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Student-Family Update

3/26 – Student/Family Update

Published March 26, 2023 by Scill Chan

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming Half Days in March – dismissal at 11:15am:

  • Mon 3/27 – Periods 4, 7, 8 instead of Pd 1, 2, 3 – students should go to their Pd 4 class at 8:45am

HS Dance coming up on Fri 3/31

  • BCS Rep Ya Flag Party – Fri March 31st 6-9pm – all BCS Grades 9-12 students welcome
  • Buy tickets in the T wing during crew, you don’t want to miss out!

Auditorium Update

  • There are ongoing repairs in the auditorium, hopefully completed over the weekend.  Contractors were doing repair work on the sound system in the auditorium, and uncovered lead paint that needed to be addressed. There’s no concern for airborne lead exposure, but it’s an ingestion risk, so the auditorium is closed to all until the repairs are complete.  

Girls Symposium – Free Trip on Fri 3/31 – girls welcome (Grades 6-12)

  • Any BCS girl-identifying and gender-non-conforming students are welcome to join this trip on Fri 3/31.  Please see below to RSVP with your parent’s permission.
  • See Jaada in Office 405 with any questions.  Grades 6-12 welcome.  Students will leave BCS at 9am and return back to BCS at 2:15pm.  Lunch provided.  Free.
  • Our Women’s History Month Girls Symposium “Force for the Future” – Students will attend workshops centered on leadership, wellness, career development, stem, and much more. Also swag bags will be provided for in-person sessions. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO 
  • Destination: BNY Mellon – 88 Murray Street 
  • Departure Location: Brooklyn Collaborative, 610 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
  • Departure Time: 9:00am, Return Time: 2:15pm
  • Transportation: School Bus
  • Cost: Free, Lunch will be provided
  • PLEASE RSVP HERE

Parents/guardians – Please take the DOE NYC School Survey

  • Every year, the DOE asks all families, teachers, and staff in grades 3-K through 12, and students in grades 6-12 to take the NYC School Survey. The information collected by the survey is designed to support a dialogue among all members of the school community about how to make the school a better place to learn.
  • The 2023 NYC School Survey launched on February 13, 2023 and will close on March 31, 2023.
  • Take the 2023 NYC School Survey (Open external link) – parent password is fOSIS, eg. lower case f = OSIS number = f123456789
  • Families can also access the survey by logging into their NYC Schools Account (NYCSA).

Upcoming Dates

  • Thurs 3/30 – Lower Grades Expeditionary Thursday
  • Thurs 4/6 – Fri 4/14 – No School – Spring Break
  • Wed 4/19 – Thurs 4/20 – NYS ELA Exam (Grades 6-8)
  • Fri 4/21 – No School – Eid al-Fitr
  • Tues 5/2 – Wed 5/3 – NYS Math Exam (Grades 6-8)

MS State Tests are coming up

  • The New York State (NYS) grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and math exams will be administered on April 19–20 and May 2–3, respectively.
  • Students in Grade 8 can elect to take the Algebra Regents instead of the Grade 8 Math exam.
  • Exams are not required for promotion.
  • If parents wish to opt out their child out of testing, please complete this form as soon as possible.
  • During MS testing dates, HS students have Expeditionary Thursdays so that we can leave the building and provide a quiet testing environment for students.

Working papers – get ready for summer jobs

Tues 4/25 Social Dilemma Panel at 4pm in the auditorium

  • All parents, students, staff welcome
  • We are screening the documentary The Social Dilemma about challenges with increased social media on our society and youth.  The screening is 45 min and we will have a panel afterwards with BCS staff, students, and our staff developers.
  • https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/
  • Sundance Official Selection – The Social Dilemma blends documentary investigation and narrative drama to disrupt the disrupters, unveiling the hidden machinations behind everyone’s favorite social media and search platforms.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

$$ Apply for Summer Youth

  • The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.
  • Through SYEP, participants can explore different interests and career pathways, develop productive workplace habits, and engage in learning experiences that strengthen their social, civic, and leadership skills.
  • By participating in structured project and work-based opportunities, NYC youth are better prepared for careers of the future.
  • Apply here
  • School name: Brooklyn Secondary School for Collaborative Studies

$$ Youth Health Promoters – HS students

  • At Planned Planned of Greater New York, Youth Health Promoters are paid teen educators who travel all over New York City to facilitate sex ed workshops, such as birth control, HIV/STIs, and condoms.  Teen applicants can apply via the electronic version of the application through our bit.ly link: ().  Deadline for completed applications is Friday April 21

Showcase Your Poetry and Prose in the Brooklyn Public Library’s Teen Writing Contest

  • The Brooklyn Public Library’s Teen Writing Contest is inviting City teenagers in grades 6–12 to submit and present their written works for consideration for the 2023 Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize, a cash award given in honor of Ned Vizzini’s literary legacy.
  • Submissions will be judged by a panel of Brooklyn Library’s young adult librarians for creativity, style, and voice.  Participants may submit no more than two items for consideration, and each item must adhere to the contest’s designated word limits of up to 500 words for poetry, and 2,500 words for prose.
  • To learn more, and to register for the contest, visit the Brooklyn Public Library’s Teen Writing Contest webpage.  Entries due by March 31, 2023!

First Tech Fund High School Fellowship Program – HS

  • Apply by April 1, 2023.  The First Tech Fund is recruiting students for their free yearlong high school fellowship program. Fellows will participate in weekly virtual workshops around careers and foundational digital skills for the future, be eligible to receive free technology depending on their technology needs (laptop and/or WiFi hotspot,) and can opt into mentorship with a young professional.  Learn more and apply on the First Tech Fund Fellowship Program’s webpage.

