BC STUDENTS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS IN SPEECH AND DEBATE

The Berkeley Carroll Speech and Debate Team broke several school records and scored big at the recent NY State Championships at Hofstra University. Triumphs included 4 students, Eden W. '21, Ava '21, Jake P., '20 and Mosab '19, who were crowned state champions in their categories.

Twenty out of 40 team members qualified for the championships -- the largest number in BC history. Furthermore, half of the squad advanced into elimination rounds, which was an another first-time achievement. Read the complete list of our winners.

These Championships are one of the largest debate competitions in the nation with hundreds of competitors. Earning an invitation to States requires top placement at at least two other tournaments earlier in the season.  Congrats to all 40 members of our team who have competed all year! Lions roar!

SENIOR SPEAKERS (PART I)
Our first set of Senior Speakers was (L-R) Silas H., Ian E., Aniris C., and Luke B-H. Silas talked about setting a world record as a child, and what the legacy of that record means to him as he grows older. Ian spoke about a nickname he got at Berkeley Carroll, and how that nickname came to define who he's become at BC through his friendships.

Aniris reflected on her two names, and how the name her family calls her and her given name have both become important in her life. Luke spoke about his "Christmas curse" and how despite the less-than-perfect celebrations from the past he still enjoys the holiday because of the connection it brings him with his family.

5TH GRADER FEATURED ON REFINERY 29
Clementine M. '25 is featured as a "Mini Powerhouse" on Refinery29 talking about some of her favorite things: fashion, math, and science! Read what she says about her future plans and check out some great outfits here.

FACULTY PRESENT BC'S AFFINITY GROUP WORK AT STATEWIDE EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Middle School teachers Alexa Lopez (Spanish) and Brandon Guidry (Humanities) presented a workshop at the NYSAIS Diversity Conference about the work being done in our Middle School's People of Color affinity group. They talked about its foundation, lessons learned, and firsthand student experiences in order to help faculty at other schools think about how affinity spaces might work in their communities.

'UPPER SCHOOL TAKES ON THE FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Upper School discussed the importance of finding your place in the fight for social justice at last week's BC Talks. In the opening assembly, writer, performance artist, LGBTQ rights and political activist Staceyann Chin shared how she overcame adversity as a young child in rural Jamaica and as a new immigrant to the U.S. as well as why she began to advocate for herself and others. Photos.

She challenged students, "How will you affect life 100 years from now? How will you be remembered: for how you value the people around you? How you stand up against injustice? How you tell a story? How you make room for someone who has no voice to tell their story? How you open a door so someone else can walk through? Every good you have today belongs to a fight that someone else fought long before you were born. You owe it to those who come after you – you owe them a better world than you arrived in."

In the afternoon, students participated in workshops led by Ms. Chin, author James Han Mattson, and student leaders of BC's Equity Council, who guided exercises on how to deal with microaggressions.

FORMER BC STUDENT IS A STEP CLOSER TO THE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Former BC student Fabiano Caruana got his start learning chess from BC after-school teachers Carol Ann Caronia and Bruce Pandolfini! Now he's won an international qualifying tournament and will be the first American-born player to challenge for the world championship since Bobby Fischer in 1972.

BC TRACK TRAINS WITH NATIONAL CHAMPION
The BC Track Team is hard at work training with Russell Dinkins, a semi-professional runner and the 2013 National Champion in the distance medley relay. Russell went to Princeton University (with track coach and Upper School science teacher Lily Adler), where he holds a number of school records.

ATHLETICS

Read Athletics Director Dick McGrath's previews for Middle School teams and Upper School teams.

ALUMS & BC PARENTS TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR CAREERS
Girls to Women Leaders hosted a Women with Interesting Careers panel featuring three special guests with impressive resumes! Pictured left to right are alums Crystal Hudson '01 and Rebecca Grossman-Cohen '99, and 3-time BC parent Felicia Eve, who discussed their career paths and answered questions about going after the jobs and opportunities you want. Read more.

SENIOR SPEAKERS (PART II)

Our second set of Senior Speakers was (L-R) Lucian T., Amber D., and Ellie P.! Lucian described a church service in Selma, AL, he attended as part of a Spring Intensives trip though the U.S. South. He talked about how believing in something bigger provides humility and self awareness and urged his listeners to find their 'church', whatever that may be.

