WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL
Parent Coordinator’s Newsletter
Our School’s Mission
In our “Relentless Quest for Excellence,” we will provide ALL students personalized targeted support in a warm,
supportive, safe teaching and learning environment so that they reach their highest potential. Each student will
be expected to master technology, think critically, problem solve, negotiate text and work collaboratively in small
learning communities. ALL students will graduate with the academic and life skills necessary for college and
career readiness for the 21st Century, be model citizens, and contribute to their community and the world at large.
February 12, 2014
Namita Dwarka, Principal
Dear Parents / Guardians,
New Mid-Winter Break:
School will be closed next week because of the Mid-winter Break. Please note that all school activities for
Saturdays 2/15 & 2/22 will resume on Saturday March 1, 2014 in a regular schedule.
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New Title 1 Parent Involvement Workshops:
William Cullen Bryant High School will be hosting a series of parent workshops as part of our Title 1 Parental
Involvement Funding. The purpose of these workshops is to assist parents with resources that will benefit their
child in achieving academic success. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of these valuable opportunities.
The scheduled workshops will cover the following areas of interest:
Technology: How to monitor my child’s progress using technology, “Pupilpath”.
Tuesday, March 11Th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 15th, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Common Core/Curriculum Night: Our assistant principals from each of our departments will be presenting
what the expectations/goals in each subject areas.
Tuesday, March 18th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bullying: Elmcor, will present a workshop on “Anti -Bullying Awareness” and “Cyber Bullying”.
Tuesday, April 8th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Overview of Special Education Process: Parent will learn The NYC process, including referrals, evaluation,
services, placement, and parent rights and role.
Tuesday, May 13th, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
College Tours for Parents: help understand the college process and experience it through a college tour.
Date TBD
Dates and times subject to change. Please call 718-721-5404 ext. 1211 to confirm.
All workshops will take place at William Cullen Bryant High School.
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Important: Parent Association:
The Parent Association will be holding a fundraising bake sale on Friday, March 21, 2014. All proceeds will go to
Bryant students. They are asking for baked good donations like donuts, granola bars, cookies, cereals bars or
cakes. Baked goods can be brought to Room 121 starting Monday, March 17, 2014.
BAKED GOODS DONATIONS NEEDED
DONUTS
GRANOLA BARS
COOKIES
CEREAL BARS
CAKES
All proceeds
will go to
Bryant
students
activities!
ALL BAKED GOODS SHOULD BE STORE-BOUGHT DUE TO FOOD
ALLERGIES!
HOME BAKES GOOD WILL BE ACCEPTED
BAKED GOODS CAN BE BROUGHT TO ROOM 121 STARTING MONDAY 3/17/14
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New Shoparoo:
Shoparoo is a free mobile app available on iPhone and Android that turns pictures of your grocery receipts into instant
donations. Shop at any store, buy any product, and simply snap a pic of the receipt with Shoparoo to make a donation to
William Cullen Bryant High School. For more information, Google “Shoparoo.com"
Using the Shoparoo app is simply and you will help us to raise funds for William Cullen Bryant High School. Could use your
help?
Just follow this link and start fundraising: http://app.shoparoo.com/share/j4635vpi
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Reminder: SAT Prep Course
This is a wonderful opportunity but it is limited to 100 students. Students will be accepted on a first come first
serve basis. Registration deadline is Monday, February 24, 2014.
Forms will be given in class, also available in room 121,303 and our school website www.wcbryanths.org.
Program Fee is $199
Please bring a $199 money order only, made payable to: William Cullen Bryant High School to Camilo Galvis,
Parent Coordinator in the Room 121, no later than Monday, February 24, 2014
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS:
Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Program - Construction
The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for Construction Skills, Inc. is dedicated to training New York public high school
youth, with the skills necessary to access meaningful careers in the building and construction trades. The preapprenticeship program is designed to prepare NYC public high school students for the rigors of the
construction industry. Through the provision of classroom and hands-on training, students complete the
program armed with the skills necessary to be successful in the unionized construction industry.
For more information on this program and participating high schools, visit www.constructionskills.org
New York County Lawyer’s Association Essay Contest – February 20 ( High School)
High School students are invited to apply for the Annual Law-Related Education Public High School
Contest. Winners will receive prizes of $1000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place and
$300 for fourth place. This year’s topic is: You work for the government. You are required to keep what you learn
secret. You learn of something that you believe violates the law. What should you do and why? What legal
support do you have for your position? Applications are due by February 20, 2014. For detailed contest rules
and contact information, click here. An awards ceremony will be held at the New York County Lawyers’
Association.
Real Dad Club Meetings
Fathers and adult males raising a child are invited to attend Real Dads Club Meetings. These interactive
meetings will provide fathers an opportunity to share their success stories and experiences and develop more
effective parenting skills. See this flyer for detailed information. Meetings will be held on the following
Saturdays : Feb 15, Mar 22, April 26, May 17 and June 21 , 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Eagle Academy for Young
Men III, 171-10 Linden Boulevard, Queens, NY 11434. Light refreshments will be provided. Register here.
Princeton Summer Journalism Program (High School)—February 21
High school student journalists, in their junior year, from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply for
an all-expenses-paid summer program at Princeton University. The program, brings 25 high school journalists
from across the country to Princeton’s campus for 10 days every August for a crash course on journalism and
college admissions. For more information and the application form, please visit www.princeton.edu/sjp for
more information.
