STUDENT

HANDBOOK
CONTENTS
WELCOME 01

OUR PROGRAM 02

CLASS CALENDAR 03

ENROLLMENT & ATTENDANCE 03

CASE MANAGEMENT 04

STAFF DIRECTORY 05

RULES & GUIDELINES 06

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 08

PLANNER 09
 WELCOME TO BCALP!

Welcome

You are now part of a long tradition of hard-working and dedicated

students and teachers. We congratulate you on taking this important
step toward reaching your goals, and we look forward to working with
you.

Classes this fall will be 70% online and 30% in person. When online, you
will meet with your teacher via Zoom. Therefore, students will need an
internet-enabled device with a mic and camera to participate.

This program respects the fact that you have serious educational goals
and will maintain the same standards of teaching and learning online as
well as it has on the Brooklyn College campus.

STUDENT HANDBOOK 01
OUR PROGRAM

The Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program (BCALP) was founded in

1987. BCALP provides free ESOL, High School Equivalency (HSE/GED)
preparation, and pre-HSE/GED services to over 400 adults each year.
Students enter the program with a variety of goals, from learning English
to earning the credentials necessary for access to gainful employment or
higher education. Case Management is provided to help all students
plan and implement the next steps towards college or careers.

Our staff of dedicated, experienced professionals presents a variety of

opportunities for learning. BCALP students are active learners who take
responsibility for their education. Our students’ successes begin in a
class where they find a positive learning environment that includes
cooperative hands-on activities, partner work, and group projects to help
them understand and absorb new material.

Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program teachers align their instruction

to the requirements of the highest educational standards and take
advantage of many of the resources available on the college campus as
well as those available throughout New York City.

Our HSE test pass rate consistently exceeds the New York State
Education Department’s annual benchmarks. To date, 1286 individuals
have earned a high school equivalency diploma after completing the
Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program. Currently, 351 BCALP
graduates are attending or have completed college.

There are four pathways to earning a High School Equivalency Diploma

in New York State. The New York State Education Department website
has more information:

http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/high-school-equivalency-hse

STUDENT HANDBOOK 02
CLASS CALENDAR

First Day of Fall Term

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Last Day of Fall Term

Friday, April 7, 2023

No Class
February 20, Presidents Day

College Closed
April 4-13, Spring Break

ENROLLMENT & ATTENDANCE

Students need to attend at least 85% of all scheduled classes.

It is each student’s responsibility to maintain their continued enrollment

in the Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program. Attendance will always be
taken whether the class is in person or online. All students are required to
maintain good attendance.

If you know that you will have to miss school for an extended period of
time, you can request a Leave of Absence.

STUDENT HANDBOOK 03
CASE MANAGEMENT

In addition to regular class time, the Case Management team will

schedule several information sessions to help students plan for college,
careers, or job training.

Case Management at BCALP is designed to help each student complete

the program and transition successfully onto higher education and/or
career pathway. Case Management will take place both in the virtual
classroom and at special events.

CUNY Black Male Initiative

Our program receives extra funding to increase the number of students

from underrepresented groups, particularly black and Hispanic males,
who graduate with HSE diplomas, and to increase the numbers of these
graduates who continue on to college. Programs and activities of CUNY
BMI are open to all without regard to race, gender, national origin, or
other characteristics.

http://www1.cuny.edu/sites/bmi/

STUDENT HANDBOOK 04
STAFF DIRECTORY

COMMUNICATION WITH THE ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM

You should use email to contact the office.

CONTACT US AT: [email protected]

Include your first and last name and your teacher’s name in your email.
We will respond as soon as possible during business hours.

OFFICE STAFF

Program Coordinator: Keesha Rada

[email protected]

Director: Carla Möller

[email protected]

Case Manager: Alexis Morales

[email protected]

INSTRUCTORS

Irva Adams: [email protected]

Avril DeJesus: [email protected]

John Fenton: [email protected]

Omnia Ghareeb: [email protected]

Victor Pajarito Xochmitl: [email protected]

Alexis Morales: [email protected]

STUDENT HANDBOOK 05
RULES & GUIDELINES

ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS

Students must attend at least 85% of all scheduled classes to stay in the
class. For classes meeting 3 times per week, students can be absent 7
times; for classes meeting twice per week, students can be absent 5
times. Students in classes that meet 4 times per week can be absent 10
times.