Amber discussed the importance of paying attention to yourself and what you need. She said you can't be your best or help others if you're falling apart.  Ellie talked about how she loves Prospect Park because of all the characters in it. In the park, she said, you don't have to look cool or run fast, it's about doing whatever you want to do.

1ST GRADERS CREATE BIOGRAPHY BOTTLES

These Biography Bottles and more (photos) were created by 1st graders after each student read a picture book biography of their choosing in a collaborative unit between the library and STEAM. See more photos and a full list of the books students chose here. 

Students selected books such as 'Who is Jane Goodall?', 'Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman', and 'Little Plant Doctor' about George Washington Carver. Some books included animal changemakers, such as '8 Dolphins of Katrina', 'Bunny the Brave War Horse', and 'Ivan: The Remarkable Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla'.

FACULTY FEATURED IN COMMUNITY ACTION VIDEO
In a video for Community Works Institute, BC's Director of Community Action, Matt Budd, speaks about his experience and his enthusiasm for engaging BC students with their responsibility to our school community, New York City, and society. He works with faculty on curriculum development, helps organize student changemaker groups, and connects with outside organizations to create additional opportunities for students to pursue causes they have interests in.

IRAQ WAR VETERAN SPEAKS TO 11TH GRADE'S AMERICAN STUDIES CLASS

Derek McGee, an Iraq war veteran, former Wall Street financier, and Occupy Wall Street protestor, spoke with 11th grade American Studies students about his experiences in the Iraq war. Students are currently studying the U.S. and the World, a major theme of which is the evolution of U.S.'s involvement in foreign affairs throughout the 20th century.

UPPER SCHOOL CABARET MAKES A SPLASH

The Upper School's exciting, student-driven cabaret 'Miscast Mismatched' thrilled audiences this week.  Photos. 

FACULTY ATTEND GLOBAL LANGUAGE CONFERENCE
Lower School Spanish teachers Fabricia Calcavecchia and Sandra Iraeta attended a Global Language and Culture conference hosted by NYSAIS and The Dalton School. Presenters shared techniques and methods for teaching world languages, such as applying visual reality and including interpersonal communication in lessons.

ACCLAIMED AUTHOR VISITS LOWER SCHOOL
Award-winning author Caron Levis visited PreK and Kindergarten students to discuss the ideas behind two of her books! "May I Have a Word" is all about adventures in letters and spelling and "Ida, Always" explores the emotions of love and loss.

DON'T MISS 
May 5: SATs
May 7: 8th Grade Parents Coffee
May 8: 5th Grade Trip to Buehler Science Center
May 8: Instrumental Concert
May 8: College Campus Resources Workshop for 12th Graders
May 9: Brooklyn in Solidarity event

May 9: Gathering for Parents & Guardians of Students of Color
May 11: Evening of Jazz
May 12: NYC Independent Schools Science Research Conference
May 15: Choral Concert
May 16: Senior Arts Night

May 16: Science Research & Design - Junior Presentations
May 17:  Coffee for Parents of Rising 5th Graders
May 17: Dance Concert
May 18: Last Day of Classes for Seniors

May 21: Bespoke Education Meeting with 10th Grade Parents
May 21-24: Senior Exams

May 21: Bespoke Education Meeting with 10th Grade Parents

May 21: Middle School Variety Show
May 23: Awards Night
May 24: Senior Prom
May 25: College Planning Coffee for 9th and 10th Grade Parents

May 25: College Planning Office for 9th & 10th Grade Parents
May 28: Memorial Day (school closed)
May 29: 6th Grade Concert
May 30: 5th Grade Concert
May 30: Science Research & Design Conference
May 30: Senior Scholars
May 30: Senior Dinner
May 31: Middle School Instrumental Concert
June 1: Commencement (noon dismissal for all students)
June 2: SAT
June 4: Last Day of Regular Upper School Classes

June 9: ACT
June 11: 8th Grade Dinner

June 12-13: Project Brooklyn (Middle School)

June 13: Lower School Arch Day

June 13: No Classes for 9th and 10th Graders

June 13: College Essay Writing Workshop for 11th Graders

June 14: Middle School Closing Ceremonies

June 14: Last Day of Upper School (half day) 

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