Dear BNS Families,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have been showing up to support the school in so many ways this Fall. We've seen you "oooh-ing" and "ahhh-ing" at classroom shares, chaperoning field trips, helping at Kindergarten Lunch, creating beauty with the Arts Committee, rocking out at BNS Fest, writing grants and newsletters and social media content, making donations, participating in SLT and PTA meetings, selling fresh, affordable produce at the Farm Stand (and yummy treats at the Bake Sale), and so much more. The school and our kids are better for all of your efforts and we are so grateful.

Read on to learn more about what's happening at BNS (and find out even more ways you can help out)!

Sincerely,
Your BNS PTA

BCS INFO SESSION FOR 5TH GRADE FAMILIES

Wednesday, Nov. 13 8:20-9:20 in room 424

Join us to learn about Brooklyn Collaborative Studies Middle School! All students must be accompanied by an adult—please do not send your child by themselves. If attending with your fifth grader, please head directly to room 424 with your child at 8:20 am. They will not be marked late.

📚 OPEN LIBRARY IS BACK! 📚

The library is open every Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. We welcome families to come read, play games, do homework, and gather as a community! The library is in room 401 (note: please use Rapeleye stairs only).

2ND GRADE SWIM UPDATE

**2nd grade swim is off to a great start!**

All 2nd Graders at BNS participate in one of two swim programs (placement is based on assessed swimming ability). Sixty students (non-swimmers & beginners) will be going every Friday morning to Asphalt Green for a weekly lesson. Intermediate and advanced swimmers will be divided into 2 groups of 22 children so they can participate in a ten week swimming class at the Chinatown YMCA. Both these programs offer a fun, physical education experience in which our youngsters will swim, play and develop competency in and around water.

🔦 SPOTLIGHT ON 3RD GRADE 🔦

Third grade is off to an exciting start with a field trip to Plumb Beach in Brooklyn! Here’s a look at what our third graders have been working on:

Social-emotional learning: We are learning how to solve conflicts collaboratively and peacefully through the Restorative Circles Program. Restorative Circles are grounded in Native American practices that value individuals as they build and maintain supportive relationships and communities.
Math: Two classes have started with addition and subtraction and the other two classes are working on multiplication and division. Around January, they will switch.
Writing: For their first writing project, students interviewed one another to explore shared interests and differences. They then worked through the writing process, moving from brainstorming and drafting to revising and publishing their work.
Science: Our current unit is on plant lifecycles. Students are observing plants and conducting experiments to learn about seeds, flowers, stems, and more. Our next unit will delve into the science of sound.
Social Studies: We’re focused on community building as we prepare to start our in-depth study of West Africa.

📱Digital Citizenship and Screen Safety Education📱

This year we’re excited to enhance our social-emotional learning curriculum with digital citizenship and screen safety education. We're introducing lessons on healthy screen habits, internet safety, and responsible use of digital tools, empowering students to navigate the online world safely and mindfully.

Here are a few tips for promoting digital safety at home:

Avoid social media apps before the age of 13. Evidence-based research shows they can increase anxiety and depression.
For elementary aged children who need a phone, look for a basic phone that limits internet access, not a smartphone.
Limit screen time for kids 5 and up to 2 hours a day or less, not including homework.
Avoid screens at least one hour before bed. Screens impact sleep quality, leading to drowsiness and fatigue at school.
Talk to your child about the importance of privacy (not chatting with strangers they think are friends or giving away any personal information, like address, school, etc.) and respect in their digital communication.
Consider parental controls on devices to limit access to social media, and check in to see what your child is viewing/doing online.
If your children are involved in group chats, monitor the chats on occasion to ensure kids are not getting into sticky social situations.
Encourage your child to discuss their online experiences and any concerns they may have.

Check out more screen time resources on the BNS website.

DIVERSITY IN ADMISSIONS

The DEI committee is working to develop a coordinated outreach plan to childcare programs and Community Based Organizations serving families that may be eligible for BNS's Diversity in Admissions (DIA) program. There are now over 90 schools participating in the DIA plan, designed to help foster diversity within each school.

Below are a few examples of organizations that we can partner with. If you have connections to any of the organizations below (or an organization you think we're missing) and are willing to help, please email Randa (randadean@gmail.com).

Strong Place for Hope (all locations)
Brooklyn Chinese American Association Daycare
Alonzo Daughtry Daycare Center
Little Sun People
Bumblebees R Us - Red Hook
Happy Hours Daycare

DEI Book List

The DEI Committee and BNS Librarians partnered to create the first ever BNS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Book List. This is a list of related books that are available at the BNS Library. All children have access to the library and we encourage families to visit the BNS Open Library hour on Tuesdays, 2:30-3:30 PM in Room 401.

2024 Family & Community Resource Fair

The DOE is hosting a citywide family and community resource fair at Murry Bergtraum High School (411 Pearl Street; New York, NY 10038) from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. on November 16; interested participants should register by November 15. The event will be a space for all school families to have fun and connect with NYCPS offices, community-based organizations, city agencies, cultural institutions, and more. Checkout this flyer (available in all DOE languages) has lots more information!

BNS Fest + More Fundraising!

BNS Fest was an awesome night showcasing some wildly talented BNS parents! We gathered to hear great music, enjoy some drinks, and best of all, raise money for the school.

