Press "Enter" to skip to content
Student Family Update

BCS Student/Family Update – 8/3

Published August 3, 2026 by Scill Chan

8/3 – Dear BCS Students and Families, we hope you are having a great summer!  We look forward to seeing you soon!  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Start and end time of day – 8:45am-3:05pm

  • The first day of school is Thursday 9/10 – our school day begins at 8:45AM and ends at 3:05pm.  Students should arrive by 8:35am to be on time.

School Supplies – Families do NOT need to purchase supplies

  • We provide all supplies for students.  You do NOT need to purchase anything – students just need a book bag and writing utensils (pens, pencils).  There are no supply lists.

Summer Enrichment HW – Reading and Math (30 min a day)

  • We encourage all students to read 30 min a day throughout the summer to keep your brain strong!  We offer book recommendations from the BCS Library.  
  • Additionally, we have put together some math practice materials for students to do over the summer.  This is a great way to review key concepts and build confidence heading into next year’s math class. Setting aside a little time each week (recommended – 30 minutes a day) will make a big difference come September.
  • Please see here for details on our recommended Reading and Math Enrichment: https://www.bcs448.org/summer-math-reading-enrichment-hw/

Crew Assignments/Rooms, Student Schedules – New students emailed by Tues 9/8

  • New students to BCS (Grades 6 and 9 and transfers into other grades) will receive their crew assignment with room number by email by Tues 9/8.  Students may not request a crew or to be in the same crew with their friends.
  • Returning students in Grades 7-8 and Grades 10-12 are in the same crew as last year and you already know your crew leaders and rooms.
  • The first two days of school (Thurs 9/10 and Fri 9/11) are full crew days for orientation and students will be in their crew room (8:45am-3:05pm).
  • Students will receive their schedules during the full crew days.  (Note: Students in Grade 6 and 9 will have temporary schedules for up to 2 weeks so that we can get to know students before we make equitable final cohorts.)
  • New students – if you do not receive an email by Tues 9/8, please email scill@bcs448.org

NYS Law – No Electronics – No Phones, No Headphones or Earbuds

  • NYS law restricts phones in school.  Cell phones must be off and out of sight during the entire day of school.  The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronics so please do not bring expensive items to school.
  • Middle school students (Grades 6-8) have their phones collected by their Pd 1 teacher and returned by their Pd 8 teacher.  Teachers lock the phones during the school day.  MS students cannot use their phones at lunch.
  • High school students (Grades 9-12) will receive Yondr pouches.  Students lock away their phones for the day and show their pouch/pouch at entry.  Pouches are unlocked as students leave the building.  There are no electronics permitted in the building, including at lunch.
  • No earbuds or headphones are allowed and must be invisible – they cannot be worn on the head or body.
  • In addition to electronics being distracting which has academic and social impacts, students with electronics violations are also subject to disciplinary consequences.

OMNY card distribution first week of school

  • If your child qualifies for the OMNY card, they will receive the card during the first week of school.
  • Additionally, students who ride the school bus should check their NYCSA accounts at the end of the summer – School bus ridership information will be available to families on August 25.  

New Family Orientation – Wed 9/9 at 4pm and Thurs 9/10 at 9am

  • If you are a new family to BCS (and you did not attend our orientations in June), there are two opportunities to come see the building and meet admin.  Optional – all are welcome!  Please email our Assistant Principal Imani with questions: imani@bcs448.org
  • Wed 9/9 at 4pm
  • Thurs 9/10 at 9am (after student drop-off)
  • Location – Cafeteria

Arrival to School – First Day of School Thurs 9/10

  • Doors open at 8:30am.  School begins at 8:45am.
  • On the first day of school, Grade 6 students enter through the cafeteria doors (middle of Henry St) where Crew leaders will pick the students up at 8:35AM from the cafeteria.
    • After the first day of school, Grades 6 students enter through the Coles Street yard and go to their Crew classroom directly (do not wait in the cafeteria).
  • Grades 7 & 8 students enter through the Coles Street back yard at 8:35AM and go directly upstairs to the 4th floor to their Crew rooms.
  • Grades 9-12 students enter on Henry Street at 8:35AM at the doors farthest to the left when facing the building (MAIN ENTRANCE, by Coles Street, by the gym) and go directly upstairs to the 5th floor to their Crew rooms.
  • We will have signs and staff posted to help you find your way around!

Breakfast and Early Yard

  • Hot breakfast is available from 8:15-8:35am in the cafeteria daily.
  • Students can come daily for supervised recess in the yard starting at 8:15am.  Come and play before school starts!

Dismissal from School – daily

  • School ends at 3:05pm daily.  Students can leave the building via the main entrance or the entrance on Rapelye Street to support with traffic flow.
  • All middle and high school students are permitted to self-dismiss at 3:05pm, they do not need to wait for a parent pick-up.  If you are picking up your child, please make sure they know to wait for you.  

Lunch/Snacks/Water

  • All students should bring a refillable water bottle and a snack daily.
  • Grades 6-8 students eat in the cafeteria – students eat home lunch or a school lunch.  Each grade rotates through the cafeteria for 20 min, and there is 25 min of recess in the yard/gym.
  • Grade 9 students eat in the cafeteria – please bring a home lunch or plan to eat school lunch.  
  • Grades 10, 11, 12 eat home lunch or a school lunch.  They also have the privilege of going out to lunch within an 8-block radius of the school to ensure that they arrive to their Pd 7 class on time.  Students who are late to afternoon classes lose the privilege to go outside.

