Brooklyn Bridge Parents Neighborhood news, schools, classes & kid-friendly events for Brooklyn families
Brooklyn Bridge Parents - Neighborhood news, schools, classes & kid-friendly events for Brooklyn families
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Chanukah Fun-day! | Chabad of DUMBO | 12/15
Chanukah Fun-day for children of all ages! Join us as we explore the story of Chanukah at Story time with Esther, make your own Chanukah menorah and get ready for the Festival of Lights! 10 to 11 am at the Chabad of Dumbo 205 Plymouth Street.
Celebrate the Festival of Lights and Freedom | Kane Street Synagogue | 12/15
Chanukah Party for Families with kids aged 1 to 5. Chanukah crafts, games, and live music from Shira & Friends, a 4 piece band. $20 per family. Sunday, December 15th 10:30 am-12 pm. Sign up in advance and skip the lines! kanestreet.org/family-chanukah.
BHS Preschool Book Fair | Brooklyn Heights | 12/15
A fun-filled day of book shopping for Chanukah, arts & crafts, face painting, bake sale, cookie decorating, and more! Brooklyn Heights Synagogue at 131 Remsen Street on Sunday, December 15, 10 AM to 2 PM. Open to the Public. Buy your raffle tickets and all-activity pass bracelets here.
BYOM: Bring Your Own Menorah Tot Candle Lighting | 12/19
Light the Chanukah candles, sing songs and share a snack. Feel free to bring a menorah to light. We’ll provide the candles! Thursday, December 19, 4 to 5 PM . For ages 2-4, free and open to the public at 131 Remsen Street at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. Questions? Email parentingcenter@bhsbrooklyn.org
Chanukah virtual reality experience | City Point | 12/22
Free Chanukah virtual reality experience (pop-up) which will take place on Sunday, December 22nd from 11AM – 4PM in Dekalb Market Hall at City Point, 445 Albee Square West in Downtown Brooklyn. The CHANUKAH EXPERIENCE is a ten-minute Virtual Reality holiday program created by the developers at the YokeyPokey, for ages 6+. The Holiday Pop Up starts with a history lesson, includes holiday theme gaming and ends with candle lighting in front of the menorah. Spin the Dreidel gives gamers 2 chances to land on gimel, which symbolizes wealth for maximum points. RSVP required here.
Menorah Lighting | Grand Army Plaza | 12/22
The Largest Menorah in Brooklyn has been towering over New York since 1985 and is a must on everyone’s calendar, Jews and non-Jews alike. Every night of Chanukah, thousands celebrate with the accompaniment of live music and hot latkes for all. The Menorah lighting celebration and concert are all free of charge. Sunday, December 22, 4 pm, December 23–26, 6 pm, December 27, 3:30 pm, December 28, 7 pm and December 29, 5:30 pm.
Public Menorah Lighting | DUMBO | 12/22
Join us at the Pearl Street Triangle as we light the first candle of the Menorah! Collect a menorah and candles for your family or a friend to use and grab a hot drink and Sufganiot or 2 (Chanukah donuts)! Sunday December 22nd at 5 pm.
Community Chanukah Light Party | DUMBO | 12/23
Enjoy hot potato latkes, arts and crafts, an amazing view of the bridges and the city and a spectacular light and fire show by acclaimed entertainer Keith Leif! Suggested donation $20 per family. Monday December 23rd 4 to 6 pm at 53 Bridge street 8th Floor. For more information please reach out to us at jewishdumbo@gmail.com.
Kiddie Korner’s Grand Chanukah Performance | Borough Hall | 12/23
Menorah lighting outside at the Borough Hall followed by a Kiddie Korner choir performance, latkes, Chanukah gifts and magic show inside Borough Hall on Monday, December 23rd at 5 pm.
Photo: Hannah Senesh
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 serving students in grades K-8 co-located with the overcrowded PS 20 at 225 Adelphi Street. P.S. 305 at 344 Monroe Street is an existing under-enrolled zoned elementary school serving students in grades Pre-K to 5. P.S. 305 currently serves around 100 students and enrollment has declined by 46 % since the 2014-2015 school year. The merged school that does not have a name yet is projected to have a total enrollment of 665 to 758 students.
What this means for Arts & Letters
Arts and Letters will be able to increase enrollment to fill a whole school building.
Arts and Letters will serve students in the PS 305 building whose students and staff will become part of the merged school.
Admissions policies and priorities will stay the same (open to District 13, 40% of seats apply to FRL applicants). Kindergarten applicants who have a verified sibling enrolled at the merged school will also have an admissions priority to the merged school.