BNS Fest happened because of the vision of an amazing BNS parent. But it highlighted just a fraction of the talent we have in this diverse community. Do you want to help bring BNS Salsa Night to life? A 90s hip hop dance party (pretty please)? We want to help you in planning and executing more great events that create connections and support the school. Reach out to Amy Osekowsky Davis (aosekowsky@gmail.com)) and Jennifer Mielke (jennifer.mielke@gmail.com) if you're interested.

📣 UPDATE: PARENT COORDINATOR ROLE 📣

We are close to hiring a PC! The committee has agreed on a top candidate and that candidate is now making their way through the NYCPS hiring process. We’re very excited to announce this person once it’s official!

🫶 UPDATE: AFTERCARE 🫶

Some schools use outside vendors for aftercare, but BNS chose a self-sustaining model to ensure continuity and support. With BNS staff running the program, children are cared for by familiar adults throughout the day, fostering stronger connections and a team-based approach. This model also helps staff earn fair wages, with aftercare income boosting their paychecks. Teachers and EAs are paid DOE rates, and their hours count toward pensions.

We’re excited to welcome current BCS students to the aftercare team and are working to rehire some of the former BNS students who were such a beloved part of the program. Families have missed their presence, and we’re thrilled to bring that culture back.

We’re also revitalizing the Aftercare Advisory Board and would love your involvement (see the volunteer section for details).

Lastly, please be patient and kind to our aftercare staff. They’re working hard during this transition to keep your kids safe and happy. Let’s support each other with grace as we move forward together.

GET INVOLVED @ BNS!

We have lots of exciting programs and events planned for this year, but they can’t happen without your help. Please consider volunteering!

Grants: Are you excited about finding ways to support more art, science, sustainability, professional development – or something else – at BNS? Help us find grants to fund these opportunities! All it takes is a few hours of online research. Reach out to Alisa Wellek (alisaw@gmail.com) or Dawn Eshelman (dawneshyes@gmail.com).
Fundraising: We are looking for help researching venues for the Spring Fling and writing Konstella & social media posts for upcoming fundraisers! Do you have a few hours to help? Reach out to Amy Osekowsky Davis (aosekowsky@gmail.com) and Jennifer Mielke (jennifer.mielke@gmail.com).
Calendar: Can you help us create, print, and copy a monthly printed calendar that families can put on the fridge? It's a helpful way for the BNS community to stay on top of everything going on at school but we can't do it without you! Reach out to BNSPTA2024@bns146.org.
Merch: Do you love BNS t-shirts, hats and bags? We are looking for a Merch co-manager (2-3 hours per month managing inventory, recruiting and assigning volunteers). We also need a group of parents who are willing to take on one or more sales shifts this year at events like Movie Night, PTA meetings, etc. Reach out to Danielle (dvlamotte@gmail.com).
Lice Checks: We need two or three parent volunteers who would be willing to help with doing lice checks for classes. Reach out to Shelley (shelley@bns146.org).
DEI: We are busy planning for our annual Better Together Event to be held on February 1. Help plan the event or volunteer your time at the event! Reach out to Randa (randadean@gmail.com) or Cherelle (cherrellem.evans@gmail.com).

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS 📅

Every Tuesday: Open Library 📚
Tue 11/12: BNS Admissions Open House (9am)
Wed 11/13: BNS Farmstand 🍆 (2 – 5 pm)
Fri 11/15: 4th Grade Family Meeting (8:20am)
Tue 11/19: SLT meeting (3:30 pm, room 401)
Wed 11/20: DEI meeting (7:30 pm, see Konstella for Zoom link)
Fri 11/22: 1st Grade Family Meeting (8:20am)
Fri 11/22: Chuck E Cheese Night 🧀 (5:30 pm)
Mon 11/25: Friends of BNS Fundraising Monthly Meeting (8:30 am)
Thu 11/28 & Fri 11/29: SCHOOL CLOSED, Thanksgiving
Tue 12/10: BNS Admissions Open House (9am)
Wed 12/11: Picture Day 📸
Fri 12/13: PTA Meeting (8:20am)

🔗 HELPFUL LINKS 🔗

Get four free COVID tests sent to you by mail

Fourth graders: Get a free pass to our national parks for a year!

See what’s on the menu at the cafeteria this week (note BNS serves the “high school hot lunch” menu). Remember, FREE breakfast and lunch are available for all students!

Check out the DOE 2024-25 calendar

Date	Category	Description
Ongoing	Culture	Sign up for free passes to lots of museums with your library card through Culture Pass.
Ongoing	Culture	Brooklyn Botanic Garden - A portion of each day’s tickets are available free of charge to those who need them. Reserve tickets online, select "Community Tickets" and check out.
Ongoing	Culture	NY Aquarium - Admission is free after 3:00 pm on Wednesdays. You must make reservations. The Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00 pm for that Wednesday’s reservations.
Ongoing	Culture	Brooklyn Children's Museum - Admission is free every Thursday from 2 pm–5 pm. Tickets can be reserved in advance online, as well as at BCM on the day-of.
Ongoing	Nature	Introduction to Birdwatching Outings - Every Saturday, join Prospect Park Alliance and a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club for an introductory birding walk. All levels welcome. Meet at Prospect Park Audubon Center. No registration required. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring binoculars if you have them. Route covers 1.5-2 miles. More info
Saturdays ongoing	Arts	Brooklyn Public Library - Maker Girls - 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, East Flatbush Library, Large Conference Room. Maker Girls builds creativity and community using art learning and imaginative play.

PTA Newsletter No. 2 - 11/10/2024