BUGS Family Newsletter, October 7th

October 7, 2022

Dear BUGS  Families, 


Thank you for joining us for our first in-person Curriculum Night in three years. We are glad to have had this opportunity for you to meet our teachers and school leaders, have meaningful conversations about the curriculum, and gain more insights into what to expect this school year. Please also complete this feedback form to help us improve our practices and plan better for future events and community support:


If you missed Curriculum Night, or would like to review the class syllabi, visit the BUGS Curriculum Night 2022 page on our website. Please also take a look at our Family Guide to Standards-Based Grading.


Topics covered in this newsletter include:

The BUGS Family Newsletters are posted on the BUGS Website and can be found here:

Make sure to read the Family Newsletter in its entirety.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kevin.penaloza@bugsbrooklyn.org.

Best, 

Kevin Penaloza 

Family & Operations Coordinator

Attendance Policy & Notification 

The Attendance Team asks families to use the following email address, attendance@bugsbrooklyn.org, for any attendance related information, including notification of absences, early dismissal, and any documentation needed for absences. Please visit our School Attendance Page to review more information about BUGS attendance policies and FAQ.

 

BUGS Conversation Over DinnerWorkshop

Ms. Anali and Ms. Monal are excited to host families for Conversations Over Dinner on Thursday, October 20, 2022. This workshop covers ways to have open conversations with your child. Parents/guardians and students will participate in ice breakers, answer prompts, and enjoy pizza and refreshments! Seating for this event is limited! Look out for an email with details about signing up. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

BUGS High School Workshop (8th Grade Families ONLY)

​​Join BUGS School Counselor, Ms. Anali, for the 8th Grade High School Family Workshop on October 19, 6:00- 6:45pm. This workshop is similar to the workshop held in June. We will review how to research, discuss admission methods/priorities, and MySchools. However, the agenda is subject to change as updates become available from the DOE. This will be a virtual meeting and the Google Meet link can be found in the BUGS Family Calendar on the school website. This meeting will be recorded and posted on the BUGS website. 

 

BUGS Picture Day

We are very excited for our upcoming Picture Day, happening November 2nd. Below you will find details on what to expect:

  • Who: All students and staff members. Students will travel by Cohort and teachers to get their individual and class photo taken.

  • When: Wednesday, November 2nd (from 8:30am-2:45pm)

    •  Retake Picture Day will happen on December 14th. * Details will come at a later date.

    • There will be a separate day for 8th Grade Cap & Gown Photos. These photos will be taken on December 14th. * Further details will come at a later date.

  • Where: Auditorium

  • Dresscode: Students are encouraged to come dressed as their best selves! This is one of the few days where students can come in attire of choice or in BUGS uniform. Students are still expected to adhere to the BUGS dress code (details on our dress code can be found here).

  • Cost: When it's time to order Picture Day portraits of your child, students will be sent home with “proof sheets” 3 to 4 weeks after picture day that will have personalized info needed to view and order photos. All ordering is completed online through Irvin Simon’s website and the cost will be provided for you there.

 

Please be on the lookout for another email regarding picture day and retake day. As always, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Ms. Jasmine, at Jasmine.holloway@bugsbrooklyn.org.

 

Missing Documents 

All families should have received a packet sent home on September 20 indicating whether or not we are missing needed items for your student (documents, meal form, fee, etc.). Please upload or send in any missing items as soon as possible! If you do not know what you are missing, please reach out to aqilah.richardson@bugsbrooklyn.org or call the Main Office. 

6th grade parents: If your child is about to turn 11 (or has turned 11 recently), they will need to get their TDAP shot as soon as possible. Please make sure your immunizations are up to date. 

 

 

BUGS Lost & Found 

Please have your students check the lost and found. We will be donating all items left in the lost and found at the end of the month. Lost and found items can be located near the boys bathroom at the end of the  6th grade hallways. 

 

BUGS PTA General Meeting & Updates

Don’t miss the virtual October BUGS PTA Meeting on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 pm.

This Tuesday's meeting is focused on middle schoolers and post-Covid Social Skills; Do social media, the internet, and video games help or hinder our kids who may be socially shy after the pandemic?

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83334454457?pwd=STJ3blMwVHhKMVI2MGZBZ05SYUNCdz09

Meeting ID: 833 3445 4457

Passcode: 669134

Join the PTA Facebook page to stay up-to-date on activities! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/435224245339197

 

The BUGS PTA is still collecting dues for the 2022-23 school year! Dues are $65 OR whatever families are comfortable donating. Families can pay through Zelle at bugspta@gmail.com or through Paypal to BUGSPTA

 

ACTION ITEM:  

BUGS Housing Questionnaire 

If you have recently changed your home address, please complete the BUGS Housing Questionnaire. This will ensure our records are up-to-date. Thank you!

 

ACTION ITEM:  

Complete the Family Income Inquiry Form 

Please complete the online Meal Form. Completion of the form is critical to our funding, and every family must complete the form each year, even if you don’t think you qualify for free or reduced price lunch, or your child doesn't eat school meals.  


External Resources & Community Info

FREE Laundry Day + lunch Oct 10

Clean Rite will be offering FREE laundry + meals from 11-3 PM at 314 McDonald Ave in Brooklyn.

 

There will be a DJ, children’s entertainment, and raffle giveaways every 20 minutes. To pre-register and be entered into the raffle, families can fill out their name and email using this form.

 

Also attached is a flier with the link and QR code.

 

From Council Member Shahana Hanif

District 39 is dedicating Participatory Budgeting Cycle 12 to Climate Justice! CM Hanif's office is committing $1.5 million to neighborhood climate and environmental projects, proposed, vetted, and voted on by neighbors. Please submit an idea online between now and the end of October, or come to a Neighborhood Assembly to learn more, meet community members, and participate in group brainstorming to share ideas on how to address green issues locally. Join us at the Carroll Gardens Library on Tuesday, October 11th 6:00pm - 8:00pm OR the Windsor Terrace Library on Wednesday, October 12th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Please RSVP here to let us know you are coming and to see additional events.

From Council Member Alexa Avile’s Newsletter

Sunset Park Wide Open — Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 16

Join NARS Foundation and other neighbors in the Sunset Park arts scene for a weekend of open studios, exhibitions, and events, all across the neighborhood. Learn more via NARS Foundation.


Supply Drive for Asylum Seekers

Avile’s office has been working with the Department of Social Services and other partners to identify needs as asylum seekers arrive in our district. Along with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid, they will be collecting donations of the following items to distribute to asylum seekers.Here's how to help:

✨ Donate *new & gently-used* second hand that are *clean*

❌ We will not accept items that are dirty or unfit for wear

🧴 Donate basic food and care items like toiletries, diapers, snacks, water and more.

Drop off: 4417 4th Avenue, Monday-Friday, 9:30 am-5:30 pm

Click here for more info