BCAM Backtalk May 2012
Volume 1, Issue 4
300 Willoughby Avenue, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205
The First-Ever Senior Trip: Over and Done! by Tamara Mouzon '12 and Joanna Sledge '12
It’s been done! Many members BCAM's senior class went to Honors Haven Resort in Ellenville, NY on May 11th. The dreaded "senior curse" of no senior trip didn't affect BCAM’s third graduating class. “I wouldn’t say the curse is broken, it depends on the people if they want to go on the senior trip,” said senior Autumn Edwards. At approximately 6:30 a.m. on a Friday, senior BCAM students met at the school and waited for the bus to arrive. Luggage and bags were checked and loaded unto the bus for a two-hour ride up to the resort for three days and two nights of non-stop fun and relaxation. According to senior Brandon Jones, this year’s senior class were guinea pigs for the whole experience. The trip turned out well, according to senior Sharonda Gardner. “It was fun and exciting. It was an experience that I want to experience again, and I can never forget [it],” said Gardner. According to Jones the trip to Honors Haven Resort was ultimately "amazing." “I would stay there for a year,” said Edwards. Having friends around, participating in activities like horseback riding, paintball, and a bungee run, and having access to an indoor pool/Jacuzzi, free breakfast, lunch and dinner made many seniors wish for another chance to stay at the Resort. Weeks before the trip started, many seniors were excited and
already planning what they would do. Senior Amyr Wynder, had planned to be “sniffing the fresh air and thinking about what I’m going to do, and [asking] where’s the basketball court.” “I’m going to choose the bed first,” said senior Kimberly Scott. Senior Aaron Lewis planned on having fun and jumping on his bed. “I’m going to the pool and swimming. I’m going to do paintball and gonna go horseback riding because I like the scenery,” said senior Alex Casado. Other students saw the trip as a last chance to really bond with friends. “This [was] our first and last trip as a class, after is prom, and that’s our last moment together,” said Lewis. According to Jones, “[The trip is] special because I never really spent a night with classmates and friends.” “This [was] one time we go away before we graduate, and it’s with our friends,” said senior Sharon Vega. 12th grade Economics teacher agreed. “This one is special because it’s the first senior trip,” said Coston. “I’m excited that this senior class gets to go on this trip,” she added. Gardner said she would recommend this senior trip to future seniors at BCAM because it was just fun. ”I think any senior trip will be fun, it doesn’t matter where,” said Gardner.
photo by Tamara Mouzon '12 and Dominique Arzu '12
Senior Aaron Lewis shows his excitement for the senior trip to Honors Haven Resort days before departure.
BCAM Earns ‘B’ on Quality Review by Gevaughn Laird '12
BCAM recently received a 'B' grade from the state.
Eyeshadow on the Lips? Page 2
Recently BCAM received a Quality Review grade from the NYC Department of Education. This grade reflects the progress that the school is making. "I think [the B grade is] fair; however, I would like to see how other schools are being ranked," said 11th grade English teacher, Mr. Pedergnana. Mr. Pedergnana also talked about improvements that BCAM should make in the future. He mentioned "putting things in
place that can show teachers concrete information about how prepared the students are not [only] for college but for the world.” "I feel happy about the grade but mixed about where we are as a school, pertaining to the rubric. I think that we really shined, but we need to continue to improve," he added. Mr. O'Brien felt similarly. O'Brien suggested that the school needs to "be more consistent. As principal I need to improve on
Teacher News! Page 4
supporting teachers in their practice. The final piece that requires improvement is the fact that we need to do a better job as a whole school in allowing students to know how we're doing in terms of their development." "I'm happy that we got a B," said junior Jamelia Thompson. "We as a school should get more after school programs that will increase our grade to an A." Given the course that the school is taking perhaps BCAM will get an A the next time around.
BCAM Sports! Page 3