Although registration for 2008-09 is now over, we are still accepting applications for some of the grades. If you are interested in registering your child, please contact the schools registrar at 954-342-4064 or email bengamla@gmail.com.
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Dear Parents,
We are now in the second week of school; it’s hard to believe the summer is coming to an end so quickly.
First, I do want to remind you that Ben Gamla Charter follows the Broward County School calendar. As such, a copy of the calendar is found on the back of your child’s agenda. You can easily access the calendar with any pertinent updates on the county website;
When you open the website, click on Parents at the top of the screen. Your next screen will give you the option of opening the 2008-2009 school calendar.
I want to ask you to consider taking the role, either individually or jointly, as our PTA President. Ztipora Nurieli has graciously assumed this leadership position last year and has eased the transition by helping us to provide delicious food for both our Teacher Welcome Breakfast as well as the Open House.
It is time for another individual or two to step up to the plate and nurture this role. I ask that you give this some thought. Your children are your dearest possession. The PTA is a viable source of support for the school and for the staff, not to mention how excited your child(ren) will be knowing you will be involved. Your input will be heard and noticed by all members of our learning community.
If you have the time and the heart, please consider this role. We truly cannot do all the wonderful things we want to do without your help and your support. I am asking you to consider helping us to provide the extra opportunities that will go undone without a person (or two) at the helm. Do it for your children; do it because you care; do it because you want to set a good example for your children. Please ask yourself if you can be this hero.
My invisible door is open to you if you would like to consider the possibility! Please, get involved. This is a great way to meet new friends and solidify relationships within the school. I await your call or email.
In the meantime, I wish you and your families a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. Remember, school will be closed on Monday, September 1st. Enjoy this time with your families and be safe. Over the weekend, please ask your children to share our three building expectations at Ben Gamla Charter School; we expect our students to be respectful, responsible, and safe in our school and around our community. Consider adding these expectations at home this holiday weekend too!
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Miller
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Dear Parents,
I am so thrilled with the turnout we enjoyed last Thursday at our Open House. I want to thank the PTA for providing us with the lovely beverages and treats. We are very blessed to have such dedicated and generous parents.
Many families commented on the beautiful condition of our facility. This has been a great effort and initiative to orchestrate. It takes the entire learning community to realize long-range accomplishments. As Principal, I will expect students to treat their surroundings with respect and care.
Parents of Kindergarten and First Grade children, we are still planning to board our buses Monday morning for an awesome, educational field trip. We will bring the little ones into the school prior to boarding the bus and hold them in the elementary cafeteria. Children will have some time, weather permitting, at the park in the morning and then off to the museum and IMAX. Buses will return in time for dismissal.
Hopefully, the new modular classrooms will be ready either Tuesday or Wednesday. The construction crew has worked so very hard and often around the clock. We are now awaiting our certificate of occupancy from the city of Hollywood.
Please recall the Car-Rider Procedures I outlined earlier on the web for you. We will load eight (8) cars at one time. There will be a teacher at each station throughout the parking lot to help load the students safely. Your child(ren) will come home Monday with a sign that must be placed inside the windshield of your vehicle. It will have their name(s) and allow us to call your child to the correct station. I ask that you have this visible every day at dismissal.
THIS IS NOT A TIME TO CHAT; PLEASE RESPECT THIS INITIATIVE. IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER, SCHEDULE A CONFERENCE. BE CERTAIN YOUR CHILD(REN) CAN COMFORTABLY LOAD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE. WE WILL NOT STOP TO ADJUST CAR SEATS AND INFANT SEATS.
Please realize we are in the middle of a residential neighborhood. We must model respect and organization for our children and one another.
Should the weather be inclement, and from the forecast it looks like a real possibility, please dress students accordingly. Please remember that your children should be wearing closed-toe shoes. Sneakers are an excellent choice. No sandals or flip-flops are allowed. They are unsafe.
I am as far away as the phone. Please know that I recognize your children are your dearest possession. I, too, am a mother. We will love your children and help them to grow academically and emotionally. Please use words of encouragement with the little ones.
