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May 2026 Newsletter
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Career Day
The month of April included Career Day at BJP! Students spent the morning attending sessions to meet with a firefighter, brand manager, attorney, and more. Our students asked great questions to our volunteers, like, “As a nurse, how many patients do you see in one day?” and “Why don’t the finished buildings always come out like the original drawings you made as an architect?” One set of scholars even had the chance to work with a Wellness Educator, creating natural lip balms and learning about how science and engineering have a place in our everyday lives. We are grateful for our Career Day volunteers who dedicated their mornings to showing BJP students all the potential career paths at their fingertips.
Saturday Program
On April 18, we hosted our second to last Saturday program of the year with the help of volunteers from the Villanova Club of NYC. Students began with a design challenge, "building" their communities out of non-traditional items, like paper cups and cotton balls. Our students then had the chance to participate in a scavenger hunt around the BJP campus before stepping outside and to spend a beautiful Saturday at the park. Thank you to all of our Saturday volunteers for continuing to make these days possible, and a big shout out to the Villanova Club of NYC for traveling to BJP and spending their Spring Day of Service with our students!
Earth Day Clean Up
April 17 marked our annual Earth Day Clean up around the BJP campus and surrounding neighborhood. Students donned gloves, grabbed trash bags, and headed out, spending the afternoon making their community a brighter, cleaner, safer space. Our BJP scholars also had the chance to reflect on what it means to exist within a larger whole. While stepping outside and breathing fresh air, they were asked to consider what Earth Day means to them, and the importance of keeping their environment and surrounding world a greener space for all to enjoy.
Ellis Island
Recently, our eighth graders took their annual field trip to Ellis island to learn more about the history of their city and those who immigrated to New York. Eighth graders Jazara and Jayla were interested to learn that immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Europe all had to stop at Ellis Island before coming into the states. The two also enjoyed getting up close to the Statue of Liberty (given to the US by France, a fun fact Jayla shared), and the "not too bumpy" ferry ride to the island itself. Having the ability to see the ancestral records and physical statues added significance to what our students have learned in the classroom, and they were glad to have been able to witness history firsthand.
BJP in the News
BJP President James Kennedy was recently featured on two podcasts, having the opportunity to speak about the merits of BJP and a Jesuit education more broadly.
AMDG Podcast
On the AMDG Jesuit Podcast, Kennedy speaks of BJP as an innovative and forward-thinking middle school, taking the time to acknowledge everything from increasing wages for teachers to how anti-immigration polices affect the Jesuit faith. He provides fascinating insight into the inner-workings of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, as well as urban pre-secondary education in New York City and beyond. If you're interested in listening to this episode on AMDG, please use the link below.
The Consistency Factor
On The Consistency Factor, Kennedy touches on his personal growth and development through the Jesuit faith. The podcast discusses his journey from a student at Regis High School, to his years as a high school English teacher, to his current role as BJP. He explains his experiences along the way, how they shaped his leadership philosophy, and how he leaves an impact on our scholars. If you're interested in listening to this episode of The Consistency Factor, please click the title above or the link below.
