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

We are committed to supporting parents as the primary educator as their children. Throughout the year, we will hold various pillar nights to provide parents with information and education that helps to support this role of primary educator. Our first pillar night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th in the BFCCPS Auditorium. We are excited to bring Dr. Elizabeth Englander to present on Teaching our Children to be Good Digital Citizens . Topics to be covered include preventing cyberbullying, proper on line behaviors, and talking to students about the dangers of sexting. Dr. Englander is a dynamic presenter, and parents will walk away with tips to help students safely navigate social media and the internet. Please check  here  for more information on the presentation as well as how to register to attend the presentation. Childcare will be provided for the event at a cost of $10.00/family. This service is offered as a fundraiser for our 7th grade field trip to Quebec.    

All students and staff will participate in  Safety Day  on September 6th. Between 9:00 -11:00 AM, we will practice bus evacuation, fire drills as well as our procedures for lockdown. If you have any questions about Safety Day, please contact Dr. Levering .

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!

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 closures:

No School - September 10
No School - September 19
Upcoming Events
Parent Pillar Night - Teaching Our Children to Be Good Digital Citizens
Save the date for our first Parent Pillar Night of the year: Teaching our Children to be Good Digital Citizens. Special guest Dr. Elizabeth Kandel Englander will join us courtesy of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. You can read more about the presentation here on our website .

Because these nights are so important, we have arranged babysitting services in the Art Room for children ages 5 and up. This service is offered for $10 per family and proceeds benefit the upcoming Quebec Trip for Grade Seven.
High School Fair
8th Grade students and their parents are invited to join us for the High School Fair. Save the date of September 17th from 7 - 8:30 pm. More details will be sent by email soon! Contact Mrs. McCoy with any questions.
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!

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

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
Lunches with Mrs. Zolnowski and Mr. Perna
Students in Grades K-8 are invited to join either Mrs. Zolnowski or Mr. Perna for lunch. We ask that you only reserve one lunch appointment per student with either the Executive Director or the Head of School so that the largest number of students can participate.


Homework Club Registration
Homework Club is for students in grades 3-8 for students who would like support or need questions answered and/or assistance in order to complete homework and projects. Homework Club runs from 3:20-4:15pm and begins the week of September 17, 2018. Registration is now open; space availability is limited to the first 25 students who register each day.

For students in grades 3-4, the program will run one day a week (Thursdays).
For students in grades 5-8, the program will run three days a week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays). 
BFCCPS Band and Chorus
Junior Choir will be comprised of grades 5 & 6. They will rehearse on Monday and Friday mornings from 7:30am - 8:45am (6th grades leaves for homeroom at 8:10) and perform two concerts a year. The first rehearsal will be Friday, September 7th.

Concert Choir will be comprised of grades 7 & 8. They will rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:30am- 8:10am, perform two concerts a year, and perform for adjudication at Six Flags.

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.

Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble rehearse before school twice a week throughout the year (Wednesday/Friday for Symphonic Band and Tuesday/Thursday for Wind Ensemble).
Help Wanted - Substitute Teachers Needed
Looking for energetic, enthusiastic, adults who have experience working with students in a school setting. Opportunities across all grade levels K-8 and in all subject areas. Bachelors degree preferred. 

Please reach out to Dr. Levering for more information or to schedule an interview.
Help Wanted - Room Parents Needed
Room parents are needed, two per homeroom for Kindergarten through Grade Four. Two per grade are needed for Grades Five, Six, Seven and Eight. If you were Room Parent last year and would like to move up with your child, please let Mrs. Schwab know. Thank you! Please contact Mrs. Deb Schwab at: [email protected] , if you're able to assist.  
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.
After School Art Club
If you love art then Art Club is the place for you! Come to paint, draw, sculpt and create with a variety of different materials! This club is for students in Grades 2-6 and will run for ten week starting on September 14th. View all the details here on our website .
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.
Drama Kids
Have you heard about Drama Kids?
Want to try a class??

Monday- September 17th
Jr. Acting Academy
(5th—8th grade) 3:15-5:00

Tuesday- September 18th
K-4th class- 3:15-4:30

To JOIN in the Free Trial Please Enroll for TRIAL at:
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.
PCO Back to School 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!
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 .
Tyler A. is raising awareness about food allergies. He isn't seeking donations for the walk,his goal is for more people to know about FARE and help promote the walk. We hope you will consider participating in the FARE food allergy hero walk this Saturday, Sept 8, Learn more on this flyer . Thank you.

Scarlett T in Grade 8 will raise money for the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL) by holding a raffle for students in Grades K-8. Tickets will be sold at lunch for $1 each from September 11 through September 17. Please be sure to bring money at lunch!

Angie R. will hold a donation drive for NEADS September 11 through September 17th. NEADS is a nonprofit organization who trains canine assistants for people who are deaf or have a disability. They are also service dogs for children and veterans too. Donation bins will be placed in the Trophy Room. Please consider donations of the following, Blue Buffalo dog treats, Dog squeak toys, Dog chew king fetch balls, Dog/cat brushes. Thank you.
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