LATENESS
Students need to come to every class on time and return from the break
on time. Students will be marked late any time they arrive after the class
begins or return late from the break. 4 late marks equal 1 absence.

PREPAREDNESS
You are expected to come to class prepared to work. Being prepared for
class is essential to your success. Your teacher will discuss their
expectations for all students. If you consistently come to class
unprepared, you will not be able to stay in the program.

ON ZOOM
Have your camera on when entering the Zoom classroom and leave it
on for the class
Have your name displayed on your device
Try to reduce any background noise in your workspace
Mute yourself during class and use the hand raise option when you
want to speak

HOMEWORK
You will be given assignments to complete at home. You must submit
your homework when due. If you don’t complete your homework
regularly, you will not be able to stay in the program.

STUDENT HANDBOOK 06
CLASS WORK
You need to follow your teachers’ instructions and participate in all class
activities. In all classes, students are asked to work together and help one
another learn. You will have to work cooperatively with other students in
order to stay in this program.

CONDUCT
It is imperative that we maintain a peaceful, professional atmosphere in
our classrooms. In order to be able to learn, all students must be relaxed
and comfortable. This is your time to focus on your studies and not be
distracted or be a distraction to other students. Try to stay in one place
and refrain from eating or multitasking while Zoom class is in session.
You cannot remain in this program if your conduct is judged to be
disruptive.

ATTITUDE
Any student who displays a negative attitude (reluctance to come to
class, be on time, follow classroom procedure and instructions, do
homework, etc.) may be asked to leave the program. A negative attitude
by even one student affects the whole class and creates an atmosphere
that interferes with effective teaching and learning. Students are
expected to behave in ways that show respect for their classmates and
teachers. Proper classroom attire is expected. If a student’s behavior
creates an uncomfortable classroom atmosphere they may be expelled
from the program.

VIOLENT, SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE, AND BIASED BEHAVIOR

If a student threatens another student or uses profanity or racial slurs,
they will be expelled from the program. If a student makes sexual
advances to another person they will be expelled.

CONDUCT AND COURTESY

Respect for your fellow students and teachers, common courtesy, and
acceptable conduct are requirements for maintaining your place in the
program. In order to stay in this program, you need to demonstrate a
serious attitude toward learning.

STUDENT HANDBOOK 07
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The Adult Literacy Program at Brooklyn College is in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.

NOTICE UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

This Notice is provided to you as required by Title II of the Americans with

Disabilities Act of 1990.

PROGRAM SERVICES:
The Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program does not exclude individuals
on the basis of a disability from participation in its services, programs, or
activities. Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program will make all
reasonable modifications to programs to help participation by persons
with disabilities. The ADA does not require Brooklyn CollegeAdult Literacy
Program to make modifications if the nature of the program was
changed or an undue financial or administrative burden was created.

EMPLOYMENT:
Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program does not discriminate on the
basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices.

COMMUNICATION:
Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program will for most requests provide
the aids and services for individuals to communicate to participate like
everyone else in the programs, services, and activities. If you need help
through aids or services in the area of communication to participate in
programs of Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program, contact Keesha
Rada: 718-951-4117. Questions, concerns, complaints, or requests for more
information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to the ADA
Coordinator: Carla Möller.

This Notice is available upon request in large print, audiotape, and Braille
formats.

Department of Justice, ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local
Governments: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm

STUDENT HANDBOOK 08
 JANUARY 2023

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
New
Year's Day

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 Martin
16 17 18 19 20 21
First Day
Luther

King Jr.
of

Day Classes

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 28 29 30

April 17, 2023 - First Day of Winter Term

NOTES

STUDENT HANDBOOK 09
 FEBRUARY 2023

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valentine's


Day

19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Presidents'

Day

26 27 28

NO CLASS:
February 20, 2023 - Presidents' Day

NOTES

STUDENT HANDBOOK 10
 MARCH 2023

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 St.
17 18





Patrick's

Day

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

NOTES

STUDENT HANDBOOK 11
 APRIL 2023

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17





Last Day

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

College Closed:
April 5-13, 2023 - Spring Break

April 7, 2023 - Last Day of Winter Term

NOTES

STUDENT HANDBOOK 12
CONTACT INFORMATION
(718) 951-4117

(917) 722-6848 (Text Only)

[email protected]

https://sites.google.com/view/bcalp/home

www.facebook.com/BCALPNY