Family & Student Weekly News
November 27, 2019
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative Families,
Thank you to all of you who attended our Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) last Thursday and Friday. You came out in sizable numbers to support your child in taking responsibility for their own learning.
We greatly appreciated your ongoing partnership with us in educating your child. With the support of your child’s crew leader, you left the SLC with a plan of action of how to provide targeted support for your child’s academic success.
We encourage you to regularly have conversations with your child about their academic progress as captured in PupilPath. Take this time to talk and listen to them about the classes in which they are demonstrating mastery as well as the classes that they may be experiencing some difficulty. We also ask that you have your child attend Mastery Support on Tuesdays if they need additional academic support in any of their classes. All teachers will be available from 3:15 p.m. -4:00 p.m. to support.
Wishing you and your family a Thanksgiving full of joy, peace, and hope. We are eternally grateful for your support, trust, and partnership!
With deep gratitude and appreciation,
Scill & Imani (BCS School Leaders)
Tracey (BCS Parent Coordinator)
UPCOMING DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- 11/28 & 11/29 - No School (Thanksgiving recess)
- 12/3 - SLT Meeting (4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
- 12/3 - PTA General Meeting (6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
- 12/5 - LG Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 12/8 - Family Fun Trip: Holiday Train Show
- 12/12 - UG Expeditionary Thursday (ET)
- 12/13 - College March
- 12/17 - BCS Parent Equity Workshop
- 12/23 -1/1 - Winter Recess
Check this link for weekly highlights: https://www.bcs448.org/2019/11/24/11-18-22-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
BCS Book Talk & Potluck: Join us on Tuesday, 12/10 @ 6:00 p.m.
- WHAT: Join school leaders Scill & Imani as they host Book Talks. If you enjoy reading, meeting other parents, exploring, addressing, and discussing issues our students may face around issues of race, gender, class, sexuality, identity, peer pressure, academics, and so much more, you won't want to miss this event.
- For families of middle schoolers, we will discuss Middle School Maker. For families of high schoolers, we will discuss How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk.
- Let us know if you need a copy of either book.
- WHEN: Tuesday, December 10th
- TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- WHERE: BCS Library
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact imani@bcs448.org to RSVP or if you have any questions.
Friday Family Morning Meet Up: Discussion of NYS Final State Visit Report on 12/6
- You are invited to a morning chat on Friday, December 6th @ 8:15 a.m.with school leaders Scill and Imani as part of our Family Morning Meet Up.
- We will discuss the recently released New York State final report from state reviewers' visit in May.
- We welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and questions
Title I Parent Committee & Title I Rep Election - Tuesday, December 3rd
- 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, December 3rd
- TIME: 6:30 p.m.
GRATITUDE CORNER
Well-Cloth’d NYC, founded by BCS Class of 2009 alum, Leetah McGee
- On Saturday, 11/23, Well-Cloth’d NYC, a donation charity founded by BCS Class of 2009 alum, Leetah McGee, organized a clothing drive this Saturday at school.
- Over 400lbs of clothes donated by BNS and BCS families!
Final Open House & Tour
- On Tuesday, 11/19, we had our last tour of the season.
- We were happy to see so many families interested in our Grade 6 and 9.
- Thank you to all our staff, students and families who help make our tours possible! We can’t do this without you, and we appreciate you so much!
FAMILY CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Join Us for BCS Parent Equity Workshops Series - Tuesday, 12/17 @ 6:00 p.m
- We invite you to join us for our monthly BCS Parent Equity Workshop Series in the Library.
- Be part of this important schoolwide conversation on equity and what it means at Brooklyn Collaborative.
- Mark your calendars for the upcoming workshops on the third Tuesday of the month.
- Our next meeting is Tuesday, 12/17 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Light supper provided
PTA CORNER
PTA General Meeting & Self Care to Give Care Workshop: Tuesday, 12/3 @ 6:30 p.m.
- WHAT: PTA General Meeting & Self Care to Give Care Workshop. Light dinner will be provided.
- WHEN: Tuesday, December 3rd
- TIME: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: BCS/BNS Cafeteria
PTA Agenda
6:30-7:00 p.m. - Discuss new business and follow up on matters concerning our students and school community - Hold election for a Title I representative.
Self Care to Give Care workshop
7:00-8:00pm
- This month’s workshop will be an opportunity for self-care offered by creative arts therapist, clinical social worker, and BCS parent Karen Bagnini.
