Volume # 8
May 2018
The BFCCPS Mission:  
 
In order to assist you as the primary educator of your children, we have committed to providing you with three Pillar in Action newsletters a year. Each of these newsletters will follow a specific theme that ties to one or more of our mission pillars. The content of these newsletters is created by the faculty and staff of BFCCPS. This issue is dedicated to sharing information about the BFCCPS Mission.
 
If you have any questions or would like further information on any of the information included in this newsletter, please contact Mrs. Zolnowski. Previous issues are archived here

"Our mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does."

Parents as Primary Educators:  

Parents As Primary Educator is one of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's four pillars. We believe that parents play a central role in the education of their child as their first educator. Our faculty and staff partner with parents to help each student reach their potential.

The following pillar document outlines the defining principles and background for the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's approach to Parents As Primary Educator.

Background:

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School exists "to assist parents in their role as  primary educators". A child is first taught by his or her parents and continues to be profoundly  influenced by them throughout life. As an expression of the deep love they have for their
children, parents assume the ultimate responsibility of ensuring their children receive the  education they will need to succeed in tomorrow's world. Parents choose their children's schools  carefully and follow their studies closely, acting as true partners with teachers in all that they do.
They welcome the responsibility to share in the education of their children in many phases,  including remediation and challenge, and to provide guidance and support during the school  experience.

Defining Principles:
  1. Parents are welcome at our school.
  2. Active communication based on mutual respect is paramount to a successful partnership.
  3. In order to support a true partnership between parents and the school BFCCPS will:
    • provide parents with detailed information about the BFCCPS classical, sequential, content- rich curriculum and access to classroom materials
    • consult parents on important academic decisions regarding their children
    • provide parents with opportunities to learn about the school's pillars, as well as resource support for non-academic subjects, that will help them fulfill their primary educator role
    • provide numerous volunteer opportunities
Parents are Encouraged to:
  • actively participate in their child's educational experiences and are responsible for supporting their child's educational activities beyond the school day, such as homework, establishing organizational systems, as well as enrichment and
    remediation activities
  • vigilant and proactive in addressing any educational issues they observe in their child, both in school and at home
  • discuss with teachers or administrators any questions they may have about teaching philosophy, curriculum, or classroom materials
  • participate in volunteer activities as their schedule allows
  • cultivate the virtues in their children's character

Pillar in Action:  Parents as Primary Educator 

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Board of Trustees is the governing body of the school and custodian of the school's mission. Comprised of parents, teachers and community members with a variety of skills, the Board of Trustees oversees the school's adherence to the mission, and the financial health of the school. The Board of Trustees is also responsible for strategic planning, which includes creating shared goals and objectives for school improvement, and developing and maintaining its policies.

The Board of Trustees appoints and works closely with the Head of School, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School.

The Benjamin Franklin Educational Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 which was created to support the school. The BFEF owns the property at 500 Financial Park Drive and will oversee all fundraising efforts for the gymnasium and two playgrounds.  

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Parent Community Organization (PCO) is an all-volunteer parent organization that supports our school by organizing and funding educational and social programs that enrich student experiences and foster a sense of community among all families and staff. The PCO is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and as such, qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

The Board of Trustees, Benjamin Franklin Educational Foundation and the Parent Community Organization  have a number of volunteer opportunities available. Additionally these boards rely on parent and community volunteers to sit on various committees.  

Whether you can volunteer your time as a Director on the Foundation, a Trustee on the Board, joining the PCO Board, or joining the newly formed Capital Campaign Committee - we need your help!  Contact information is as follows:  
  • Mr. Tappin for involvement on the BFEF or the Capital Campaign Committee
  • Mr. Fine for opportunities to serve on the Board of Trustees or on one of their numerous committees
  • Mrs. Wrona for opportunities to serve on the Parent Community Organization

Character Education:  

"Character Education is about helping students
know the good, love the good, and do the good."


