Dear BCS Students and Families, hope you had a great first weekend of the new year! We had a great New Year’s Feast on Friday evening. Thanks to all the families who attended to support our students and our afterschool programs!
PARENT CORNER
| Parent Support/ Parent Events $$Please donate to our PTA$$ – ONGOING https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=4SJFUXDNU6Y4NHere is our BCS Giving Tuesday Video! Please donate from our Amazon wish list – ONGOING We need donations of wipes and tissues!Please purchase items from our Amazon wish list to send directly to BCS:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WX69HNQ4TUM0?ref_=wl_share Family Jumprope Login Request You 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 Support our current teacher requests Books needed for ELA 12 Support the BCS Gender Sexuality Alliance Clean Air Initiative – Learning About the Air Around Us Help me give my students a free experience to help develop their skills in the hair industry. Snacks for Students |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Grades Due – Lower Grades & Upper Grades
- Wednesday 1/15 – last day for any academic work to be collected
- Friday 1/17 – 8:45 AM – all gradebooks close for Semester 1
- All students are invited to go to Tues Tiers afterschool support every week with their teachers to check in about grades and to revise assessments.
Middle School Girls Basketball Tryouts
- Jan 9 and 10 at 3:15pm-4:15pm in the gym
- Must have signed permission slip to try out
- Reach out to Coach Andie for any questions – andie@bcs448.org
Family Workshop – Moving Beyond the Talk – Thurs 1/16
- Join us for a BCS Family Workshop in Zoom on Thurs 1/16 from 6:30pm-7:30pm about “Moving Beyond the Talk”.
- This session will explore the unique conversations, often referred to as “the Talk,” that parents of Black/Brown children must have in order to ensure their survival and healthy racial identity.
- Save the date/time and hope to see you there!
- Zoom link will be emailed that morning.
- All families welcome.
PTA Meeting – Tues 1/14 – 6:30pm Zoom
- Please join us for our monthly PTA meeting!
- See Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82805443270?pwd=eFVVN1YvcFc0d2NlWmQ0elFjOFNyQT09
Family Workshop – Neurodiverse Families Network – Tues Jan 7
- We are excited to invite you to join our new BCS Neurodiverse Families Network, a supportive community dedicated to connecting families, sharing resources, and advocating for the success of our neurodiverse students—Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia.
- Our kickoff virtual meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 7 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- This 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 as we build a collaborative and supportive community together. Please feel free to reach out with any questions at imani@bcs448.org.
- Zoom link will be emailed that morning.
- All families welcome.
Annual Parent Safety Meeting – virtual – Wed Feb 5 at 9am
- In-person in Room 103 or Zoom link will be sent to any parents wishing to join remotely
- Talk about any topics related to building safety with the BNS/BCS Cabinet
DOE Condom Availability Program (for Grades 9-12 families)
- Health Education that teaches responsible decision-making helps students to be more productive in school and in life. Along with Health Education, NYC Public Schools provides a Condom Availability Program (CAP) in high schools to help students make healthy decisions outside of the classroom. This only applies to Grades 9-12 students.
- Through CAP, students in grades 9-12 may request free condoms, medically accurate health information, and health referrals from trained school staff. You have the right to ask the school not to provide your child with condoms. Per Public Health Law § 2504, you cannot make this request if your child 1) is 18 years of age or older; 2) is or has been married; 3) is a parent, and/or 4) is allowed by law to give consent for themselves.
- To request that your child not receive condoms through CAP, you must write a letter to the principal that includes: • Full name of student • Grade of student • Student’s identification number (Note: If you do not have this information, we will provide it for you) • The following statement: “[Full name of student] should not receive condoms through the Condom Availability Program.” • Your signature as parent, guardian, or custodian
- If you change your mind and decide that your child can request free condoms, you can send me a letter at any time during the school year. CAP-trained staff members are committed to keeping all students’ participation in the program confidential. We encourage you to talk with your child about sexual health and other health topics at home to help them make positive health choices. Thank you for working with us to help New York City students feel safe, healthy, and able to thrive.
College Now college credit courses for all Grades 10-12 students
- The College Now program at CUNY City Tech University offers students the opportunity to earn up to 12 credits for free while in high school. If you pass the college course, you should be able to transfer the credits, but check with the colleges you’re applying to for their policies. The courses are free, which will save you money by earning those credits while in high school. The College Now Spring 2025 online application for college-credit courses is now live!
- Build your skills and resume for college by taking college courses during HS!
- If you have a GPA of 80+, this is an opportunity that will help you get ready for college, learn how to get there and what to expect, and check out different careers and degrees.
- Please refer to the Spring 2025 Class Schedule for eligibility requirements, course listings, and meeting times. Once you have reviewed the schedule, visit the online application on our website and click on “APPLY NOW” to start the application.
- Please be advised that students are only allowed to take ONE College Now course per semester, per program.
