SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Parents and Guardians, As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, we want to ensure a smooth dismissal process for our students. The eclipse will occur during our regular elementary school dismissal time, and we appreciate your cooperation in making this day safe and organized.
If you wish to make any changes to your child’s dismissal routine on the day of the eclipse, please submit your preferences as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Let’s make this educational event memorable and safe for our students!

     **Kind Reminder - No school on Wednesday April 10, 2024**

And now back to our regularly scheduled program....

BSI Newsletter

Issue # 28

Week of April 8, 2024 - April 12, 2024 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & UPDATES

Dear Families,

🌼 April Blossoms at BSI 🌼

Discover captivating stories, stay informed, and find inspiration this month. Let’s embrace April’s bloom together!

What’s Inside:

School News: Stay informed with BSI’s latest news and announcements.

• We are one step closer to the BSI Basketball Team!
• 8^th grade yearbook is in the planning stages. Graduation 2024 is around the corner!
• Next Family Morning is coming soon.
• The Center of Architecture program continues for 2^nd graders.
• Glimpse our school hallways featuring No Place for Hate posters and artwork by our students.

PTO News: Check out some FREE workshops! PTO needs your help with this year's Annual Gala.

• Reminders: Mark your calendars for important dates and upcoming activities including a Solar Eclipse viewing event!
• Arab American Heritage: Let’s delve into cultural richness by shining a spotlight on Arab American Heritage!
• Autism Awareness Month: Acceptance is not just a month-long effort—it’s a mindset we carry throughout the year.
• Earth Day 2024: We❤️ Planet Earth 🌍
• Caring Corner: Check out this week's special edition dedicated to our very own Ms. Moshura.

Whether you’re a parent, a classroom volunteer, or just enjoy reading with your child at home, your involvement makes a difference. Let’s embrace spring’s fresh energy and dive into this edition!

Happy reading!

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SCHOOL NEWS

SPORTS ANNOUNCEMENT AND CHANGES

CHAMPS Basketball will be offered AFTER SCHOOL every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 2:50 - 3:50 PM.  These will be more team based workouts and will be our first step in reestablishing our BSI Middle School Basketball team, with a potential scrimmage game this June.

Coach Shea will work with students who are involved in BSI Musical or afterschool tutoring.

Students will need to fill out a CHAMPS parental consent form before participating and be in good academic and character standing within BSI.

Volleyball will be offered EVERY FRIDAY MORNING FROM 7:30-8:20 AM from Friday April 12th through the end of the school year.

If you have any questions and for the form, please contact Coach Shea: BShea@BSI686.org

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Class of 2024 Pictures Through the Years & Congratulatory Ads

8th Grade Families,

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Graduation 2024 Announcement

We are thrilled to announce that BSI will be celebrating its 2024 Graduation Ceremony! 

Date: June 25, 2024

Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Claire Tow Theater, Brooklyn College

Mark your calendars and join us as we honor our talented graduates. Stay tuned for more details!  Congratulations to the BSI Class of 2024!

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Family Morning

BSI Family Hour will take place on Thursday May 23rd, 2024. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date.

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Bridging Knowledge and Creativity: A Journey with The Center for Architecture 

We’re thrilled to announce the continuance of the exciting 8-week program for our 2nd grade students!  This week, The Center for Architecture visits our classrooms to ignite young minds with the wonders of bridge building. 

What to Expect:

• Educational Workshops: The experts from The Center for Architecture are engaging our students in interactive sessions, teaching them about the science, engineering, and art behind bridges. From suspension bridges to arches, our little engineers will explore it all!
• Hands-On Building: Each child will have the chance to design and construct their very own mini bridge. They’ll learn firsthand about load bearing, stability, and creativity.
• Brooklyn Bridge Adventure: The grand finale awaits! After weeks of learning and building, our students will embark on a special journey—a walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. They’ll marvel at its majestic towers, feel the breeze from the East River, and appreciate the teamwork that makes bridges possible.

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Beam Center @ BSI

Beam Center works with our students on a project that is aligned with their social studies curriculum. Students are hands-on experiential learning and working together throughout this process to produce collaborative projects. Students create while learning skills in fabrication, prototyping, metalwork, physical computing, construction, and design. They use tools and craft to honor the individual voice, celebrate the joy of producing something larger than themselves, and inspire lasting sense of wonder and accomplishment.

