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August 10, 2021
Leadership Spotlight: Director of Middle School Mr. Mandeville
From the very first day BASIS Independent Brooklyn opened to students, Michael Mandeville stood apart as a leader
among our faculty. He shaped our French program from the middle school years through high school, including a very popular Senior Capstone class exploring French literature. For the past several years he also served as the French Subject Expert Advisor across all BASIS Independent Schools. Now he is excited to lead our Middle School program in collaboration with Dean Holly Goodin.
Mr. Mandeville received his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude with a double major in letters and French from the University of Oklahoma in 2010. In 2014, he received his master’s degree in French literature from the University of Oklahoma, and he was formally recognized for excellence in teaching by the University Provost. During his master’s program, he received a scholarship to participate in Middlebury College’s summer Russian program.
July 12, 2021
BASIS Independent Schools: Inside the 2021 Senior Projects
The Senior Project is the crowning achievement of the BASIS Curriculum. The last two years may have looked a little different—with Senior Project research, on-site work, and presentations taking a virtual form—but our students persevered in order to complete this extraordinary milestone.
This blog sheds some light on the Senior Project, its history, our incredible advisors, and most importantly, the students who continue to show that they can and will exceed all expectations.
July 9, 2021
Class of 2021: Graduation Reflections
On June 24th family, faculty, and students gathered together at the Palm House in the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens to celebrate the accomplishments of our Class of 2021. Our thirty-two graduates are now poised to continue their academic careers in top colleges and universities across the country.
During the ceremony, valedictorian Elizabeth C. and co-salutatorians Jacob H. and Joshua S. offered thoughtful reflections on their experience as a class and looked ahead to all that is in store for them. We wanted to share with our community since we were inspired by their words.
June 4, 2021
Businesses Started Up During Pandemic Downtime
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many things were disrupted. A large number of students, staff, and families found ways to cope and deal with the changes through service projects, which we have profiled extensively in the past year. One other trend we recently became aware of was the proliferation of businesses in our school community. While sequestered at home, some of our students and staff began to find their entrepreneurial side. Today we wanted to profile a few of these for you.
Mackerel Studios
Junior Andres M. enjoyed learning AP Economics with Mr. Duwan this year, and he just shared with us a project creating nautical-themed bracelets he has been working on for months inspired by the class. Mackerel Studios gave Andres the opportunity to combine his "love for the ocean and the idea of how mental and physical restrictions should not stop you from doing anything in your life."
Growing up Andres and his family were always drawn to the water, due in large part to his father's experience in professional sailing. Andres' sister has Cerebral Palsy, and the family looked for ways to allow her to enjoy and learn as much as anyone. They worked hard to find programs that make sailing possible for people with disabilities.
May 27, 2021
Gr. 7 Chemists Win State Title in You Be the Chemist Competition
A team comprised of four BASIS Independent Brooklyn 7th grade students -- Olivia M., Polly S., Sabrina M., and Sahana C.-- was just named the New York team winner in the You Be The Chemist Challenge. The Challenge is a competition hosted by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) in which teams of 5th-8th grade students explore chemistry concepts and the role of those concepts in their community.
The competition was held virtually this year due to COVID-19. Teams participated in a virtual event
where they answered timed questions and submitted a video on sustainability, scientific phenomena, and ways that problems faced by people in their community can be solved using their knowledge of chemistry and science. Ten thousand students from 266 schools competed in the challenge this year.
May 11, 2021
Celebrating Recent Student Accomplishments
We believe celebrating student accomplishments is important for not only recognizing excellence but also inspiring our students across the grades. Please join us in congratulations our Bears for a number of recent developments:
- Debate Team Accolades at the New York City and State Championships
- The Grizzly Columbia Scholastic Press Honors
- NOAA Recognition for COVID-19 Research by Luc M. '22
Debate Team
Debate Team Coach Brown was thrilled to announce Junior Peter Mugaba-N. won overall City Champion in the New York City Urban Debate Team City Championships. Our own Isaac W. '24 was the runner-up!
