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Student Family Update

BCS Student/Family Update – 9/20

Published September 19, 2026 by Scill Chan

9/20 – Dear BCS Students and Families, hope you’re having a wonderful long weekend!  What a great first week we’ve had.  We hope that those who celebrate have a meaningful Yom Kippur.  See you Tues when school resumes!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

No School – Monday 9/21

  • Mon 9/21 – No School – Yom Kippur

Cleaning supplies are always appreciated

Fieldwork is beginning shortly – we need your permission slips

  • We packpacked home the Fieldwork ET Permission Slip 2026-27– please look for the permission slip in your child’s bookbag and sign and return to your crew leader
  • Reach out to your child’s crew leader with any questions!

Save the date – In-Person Curriculum Night – Thurs 9/24 from 5pm-7:15pm

  • All families, please come to Curriculum Night for important information related to your child’s grade and to meet academic teachers and crew teachers
  • Schedule here

Donate to our PTA Annual Appeal – we need you!

Book Fair is coming – see attached flyer

  • The scheduled dates of the 2026 BNS/BCS FALL BOOK FAIR are the 25 & 28-30 SEPTEMBER 2026 and the 1 OCTOBER 2026 in our Health Studio (Room 124) all day!
  • The Book Fair will be open at the beginning of Curriculum Night – drop by before 5pm to support our school and student reading!

Morning Drama Club – Interest Form

  • Is your child interested in performing in a play in front of a live audience? This school year, BCS is continuing to build our ensemble theater troupe! All actors, costume designers, make-up, set, and tech crew–join us and be a part of the magical experience of presenting a play.  Interest Form here
  • This theater club will run 8:00-8:45 AM, every Friday morning from September-June, in Room 505B
  • Email kori@bcs448.org for more info

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!

Electronics policy – no phones, no personal laptops, and no headphones/earbuds

  • The 2026 NYC DOE cell phone policy requires all students to keep personal internet-enabled devices stored away from the school day, from bell-to-bell. All personal electronic devices, including smartphones and smartwatches and personal laptops, must be stored and inaccessible during the entire school day. 
  • Middle school students – hand in their phones to Pd 1 teacher and get it back Pd 8 – here is the Middle School Electronics Policy
  • High school students – pouch their phones at entry in the provided Yondr, carry their pouch all day, unpouch when exiting the building at dismissal.  Students must carry their pouches to and from school daily.  Lost or damaged pouches cost $20 for replacement.  Here is the High School Electronics Policy.
  • Students who hand in fake phones or attempt to use electronics during the school day are subject to progressive disciplinary action.
  • No personal student laptops are permitted and no video games.  Students who need laptop access must use the school laptops, available in every classroom every class period.  Additionally headphones and earbuds are not permitted.
  • Distraction-free schools without internet-enabled devices increase academic achievement, decrease mental health concerns, increase positive socialization, and decrease behavior incidents for all

NYCPS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please see the NYCPS Family Letters Online

NYCPS – Military Opt-Out Letters in NYCSA Accounts

  • Parents of students who are younger than 18 years of age can opt out of releasing information to military recruiters who request this information. Students have the right to make this decision once they turn 18. Parents/guardians can use their New York City Schools (NYCSA) Account to complete the opt-out form using the Forms Module. 

NYCPS – Respect for All Resources

  • Here is link to the Respect for All webpage which explains NYCPS policies and procedures for preventing and addressing student-to-student sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, bullying, intimidation, and/or discrimination. These materials also include contact information for supports and reporting instructions for parents.
  • If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school leaders.

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)

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities with the Brooklyn Public Library

City Cinema Film Launch (High School Students)

We’re excited to have officially begun City Cinema’s Fall 2026 Weekend Program, and we still have a few remaining spots available in Film Launch, our beginner filmmaking course!

City Cinema is a fully funded, year-round filmmaking and acting program for high school students in New York City. With a value of over $4000 per student, this incredible opportunity is completely free thanks to a generous grant from an educational foundation. Our shared vision is to provide accessible, professional arts education to talented students of all backgrounds, regardless of economic status.

