Family & Student Weekly News
May 23, 2019
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative Families,
We are excited that our 6th graders arrived safely yesterday at Fishkill, NY to kick off their crew orientation camping trip!
We can't wait to hear all of their entertaining stories of courage and persistence, including those about the High Ropes Challenge course,, multiple long hikes, preparing their own meals, building campfires, pitching their own shelters, and so many more, when they return on Friday from this annual Brooklyn Collaborative Rite of Passage
In partnership,
Scill, Amanda, Imani (BCS School Leaders)
Tracey (BCS Parent Coordinator)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
5/23 - UG ET
Check this link for important dates: http://www.bcs448.org/monthly-calendar/
to see our updates on the web.
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 or tracey@bcs448.org.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 7th Family Breakfast: Talking to Your Child About Race
- WHAT: Join school leaders Scill and Imani in a conversation about how to talk to your child about race for our final Family Breakfast Series of the year. We invite you as we open the door to an ongoing conversation about racial identity with your child---part of our school's vision of a diverse and inclusive learning community and our committed focus on racial equity and disproportionality
- WHEN: Friday, June 7th from 8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- WHERE: Room 411 @ 610 Henry Street
- RSVP: Imani@bcs448.org
BCS PTA CORNER
PTA Nominations on Tuesday, June 11th: BCS PTA Needs Your Ideas & Enthusiasm
- WHAT: PTA Executive Board Nominations for co-presidents, co-secretaries, co-treasurers, and members-at-large.
- WHY:The PTA is an essential part of our school. The 2018-2019 PTA is so proud to have served! They got a lot done! Now it’s YOURturn - please consider nominating yourself, or a parent you respect, to serve on the PTA. Supporting and serving on the PTA is about your choices for the kind of school you want BCS to be! The PTA needs 8-10 parents to come forward to create a board that represents parents, stands up for students, and supports the teachers and administrators at BCS
- WHEN: Tuesday, May 7th; Board nominations will take place during next month’s PTA General meeting:
- TIME: 6:30 pm
- WHERE: BCS/BNS Cafeteria
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Co-presidents Veronica Cruz and Reshonah Bennett at bcsptapresident@gmail.com
Be the difference in your child’s educational experience!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
BCS/BNS Librarian Amanda Clarke
BCS senior Nasrine and teacher assistant (TA) interviewed BCS librarian Amanda Clarke and summarized below.
What did you do and what inspired you to become a librarian?
- I was originally a parent volunteer here at the library and became inspired by Susan. Seeing her work with the kids and working here in the library became an inspiration for me. I then went back to library school and fell in love with it.
- I help find books that they love and purchase books that are great for students. I also teach library skills to kids and work with teachers helping to find resources to the classrooms so that their studies are the best it can be to accommodate the students.
What's it like switching between the two schools?
- It's really great and interesting to see the difference between the older and younger students. Big kids have more maturity skills and could model the behavior to the kids so they can see.
- I love see the variety of maturity in the books creates a unique community in reading and how the books vary for the age level.
What is your most memorable moment so far?
- A student who is currently in eighth grade came up to her once and said that she really knows how to pick out a great book for her. That student is not really much of a reader but it brought her great pleasure that she was able to help impact students like this.
In what ways have you helped contribute to the community?
- I have had the opportunity to work really closely with the middle school kids and hope that I have created a love and passion for reading in the students the library as a space where students really love being. I hope that students feel welcomed and excited to be here and where they can seek the individual attention so that they have the will to read.
What is something you are is proud of?
- I am proud of being keeping the library a clean and open environment for the students and a place that is stocked with new and exciting books.
Music Teacher Christine is making strides!
- Major kudos, much respect, a huge round of applause, and a host of other superlatives go out to music teacher Christine for running the Brooklyn Half Marathon.
- Christine modeled the BCS core values---persistence and courage---as they ran over 13 miles!
Drama Teacher Kori: Deaf And Hearing Broadway Vets Reunite For Presentation Of New Musical STEPCHILD
Below is an article about her upcoming show that she developed and produced:
Show Information: http://irttheater.org/3b-development-series/stepchild-2/
This is an example of high quality work and is the basis of her curriculum at BCS for ASL Theater.
STUDENT CLUBS
Student Council Update
- On Friday, May 17th, Student Council had its weekly meeting (Grades 6-12).
- Grade representatives continued their committee work..
- The School Spirit Committee discussed plans for the upcoming BCS Community Potluck/Cookout and Staff vs Student kickball on Friday, May 31st from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Student Council as a whole finalized the response letter about closing the bathroom doors for the first and last 10 minutes of each class period. The council representatives also shared their thoughts about teachers using a sign in/sign out time sheet to track students' use of the pass to go to the restroom.
- Student Council meets weekly periods 5 & 6 in the Health Studio (room 124)
CLASSROOM, COLLABORATION, & CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
E.N.C.O.R.E. -- A BCS Arts Appreciation Festival
- Kudos to seniors Emily and Amya, with the support of art teacher Jill and music teacher Christine, organized E.N.C.O.R.E.--- an arts appreciation festival to celebrate student work from both the middle and high school on Friday, May 17th
- Students showcased their artwork created in their art classes and personal art expressions.
- Students also showcased what they learned in their music classes and their overall passion for music.
FAMILY & STUDENT PROGRAMS, RESOURCES, & EVENT
Future of NYC Public Schools Panel & Discussion: Tuesday, May 28th @ 6:30 p.m.
- WHAT: Panel Event on school integration at P.S. 29 hosted by IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity & Equity for All) Committee
- WHEN: Tuesday, May 28th
- TIME: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Auditorium at P.S. 29
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: RSVP @ https://bit.ly/30lrRin
Brooklyn Public Library's Summer Book Buddy Mentor Program
- WHAT: Volunteer for Brooklyn Public Library's summer book buddy mentor program for 12-17. Help out at the local branch doing jobs such as displays, helping with summer reading program.
- WHEN: Summer 2019
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/support/volunteer/book-buddies
Red Hook Initiative is thrilled to be a host site for CDF Freedom Schools.
- WHAT: CDF Freedom Schools program is a six-week summer literacy and cultural enrichment program that will serve the scholars in the Red Hook community at no-cost. Students will participate in exciting afternoon activities, trips every week and breakfast and lunch will be provided!
- WHEN: July 9th - August 16th from 8a.m. - 5p.m.
- WHERE: Red Hook Initiative @ 767 Hicks Street
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Applications are available in the BCS counseling office or at Red Hook Initiative @ 767 Hicks Street. Please email Site Coordinator: Malcolm West at malcolm@rhicenter.org
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