Family & Student Weekly News
March 1, 2019
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative Families,
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 7th from 4:20 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. for our Family Conference Night targeted to support parents/guardians of children who are earning beginning mastery or below in their classes.
All academic teachers are scheduling 10-minute conferences with parents/guardians of children for a collaborative dialogue.
We look forward to seeing you and to speaking to you about your child's academic progress.
We also encourage and look forward to you taking a moment today to complete the NYC School Survey. Students were given the green envelopes in crew this week.
Mail completed forms back to the DOE. A stamped, addressed envelope is enclosed. Or complete survey online at the following link: http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/tools/survey/default.htm
You need the 8-digit code from paper survey to log onto the NYC DOE website.
As a school, we will benefit when our families complete the survey and share valuable feedback and input on how well we are meeting the needs of your child in areas such as instruction, safety, and family engagement. The survey is an important part of our school’s quality snapshot.
In partnership,
Scill, Amanda, Imani (BCS School Leaders)
Tracey (BCS Parent Coordinator)
UPCOMING DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Tuesday Mastery Support -3:15 - 4:00 p.m. (Begins again on Tuesday, 2/12)
3/1 - Spirit Day ("Celebrity Day")
3/5 - SLT Meeting (4:30 -6:00 p.m. in room 105B)
3/5 - PTA Executive Board Meeting (6:00 -6:30 p.m.)
3/5 - PTA General Meeting (6:30 -8:00 p.m.)
3/7 - Family conferences
3 /8 - Staff/Student Basketball Tournament & Mini-pep rally (3:15 - 5:15 p.m.)
3/14 - UG ET (Math on π day!)
3/15 - BCS/BNS International Food Festival
3/21 - LG ET (ELA)
3/22 - LG Dance
3/29 - UG Dance
Check this link for weekly highlights: https://www.bcs448.org/2019/02/19/2-11-15-highlights-of-the-week/of what's going at the school, in the classroom, in after school clubs, an at sports events.
Check this link for important dates: http://www.bcs448.org/monthly-calendar/
Contact Information: To sign up for our parent mailing list, please email scill@bcs448.org with your name, your child’s name and grade level. Note: if you are receiving this email, you are already on our parent mailing list.
If you have any additional questions, please email imani@bcs448.org and tracey@bcs448.org
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reading in the Round BCS Parent Book Club - Tuesday, March 26th
- Calling all parents to join our Brooklyn Collaborative Parent Book Club on Tuesday, March 26th from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- If you enjoy reading, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents, read some of the ‘hottest’ Young Adult (YA) authors that our students are reading, use fiction to explore, address, and discuss issues our students may face around race, gender, class, sexuality, equality, immigration, etc.
- We are excited to read Far From the Tree by Robin Benway for our March book selection. Benway’s beautiful interweaving story of three very different teenagers connected by blood explores the meaning of family in all its forms—how to find it, how to keep it, and how to love it.
- Far From the Tree is available at your local library and through Amazon. If you have any difficulty getting the book, please email Imani at imani@bcs448.org and school librarian Amanda Clarke at amandac@bcs448.org ASAP.
We Need You: Host Our Danish Visitors on April 8h -10th
- On Wednesday, April 8th through Friday, April 10th, we need your support in hosting visitors from Odense, Denmark.
- This will be the seventh year that we are hosting students and teachers from Tornjberg Gymnasium (TG), a high school located in Odense, Denmark.
- We need homes for 25 students (18 girls and 7 boys). Ideally, we would like to keep students in pairs (i.e. two students of the same gender in each home); students are generally between the ages of 17 -19 years old.
- Host families will see to it that all meals are provided: April 8th (dinner), April 9th (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and April 10th (breakfast and lunch), when they depart.
- Our relationship with TG began as a music exchange spearheaded by music teacher Christine.
- If you are interested in hosting our Danish visitors, please contact Stephen at Stephen@bcs448.org
March School Menu: Free Lunch for All Students
- Where can you have your child have lunch for free that includes a deliciously diverse menu such as teriyaki Chicken Sliders, garlic knots, spicy chicken sandwich, New York Hot pretzel, mozzarella sticks, turkey burgers, beef/cheese burger, tacos, vegetable egg roll and roasted zucchini, sweet potato flies, fresh green salad with chick peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and sooooo much more?
