2019-2020 Start of School Checklist
UPDATED on 9/2/19 – School begins on Thursday, September 5 for Kindergarten through Upper School (September 10 for Preschool and September 11 for Family Center) and the count-down is ON! Here is a checklist of items that families should attend to NOW:
IMPORTANT! Magnus Health
If you have NOT completed the required forms with our secure online provider, Magnus Health, you must contact Nurse Alicia Christian before the first day of school: achristian@brooklynfriends.org; 718-852-1029, ext. 241. All forms need to be completed electronically and submitted to Magnus Health (not the school).
IMPORTANT! Have You Received. . .
- The 2019-20 Academic Calendar (mailed home in late August)
- The Invitation to the Board of Trustees’ Convocation for Head of School Crissy Cáceres on Sept. 12 (e-mailed in early August and mailed home in late August)
- Your Welcome Packet from Head of School Crissy Cáceres and the Heads of Preschool, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School (E-mailed to families on 8/22/19)
If you need these materials, and/or have any questions, send an e-mail message to bfsenews@brooklynfriends.org and we will follow up with you.
ORIENTATION PROGRAMS
Tues. Sept. 3: ALL Kindergarten Parents, All Fifth Grade Parents, and Parents New to Gr. 6, 7, 8 will have orientation programs led by the respective Lower and Middle School divisions this evening at Pearl Street, starting at 5:15pm with refreshments, followed by the formal programs at 6:00pm.
Wed. Sept. 4: ALL Fifth Grade Students, and Students New to BFS Gr. 6, 7, 8 will have orientation programs. Fifth graders arrive at 9:30am; all others arrive at 10:00am, and the program concludes for all at 12noon.
New to BFS Tenth & Eleventh Graders have an orientation from 10:00am to 12noon at Lawrence Street.
THE BFS SCHOOL DAY: ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES
PRESCHOOL
Arrival: 8:30am (first week of phase-in begins at 9:00am)
Dismissal: (varies for phase-in) After phase-in: 11:45am for half-day 3s; 2:50pm for full-day 3s; 2:45pm for full-day 4s
LOWER SCHOOL
Arrival: 8:15am classroom doors open
*Arrival times for K- 8:15 to 8:45am; for Gr. 1- 8:15 to 8:30am; for Gr. 2-4- 8:15 to 8:25am
Dismissal: 3:00pm for Gr. K-1; 3:05pm for Gr. 2; 3:10pm for Gr. 3-4
MIDDLE SCHOOL
8:00am-3:30pm (students arrive at 7:45am)
UPPER SCHOOL
8:30am -3:30pm (8am arrival for zero period)
BFS Photo ID Cards
Returning Parents should use last year’s cards.Returning Caregivers should use last year’s cards but parents need to fill out an authorization form for 2019-20 at brooklynfriends.org/bfsid
***New Parents*** and anyone who needs a card should go online to brooklynfriends.org/bfsid and follow instructions. Please do this before the first day of school so that cards may be processed promptly.
Afterschool (Pre-8) and Music Lessons (K-12)
Registration is officially over, but enrollment for classes that have openings will continue. Details, dates, and procedures are at brooklynfriends.org/student-life/afterschool
Required Summer Reading (Gr. 5-12)
Make sure that your rising 5th to 12th grader completes the English Department’s Required Summer Reading assignments. Go to: brooklynfriends.org/reading
Supply Lists (Gr. 5-8 and 9-12)
Middle & Upper School publish supply lists in the summer. For those who enjoy shopping early, check out the lists at brooklynfriends.org/supplies
Interscholastic Athletics Sign-Up
Students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to participate in interscholastic athletics. Practices started on Aug. 19 for gr. 9-12 and Aug. 26 for gr. 7 & 8. Sign-up forms and information is at brooklynfriends.org/student-life/athletics
In addition, the Middle School is sponsoring a free sports program on Monday afternoons for 5th and 6th graders. The link to sign up is HERE. Space is limited and sign-up closes on Sept. 6
My BackPack and Accuracy of Data
Every parent has an online account with “My BackPack.” Go to brooklynfriends.seniormbp.com to check for accuracy of data. Update your mailing address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and especially work information, if outdated. Include contact information for grandparents and family members in the “Additional Contacts” section, so that we may send them school publications and invitations to special events.
The School uses the data you provide to communicate with you, to order Student Metrocards, and to produce the printed BFS Directory in the fall.
Student Metrocards (Gr. K-12) UPDATED: NEW POLICY THIS YEAR!
Grade K-12 students eligible for NYC Student Metrocards receive the cards from their classroom teacher or advisor on, or shortly after, the first day of school. Eligibility is determined by the NYC Department of Education (DOE) based on walking distance from home to school. Starting this year, there are no more half-fare bus cards. Full-fare bus/subway cards for K-12 students who reside at least one-half mile walking distance from school, will be issued by BFS. This will likely result in a greater number of students receiving Metrocards, though some students who previously had half-fare cards may no longer be eligible. Questions? Ask Cheryl Foote at the 375 Pearl Street front desk.
Reminder: No Parking on Pearl Street
The best way to arrive at BFS is by public transportation and walking. For families who must drive, there is limited-time, free parking at the Brooklyn Marriott. Ask at the Security Desk or Reception Desk for a parking voucher, which covers 20 minutes of free parking. You need to do this every time you park.
***NEW PARENTS*** Your User Name and Password for MY BACKPACK, MAGNUS HEALTH, and the BFS website DASHBOARD were e-mailed to you during the month of July. If you do not have these credentials, send an e-mail to bfsenews@brooklynfriends.org for follow-up. Thank you.