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Student Family Update

BCS Student/Family Update – 4/12

Published April 11, 2026 by Scill Chan

Dear BCS Students/Families, hope you had a wonderful spring break!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

School resumes Mon 4/13

  • Hope you had a wonderful spring break

No School – Upcoming Days

  • Mon 5/25 – No School for Memorial Day
  • Thurs 6/4 – No School for Staff Professional Development Day
  • Fri 6/19 – No School for Juneteenth

Middle School NYS Testing Information

  • New York State testing for middle school students begins immediately after our spring break. Please review the schedule for upcoming dates. All state tests are computerized.
  • State tests are NOT required for promotion. If you would like to opt your child out of the state tests, see below. Students will remain in regular classes during the state tests.
  • Middle School State Tests — Coming Up
    • Tuesday 4/14 – Wednesday 4/15 – Grade 6 ELA NYS State Test
    • Thursday 4/16 – Friday 4/17 – Grade 7 ELA State Test
    • Monday 4/20 – Tuesday 4/21 – Grade 8 ELA State Test
    • Monday 4/27 – Tuesday 4/28 – Grade 6 Math NYS State Test
    • Wednesday 4/29 – Thursday 4/30 –  Grade 7 Math NYS State Test
    • Wednesday 6/17 – Algebra Regents for Grade 8 only
    • Thursday 6/18 – Life Science: Biology Regents for Grade 8 only 
  • Middle School NYS Parent Opt Out

NYCPS Student and Family Survey – Access Codes

  • Students/Families – it’s the annual NYCPS Survey.  Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at: NYCschoolsurvey.org
  • Families, enter a lowercase “f” followed by your child’s nine-digit OSIS number (example: f123456789).
  • Students, enter a lowercase “s” followed by your nine-digit OSIS number (Example: s123456789).

Glasses are ready to be picked up – crew leaders will give to students

  • Crew leaders will have glasses available for pick up – these are glasses from the first day of vision screening in February.  Students who were screened on the second day of screening in March will get their glasses in 4-6 weeks.
  • The sheet of paper wrapped around the glasses has your prescription.  It helps to write down or take a picture of the prescription in case there is any issue or if you need to order a low-cost replacement.  

UFT Event: Leading With Purpose: Men in Education: Shaping Minds and Changing Lives

  • Join the UFT for a powerful day of learning, reflection and connection
  • You’re invited to a free conference from the UFT focusing on men in education. 
  • Through dynamic workshops, meaningful dialogue and practical resources, participants will explore leadership, mentorship, healthy masculinity and personal growth. You may register for two workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, or you may choose to attend one full-day workshop.
  • Doors open and a delicious hot breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. Lunch will be served as well. There will be special guests, raffle prizes and a resource fair. Parents, educators and community members of all genders are welcome to attend this conference.
  • Register now
    • Date: Saturday, April 18
    • Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Where: UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 2nd floor, Shanker Hall
    • Cost: Free

PTA Request for Nominations 2026 – Meeting Details

NYCPS Artificial Intelligence Policy

  • Please review NYC Public School’s newly released guidance on artificial intelligence (AI). NYCPS are committed to ensuring that our school communities, including staff, students, and families, can navigate AI responsibly and effectively, and to that end, this guidance lays out boundaries that protect our students, support our educators, and empower our families. It also outlines how AI can support teaching and learning in ways that are intentional, equitable, and grounded in data safety.
  • This guidance is the first step in a multi-step process of developing systemwide policy around the use of AI. As part of this process, we are seeking feedback from internal and external stakeholders over the next 45 days. Please read this family letter (available on our website in all NYCPS languages) to raise awareness both about this document and about the opportunity for community input.

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

Inspiring Girls Young Ambassador Application – Now Open! (Application due June 1)

  • Are you a young girl looking to build your confidence and develop leadership and life skills? Do you want to prepare for college, internships, and future jobs while also participating in civic engagement at the national level? Look no further than the Inspiring Girls USA Young Ambassadors Network!
  • As a Young Ambassador, you’ll have:
    • Access to impressive women professionals who can help guide you on your path to success;
    • The opportunity to practice interviewing and networking, finding your voice, and establishing your brand;
    • And best of all, you’ll have fun and make friends with like-minded girls who are also striving to achieve their goals.
  • What You’ll Do:
    • Attend 1.5 hour calls once a quarter to discuss goals and connect with other Young Ambassadors
    • Meet role models and interview women for the Inspiring Girls Video Hub
    • Start an Inspiring Girls Circle in your community
    • Craft blog and social media posts to inspire your peers
    • Join or even co-host Inspiring Girls events
  • Application is open NOW through June 1, 2026
  • Girls ages 12-16 years old on or before September 1st, 2026 are eligible (rising 7th – 11th grade) *Please note that rising seniors are ineligible to apply for a one-year term as a Young Ambassador.
  • Click Here to Apply!

Urban Arts Game Academy – Summer programs for HS students

  • Make your own video games and ignite your creativity with our college-ready courses for high school students.  These programs prepare you for more than just making games. Our alumni are the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, computer scientists, writers, artists, animators, engineers, and more. Get started on a pathway to college and career—through game design.

Beginner – 2D Game Development – Summer Intensive

PERIOD: Summer (July 6 – August 14, 6 weeks)
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm
LOCATION: Learning Lab or online
COST: No cost

Kickstart your enrollment in Game Academy with our accelerated summer course.  Learn C# coding, pixel art, animation, music & storytelling through game development in a fun, accelerated computer science course that prepares you for creative STEM college programs.  Summer students can skip ahead to the 3D course in the fall.

Applications are open: Sign-up for a virtual infosession to start your application process.

Game Design Courses

Advanced – Founders Lab

PERIOD: Summer (July 6 – July 17, 2 weeks)
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm
LOCATION: Learning Lab
COST: No cost

Leveraging AI, Founders Lab is an incubator track where students apply their skills from Game Academy to build a startup from scratch. With support from industry experts and entrepreneurial insights, you will receive access to cutting-edge tools and learn about pitching, marketing, product-market fit, and business planning. The program concludes with a Demo Day where you show the completed product you created.

HS Externship for Art Careers

  • A 3-day program during for 14-18 year olds. Application deadline – Friday, 5/29.  

Behind the Curtain: Technical & Design Careers
Jun 29, 30 & July 1, 2026
10am – 3pm

Explore the design process from concept to reality through practical, hands-on exercises with professional designers and stagehands.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 29 at 11:59pm EST. 

Preludes! Summer Teen Theater Intensive

  • Are you interested in pursuing a career in musical theater? Start your training this summer at New York City Center. Learn more and sign up for an audition this May 2026!
  • https://www.nycitycenter.org/community-engagement/preludes-summer-teen-theater-intensive/

Published in BCS News