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Student Family Update

3/23 – BCS Student/Family Update

Published March 24, 2025 by Scill Chan

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

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 – ONGOING – WE NEED TISSUES!We 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!

Upcoming Holiday – Mon 3/31 Eid Al-Fitr – School Closed

  • NYC public schools will be closed on March 31st in observance of Eid Al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan.  Eid Mubarak to those who celebrate!

BCS PTA Fundraiser is coming up – parents, please set up a pop-up popcorn shop

  • Our first Double Good Popcorn fundraiser is happening April 1-5! The popcorn is delicious, ships quickly, and BCS will receive 50% of all sales during this quick 4 day virtual fundraiser. Get ready before the event by setting up your virtual Pop-Up shop via the Double Good App:  

1. Download the Double Good App for iPhone or Android 

2. Enter our event code: JNS PMZ

3. Create and personalize your Pop-Up store (add a photo and video) 

4. Share your pop-up store link with your friends and family from April 1-5 to sell popcorn and raise money for trips, ETs, school events, and BCS programming.

  • Hit the ground running by setting up your pop-up before April 1.
  • Contact PTA@bcs448.org for questions.

Drills (Lockdown, Shelter-In, Evacuation)

  • Schools train and drill all staff and students in the General Response Protocol, which describes what to do in an Evacuation, Shelter-In, or Lockdown. The training is tailored for different grade levels so that students aren’t upset by the information.
  • Periodically, as per NYCPS protocols, we run different types of drills around 10 times a year in collaboration with School Safety and our co-located elementary school.
  • Students and staff receive feedback if necessary after each drill so that we can continue to engage in the safest manner possible in school, in the event of an emergency.

Family Workshop (In-Person) – Social Media and Family Book Group – Wed 4/9 at 4:30pm

  • Join us for a BCS Family Workshop (in-person) on Wed 4/9 from 4:30pm-6:30pm about Social Media Awareness in partnership with Inspiring Minds.  In-Person in 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?”
  • Feel free to come even if you haven’t read the book, all families welcome! Dinner will be served.  Please join us!
  • Wed April 9, 4:30pm, BCS Room 213

Family Workshop (In-Person) – Moving Beyond the Talk – Wed 4/23 at 5pm

  • BCS Family Workshop – with guest speaker Brian Favors in partnership with Inspiring Minds NYC and Breaking the Cycle
  • This session will explore the critical conversations families often have to prepare their children for navigating racial challenges and nurturing a healthy sense of identity in a diverse society. Our first Zoom session in January was great, and we are opening up another space (in-person) for families to gather. Come talk, learn, and listen!  All families welcome (even if you didn’t come to Part 1)!  Dinner will be served.  Please join us!
  • Wed April 23, 5:00pm-6:30pm, BCS Room 213

Middle School Glow in the Dark Party is coming up on Friday April 4!  

  • The dance will take place in the cafeteria from 5pm-8pm and it will be a great time!  Drinks, food, treats, and glow accessories are included!  Tickets are $10 and are available during your lunch period in the cafeteria.  We’re selling 1/2 off tickets before March 24th so get your tickets early.  There will be no ticket sales at the door.  
  • Reminder that attending special events are a privilege and any students who are engaging in inappropriate or unsafe behavior will not be permitted to attend and there will be no refunds.  
  • Middle school students, please join us for this awesome dance and see Christina if you have any questions!  What to wear: UV Lights are very hot, so wear light cool clothing (neon or white) to glow!
  • More info about the high school dance will be coming soon!

Honors options for all High School Students – speak with your teachers!

  • All high school students are encouraged to pursue the Honors extension in all their courses by earning Exemplary on all their course learning targets and by completing the extension assessments
  • Students who earn Honors will have the designation reflected for each course on their official transcript
  • Students who earn multiple Honors designations over their high school years are eligible to hear an Honors Seal on their diploma at graduation
  • Aim high and pursue the honors extensions in your courses!

Green Team wants to grow seeds for the community!

  • If you have any old/extra seeds at home please donate them in room 506!
  • Thanks in advance from the BCS Green Team!!!
  • P.S. Wear Green on April 10th
  • Email Allie@bcs448.org with any questions

Student Reminder – Social Media Etiquette

  • As part of our ongoing collaboration to support young people in using their devices responsibly, this month, we remind students about post etiquette – Before posting on social media or through texts, ask yourself: is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?  What are some things that can happen as a result of your post?  Do your grown ups know what you’re posting?