- Encourage your child to eat lunch daily in the cafeteria and enjoy our new lunch menu that provides meals that meet the needs of students who enjoy meat as well as those who identify as vegetarians, pescatarians, ovo-lacto vegetarian, and vegans!
- The salad bar will still be available to students as well as seasonal fresh fruit.
- If a student does not wish to eat a warm entree dish, the menu includes entree alternatives: peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, grab and go salads, humus gram & go, and assorted deli sandwiches.
- Please encourage your child to take advantage of the free lunches available to ALL CHILDREN. There is now something available to meet everyone's taste buds!!
- Check out the menu below.
- http://www.schoolfoodnyc.org/public/PDF_Handler.ashx?t=m&id=5270&name=High+School+Lunch+Menu
610 HENRY UNITY
BCS PTA CORNER
PTA Needs Your Ideas, Volunteer Spirit, & Enthusiasm: Join Us on Tuesday, March 5th at 6:30 p.m.
WHAT: PTA General Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month.
WHEN: Next PTA meeting is on March 5th
TIME: 6:30 pm - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cafeteria
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Co-Presidents Veronica Cruz and Reshonah Bennett at bcsptapresident@gmail.com
CLASSROOM, COLLABORATION, & CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
BCS Alum Julianna Greenidge premieres to seniors her film "The Unstoppable" at BCS
- As part of our Respect for All activities, we premiered "The Unstoppable" written by BCS Alum Julianna Greenidge (Class of 2017).
- The actors, including Juli, spoke with seniors, along with mental health experts.
Staff and students alike were so proud of Julianna and the piece she produced and starred in.
We look forward to another BCS screening in the future!
SPORTS CENTER
Baseball & Softball Season is here! Let's go Wolves
- It is time to get ready for the spring sports season.
- If you are interested in trying out for girls softball or boys baseball, please stop by the PE office to obtain medical forms and permission slips.
- You must have a completed medical form and completed permission slip in order to tryout.
- Below are the links for you to print out the paperwork if you wish.
BCS Girls Varsity Softball Is Here: Tryouts Friday, 3/1 & Saturday, 3/2
- Tryouts for Varsity Girls Softball will be held today, Friday, March 1st from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. & Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
- Any girls interested in trying out should come to the PE office to pick up a permission slip and medical form if they have not already done so.
- You will need to wear comfortable, athletic clothing (sweatpants, sweatshirt, sneakers & T-Shirt). Bring a softball/baseball glove if you have one. Prepare to be indoors or outdoors.
STUDENT CLUBS
Wishing BCS Debate Team Success at Westchester Classic Tournament!
- On Friday, 3/1he Lower Grades Debate Team is traveling upstate to Lakeland for the Westchester Classic Tournament.
- We are so proud of the team and how much they have grown in numbers and skills.
- We wish the our team all the best at the tournament!
- Join us in a shout of to the team members: 8th graders - Luke, Leo, and Attitus; 7th graders - Shai, Tovi, Eliza, Elijah, Isaiah, Benicio, and Rahm; 6th graders - Benji, Clyde, Bea, and Sam.
- GO BCS LG DEBATE TEAM!
Support BCS Robotics Team: Save Dates April 5th, 6th, & 7th @ The Armory
- Our Robosharks Robotics Team made last adjustments and bagged this year's robot - ready to go, ready to win!
- First Robotics Competition this year is on April 5th, 6th, and 7th @ The Armory.
Join the Emoti-Con After School Club! Open to Grades 9-12
- WHAT: Informational Meeting about Emoti-Con club.
- WHEN: Wednesday, February 27th
- TIME: 3:10 p.m.
- WHERE: Room 505A
- WHO: Open to Grades 9-12
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email Brian at brian@bcs448.org or visit bit.ly/emoti-con-bcs
Join Reel Works Documentary Filmmaking Club @ Brooklyn Collaborative
Student Council Weekly Update
- On Friday, February 15th, Student Council had its weekly meeting (Grades 6-12).
- Grade representatives continued their committee work.
- The Beautification/School Facilities Committee met with Johanna from BNS to discuss rebooting recycling and at BCS. They also reviewed some of the data they have collected from crew circles, surveys, and interviews on the "state of cleanliness" at 610 Henry (I.e the conditions of school bathrooms, loitering in the staircase, garbage in classrooms, etc.).
- The School Spirit Committee is continuing to plan and do the outreach for March Madness events, including the staff vs. student basketball game and the pep rally preceding the game, and the middle school and high school dances. Show your school pride and support the March Madness activities: Friday, 3/1, is Spirit "Celebrity" Day!
