BUGS Awards First Alumni Scholarships to Support Transition to College

BUGS is thrilled to announce the winners of the Alumni College Scholarship, which provides members of the founding class with financial support in the transition to college. Congratulations to Sunei Clarke, who will receive $1,500, and runner-up Jahsenda Aderibigbe.  We applaud the contribution and achievements of all of the 18 students who submitted applications. Please see excerpts from Sunei and Jahsenda’s applications below.

The scholarship was launched by the BUGS community to provide financial assistance to a student who embodies our CARES values and has taken the seeds sown at BUGS to continue to explore and fight for a sustainable future. This first-time scholarship program was open to all members of the founding BUGS graduating 8th grade class of 2016 who are enrolling at college in the fall of 2020. Our many thanks to board member Jamal Deek for leading the scholarship program and to the board of trustees for funding the scholarships.

“We are so proud of our founding class and thank you to all of the students who submitted applications for the scholarship program and to the teachers, board, and PTA who volunteered to be on the scholarship committee. All of these incredible students inspired us when they were in middle school and it means so much to us that the values and commitment to sustainability that they learned at BUGS stay central to who they are and what they want to achieve. I am so honored and grateful that we have the opportunity to support these thoughtful, caring, and compassionate BUGS alumni.” -- Susan Tenner, Executive Director, Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School. 

Sunei Clarke (Simmons University)

“From my very first day as a BUGS student, I was pushed to be a part of projects and activities that were out of my comfort zone. Whether it was composting on the roof, singing about the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), going to the city recycling plant, or traveling to Sunset Park to try the sweetest Conchas. Today, although I do not find myself gardening, BUGS indirectly inexplicably encouraged me to explore new things in any way possible.”

Jahsenda Aderibigbe (Montclair State University)

“The BUGS CARES values are extremely relevant during these times. The two principles from the acronym CARES that stick out to me the most are community and awareness. Community is very impactful. It is important to support and stick by one another. Without community, there is a feeling of isolation. With the uprising of racism in this country, having a sense of community is especially important because it breaks the trend of separation and the idea that one is better than the other. Additionally, awareness is also relevant right now because it is important for people to educate themselves about the root of institutional racism, and how we move forward. ...The value of speaking up, and having your voice heard will impact my future. As a filmmaker, my job is to express myself, and the stories of others. I definitely feel like the value that BUGS had on student voice/input has impacted me.”

Math Teacher William Jones is a Marvel Hero!

Marvel Artist Tim Smith 3 draws his friend and BUGS math teacher William Jones to celebrate him as an essential worker and a Real Hero. In this remarkable video, Mr. Smith explains how Mr. William’s patience, empathy, and knowledge helps students understand algebra at the same time supporting them to cope with real world problems of inequity and injustice laid bare as COVID affects their lives..

BUGS would like to salute Mr. William and all our teachers for their deep commitment, courage, and wisdom as they shape the next generation of leaders.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/BORSLYw16nY

THE QUEST BEGINS - The launch of a student orientation adventure

Bold. Innovative. Fun. And completely different than any other BUGS student orientation.

Understanding that our students needed a totally new approach for the opening of school during COVID-19, the student orientation planning team, led by Dean Dameon, Dean of Student Affairs, and Director of Math, Mr. W., designed a week-long epic student orientation adventure designed to appeal to heroes of all ages. By accepting the challenge to accumulate the 5 gems that represent each of the CARES values, our students are learning the core components (systems and routines, culture, expectations and responsibilities) of being a student at BUGS that will set them up for success at middle school.

Opening Day Snapshot

On Monday we welcomed our new 6th graders. They began the day with an introduction to the Quest, met the BUGS 6th grade teachers, and their advisors. Within their small group advisory, students got to know one another, learned about how we use Google Meet, discussed the sustainability topic of the tragedy of the commons, created their character in Classcraft, and set off as a group on the quest for the diamond of community sharing encouraging kudos along the way.

• Watch the welcome video here to find out more about what's ahead this week, how we build community at BUGS, and meet 6th grade teachers.

On Tuesday, 7th and 8th graders had their first day of virtual orientation. Throughout the week, the grades will alternate synchronous and asynchronous culminating in a combined House sorting event on Friday.

Enjoy this quick preview of Student Orientation 2020.

Intrigued? Read this Q&A with Dean Dameon and Mr. W. about the goals and design of The Quest for the CARES Gems. 

What inspired you to develop a student orientation Quest for the CARES Gems? 

Mr. W: The inspiration for the Quest came from our belief that our students would need some fun and excitement after all the anxiety and tension in their lives because of COVID. I’ve always been drawn to Joseph Campbell’s hero's journey and how an ordinary person gets called to greatness, suffers defeat, overcomes trials, meets friends (and foes), and returns to regular life changed for always. 

We saw the hero’s quest as a metaphor for entering BUGS and beginning middle school. Our students are leaving their old lives and transitioning into a new place with lots of challenges, but lots of people to help them out, such as teachers, staff, and friends. Middle school is a quest in itself -- students join us from childhood (elementary school) and graduate with the skills and confidence required to succeed in high school. 