Arts and Letters middle school grades continue to be open to students of District 13. Students are admitted to Grade 6 through the middle school admissions process using a screened admissions method, with priority to continuing Grade 5 students.
Currently, 94% of students enrolled in P.S. 305 are eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch compared to 22% of students enrolled in Arts and Letters. The merger will create a diverse K-8 option in District 13.
There will be a Pre-K program which Arts and Letters currently does not offer. The new Pre-K program will have the same admissions priorities as Arts & Letters.
What this means for PS 305
P.S. 305 will no longer exist as a school option as of the 2020-2021school year.
All current students at P.S. 305 and Arts and Letters are expected to attend the new, merged school in Bed Stuy, which will have sufficient space to accommodate these students.
For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years only, students residing in the current P.S. 305 zone who are eligible for FRL will receive priority for 20% of the kindergarten seats at the merged school.
Zone lines around PS 305 will be changed in collaboration with the CEC 13.
Students living in the existing P.S. 305 school zone will receive admissions priority to their new zoned school in 2020-2021 and beyond. There are a sufficient number of excess elementary school seats at neighboring zoned schools to accommodate all students living in the current P.S. 305 zone.
What this means for PS 20
The move will free up a significant amount of building capacity needed for the overcrowded zoned school PS 20 in Fort Greene.
Read more about the proposal at Chalkbeat.
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BQE vision statement by neighboring communities published
Saturday, November 30, 2019
The Brooklyn Heights Association working with A Better Way, the Cobble Hill Association, the DUMBO Action Committee and eight other neighborhood organizations has drafted a unified vision statement and sent it to the Mayor’s BQE Panel as well as to elected officials.
Key elements of the statement:
“The end result of the ... (read more).
The Pierrepont Collection in Brooklyn Heights – Two Months Free (sponsored)
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Brooklyn Heights’ new, rental residential building, The Pierrepont, boasts expansive 1-to-3-bedroom homes and a collection of amenities including a fitness center, children’s indoor and outdoor play area, rooftop and Zen garden. New for residents – Children’s Lego, Music Classes, Yogie Land and Treasure Trunk Theater! A carefully curated ... (read more).
Brooklyn Heights’ new, rental residential building, The Pierrepont, boasts expansive 1-to-3-bedroom homes and a collection of amenities including a fitness center, children’s indoor and outdoor play area, rooftop and Zen garden. New for residents – Children’s Lego, Music Classes, Yogie Land and Treasure Trunk Theater! A carefully curated programming designed to enhance and enrich the residents’ living experience, sign-up now.
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Holiday markets in our neighborhood
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Holiday markets and winter fairs are coming up in Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, the Navy Yard and Downtown Brooklyn.
Grace Church School Book Fair | Brooklyn Heights | 12/5 & 12/6
Grace Church School is hosting an open to the public book and toy fair. The event will take place on Thursday ... (read more).
, join CaribBeing on The Plaza at 300 Ashland for their CaribBeing Holiday Market Experience. Shop for handcrafted and one-of-a kind items from favorite Caribbean makers and artisans offering a range of food, beauty, jewelry, and goods.
FAD Market | Cobble Hill | 12/7, 12/8, 12/14 & 12/15
Over 50 designer makers will be showcasing unique handcrafted art, jewelry, apparel, bath and body care, tableware and home furnishings and indulge in locally crafted food and drinks. The event will take place at Invisible Dog Art Center at 51 Bergen Street on 12/7, 12/8, 12/14 and 12/15 from 11 am to 6 pm.
FAD Market | Downtown Brooklyn | 12/7, 12/8, 12/14 & 12/15
Over 60 designer makers will be showcasing unique handcrafted art, jewelry, apparel, bath and body care, tableware and home furnishings and indulge in locally crafted food and drinks. The event will take place at City Point at 445 Albee Square on 12/7, 12/8, 12/14 and 12/15 from 11 am to 7 pm.
Photo: Brooklyn Friends Winterfest
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Brooklyn Detention Complex on Atlantic Avenue closing in January
Sunday, November 24, 2019
The Brooklyn Detention Complex will be closed in January 2020. The Brooklyn jail which has been at 275 Atlantic Avenue since 1957 is outmoded by modern prison standards. It has a capacity of 759 inmates but only houses 350 to 400 currently for those waiting for their bail hearing or trial. ... (read more).
City and Country School Application Deadline: 11/29/19 (sponsored)
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
City and Country School is currently accepting applications for Fall 2020 for its 2s–8th Grade program. C&C is located in the West Village, less than two blocks from the 14th Street transportation hub that includes the 1/2/3, L, F/M, A/C/E, and PATH trains. Apply today and ... (read more).