Latino College Expo and Summit—March 15
The 24th Annual Latino College Expo and Summit will be held on Saturday, March 15 at NYU’s Kimmel Center, 20
Washington Square. Registration is required for the Summit (8:00 a.m.-12 p.m.). No registration is required for
College Expo (12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.) For more information print a flyer or visit www.latinocollege-expo.org.
Paycheck Plus
Paycheck Plus is a pilot and study that is offering the chance for eligible participants (unmarried, with no
dependents) to receive a bonus of up to $2,000 after they work and file their taxes. This bonus mimics and
supplements the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, but it greatly boosts the amount offered to workers who are
single. At the time of enrollment, an individual must be a NYC resident who earned less than $30,000 in the past
12 months, is unmarried, has no dependents (although they can be non-custodial parents), and not be currently
applying for or receiving SSI/SSDI. For more information share a general flyer or a flyer with locations with
families. Paycheck Plus is operated by Food Bank For New York City and evaluated by MDRC
www.mdrc.org/paycheckplus.
Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI)
FREE 12-Day Leadership and Debate Training for Female High School and College Students at Hunter College
from Monday, July 21st - Saturday, July 26th and Monday, July 28th - Saturday , August 2nd.
BALI program includes workshops in debate techniques, public speaking, critical thinking, policy research,
writing speeches, articles, and developing the skills to analyze contemporary public policy issues. Highly
accomplished female professionals, who work in the top echelons of the corporate, business, government, and
not for profit sectors as well as women business owners, elected officials and diplomats, come as guest
lecturers and also conduct workshops.
They also provide breakfast and lunch during our FREE 12-Day Leadership and Debate Training Program with
reading materials and graduation gifts.
More information click here Click Here to Download an Application
Click Here to Download a Program Flier
Bell Curves SAT Skills
Instructors: Bell Curves Educators
Open to students in grades 10–12
9:00 am–10:20 am or 10:30 am–12:00 pm
The Bell Curves SAT Skills course is designed to help students succeed on the SAT exam. The course will improve
students’ understanding of the skills tested by the SAT and teach them strategies for applying those skills in
efficient ways. With the help of expert and supportive instructors, students will learn how to pace themselves
and will become more familiar with the test format and question types. After taking two mandatory practice
tests, students will leave the classroom prepared and excited for the big exam.
Students in the SAT class will be required to take two free practice SAT exams on the 1st and 6th days of the
program, (Saturdays March 15 and April 26) from 12:45–5:00 pm, directly after their regular morning classes.
Please save the date and time! The application deadline is Friday, Februrary 14.
All applications must be received online. TO APPLY, please click on the link below and fill out all the required
information: http://www.mcny.org/education/saturday-academy
Free Summer Arts Institute—February 14 ( 8th grade & HS School)
Students entering grades 8 through 12 in September can apply to attend the Summer Arts Institute, a free, fourweek intensive arts program to be held at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School in July. Applications will
be accepted from December 16 - February 14. Students can apply to major in dance, theater, vocal music,
instrumental music (band), film, and visual arts or orchestra (strings). An experienced staff of teachers and
artists will guide students in developing their skills and creativity as they prepare for their next level of study.
The program is designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of study in their chosen art
form. For the first time in 2014, students will have the option of completing the program application online.
Hard copy applications will still be accepted by mail and hand delivery. Admission to the program is by
application and competitive audition. Students may apply to, and audition for, only one discipline. For more
information and an application, visit this site http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/arts/summerarts.html.
Events and Opportunities through NYC Parks and Recreation—Ongoing
Parents are encouraged to visit the Parks website http://www.nycgovparks.org for a listing of free and low cost,
family friendly events in your borough.
Translated Versions of Common Core–Aligned Parent Activity Guides
Translated versions of the Common Core–aligned parent activity guides for students enrolled in grades 4–8 are
now available on the Resources for Learning at Home page of the Common Core Library.
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Dates to Remember:
February
10-14 Respect for All Week
13
Respect for All Assembly – Period 5&6
14
Valentine’s Day
17-21 Midwinter Recess - School Closed
28
Progress Report Distribution – Period 3
28
Arts Assembly – Periods 4&5
28
Bryant Got Talent – 5:30PM - New date
March
7
8
11
12
14
14
15
27
28
Senior Dinner Dance – 7PM
SAT Exam – 7:30AM
PA Meeting – 7:00PM
PEP Rally
1st marking Period Ends
Multicultural Festival – 7:00PM
Multicultural Festival – 6:00PM
Parent Teacher Conference - Evening 5:30PM - 8:30PM
Parent Teacher Conference - Afternoon 12:300PM - 3:00PM
Stay Warm,
Camilo Galvis
Parent Coordinator
William Cullen Bryant High School
718-721-5404 Ext. 1211 School
917-376-2499 Cellular
cgalvis@school.nyc.gov
Please continue to visit our website http://www.wcbryanths.org and also http://schools.nyc.gov/default.htm
for further updates.
Principal’s Vision
As we embark on our “Relentless Quest for Excellence,” it is my vision that we work collaboratively in a warm,
safe teaching and learning environment to provide personalized, targeted support for ALL students to reach
their highest potential. Each student will graduate with the academic and life skills necessary for college and
career readiness for the 21st Century, be model citizens, and contribute to their community and the world at
large.