No. 11 | November 21, 2021
Dear BNS Families,
There is a chill in the air, but this amazing fall weather just keeps on coming, as we head into Thanksgiving week. It’s been a hectic, and at times, stressful first few months back at school, so we hope you all manage to have a restful few days with family and friends. A quick note: There will be no newsletter published next week. Enjoy the time away, connecting with friends, family and community alike.
NYC Health & Hospitals’ free, pop-up Covid Vaccination Clinic for children ages 5-11 is on Tuesday, Nov 23 from 7:30 am-4:15 pm. There are plenty of doses and children do NOT need to be enrolled at BNS or BCS to get vaccinated at this clinic. A parent/guardian must be present and/or give consent. The vaccine van will be parked on Coles Street & Henry Street. Please do not enter the school. First come, first served. No appointments necessary. We need 6 volunteers to help manage the clinic. Please let Amy Sumner know if you can help out.
Reminder: Vaccines Support Public Health and BNS
Did you know that the BNS PTA is eligible to receive up to $20,000 in much needed funds if you list “The Brooklyn New School PS 146” as the referring agency for your child’s vaccine appointment (at a city-run site)? Here’s how it works:
Schedule an appointment at a city-run vaccination site or school pop-up site (check https://
Please click on the link below so we can track the number of referrals (no names are required).
The Farm Stand at BNS Orders are due Tuesday, November 23; Volunteers Needed!
Pick up is Wednesday, December 1st, 2:00-3:00PM
The BNS Food Committee aims to offer access to seasonal and local produce to all BNS families.
Each order receives 5–8 types of produce per bundle offered on a sliding scale (see below). Fresh eggs and local honey are available for purchase as well (at wholesale prices). Please note – orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 23rd via Konstella, and picked up on Wednesday, December 1st, between 2:00 and 3:00 PM.
At December’s Farm Stand, there will be a BNS merchandise table selling tote bags, winter gear and more! Don’t hesitate to reach out to foodcommittee@bns146.org with any questions or if you’re up for volunteering .
Place your order here (Konstella users) and indicate how much you are paying for produce
Place your order here (non-Konstella users)
The Farm Stand at BNS is a partnership between the BNS School Food Committee, BNS Green Committee & GrowNYC. Contact foodcommittee@bns146.org with questions.
ART NEEDS: Egg Cartons and Plastic Soup Containers
A number of kindergarten classes need clear plastic egg cartons and quart sized soup and yogurt containers for painting activities . Please bring the materials to Doug’s kindergarten classroom 203.
Calling all Writers and Editors! Help Write the BNS Newsletter
We are looking for another person to join our newsletter team to help produce the newsletter every other week. It is a collaborative and engaging way to volunteer and support the BNS community. If you’re interested, email. Nicole C.
Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser Still Needs Volunteers!
The Pie Sale needs folks to help out on Tuesday, November 23. Visit the Konstella site for more information about how to help or to sign up,
For Fall After School Workshops the Last Day is Tuesday, November 23
The last day for fall after school workshops is Tuesday, November 23. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if your dismissal plans are changing.
BNS/BCS Parent Action Committee Meeting Wed. 12/1 at 7 p.m.
Interested in learning more about standardized testing and other social justice issues? Consider joining the BNS/BCS Parent Action Committee. The Committee brings parents together to promote progressive public education for all students at 610 Henry Street and increase understanding of the links between education policy and social justice. The PAC will have its first meeting this year on Wednesday, December 1st at 7 p.m. Please mark your calendar and watch out for a reminder and Zoom link after the Thanksgiving break.
BNS Virtual Open Houses Continue; Share the News
BNS New Families Partnership is Still Open
BNS’s New Families Partnership, which connects new-to-BNS parents to experienced BNS parent “buddies,” is still accepting families. If you’re new to BNS and want to be matched, or if you’re a returning parent and you’re willing to be a resource to a new community member, go to tinyurl.com/BNSnewfamilies to fill out the short form and we’ll match you up! (Spanish-speaking returning buddies are available to new families who would prefer to communicate in Spanish.)
Health & Safety Information
DAILY HEALTH SCREENER
Please fill out NYC DOE Health Screening ahead of time every day. If you need a printout of the paper screener, please ask your child’s teacher.
WEEKLY COVID TESTING
The DOE now conducts random COVID-19 testing for students in grades 1–12 every week. Only students whose families have provided an updated testing consent form can be tested. You are strongly encouraged to provide this consent for your child. Go to your child’s NYCSA at http://mystudent.nyc/ to give consent for random COVID testing in school. If you gave testing consent last year, you will need to submit again for this school year. You can also fill out a paper consent form—email it to Janine at janine@bns146.org or return it to school in your child’s backpack.
UPDATED QUARANTINE POLICY
The DOE will no longer automatically close an entire classroom when there is a positive case in the classroom. Unvaccinated students who are masked and at least three feet distanced from a student who tests positive are not considered close contacts under CDC guidelines and will not have to quarantine. Any individual who is determined to be a close contact will have to quarantine.
☑️ Reminders
LEADERSHIP’S WEEKLY LETTER TO THE BNS COMMUNITY
Read Diane and Malika’s weekly letter
SCHOOL FOOD MENUS
Check what’s on the menu in November
Looking Ahead
Bookmark the 2021–2022 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
November 23: Farm Stand orders due; last day of Fall Afterschool Workshops
November 25-26: Thanksgiving observed, no school
November 29: First day of winter Workshops
December 1: Farm Stand order pick up
December 2: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Meeting
December 7: SLT Meeting
BNS PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 2021–2022
Co-Presidents:
Co-Treasurers:
Co-Recording Secretaries:
DEI Co-Chairs:
Fundraising Chair:
Correspondence Secretary:
Communications Chair:
Web Editors:
Social Media Manager:
Food Sales Chair:
Class Parent Coordinator:
Members at Large:
Contact the 2021–2022 BNS PTA at pta2021@bns146.org
Click on “Support a Fundraiser” and select “Brooklyn New School”
Search “FRIENDS OF THE BKLYN NEW SCHOOL- BKLYN SCHOOL FOR COLLAB STUDIES” under Charity.
