Middle School Pops Concert at BCS!

Last week, we had a standing room only crowd during the first annual BCS Middle School Pops Concert - it was one of the most fun musical events we have hosted at BCS!  Mr. Belles put together this short montage from the performances - definitely a must watch!

BCS Middle School Choir Pops Concert - February 2015 from Bullis Charter School on Vimeo.

Have You Googled Tom Hanks Lately?

If so, then you would see all the coverage from when a few BCS students sold Girl Scout cookies to him in downtown Los Altos last week!

Check out the all the stories that have been published this week, and see the original post on our Facebook page!

Los Altos Town Crier
CNN
Time Magazine
People
Huffington Post
Today.com

Wanny's Words: Global Innovation Summit

By Wanny Hersey
Superintendent/Principal at Bullis Charter School

In February, I was invited to serve on a panel at the Global Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley, where I joined leaders from around the world who were also committed to building ecosystems where entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation can thrive.

During the panel discussion I was asked how BCS is able to create ecosystems within the public education model that foster creative confidence and inspire students.  

I have always believed that the secret to our success is in hiring great teachers and continually providing the necessary support systems so that they can model the very skills we hope to instill in our students.

Therefore, at BCS I ensure that our teachers also inhabit an environment in which to model and inspire students by providing them dedicated time to collaborate and innovate.  

Unlike school systems where teachers only meet with those within their own departments, BCS teachers are encouraged to work with their peers across disciplines to create units that integrate all subject areas.  

In addition to providing the time and the opportunity to collaborate, I shared the extensive training all staff members receive before the school year begins as well as the professional learning communities that they are a part of throughout the year with mentors, boot camps, and extra support in areas they seek to improve on individually and within grade level teams.

A graphic representation from the panel discussion
"Educated Insight: The Reinvention of Learning" at the 

Global Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley, February 2015

BCS Receives Digital Citizenship Recognition

From Jessica Lura, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships: I am pleased to announce that BCS has been recognized by Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of digital media and technology, as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship: Certified School for educating our students to be safe, smart, and ethical digital citizens.   BCS is one of only three schools in the state to meet all the criteria for the recognition. At BCS, we strive to empower all students to become digital citizens; students who think critically, behave safely and ethically, and participate responsibility in the digital world.  We’re excited to be recognized by Common Sense for our on-going commitment to educate our staff, students, and families about the importance of digital citizenship in every grade, K-8.   You can read more about the certification here, as well as on the Common Sense website.