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Student Family Update

BCS Family/Student Update – 3/1

Published March 1, 2026 by Scill Chan

Dear BCS Students/Families, we had a wonderful Community Resource Day yesterday!  Shout out to Tracey for organizing such a compelling and needed day within the BCS and larger local community focused on health and wellness!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Student Led Conferences (SLCs) – coming up – Wed 3/18 and Thurs 3/19

  • SLCs are scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 18th  from 4:15.p.m. – 7:15 p.m. and on Thursday afternoon, March 19th from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Thurs is half day. Students will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m.
  • Students prepare for their SLCs in Crew.  The majority of the SLC focuses on student talk and on students showing an understanding and command of their growth as a learner rather than on their numerical grades. 
  • Families will hear from crew leaders to make an appointment for an SLC for your child.

Half Day this Friday – PROSE Half Days – Dismissal 11:15am – upcoming calendar days

  • BCS is a PROSE school, with special permission from the city to have additional in-person professional development with our staff.  This year’s PROSE Half Days are:
    • Fri 2/27 half day
    • Fri 3/6 half day
    • Fri 3/13 half day
  • Students will be dismissed at 11:15am each day.  MS Afterschool is available through YWCA for any students in Grades 6-8 who would like to stay.
  • Additionally Thurs 3/19 is Citywide Half Day for 6-12 for Student-Led Conferences and Fri 3/20 No School for Eid

Middle School Family Mixer with YWCA – Mon March 9

  • The BCS YWCA Family Mixer is an opportunity for ALL BCS middle school students and their families to meet each other, learn more about our current programming, hear about upcoming half-day field trips and events, and connect with our staff. We look forward to strengthening family engagement and supporting students in staying actively involved in the program.  All BCS middle school students and families are welcome!  Great food, good music, and hear all the ways your child can get involved afterschool at BCS!
  • RSVP Link: RSVP Link Here
  • Mon March 9 at Brooklyn Collaborative
  • 3:05pm-5:00pm in Room 213 (610 Henry Street)

Cafeteria renovations are complete!

  • “Food Court Menu” is coming to our cafeteria and our caf/kitchen renovations are complete- please check it out!!
  • All meals are free to all students for breakfast and lunch. 

Thursday, March 19th – SAT/PSAT School Day (Grades 10 & 11)

  • On Thursday, March 19th, all 10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT or SAT exam during the school day.
  • The SAT is an important part of the college admissions process and preparation makes a real difference. A combined score above 1100 is often considered a college-ready benchmark.
  • To prepare, we strongly encourage students to:
  • Attend our after-school SAT Prep Class. It’s not too late to start!
    • Wednesdays with Henry (ELA) from 3:15p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
    • Thursdays with Allison (Math) from 3:15p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
  • Study with Official SAT Practice at Khan Academy. You can login or sign up here.  In addition, consider using the *SAT Study Guide. Copies are available in the College & Career Office. There are many advantages to using digital resources. However, recent studies suggest that reading from paper instead of an electronic device is better for memory retention and focus. Finally, create a study schedule, maybe form a study group and plan to take at least two practice tests. 
  • Preparing consistently in the weeks leading up to the exam can make a real difference. You’ve got this!

Summer Rising K-8

  • Summer Rising 2026 is a partnership between New York City Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). Summer Rising is free and available to all NYC students in grades K-8. Students in Summer Rising will have access to both academic and enrichment programming over the course of the day, including field trips, arts activities, and outdoor recreation. 
  • Programs will be full-day, in-person, and planned and operated collaboratively by school principals and community-based organizations (CBOs). Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be served.
  • BCS/BNS (610 Henry Street) is a Summer Rising site.
  • Important Dates:
    • March 3, 2026: Application Opens
    • March 27, 2026: Application Closes
    • April 21, 2026: Offer Release
    • July 1, 2026: Summer Rising Starts
  • Learn more: on.nyc.gov/SummerRising 

Expeditionary Thursday – Thurs March 5

  • More details to come for what your ET will be for this Thurs March 5!
  • We are happy for spring ETs to continue with the warmer weather.
  • ETs are required for all students and are graded and part of coursework.  ETs allow students to make connections with the larger context outside the classroom and give us access to resources and important sights around the city!

Consortium Family Webinar Series in Zoom

  • Session 1: What Makes Consortium Schools Different? (Monday March 2)
  • Session 2: What Is a PBAT? Performance Assessment at Consortium Schools (Monday March 23)
  • Session 3: What’s Wrong with Standardized Testing and Curriculum? (Monday March 30)
  • Session 4: What Happens to Consortium Students After They Graduate? (Monday April 20)
  • All families city wide are welcome!  Sign Up

Please help a BCS family with a meal train!