No phones, No headphones

  • Reminder that all phones, headphones and earbuds must be put away 
  • Electronics are a distraction to learning.  No phones = higher grades.

Tues Tiers Afterschool – every week – get extra help and revise assessments

  • All students are invited to stay Tuesdays afterschool with their teachers to make up work and get extra support and time to complete assessments
  • Upcoming Grade Dates:
    • Tues 4/1: Grades will be downloaded and added to progress reports – official mid-semester grades 
    • Tues 4/22: Jumprope grades will be emailed to families and students 
    • Mon 5/12: Jumprope grades will be emailed to families and students
    • Fri 5/30: LG (Grades 6-8) and senior grades due in Jumprope – promotion/ summer school decisions begin to be made
    • Wed 6/4: last day for new work to be submitted in all classes
    • Mon 6/9: final grades due in Jumprope to be uploaded to transcripts

Apply to DOE Summer Rising for Grades K-8

  • We are excited to offer Summer Rising once again to NYC students in grades K-8 this summer.  BCS will be a Summer Rising site.
  • Any student attending school in New York City, who is currently in kindergarten through eighth grade (in the 2024-2025 school year) is eligible for Summer Rising.
  • How to apply for Summer Rising for your child

Here is how to apply:

  1. Log in to your MySchools account or create one! If you need help accessing your account or adding/verifying your child, please contact your child’s school. You may need your child’s student ID number and account creation code. 
  2. Under your child’s name, click on the blue button next to “Summer Rising” that says, “Get Started”.
  3. Read the welcome message and click “Next”.
  4. On the next page you will find information about your child. If everything is correct click “Looks Good”. If there is an issue, please contact your school for assistance.
  5. Select the button that says “Search” to begin exploring Summer Rising program options and building your application!

Tips for filling out your application:

  • You can list as many programs as you are interested in. The more programs you list, the more likely you will receive a placement of your choice. 
  • List programs in your true preference order, with your first choice as #1, second choice as #2, and so on.
  • Apply any time by the March 28 deadline. Admissions is not first-come, first-served – all applications received by the deadline will be treated the same.
  • Summer Rising seats are limited; please apply to Summer Rising if your child is planning to attend most of the summer programming.
  • For more information, see here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/summer-rising

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.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES – click here for an ongoing list

Summer Search NYC Opportunity for 10th grade students

  • Summer Search NYC is a transformative youth development program dedicated to empowering high school students from underserved communities with the support, experiences, and resources they need to thrive in school, career, and life.
  • This program begins in 10th grade and provides:
    • One-on-one mentoring with trained professionals who offer consistent guidance and encouragement
    •  Fully funded summer experiences such as outdoor expeditions and career-focused internships to expand students’ perspectives
    • College & career readiness support including college application guidance, financial aid support, and career development resources
    • A lifelong alumni network to help students navigate success beyond high school
  • Summer Search NYC is actively seeking high school sophomores to join our next cohort. We also welcome partnership opportunities with schools, community organizations, and businesses to expand our impact and reach more students.
    Please see these flyers for more information!

Youth conservation in NYC – science opportunity for high school students

  • Interested in science and making a difference in NYC?  Register for a free, activity packed day for teens at NY Aquarium. Students hear about different local projects, career and volunteer opportunities, and get special access to the aquarium!
  • YCS NYC is an annual event that takes place every April. This free opportunity is a chance for local high school students to learn about conservation issues affecting them at a local level, and become more knowledgeable about resources available to them to combat these problems. At the summit, students will talk to experts at the Wildlife Conservation Society, take action in aiding local campaigns, and participate in a large beach cleanup.  Interest form at this link – check it out!  
  • Students will also hear from their peers who are involved in youth-run marine conservation projects. Workshops offered at the summit will teach participants the skills necessary to build their own conservation projects and be ready to take action in their own communities.
  • Be currently enrolled in grades 9–12
  • Have an interest in conservation, environmental science/studies, or general science
  • Want to learn about careers in wildlife science
  • Envision a healthier planet through the use of science and technology
  • Be able to attend the Youth Summit independent of a parent/guardian; please be aware that while your parent or guardian may bring you to and from the event, we will not have capacity for them to participate in the summit

Published in BCS News