Dear BCS Students and Families, we had a beautiful College March on Friday!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Monday 12/11 is BCS Flannel Day!
- Wear your favorite flannel clothing!
- Let’s see which crew shows the most BCS school spirit and have bragging rights! Take photos!
- Next Mon 12/18 is Ugly Sweater Day – wear your most intentionally tacky and outrageously colorful winter season sweater!
Newspaper – we want student writers and contributors!
- So proud of the student contributors:
- Daniel Hicks (Grade 9)
- A.C. Deliz (Grade 10)
- Serenity Hucey (Grade 10)
- Daniela Montalvo (Grade 10)
- Akoni Drysdale (Grade 11)
- Alessandra Marchan (Grade 11)
- Crystal Jones (Grade 11)
- Justin Torres (Grade 11)
- Maimouna Sy (Grade 11)
- Isaiah Harrison (Grade 12)
- Please let other students know who are interested in writing an article or sharing your artwork to email newspaper@bcs448.org – all students in Grades 6-12 welcome!
- Here are all previous issues of the Collaborative Chronicle (2019 to present)
Nominate a teacher for the Big Apple Teacher Awards by Jan 19
- The Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate New York City teachers who:
- Inspire students to be their best selves, dream, and advocate for their future
- Model equitable learning with high expectations for the diverse and dynamic needs of all students
- Affirm students’ identities, unique gifts, and genius
- Enrich their school communities by partnering with families, community members, and community-based organizations
- By honoring these teachers, we recognize all those who go above and beyond to serve our students and families!
- https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/vision-and-mission/big-apple-awards
- Students, families, administrators, and community members can all nominate any public school teacher. We then initiate a rigorous selection process that includes multiple stakeholders across the system. Nominations are now open and will close on January 19, 2024. You can nominate a teacher by completing this form.
BCS is participating in a book, coat/clothing, and toy drive – last day Wed 12/13
- All proceeds will go to Children of Promise NYC, an organization that supports families who have been impacted by mass incarceration.
- Please note, that only unworn and brand new articles of clothing can be donated. Anything worn will not be able to be donated.
- All articles of clothing and toys should be placed in a bag located in each crew room.
- Books should be placed in boxes outside the library on the fourth floor.
- This drive ends on Wednesday, December 13th.
- This is a crew challenge. The crew that brings the most items will win a surprise!
- Let’s see which crew shows the most BCS school spirit and have bragging rights!
- If you have any questions or concerns please email justin.torres@bcs448.org or leah.cameron@bcs448.org
BCS December PTA General Meeting – Tues 12/12
- Tuesday, 12/12, from 6:15-7:25 PM, on Zoom. All families are welcome!
- This month BCS staff and students will share information on the College Now program and Brooklyn Collaborative’s partnership with CUNY CityTech. We will also hear updates from school leadership and have an opportunity for conversation and connection.
- Use the following link to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82805443270?pwd=eFVVN1YvcFc0d2NlWmQ0elFjOFNyQT09
- You can always reach us, the 2023-2024 BCS PTA Executive Board, by sending an email to pta@bcs448.org. If you can’t make a PTA General Meeting, please share your thoughts, questions, and ideas via email or by using this Google Form.
- And mark your calendars for the rest of our PTA General Meeting dates for this school year–all meetings are on Tuesdays from 6:15-7:25 PM:
- January 9
- February 13
- March 12 | Establish nomination committee for Spring elections
- April 2
- May 14 | Spring election for the 2024-25 Executive Board
- June 11
- We look forward to working together with you to support Brooklyn Collaborative and hope to see you at the General Meeting tonight!
- We are Crew,
- Carlene, Gina, Karen, Kim, Latoya, Liz, Maisha, Reyhan, Sara, Talia, and Venus
- 2023-2024 BCS PTA Executive Board
- Please contribute to the 2023-2024 BCS PTA Annual Appeal – we need your help!