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BSI's 6th Annual Talent Show

Talent show will be held on May 28-31. Families will attend Show #3 on Friday, May 31 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

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Panel for Education Policy Elections

It is that time of the year again!  The Panel for Educational Policy application is posted on the NYCPS website. Parents, we would love if you would apply for this very important position. 

About the Position…

The Panel for Educational Policy consists of 23 voting members.  Each borough president will appoint one member, 5 members are elected by CEC Presidents (one member from each borough), and 13 members appointed by the Mayor.  The parent representatives will serve a one-year term from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

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Mr. Havlik’s March PTO Meeting Presentation

March's presentation is packed with beautiful pictures of our students engaged in daily instruction and enrichment programming. March's presentation can be found here. The next PTO Executive Board Meeting will take place on Monday April 8th, 2024 at 7:00pm.

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Stomping Ground Pictures 

Pictures are available to view and purchase: https://iloveschoolpictures.com/bsi/5726  

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No Place for Hate

At Brooklyn School of Inquiry, our walls come alive with creativity. Led by Ms. Ferguson, the No Place for Hate campaign fills our hallways with colorful posters. These student-made artworks celebrate diversity, challenge biases, and promote empathy. As we walk past them, we absorb their messages—subtle yet powerful. The entire BSI community rallies around the No Place for Hate Pledge, ensuring our school is a haven of respect and acceptance. These posters aren’t just decorations; they embody our shared mission.

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NYCSA Parent Portal: Report Cards & Academic Screeners 

Families can view academic screener outcomes [iReady and Acadience (K-2)] in NYC School Accounts (NYCSA) in the new Reading and Math Progress tile.   Portal: https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc  

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 Teacher Emails / Contact Info 

An updated staff contact sheet: click here

• A reminder to email instead of sending a private msg to staff on Konstella.  Konstella is used to share class-wide updates and news. 
• If a student wishes to contact a teacher via email, she/he should email the teacher from their DOE account to the teacher’s DOE email address. 
• If a parent wishes to contact a teacher via email, she/he should contact the teacher at their DOE email address.  

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NYC Reads & HMH Resources: 

Teachhub - Into Reading 

• Students and families may use Teachhub to access Into Reading materials.  Teachhub is a portal to support students and teachers. The portal provides quick links to essential applications for remote learning, including: 
• iLearnNYC, the NYCDOE Learning Management System 
• Student report cards (available in the Student Documents icon) 
• Student grades (available in MyDashboard - if published from DOE Grades) 
• Multiple educational applications 
• G Suite, Microsoft O365, and Zoom (using secure central accounts) 
• And more! 

Here  is the link to Teachhub.  Students/families can sign in using DOE  student credentials.  Once you enter Teachhub, click on the Into Reading icon and then click on Discover. 

Video:Click here  

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Daily Dismissal Changes - If you need to make a change to your child’s dismissal on a given day, please complete the daily dismissal form: click here. (changes need to be made PRIOR to 1 pm)  

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BSI FAQ Directory here. 

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REMINDERS: Save the Date

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Solar Eclipse - Save the Date

Mark your calendars! On April 8th, we’re hosting an exciting Eclipse Viewing Event right after school. Here are the details:

Time: After school (exact dismissal time)
Location: Seth Low Park
Who’s Invited?: Parents, if possible, please join us at dismissal as children will not be accompanied by teachers to Seth Low Park. Students who leave on their own are also welcome (with parental consent).
Solar Glasses: We’ve ordered 250 pairs of Solar Glasses to share with everyone attending.
Let’s witness this celestial spectacle together! 

Remember to bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!

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😎NYC Public Schools Solar Eclipse Guidance 🦺

Don’t Just Look Up! … Take Precautions – and Drive Carefully

Be Sure To Take Proper Precautions When Viewing The Eclipse in New York City Next Monday Afternoon

April 3, 2024 — The Adams administration highlighted safety precautions ahead of the solar eclipse happening in New York City on April 8, during which 90 percent of the sun’s rays will be blocked by the moon. The administration reminded residents and visitors that they should avoid looking directly at the sun, wear protective eyewear, and use headlights if driving.

