Dear Parents,
We understand
that many of you could not attend the informational meeting that was held on
Tuesday night regarding our new junior high/high school that will be opening in
the fall. We would like to take this opportunity to provide a few
highlights from this meeting in order to keep parents up to date and
well-informed.
Ø Location
o The
school will be located on 20 acres at the northwest intersection of Rittenhouse
and Germann.
Ø Principal
o Mark
McAfee, current principal at the BFCS Crismon Campus will be the principal.
Ø Curriculum
o BFHS
will provide a college-preparatory curriculum. Our goal to prepare all of
our students to attend a four-year university.
o We
also understand that some students may be interested in some vocational
training such as it taught at EVIT, though vocational training is not our
primary focus. We will work hard to accommodate students at all levels
and interests.
o There
will be Honors, AP and dual credit opportunities.
o BFHS
plans to provide the academic rigor that has become our hallmark in a safe,
family-friendly environment.
o BFHS
will immediately begin the two year accreditation process.
Ø Policies
o A
shuttle for junior high and high school students will run from the Crismon
Campus to the high school, similar to how it currently operates.
o There
MAY be a shuttle for junior high and high school students from the Gilbert
Campus, if the demand warrants.
o This
will be a “bring your own technology” campus. Students may bring e-readers,
iPads, laptops, etc. to enhance their learning experience. The school
will not tolerate students viewing or using inappropriate content.
o Students
will be able to wear shorts that reach their knees. The dress code will
stress modesty.
o We
will be forming an Advisory Board made up of teachers, parents and
administrators in order to help:
-solicit
information, ideas and advice
-make decisions
regarding curriculum
-formation
and implementation of policies
o We
will be forming a Student Advisory Committee made up of 8th grade
students that plan on attending the high school in order to
-Solicit input and feedback from a student perspective
Ø Extra-Curricular
o BFHS
will offer the opportunity to participate in after-school clubs. The
specific clubs that will be offered will be driven by students’ interest and
input.
o As
a part of the campus, BFHS will have an 8,000 square foot gymnasium and outdoor
ball fields are planned. We will compete in the Charter School Athletic
Conference with the possible goal of joining the AIA in the future.
o We
are working with the local LDS church in order set up seminary classes for
students that are interested.
Please be on
the lookout for more updates as the Advisory Board gets started on their tasks.
(If you are interested in serving on the advisory board, please email your
contact information to hs@bfcsmail.com
with the words “Advisory Board” in the subject line and, in the body of the
email, include your full contact information along with the name of your
children and the grade level they will be entering during the upcoming school
year.
Please
understand that these are only highlights from this very informative
meeting. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call
480-558-1197, which is the phone line dedicated for just such calls or send an
email hs@bfcsmail.com.
Sincerely,
Tricia Groe
Benjamin Franklin Charter School
Executive Assistant
