May 24, 2012

Dear Families:

When we think of Wonderland, we think imagination, amazement, a delightful fantasy escape - and on Friday night, that's exactly what we experienced in our gym. Hope you were there too, to dance among the person-size flowers, eat the delicious food, and sip the lovely beverages. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with people in our community and experience the power of imagination, dedication and hard work. The money raised (over $50,000) will go to school programs for both BCS and BNS.

Thanks to all who volunteered and to everyone that donated. We can't wait for next year!

from Alyce:
Hello BCS Staff and Families and 610 Henry Street Community,

Today I announced to the staff that our Middle School Director/AP, Wanda Barbot, has accepted a position, effective July 1, as Special Education Instructional Coach.

Wanda Barbot joined the BCS team in 2005 as our Assistant Principal. Wanda and I already had a long work history; she was my colleague when we both taught at the Brooklyn New School. I learned then that Wanda was a passionate teacher who demanded a great deal of herself and her students. Her classroom was a hub of activity and kids took great pride in their accomplishments. Wanda was well organized and knew how to get every detail right to accomplish a task, one of those people who could take a big idea and work backward to make a plan. She brought all this to her work as BCS Assistant Principal.

At BCS Wanda has accomplished so much. She led the development of our inclusion program, first known as CTT and now as ICT. She brought order and logic to our tangled special education records, making sure all of us knew what accommodations and modifications students needed. Wanda organized testing for all grades, supervised Special Education teachers and paras, and led the Spanish and Arts departments in mapping curriculum. She coordinated our MS admissions process, welcoming hundreds of families to screenings and orientations, and got to know our middle school students well, spending day after day in conversations with them in classrooms,hallways and the cafeteria. Wanda made use of her advanced degree in the teaching of reading, and presented model lessons in all MS grades. This year, when Mary Downing became too ill to teach, Wanda stepped in to teach all of the Grade 7 ELA classes, until we could find a replacement for Mary. A fluent Spanish speaker, who grew up as a bilingual child, Wanda was a strong role model for students and families; she offered them her own experience and provided on-the-spot translation that gave parents greater access to our school.

In the time I have worked with her, Wanda has inspired me, challenged me,and offered me an important counterpoint to expand my thinking. As Wanda moves on to share her passion and talents with our Network Team, I wish her well and know we will be in good hands for special education support from our Network.

Thank you Wanda, for your dedication to BCS for all these years. We will miss you dearly and wish you all the best.

from Anna:
Once upon a time, Wanda Barbot was a first and second grade teacher at BNS. She was always a passionate educator with clear ideas about what was best for her students. I remember many moments, but the one that stands out most was 2003 when her class and Maria’s created visions for the space left blank on 9.11. What incredible ideas and what a moment of hope in a time of sadness. I thank Wanda for that and welcome her to CFN 102 where she will be an instructional coach.