Dear BCS Students and Families, we hope you enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather yesterday! Thank you to the families and students who participated in the PTA Fun Run to fundraise for BCS and Brooklyn schools!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Monday 10/30 is BCS Spirit Monday–Fall Colors Day!
- Don your fall colors!
- Let’s see which crew shows the most BCS school spirit and have bragging rights! Take photos!
Halloween Lookahead – Tues 10/31
- It’s Character Day – feel free to dress up and take pictures of your students, colleagues and peers and send to photos@bcs448.org
- Reminder that no masks are allowed in school that cover the whole face, no weapons/inappropriate-for-school props – if not sure, ask Scill in 416
Spirit Mondays – November Lookahead
- Mon 11/6 – Twin Day – dress like your bestie(s) or crew family.
- Mon 11/13 – Sports Jersey Day – wear a jersey that supports your favorite sports team!
- Mon 11/20 – Glasses Day – wear your favorite prescription glasses or sunglasses.
- Let’s see which crew shows the most BCS school spirit and has bragging rights!
- Crew leaders and staff will be taking pics – be ready to pose with your gear!
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
Introductions of New Staff
- We welcome Danielle Midgette as our new YWCA Afterschool Director (Grades 6-8) – danielle@bcs448.org – Danielle will be reaching out to MS families shortly with updated programming information about our afterschool!
- We say farewell to our school aide Yolanda Gonzalez who is retiring after 26 years in the DOE and face of our BCS Main Office. Best wishes, Yolanda!
- We welcome Diasia Jones as our new school aide who is now onboarding with the DOE and will hopefully begin in BCS in mid-November!
BCS Robosharks needs your help for our upcoming tournament!
- https://gofund.me/d133056e
- Support our BCS HS Robosharks Team!
- Our team is not just about building robots; it’s about empowering our students to be their authentic selves. We firmly believe in the power of inclusion and independence in fostering creativity and innovation.
- Why We Need Your Support:
- First Robotics Competition: Our dream is to compete in the prestigious First Robotics Competition, an educational experience that pushes us to our limits. The entry fee for this competition is $6,000, and with your help, we aim to secure our place.
- Building Our Robot: To meet the competition guidelines, we need approximately $4,000 or more for purchasing essential components and materials for constructing our robot. This is a crucial step towards our dream of success in the competition.
- Inclusivity: The BCS RoboSharks Team 4299 is all about inclusion. We’re committed to creating an environment where every student can be their authentic self and explore their passion for robotics, regardless of their background or identity.
- Independence: Staying free from corporate sponsorships allows us to ensure that our projects are driven solely by the innovative spirit of our team members, unburdened by external interests.
SAFETY PETITION – Prevent Traffic Deaths
- Dear District 15 Families and Community, you may have seen the terrible news that 7-year-old Kamari Hughes was tragically killed in a crosswalk by a NYPD tow truck driver who failed to yield. This happened a few blocks from schools. While the driver has been charged, locals demand greater response and enhanced pedestrian solutions. They report that children cross this busy street every day, to and from school, without the aid of crossing guards. The petition linked asks concerned community members to please read and sign for the safety of all of our children and then share widely.
- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz6C11Ogp8YP4_lJQlX8t-4XgA7yeG6nosQK5wU6JQeJQZFg/viewform
Amazon Wish List
- Please purchase masks, wipes and tissues for our classrooms or donate some from home and bring to Office 416
Mark your calendars for Student-Led Conferences
- Crew leaders will reach out to parents to schedule virtual appts on Thurs 11/16 evening or Fri 11/17 afternoon – hear students reflect on their progress so far in school
- Fri 11/17 is a half day – dismissal at 11am
Report cards available after 11/6
- First marking period progress reports will be available after 11/6
- Continue to check Jumprope for attendance and assessment updates
Electronics Policy
- Cell phones must be off and out of sight during school.
- Middle school students (Grades 6-8) have their phones collected by their Pd 1 teacher and returned by their Pd 8 teacher.
- On certain assessment days, high school students (Grades 9-12) are asked to turn in their phones at the beginning of the period to prevent cheating and receive their devices back at the end of the period
- We expect all students to be responsible and honest with their electronics
Tuesday Tiers – every Tues – get help from teachers afterschool
- Tuesday Tiers is afterschool from 3:05pm-3:55pm
- All teachers stay afterschool – students can stay with teachers to get help, check in about assignments and grades, and resolve incompletes NCs/NXs from last semester
- We invite all students to stay afterschool
Free COVID tests are available in 416/516
- All students can get free COVID tests in Office 416 or 516
- Come pick some up for yourself and your family!
If your child is absent, email crew leader
- Email your child’s crew leader so they can let the Attendance Office and your teachers know the reason for your absence
- If there is work to do at home, teachers may post in Google Classroom – otherwise, students will make up work when they return to school.
- Please avoid any unnecessary absences during the school year – studies show that “students who miss 2 days of school a month are 5 times more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and math, even if the absences are excused.”
Photo Day
- Monday December 4 – Photo Day
- Individual Pictures (Grades 6-11) – Buyers only (order forms will come shortly)
- Crew Group Photos Grades 6-12
- 8th Grade Promotion Photos – All Grade 8 students will be photographed in their own attire for yearbook photo
- Friday December 15
- Grade 12 Senior Picture Day – Cap and Gown
- Wednesday February 14
- Retake /Absentee Day for all grades 6-12
- Candids/Clubs & Groups for yearbook
Review the DOE Discipline Code
- Please review the DOE Discipline Code and regularly talk with your family about citywide expectations and school rules, and check bookbags regularly to ensure that prohibited items do not come to school
- In particular, please note:
- Students are expected to resolve conflict peacefully through mediation and restorative practices. Fighting and hitting/hitting back are not tolerated and will be addressed seriously.
- Possessing weapons or any items that can be used as weapons is not permitted and are subject to the highest consequences under the Discipline Code including extended Superintendent suspension.
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted in school – students who are caught smoking/vaping will have a parent conference and class removal and are subject to search and confiscation of prohibited items. All drug paraphernalia and alcohol is not permitted in school.
- Any harassing, intimidating or bullying behaviors (including in person or through social media) are not permitted and will be addressed seriously. All students and staff must treat everyone in the community with respect and expect the same treatment in return.
- Scholastic dishonesty, cheating, copying, colluding, and plagiarism is not permitted and will result in academic/grades consequences including assessments and assignments being invalidated.
Day of the Dead Family Celebration at Greenwood Cemetery
- https://www.green-wood.com/event/day-of-the-dead-family-celebration/
- FREE – November 1st , 3:30pm – 7:00pm
$$$ Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) – Grades 8-11
- GAP is a great way for teens to get paid to learn about urban agriculture, science, and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!
- More information is available online at bbg.org/gap. Reserve your spot by emailing gap@bbg.org or through the button below.
- BBG Garden Apprentices:
- Earn a monetary award at the end of the apprenticeship (Tier 1: $600, Tier 2: $700, Tier 3: $800).
- Work their way up the program to become paid staff as a Tier 4.
- Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on lessons.
- Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.
- Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants.
- Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.
- Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.
- Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment after school or on weekends throughout the academic year.
- Visit bbg.org/gap for applications, photos, a detailed program calendar, and frequently asked questions. Applications are due December 8, 2023. We look forward to seeing you at the Info Session on October 28!