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Student Family Update

3/2 – BCS Student/Family Update

Published March 1, 2025 by Scill Chan

Dear BCS Students/Families, we hope you had a great restful break!

PARENT CORNER

Parent Support/ Parent Events
Please donate to our PTA – ONGOINGWe rely on the PTA to supplement our school budget for teacher requests and student programming – consider making a donation to support BCSSuggested donation of $50 for families who canhttps://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=C35TWC68PCJZC
Please donate from our Amazon wish list – ONGOINGWe need donations of wipes and tissues!Please purchase items from our Amazon wish list to send directly to BCShttps://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WX69HNQ4TUM0?ref_=wl_share
Family Jumprope Login RequestYou can check your child’s grades and attendance in JumpropeIf parents don’t have a login, request it hereAll students log into Jumprope using their BCS email

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DOE Family and Student Surveys – please complete the survey!

Family support needed with cooked or delivered meals

  • BCS is part of a meal train to support a family with an 8th grader and an 11th grader at our school.  Mom recently had surgery and the family would appreciate any support!
  • https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/v0n3kz
  • Home-cooked or ordered meals are both welcome!  

Social Media Family Workshop (In-Person) and Book Group – Wed 4/9 

  • Join us for a BCS Family Workshop (in-person) on Wed 4/9 from 4:30pm-6:30pm about Social Media Awareness.  In-Person at the Library.
  • Get an overview on how to set parental controls on your teen’s phone so you can support with responsible use and strong technology habits!
  • Additionally, we will be discussing the book “Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed” by Dashka Slater.  Winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction.  One review reads: “A propulsive and thought-provoking true story about the revelation of a racist social media account that changes everything for a group of high school students and begs the question: What does it mean to be held accountable for harm that takes place behind a screen?”
  • Email Scill@bcs448.org if you’re interested and we’ll send home a book with your child (or you can purchase your own copy).

Documentary and Panel Family Workshop (In-Person) – Thurs 3/6

  • We are thrilled to invite you to a powerful evening of community, conversation, and reflection on our screening of the documentary Black Boys (runtime 95 minutes) on Thursday, March 6th, at 4:00 p.m. to continue our celebration of Black History Month.
  • Enjoy a warm dinner with other BCS families while we watch this thought-provoking film, which illuminates the spectrum of black male humanity in America. An intimate inter-generational exploration, Black Boys strives for insight into black identity and opportunity at the nexus of sports, education, and criminal justice (IMBd).
  • Following the screening, we will host an intergenerational panel discussion to dive deeper into the film’s themes and how they resonate in our school community, as well as in our families, local communities, the broader education system, and society at large.
  • We look forward to seeing you for an evening of meaningful dialogue and shared experiences.

Neurodiverse Families Network Meeting (Zoom) – Turs 3/4

  • We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Neurodiverse Families Network Meeting. This month, we are thrilled to partner with INCLUDEnyc for a special workshop.
  • Meeting Agenda Highlights: Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School: Led by experienced educator Ruth DiRoma, this workshop will provide families with valuable tools and guidance on helping students with disabilities successfully transition to life beyond high school. Whether your child is exploring college, employment, or other pathways, this session will offer practical tips and resources to support your planning journey.
  • The virtual meeting will take place on: Date: Tuesday, March 4th; Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.; Location: Zoom link will be shared with families closer to the date.
  • This BCS Neurodiverse Families Network is a space to:
    • Connect with other families who share similar experiences.
    • Access valuable tools and resources to support your child’s growth.
    • Advocate for inclusive practices at school and beyond.
  • We hope you’ll join us! This is an invaluable opportunity to connect with other families and gain expert advice on navigating this important transition phase.  Please feel free to reach out with any questions at imani@bcs448.org.

Family Morning Meet Up Coffee Conversations (In-Person) – Fri 3/7

  • We are excited to invite you to our new monthly Family Morning Meet Up Coffee Conversations. This monthly gathering is a wonderful opportunity to  strengthen the partnership between home and school, to connect with other families, and to engage in meaningful discussions to support our students and build community.  
  • Time: 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Location: Room 411 – Please feel free to reach out with any questions at imani@bcs448.org.
  • For our coffee conversation in March, we will focus on a key area to supporting your child’s academic success and helping you to feel confident in the process: Tracking Progress in JumpRope. We will discuss how to navigate JumpRope, our online grading system, to monitor your child’s progress in real-time, interpret grades, comments, missing assignments, attendance, and know when and how to reach out to teachers with concerns. You’ll leave with practical, easy-to-implement strategies for using this information to support your child at home—whether it’s helping them get back on track with missing work, supporting with time management, strengthening their organizational habits, or celebrating their achievements.
  • Join us for coffee, connection, and an inspiring session in this exciting series.  We look forward to seeing you!

