June 28, 2013
Re: BFCS Gilbert Campus Library
Dear BFCS Gilbert Campus Families,
These past few months have been full of changes here at Benjamin
Franklin Charter School. We have been
excitedly awaiting the completion of our new Gilbert Campus, we have said
farewell as Mr. Nicoll, our former principal, has announced his retirement, and
we have welcomed a new principal. As
always, we will continue to adjust to changes as our program grows and becomes
available to more families in our community. As an organization, our dedication to quality
education, our highly-regarded program, and our students and families will not
waiver.
As I have begun to assume my responsibilities as the new principal
of the Gilbert Campus, an issue regarding the library has been brought to my
attention. Some families have been
anxious to know if the school intends to keep the small, central library that
has been a part of the campus for the past few years when we move over to the
new campus. As I have researched the
situation, I found that a decision at the administrative level regarding this
topic was made before construction on the new building began. Through a series of meetings and discussions
with FPAC members and the Gilbert campus leadership at the end last school
year, the decision was for some reason not clearly conveyed or understood. The administrative and construction teams
were operating under the impression that the decision was known. At a recent meeting with our BFCS executive
director, Mr. Eddie Farnsworth, and Gilbert FPAC representatives, we learned
that the library situation had not yet been resolved. The remainder of this letter should help clarify
any confusion on the subject.
As the move into the new Gilbert Campus was planned, very careful
consideration was given to each valuable square foot of space at the new
facility. When balancing the cost of
construction compared to the mission of the school that includes all the essential
aspects of the school program such as a full physical education and music program
available to every family who desires to participate, the BFCS administrative
and construction staff decided it was time to return to the original format of
providing a library in each classroom.
With this plan, each classroom library incorporates books designed to enhance
the curriculum of that particular grade level.
This means that instead of one central location for library books, each
classroom will be provided with a library of quality literature, including narrative
and informative texts that are specific to that grade level and age, thus
keeping the academic focus centered in the classroom and the specific objectives
taught in each grade. This means that
the number of books available to the students will not be reduced, but just
redistributed throughout the classrooms and that library books will still be available
to the students. Keep in mind that the
classrooms at BFCS have always contained libraries created to meet the specific
needs of the students in each class. The
decision to return to strictly classroom libraries was made to enhance our
program by providing the students immediate access to library books on a daily
basis and increase the academic instruction time available to teachers and
students during the week. This model has
been successful in the past at the Gilbert campus and is the model that has
been successful at our other BFCS campuses.
While some may be disappointed in this change, remember that with
modern technological advances and the ready availability of literature online
and in local libraries, many new and existing schools are finding that central
libraries in the schools are becoming an underused, unsustainable expense. Benjamin Franklin Charter School had always
placed a great emphasis on reading and providing a quality program that includes
access to examples of fine literature. As we move forward, we will continue to
access the needs of the students and work to improve our practices as they
correlate to our goals for exceptional student achievement overall.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this summer of transition. For the future, please know that your
questions and concerns are welcome to me.
I am looking forward to becoming better acquainted with all of you as we
continue the conversations that will lead to the success of each and every
student.
The Benjamin Franklin Charter School program continues to be a program
with a rich history of successfully educating students. With the support of our exceptional families
and staff, Benjamin Franklin Charter School will remain a leader and role model
for excellence in education.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Diana M. Dana
Principal
Benjamin Franklin Charter School
Gilbert Campus
