Family & Student Weekly News
October 8, 2019
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative Families,
Come join us at 610 Henry Street on Saturday afternoon, October 19th, from 11:00 - 4:00p.m. for AppleFest--- the BCS and BNS annual fall, family-fun, fundraising community-builder.
We look forward to seeing BCS and BNS families and friends come out in record numbers enjoying the live music, play games like basketball and soccer shootout, pressing apples,face painting, doing the freeze dance, sliding down the bouncy slide, indulging your palate in sumptuous waffles, 5-alarm chili, hamburgers, gourmet sandwiches, apples, catching up on how the school year is going, and so much more!
All the proceeds will benefit BCS and BNS students.
We also want to give a big thank you to the newest members of the Brooklyn Collaborative families who attended our Annual New Families Fall Potluck and made this event a community success! See some of the photos below.
We had a veritable feast of amazingly delicious appetizers, main dishes, and desserts which indulged our palettes and left us wanting the recipes for every dish.
We want to give a shout out to PTA Executive Member Tanya Keefe (PTA treasurer) for coming out to meet everyone.
We also ended the week with our Rec Night. Kudos to Jose, Obie, and Thomas for "schooling our students" in basketball!
We look forward to seeing more families attend our community events as part of our Pledge4Family Engagement campaign.
Check out our weekly calendar of events and mark your calendars!
In partnership,
Scill and Imani (BCS School Leaders)
Tracey (BCS Parent Coordinator)
UPCOMING DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- 10/9 - No School (Yom Kippur)
- 10/10 - Upper Grades Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 10/11: BCS Family Night: Movie Under the Stars/Film Shorts Under the Stars (5:30 -7:30 p.m.) - POSTPONED
- 10/14 - No School (Columbus Day)
- 10/15 - SLT Meeting (4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
- 10/15 - PTA General Meeting (5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
- 10/17 - Lower Grades Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 10/19 - BCS/BNS Apple Fest
- 10/24 -- Upper Grades Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 11/5 - No School (Election Day)
- 11/7 - UG Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 11/11 - No School (Veteran's Day)
- 11/14 - LG Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 11/21 - Student Led Conference (SLC) evening
- 11/22 - Student Led Conference (SLC) afternoon
- 11/28 & 11/29 - No School (Thanksgiving recess)
Check this link for weekly highlights: https://www.bcs448.org/2019/10/06/10-2-4-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
Pupil Path Updates
- PupilPath is a student information system for parents and students. PupilPath allows parents and students to view important student and school information such as student attendance records, class schedule, assignment due dates and grades, graduation progress, school announcements, and more. This is a convenient tool for both parents and students to keep up with class work, current mastery levels, and attendance.
- New parents received login information at Curriculum Night. If you did not come to Curriculum Night, your information was mailed. If you need login information, please email Scill@bcs448.org
- Returning parents' previous accounts are valid. If you have already registered for PupilPath and forgot your password, click “Forgot Password” and a password re-set email will be sent to you.
- Please note that PupilPath has been experiencing technical difficulties systemwide. We have been in touch with Tech Support. If you cannot log in, please try again 24 hours later.
- For more information about PupilPath, see here.
- For more information about mastery grading, see here.
Join us for our Parent Equity Workshop Series - Third Tuesday of the month
- WHAT: We invite you to our Parent Equity Series---a continuation from last year's initial equity conversations,
- WHEN:Third Tuesdays of each month - 10/22; 11/19; 12/17; 1/21; 2/25; 3/24; 4/21; 5/19; 6/16
- TIME: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the
- WHERE: BCS/BNS library
- WHO: All parents are welcome - the more diverse, the better! Come to one, or come to all!
Some of our activities include:
- collaborate on our schoolwide equity principles - what does equity mean at Brooklyn Collaborative?
- explore videos from organizations working with diversity issues across the country and engage in meaningful dialogue with each other
- participate in workshops using Dr. Edward Fergus' text Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity (aligned to what staff are doing in our own professional development in support of your children)
- and more!
Join us for Apple Fest: We need you! Saturday, October 19th
WHAT IS IT?
- AppleFest is a GIANT BLOCK PARTY held at the school. It's a jointBCS/BNS Fall Fundraiser/Community Builder. This year the BCS focus is "Our Kids." We're going to have BCS student performances, games for middle school and high school students, and as much parent support as we can. Plan for an afternoon of fun, frivolity, and fabulous food!! Join us for arts + crafts, a flea market, basketball tournament, fashion show, apple pressing, games, homemade apple pie, chili, live music, cheerleading performances, and so much more! Bring family and friends.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- All the proceeds will benefit BCS & BNS students. It helps us fund college tours, camping trips and more! Be sure to wear your BCS shirts to show our presence in full force.
WHEN: Saturday, October 19th
TIME: 11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Big Yard and on Rapelye Street
QUESTIONS? Interested in helping from afar? Have an idea for the event?
- Email BCS Co-presidents Gillianne Roberts-Atkinson & Juanita Joseph @ bcsptapresident@gmail.com
October 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=5441&name=High+School+Lunch+Menu
LIBRARY CORNER
BCS/BNS Collaboration: 9th Grader Prep to Read to PreK
- The Library has been preparing 9th graders for their first meeting with their PreK Reading Buddies!