Background:

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School exists "to assist parents in their role as  primary educators". A child is first taught by his or her parents and continues to be profoundly  influenced by them throughout life. As an expression of the deep love they have for their
children, parents assume the ultimate responsibility of ensuring their children receive the  education they will need to succeed in tomorrow's world. Parents choose their children's schools  carefully and follow their studies closely, acting as true partners with teachers in all that they do.
They welcome the responsibility to share in the education of their children in many phases,  including remediation and challenge, and to provide guidance and support during the school  experience.

Defining Principles:
  1. BFCCPS students, faculty and staff strive to always demonstrate good character and model that character for others, and are publicly recognized at grade level assemblies for demonstrating virtuous character.
  2. Character Education instruction is integrated across the curriculum and across the four pillars utilizing various teaching methods, and a common language throughout grades K-8
  3. Grade level character education benchmarks are used to create a spiraling curriculum for grades K-8
  4. A school wide calendar details which virtue the entire BFCCPS community will focus on each month.
  5. BFCCPS regularly reviews and updates its resources to achieve the objectives of its Character Education program.
Pillar in Action: Character Education 

In order to support the character development of students, we explicitly teach the definitions of the four virtues, and use grade level curriculum to illustrate what examples of good character are.  We work with students to analyze situations to determine when good character was used, and use it to help students  successfully  navigate social situations with their peers.  We believe that it is as important to teach character education as it is to recognize good character when we see it. 

Most parents are familiar with the Leaves of Virtue that students receive in Kindergarten through Grade Five. Our students in Grades Six through Eight also receive ongoing character recognition. 

Students will be recognized using our Character Postcards. These postcards highlight observations from the teaching team and are read aloud with the class.  Postcards are mailed home to share these observations with parents. Students who go above and beyond to display one of the BFCCPS virtues can also be recognized through a Character in Action Award at one of three assemblies throughout the year.  

Any student who has been recognized for displaying all four of the BFCCPS Virtues will receive a Benjamin Franklin Medal of Virtue.  These awards will be presented during the Character Assembly for Students in Grades 6-8 which take place at the end of each trimester.  Parents will be notified in advance if their child is receiving either a Character in Action Award or the Benjamin Franklin Medal of Virtue so that they can make arrangements to join us for this special recognition. 


Community Service:  

Community Service is one of our four pillars. We believe that serving others is a cornerstone of building authentic self-esteem in students. Each grade level participates in various service projects that benefit members of our school, local and global communities. Identifying the needs in these communities and finding ways to meet them is central to the learning process that accompanies all of our community service projects.

The following pillar document outlines the defining principles and background for the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's approach to community service.

Background:

At BFCCPS, starting with kindergarten, our students are introduced to the concept of community service. It is connected to the curriculum and matures through various local, regional and global programs each year. These initiatives will build good character, self-esteem, respect for others and will nurture confident and caring citizens - all while bringing families and communities together. Beginning in the seventh grade, they will plan and execute their own service-learning, Capstone Project.

Defining Principles:
  1. We are part of many communities: family, neighborhood, region, global, etc. BFCCPS students learn at a young age that they have the power to be a force for good. They learn the importance and
    rewards of serving others and making our collective world a better place. This develops self-esteem
    that will stay with them throughout their lifetime.
  2. Hands-on efforts are encouraged as they create a tangible connection between students, the community and the BFCCPS character education program. Group discussion and/or written reflections are a part of each project. Fund-raising efforts may also be a component of some programs.
  3. Each year, every student participates in at least one school, local and global community service initiative. One of these initiatives is school-wide and year-long and culminates in their own Capstone
    project prior to graduating the 8th grade. Students are encouraged to network with others outside of BFCCPS as they develop their Capstone.
  4. Community service activities incorporate learning objectives across the curriculum whenever possible. Cumulative K thru 8 benchmarks in community service learning will be attained as student's progress through the grades.
  5. The BFCCPS community (parents, teachers, faculty, alumni, etc.) is encouraged to engage in their own community service activities as a means to lead by example. This will foster a tighter connection between parents and faculty.
Pillar in Action: Community Service

Students in grades K-8 participate in various community service projects over their time.  Below, please find the names of organizations that our students have worked with for their Capstone projects, or through other community service activities that would provide opportunities for families to do community service together.  We encourage you to consider if any of these organizations might be a good fit for your family to provide service hours. 

