Family & Student Weekly News
October 29, 2018
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative Families,
Do you have questions about PupilPath?
We encourage you to attend one of our help sessions.
We know that roll out of any new system takes a period of time.
We appreciate your thoughtful questions and your patience! We went through a 3-year pilot before we converted to the Not Yet-and-Up mastery system school wide. Feedback from students/families throughout the pilot was that this system of mastery grading is intuitive once students understand it and allows for greater student ownership. Although the initial learning curve is steep, we have seen that once students and parents get used to the system, it becomes clearer with time.
During these sessions, a staff member will be in the computer lab to help you register for your PupilPath account (if you haven't already) and talk you through how to tell your child's progress for each class in PupilPath.
See the dates and times below. All sessions will be held at BCS in the Computer Lab (Rm 511).
- Tuesday, 10/30 at 8:15am-8:45am
- Wednesday, 10/31 at 8:15am-8:45am
- Thursday, 11/1 at 8:15am-8:45am
- Friday,i 11/2 November Family Breakfast at 8:15am-9am
- Friday, 11/2 at 2:20pm-4:00pm
- Monday, 11/5 at 3:15pm-4:30pm
- Tuesday, 11/13 at 3:15pm-4:30pm (before SLT and PTA meeting)
- Thursday, 11/29 at 3:15pm-7:20pm (during SLC evening)
- Friday, 11/30 at 12:00pm-3:20pm (during SLC afternoon)
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for your partnership, collaboration, and open-mindedness!
In partnership,
Scill, Amanda, Imani (BCS School Leaders)
Tracey (BCS Parent Coordinator)
UPCOMING DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- 11/1 - Lower Grades ET
- 11/2 - Family Breakfast Series (8:15 - 9:00 a.m.)
- 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: https://www.bcs448.org/2018/10/28/10-22-28-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
APPLEFEST: THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
AppleFest: A 610 Family FunRaising Affair!
- A huge thank you to those who made it out to AppleFest this year especially following our move to Sunday! You all made it so special!
- A shout out and a round of thank yous to all of our volunteers--families, students, and staff---who ran all of our activities and food stations and made all of our chili, sandwiches, burgers, waffles and bake sale treats!
- Our deepest and sincerest appreciation and hugest thank you to our dedicated AppleFest Committee leaders who committed countless and tireless hours of your personal time to make AppleFest a memorable 610 community family fun affair that everyone enjoyed!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Big Apple Fellowship: Nominate an Outstanding Teacher
- Nominate an outstanding teacher who you believe is deserving of recognition and would benefit from the Big Apple Fellowship.Nominations are accepted through Monday, November 26.
Halloween Costume Reminders
- We will have a regular day of classes on Wednesday, 10/31.
- For Halloween, please note that costumes are fine but students are not permitted to have masks or props that look like weapons
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. .
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.
BCS Visitor Policy
- Visitors, especially our students’ families, are a vital part of the Brooklyn Collaborative community. We welcome them as partners in the education of our students.
- To support student safety and to avoid loss of instructional time, we cannot have unplanned visits. Unannounced visits can be disruptive to our educational program. Please call the school to schedule an appointment or class visit. You can also email your child’s teachers throughout the year.
- We cannot guarantee someone will meet with you if you arrive without an appointment.
- All visitors must have ID and sign in with School Safety at the main entrance and then report directly to our Main Office in Room 410 on the fourth floor. Even if you have a set appointment, you must report to the main office and have the office staff call to notify the person you are visiting. Please do not go directly to the classroom without a staff member.
Brooklyn Collaborative Alumni/Graduates Policy
- Graduates are encouraged to share updates and come back to the school - we love to hear how you’re doing! All graduates should make an appointment to meet with Tanisha@bcs448.org before coming to the school.
- Former students who are not graduates (i.e. students who have transferred) may not visit except if they have an appointment with a staff member.
- All visitors must have ID and sign in with School Safety at the main entrance. School Safety will then call Tanisha at x4051.
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.
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
AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
YWCA @ BCS After School Program: Grades 6 - 8
- This week the YWCA after-school at BCS made action figures out of pipe cleaners! Several of our students enjoyed art class this week as they learned how to design their favorite super heroes with simple items.
- We also visited the Miccio community Center located in Red Hook for their annual Haunted House! Over 15 of our after-school participants enjoyed the haunted house and the large game room at the center. We look forward to going again next year.
- Our official BCS after-school dance team better known as “The Eliminators” participated in Apple Feast this past Sunday. Our talented dancers ranging from grades 6th through 8th, performed a hip hop dance for family and friends. The performance was nothing short of amazing and we look forward to performing again next year.
- For more information about our program, please contact the Program Director (Janet Cooper) at Janet@bcs448.org.
YWCA After School Dance Troupe "The Eliminators" Razel Dazel @ Apple Fest!
- Thank you Obie for your enthusiasm, eternal optimism, and tireless hours of supportive and encouraging work with the Dance Troupe!
STUDENT CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
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.
New York University Tisch School's Future Artists Program
- WHAT: Future Artists Program a FREE, intensive 14-week program in a variety of disciplines to high school students living in the Tri-State Area. Calling all Dancers, Dramatic Writers, Film Scholars, Filmmakers, Game Designers , Imagemakers (Photography & Imaging), Music Moguls (Recorded Music), & Theatre Artists (Drama)
- WHERE: New York University Tisch School of the Arts
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 13, 2018
Panels, Book Fair, and College Essay Review Station For Teen Writers 13-19 yrs
- WHAT: Teen Writers’ Summit is a diverse platform for teens to assess and advocate for their writing by engaging with literary landscapes. The Summit will include panel discussions, a college/book fair, and a college essay review station. Writopia teen leaders curated hour-long panel discussions featuring Scholastic Art & Writing representatives, PEN America representatives, directors of undergraduate creative writing programs, literary magazine and book editors, literary agents, and established authors, journalists, playwrights, and comedians
- WHO: Teen writers ages 13 to 19 and their families from the New York metropolitan area!
- WHEN: Sunday, November 4th, 2018
- TIME: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- WHERE: TBA (Manhattan)
CLASSROOM, COLLABORATION, & CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
Shout out to MƒA Fellowship 2018-2019 Teachers
Shout out to our MfA fellowship teachers for this year:
Adam Chawansky, Master Teacher Fellowship
Brian Cohen, Master Teacher Fellowship
Beth Mowry, Master Teacher Fellowship II
Claire Skrivanos, Master Teacher Fellowship
Raka Spoerri, Master Teacher Fellowship II
We are incredibly proud of these teachers who a 4-year MƒA fellowship and are part of a community of just over 1,000 public school math and science teachers across the city.
30th Annual New York LGBT Film Festival
- Several of our staff and students had the special opportunity to attend the 30th Annual New York LGBT Film Festival!
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
- 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