Summer Food benefits – EBT card funds $$

  • Many New York City families are eligible for $120 per child in food benefits this summer to pay for meals that would have otherwise been provided at school — a program that launched for the first time last year. But unlike other pandemic-era food assistance initiatives, the summer program is not universal. Here’s what you should know about whether you’re eligible and how to apply.

Middle School Tests Up Ahead

  • Mon 4/21 – Tues 4/22 – Grade 6 ELA NYS State Test
  • Wed 4/23 – Thurs 4/24 – Grade 7 ELA NYS State Test
  • Mon 4/28 – Tues 4/29 – Grade 8 ELA NYS State Test
  • Mon 5/5 – Tues 5/6 – Grade 6 Math NYS State Test
  • Wed 5/7 – Thurs 5/8 – Grade 7 Math NYS State Test
  • Tues 6/10 – Biology Regents for Grade 8 only 
  • Wed 6/18 – Algebra Regents for Grade 8 only

Middle School NYS Parent Opt Out

  • If you would like to opt your child out of the state exams, please notify our principal by completing the parent opt-out form from middle school state tests here – state tests are not required.
  • If you would like to opt your child out of the Regents, please email your child’s Biology or Algebra teacher.

DOE Wellness Policy – Share with Students and Families

  • In alignment with the Chancellor’s commitment to ensure student safety and promote wellness and in accordance with federal and state wellness policy requirements, NYCPS has released the student- and family-facing Empowering Strong and Healthy Students: The NYCPS School Wellness Policy.  For questions, email your Office of School Wellness Program borough team.  
  • The policy outlines how nutritious school meals and snacks, physical education (PE) and health education instruction, active and health-promoting environments, and other wellness-related services and programs should be coordinated to ensure that all students learn and practice healthy behaviors throughout the school day. It includes new information, guidance, and clarifying language on:
    • Elementary health education recommendations, PE and physical activity practices, access to health services (e.g., menstrual products and information), and food marketing and promotion; and   
    • Food education and sustainability practices as they relate to health and wellness.  

PTA meeting – Tues 3/11 at 6:30pm – Nominating Committee

  • Can you believe it’s already that time of year when we begin planning for our PTA elections? This means it’s time for us to come together and create our Nominating Committee during the March 11th PTA meeting – See Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82805443270?pwd=eFVVN1YvcFc0d2NlWmQ0elFjOFNyQT09
  • ???? CALL FOR BCS PTA NOMINATING COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS – We are seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our Nominating Committee!  It is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping our PTA leadership for next year.   If you’re interested or would like to learn more, please email pta@bcs448.org. 
  • Also, for our March 11th meeting, we’ll welcome back Kim Berney-Brooke, PTA co-treasurer and Belongingness Coach, for the continuation of The Trust Advantage presentation. Don’t worry if you missed February’s meeting- the replay link is below (Passcode required), and Kim’s slides are attached to this email. 
  • Watch the replay: https://us02web.zoom.us/clips/share/2SARXB3bTNqYL_9yhvTi7g
  • Passcode: @BCS2025Feb11

Reminder on Policies and Resources to Support LGBTQ+ Students

  • Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and NYC Public Schools reaffirms their policies and resources to support LGBTQ+ students, as we continue to ensure that all students, regardless of their identity, feel affirmed and supported while they are in school. 
  • LGBTQ+ Supports Family-Facing Page: Includes student and family-facing information on policies, programs, clubs, and scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.
  • See the linked letter (available in all NYCPS languages).  For questions, email LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov. 

Additional Resources for Immigrant Families and Students

Summer Rising for Grades K-8

Fri 3/21 – SAT/PSAT School Day for Grades 10/11

  • Every year we have SAT School Day where 10th and 11th graders take the PSAT or SAT exam during school – this year, it will be on Fri 3/21.  
  • The SAT is one important component of the college admissions process and you have to put in the study time to improve your score!  Did you know that a combined SAT score of greater than 1100 is considered a college-ready threshold?  We advise that all students study 30 minutes a day with Khan Academy to practice for the SAT and PSAT, that you attend our Afterschool SAT Class on Wednesdays and Thursdays with Henry and Allison, and that you take a practice SAT test online.  
  • You can do this!  Aim for a SAT score of over 1000 and study every day!

Half Days Coming Up in Spring – PROSE Half Day for Teacher Professional Development

  • Fri 2/28 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Professional Development for Staff
  • Fri 3/7 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Professional Development for Staff
  • Fri 3/14 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Professional Development for Staff
  • Fri 3/21 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Parent-Teacher Conferences Afternoon
  • Fri 5/16 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Crew Day

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES – click here for an ongoing list

Published in BCS News