- The Fundraising Committee is planning additional fundraising bake sales. Kudos to Isabella, Heily, Clyde, and Jose, Jr. for a super successful kickoff Valentine's Day bake sale. They raised $100.
- Student Council meets weekly periods 5 & 6 in the Health Studio (room 124)
Wacky Tacky Day
STUDENT CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Weekly Mastery Support: Every Tuesday, 3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
- EVERY Tuesday after school is mastery support time from 3:15-4pm.
- This is a chance for you to get extra help from your teachers.You are encouraged to stay for this time if there are any assignments they would like to work on or extra help they would like from teachers. All teachers are available during this time.
- We look forward to you remaining after school for support on Tuesdays!
- You are the leader of your own learning. Seize the Master Support opportunities!
FAMILY SPOTLIGHT & SHOUT OUTS
Reading in the Round Parent Book Club!! Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Gets Two Thumbs Up!
- On Tuesday, February 26th we gathered after the break to discuss for our February Reading in the Round Parent Book Club
- We enjoyed a lovely evening delving into Benjamin Alire Sáenz's book and feasting on memorable moments and sharing stories sparked by the novel.
- Join us for our next book club gathering on Tuesday, March 26th when we discuss Far From the Tree by Robin Benway.
- Thank you Mazda for an absolutely delectable pot of homemade
- If you enjoy reading, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents, read some of the ‘hottest’ Young Adult (YA) authors that our students are reading, use fiction to explore, address, and discuss issues our students may face around race, gender, class, sexuality, equality, immigration, etc
FAMILY CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Public Education Town Hall with Diane Ravitch
- WHAT: Public Education Town Hall. A conversation on a bold new vision for public school justice and equity. Panel and discussion followed by audience Q&A
- WHO: Featured speaker: Diane Ravitch with education advocates. With responses from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and NYS Senator Jessica Ramos
- WHEN: Saturday, March 16
- TIME: 2:00-4:30PM
- WHERE: Fiesta Hall; 37-62 89th Street, Jackson Heights
- PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: Alliance for Quality Education; Class Size Matters; Network for Public Education; NYC Opt Out; NYS Association for Bilingual Education
UFT Men in Education Symposium: Saturday, March 2
- WHAT: Fourth annual UFT Men in Education Symposium, a day of empowerment and support for fathers and educators. This year's theme is "Iron Sharpens Iron!" The workshops are: Opportunities and Challenges in Postsecondary Pathways for Males, Skills Aren't Enough: How Cultural Competency Creates Transformative Reading Experiences for Boys, and Child Support: What Dads Need to Know.
- THEME:
- WHEN: Saturday, March 2
- TIME: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- WHERE: UFT headquarters at 52 Broadway
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This is a free event
How To File Your 2019 Taxes For Free In NYC
- Find out if you qualify to file your taxes for free, and how.
- https://patch.com/new-york/windsorterrace/s/gltpp/how-to-file-your-2019-taxes-for-free-in-nyc
- Filing your taxes at NYC Free Tax Prep is completely free and includes e-filing and direct deposit of your refund.
Some sites have income limits. For most sites, you must have earned $54,000 or less in 2018 to use this service. - https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/TaxMap/index.html
LIBRARY CORNER
Library hosts BCS/BNS All School Great Read of Jacqueline Woodson's This Is the Rope: A Great Migration Story.
- The library is excited to present its first ever BCS/BNS All School Great Read!
- This presents an amazing opportunity for our entire school building to read and engage around a common text.
- Our pick is Jacqueline Woodson's This Is the Rope: A Great Migration Story.
- In the book, a Brooklyn girl tells the story of her grandmother, mother and a rope that forms a bond across three generations.
- We hope you will share the book with your family and share your family's journey, whatever it may be.
- Stay tuned for more information.
FUNDRAISING CORNER
Brooklyn Collaborative Wish List
- We greatly appreciate you taking a look at our wish list and supporting us in whatever ways you can.
- Link: http://a.co/bb5yXoj
Box Tops for Education Box Tops for Education
- BCS participates in the Box Tops for Education program. This program provides schools with a way to raise funds by turning in cut-out box tops from specially marked General Mills products.
- Each collected box top can be redeemed for ten cents.
- Please collect your box tops and submit them to Tracey in Rm 410