Knights News
Unity Elementary School
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
Welcome back to another exciting school year! I hope your summer was filled with fun, relaxation, and special moments with family and friends. As we open our doors for a new year, I am thrilled to welcome both returning families and those joining our school community for the first time.
The beginning of a school year brings endless possibilities. It is a time for new friendships, new learning experiences, and new opportunities to grow. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare classrooms, plan engaging lessons, and create a positive environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to succeed.
At our school, we believe that every student can achieve great things when we work together. We are committed to providing a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and celebrate their accomplishments. We also recognize that strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success. We encourage families to stay involved, communicate regularly with teachers, and participate in school events throughout the year.
This year, we will continue to focus on academic excellence, positive character development, and building meaningful relationships. Our goal is to help each student reach their full potential while fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
As we begin this journey together, I encourage all students to come to school each day ready to learn, grow, and make a positive difference. Whether it is mastering a new skill, helping a classmate, or setting a personal goal, every day is an opportunity to shine.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are honored to partner with you and look forward to an amazing year filled with learning, growth, and success.
Welcome back, and let's make this our best year yet!
Warmly,
Kevin Finkey
Unity Elementary Principal
Together, we learn, grow, and succeed.
One of the most exciting parts of a new school year is welcoming new members to our Unity Elementary family. We are fortunate to have a talented group of educators and support staff joining our team for the 2026–2027 school year. Each individual brings unique experiences, skills, and enthusiasm that will help our students learn, grow, and succeed.
Please join me in welcoming:
Jessica Bariatakis – Assistant Principal
Navaeh James – Kindergarten Teacher
Jana McCord – Kindergarten Teacher
Natalia Cloud – 3rd Grade Teacher
Thalia Galvan – 5th Grade Teacher
Mel Geisler – Compass Academy Teacher
Johnathon Bowling – Music Teacher
Grace Frizzell – Art Teacher
Teresa Gerrard – ELL Teacher
Janet Guzman - 3rd Grade Teacher
Kelsea Pettengill - Compass Para
As principal, I am incredibly excited about the energy, dedication, and expertise these educators and support staff bring to our school community. Their commitment to building positive relationships and providing high-quality learning experiences will make a tremendous impact on our students and families.
I encourage students and parents to take a moment to introduce yourselves and help our new team members feel at home. Together, we will continue to make Unity Elementary a place where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and inspired to achieve their best.
Please join me in giving our newest Knights a warm Unity welcome! We are excited for a fantastic year ahead.
Kevin Finkey
Principal, Unity Elementary
There will be no school for staff or students on Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day!
When entering Unity Avenue (in front of the school), please stay in the left lane so that buses may pass on the right. Also, we prefer that parents just pull up to the cross walk and drop off their students. However, if you choose to park your car and escort your student into the building, please park on the far (left side) of the parking lot only (past the crosswalk). This year, Unity Staff has been instructed to only park on the right hand side of the lot (before the crosswalk).
Hopefully this will prevent cars driving through the crosswalk area while students are attempting to cross.
Studies show a strong connection between eating breakfast and improved academic performance. To support a healthy learning environment, our school provides breakfast daily in addition to lunch.
Breakfast is served at our building from 8:00 am to 8:30 am. At this time, we are fortunate enough to be able to offer free breakfast and lunch to all of our students here at Unity.
Visit the District's website for more information on the District’s breakfast and lunch menus.
At this time, school lunches are free to every student here at Unity! Due to the government program that allows us to offer free meals to students, each student must choose at least 3 of the offered breakfast and lunch items with their meal. If a student chooses to bring a cold lunch from home, please also provide a drink for your child. If your child wants to have a milk from school to have with their lunch, the cost is .55 cents per milk, unless they also take the minimum requirement of 3 of the items offered at that meal.
Mr. Chapman wants to remind all students and parents of the starting and ending times at Unity. In order to not be considered Tardy, students must check into the office no later than 8:30 am, and be in class no later than 8:35 am.
If your student plans on eating breakfast at school, please make sure they are here no later than 8:15 am so they have time to eat and get to class on time.
Also, school is dismissed at 3:30 pm Mondays thru Thursdays and 1:30 pm on Fridays. Please try to schedule all appointments outside of these times so Attendance does not become an issue for your student.
Always remember Mr. Chapman's slogan:
IN SCHOOL, ON TIME, EVERYDAY!
Now is the time of year that Parents/Guardians can go to the Sioux City Community School's website, www.siouxcityschools.com, and complete the Online Verification for this school year.
Online Verification gives parents/guardians the opportunity to modify and/or confirm contact information and complete appropriate forms for the school year. Within Online Verification, parents/guardians will:
Update or change contact information
Update a student's health history
Apply for bus transportation
It is very important for every family to complete this process so that we have the most updated, accurate information for your student(s).
This is just a reminder that all students must pay school fees each year. The school fees per student for the 26-27 school year is $34. These fees can be paid on myschoolbucks.com by credit card, or they can be paid in the office with cash or check.