A loving and talented staff awaits your children. We have all worked diligently to prepare a marvelous year for every child. Each Wednesday, your children will bring home a folder for you. The Wednesday Folder will provide parents with important notices and give us a viable tool for communication between home and school. It will require your signature and must be returned the following morning. In addition, our teachers will soon be posting homework and other pertinent information for your ease on the web. We will be using a site called, “School Notes.” The website is www.SchoolNotes.com . Please give us a week or so to get set up.
While I encourage parent volunteers, first day jitters are best resolved by quick goodbyes. We have now moved to one point of entry. As such, please enter from the doors on Van Buren Street. You will need to get a pass upon entry. This procedure is now state-wide and is for everyone’s safety.
I send my best wishes to all and look forward to Monday. Thank you for entrusting us with your youngsters!
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Miller
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Dear Parents,
Since my arrival in late June, we have been working diligently to prepare our campus for the upcoming school year. We have grown tremendously; we now have over 600 students registered for the 2008-2009 school year. In fact, we have begun a waiting list for Ben Gamla Charter School!
Many parents and faculty members have graciously welcomed me to Ben Gamla. The nurturing and welcoming atmosphere will not change. You will, however, note a few changes that the parent community and newly gathered School Advisory Council (SAC) have greatly desired. Those of you who attended the Middle School Parent Meeting in June will recall being introduced to PBS (Positive Behavior Support), a phenomenal program for the University of SW Florida in Tampa. I have traveled across the country to present this successful program. Students who choose not to abide by our 3 Building Expectations (Respect, Responsibility, and Safety) will spend time working about the school, learning to develop the 3 expectations. We will guide our children to become model citizens. Please watch for news from your child’s classroom teachers about the character trait of the month. Just as we teach our students core academics, so too must we teach and model the appropriate behaviors. Should I, or your child’s teacher need to phone you to discuss inappropriate behavior, I will expect your cooperation and your support. Together, we will nurture the best in every child. I consider your children, your dearest possessions, to be my daytime family and I will do everything in my power to help mold model citizens and future leaders.
You will receive a folder every Wednesday. The folder will contain important news from the teacher, tests and/or assignments and items that require your signature. You will sign the cover on the corresponding week’s line to indicate that you have received and read the enclosed items. We consider our school-to-home communication critical to the success of our students. Ask your child to share his or her student agenda each day as well. You will learn what your child’s responsibilities are in each subject area. In addition, our teachers will post assignments on www.schoolnotes.com . This will become an invaluable tool for parents.
Let’s talk about Car-rider arrival and dismissal a moment, please. New procedures are necessary to implement safe, prompt arrival and dismissal. To expedite our car-rider line, you will follow the following routine below.
1. A sign has been made for your windshield and must be displayed each day in order to call out your child(ren’s) name(s).
2. There will be eight (8) stations, each supervised by one of our faculty.
3. Do not engage in conversation with staff while in the car-rider line. Teachers have been instructed NOT to converse at this time. Please schedule a conference for further dialogue. The neighbors along Van Buren Street have expressed the need for a more proficient car line.
4. We will load and dismiss eight (8) cars at one time. Faculty will raise their hands when the student is loaded safely. At that time, I will give the signal to let all 8 cars go and proceed to line up the next 8 cars.
5. You cannot make a left turn into the parking lot when coming from the east.
6. A police officer will be onsite for the first few weeks to ensure student safety.
Your cooperation is necessary; our children are watching us and learning to work together by the patience, personal respect, and cooperation we model as a team. Let’s not disappoint them. TOGETHER, EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE! That’s the spirit of teamwork.
We are expecting the arrival of eight (8) modular classrooms. I will need your patience; we are at the mercy of manufacturers, weather, and delivery. Should we be a day or two late with the much needed space, please model patience. Our teachers will thank you dearly!
I look forward to welcoming you and your children. Be safe, be well, and be ready to blast off to a fantastic school year.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Miller
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