What are your goals for student orientation?

Dean Dameon: We wanted student orientation to be engaging and captivating for returning students and warm and welcoming for new students. Students start the week as individuals on a quest that teaches them about our CARES values and they also learn about systems, routines, academic and behavioral expectations, and what sustainability means at BUGS. They end the week as a member of one of BUGS five Houses, ready to begin their year at BUGS. 

We also want students to be excited about the school year. A thoughtful, well-designed virtual student orientation lets everyone know that we can tap all theinnovative possibilities within remote learning.

What are you most excited about?

Dean Dameon: I am excited about the storyline and how the quest for gems connects so well with the BUGS CARES values. With everything our community has been through, It’s really important that we recognize that everyone is the hero of their own story.

Mr. W: I’m excited about how the staff jumped in to write stories and create videos. We are getting to see that Classcraft and gaming can be a great tool for increasing engagement from students at all levels and abilities. It’s rewarding to know thatwe’ve created an experience for our students that comes from a place of joy and fun.

How can families get involved?

Dean Dameon: There are lots of ways families can get involved. For example, there are tasks that happen offline about creating art or going for a walk and using all five senses to appreciate the neighborhood and noticing what has stayed the same, what has changed. 

Mr. W: Families can also join us each morning at 8:30 a.m. for the launch of the day video. And remember, we are also holding two optional virtual family sessionsthis week. There’s Remote Learning 101 on Wednesday, September 2 at 6pm andFamily Appy Hour on Thursday, September 3 at 6pm.

What advice do you have for students during orientation?

Dean Dameon: Do your best. Step outside of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you need to.

Mr. W: Make sure you have a device that you can access events on. Try to find a space that is quiet and not cluttered.

Follow BUGS on social media (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) for the latest updates on the Quest for the CARES Gems.

8/28/20: Important Re-Entry Update

August 28, 2020

(Si Ud. prefiere leer este mensaje en español, por favor siga al fondo de este mensaje.)

Dear BUGS Families

Thanks to our BUGS families who joined us for our Town Hall, last Friday’s Q&A, and for all who provided valuable information in the two BUGS Family Surveys.  Please see Director of Math Jarod Wunneberger’s email today with orientation details for you and your child (including your child’s cohort/ class number!) and Parent Coordinator Julissa Puello’s Friday Family email on other school wide updates. 

New Update for Phase 2 Re-Entry

I am writing to update you on an important change to Phase 2 (the launch of in-person Hybrid learning) of our Re-Entry Plan. While we hoped to begin Phase 2 as early as October 5, this no longer seems possible in a way that would meet our health and safety goals for students, families, and staff.  This has become more obvious to us and I wanted to let you know as soon as possible. 

We are continuing to work on facility logistics and staffing to meet our community’s expressed high demand for Hybrid. This also includes a deep and new level of careful planning and coordinating with other schools in the building (who have not been able to communicate their own opening details), our custodial and other vendors, and health experts to make sure we have the necessary equipment and procedures in place for our operations to meet health and safety protocols. In addition to this lengthy process and coordination,  we need to make sure that our entrance, exit, and in-school protocols are tested and in place with enough time for signage, training, and strong communications to all stakeholders. While the team has made significant progress and been hard at work to put these protocols and precautions in place, there is still more to be done to meet our high standards of safety. We understand the anxiety families are experiencing with so many unknowns, and we appreciate your support, the leadership of the PTA, and Re-Entry Task Force.

We hope to have additional updates to families soon. Once we are closer to knowing the timeline for Phase 2, we aim to give families 30 days notice before the launch of Phase 2. This may put us closer to a tentative target date of November 2, presuming that community health conditions must also be at a safe rate for schools to open. We will keep you updated on a regular basis.  We are also continuing to plan options for outdoor field study and outdoor classrooms for the fall, and will provide more information on those initiatives as planning continues to progress.

BUGS remote learning is carefully designed and planned with options for small group learning and opportunities for building strong teacher-student relationships and student-student collaboration. Thank you again for being our partner as we strive to create a safe environment for our students and teachers.

Student Orientation Reminder

Student Orientation is Monday August 31 for new 6th grade students and Tuesday September 1 for all returning students (and our new 7th graders)!  Student orientation is important, fun, and not optional. We are so pleased to have the school year back underway, albeit remotely. It is guaranteed to be an exciting experience. 

Please continue to view our Return-to-School webpage for important updates and ongoing resources you can reference when you have questions. And as always, feel free to reach out to Parent Coordinator Julissa Puello at julissa.puello@BUGSbrooklyn.org, or me and Wynette at any time. 

A huge thanks to our BUGS staff who have jumped into the school year with passion and commitment to our kids and family! Our community’s safety is our paramount priority, and our commitment to educational innovation and student engagement is relentless. 

Thanks to all for your patience and partnership.

