but parents are welcome to bring them between 9:00-10:00 am to get their pictures taken.
The 4th and 5th graders at Unity will be having two performances of the musical, Disney’s Aristocats Kids for parents and families to attend. The Wednesday, April 10th performance will be at 4:30 p.m. after school. The Friday, April 12th performance will be during the school day at 2:00 p.m. All 4th and 5th grade students will participate as either background singers or as a part of the cast that has been rehearsing before and after school. Unity students will get the opportunity to watch the musical on the morning of April 11th after morning recess.
“Based on the beloved Disney animated film, and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score, Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS is a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns.
In the heart of Paris, a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it's up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O'Malley, and his band of swingin' jazz cats to save the day.”
A special Thanks to our Amazing Music Teacher, Mrs. Shaley Morse, for all her hard work in putting this show together for us all to enjoy!!
We are super excited to get to meet our incoming Knights! This year, registration for Unity is on May 7th from 8:45-2:45, with Transitional Kindergarten (TK) registration from 1:30 pm to 2:30 PM. If you haven't already, please call the office to sign up for a time slot to come and register your student. Mrs. Hendrix in our office is busy putting our registration packets together, scheduling families for times to come meet with us, and ordering materials for that day. Please contact our office if you have any questions or if you need to sign up. Our current Kindergarten and TK students will NOT have school on May 7th so that we can accommodate all the new families coming in.
Mrs. Hanner, Mrs. Holzman and Mrs. Bunch's classes attended the NAIA Special Olympics Clinic at the Tyson Event Center to help kick off the NAIA Women's basketball tournament. The students were able to engage with players from around the country while working on social interaction skills, fine motor skills and communication.
Family Fun Night for Grades 3-5
On Thursday, April 11th, from 6:00-7:30 pm, you are invited to attend Unity's Family Fun Night for Grades 3-5. You will have the opportunity to learn about testing tips, strengthening your child's math skills, and a have a chance to win books for your home library. Pizza and Drinks will be served promptly from 6:00-6:30 pm. Come and enjoy a relaxing evening of fun!
We're looking forward to seeing you here!
Unity's Title Team:
Mrs. Benz (Title I Reading & Math)
Mrs. Chartier (Title I Reading & Math)
Mrs. Peterson (Title I Reaing & Math)
Mrs. Metcalf (Title I Reading & Math)
Mrs. White (Reading Interventionist)
Do you have school fees that need to be paid? Visit the Sioux City Community School District website and click on “Pay Fees”. This will link you to MySchoolBucks where you can pay your student’s school fees online. Questions? Please give our school office a call.
Iowa immunization laws require certain immunizations and screenings for students. These requirements are listed on the District website. We encourage you to contact your student’s doctor soon to schedule any required immunizations or screenings so your student is prepared for next fall.
Coming Soon: Conditions for Learning Survey
All Iowa public school districts are required to administer an annual school climate and culture survey to students in grades 3-12 called Conditions for Learning Survey. The survey is designed to measure their engagement in school, safety, and the overall learning environment. The survey will be administered to students in April.
Parents and families of students in preschool through grade 12 will also have the opportunity to participate in the Parent Conditions for Learning Survey. The survey contains similar items to those on the student survey, focusing on areas that range from student safety and positive adult and student relationships to school rules and how they are enforced. Participation in the survey is encouraged, but it is completely voluntary, and all questions are optional to answer.
Please watch your email for more information on the survey.
The District’s mobile app provides quick and convenient information at your fingertips. Download the mobile to receive push notifications from the District about closings and cancellations and stay updated on today’s school lunch menu, upcoming events, and school news. Look for Sioux City Community Schools in your app store today!
If you have questions about how you can be a part of the Unity PTO, please email us at:
Thursday, April 4th
Thursday, May 2nd
This program takes place once a month in the library from 8:20 - 8:35 am. Our last date for this year is:
Friday, April 26
It's exciting to hear about the efforts of Unity Student Leadership in engaging the student body with various activities! The Leprechaun Hunt and the Hot Chocolate Attendance Reward were fun and effective ways to promote participation and attendance. The upcoming Earth Day clean up and tree planting for Arbor Day are excellent initiatives to promote environmental awareness and community involvement. It's great to see a focus on not just fun activities but also ones that contribute positively to the environment and the community.
USL are assigned a job on a rotating basis, such as recycling, announcements and supporting the lunch room. Recycling efforts are crucial for promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness within the school. By taking on this responsibility, USL is not only contributing to a cleaner environment but also setting an example for their peers.Morning announcements play a vital role in keeping the school informed and connected. USL's involvement in this task ensures that the announcements are delivered effectively and with a student-centric approach, enhancing engagement among their peers. Providing support in the K/1 lunchroom demonstrates USL's commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. By assisting younger students during lunchtime, they are not only offering practical help but also serving as role models for respectful behavior and cooperation.
Building leaders among students is such an important aspect of student leadership programs. It helps students develop crucial skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that will serve them well beyond their school years.
Kudos to Ms. Terry, Ms. Zahourek, and Ms. Mikkelson for their dedication and hard work in guiding and supporting the students in Unity Student Leadership. Their efforts are undoubtedly making a positive impact on the school community.
It's wonderful to hear that Unity Student Leadership (USL) is actively involved in supporting the school community through various initiatives and jobs.
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 and a child in another grade level we can make special accommodations so that you can pick up all of your children at the preschool door. Please contact your child's teacher to work through this.
It's Important to Exercise and Eat Healthy Snacks
Exercise is important in helping us stay healthy because it makes our heart pump our blood throughout our body. This brings oxygen to all our body cells which keeps us healthy and keeps our hearts strong. It also keeps us from getting sick and having colds. Exercise improves our minds and how we feel about life...it helps us to be happier!
Healthy snacks are part of a balanced diet. Below are ideas for snacks with less sugar and calories, keeping our bodies and our teeth healthier.
Bagels
Melba toast with cheese or cheese spread
Popcorn
Mozzarella String Cheese
Fresh Fruit
Vegetable Sticks and Cheese Cubes
Rice Cakes
Cheerios mixed with pieces of dried fruit
Fruit Juice (100%)
Pita Pocket cut in half with cheese spread or peanut butter and jelly in the middle
Children enjoy making these snacks as well as eating them. Help your child develop a healthful snacking habit!