City and Country School is currently accepting applications for Fall 2020 for its 2s–8th Grade program. C&C is located in the West Village, less than two blocks from the 14th Street transportation hub that includes the 1/2/3, L, F/M, A/C/E, and PATH trains. Apply today and schedule your visit. The application deadline for Fall 2020 is November 29, 2019. Email Elise Bauer, Director of Admissions, with any questions: admissions@cityandcountry.org.
City and Country School, for children ages 2s–8th grade, is a historically significant progressive school founded in 1914 by pioneer educator Caroline Pratt. Lower School classrooms are equipped with ample space and an abundant supply of carefully chosen open-ended materials including paint, sand, clay, wood, water, and Pratt’s creation: wooden unit blocks, which are now used around the world. These materials, along with teachers who expertly guide their use, inspire creativity, cooperation, and independence. Math, reading, and writing are taught effectively in systematic and contextual ways. In 3rd–8th grade, C&C’s program emphasizes depth of learning and research skills as children engage in historical studies of our diverse world. Specials classes in Art, Technology, Library, Music, Rhythms, Science, Woodshop, Orchestra, and Spanish enable children to connect their scientific and artistic experiences with history, social justice, and culture. A hallmark is the Jobs Program: each grade has a job for the entire School community (running the post office, printing press, or school store, for example). Through their jobs, children solidify leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a powerful and practical context, as well as develop a deep sense of responsibility and resourcefulness. Our graduates are confident, creative thinkers with a true excitement for learning and the ability to collaborate and problem solve in any situation. Students are accepted to a wide range of high schools, and an extremely high percentage attend their school of choice.
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CAMP family experience store opening at City Point
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
CAMP family experience store is opening on Black Friday at City Point mall in Downtown Brooklyn. The CAMP store will include a canteen (café), a magic door that leads to an interactive space for play and shopping, and a theatre for activities and programming for kids of ages 1 to ... (read more).
, a magic door that leads to an interactive space for play and shopping, and a theatre for activities and programming for kids of ages 1 to 10.
The Brooklyn store is approximately 10,000 square feet big separated on two floors. The Canteen at street level will be filled with merchandise for all ages including books, gifts, toys and apparel. The cafe will feature Ample Hills ice cream, other snacks and coffee. The experience below is where you find BaseCAMP’s interactive play space, theatre and more shopping. Store hours will be 10 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 am to 7 pm on Sundays.
Free events i.e. free music classes as well as paid for events i.e. “Tie dye your own T-Shirt” and “Melting Snowman Slime” for $30 per child will be offered. You can also host birthday parties and exclusive playgroups in the space or drop your child off for weekly date night.
Find out more here.
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Holiday tree lightings and Santa visits in Brooklyn
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Free Holiday tree lighting events and Santa visits are coming up in various neighborhoods including DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Park Slope and Gowanus.
Park Slope Tree Lighting | 11/30
Santa, glitter tattoos, treats, Santa and live music during the tree lighting ceremony at 5th Avenue and 4th Street in Park Slope ... (read more).
Preschool is a Gift! (sponsored)
Monday, November 18, 2019
Fall has finally arrived and the team at Building Bridges Preschool is excited to welcome so many local parents at our school tours! We still have a few tour dates available for booking on our website and look forward to welcoming families into our beautiful classrooms and to discuss our ... (read more).
Fall has finally arrived and the team at Building Bridges Preschool is excited to welcome so many local parents at our school tours! We still have a few tour dates available for booking on our website and look forward to welcoming families into our beautiful classrooms and to discuss our programs. In order to attend a 2019 tour your child must be 2 years old on or before September 1, 2020. Building Bridges Preschool is a non-denominational Preschool for children ages 2 to 5 years located at 250 Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn Heights. Part time and full time options available. Please email info@buildingbridgesbklyn.com or call 347-334-6474 for more information.
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Signs of success for District 15’s middle school admissions changes
Monday, November 18, 2019
District 15’s schools have been among the most socio-economically and racially segregated schools in New York City. District 15 includes Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Boerum Hill, Park Slope, Sunset Park, Red Hook and parts of Downtown Brooklyn.
In the new admissions plan that was implemented this school year 2019/2020, Fifth Grade families ... (read more).
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This year’s enrollment numbers show that disproportionately white and affluent schools saw some of the most dramatic changes including MS 51 and the New Voices School. Schools serving mostly Hispanic students also experienced notable shifts — but in some cases the changes were less pronounced, suggesting there is still work to be done to convince families to consider a wider range of options for their children.