Onward together, 

Susan Tenner
Executive Director
Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School

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Spanish

Queridos Familias de BUGS,

Gracias a nuestras familias BUGS que se unieron a nosotros para nuestro Ayuntamiento, las preguntas y respuestas del viernes pasado, y para todos los que proporcionaron información valiosa en las dos Encuestas De BUGS. Por favor, consulte el correo electrónico del Director de Matemáticas Jarod Wunneberger hoy con detalles de orientación para usted y su hijo (incluyendo la cohorte / número de clase de su hijo!) y el correo electrónico para Familias de la Coordinadora de Padres Julissa Puello sobre otras actualizaciones en toda la escuela.

Nueva actualización para reentrada de fase 2

Escribo para actualizarte sobre un cambio importante en la Fase 2 (el lanzamiento del aprendizaje híbrido en persona) de nuestro Plan de Reentrada. Si bien esperábamos comenzar la Fase 2 ya el 5 de octubre, esto ya no parece posible de una manera que satisfaga nuestros objetivos de salud y seguridad para los estudiantes, las familias y el personal.

Continuamos trabajando en la logística y el personal de las instalaciones para satisfacer la alta demanda expresada de nuestra comunidad por Hybrid. Esto también incluye un nivel profundo y nuevo de planificación cuidadosa y coordinación con otras escuelas del edificio (que no han podido comunicar sus propios detalles de apertura), nuestros proveedores de custodia y otros, y expertos en salud para asegurarnos de que tenemos el equipo y los procedimientos necesarios para que nuestras operaciones cumplan con los protocolos de salud y seguridad. Además de este largo proceso y coordinación, necesitamos asegurarnos de que nuestros protocolos de entrada, salida y dentro de la escuela se prueben y estén en su lugar con tiempo suficiente para señalización, capacitación y comunicaciones sólidas a todas las partes interesadas. Si bien el equipo ha hecho progresos significativos y ha trabajado arduamente para avanzar estos protocolos y precauciones, aún queda mucho por hacer para cumplir con nuestros altos estándares de seguridad. Entendemos la ansiedad que las familias están experimentando con tantas incógnitas, y apreciamos su apoyo, el liderazgo de la PTA y el Grupo de Trabajo de Reentrada.

Esperamos tener actualizaciones adicionales a las familias pronto. Una vez que estamos más cerca de conocer el cronograma de la Fase 2, nuestro objetivo es dar a las familias 30 días de anticipación antes del lanzamiento de la Fase 2. Esto puede acercarnos a una fecha de destino provisional del 2 de noviembre, presumiendo que las condiciones de salud comunitarias también deben ser seguras para que las escuelas abran. Le mantendremos informado regularmente. También continuamos planificando opciones para el estudio de campo al aire libre y las aulas al aire libre para el otoño, y proporcionaremos más información sobre esas iniciativas a medida que la planificación avance.

El aprendizaje remoto de BUGS está cuidadosamente diseñado y planificado con opciones para el aprendizaje en grupos pequeños y oportunidades para construir relaciones sólidas entre profesores y estudiantes y la colaboración estudiante a estudiante. Gracias por ser nuestro socio mientras nos esforzamos por crear un ambiente seguro para nuestros estudiantes y maestros.

Recordatorio de orientación estudiantil

Orientación Estudiantil es lunes 31 de agosto para los nuevos estudiantes de Sexto grado y martes 1 de septiembre para todos los estudiantes que regresan (y nuestros nuevos estudiantes de Séptimo grado)! La orientación del estudiante es importante, divertida y no es opcional. Estamos muy contentos de tener el año escolar de vuelta en marcha, aunque remotamente. Se garantiza que será una experiencia emocionante.

Por favor, continúe viendo nuestra página de web de Regreso a la Escuela para actualizaciones importantes y recursos en curso a los que puede hacer referencia cuando tenga preguntas. Y como siempre, no dude en comunicarse con la coordinadora de padres Julissa Puello en julissa.puello@BUGSbrooklyn.org , o a mí y Wynette en cualquier momento.

Un gran agradecimiento a nuestro personal de BUGS que han saltado en el año escolar con pasión y compromiso con nuestros hijos y familiares! La seguridad de nuestra comunidad es nuestra prioridad primordial, y nuestro compromiso con la innovación educativa y la participación de los estudiantes es implacable.

Adelante Juntos,

Susan Tenner
Executive Director
Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School

Supply List Information for 2020-21

Getting Ready for the 2020-21 School Year

The supply lists contain basic items for every day use across subject areas. While BUGS does not expect to be in the school building until after October 5 (at the earliest), students should prepare by acquiring the basic supplies by the first week of school.  BUGS will provide or make recommendations for supplemental supplies for remote learning as needed.

6th Grade Supply List (English and Spanish)

7th Grade Supply List (English and Spanish)

8th Grade Supply List (English and Spanish)

Note: BUGS is working with the PTA on a plan to purchase and distribute supplies to families who indicated they would need assistance. We will be reaching out to families individually soon. If you didn’t complete that question on the survey and need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to Julissa Puello, parent coordinator, at julissa.puello@bugsbrooklyn.org.