BSI Newsletter

Issue # 29

Week of April 15, 2024 - April 19, 2024 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & UPDATES

Dear Families,

_____________________________________

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 establishing our BSI Middle School Basketball team, with a potential scrimmage game this June.

We are taking steps towards reestablishing our schools Volleyball team so stay tuned! Volleyball will be offered EVERY FRIDAY MORNING FROM 7:30-8:20 AM from Friday April 12th through the end of the school year.

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

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

If you have any questions please contact Coach Shea: BShea@BSI686.org

_____________________________________

Class of 2024 Pictures Through the Years & Congratulatory Ads

8th Grade Families,

_____________________________________

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!

_____________________________________

Family Morning

BSI Family Hour will take place on Thursday May 23rd, 2024. Families will congregate in the auditorium at 8:15 and will proceed to the classrooms at 8:30am.

_____________________________________

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. 

_____________________________________

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.

_____________________________________

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.

_____________________________________

The BEAM Center of Brooklyn FREE workshop is this SUNDAY, April 14th from 12 pm - 3 pm!

@ 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT!

We've had such a huge response to this event that the PTO NEEDS help from parents and guardians to make this a success. 

We need adults to assist the BEAM team at each station to help our kids make some really cool stuff!

Please help out at the activity tables alongside the BEAM staff making disco balls, stop-motion animation projects and stained glass creations while your kids work on the same and enjoy the experience with them! Drop us an email at execbd@bsipto.org.

OR...

Want to help out at a PTO table?  The PTO will be selling snacks, popcorn, drinks, merchandise, raffle tickets for some awesome BEAM donations and more! You can sign up to volunteer for those stations by going here!

 

It's already time to look ahead to find next year's PTO Board!   

Elections for next year's board will be held at our May PTO meeting on Thurs. May 16!

You can nominate yourself by filling out this nomination form. Grab a fellow BSI parent and nominate yourselves as a team!

Wanna know more about the board position details? Click HERE or email the Executive Board at execbd@bsipto.org.

The PTO's Nominating Committee could use some additional parents to help coordinate the upcoming PTO Board elections. Please reach out to execbd@bsipto.org with questions or to express your interest. 

Upcoming Meetings 

• CEC District 20 Meeting - Wednesday, April 17th at 6:00pm (Hybrid) 
  In-person: PS/IS 30, 7002 4th Avenue, Brooklyn NY
  Virtual: Register for the virtual meeting by using this link: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqf-2uqTosGNAZlOBFRn16odiRMa9pKPED
  Topics: Public speaking session, Presentation from the Office of Language Access, Report from District Superintendent, Council President Announcements, and Approval of Minutes
  Speaker sign-up sheet: April 2024 Speaker Sign-up Sheet (google.com)

• Citywide PEP Meeting - Wednesday, April 17th, at 6:00pm 
  Location: John Jay Educational Campus, 237 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

• PTO General Meeting - Thursday, April 18 @ 7pm on Zoom
  Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89033323178?pwd=ZEE0b205Z3FXT0xFRzlkSGJacGNWZz09

Stomping Ground Pictures 

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

_____________________________________

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.

_____________________________________

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  

_____________________________________

 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.  

_____________________________________

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  

_____________________________________

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)  

_____________________________________

BSI FAQ Directory here. 

_____________________________________

REMINDERS: Save the Date

_____________________________________

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.

_____________________________________

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

_____________________________________

5 Facts About Arab American Heritage Month

1. Nearly 4 million Americans can trace their heritage to an Arab country. 
2. Arab immigration to the U.S. began in the 1880s, primarily from the Ottoman Empire (Migration Policy Institute). 
3. The first official push for national recognition of Arab American Heritage Month began in 2017 by members of Arab American Foundation. 
4. Michigan, Illinois, California, and New York have the largest Arab American populations in the country.
5. The majority of Arab Americans are native-born, and nearly 82% of Arabs in the U.S. are citizens, according to the Arab American Institute. 

Check out the NY Arab Festival going on all month. New York City’s first Arab and Arab American art and culture festival, celebrating the song, dance, fashion, performance, ideas, and cuisine that have made Arab heritage part of American heritage. Link to their schedule here.

_____________________________________

Autism Acceptance Month

As we embrace the vibrant month of April, let’s also honor Autism Acceptance Month. This is a time to celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum. 

