Programs & Services
Remote Learning
Due to an executive order signed by Governor Cuomo, all NYC DOE schools closed on March, 16, 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19. Even though school buildings are closed, our mission to create a nurturing community that fosters a love of learning and the development of character for students in grades K-8 stays the same. Therefore, BwCCS2 will continue (until further notice) through distance or remote learning.
After a lot of research, conversations, and thought, we decided to use Seesaw Learning as our online platform for remote learning. Not only is it a great tool for student engagement, but it also keeps our school connected and organized virtually in one place. If you have not received information about this from your child’s teacher, please email them or the main office to stay connected.
Remote Learning began on March 23, 2020! Please watch the video below from the Ferraras that first welcomes families to remote learning and then walks families through parent overviews. Parent overviews will outline all the assignments your child will complete each week. Teachers will send out parent overviews by 4pm every Sunday, so please check in to find them on the app(s) you use to communicate with classrooms. If you do not receive an overview or if your child is not yet set up on the Seesaw app, please reach out to your teachers so you can be ready!
Take-Home Packets
- 1st Grade Packet
- 1st Grade Sight Words
- 1st Grade Packet ELA (Ms. Stavola’s students)
- 1st Grade Packet MATH (Ms. Stavola’s students)
- 2nd Grade Packet
Special Education Services and English as a New Language (ENL) During School Closure
In collaboration with our leadership, operations team, and teachers, it is our goal to provide some normalcy to your child’s day. In order to do so, our special education providers are also making the transition to online instruction and support for English language learners and students with disabilities.
As we make the transition from in-person sessions and instruction to remote learning, you should expect to communicate closely with providers about the services on your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program).
Speech and occupational therapists will be available to meet with your child for teletherapy (video therapy) via Google Hang outs.
For counseling, the teletherapy platform will be Zoom. To sign up, click here.
Our providers will be posting curriculum-based activities on Seesaw (our remote learning platform). If you haven’t already signed up, please click here.
Katherine Rodriguez, LCSW | KRodriguez@bwccs2.org
Ms. Rodriguez will ask your child to complete curriculum-based activities and provide feedback through Seesaw. She will conduct periodic check-ins with your child to ensure their social emotional needs continue to be addressed online.
When clinically appropriate, Ms. Rodriguez will meet for teletherapy (video therapy) or weekly telephone calls to ensure your child’s IEP mandate is met. If you haven’t already provided consent, please reach out to her at your earliest convenience.
Shir Fieg, MS, CCC-SLP | shiryyaakov@gmail.com
Ashley Disalvo, CF | ashley.disalvo95@gmail.com
Speech and language therapy gives your child access to the general education curriculum by providing support and broken-down directions, questions, and activities, as well as support with expressive language (orally and in writing). Our speech and language therapists will work closely with your child to continue to work towards his/her IEP goals.
Through video therapy, your child will have an opportunity to speak with providers for face-to-face speech therapy. If you haven’t already provided consent, please reach out to your child’s assigned speech therapist at your earliest convenience. If you are unsure of your child’s speech therapist, please the Director of Special Needs.
Javed Habib, ORT/L | Otr.javedhabib@gmail.com
Occupational therapy gives your child access to the general education curriculum by providing support with skills needed to promote independence in daily life. Some skills include feelings management, fine motor skills, time management, organization, and problem-solving. Our occupational therapist will work closely with your child to continue to work towards his/her IEP goals.
Through video therapy, your child will have an opportunity to speak with our provider for face-to-face speech therapy. If you haven’t already provided consent, please reach out to Mr. Habib at your earliest convenience.
Jaime Stavola (Grades K-2) | jstavola@bwccs2.org
Brianna Tucciarone (Grades 3-5) | btucciarone@bwccs2.org
ENL teachers are working closely with classroom teachers to provide strategies and broken-down assignments tailored to your child’s needs. Please encourage your child to complete his/her assignments to continue to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills that are assessed annually to determine their language acquisition level and eligibility for ENL services for the coming school year.
Jaime Stavola (Grades K-2) | jstavola@bwccs2.org
Elena Canaras (Grades 3-5) | ecanaras@bwccs2.org
SETSS providers are working closely with classroom teachers to provide strategies and broken-down assignments tailored to your child’s needs. Please encourage your child to complete his/her assignments to continue the skills needed to be successful in all subjects to determine the appropriate level support, which will be determined at the next IEP meeting.
