Posts about School Community
November 30, 2021
Expressing Gratitude and Establishing a Culture of Service
Across both our Lower and Upper School campuses this November, the Wellness month theme was gratitude. Students and faculty explored what it means to be grateful in class and recognize the self-awareness it involves. Our students were challenged to see what they are grateful for and take it a step further—to express their gratitude in ways that would help develop a culture of service.
Today we want to feature how our school community has come together in so many wonderful ways this fall to be of service to the Red Hook community through the following programs:
- Day of Gratitude and Service
- Giving Tree Project
- Lunch Redistribution Program
- National Honor Society Weekend Volunteering
August 27, 2021
2020-2021 Year in Review
Dear Families and Staff,
During the quiet months of summer, I always take time to reflect on the past year. The 2020–2021 school year sparked a period of constant introspection both as a community and country. It will stand apart for decades to come due to the pandemic and the many changes that ensued. Now I wanted to share some lessons learned, celebrate accomplishments, and pay tribute to our 2021 graduates.
What We Learned in 2020-2021
While we weathered the pandemic storm in a year that we hope will be like no other, we prioritized following the advice of scientific and public health advisors. While we learned—along with all our peer schools—that health mandates evolve based on changing data, we also realized the importance of remaining nimble with the health of the community as a priority.
Our community cares for each other. Thank you for staying home when sick and making mindful choices when thinking of travel and social plans. We are proud to have experienced minimal cases of community spread, and we attribute that to each family following our community agreement.
Primary School students pose on PJ Day last year. Note that even Baby Yoda is wearing a mask.
July 19, 2019
2018–19 Year in Review
Dear Families and Staff,
During the quiet months of summer, I take time to reflect on the past year. 2018–19 marked a milestone year. Our school "turned five," and our first class of seniors graduated in June. Throughout the year student accomplishments across all grades also continued to reaffirm the vision behind all that we have built here in Brooklyn.
We want to recognize the individuals who have been here since our school 
doors first opened and those who have joined us along the way. No matter what year you began, you were—and are—intimately part of raising a school. As we like to say, “a school grows in Brooklyn,” and with it so many children and professionals. Betty Smith’s seminal work, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, serves as an iconic example for the school. We—like the characters in the book—have grown together and developed our community by facing common challenges and sharing in joys, successes, and celebrations. Like the symbolic tree, we have set down roots in order to preserve our ties to each other.
July 27, 2018
2017-2018 Year in Review
Dear BASIS Independent Brooklyn Families and Staff,
Every summer once the halls are quiet, I spend time reflecting on the school year. 2017–18 was a year defined by extremes, since it encompassed challenging times that placed schools in the national headlines, as well as many exceptional accomplishments on our campus. My note will focus on the great news that deserves celebration, since I want our student accolades to receive the recognition they deserve from the entire BASIS Independent Brooklyn community.
Across the country this past school year, student voices rose to make an impact, and our community joined in proudly. High school students, with the help of faculty adviser Ms. Das, established our Leadership Club that set the stage for organizing school social events as well as student activism.
April 25, 2018
Talent Show Photo Essay
Two snowstorms could not put a damper on the BASIS Independent Brooklyn Talent Show! After rescheduling twice, parents, students, and faculty gathered together on Friday, April 20 to celebrate the creativity and talent of our students.
Thank you to Doug Meils for the amazing photos capturing our student performers! Ironically, Doug took photos of every student performer but his own son, since he was too busy videotaping that performance. Following is a short photo compilation of the event for our families.
February 23, 2018
High School Fed Challenge Begins
Today we publish the first of hopefully many blog posts written by students for our school community! Middle and Upper School students interested in covering events or activities can submit blog posts for consideration and review to their Dean, who will share with our Director of Communications.
February 16, 2018
Oui, C'est Vrai! Filming a Netflix Series in Paris
Instead of spending his summer sleeping in, going to camp, or taking family vacations, Kaeden R., one of our most theatrical rising 6th graders, spent the summer months doing something highly unusual: he flew to Paris to co-star in season 2 of a new Netflix series called "Seven & Me"!
February 12, 2018
BASIS Curriculum Schools News Roundup
BASIS Curriculum Schools is no stranger to making the news—whether its large scale recognition for its academic program or stories of the differences our students make volunteering in and supporting their local community. We make a point to share these stories out with families and readers, but want to highlight some of the most recent news.
February 2, 2018
It's Pre-Comp Time!
Next week is an important one in the life of a BASIS Independent Brooklyn Middle School student. It's pre-comp time!
October 23, 2017
Cast Your Vote for the 2017 Breakthrough Junior Challenge!
We are ecstatic to announce that Beryl Z., an 11th grader at our sister school, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, has entered the Breakthrough Junior Challenge!
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.