Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
 


Quick Links

Lunch Orders:

  
Don't forget! Lunch Orders are due by the 20th of each month by 5pm.

2015-2016 School Year Calendar:

You can find the 2015-2016 School Year Calendar here. We invite you to take a moment to add all of the closings and early dismissals on your personal calendars. 

Please note: No School on November 11.
Upcoming Events:

11/11

No School
Veteran's Day

11/12

French Lunch
Grades 5-8
11:40 - 12:50

11/13

Josee Vachon
Arts Enrichment Assemblies
9:10 Grades 5-8
10:20 Grades K-4

Jeans Day for all students, faculty and staff.

11/17
Pie Orders Due

11/19
Report Cards Home
Grades K-8

11/20
Assembly Grade 1
10:20 - 11:20 AM

School Conferences
Grades 5 - 8 Only

Field Trips Grades 5-8

11/23

Early Release - Noon

Parent Teacher Conferences
1:00 - 7:20 PM

11/24

Parent Teacher Conferences
8:00 AM - 3:40 PM

11/24 - 11/27

No School
Thanksgiving Break



If you need this document translated, please contact the front office.


Ben's Buzz:

November 11, 2015

This year's French Week festivities are well underway.  This annual celebration of French Language and culture at BFCCPS is no small feat!  Many thanks to all of the faculty and staff, BFCCPS students and parents for helping to bring this celebration to life under the fearless leadership of both Madame Canning and Madame Malouf.

Students in Grades K-4 performed on Monday afternoon under the direction of Mme. Canning.  Our students in Grades 5 and 6 showcased their projects on French regions, landmark and symbols on Tuesday afternoon.

With the support of our generous community our Seventh Grade students raised over $800 for their Quebec Trip at the annual French Breakfast! The event featured French music, delicious pastries, hot chocolate and lemonade too. Thank you all so very much for your support. 

We are looking forward to  Déjeuner on Thursday for students in Grades 5 - 8. This extended lunch will be held in the auditorium and students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will perform.  Many thanks in advance to all the parents and students who will be preparing both main dishes and deserts for Thursday's feast.

Friday we will have two performances from José Vachon in the morning, and in the afternoon we will enjoy the Bataille des Bistros (Battle of the bistros) where the BFCCPS Faculty will compete against our Grade 8 students. From my past experience with French Week, I can tell you this is always a highly competitive event!  Don't forget that students, faculty and staff are invited to wear Jeans on Friday as part of the Bleu! Blanc! Rouge! festivities.
 

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!
 
Sincerely,

Heather Zolnowski
Head of School  
Enrollment is now open!
   
Applications now available for 2016-2017 School Year.

If you have students who are Kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year it is now time to place their application for enrollment! Also, if you have students who are currently on the waiting list for grades K-8 you must reaffirm your desire for enrollment at BFCCPS with a new application.  We also hope that you will tell your friends and neighbors who might have interest in joining us at BFCCPS! 

Applications can be filled out online and hard copies are also available in the front office.  All applications must be received before Friday, February 19th by 4pm.  Late applications will not be accepted.
PCO Fall Book Fair:
The PCO Fall Book Fair will be held on Wednesday 11/18 and Thursday 11/19.  Please visit the School Calendar for the day and time that your student(s) will attend the book fair.  Parent volunteers are needed please visit the helper signup if you are able to join us.

If you're not able to join us in person, you can also shop the Online Book Fair from 11/13-11/26. 

Students are also invited to participate in a Jeans for Literacy Day on Wednesday 11/18.  Students wishing to participate should bring a donation of cash or coins. Scholastic will match our contributions and donates books to select non profit organizations for kids in need. In addition, we are able to re-spend that money to purchase books for our classrooms or the library! 
Parent Teacher Conferences:
Parent/Teacher conferences are an opportunity for parents and teachers to meet to discuss how students are doing academically, socially and emotionally in class.  It is a great opportunity to meet your children's teachers, and get an idea of how they are performing in school, and what they are working on.  It is a great way to strengthen the partnership between parents and teachers. 

Parent/Teacher conferences will held on the following dates and times:
Date
Time
Grade Levels
Friday, November 20
9:00-2:40
5-8 Only
Monday, November 23
1:00-7:20
K-8
Tuesday,  November 24
8:00-3:40
K-8

The TEESO system must be used to register for your conferences. Teachers can not make or change conference times, it must be done within the system. 

If you are having a hard time accessing the system, please contact Deb Leonard at [email protected], and she can help you access your account.  

Visit TEESO to sign up or modify your conference dates.
After School Activities:

The Magic the Gathering Club is a place for fun and relaxation while playing the game.  You must bring your own deck, there are no other fees involved. The most important rule is no trading cards, all other rules will be discussed at the first meeting.  The activity will be chaperoned by Mr. Perna, join us in the Art Room on Friday afternoons beginning 11/6 through 12/11. The club is open to students in grades 4 - 8.  To sign up for this club the parent of the participating student must email Mr. Perna at [email protected].

Coral Reef Awareness Club Join Max O. on November 13 & 20 for his Capstone for a discussion to learn more about coral reefs. More details are available on this flyer . We will discuss the ecosystem and the organisms, why coral is endangered and how you can help.  The club is open to students in Grades 6 - 8.   To sign up for this club the parent of the participating student must email Mr. Perna at [email protected].
Please Join Us!
SPOOKTACULAR Student Council Movie Night:

The Student Council will be hosting a fun filled movie night for Grades K-4 on November 13th.  This event will include a viewing of Hotel Transylvania, and will be from 5:30 to 8:30 PM on November 13th in the BFCCPS Auditorium. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the show!