IEP Meetings
All IEP meetings are expected to continue via telephone to ensure that your child’s IEP is updated, relevant, and appropriate.
Evaluations
At this time, evaluations are still being conducted at the Department of Education building at 111 Livingston Street in Brooklyn. Mrs. Rodriguez will contact you if you have an appointment.
Social History Interview
If your child is being evaluated for special education services, you will receive a social history appointment letter or call. At this time, the Committee on Special Education is conducting social histories via telephone.
For questions about special education and ENL, please contact the Director of Special Needs Cristal Rodriguez at CRodriguez@bwccs2.org.
Afterschool
Available for K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Rodriguez
Thinking about going home, watching TV, playing on your phone or tablets, and eating junk food? Join Mindfulness and Yoga where we will learn yoga poses and how to use breath to drive our movements.
Available for K & 1st Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Gooel
Some days kids just want to create, play and sing. Other days kids just want to… Just kidding! Kids always want to create, play and sing! The CGS club will jump between making, playing and singing and give students a space to express in order to learn more about themselves as well as the people they go to school with. Get ready to have some fun!
Available for 1st & 2nd Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Garcia
Have you ever wanted to complete your homework AND have extra time to to become a Lego Master Builder? In Ms. Garcia’s Homework Club you will have the opportunity to get some extra help with your homework and build your own Lego creations. We will meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Put your thinking caps on and let’s be productive while we get creative!
Available for K, 1st & 2nd Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Toussaint
I have some questions to ask. Do you ever get inspired by the seasons and holidays? Do you like to use your hands to create new and exciting things? Do you like to get your hands messy? Do you love creating art? Do you find yourself singing holiday songs? If you answered yes to all these questions, Seasons Greetings Club is just for you. Make sure you don’t hesitate to sign up.
Available for K, 1st, 2nd Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Mrs. Ramirez
Learning can be delicious! Want to release your inner chef? Join us in cooking/stirring up fun, creative, and easy snacks. In this club, you will:
Take pride in creating a snack to share with others
Use your own creativity to incorporate a special twist to a familiar recipe
Learn new techniques and skills working with a variety of foods
Learn how to take care of yourself and others with these essential life skills.
Available for K, 1st & 2nd Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/Mrs. Lopez
It’s starting to get chilly and we are spending less time running around outside. That doesn’t mean we can’t still stay active! In this club we will be doing a variety of guided fitness activities! Anything from workout classes, yoga, guided dance, and so much more! Join Mrs. Lopez in keeping moving and active! For when our bodies are strong, our minds are strong too!
Available for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Mr. Buckwalter & Mrs. McGrellis
Do you ever feel lost when you’re doing homework? Equations don’t make sense, reading passages are confusing, you’re not sure what strategies you need to use? Don’t worry! You’ve got plenty of people to help you in HW Help. We’re available to help you out with whatever questions you may have, so sign up and let your worries melt away!
Available for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. McMayo
Have you been wondering how you can make your backpack more unique? Create a bracelet? Bedazzle your keychain? Well there is a solution for your problem. Lanyarding!! The perfect way to decorate your backpack and keychain with cool designs. We will learn how to do the box, barrel, cobra, zipper, and so many other designs. So join the Lanyarding Club where your creativity can shine.
Available for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Malin
Are you brave? A good friend? A creative learner? A strong leader? These are just some of the many qualities you can find in your Hogwarts House! In our Harry Potter club, we will be sorted into our houses, learn some magical charms and enchantments, and talk about what it means to be a good friend in both the wizarding world of Harry Potter and our real world at B2. Join me on a journey to Hogwarts!
Available for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Mr. Franqui
All ye game masters be warned! The board game club shall test your money counting skills, your 4 in a row skills, your chutes and ladders skills. To the victor shall go a crown of game pieces. Whether you’re shouting SORRY or “You sunk my battleship!” we’ll be having a great time. So join us at….The Board Game Club
Available for 3th, 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Cha
Have an adventurous spirit that cannot be tamed? Join the Explorers Club as we learn more about geography, maps and landmarks that surround BwCCS2. We will research and try some of the routes that we create. Curiosity, enthusiasm and positive energy is required.
