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. 

Click Here for Early Release Day Options for Parents

Upcoming Events:

1/11

Capstone Toiletry Drive
Begins

1/15

Historical Perspectives
Ben Franklin


1/18

No School

1/19

Early Release at Noon




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


Ben's Buzz:

January 6, 2016

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation and that you're feeling refreshed and invigorated for the next term!  It seems that winter weather has officially arrived this week, BRR  Please be sure to review this page of the website for information about inclement weather delays and closing procedures. We also kindly ask that you send proper winter gear for students daily so that we can allow them to participate in outdoor recess and courtyard whenever possible.

Looking forward, there is no school on Monday, January 18th in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day followed by an early release on Tuesday, January 19th at noon. You can find early release day childcare options for parents in this previously published issue of Ben's Buzz.

As a reminder, this year's February Break is an extended Presidents Day Weekend.  This break will consist of an early release on Friday, February 12th, followed by no school on Monday and Tuesday the 15th and 16th. School will resume on Wednesday, February 17th.  This abbreviated break was approved by our administration and Board of Trustees in order to afford us an earlier last day of school. You may recall that last year our last day of school was June 23rd. At this point, our projected last day of school is June 14th.  Please note that the June 14th date is subject to change based on any upcoming weather related closures.

Sincerely,

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

If you have students who are eligible for 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.


The Massachusetts Anger Reduction Center will be returning to BFCCPS in February.  A parent presentation will be held on Monday, February 1st at 7pm and a presentation for students in grades 5-8 will be held on Wednesday, February 3rd. Please Contact Mrs. McCoy at [email protected] with any questions. 

PARENT/COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS:
 
The MARC Parent and community education evenings feature presentations that are more tailored to the individual needs and wants of the community. The presentation involves both an easy-to-understand update on typical online activities of children, internet safety (including cyberbullying), and how parents can work with their children and their schools in both bullying and cyberbullying situations.

The emphasis will be on practical, concrete knowledge, and how parents do not need to be computer experts to become more aware of how to help their children navigate the online world safely. It is also imperative that parents understand how to approach schools for help effectively and how to assist school administrators in resolving bullying situations.

STUDENT ASSEMBLIES:
 
MARC's bullying & cyber-bullying prevention programs for K-12 students are unique in that most services are delivered by trained graduate and undergraduate students from Bridgewater State University, in a high-status peer model. The assembly is designed to help students define and understand bullying, cyber-bullying and relational aggression. Students will gain a clearer understanding of the difference between fighting or conflict and bullying.

Online safety is discussed and real-life examples are presented to help illustrate the consequences of inappropriate online actions. Students are educated about the dangers of disclosing too much online, such as sending or posting inappropriate photos. Students will gain a sense of awareness about how serious and hurtful words and actions online can be and what happens online may be there forever. The presentation leaves students with some practical internet safety advice as well as concrete ideas of the best way to deal with bullies in school and online.
 
Intramural Sports at BFCCPS:

BFCCPS Intramural Basketball Has Arrived! For Boys and Girls Grades 5-8 at Mass Premier Courts on Mondays starting on 1/4 with subsequent sessions to be held on 1/11, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/22 and 2/29 from 4-5PM.  Please note that students will not be cleared to participate until registration forms, and have a physical on file at BFCCPS dated within the last 13 months.  Additionally, the mandatory concussion training must be completed by both students and their parents.
  The Ski Club did not have a sufficient number of students enrolled to  operate and has been cancelled for this year.  We hope that next year we will be able to generate enough interest to operate the club. 
Science Fair: Judges Needed!
 
Interested in science and engineering? You are invited to be a judge at the 7th and 8th Grade BFCCPS Science Fair! The event will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd.
 
It promises to be an innovative, exciting, and inspiring event! Contact information and more details included on this flyer. Thanks for your help!

Special Education Parent Advisory Council:



Save the Date for the annual BFCCPS Providence Bruins on March 13th at 3:05 versus the Utica Comets.  We hope that you will come see the BFCCPS Chorus and support the Special Ed PAC. Please note:  All members of the BFCCPS Chorus will need a ticket for the event.
 
 Parent Community Organization:
 

ANNOUNCING the NEW BFCCPS PCO Overnight Field Trip Scholarship
 
Looking to defray those overnight field trip costs- here is you/your student's opportunity! 

The PCO is excited to announce this wonderful opportunity for our community.  As of today submissions for the Scholarship will be accepted thru the end of the day Wednesday, February 24, 2016.  See here for a summary of the BFCCPS PCO Overnight Field Trip Scholarship and 
here for guidelines and the application.

The Yearbook Cover Art Contest is now open.  The winner will have their artwork printed on the front cover of this year's edition and will also receive a free copy. All the details are   on this flyer, the contest closes Monday, February 1st.   
 
Got Photos? The Yearbook would love to have photos from class events, assemblies, field trips and any special events. Please send your submissions to us by mail at [email protected]. 
Capstone Corner: 

Cody T will hold a toiletry drive to benefit the Matt Light Foundation from January 11 through January 20th. You can donate items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes, a donation box will be available near the Trophy Case in the modular. 
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.  
 
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.