The Upper School discussed protest as an aspect of American society during the first of this year's four BC Talks events, which will all focus on the question, "What is American?" Topics included how different people are responding to NFL player Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem.

Keynote speaker Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams received a standing ovation after he talked about how, despite our differences, we must work together to solve problems. A former cop of 22 years, Adams addressed the issue of police brutality and spoke of the need to build more trust with community engagement and to rid communities of bad police, among other opportunities for progress. Read more about the day.  More photos.

Congratulations to Nat D. '17, whose satirical essay, "A Letter From Your Urban Private School," is featured in "The Best Teen Writing of 2016," an anthology published by The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition initiative for creative teens. The essay won a national silver medal, ranking Nat in the top 1% of students nationwide. The book will be part of a year-long exhibit at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C, as well as a national tour.

The New York Philharmonic asked our music department to partner with them on the commemoration of their 175th Anniversary and is featuring the school on a website they created for the occasion. Students will perform a selection from Dvorak's New World Symphony and attend a dress rehearsal of the Philharmonic playing the work at Lincoln Center.

Our new Middle School library (which includes a classroom and faculty workspace) and the new performing arts classroom are now finished! More photos.