Big Apple Awards Nominations Are Now Open – nominate a teacher
- As in prior years, the DOE recognizes and celebrates teacher excellence through the Big Apple Awards (BAA). The BAA nomination process for the upcoming cohort of fellows for the 2025–26 school year is now open through January 21. All community members (including families, students, staff, and community-based organizations) are invited to nominate a teacher for the Big Apple Award by completing this nomination form by January 21.
No School Days Upcoming
- Mon 1/20 – No School – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Tues 1/21 – Fri 1/24 – No Classes for Grades 9-12 (PBAT Week)
- Mon 1/27 – No School for Students – Professional Development Day for Staff
- Wed 1/29 – No School – Lunar New Year Observed
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
Core Value Shout Outs
- Write a shout out to a staff member or a peer for our Instagram
- Use this form
Scooters must go into lockers or an office
- Students who bring scooters to school must put them in a locker or in an office for the duration of the day
- Students cannot wheel scooters from class to class
Please follow us on BCS Instagram – thecollaborativechronicle
- Stay up to date with positive news about BCS
- Follow us on Instagram (thecollaborativechronicle)
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES – click here for an ongoing list
| Calendar Lookahead Tues 1/7 – Family Workshop in Zoom – Neurodiverse Families Network Fri 1/10 – College and Career March in honor of Class of 2025 Wed 1/15 – Last day for academic work to be submitted Thurs 1/16 – Family Workshop in Zoom – Moving Beyond the Talk Fri 1/17 – Last Day of Fall Semester / Grades due at 8:45am Mon 1/20 – No School – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day Tues 1/21 – ELA Regents Tues 1/21 – Fri 1/24 – No Classes for Grades 9-12 (PBAT Week) Tues 1/21 – Thurs 1/24 – Middle School Intensives – regular schedule Fri 1/24 – Grade 6-8 Skating Trip Mon 1/27 – No School for Students – Professional Development Day for Staff Tues 1/28 – First Day of Second Semester – Crew Day for HS, regular classes for MS Wed 1/29 – No School – Lunar New Year Observed Tues 2/11 – PTA Meeting in ZoomThurs 2/13 – Middle School Mathlympics Mon 2/17 – Fri 2/21 – No School – Mid Winter Recess Mon 2/24 – School Resumes Tues 2/25 – SLT School Leadership Team Meeting in Zoom Thurs 2/27 – High School Mathlympics Thurs 2/27 – Black History Showcase afterschool 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 Tues 3/11 – PTA Meeting in Zoom Thurs 3/13 – Expeditionary Thursday Fri 3/14 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Professional Development for Staff Wed 3/19 – SAT School Day (PSAT for Grade 10, SAT for Grade 11, crew trips for Grades 9 and 12) – MS students have regular classes Thurs 3/20 – Parent-Teacher Conferences Evening Fri 3/21 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Parent-Teacher Conferences Afternoon Thurs 3/27 – Expeditionary Thursday Mon 3/31 – No School – Eid al-Fitr Fri 4/4 – Middle School Glow Party Tues 4/8 – PTA Meeting in Zoom Thurs 4/10 – Expeditionary Thursday Fri 4/11 – High School Dance Party Mon 4/14 – Fri 4/18 – No School – Spring Break Mon 4/21 – School Resumes 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 Tues 4/29 – SLT School Leadership Team Meeting in Zoom Mon 5/5 – Tues 5/6 – Grade 6 Math NYS State Test Wed 5/7 – Thurs 5/8 – Grade 7 Math NYS State Test Thurs 5/8 – Senior Prom – Class of 2025 Tues 5/13 – PTA Meeting in Zoom Thurs 5/15 – Student-Led Conferences Evening Fri 5/16 – Half Day – Dismissal at 11:15am – Student-Led Conferences Afternoon Mon 5/26 – No School – Memorial Day Tues 5/27 – Middle School Awards Ceremony Tues 5/27 – SLT School Leadership Team Meeting in Zoom Thurs 5/29 – World Arts Expo afterschool Thurs 6/5 – No School – Eid al-Adha Fri 6/6 – Class of 2025 Senior Awards Night Tues 6/10 – Biology Regents for Grade 8 only (Grades 6+7 all Crew, HS regular class) Tues 6/10 – PTA Meeting in Zoom Thurs 6/12 – High School Awards Ceremony Tues 6/17 – SLT School Leadership Team Meeting in Zoom Mon 6/16 – Last Day of Spring Semester Tues 6/17 – ELA Regents for Grades 10 Tues 6/17 – Thurs 6/26 – No Classes for Grades 9-12 (PBAT Week – High school students only come to school if they have a Regents or a PBAT panel) Tues 6/17 – Thurs 6/26 – Middle School Intensives – regular schedule Wed 6/18 – Algebra Regents for Grade 8 only Thurs 6/19 – No School – Juneteenth Fri 6/20 – Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony Tues 6/24 – Graduation for Class of 2025 Thurs 6/26 – Last Day of School – Half Day – dismissal at 11:15am |