LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP
Dear BNS,
I start today’s letter to share memories, gratitude, and condolences as our community mourns the loss of Lorraine Watson, who worked with love and dedication for 19 years in the school kitchen at 610 Henry Street, preparing breakfast and lunch daily for our children and sometimes staff, too. Earlier in March, Lorraine passed away with her family by her side. She went home on a Friday afternoon, not feeling well, and sadly, did not come back to us after the weekend. Lorraine is remembered so fondly for her warmth, her commitment to making some of the most delicious salads to be served at a school cafeteria salad bar, and her kindness. … (continue reading)
LOOKING FORWARD
4TH GRADE STEWARDSHIP SHARE
Monday, March 23
8:30am - 9:30am
Join us to explore our 4th graders’ incredible stewardship projects!
Students have been researching ways to take care of our Earth and are excited to share their ideas, plans, and creations with you.
We would like to invite families to see their hard work in action.
Please scan the QR code on the attached PDF or visit https://forms.gle/1VsJiMqWjNcz95xQ7 to sign-in before arriving at school. Then present the confirmation message (email or screen capture) to get a visitor’s sticker before entering the building. Thank you for your cooperation. Doing this in advance speeds up the sign-in process, so everyone can get into the building in a timely manner.
(See attached flyers.)
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING (SLT)
Tuesday, March 24
3:15pm - 4:45pm
Library
ADVOCACY ALERT FROM
PARENTS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Please join us at an upcoming Conversations with Chancellor Kamar Samuels in multiple boroughs
Tuesday, March 24, 6:30–8:00 PM
John Dewey High School, 2471 Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223
Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 PM
Roosevelt Educational Campus, 500 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458
Saturday, April 25, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 PM
Curtis High School, 105 Hamilton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301
Register in advance & please bring up busing!
Visit https://www.pistnyc.org/ or email pistnyc@gmail.com for more information.
BAKE SALE
Wednesday, March 25
2:15-4:30pm
Corner of Rapelye and Henry
We were on a bit of a winter hiatus, but 🌸🌼🌱SPRING🌸🌼🌱 starts this week and we are back to BAKE SALES 🍪🥨🧁!
March 25th's Bake Sale is sponsored by the 4th Grade!!!!
Sign up to volunteer or donate here.
As always, sweet and savory, homemade or store-bought are welcome! Bus kids and after school kids are welcome too!
We missed you!
PROJECT BASED LEARNING
DISTRICT 15 COMMUNITY EVENT
Wednesday, March 25
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Location: MS 51, 350 5TH AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11215
Join BNS and a group of District 15 schools to learn more about how Project Based Learning schools make learning connected, authentic, and meaningful for our students!
(See attached flyers.)
FAMILY CHORUS
Wednesday, March 25
4:45pm - 5:30pm
Room 201
Adults and children are welcome to join us and sing!
Led by Ali Dineen.
D15 STRONGER TOGETHER:
FAMILY VOICES & PARTNERSHIPS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Thursday, March 26
8:45 - 10:45 am
4222 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
District 15 invites families to join us for an in-person Special Education Workshop and Resource Fair designed to inform, empower, and connect our community.
The morning will include:
An informational session led by IncludeNYC on understanding the IEP process and family rights
A Resource Fair where families can connect directly with District 15 special education leaders
Together, we can ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.
Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic.
THIRD GRADE FAMILY MEETING
Friday, March 27
8:20am - 9:40am
Health Studio, Room 124
Third Grade Families are invited to join Diane to hear about all that is happening in Third grade.
Bring your wonders!
FOOD COMMITTEE MEETING
Friday, March 27
8:30am - 9:30am
Cafeteria & Zoom
Join us in bringing healthy food to our community!
Bake Sales, BNS Café, Farm Stand, Special Sales and Events and much more!!
This is our monthly PTA Food Committee meeting. You do not have to commit to all meetings to come! Bring your ideas!
FUNDRAISING MONTHLY MEETING
Friday, March 27
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Google Meet
Come learn where our school’s fundraising dollars go, help us plan events, build community, and brainstorm fun new ways to support BNS. All are welcome — no experience needed!
BNS GOES TO CHUCK E CHEESE
Friday, March 27
4:00-9:00pm
Chuck E. Cheese, 139 Flatbush Avenue, Floor 3, Brooklyn, NY
SUMMER RISING 2026
NYCPS is partnering with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to offer Summer Rising in 2026. Summer Rising connects elementary and middle school students to fun, hands-on experiences that strengthen their academic, social, and emotional skills. Summer Rising is free, and open to any NYC student currently in kindergarten through grade 8.
More information regarding programming dates and hours is available at schools.nyc.gov/SummerRising.
Applications are now live in MySchools
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FRIDAY, MARCH 27: APPLICATION CLOSES
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April 21: Results released
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May 5: Deadline to accept an offer if you receive one
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July 1: Summer Rising starts
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July 3: Observed holiday - No Summer Programming on this day
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August 7: Summer Rising ends for grades 6-8
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August 14: Summer Rising ends for grades K-5
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Summer Rising runs Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM
Visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer-rising for more information.
FILL OUT YOUR 2026 NYC SCHOOL SURVEY
Your NYC Schools Survey was sent home in backpack mail some time ago.
For your convenience, you can take the survey online via computer or mobile device at NYCSchoolSurvey.org in any of the nine NYCPS-supported languages, using your survey access code, which is also printed on the paper survey.
The family access code is lowercase “f” followed by your child’s nine-digit Student Identification (OSIS) Number.
The deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Please provide honest feedback and remember that you may skip any question you do not wish to answer — and mail it back ASAP.
OUR GOAL IS 100% RESPONSE RATE FROM FAMILES AND STAFF.
ORDER YOUR PHOTOS NOW
SCHOOL PICTURES DEADLINE EXTENSION
Wednesday April 8
Why are there so many deadlines? Stomping Ground donates a portion of the proceeds back to the school. The above deadline is for us to reach the 50% mark which changes the donation from 10% to 15%.
SAVE THE DATE
BNS ANNUAL AUTHOR EVENT!
Tuesday, April 21
Cafe opens at 5:00 and the event takes place from 5:30-7:30 pm in the auditorium
Mark your calendars for a free event with authors Torrey Maldonado and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovitch.
(See attached flyers.)
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY
SPRING FLING AND SILENT AUCTION!
Get your tickets today for our annual grownups only night of fun and fundraising.
DOE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/messages-for-families to read the latest NYCPS newsletter What's Happening in NYC Public Schools.
SAVE THE DATE
OML ANNUAL FAMILY CONFERENCE
– CELEBRATING MULTILINGUAL FAMILIES
Wednesday, April 22
10:00am to Noon
Fordham University
The Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) will host its annual Family Conference. This event is a joyful opportunity to celebrate multilingualism and culture while connecting families to valuable school- and community-based resources.
The conference will include engaging workshops, community resource tables, cultural celebrations, and family-friendly activities. There will be food, fun, and meaningful opportunities for families to build connections and access information that supports their children’s success.
(See attached flyers.)