MS Afterschool – Free Programming for all students Grades 6-8

  • Inspiring Minds offers an afterschool program for all students Grades 6-8 (free for all students) everyday Mon-Fri from 3:05pm-5:45pm in the building
  • There is academic help, fun activities, workshops, etc.
  • Stay tuned for more information and application – email Ashley at aarmand@inspiringmindsnyc.org – The first day of MS afterschool programming is Tues 9/22.

HS Afterschool – Free Programming for all students Grades 9-12 (times vary)

  • We offer a variety of afterschool programs with Inspiring Minds NYC for all students Grades 9-12 (free for all students).  Students can join one day or everyday for 10 week cycles.
  • Any questions and for the application – please email our Afterschool Director Ashley Armand at aarmand@inspiringmindsnyc.org 

Yellow bus service or IEP questions

  • Check NYCSA for updates on your child’s yellow bus service if mandated by the IEP
  • Email Imani@bcs448.org for questions about your child’s IEP.  

7th and 10th grade Crew Camping – coming up!

  • We are very excited that camping is coming up for our 7th and 10th grade crews!  This is a core component of the BCS experience.  Please see our emails with application links, and contact Thomas, our Camping Coordinator, or your child’s crew leader for more info.
    • Grade 7 – 9/30-10/2
    • Grade 10 – 10/7-10/9
  • Crew Base Camp is a 3-day, 2-night overnight camping experience in Fishkill, NY.  (About 2 hours north of the city!)  The trip includes activities such as challenge courses and team-building initiatives to help students develop communication skills and build community within their Crew, their core unit during their time at Brooklyn Collaborative.  BCS covers the cost for all students to attend – parent donations are appreciated.

Look ahead – 2026 BNS/BCS FALL BOOK FAIR

  • Our annual book fair will take place Sept 25 & 28-30 and Oct 1 2026 in the Health Studio.

OPPORTUNITIES

PSAL Sports (Grades 9-12)

  • Please see below a list of sports at BCS! These team sports are offered for grades 9-12 students. All sports teams compete on the Varsity level. Please see below:
    • Fall Teams:
      • Boys Soccer
      • Girls Volleyball
    • Winter Teams:
      • Boys Basketball
    • Spring Teams:
      • Boys Baseball
      • Girls Softball
  • To participate in team sports at BCS, PSAL (Public School Athletic League) requires a completed medical form, and a completed parental consent form:
  • Tryout information for Volleyball & Soccer to come soon!
  • If you have any questions please email Athletic Director brandi@bcs448.org

WAYS TO HELP


Donate from our Amazon wish list – WE NEED WIPES AND TISSUES!

FAMILY EMAIL LISTSERVE

For school updates and communications

  • If you received this email from us – you’re on our family listserve!
  • If you haven’t received email from us or you have additional adults to add to our email group, subscribe to our listserve by completing this form.
  • Regularly check our website (www.bcs448.org)
  • Follow us on Instagram (TheCollaborativeChronicle)

NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCEMENTS

NYCPS Calendar

  • The 2026-27 NYCPS school year calendar is available here: calendar

NYCPS – Summer EBT Program

  • New York State will continue to operate the Summer EBT program in 2026; this is a food benefit program that helps low-income families with school-age children purchase groceries during the summer when children may not have access to free/reduced school meals. Children ages 6–16 are eligible and will automatically receive benefits if they participate in the: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits; Medicaid; or have been reported as eligible for free/reduced price meals by their school.
  • Children not automatically enrolled need to complete an application. 
  • The Summer EBT benefit will only be issued once, in the full amount of $120 for each eligible child; benefits expire and are removed from the EBT card 122 days after they are issued. Benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used anywhere SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted, such as grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other SNAP authorized retailers. 
  • Got questions?  Visit the Customer Service Contact Information or call the Customer Service Helpline (1-833-452-0096).

NYCPS – Parents, sign up for your NYC Student Account (NYCSA)

  • Parents can sign into their New York City Student Account (NYCSA) to access information from DOE systems about your child.  In your NYCSA account, you can find your child’s grades, attendance, test scores, schedules, transportation information, and more— from anywhere, and in all nine standard DOE language translations. You can also download the NYCSA Mobile App.
  • If you have not previously created an account, you will need an account creation code.  Please email Scill@bcs448.org with your child’s full name and grade (and OSIS number if you know it) and your request for a code.  

NYCPS – Student Health: Immunization Required by DOE

NYCPS – fill out Family Income Inquiry Form

  • All New York City public school students receive free lunch. The Family Income Inquiry Form is a large factor in determining whether our school is eligible to receive Title I and other necessary funding.  
  • Please complete the Family Income Inquiry Form online at myschoolapps.com, enter your zip code, and select “New York City Schools” as the district. For school, please use “15K448 – Brooklyn Collaborative Studies” — you can submit one application for your entire household. The information you provide will not be used by any other agency or for any other reason than to provide additional funding to our school. In addition, if your family qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, you may be eligible for other benefits such as free and low-cost internet, high school or college application status, financial aid, and more. 

NYC – Subway Safety Campaign

  • There is a new effort to promote student safety and as part of a larger citywide interagency subway safety campaign.  The new campaign is centered around, is designed for, and was created by New York City teenagers — putting the youth voice front and center in a peer-to-peer effort to deter the dangerous behavior of subway surfing among young people. It is important that we educate our youth on the dangers of subway surfing and remind them to Ride Inside, Stay Alive. 

Published in BCS News