The concerns that white and more affluent families would flee the public school system or would move into the suburbs “white flight” could not be confirmed. The district’s share of white Sixth Graders remained unchanged compared to last year at 31%.
Council member Brad Lander: “Really mean it when I say that District 15 middle-school integration might be the most encouraging thing happening in NYC this fall. Last year, only 3 of our 11 middle schools met targets for diversity (the rest were overwhelmingly white, or overwhelmingly students of color). This year, 8 out of the 11 schools met our targets for diversity.”
NY Appleseed‘s David Tipson: “I think part of what we’re seeing is that there is a huge benefit to all parents in taking the stress and competition associated with segregation out of choosing a school. When all schools have a representative balance of students, you don’t have to worry that x school is where are all the affluent families are going or that y school is challenged by an over-representation of high-needs kids or whatever parents worry about. You can focus more on issues like the philosophy and programs of the school – and whether they are right for your child.”
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 activities, BKB Adventure Days will teach your kiddo how to become big-hearted, open-minded, and prepared for the world ahead.
Age groups: 5 to 12 years old
Camp hours: 9am-3.30 pm with optional early drop off and extended care
Camp costs: $139 – $159 per day
Address: 575 Degraw Street | Gowanus
Contact: Website
Brooklyn Strategist Mini Camps
Program: Our fun and flexible camp let kids build kingdoms, strategize takeovers, save the planet and cure disease together, all by playing games!
Age groups: 5 to 14 years old
Camp hours: 9am-4pm with optional extension until 6 pm
Camp costs: $150 per day
Address: 333 Court Street | Carroll Gardens
Contact: Website
Brooklyn Robot Foundry Mini Camp
Program: Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s unique approach to engineering encourages students’ imagination and artistry in the building process. During each full-day session, children in K-4th grade will learn basic mechanical engineering and electrical principles while creating two super-fun robots, which they’ll take home at the end of the day. Returning students in 3rd-5th grade can choose to enroll in the Robot Inventors program, in which they’ll design and build their very own robot creations.
Age groups: Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Camp hours: 9am-3pm with optional extension until 6 pm
Camp costs: $120 plus $30 material fee per day
Address: 492 Atlantic Avenue | Boerum Hill
Contact: contact@brooklynrobotfoundry.com 347-762-6840 Website
Camp Yokey Vacation Day Camps
Program: Camp Yokey offers vacation camp when the kids are off from school on short and long vacation. Upcoming camps include Game design and unity basics, 3D animation and hardware insider classes.
Age groups: 7 to 15 years
Camp hours: 9am-3pm with optional after care
Camp costs: $100 per day
Address: 537 Atlantic Avenue | Downtown Brooklyn
Contact: hello@yokeypokey.com 732-965-3969 website
Child’s Play NY
Program: From Superheroes and Moana to Halloween-themed fun, these half-day theater camps will get kids powered-up with imagination. Led by a talented team of teaching artists, students will act out stories, learn songs, work together on missions, and activate their play on their days off from school.
Age groups: 2-4, 4-6 years old
Camp hours: 9am-12pm
Camp costs: $75 per day
Address: Cobble Hill Playschool | Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill Ballet School | Carroll Gardens
Contact: emily@childsplayny.com, (347) 759-6313, Website
Court 16 Day Camp
Program: Designed for kids ages 4 through 12 and open to non-members, tennis day camps at Court 16 are designed for kids to build confidence through tennis games in small groups and off-court activities that foster social fluency.
Age groups: 4 to 12 years
Camp hours: 9am-3pm
Camp costs: $145 per day
Address: 526 Baltic Street | Gowanus
Contact: Website
Creatively Wild Art Studio
Program: Creatively WILD Art Camps for Toddlers, Kids & Teens include exploration in Painting, Drawing, Illustration, Cartooning, Manga Art, Found Object Art, Mixed Media & 3D Art, as well as our Stop Motion Animation & Advanced Computer Illustration Camps
Age groups: 2-4yrs / 5-8 yrs / 9-17 yrs
Camp hours: 9 am – 4 pm or half day options / early drop off & extended day options for extra fees
Camp costs: From $75- $150
Address: 98 Water Street | DUMBO
Contact: hello@creativelywildartstudio.com Website
Curious Jane Drop-In Days
Program: A mash-up of our favorite, hands-on maker projects –– active, creative and totally DIY! With a few different projects each day… we dip into miniature scenes, printed cards and posters, room decorations, take-home games, creative creatures, spy science decoders and detective work, and LED light-ups. Different projects each day. Join us!
