Ben's Buzz
If you need this document translated please contract the Central Office.
Dear BFCCPS Community,

Reminder that according to the published school calendar there is no school on Wednesday, September 19th. We will see students on Thursday when school re-opens.

All parents are invited to attend the upcoming  Curriculum Nights ! This is the best way to meet your student’s teachers and learn more about what to expect during the 2018-2019 school year. Grade Five through Eight should plan to join us on September 26th from 6:30 to 9pm. Kindergarten through Grade Four should plan to join us on September 27th from 6:30 to 9pm. We hope you can join us!

This Friday evening the BFCCPS PCO has coordinated a Welcome Back Social for all families from 5 - 7pm. TC Scoops is sponsoring the event and will be providing frozen treats for students; parent volunteers are needed to help please click here if you can help.

Thank you for your attention to these important updates.

Mr. Perna
BFCCPS
Head of School
Upcoming Events
Please be sure to check the school calendar for upcoming school closures, early release days, assemblies and events.
School Closing Reminders
Please take note of upcoming school closure:

No School - September 19
Upcoming Events
Curriculum Nights
All parents are invited to attend the upcoming Curriculum Nights! This is the best way to meet your student’s teachers and learn more about what to expect during the 2018-2019 school year. We hope you can join us!


Because these evenings are so important to assist you as your role as the Primary Educator, we will offer babysitting services for children ages five and up in the art room. This service is available for $10 per family and all proceeds benefit the Grade 7 Quebec Trip.  
Announcements
Grade Seven Clothing Drive Fundraiser
It’s time to clean out your closets, go through your drawers, replace those curtains, and worn out towels/sheets–  and DONATE IT ALL! Clothing will be collected from Sept. 11th - Oct. 3rd.

Help us meet our minimum requirement of 225 bags (that’s 225 kitchen size trash bags full) by asking friends and neighbors to provide donations as well. Please visit this page on the website for or click here for a flyer with more information.
Student Council Election Speeches
Student Council election speeches will be held on Friday, September 21st during the 5th through 8th grade assembly. 4th grade is invited to attend and see the student government process in action. All 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in running for an officer position should contact Ms. Troy or Mrs. Holmes.
Destination Imagination Meeting
Destination Imagination is an educational nonprofit that prepares children for a future that is rapidly evolving. DI does this through a project-based learning experience that applies the creative process across seven different Challenge types – Technical, Scientific, Engineering, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Service Learning and Early Learning – allowing second grade through high school level students to acquire and practice the skills needed to thrive in school, future careers, and beyond.

Parents, want to learn more about this after school program? Come learn more at our information meeting on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Franklin Public Library . The best way to learn about DI is to come to this meeting, but if you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact us at [email protected] and we will provide you more information.  
Drama Kids
The fall session of Drama Kids is starting soon. Visit DramaKids MetroWest to register for the programs which will run at the BFCCPS Red Brick School. Enroll at: www. dramakidsofmetrowest.com
Jr. Acting Academy - Grades 5-8
Mondays: 9/17 - 12/17 12 weeks
3:30 to 5 pm
$245
Drama Kids Skills Class - Grades K-4
Tuesdays: 9/18 - 12/18 - 12 weeks
3:30 to 4:30 pm
$175
BFCCPS Band and Chorus
Fourth Grade Instrument Demonstration: Fourth grade students will have the opportunity to hear and explore band musical instruments in order to help them decide if they want to join band this year and what instrument they want to play. The 7th and 8th grade band will present from 9:10 to 10 am on 9/24.
Intramural Basketball
BFCCPS is coordinating an intramural basketball program for students in grades 5-8 at Downtown Sports on Cottage Street in Franklin. The program will begin October 1st and run for 8 weeks . The cost of the program has been offset thanks to a generous contribution by the BFCPPS PCO. $40 program fee per attendee will cover the cost of bus transportation from BFCCPS to the facility.  You can learn more on this flyer . The registration packet (including medical and concussion clearance) is required of all participants please click below to download the file.
Grade 8 DC Parent Meeting
Grade 8 Families should save the date for a meeting to discuss the April 2019 DC Trip. Please plan to join us on October 2nd from 7 to 8 pm!
 