Throughout April, we come together as a community to:

Raise Awareness: Educate ourselves and others about autism, dispelling myths and fostering understanding.
Promote Acceptance: Embrace neurodiversity and recognize that every individual has value and contributes to our world in their own remarkable way.
Celebrate Differences: Appreciate the diverse abilities and talents that make our community richer and more colorful.
At BSI, we stand united in our commitment to inclusivity and compassion. Let’s continue to learn, grow, and create a world where everyone feels accepted and valued.

_____________________________________

Earth Day is Everyday

Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our planet and take action to protect it.

Here are some ways you can celebrate Earth Day:

Plant a Tree: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. By planting a tree, you’re helping to combat climate change and improve air quality.
Clean Up Your Local Area: Organize or participate in a cleanup of your local park, beach, or neighborhood. This not only helps to beautify your community, but also protects local wildlife.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Make an effort to reduce your waste, reuse items when possible, and recycle what you can. This could involve bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, composting food scraps, or recycling paper, plastic, and glass products.
Conserve Water and Energy: Be mindful of your water and energy usage. This could involve taking shorter showers, turning off lights when you leave a room, or investing in energy-efficient appliances.
Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about environmental issues and share this knowledge with others. This could involve reading a book about climate change, watching a documentary about conservation, or attending a local environmental event.
Support Environmental Organizations: Consider donating to or volunteering with an organization that works to protect the environment. This could be a local, national, or international group.
Remember, every little bit helps! Even small actions can have a big impact when we all work together. Happy Earth Day!🌎🌿🌍

 _____________________________________

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/

_____________________________________

Caring Corner

Practicing Kindness and Awareness: Autism Edition

Link to original article here.

Jennifer Carlson, PhD, Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, offers mindful behaviors we can all practice to better support the autism community.

The approaches outlined here are universal and can be applied to all types of relationships, but they serve as a particularly important learning opportunity and discussion topic for adults and kids alike when it comes to autism. “It comes down to simply being a good neighbor,” Dr. Carlson says.

Building trust
Rightfully so, people within the autism community have their own thoughts and feelings about how they want to be addressed. Some prefer “autistic individual,” while others are more comfortable with “individual with autism.” The best and most appropriate thing we can do is to let the person we’re engaging with lead and tell us, whether explicitly or by example, how they identify with this language and how we can mirror that.

We never want to assume what someone wants to be called, and instead by following their lead, we’re able to build trust in that relationship and eliminate guessing. The same can be said about any new person we meet, neurotypical or otherwise.

Communication
Communication styles and preferences are unique to each person and it’s important to recognize that this holds true within the autism community. Every interaction shouldn’t be expected to look the same, and rather than assuming someone doesn’t know what we mean or is unable to respond, consider that vocal speech may not be how they feel most comfortable communicating. This doesn’t mean conversation isn’t possible with autistic individuals, just that we should pay closer attention to their strengths and abilities and meet them there. Inquiring about how someone communicates vs. asking if they are verbal or non-verbal gives us a chance to do that.

Another way we can promote strong communication with our friends and children in the autism community is to be more proactive in setting them up for success when it’s applicable. Social situations can be challenging and confusing for some people, so rather than waiting for them to misinterpret other’s unspoken intentions in conversation, kindly offer them the tools they might need to feel or act more comfortable in that setting. For example, using figures of speech or sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted. It can be helpful to remember to say what you mean and mean what you say. And if you’re unsure of how to be helpful, just ask!

Real-time reactions
People with autism can be highly sensitive and reactive to jarring sensory stimuli (noises, lights, or smells), crowded spaces, changes in their routine, social situations, among other scenarios. Sometimes reactions to these triggers escalate in public, and onlookers aren’t sure how to respond. The best thing we can do during a public meltdown is to refrain from judgement and criticism (of the individual and their parent/caregiver), remain calm and offer support, whether physical or emotional.

We rarely have enough background to form opinions or make sweeping generalizations on a situation while it’s happening. If we stop to recognize that meltdowns are always preceded by a highly distressing situation unique to the individual, we’re more likely to handle it with care and understanding above anything else.

Resources

• 14 Books Featuring Autistic Characters, Harper Collins Publishers
• Autism Acceptance Month: Tips for Supporting Adults on the Autism Spectrum, Indiana Resource Center for Autism
• Students on the Spectrum Club Participants Share Personal Perspectives on Autism
• Awareness and Acceptance, Indiana Resource Center for Autism
• A Message to Novices and Strangers to ASD: Look for Behavioral Communication, Indiana Resource Center for Autism

About Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association that health care providers use to diagnose mental disorders, people with ASD often have:

• Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
• Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life

Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.

People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and daily functioning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children receive screening for autism. Caregivers should talk to their child’s health care provider about ASD screening or evaluation.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health