Family & Student Weekly News
November 6, 2018 - Election Day
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative Families & Students,
Student Led Conferences (SLCs) are a little month away, scheduled for Thursday evening, November 29th and Friday afternoon, November 30th. They are a bi-annual tradition at Brooklyn Collaborative and a hallmark of EL Education Schools.
SLCs replace the traditional parent-teacher conference and shift the focus to students being the leaders of their own learning. They provide an opportunity for students to formally present and engage their families in a dialogue about their learning. During SLCs, students should accomplish the following:
reflect on their growth as a learner and their habits of scholarship that support their growth
present and speak about examples of their work of which they are proud and provide evidence that demonstrate mastery of the long term learning target(s)
present and speak about an example of their work that highlights areas that they are experiencing challenges and are working to demonstrate mastery of the learning target(s)
speak to parents/guardians/caregivers while the crew leader listens and supports (students should speak at least 80-90% of the time)
share goals and action plan of 2-4 next steps for support and continued growth
The majority of the SLC should focus on student talk and on them showing an understanding of their growth as a learner rather than on their numerical grades on the progress report. Ideally, your child should be speaking about 80% of the time and their crew leader should speak closer to 20% of the time. Mark your calendars.
Your child's crew leaders will be contacting you soon and sending home a SLC appointment sheet for you to complete and return. Your child must attend this conference with you.
We look forward to seeing you next week!
In partnership,
Scill, Amanda, Imani (BCS School Leaders)
Tracey (BCS Parent Coordinator)
UPCOMING DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- 11/8 - Upper Grades ET (ELA)
- 11/6 - No school for students (Election Day/Chancellor's Conference Day for Staff Development
- 11/12 - No school (Veterans Day)
- 11/13 - SLT Meeting (4:30 - 6:00 p.m.)
- 11/13 - PTA Executive Board Meeting (6:00 - 6:30 p.m.)
- 11/13 - PTA General Meeting (6:30 - 8:00 p.m.)
- 11/15 - Lower Grades ET
- 11/16 - BCS Potluck Community Feast: A Circle of Thanks
- 11/22 -11/23 - No school (Thanksgiving Recess)
- 11/29 - Student Led Conferences (evening)
- 11/30 - Student Led Conferences (afternoon)
Check this link for weekly highlights: www.bcs448.org/2018/11/04/10-29-11-2-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
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER
Today, Tuesday, Nov. 6th: Election Day
- Part of the Brooklyn Collaborative mission is to develop young people who are active in civic life.
- Polls are open at 6 AM and close at 9 PM.
- Find you’re polling location here.
- If you are unsure who or what is on the ballot, visit this website: https://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/vgwelcome/state-general-2018/ for a non-partisan voter guide.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
School Spirit Wednesdays: November 14th Kickoff!!
- We encourage students and staff alike to catch the school spirit wave!
- The second Wednesday of each month will be Spirit Wednesday!
- Wednesday, November 14th will kick off Spirit Wednesdays with Twin Day!!
November 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=5098&name=High+School+Lunch+Menu
BCS Potluck Community Feast: Circle of Thanks - Friday, 11/16 @ 5:45 p.m.
- WHAT: BCS Potluck Community Feast: A Circle of Thanks Celebration
- WHEN: Friday, November 16th
- TIME: 5:45 p.m. –7:45 p.m.
- WHERE: BCS Cafeteria
- Bring your family and friends for an evening of celebration, performances, thanksgiving, community building, and breaking bread with other families and staff.
- Please RVSP to Imani (imani@bcs448.org) and Tracey (tracey@bcs448.org) to confirm your attendance and the dish that you plan to bring
Attention 8th Grade Families: Support with MySchools
- WHAT: If you need support navigating MySchools, we will have morning sessions for families to come in and log on with support from Deb, Imani and Tracey.
- WHEN: They will available this Friday, 11/2, Wednesday, 11/7, Thursday 11/15, Wednesday, 11/21 and Thursday, 11/29.
- TIME: All sessions will be from 8:30 to 9:30. .
Big Apple Fellowship: Nominate an Outstanding Teacher
PTA CORNER
Title I Parent Committee & Title I Rep Election - Tuesday, November 13th
- WHAT:Title I Parent Committee and Title I Rep. Please attend this meeting if you are interested in being on the Title 1 Parent Committee that will serve as the consultative and representative body at Brooklyn Collaborative regarding the Title I program or interested in running for the Title I representative on the School Leadership Team (SLT). A key role of the Title I representative on the PTA is to articulate the parent issues connected to Title I to the SLT and school administration.
- WHEN: Tuesday, November 13th
- TIME: 6:30 p.m.
PTA Needs Your Ideas, Volunteer Spirit, & Enthusiasm: Tuesday, November 13th at 6:30 p.m
WHAT: PTA General Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month.