Elisha Project:   The Elisha Project  is a non-profit organization that welcomes people to serve lunch to the hungry in Rhode Island.  It consists of people coming together and in a three-hour span making and taking meals to the streets.
The Elisha Project difference is that everything we do is face to face...person to person...human being to human being...on both sides of the bag. 

Meals on Wheels:  Tri-Valley Inc

Meals on Wheels are provided short-term or long-term to homebound elders age 60 and older who are unable to prepare a nutritionally balanced meal for themselves.


Our three step model provides kids with the essentials they  need, free of charge. This enables us to engage communities that have,  connecting them with communities that need.
  • New and nearly new children's items are collected through grassroots community drives and corporate donations.
  • Donations are then processed and packaged by volunteers in our warehouse, The Giving Factory.
  • Packages from The Giving Factory are distributed to local disadvantaged children through our collaborative network of diverse service partner
Boston Children's Hospital:   The hospital runs a Patient Family Housing Program which provides affordable accommodations for up to 35 families while their children receive the medical care they need from Boston Children's. The program  offers housing at two locations: the Devon Nicole House and the Yawkey Family Inn.

Our volunteers are instrumental in helping us achieve our goal of providing a warm and supportive home-like environment for our guests. We depend on our volunteers to assist with the daily operations of the Yawkey Family Inn and the Devon Nicole House, as well as to host meals & events for our guests. We house 35 families and encourage our meal, holiday and food drive volunteers to donate with our total number of families in mind.

Community Harvest Project: Community Harvest Project is a non-profit farm that engages volunteers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables to provide to those experiencing hunger. Through our volunteer farming programs, education initiatives, and community partnerships, we bring thousands of community members together each year to improve access to healthy foods for individuals and families in need across Worcester County.

Classical Education:  

Classical Education is one of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public Schools four pillars. We believe that a classical approach ensures that students will receive a well-rounded and rich educational experience.

The following pillar document outlines the defining principles and background for our approach to Classical Education.

Background:

A classical education is one of four BFCCPS pillars used collectively for the development of the whole  student. We have developed a framework, based on the foundation of the Trivium, which incorporates
the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and guides our approach to education. The Trivium is derived from three critical thinking hierarchies that include: Grammar (gather information), Logic (understand information), and Rhetoric (express or apply information). 

Our approach to classical education at BFCCPS combines rigorous content, research-based teaching methods, and real-world learning outcomes that support whole-child development. Students are
grounded in the fundamental subjects of literature, history, mathematics, science, languages, music and the arts in order to understand culture and enable active participation.

The learning process is cyclical and all students progress through the various stages of the Trivium as they develop subject matter expertise. We also incorporated the language of Bloom's Taxonomy to
describe the phases of the Trivium (as shown in table below).


Pillar in Action: Classical Education

We encourage parents to utilize the monthly Scope and Sequence documents to stay connected to the BFCCPS curriculum. These  documents  are published monthly for each grade level and provide a detailed look at what your children will be learning in the month ahead.  

Here are some ways you can use the Scope and Sequence documents at home:
  • You can use them as dinner time conversation starters with your children. 
  • Consider reading the books that your children are reading at school so you can have a more in-depth discussion about the subject material.
  • Download and listen to audio-books on long car rides for a shared experience. As an added benefit, this also helps reduce screen-time in the car!   
  • Host a book group for the class, or for parents in the class based on the monthly themes.
  • Visit local museums that tie into the monthly curriculum. Did you know most local public libraries will offer free or discounted passes to a number of local museums?  


BFCCPS  | 508-541-3434 | bfccps.org