  • One of our BCS parents is undergoing surgery for cancer again and we’re sending out this meal train – please help where you can – thank you!  https://mealtrain.com/zmq06o

Glasses 2 Classes vision screening – second day on Fri 3/27 from 1pm-3pm

  • The reschedule is now on Fri 3/27 from 1pm-3pm for any absent students who did not get vision screening last time

Donate to our PTA Annual Appeal – we need you!

  • We love providing all our programming to students – camping, Expeditionary Thursdays, campus visits, supplies and more!  Please help us with our PTA Annual Appeal – we recommend $50 per family if you can – more if you’re able.  As a NYC public school, we rely on our city budget and generous support from families like you to keep our high quality programming! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2025-26-brooklyn-collaborative-pta-annual-appeal

Donate from our Amazon wish list – WE NEED MASKS AND TISSUES!

Parents – interested in volunteering?

  • We are looking for parents who are available Fridays 9am-10am to practice English conversation with some of our MLL students in the library – prompts/convo cards will be provided to parent volunteers.  
  • Please email Scill if interested in volunteering!

Family Book Club – How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe

  • Wed April 29, 2026 @ 5:30pm – 7:30pm
  • Dinner & Book Talk in Room 213 (In-Person at BCS)
  • Join BCS school leaders (Scill, Imani and Tracey) and Ashley (Director, Inspiring Minds) to share educator/parent voices on changing your perspective when your brain works differently!  Dinner and book provided!
  • About the book – In How to ADHD, author Jessica McCabe reveals the tools that have changed her life while offering an unflinching look at the realities of living with ADHD. She explains how ADHD affects everyday life, covering executive function impairments, rejection sensitivity, difficulties with attention regulation, and more. You’ll also find ADHD-specific strategies for adapting your environment, routines, and systems.  Open to all families and staff! Come learn and discuss with us!​
  • Email Scill@bcs448.org if you’re interested and we’ll send home a book with your child (or you can purchase your own copy). Supplies are limited. Even if you aren’t able to read the book, please join us if you can!

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

  • The 2025 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
IMPORTANT LINKS Calendar for NYC Public SchoolsCalendar on our school website (specific to BCS)Instagram — upcoming events and fun recapsSTUDENT OPPORTUNITIES – click this link for ongoing student opportunities citywideCONTACTS Important Staff Contacts – Brooklyn Collaborative

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES – click this link for ongoing student opportunities citywide

NYU College & Career Lab (CCL) Summer 2026 Exploratory Stage Application – Current 7th and 8th grade students

  • The Application Deadline is at 11:59 PM on March 31, 2026. The College & Career Lab is a tuition-free, six-year program offered as a multi-week intensive workshop during the summer and Practice Lab sessions during the academic year to prepare students to succeed in their post-secondary education and career paths.
  • We offer New York City middle and high school students the opportunity to explore a variety of academic pathways and “try on” careers. Through two stages, Exploratory and Immersive, CCL scholars dive into college-style lectures and workshops led by New York University faculty, on subjects ranging from neuroscience to philosophy and everything in between. Scholars network with industry professionals and get to experience what it would be like to be an immigration lawyer, physical therapist, game designer, and more. Through each stage and Practice Lab, students receive introductory courses, mentorship, advising, and a specialized CCL curriculum to enhance soft skills and prepare for the college application or career entry process.  You can find answers to frequently asked questions via our program’s FAQ. 
  • Who should apply? Current 7th and 8th graders – students that attend New York City public, charter, or home school programs.  Students of all backgrounds who attend school in and reside in one of NYC’s five boroughs and meet the previous eligibility requirements are eligible for admission to this program. Economically disadvantaged and first-generation college-going students are especially encouraged to apply.
  • More Information:
  • You can also email us directly at collegecareerlab@nyu.edu

Game Academy – current 9th/10th/11th students

  • Accepting applications for two upcoming programs: The deadline for our Spring Break Game Design Lab (a 3-day intro class) is coming up soon on 3/13, and students can also apply early to our 2D Game Development Summer Intensive. Students who complete the 2D course will be eligible for our in-house college access support.
  • Here’s a flier 

Street Dance Ambassadors Program

  • A 6-week program for 18-26 year olds, with a stipend of $50/session. Application deadline – Thursday, ⅗

HS Externship for Art Administration

  • A 3-day program during Spring Break for 14-18 year olds. Application deadline – Friday, 3/6. 

Teen Opportunities at the Cooper Hewitt Museum 

  • Teen Design Career Fair: Thinking about a career in design and wondering where to start? Join us for the Design Career Fair at Microsoft Garage (300 Lafayette Street, Soho) on Mon, Mar 30!  This free program gives high school students the opportunity to speak with National Design Award winners, guest designers, and colleges on the many pathways toward design.  Are you a student joining on your own or with friends? Sign up for free for the 3:30-5:00 p.m. session. 

Published in BCS News