BNS/BCS PAC Meeting, Monday 12/11 at 8 PM
- This month’s BNS/BCS Parent Action Committee Meeting will focus on the new PreK commercial curriculum and assessment mandate which was implemented this fall across all NYCDOE PreK programs. Previously, schools could choose to use free curriculum written by teachers, “emergent curriculum” based on students’ interests, and other resources. What does a curriculum mandate mean? How do mandated assessments impact a child’s experience? What can parents do to protect what’s already working at our schools? At this month’s PAC meeting, teachers and parents will participate in an important conversation about PreK including assessment and reporting requirements. While BCS families are not directly impacted by changes to PreK in our public schools, the NYCDOE is currently selecting commercial curriculum packages that will be mandated for ELA and math for older children which will be implemented next fall (ELA in K-5 and math for students enrolled in “algebra 1” with plans to expand the ELA curriculum to 6-12 ). Now is the time for parents to organize around mandated curricula and assessment. Please join this conversation and learn how you can help. Zoom link for Monday’s 8 PM Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87977699626?pwd=eUNhZzYxTnA1SGRjSWozYzJ1bHpNdz09
Stress-Free Holiday Workshop for Parents/Guardians – Wed 12/13 at 3pm Zoom
- The New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center is happy to announce that the next FREE Parent Workshop: Holiday Chill – Keeping the Holidays Stress Free for You and Your Family, will be held on December 13th at 3:00pm. Spanish translation available. This workshop will demonstrate tried and true relaxation techniques and strategies by Jordan Friedman – The Stress Coach. So easy parents will be able to show their kids and families. Zoom – https://nypcc.org/events/
- NYPCC is always open for referrals in-person or virtually. Contact https://nypcc.org/get-help/ for anyone 3-83 of age. Open 7 days a week!
Grade 6 and 7 recess outdoors
- Grade 6 and 7 have recess outdoors daily (unless it’s raining) – please bring down your jackets to lunch!
No ski masks
- For safety reasons (we do not want students’ faces covered so we cannot identify them), ski masks are not permitted inside the building
- Students can continue to wear medical/surgical masks (masks are available for all students for free in any office)
Free menstrual pads and tampons
- Do you need menstrual pads or tampons? Please come to the office to get what you need!
- Periods should be shame-free, discrimination-free, and barrier-free. Menstrual products are free in NYC Public Schools.
Free online therapy for NYC teens
- School stress, relationships, friend drama—teen life can be a lot. So, your city is stepping up to give you mental health support. Now anyone 13-17 living in New York City has access to Talkspace at no cost. More info here: https://www.talkspace.com/coverage/nyc
Amazon Wish List – we need masks and tissues!
- Please purchase masks, wipes and tissues for our classrooms or donate some from home and bring to Office 416
Core Value Shout Outs
- Share with us a student or teacher you see consistently exemplifying one of our core values using our Core Value Shout Outs form – we’ll post regularly on Instagram
Holiday Displays – Reminder from DOE
- Please be aware of and sensitive to the significance of seasonal observances and religious holidays as we work to foster mutual understanding and respect for our community’s diverse religious, racial, ethnic, and cultural heritages. Public agencies may not endorse or promote a particular religion or belief system. Please note these DOE guidelines regarding the display of cultural and holiday symbols:
- The primary purpose of any display should be to promote understanding and respect for the rights of all individuals regarding their beliefs, values, and customs.
- The display of holiday symbol decorations with secular dimensions is permitted. Displays that depict images of deities, other religious figures, or religious texts are prohibited. Permitted symbols include, but are not limited to, Christmas trees, kinaras, dreidels, menorahs, and the Star and Crescent.
- Holiday displays must not appear to promote or celebrate any single religion or holiday. Therefore, any permitted symbol or decoration must be displayed simultaneously with other symbols or decorations reflecting different beliefs or customs.
- All holiday displays should be temporary.