You can bring concessions from home or they will also be available for sale in the small cafeteria just before the movie.  Any parents that plan to drop-off will need to return by 7:45 at the latest for parent pickup.
We hope to see everyone there!

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School will hold an open house for 8th Grade students and their families on November 12 from 6:45 to 8:45 pm. During the Open House, students and faculty will highlight 17 different career areas, as well as the school's rigorous, comprehensive academic program. Extracurricular activities, athletics, and the school's new Online Admissions program will also be discussed. You can read more about the event here on the Tri-County website. 
 
Harlem Wizards will be playing teachers and administrators from the Franklin Public School on Friday, November 13th at 7pm.  The event will benefit the Franklin Education Foundation. Click here to reserve your tickets.   
 
Fundraisers & Community Service:
Winter Coat Drive with Grade Six:

Grade Six is teaming up with Cradles to Crayons to help families in need throughout the winter months. You can help by donating gently used coats, mittens, gloves, and new hats (make sure the hats are new).
You can donate these items through the 13th.

Cannoli & Pie Orders
 
The annual BFCCPS Cannoli and Pie Fundraiser helps offset the cost of the 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip. Pie Orders MUST be received by Tuesday, November 17 Orders and should be picked up on Tuesday, November 24.  Cannoli orders must be received by December 15 and picked up by December 23 11am-12pm.


BFCCPS PJ Pants Sale: 

Grade 7 students are holding a PJ pant sale - these soft and cozy BFCCPS PJ pants are available in two colors. They'd be a great holiday gift for your students, and would be perfect for the attendees of the upcoming Quebec and Washington DC trips.  Sales are available through the online store, through November 16th to ensure delivery before the holidays. 

The Butter Braids are coming soon!

7th Grade Needs Your HELP- Fundraiser for Quebec Trip - Runs November 12th thru December 1st and orders will be delivered on December 18th. Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to order some delicious Butter Braids and some yummy Cookies for the Holidays over the Thanksgiving Break!  All monies raised help to defray the cost of our class trip to Quebec in April.  Any questions, please contact Sue Anne Bell at [email protected]

Sock, Towel and Facecloth drive for Women and Children:

During the week of November 16th, Mrs. L's and Mr. Callahan's advising group will hold a new sock, face cloth and towel drive to benefit the Woonsocket homeless shelter for women and children. Donations can be placed in bins located in each hallway and outside of BFCCPS.
 
Clean out those Closets - The Annual Clothing Drive for Grade 7 Begins After Thanksgiving!

Special Education Parent Advisory Council:
Special Ed PAC Speakers: Meet the Poster Sisters of Imperfection

The Special Ed Parent Advisory Council is pleased to present Patty and Gina, imperfect sisters, and authors of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children and creators of The Movement of Imperfection. The event will take place December 3, 2015 at 7:00PM in the BFCCPS Auditorium. Babysitting will be available in the Art Room for $10 per family for children aged 5 and up. The proceeds will benefit the 7th Grade Quebec Trip.

Designed for caregivers of special children, this humorous, heartwarming 90-minute workshop is based on their best selling book. Using hilarious anecdotes and fun exercises (no Spandex required), the sisters will show attendees how to let go of the expectations they have for their children and embrace the reality.

The event is open to the public, for more information please contact Sarah Grome PAC President, or the Director of Student Services, Mrs. Pat Fairbanks. Learn more about this year's Special Ed PAC speakers on their website.
 Parent Community Organization:
Anyone who missed the Fall Photo Day will be able to participate in the Photo Make Up Day on 12/8.  Families that placed a portrait order will receive their orders a few days prior to the make up day.
 
Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the PCO every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the BFCCPS PCO.  Learn more on  
Capstone Corner:
 
We hope that you'll take a moment to review the upcoming Capstone projects and perhaps select a few that resonate with your family. 

Our 8th Graders thank you in advance for your support, you'll find lists of needed items, raffle ticket prizes and more on the Capstone Corner Blog.
  • Coral Reef Awareness Club will be held on November 13 and 20 for his Capstone for a discussion to learn more about coral reefs. Details above in Afterschool Activity section.
R eminders from the Front Office:
 
Visitors: All visitors to the school are required to sign in at the Front Office and wear a Visitor's badge. Visitors must be escorted at all times.  Thank you for your help with this!
 
Parking & Parking Lot Safety:  Parking is not allowed in marked reserved spots near the schools main entrance. These spots are reserved for the CCD program staff.

Please adhere to the posted arrival and dismissal procedures which are posted here our website.  
 
For the safety of all students, we ask that all parents practice distraction free driving at all times while on the premises. Therefore, if you must place a phone call while on the property, we ask that you use hands free devices at all times.

Please be sure to send your child with a coat, hat and gloves every day.  The children will continue to have outdoor recess and Physical Education weather permitting. 

Inclement Weather procedures are posted here on the BFCCPS website. 
To submit events for the School Calendar or to place building space requests please fill out a Blue Sheet in the front office and submit to the Assistant Head of School, Joe Perna. 

To submit content to the Buzz for publication, please email Joanne Basile with your 2-3 sentence blurb by no later than Monday at noon for publication in that Wednesday's issue.