In the recent State Competition, our Bears made us proud. Coach Brown shared:
- Varsity Public Forum: Peter Mugaba N. earned 2nd Place Speaker, and Isaac W. placed 14th.
- JV Public Forum: Maren W. '23 earned 2nd Place Speaker while Riana S. '23 placed 3rd and Daniela S. '22 placed 9th.
Three teams advanced to the elimination rounds with Maren W. '23 and Daniela S. '22 placing 4th in JV Public Forum Semifinals. Szymon S. '22 and Hudson H. '22 placed 6th in Varsity Quarterfinals. Riana S. '23 and Stanislaw W. '22 placed 7th. in JV Public Forum Quarterfinals.
May 10, 2021
BASIS Independent Schools Network: 2021 College Acceptances
The college placement results for the Class of 2021 have arrived!
BASIS Independent Schools students continue to score impressive admission to some of the world’s best colleges and universities. From the Washington, D.C. Metro Area and New York City to California, students across the BASIS Independent Schools network have proven that even in the face of adversity and adaptation, hard work and commitment can reap incredible results.
May 7, 2021
Student Art Gracing 2021-2022 Communication Journal Covers
One tradition we are proud to continue this year is featuring student art on our 2021-2022 Communication Journal (CJ) covers. Creativity and expression through the Fine Arts thrived during the pandemic, and we received very strong entries to consider from across the grades. It is our honor now to unveil the art gracing our CJ covers next year!
Gr. 9-12 CJ Covers
Courtney H. '22 designed a very elegant version of our mascot on the Manhattan Bridge for our 2021-2022 cover. Luca S. '22 imagined a giant, mutant bear roaming through New York City skyscrapers like Godzilla for our back cover.
April 16, 2021
BASIS Independent Brooklyn's Class of 2021 College Acceptances
Today we honor our Class of 2021 and celebrate news of their college acceptances to date. A majority of our graduating students started with us in middle school, and they had a strong foundation from which to rise to the academic challenges presented in our high school program. Seniors began their last year virtually during a pandemic, and just this month the option of the COVID-19 vaccine was opened to them. This change hopefully marks a turning point that will permit them to experience campus life this fall. We look ahead to their bright future, confident in their preparation to be a force of positive change in our world.
"The class of 2021 should stand proud in their individual and collective accomplishments," said Head of School Hadley Ruggles. "Individually, they carved out personal identities that match their passions and what they hope to accomplish in the world. Collectively, they developed lasting relationships with teachers, friends, and administrators, which aided in their efforts in the college search process."
"It has been my greatest professional honor to witness their growth — supporting them when they requested it, but mostly granting them the autonomy to explore and achieve their goals," continued Ms. Ruggles. "These independent thinkers will not shy away from a challenge and will confidently go in the direction of their dreams."
Photo by Danny D. '22
April 7, 2021
Ministry of Sound - Digital Music Elective with Mr. Heilbronn
Technology has reshaped how we experience music in countless ways. What people might not know is that Mr. Heilbronn, one of our own faculty members, has been at the forefront of the changes in the music industry. For a select group of our high school students, each year he shares his knowledge and expertise during the Digital Music elective he teaches. The class has just one prerequisite – an interest in and love of music.
For more than 30 years, Mr. Heilbronn has been creating, editing, and producing music. He broke into the music scene as a teenager stepping in one night when the booked DJ failed to appear at a local club in his native Germany. He found his calling, and his love of music soon brought him to New York City with an opportunity to learn from music industry giant Francois K.
At New York City's famous Axis Studio, Mr. Heilbronn worked extensively in sound engineering and editing with a who's who of the most famous musicians in the business including Beyoncé, Jason Derulo, Michael Jackson, and Mariah Carey.
Students in Mr. Heilbronn's Digital Music elective learn the basics of measure and beat at the beginning of the class and progress to create final productions by the second and third trimesters.
Welcome!
Inspired by the blissful feeling of uncovering connections, our blog Eureka! Brooklyn is about sharing moments that capture the essence of what it is to be a BASIS Independent student, teacher, administrator, or family.