Grade 7 Capstone Info Night for Parents
7th grade parents, are invited to a Capstone Information evening on Tuesday, November 6 at 7:00 pm in the BFCCPS Auditorium. Capstone is the culminating community service project that all BFCCPS students begin in 7th grade and complete in their 8th grade year. Please read more details in this announcement.
 
Parent Community Organization
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. You can learn more about the PCO here on our website.
Welcome Back Social!
The PCO invites you to join us at our Welcome Back Social! Join friends new and old for a fun evening for the whole family. Enjoy ice cream or Italian ice, generously donated by our friends at T.C. Scoops, while spending time with other BFCCPS families. Please join us in the BFCCPS Courtyard on September 21st from 5 – 7pm. We can’t wait to see you there!
Taekwondo Introduction and PCO Fundraiser:
Students in Grades 1-4 are invited to attend an Introduction to Martial Arts trial class with Mu Han Total Martial Arts. The program has been coordinated by the PCO and USFLF and will be held from 8:15 am to 8:45 am in the BFCCPS Courtyard on Sept. 25th, 27th and Oct. 2nd and 4th. Learn more about the program on this flyer and register using the button below.
Arts Enrichment Assemblies:
The First PCO sponsored Arts Enrichment assembly for the 2018-19 school year is schedule for Friday, Sept. 28.  Speed painter and inspirational speaker Rob Surette will be performing Amazing Hero Art.   His “Be Somebody” performance will be at 9:20 for grades 5-8 and 10:30 for grades K-4.  ALL  are encouraged and welcome to attend the performances in the O’Malley Auditorium. Any questions please contact Kathleen Hogan at  [email protected] . For more info please see:  http://www.amazingheroart.com
Student Banking Program:
Student Banking for students in grades K-4 will start in October and we are looking for a few parent volunteers to help run the program! It runs weekly on Thursday mornings from 8:45 - 10:00. Whether you can help once a month, twice a month or every week, we would be very grateful. Please contact  Pushpa Jangareddi  who is our wonderful Banking Co-ordinator.

Free accounts for BFCCPS students are available at Dean Bank. Information will be sent home to all Kindergarten students. If your student has not participated in the past but would like to set up an account please contact Mrs. Jangareddi for details.
Volunteers Needed:
A variety of co-chairs are needed for upcoming PCO Programs. We encourage you to visit the following form and let the PCO know where you can provide support during the 2018-2019 school year.

Yearbook Co-ordinator(s) needed! The PCO board is looking for a volunteer or two to step and take the lead on this year's yearbook. This is a wonderful tradition for our students which only happens due to parent volunteers, so no co-ordinator means no yearbook! Please consider helping out by taking on this, or one of any of our many volunteer opportunities. You can sign up here  or email  [email protected] . Thank you!
Capstone Corner
As part of our Capstone Project you will see a number of Grade Eight students scheduling donation drives, dine out nights, after school activities and more. Over the coming weeks we hope you will peruse the various announcements and see if your family will be able to support any of these projects. If you’re not familiar with the Capstone Project, we invite you to learn more   here on our website .


Grace M will hold a raffle for Movie Tickets September 24-28 to raise funds for a Nurse Mare Foal. Tickets will be $1 for one ticket or $5 for 10 tickets. The drawing will be held on September 28th.
Notes from the Central 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.  

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures :  Please adhere to the posted arrival and dismissal procedures which are posted   here our website.

Absence and Dismissal Notification:   If your child will be absent or tardy from school, please log in to your School Dismissal Manager account and update their daily attendance.

Dismissal Changes: Dismissal Changes are due to the School Dismissal Manager software by no later than 2 pm.

As a reminder, BFCCPS has an   extended absence policy  which indicates that extended absences for non-medical reasons for more than 10 consecutive school days will not be approved and will result in dis-enrollment from BFCCPS unless caused by exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, or other situation deemed exceptional and unavoidable by the HOS.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Notification: 

The Environmental Protection Agency issued regulations in 1987 under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act that require public schools (K-12) be inspected every 3 years by a licensed inspector. 

BFCCPS was inspected by Envirotest Laboratory Inc. The inspector concluded that all areas throughout the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School were properly maintained. BFCCPS maintains an Asbestos Management Plan, which is available to the public for review in the school's Main Office during normal business hours. Please contact the Assistant Head of School, Dr. Jeffrey Levering , with any questions.
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
201 Main Street, Franklin

www.bfccps.org