Available for 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Mr. Galzur & Ms. Tamsen
Math Club is your first step toward getting a ‘4’ on the State Test! Mr. Galzur & Ms. Tamsen will get you ready for the test, help with homework, play a few math games, and even add some math computer time. In the club, Mr. Galzur & Ms. Tamsen will be able to give individualized instruction to students.
Available for 4th & 5th Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-5pm
w/ Ms. Yoon
Do you want to run an exhilarating race with kids from all over New York City? Do you want to learn how to improve your diet by taking field trips to the local market and learning about the health benefits of different types of food? Do you want to be part of a group of strong, beautiful ladies who want to better themselves? If you answered yes to all of the questions, strongly consider applying for the Ladies Running Club hosted by Coach Yoon! See you there!
Saturday School
Saturday School runs from January through mid-April and is being offered for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.
On scheduled Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. free breakfast (at 9:00 AM) and free lunch (at 12:00 PM) will be offered.
Our classes are designed to give students a strong foundation of learning to empower them in the classroom and prepare them for future academic challenges. One of our priorities is to help students master the skills and concepts tested in the NYS ELA and Math tests, but our curriculum includes additional topics to ensure students receive a well-rounded education with long-term vision.
- Saturday School Dates: TBD
- Times: The program hours are 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A light breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be given to students to take home with them at 12:00pm.
- Attendance: Attendance is not mandatory every Saturday, but good attendance will help your child achieve at higher levels on the NY State Tests.
- Transportation: School bus transportation is not available on Saturdays. Students must be dropped off at 9am and picked up by 12pm.
Overnight Trips
BwCCS2 prides itself on experiential learning and extending the walls of the classroom. Children enjoy up to 10 field trips each year– museums, theaters, zoos, and much more, all at minimal cost to families.
Once a year, our upper school students (grades 3 – 5) have the opportunity to go on an educational overnight trip. These trips are often remarked among the highlights of each child’s time at BwCCS2 and they are designed to enhance the traditional learning experiences one can have in the classroom. This shared experience helps to build community and it also gives students a common context for academic discussion. Teachers prepare students in advance of the trip to reap the greatest benefit from the expertise provided by the guides and docents at each venue.
Included in overnight trips are:
- Overnight accommodations,
- All meals, including special meal options,
- Transportation on a tour bus,
- Full participation in all planned tours and activities,
- Detailed itinerary and packing list
June 5-6, 2019
Our third grade classes love their visit to Frost Valley YMCA—the forest, fields, hiking trails, lakeshore, and riverbeds—where education lives and breathes. Here, students enjoy nature, adventure, growth, and fun. BwCCS2 has been partnering with Frost Valley for 5 years; our favorite classes have been water ecology, organic gardening, snow tubing, outdoor living games, and of course the campfire with S’mores!
March 25-26, 2019
The mission of the Ashokan Center is to nurture hearts and minds for the challenge of tomorrow through shared experiences in nature, history, and the arts. With 385 acres of Catskills forest, streams, and farmland, The Ashokan Center offers a special blend of geologic, natural, and human history. Their education programs has served countless students over the last 50 years, and they proudly host the longest-running outdoor education center in the region.
The Ashokan Center is highly attuned to the current goals and standards of educational practice. Their curriculum meets educational standards in the Common Core and STEAM education approaches. The Ashokan Center has been partnering with BwCCS2 for 4 years to provide the best experience for every student. Our favorite activities have been blacksmithing, tinsmithing, broom-making, maple sugaring, and experiencing a real 1817 schoolhouse!
May 30-31, 2019
Our fifth grade class enjoys an amazing trip to one of the most historically rich cities in America: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students will explore the national historic sites related to the founding of the United States. Our overnight trip includes visits to Independence Hall, (where the Declaration of Independence & US Constitution were debated and signed), the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, One Liberty Observation Deck, and much more. We have dinner at Philadelphia’s Hard Rock Cafe, stay in a great hotel, and even run the famous “Rocky Steps” outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art! Philadelphia offers a wealth of art and culture, parks and gardens, and we’re thrilled to extend this learning opportunity to our oldest students at BwCCS2 Elementary School.
