Open House: May 10, 2014

AgendaO Introductions

O Board Members, Teachers, StaffO What is a charter school?O About Boulware Springs Charter

SchoolO Why was BSC founded?O BSC Vision and MissionO The Boulware DifferenceO Our teachersO Enrollment Requirements

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Introductions

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What is a Charter School?

Charter schools are public, not-for-profit schools allowed the freedom to be more innovative, while also being:

O tuition-free and open to every student who wishes to enroll

O non-sectarian, and not able discriminate on any basis

O publicly funded by local, state and federal tax dollars based on enrollment

O held accountable to state and federal academic standards 

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About Boulware Springs Charter

O 501(c)3 nonprofit organizationO Will serve grades K-4O 112 students for the first year, with

plans to add 3 classes next year (a 5th grade and two primary classes)

O Plans to expand to 288 (maximum) within 5 years

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Why was BCS founded?- There was a need for a high performing

elementary school in East Gainesville

- There was a need for a school that provides extra instructional time in

Alachua County.

- There was a need for an innovative school that offered alternative

educational options from traditional schools.

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Boulware’s VisionWe believe:O an education is more than the

teaching of the core subjectsO a school, well connected with

the home and the community, is a place for students to grow academically, socially, emotionally and physically

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Boulware’s MissionBoulware Springs Charter offers a

rigorous and high quality education that focuses on “3 C’s”:

O curriculumO character O cooperation

The school's philosophy is that without these three components, students are

unable to achieve their maximum learning potential.

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The Boulware Difference

Boulware Springs Charter offers an innovative, research-based program that includes, but is not limited to:

O An extended-year calendarO Extended instructional timeO A rigorous curriculumO A strong arts, health, and foreign

language programO Mandatory parental involvementO Character EducationO Individualized Student Learning Profiles

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Extended-year calendarO Boulware Springs Charter School will

operate under a 50/10 schedule:O 50-day terms with a 10 day intersession

after each of the first three terms and a 6 week summer break after the fourth term

O Students will benefit from this calendar because this type of scheduling reduces learning loss during the summer vacation and provides multiple opportunities for tutoring, remediation, and enrichment throughout the school year

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Academic Calendar for Year 12014-2015

July 21 – Sept 19 1st 10-week term

Sept 22- Oct 3 1st intersession- no school

Oct 6- Dec 19 2nd 10-week term

Dec 22- Jan 2 2nd intersession- no school

Jan 5- March 20 3rd 10-week term

March 23- April 3 3rd intersession- no school

April 6- June 5 4th 10-week term

June 8- July 17 4th intersession/summer break

July 20, 2015 Year 2 begins

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Extended Instructional Time

Daily School Hours

School Days per Year

Instructional Hours per Year

Additional

Tutoring Time

Time in Social

Studies/ Science per day

Boulware

Springs Charter

8am-4pm 190+ 1,210 (K-

5)

1.5 hrs, four

days a week

1 hour each

Traditional

Schools8am-2pm 180 720 (K-2)

900 (3-5) None 30 min each

Research has shown that extended instructional time is a very effective

method for raising student achievement.

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Rigorous CurriculumO 1.5 hours daily for both math and

reading instruction for all grades O 1 hour daily for both science and

social studies instruction for all gradesO Curriculum aligned with Common

Core standards O Ability grouping for math and reading

and differentiated instructional strategies

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Strong Arts, Health, and Foreign Language Program

We offer:O Daily instruction in Spanish at all grade

levels O Environment Protection classes and

outdoor educationO Art, Music, and PE classes that allow

children to be creative and express themselves

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FridaysO Instruction ends at noonO Family Friday Meetings

O A small group of students will be paired with an adult mentor. Social/emotional support group and mentoring program.

O School-wide activityO Includes character education components,

student recognition, and activities such as movie/popcorn, kickball tournament, or plays/skits.

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Parental InvolvementParents will be required to sign a contract with the school which obligates them to:

O Donate 10 volunteer hours to BSC per academic year, 5 hours for each additional child

O Attend a parent-teacher conference at least once per 10 week term

O Pledge to ensure their child adheres to attendance and dress codes, as well as all other BSC rules and regulations

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Character EducationO Research has continually suggested that

when schools help students gain a moral compass and form good habits, schools have greater academic achievements and a better school climate

O 30 minutes of classroom time each day dedicated to character education

O Character education reflected in disciplinary plan and reinforced with school-wide activities

O Public speaking and presentations used to build self-esteem and character

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Student Learning Profiles (SLP)

O Student Learning Profiles will be created for each student and will set, track, and analyze student data and goals

O Created upon enrollment and updated regularly.

O Teachers and staff create goals based on1) Standardized Tests2) BSC initial/final assessments3) social/developmental skills4) portfolios5) IEP/ELL/ESE data (if applicable)

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About Our TeachersWe believe that teachers are the

most important aspect of a child’s education.

O Selection: We had a rigorous selection process including an

application, interview, presentation of over 50

candidates.O Our teachers: our 6 classroom teachers all have Masters degrees and most have additional Special Education, Reading, and/or ESOL

endorsement.

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Enrolling in Boulware Springs Charter School

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Getting AcceptedO Our first enrollment period was from Feb 15th-

April 30th. We received over 190 applications for 112 spots.

O We conducted a lottery and randomly selected 112 students. The remaining students were randomly placed on a wait list.

O Those who have been accepted must turn in required documents by May 16th or they will lose their spot and students from the wait list will become eligible to enroll.

O Those who are still interested in applying may still do so. They will be added to the wait list.

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Enrollment RequirementsO General Paperwork (due May 16th):

O K, Charter school, home school, or out of county students: SS card, birth certificate, 2 proofs of residency, immunization records and physical

O Coming from another Alachua County School: SS card, birth certificate

O Optional, All students: an IEPs, report cards, test scores, or other relevant information you may have

O ALL PARENTS/STUDENTS: must sign up for an appointment in June to sign parental involvement contract and have students tested for reading and math placement

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General School InformationO Uniforms

O Polos, navy bottoms, close-toed shoesO Transportation

O None provided O Lunch

O Provided daily through School board for purchase or free/reduced pricing. Can also bring from home.

O Drop-off/Pick-upO No earlier than 7:30, no later than 5:30 (for

after school or tutoring)

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Questions?