Whether in a park, on the street, or inside, looking at the sun without proper protection can cause an inability to see colors, loss of vision, or even permanent blindness.

Instead, follow the tips below to enjoy the upcoming eclipse and avoid causing eye damage.

• Use a handheld solar viewer or eclipse viewing glasses -- not everyday sunglasses, no matter how dark they are. Glasses should meet ISO 12312-2 international safety standards;
  • The American Astronomical Society warns that some eclipse glasses and other solar viewers are labeled as ISO-compliant when in fact they have not been properly tested and shown to be safe. The Society provides a list of selected suppliers of solar viewers and filters that are safe when used properly
  • Glasses are available at the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and New York Public Library while supplies last. It is recommended to call in advance to ensure supplies are available.
  • Do not use eclipse glasses if they are more than three years old, if the lenses are scratched, punctured, torn, or if the lenses are wrinkled.
• Do not use cameras, telescopes, or binoculars to view the eclipse without a special solar filter secured over the front. Do not look at the sun through an optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer.
• If driving next Monday afternoon, motorists should use headlights, especially during the hours nearest 3:25pm, the time of the peak partial eclipse in New York City, when the sun will be 89.6% occluded.
• If driving, walking, or cycling during the eclipse, slow down and watch for other people on the road. Distracted driving — from any distraction — is dangerous and drivers’ vision drops during dusk and darkness.

NYC Parks' Urban Park Rangers will be hosting eclipse viewing events in all five boroughs. At these free events, participants can borrow a pair of safety viewing glasses or take a look through our solar lens telescope for a memorable viewing experience.

The next total full solar eclipse visible in New York City will be on May 1, 2079.

For more information, see the American Astronomical Society's How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely.

Additional resources are also available at the I LOVE NY eclipse website.

This safety notice is also available in the following languages:

Arabic

Bengali

Chinese

French

Hatian Creole

Korean

Russian

Spanish

Urdu

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New York City Public Schools Multilingual and Immigrant Family Conference

New York City Public Schools invites you to the Multilingual and Immigrant Family Conference, designed to celebrate multilingualism, multiculturalism, and the inherent power and brilliance of our diverse communities. This conference will offer workshops on the importance of bilingual education, supports for families of Multilingual Learners/English Language Learners (MLs/ELLs), overview of programs designed for MLs/ELLs, and more. There will also be amazing guest speakers, and opportunities to meet other multilingual and immigrant families across NYC.

Date of Event: Wednesday, April 17th, 2024
Time of Event: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Intrepid Museum
Please register to confirm your attendance for Wednesday, April 17th, 2024. Parents may register up to 2 attendees, in addition to themselves. We will continue to accept registration until we reach capacity. Register here.

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2024 Outdoors for Autism with INCLUDEnyc

You bring a blanket, we’ll bring the fun!

Join us, as well as some of our amazing partners —including Special Olympics New York, United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern, KEEN New York, Music for Autism, The Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society, and Extreme Kids and Crew— for an afternoon of fun, entertainment, and connection.

Activities include:

Arts, Sports, Sensory Parachute, Bubbles, Acoustic Music, Performance, Yoga, Cornhole, Sprinklers, Playground, Blocks, Quiet Activity Area and more!

This event will focus on young people with autism, age 0 – 18, and their families, but all are welcome!

This free event is made possible by the New York City Council Autism Initiative.

When: Sunday June 2, 2024 | 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park- E 164th St &, River Ave, The Bronx, NY 10452
Languages: English, Spanish

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Arab American Heritage Month

Ways To Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month

April is Arab American Heritage Month!

Officially recognized by President Biden in April 2021, Arab Heritage Month is an annual, month-long celebration of the diversity and richness of Arab American identity, culture, and experience.

Regardless of the relatively recent recognition, Arab Americans have contributed to, shaped (and reshaped) American society across literature, food, music, and culture. Critically, Arab Americans have transformed America by continuously exploring (and creating space for) the complexity of their multiple identities.

Read books by Arab Americans. 

Arab American authors have shaped global literature across genres. Engage with their work and learn more about the beauty, diversity, and complexity of their perspectives and lived experiences. 