School will dismiss at 1:30 on Fridays again this school year! Please be aware and make sure appropriate transportation has been arranged for your students. If your students take the bus, they will arrive at their bus stop 2 hours earlier than their normal time on Fridays
Just a reminder that Parents/Guardians will be allowed to eat lunch with their students in our cafeteria on Fridays Only! Parents/Guardians are welcome to bring lunch in with them or purchase an adult lunch from our cafeteria for $5.45.
Fall Picture Day at Unity will be held on Thursday, October 1st!
Mx. Frizzell, our new Art Teacher, shared what students in the different grades will be learning about these first few weeks in Art class.
TK & K- Learning the basic art room concepts. Practicing sharing materials, talking about art, and learning what are the elements of art.
1st - Reviewing art room concepts, rules, and safety guidance. Learning to apply the elements of art to emotions.
2nd - Learning how to observe and reflect like an artist. Starting out the process of documenting their art process. Learning how to peer-review.
3rd - Learning how to build key artistic habits. Learning how to interpret work and how to give feedback to a classmate’s piece.
4th - Exploring a variety of media while building artistic habits. Students will learn how to do self-reflection.
5th - Students will learn how to envision and plan out their own artwork. Furthering exploration into the tools they have and practicing presentation.
Medication at School
Some students may need prescription and non-prescription medication to participate in their educational program. Emergency and non-emergency medication shall be administered when the student’s legal guardian and prescribing physician annually provides a signed and dated Medication Administration Authorization form requesting medication administration at school. The medication must be in the original labeled container, as dispensed from the pharmacy or in the manufacturer’s container. Authorization forms for medication and inhalers at school can be accessed at www.siouxcityschools.org under School Board, Board Policies (504.12).
Important Calendar Reminders
Students will be dismissed two hours early every Friday during the 2026-2027 school year for staff professional development. There will be no school on Monday, September 7 due to Labor Day.
What’s Happening in Siouxland
Stay connected with family-friendly activities, programs, and clubs in the community through Virtual Backpack. The e-newsletter, which includes information from various Siouxland organizations, is sent out monthly to all district families. Or, view the most up-to-date lists of events and activities on the Virtual Backpack website.
Important Reminders for School Meals
Unity is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program which allows our school to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to our students. Unity students will not be charged for breakfast or lunch during the upcoming school year.
A complete list of CEP schools in our district can be found on our website. If you have a student attending another school that is not a CEP school, we encourage you to complete the 2026-2027 online application for free and reduced meals. This will help ensure other students in your family receive the meals they need during the upcoming school year.
For questions or assistance with school meals, please contact the District’s Food Service Department at 712-279-6860 or 712-279-6862.
Parent-Student Handbook
Handbook Includes Updated Protocol Information
Have you reviewed the 2026-2027 SCCSD Parent/Guardian – Student Handbook? The handbook includes important information to help students reach their fullest potential at school. Families are encouraged to review the handbook with their students to make sure they are aware of what is expected of them as a student in the Sioux City Community School District.
Click below to view the 2026-2027 Parent/Guardian – Student Handbook.
Have a Safety Concern?
Safe + Sound Iowa offers students and families a convenient way to anonymously report safety concerns related to our school. Trained dispatchers will share the information with appropriate school administrators and/or law enforcement so help can be given to those in crisis or at risk.
Visit Safe + Sound Iowa at the link below for more information:
School Safety
The safety of our students and staff is paramount. The District uses Standard Response Protocol or common terms to communicate our actions and response in emergency situations. The terms Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter are used so students, staff, and first responders understand the situation and how best to respond.
We encourage families to become familiar with these terms to better understand our school’s response and what to expect in a crisis. For more information on safety preparedness within the District, visit the link below:
Update Your Contact Information
Make sure you receive important messages from our school by updating your contact information in the Parent Portal. This will ensure you do not miss calls, texts, and emails about school closings and cancellations, announcements, and other information. Visit the link below for more information!
https://www.siouxcityschools.org/o/sccs/page/infinite-campus
Reminder: Cell Phone Protocols Are In Place
The District has cell phone protocols in place to ensure an engaging and distraction-free environment for our students. The protocols restrict the use of electronic devices during the school day.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please contact our school office. Alternatively, if your student needs to contact you, they should come to the office.
For more information on our protocols for electronic devices, please review the 2026-2027 Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook on the District website.
Be An Advocate for Our Schools
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 at the link below to volunteer:
Join Our Team
Looking for a part-time or full-time career with flexibility? Instructional assistants, bus drivers, and food service staff are needed to join our amazing team! Check out the District’s openings today at the link below:
TalkingPoints
Connect with your student’s teacher! TalkingPoints is a communication tool that allows you and your student’s teacher to easily communicate via text message. Text messages will be sent to you in your family’s primary language. Watch for a text from your student’s teacher or contact your student’s school if you have any questions.