FILM LAUNCH: offers an exciting introduction to the dynamic world of digital media. Students will embark on a journey through the rich legacy of cinematic storytelling, exploring everything from the origins of the first moving images to the evolution of film, and on to the video content we consume on our phones today. As the storytellers of tomorrow, students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on technical filmmaking, culminating in a collaborative project where they will work in teams to write, direct, and produce a short film. Apply now!

  • Dates: Every Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm | September 19 – December 5, 2026
  • Cost: Completely FREE
  • Experience: Beginners welcome
  • Availability: Limited spots remaining

WHY CITY CINEMA?

✓ No cost barrier – Accessible to students of all economic backgrounds

✓ Hands-on experience – Students learn by creating and collaborating

✓ Professional training – Learn from working artists and industry professionals

✓ College & career preparation – Build skills and experience in the creative industries

✓ Continued opportunities – Students can continue with City Cinema through future Spring and Summer programs

HELP US FILL OUR FINAL SPOTS!

If you know a student who is creative, curious about filmmaking, or simply looking for an opportunity to try something new, we’d love for you to share Film Launch with them.

We are still accepting applications for the remaining Film Launch spots. We will continue reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible.

Opportunities for LGBTQIA+ students from The Center (ages 13+)

  • The Center has an amazing array of opportunities.  If a young adult (ages 13-22) would like to participate we have Intakes Monday through Friday between 3-6 PM. Interested youth can now complete a pre-registration form for all Center services here. Our drop-in Space is open for in-person Services Monday through Friday from 3-7 PM. 
  • Our Back to School Resource Fair is happening on Monday, September 14th from 5-7 PM at
  • The Center! There will be free backpacks with school supplies, free LGBT themed Young Adult Books from Scholastic, Food and drinks along with connections to a variety of community resources and services. Youth can RSVP here.
  • Our Social Justice Internship, ROAR, is starting in September and youth can apply NOW! Youth can create meaningful change and connect with their community through special events and workshops they create! Open to NYC Middle and High School Students ages 13-19. ROAR will meet Wednesdays, September 30th–December 16th from 5–7 p.m. Youth can earn a $250 Stipend upon completing the internship! Meals and OMNY Cards also provided. Youth can register for ROAR here.  Contact: Salem Joseph, sjoseph@gaycenter.org.
  • Youth Pride Chorus is starting a new cycle on Thursday, September 17th, from 4-7 PM. Youth Pride Chorus is a Queer and Trans Centered Choral Ensemble for ages 13-22, all skill levels welcome. The cycle will culminate with a Winter Performance at The Center! Hot meals and OMNY Cards are provided at each rehearsal. Youth can register here. Contact Cooke at:  acooke@gaycenter.org.
    Join us for our 2nd Annual Symposium, Pride as Prevention: Cultivating Joy, Community & Resilience for LGBTQ+ Youth for the Prevention, Resources, Information, Data, and Evaluation (PRIDE) Project on 9/28 from 9 am to 3 pm at The Center! Prevention and Youth Providers from across NYC will share best practices, explore innovative interventions, and build stronger networks of support for LGBTQ+ youth. Lunch will be served. You can register here to attend.
    Our READY Paid Internship for 16-19 year olds in high school or enrolled in a GED program is starting in October with applications available now! During the internship participants work at an external placement where you are supervised and will earn $17 an hour with 80 hours of work throughout the duration of the cycle. If youth are interested they can register here!
  • Our Closed Group Personal Empowerment is starting October 16th and will meet on Mondays and Fridays from 4-6 PM. Personal Empowerment meets for 6 Sessions and explores Social Skills, managing Communication  in relationships Health & Fitness, Emotional Development and more! Meals and Omny Cards are provided at each group and youth can earn $125 in giftcards for consistent attendance. Youth can use this  link to apply!

Published in BCS News