Dear BCS Students/Families, hope you had a wonderful weekend!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
No School – Upcoming Days
- Mon 5/25 – No School for Memorial Day
- Wed 5/27 – No School for Eid al-Adha
- Thurs 6/4 – No School for Staff Professional Development Day
- Fri 6/19 – No School for Juneteenth
610 Henry St Campus – Author Visit – Tues 4/21
- On Tuesday 4/21, 5:30-7:30, our co-located school Brooklyn New School will host an author event with two authors, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovitch and BCS’s own Torrey Maldonado.
- Please join us in the auditorium for a talk with brilliant authors and BNS/ BCS community members: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovitch and Torrey Maldonado!
- Kid Cafe open 5:00 pm onward
- Book signing will take place after the event, if you already have their books at home, feel free to bring them in. Discounted copies will also be available for purchase.
- The event is free and open to all BCS families, students, staff and the public.
Time capsule project – we welcome any ideas from parents
- All crews are participating in our BCS Crew Time Capsule Project to celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary.
- We welcome any ideas from parents/families for what might be included in the time capsules – email your ideas to L2@bcs448.org
BCS Anti Plagiarism Policy
- Plagiarism, as defined by the New York City Department of Education Citywide Behavioral Expectations To Support Student Learning (Infraction B31), is the act of “appropriating another’s work and using it as one’s own for credit without the required citation and attributions.” Students who engage in academic dishonesty/plagiarize will have academic consequences on their assessments and grades, in addition to leading to disciplinary consequences as per the citywide regulations.
- Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Sharing your work with another student(s) and allowing them (knowingly or unknowingly) to submit or to represent your work as their own
- Handing in the same paper/lab report (or much of the same material) for two different courses or assignments
- Directly copying or paraphrasing material from the Internet or any other source (ChatGPT, AI-generated content, magazine, newspaper, journal, etc.) without citing the source
- Copying someone else’s work or research and submitting or representing it as your own, with or without the individual’s consent
- Paraphrasing sentences or whole paragraphs without citing the original source
- Finding a paper from an internet website and submitting it as your own
- Parents can support their children in not plagiarising! As always, parents can support their children by asking about assignments, reaching out to the teacher, logging into Google Classroom together, and reviewing teacher feedback. Parents can also explain what plagiarism is to their children, how to avoid it, and the consequences.
- Parents should not help in a way that overrides the individual’s voice and understanding. Teachers have evidence of the student’s competency level through other assignments throughout the semester, and the student’s work should be consistent with the work previously submitted, even if parents help.
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!
- We need donations of wipes and tissues!
- Please purchase items from our Amazon wish list to send directly to BCS or send in your child with masks/tissues to Office 416
- https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WX69HNQ4TUM0?ref_=wl_share
| 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
YouthBridge-NY Fellowship for rising juniors
- The heart of YouthBridge-NY is its one-year Fellowship program, where high school juniors from diverse backgrounds participate in intensive trainings on leadership and diversity.
- The fellowship kicks off in late August with an overnight orientation retreat, where participants get to know each other through team-building games, outdoor activities, and workshops on topics like diversity, social justice, and leadership.
- Currently accepting applications for the upcoming 2026-2027 Fellowship Class
- Eligibility:
- Must be a rising high school junior
- Must be able to travel to two meetings (weekday evenings) per month in NYC
- Must be willing to learn about new perspectives and share yours
- The link to apply can be found here: https://www.youthbridgeny.org/fellowship
- Priority deadline: May 15, 2026
Young Playwrights Summer Program, July 6 to 17
TDF’s FREE Young Playwrights Summer Program is currently seeking talented high school applicants. We hope you know some students who would benefit from this opportunity.
Taught by award-winning playwright and teaching artist Crystal Skillman, this two-week intensive helps participants learn the art of dramatic writing. Students will work individually and in groups, with a final presentation on the last day. This program is offered at no cost to accepted students.
Students must have well-developed writing skills and an interest in playwriting along with a writing sample and letter of recommendation from a teacher or teaching artist.
Who is eligible to apply to the Young Playwrights Summer Program?
Rising high school juniors and seniors as well as spring 2026 graduates who are interested in learning the craft of playwriting and creating their own works. Residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are eligible. Deadline to apply is Monday, May 11!
When is the Young Playwrights Summer Program?
July 6 to July 17: Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. Final presentation on Friday, July 17 from 1 to 7 p.m.
Where does the Young Playwrights Summer Program take place?
In-person sessions will typically take place at TDF’s Midtown Manhattan offices at 520 Eighth Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets, Suite 801. (On two dates, classes will be held elsewhere in Manhattan.)
What does the Young Playwrights Summer Program include?
- Playwriting workshops five days a week for two weeks
- Two Broadway/Off-Broadway evening show outings for study and inspiration
- Small group seminars with professional theatre artists
- Writing (and rewriting) a short original play
- Professional actors reading student plays in progress with a professional director to guide them
- Staged readings of final works by professional actors
Apply now! Deadline is Monday, May 11
Cooper Hewitt – Smithsonian Design Museum – HS Workshop
Free, hands-on workshop for high school students that explores the intersection of design, music, and media!
Teen Drop-In: Cassette Tapes with Soap Library
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (2 East 91st Street, off the 86th Street 4/5/6 and M1, M2, M3, M4 Buses)
Free for high school students
In celebration of our exhibition Art of Noise, students will be introduced to cassette tapes—an analog format that played a key role in how people created and shared music before digital streaming. Guided by designers from Soap Library, participants will experiment with recording sound and creating their own cassette cover art. No prior experience with music or design is necessary, and snacks will be served!
This program supports learning in:
- Art and design
- Media studies and music
- Creative technology and hands-on making
Event details and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teen-drop-in-cassette-tapes-with-soap-library-tickets-1986664209129?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer leadership opportunity for HS students
This summer, we’re offering a paid opportunity through our award-winning Summer Institute (July 6 – August 13),taking place in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Newark, NJ.
Summer Institute is an award-winning 6-week summer program where youth explore leadership, identity, community and social justice. Participants take part in workshops, meet local leaders, go on field trips and build a supportive, inspiring community.
Who Should Apply?
Young women and gender-expansive youth
Currently enrolled in high school
Living in NYC or Newark, NJ
Youth who have not previously participated in Summer Institute
Link to learn more and apply:
SUMMER INSTITUTE 2026 APPLICATION
- 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/
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.
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.
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!