- Karen will offer about an hour of opportunity for respite, reflection, and community-building.
- The activities offered can be turnkeyed in many other settings, including at home!
STUDENT SHOUT OUTS
St. Francis College: Immediate Decision Day
- On Tuesday, November 19th, we hosted an Immediate Decision Day with St. Francis College.
- Congratulations to all our accepted students!
- Admissions counselor Mike shared how much he enjoyed the BCS atmosphere, overall school spirit and how nice it was to experience a welcoming staff.
- During the interviews he found BCS students to be “wonderful communicators, happy and at home” in their learning environment!
SLCs: It's a Family Affair!
- Student Led Conferences were very successful.
- One shout out was 7th grader Lesley who wanted to share a song she learned in band class during her conference.
- She was nervous to play her trombone, so her family grabbed instruments to play with her!.
SLCs: Senior Committee Bake Sale
- Seniors looked lovely at the Senior Committee bake sale during Student Led Conferences.
- Thanks to all who gave to support Class of 2020!
BCS Teacher Assistants
- Our Teacher’s Assistants (upperclass students) exemplify all our core values.
- They are responsible and kind in their work with our younger students!
- See Jaelyn (Grade 11) working with Grade 8 students in Liz and Nikkie’s class.
Student Coaches for Climate Change Class
- On Wednesday, 11/20, more students in Climate Change were celebrated for becoming coaches (by reaching Exemplary in the current case study)!
- Shout out to our students’ pride and ownership over their learning!
Teen Immersion Day: Broadway Production of Oklahoma
- On Wednesday, 11/20, juniors Aaliyah Parris & Lucie Gauthe were chosen to attend the Teen Immersion Day with teacher Lauren S at the Broadway production of Oklahoma.
- They had an awesome time!
STUDENT CORNER: RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
The Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute
- WHAT: The Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute is a program that empowers our Hispanic youth by developing their leadership skills and providing in-depth knowledge of the state legislative process. The institute will culminate in a trip to Albany where students in grades 11 and 12 will partake in a mock assembly from March 7 - 9, 2020.
- WHO: Interested applicants in grades 10 -12 must apply and submit an essay to be considered for the program.
- Students that are accepted into the program must commit to attending five Saturday full-day sessions.
- WHEN: Application deadline - December 19, 2019 to be considered for the program.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the program click here. To view and share the application click here
CLASSROOM, COLLABORATION, & CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
8th Social Studies
- On Thursday, 11/21, students in Grade 8 Social Studies built background knowledge in anticipation of their Little Rock Nine case study in a fishbowl.
11th Grade Internship Seminar
- On Wednesday, 11/20, Lakota film-maker, Jessie Adler, shared her Tribeca-nominated short film, The Boxers of Brule, to the internship seminar today.
- The film tells the story of Lakota girls on a reservation in South Dakota who form a boxing club to work out frustrations over family suicides.
CLUB CORNER
Here is your Chance to Learn an Instrument
- What: Here is your chance to learn an instrument.
- Who: All students are welcome. No experience necessary.
- When: Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
- Time: 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
- Where: Room 213
- Email music teacher christine@bcs448.org if you are interested or stop by room 213
Be Bold. Be Heard. Join BCS Choir - Directed by Jeffrey Primus
- What: Join BCS Choir, Be Bold. Be Heard.
- Who: All Singing Styles and Levels welcome
- When: Mondays & Wednesdays
- Time: 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
- Where: Room 213
- Email imani@bcs448.org if you are interested or stop by room 516
Join our BCS School Newspaper: The Collaborative Chronicle
- The Collaborative Chronicle showcases both photojournalism and artistic photos.The articles, photos, cartoons, op-eds, and interviews are created by BCS students!
- The Collaborative Chronicle keeps the community informed of the latest news and events happening in and around the school.
- If you want to be part of this new project or have any ideas about how we can make this the best school newspaper, come to Norma's room 523 or email norma@bcs448.org
READING CORNER
- What it’s like for the middle schoolers at the forefront of Brooklyn’s integration push https://chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2019/11/26/what-its-like-for-the-middle-schoolers-at-the-forefront-of-brooklyns-integration-push/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cb_bureau_ny
SCHOOL POLICY REMINDERS
SCHOOL POLICY REMINDERS
- 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