- Susan and Amanda led lessons on the developmental milestones of 4-year olds, how to connect with 4-year olds through reading, and how to pick books that will appeal to a PreK audience.
- Check in with your kids about this BCS/BNS collaboration!
FAMILY CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
UFT Brooklyn Parent Conference - Saturday, November 16th
- WHAT: Parents, grandparents, guardians and education activists are invited to the 10th annual UFT Brooklyn parent conference. This will be a free, fun-filled day of informative workshops, networking, exhibitors and giveaways. To read the workshop descriptions, please see the brochure.
- WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 16th
- TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- WHERE: PS 140K, 141 Macon St., (bet. Marcy and Thompson Sts.)
- REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
- TEEN SUMMIT During the parent conference, there will also be a teen summit for young people between the ages of 12 and 18. download the teen s
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Betty Zohar, UFT Parent-Community Liaison (bzohar@uft.org)
CLASSROOM, COLLABORATION, & CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
SPORTS CORNER
Come Out This Week: Support Volleyball Girls Varsity & Varsity Boys Soccer
- Come and show your support for our Girls Varsity Volleyball and Boys Varsity Soccer Teams!
- Cheer on this Thursday, 10/10 when our Volleyball Girls VarsityTeam play at 4:30 p.m. at Adams Street Academy & Soccer Boys Varsity Team play at 4:00 p.m. at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5 (Field 4).
- GO BCS WOLVES!!!!!!
BCS Girls & Boys Varsity Basketball Tryouts (High School Students)
- WHAT: Girls & Boys Varsity Basketball Tryouts
- WHO: Grades 9 - 12
- WHEN: Girls Varsity on Saturday, October 12th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday October 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., & Tuesday, October 15th from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- WHEN: Boys Varsity on Saturday, October 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday October 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & Tuesday, October 15th from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
- REQUIREMENTS: To try out, students must have a completely signed and initialed permission slip. The student's medical form must also be completely filled out with an official doctor's stamp. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- LINKS TO FORMS:
- http://www.psal.org/PDF/Miscellaneous/2019_New%20New%20New%20Medical%20FY%2020.pdf
- http://www.psal.org/PDF/Official/2012_PSAL%20Interscholastic%20Athletics%20Parental%20Consent%20Form%200812.pdf
PLEASE COMPLETE REMINDERS
We Need You: Please Fill Out Your Lunch Form ASAP & Support Student Programs
- WE NEED ALL FAMILIES TO FILL OUT YOUR SCHOOL LUNCH FORM ONLINE (https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application)using our school name (Brooklyn Collaborative Studies 15K448).
- Breakfast and lunch are free to every student every day, regardless of income. Even if your child does not eat school lunch, please complete the school lunch form. Your income information is confidential.
- Your school lunch form helps our school to qualify for Title I funding. Last year, we received almost $500,000 in Title I funding to support student programs, teacher salaries, afterschool programs, and much more.
- If you have any questions or need assistance filling out the form, please contact Parent Coordinator Tracey Pinkard (tracey@bcs448.org )or 718-923-4700 x4103). Thank you very much for your support!
BCS Packet of Forms: Return to Your Child’s Crew Leader ASAP
- All students received a packet of forms about school detailing expectations and important policies.
- Please review carefully and make sure you have completed the entire packet of forms and returned to your child's crew leader as soon as possible.
- For more information: Contact Tracey at Tracey@bcs448.org or 718-923-4700 X4102
SCHOOL POLICY REMINDERS
BCS Cellphone & Electronics Policy
- During instructional time, students must put cell phones and headphones in bookbags or lockers everyday, including on fieldwork.
- During lunch, students may use cell phones to play a game on their device quietly, read an electronic book or listen to music with headphones.
- .We expect families to message that electronics are to be invisible at school. Families should not contact their children during school and expect a response. If a student is not responsible with their device during school hours, we encourage parents to contract with their child, confiscate the device, turn off particular apps/features on their child’s device, and/or work with the cellular carrier to limit internet/data access during school hours
Out-to-Lunch Pass Contract
6th-8th Grade Out to Lunch Pass Contract
- Lower Grade students will have to earn an out to lunch pass based on their overall attendance in their classes and their positive expression of our core values.They cannot go out to lunch until after their first semester grades.
- Here is the Lower Grades: Out to Lunch Pass Contract
9th Grade Out to Lunch Pass Contract
9th graders will have to earn an out to lunch pass based on their 7th period lateness and their first quarter grades. They cannot go out to lunch until after first quarter grades.
Here is the Grade 9: Out to Lunch Pass Contract
DOE POLICY REMINDER
Attendance Matters: DOE Attendance Policy
- The DOE identifies students who are absent two (2) days a month to be "chronically absent," even if the absence is excused. This means they have less than 90% attendance.
- Please make sure your child is present and on time every day and avoid scheduling appointments and vacations during the school year.
- Any absence that your child has needs to be accompanied by an excuse note from the parent and/or doctor. Lower Grades students (Grades 6-8) should give their notes to their crew leader, and Upper Grades students (Grades 9-12) should show their notes to their teachers each period and then submit the note to Office 507.
- Statistically, students who are identified as "chronically absent" are less likely to have grade-level academic performance and to be on pace for promotion and on-time graduation
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