Summer – Become a Student Historian at the New-York Historical Society

  • For students in grades 9–12; Internship runs July 11–August 17, 2023; Contact: Rachel Coons—(212) 873-3400, ext. 361 – Application deadline: April 9, 2023
  • The New-York Historical Society (N-YHS) is accepting applications for its Student Historian Internship Program. Through this internship, students use N-YHS’ resources to conduct research and to share what they’ve learned through creative digital projects. Interns will meet with professional staff members to learn about careers available within the museum, library, and history fields. They will also work collaboratively with fellow students to develop their public speaking and leadership skills, and engage in hands-on work to deepen their understanding of American history. The theme of the internship is, “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America.” In addition to a completed application, all applicants need to submit a teacher recommendation by the deadline. To learn more about the internship, including application requirements and other information, visit the Student Historian Internship Program’s webpage, and submit your application by the deadline on April 9, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.

Summer – Free and Exciting Science Camps

  • For students entering grades K–12 in September 2023; Weeklong camps scheduled July 10—August 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m; Contact: STEMMattersNYC@schools.nyc.gov
  • Submit your application by April 26, 2023 – This summer, STEM Matters NYC is offering City students the chance to participate in exciting, hands-on, experiential STEM (science, technology, engineering, and/or math) programs taking place between July 10 and August 18, 2023. Available to students entering kindergarten through grade 12 in September 2023, STEM Matters NYC’s summer programs are a week long for K–9 students, while students in grades 10–12 are eligible to participate in one, two, or four-week programs. K–9 students will be selected via lottery, while students entering grades 10–12 will be considered for placement by a review committee.
  • If you are a student interested in animal science, aviation, marine biology, mechanical engineering, ecology, and other science fields, make sure you take advantage of this fun opportunity! To learn more about these free summer enrichment programs and to download flyers in multiple languages, visit STEM Matters NYC’s webpage.
  • Don’t wait around, because spots are limited—submit your application by Wednesday, April 26, 2023!

Be a Part of the Solution Through the NYPD Youth Leadership Council

  • For students in grades 9–12; Meetings take place weekly; dates/times vary by precinct; Contact: John Park – Registration closes June 2023
  • Join your local NYPD precinct’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) and build up your leadership skills while earning community service hours. Once selected, you’ll be working in partnership with Youth Coordination Officers to complete an action project meant to strengthen your local community.  NYPD YLC meetings are held weekly, and the time and location for these gatherings ultimately depend on which precinct you reside in.
  • To apply and join an NYPD YLC, visit the 2022–23 YLC Youth Application webpage, scroll down and select “NYPD” in the dropdown field, and input your information—once done, an NYPD officer on behalf of your precinct will follow-up with you via email and formally invite you to their YLC!

Climate and Resilience Education Task Force’s Youth Steering Committee 

Summer – programs for 9th-12th grade students through Girls Who Code

Summer – Columbia University’s Hudson River Field Station

  • Apply by: March 30, 2023;  Summer internship opportunity for current 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, age 16 and up. The Hudson River Field Station will once again host the Next Generation of Hudson River Educators, a summer program focused on Hudson River estuary science to engage high school students historically underrepresented in STEM. Students will cultivate a personal connection and understanding of the Hudson River estuary through hands-on field experiences and contribute to ongoing Hudson River scientific research. Students will seek to understand the prevalence of microplastics in the Hudson River through the collection and analysis of samples underneath ultraviolet light. Current 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students at least 16 years of age interested in spending the summer immersed in the Hudson while getting involved in current ongoing research, should apply today! Applications are open. 

Summer – Mentorship Program 2023 for students in grades 6-12. 

  • Organized by Stanford University undergraduate and graduate students, Qualia Global Scholars is a selective pre-collegiate virtual summer mentorship program matching talented students in grades 6-12 with Stanford mentors. The program features personalized mentorship, interdisciplinary research, project-based learning, and guidance on college applications. The program aims to empower students to become future global leaders by teaching them about leadership & problem solving, emerging areas in STEM & liberal arts, critical thinking & communication skills, and real-world impact through research & innovation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Need-based financial aid is available for the program.  Flyer here with more info. 

Submit your climate change solutions #Youth4Climate

  • Submissions due: March 31, 2023 – Calling all young climate change-makers: Do you want to make a real impact on the climate crisis? Follow these instructions and submit your #Youth4Climate solutions for a chance to receive an invaluable mentorship and funding for your project. Choose one of four thematic areas – Urban Sustainability, Food and Agriculture, Education, or Energy – to tackle with your proposal.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

  • Apply by: April 15, 2023 – The Barron Prize honors 25 outstanding young heroes each year who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. Winners each receive $10,000 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project.

Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest

  • Submissions due: April 16, 2023 – The National Eye Institute (NEI) encourages teens living in the United States to explore careers in science through the Eye on the Future campaign. Through this effort, NEI is hosting a national contest where teens can submit a video in one of three categories: science in their world, science in the field or lab, and/or science in their future. Winners will receive cash prizes and a chance to visit the National Institutes of Health in Maryland for a day of science, networking, and fun! Learn more about the contest.

Semper Solaris Scholarship

  • Submissions due: May 31, 2023 for high school applicants – High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are encouraged to submit an essay answering the following question: “How can solar and renewable energy help local communities?” Responses must be at least 1,000 words and focus on renewable, sustainable, or solar energies. Winners can receive up to $3,000 in scholarship funds. Learn more.

Published in BCS News