WHEN: Next PTA meeting is on November 13th
TIME: 6:30pm - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cafeteria
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Co-Presidents Veronica Cruz and Reshonah Bennett at bcsptapresident@gmail.com
Please stay in touch with the PTA via the website: https://www.bcspta.org
FAMILY CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Panel Discussion: The Trials and Triumphs of Building an Anti-Racist Integrated School at Park Slope Collegiate
WHAT: Join the parents, teachers, and students of Park Slope Collegiate as we share our experiences and struggles creating a community that:
Implements a rigorous curriculum without tracking based on academic performance
Is committed to a staff that reflects the diversity of our school and New York City
Fights for resource equity, including equitable distribution of PSAL sports teams
Is committed to restorative justice practices
Takes a united stand against racism
WHEN: Thursday, November 15th, 2018 6:30 PM
WHERE: John Jay Campus Auditorium, 237 7th Avenue Brooklyn
SPORTS CORNER
Support the BCS Wolves!
Please check out, donate and spread the word for Coach Nikkie’s fundraiser linked here.
AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
YWCA @ BCS After School Program: Grades 6 - 8
- This week the YWCA after-school program’s Art class made beautiful hand-painted pictures using water colors and tape to create various images.
- In addition, we are very excited to announce that we have a new artist on our after-school team, Freddie McClain.
- We also took a break from our regular cooking classes to focus more on teaching accurate measurements as well as learning how to properly read and comprehend nutrition labels
- This week we also extended our homework help an additional 45 minutes to ensure that students finish at least two assignments during our academic enrichment hour.
- For more information on our after-school program, please contact the Director, Janet Cooper at Jcooper@ywcanyc.org
STUDENT CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Brooklyn District Attorney High School Internship Program
- WHAT: The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is offering two (2) unpaid one-week
internships to high school students during mid-winter break and spring
break offering invaluable insight into the criminal justice system.
- WHO: Juniors or seniors that live in or attend schools in Brooklyn.
- WHEN: February 18-22, 2019 or April 19-26, 2019.
- WHERE: Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
- To Apply: Visit http://apply.brooklynda.org
- Application Deadline: November 12, 2018
- For more information: Visit www.brooklyn.org/Careers/Internships
BAX Seeking High School Aged Counselors for School Breaks Arts Program BAX Seeking High School Aged Counselors for School Breaks Arts Program
- BAX is looking for high school and college aged students to join our School Breaks Arts Program staff as Junior and Senior Counselors for President's Week and Spring Break.
- The School Breaks Arts Program fosters creativity, encourages exploration, and provides a positive environment for children (grades K-5th) during their time away from school. Ideal applicants will have experience and/or interest in performing arts and working with children.
- This is an excellent opportunity for teens and young adults looking to gain work experience and training in the arts education field.
- Junior Counselors (at least High School Freshman/Sophomore aged) are mentees in the process of learning and developing their skills in all aspects of running an integrated arts program. They receive a daily stipend of $10 and a metro card.
- Senior Counselors (at least High School Junior/Senior aged) play an important role in supporting Group Leader staff and will plan and facilitate 2-3 Counselor Led Activities with program participants each week. They receive an hourly wage of $11.
- President's Week Arts Program: February 18-22, 2019
- Spring Break Arts Program: April 22-26, 2019
- To apply, please submit an ONLINE APPLICATION after reviewing the attached job description(s).
- Questions? Email Education Manager Ashley Thaxton-Stevenson at ashley@bax.org.
CLASSROOM, COLLABORATION, & CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
Attendance Superstars!
- Let's give a round of applause to our 10th grade attendance superstars who were recognized at the 10th grade Town Hall!
- A gentle reminder that the DOE considers students who are absent about two (2) days a month to be "chronically absent." This means they have less than 90% attendance.
- At the end of the year, a student under 90% attendance has around 18 days of absence, or the equivalent of approximately two absences per month.
- As such, we encourage your child to be present each day in school and to always bring in doctors notes to excuse absences when sick. .
- We also encourage your to schedule vacations/appointments outside of school hours/days whenever possible.
Our 9th graders interviewed our seniors to prep for the College March!
Students Rocking Out in Christine's Modern Rock Band Class!
LIBRARY CORNER
Library: The Place Our Students Love!
- Our library continues to be jam-packed during lunch.
- 7th grade ELA classes had their regular visits to the library this week.
- A big shout to Amanda C., Susan, and Karen for their effort to collaborate with teachers to bring classes in to the classroom, to have engaging reading spaces and nooks that draw students into the library, and to create lunch time activities that make the library the place students love to be.
- Be sure to check out the latest installment of the BCS/BNS library newsletter emailed to families on Monday, 11/5.
FUNDRAISING CORNER
Brooklyn Collaborative Wish List 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 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 41