Age groups: Girls ages in 1st – 4th grades
Camp hours: 9:45am – 3.30 pm (no early or late-stay)
Camp costs: $150 per day
Address: 400 3rd Avenue, #2 | Gowanus
Contact: Website
Everyday Athlete Mini Camp
Program: Everyday Athlete Holiday Programming is more than just fun: it’s a science-based fitness curriculum that will inspire your child and give them a powerful connection to their body, teaching them how to move better while having fun!
Age groups: Half Day Program 3-4; Full Day K-1; Specialty Sports & Full Day Programs Grades 2-5
Camp hours: 8:45 AM – 3 PM ; Extended Day Option 3 PM – 6 PM
Camp costs: $160 per day
Address: 153 Bridge Park Drive | Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5
Contact: Camps@everydayathlete.com 718-852-6300 Website
Explorer Kids School Break Camps
Program: School Break Camp takes kids on exciting excursions throughout all five boroughs, experiencing NYC the best way possible – as a kid! Campers will be challenged to problem solve and think critically about the world around them as they participate in art and science experiments, off-beat scavenger hunts, nature walks and wildlife explorations.
Age groups: 2-12 years
Camp hours: 8 am – 6 pm
Camp costs: $150 per day
Address: 36 St. Felix Street | Fort Greene
Contact: Website
Pixel Academy School Holidays Camps
Program: Build a Custom Beyblade or Lets Play All-Day are mini camps Pixel Academy offer teaching kids and teens to interact creatively with digital technology.
Age groups: 7 – 15 years old
Camp hours: 9am – 3 pm (extended care until 5.30 pm for $25)
Camp costs: Inquire directly
Address: 163 Pacific Street | Boerum Hill
Contact: Website
Super Soccer Stars Camp
Program: Super Soccer Stars offers convenient and fun kids soccer camps that provide each child with a full dose of soccer fun for the day.
Age groups: 3-10 years old
Camp hours: 9am-12pm
Camp costs: $75 per day
Address: Cadman Plaza and Boerum Hill
Contact: Website
Textile Arts Center Mini Camp
Program: In these Mini Camps students explore subjects such as weaving, sewing, embroidery, printing, felting and dyeing. Each day is dedicated to a full project, and supplemented with organized play time.
Age groups: 5-10 years old
Camp hours: 9am-5pm
Camp costs: $140 per day
Address: 505 Carroll Street | Gowanus
Contact: info@textileartscenter.com Website
Treasure Trunk Theater
Program: At Treasure Trunk Theatre, children explore the world of drama and dance using the themes and music from our favorite stories and themes (from Shakespeare to Toy Story, to our new ‘She-Roes’ camp celebrating the strong women in history)! Each day will be filled with dramatic games to warm up our bodies and voices and get our imaginations ready for theatrical exploration. Students will open our magical treasure trunk and learn essential theatre skills and terms, engage in dramatic play, explore dance and movement, and create artwork each day.
Age groups: 3-6 years old, and select dates also 5-8 years old
Camp hours: 9 am-12 pm, with optional extended day until 3 pm, select dates optional extended day until 5 pm, 8:30am early drop off available
Camp costs: $75 – $160 per day – varies based on optional extended days chosen (until 3/5pm)
Address: 141 Atlantic Avenue | Brooklyn Heights
Contact: info@treasuretrunktheatre.com
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September 2019 © Brooklyn Bridge Parents
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 named Kosmo Kidd crash lands his wind-up rocket ship in Lily’s kitchen. Kosmo whisks Lily away to his floating treehouse in Outer Outer Space, to join his Spacetronaut crew. Lily and Kosmo share many adventures, exploring exotic alien worlds and facing fearsome villains, as Lily proves that a girl from Brooklyn can hold her own among the galaxy’s greatest junior space cadets. Recommended for 7-10 year olds. Shop here.
Mermaids on Parade by Mel Hope Greenberg
Excited about wearing her own special costume for the day, a little girl goes with her family to Coney Island to take part in all the festivities of the Mermaid Parade where mermaids, Neptunes, and sea creatures of all shapes, colors, and sizes go to strut their stuff! Recommended for ages 4 to 7. Shop here.
How Emily saved the Bridge by Fieda Wishinsky
The Brooklyn Bridge, the iconic suspension bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, was completed in 1883. It is thanks to Emily Warren Roebling that the bridge was finished at all. Emily was not an engineer, but she was educated in math and science. She married Washington Roebling, the chief engineer of the famous bridge. When Washington became ill from decompression sickness, Emily stepped in, doing everything from keeping the books, to carrying messages for her husband, to monitoring the construction of the bridge. She was the first person to cross the Brooklyn Bridge when it opened. Recommended for ages 3 to 6. Shop here.
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