Here are a few recommendations:

Bonus: Learn about the Mahjar, a literary movement started in the early 20th century by some of the first Arab Americans.

Explore and engage with Arab American history, art, and culture.

Learn about the history of Arab Americans by exploring the galleries of the Arab American National Museum, and browsing the catalog of the Barjeel Art Foundation. 

Explore the work of Arab American artists: 

Watch a documentary on Arab American history. 

The depth and breadth of the Arab American experience can be explored through multiple lenses. Documentaries can be a powerful way to get started: 

• Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History (PBS)
• American Arab (PBS) 
• Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (Kanopy) 
• A Thousand And One Journeys: The Arab Americans

Take Action

Advocate for the inclusion of the MENA category in the US Census. 

The 3.7 million Arab Americans are still federally classified as "white" by the U.S. Census. This contributes to the undercounting and underrepresentation of Arab Americans and leads to a disproportionate allocation of resources across communities. 

Read this article to learn more about the push to add the Middle East or North African (MENA) category to the U.S. Census.‍

Support Arab American-owned businesses. 

Buy from Arab American-owned restaurants, bookstores, grocery stores, and e-commerce businesses. These ventures and their Arab American founders create beautiful, high-quality products with social impact at the forefront. 

Celebrate

Explore the work of Arab American musicians. 

Arab American musicians have a long history of revolutionizing genres across hip-hop, R&B, rock, and much more. These artists honor their heritage and their intersecting identities by creating powerful work, on their own terms. Add some of these artists to your next playlist:

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Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time when we come together to raise awareness, promote understanding, and celebrate the unique contributions of individuals on the autism spectrum. The theme for this year’s observance is “Celebrate Differences”, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing the diverse strengths and perspectives of Autistic individuals. Throughout April, we aim to foster inclusivity, connectedness, and acceptance within our school community.

Why Autism Acceptance Matters
Autism is a neurological condition that affects communication, behavior, and sensory processing. By promoting acceptance, we create an environment where everyone, regardless of their neurodiversity, feels valued and understood. It’s about celebrating the remarkable qualities that make each person on the spectrum inimitable and irreplaceable.

Our Commitment
As a school, we are committed to promoting awareness and understanding of autism. We encourage open conversations, dispelling myths, and providing resources to support our students, families, and educators. Together, we can build a more compassionate and inclusive community.

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Earth Day is Everyday

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, is a global event that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness about the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations.

First established in 1970, Earth Day has evolved into the largest civic event on our planet, mobilizing over 1 billion people across 192 countries. It’s not just a single day; it’s a movement. EARTHDAY.ORG, the organization behind Earth Day, works tirelessly to safeguard our planet by advocating for climate education, promoting cleanups, planting trees, and fighting against plastic pollution. Their theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics,” urging us to create a plastic-free world for generations to come.

Join this global effort and be part of the ongoing mission to protect our shared home!🌎🌿🌍 ___________________________________________________________

NYC DOE MESSAGES FOR FAMILIES 

• Messages for Families Page Click Here 
• Introducing the NYC School Bus App! This app allows families to track their child’s school bus as it travels to and from school. Click here for more details.
• NYC DOE 2023–2024 School Year Calendar Click Here 
• Remember to check the calendar for details: https://bsi686.org/calendar/

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Caring Corner Special Edition:  

Celebrating Our Assistant Principal, Ms. Moshura, During Assistant Principals Week!

Assistant Principals Week, observed from April 1 to April 5, 2024, is a celebration of the unsung heroes in our education system. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to bolster teachers, motivate students, support their principals, create a positive learning community, and face the many unpredictable challenges that land on their desks.

It is our privilege to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of our esteemed Assistant Principal, Ms. Moshura. Her unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on our school community.

Ms. Moshura is the embodiment of caring, always going above and beyond to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Her compassion radiates through every interaction, making our school a warm and nurturing place for all.

Ms. Moshura, with her boundless enthusiasm and commitment, plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational experience at Brooklyn School of Inquiry. 

Let’s take a moment to express our gratitude for Ms. Moshura’s unwavering commitment to our school. Thank you for making a difference every day!