tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22302178953090434142024-03-12T20:01:19.852-04:00Bronx Community Charter SchoolBronx Community Charter School is a small, progressive public school in the north central Bronx. The founding team is made up of educators, parents and community members from the Bronx. Bronx Community opened in fall 2008 with 100 kindergarten and first grade students.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-78389109880763632882009-06-12T22:33:00.005-04:002009-07-08T18:46:31.448-04:00Family Math Night<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbronxcommunity%2Falbumid%2F5346634155955950369%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJGLs82GpKbCrQE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="267" width="400"></embed><br />BxC staff led a series of family workshops this spring. Family Math Night brought families together to play math games, discuss the underlying math content, and gain an understanding of what an effective tool games are for practicing and reinforcing math skills. Students taught their family members the rules to a variety of games involving addition and subtraction, estimation, and measurement, and used the materials effectively to demonstrate and play with their families. BxC staff members circulated to confer with families and encourage the rich math discussions that arose. Each family left armed with a kit of math materials, a packet of games and directions, and an eagerness to continue the game-playing and skill-building at home.<br /><br />Additionally, BxC teachers organized the Pajama Read-o-Rama, in which students came dressed in their pajamas and brought their families to read and play word games together, with explanation and facilitation from staff. A workshop on behavior management and the role of play led families to share their own successes and struggles, gather new ideas, and use a cardboard box filled with everyday materials to work together as a family to create something wonderful.<br /><br />Families and staff members were very excited about all of this work together, and are already brimming with ideas for new workshops next year.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-40978728988728942582009-05-17T11:37:00.006-04:002009-06-12T21:54:26.441-04:00Street Tree Action Day!<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbronxcommunity%2Falbumid%2F5342535418224311217%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />On Saturday, May 16th, students, families and staff celebrated the street tree stewardship of our students and began a Bronx-wide street tree action project. BxC families will be adopting a street tree on their block, caring for it during the hot months between May and October. They will water their tree, keep it clean and aerate the soil, so the roots get lots of air and water. If all of our students adopt a tree on their home block, BxC families will help care for 100 trees across the Bronx. <a href="http://www.communitywalk.com/bronx/ny/bxc_street_trees/map/379547#101q0010740.3D::8-73.3GK10">That makes a big impact!</a><br />At Street Tree Action Day, students taught their families how to use different tools to take care of street trees, together families made a sign for their adopted tree, and they also signed up to become authors on our school-wide <a href="http://www.bxcstreettrees.blogspot.com/">street tree care blog</a>. Ian Jack, a forester with the Parks Department, led street tree tours on our block to talk with families about some of the hazards that street trees face. Students and families also planted flowers that were bought with money raised during a bake sale at family conferences.<br />On their way out, families received a tree care bucket filled with tree care tools, gloves, information about tree care and lots of other goodies. Families will take their tree care kits and all of their knowledge back to their neighborhoods where they will help keep the Bronx green!<br /><br />Street Tree Action Day was developed through a grant from Partnerships for Parks.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-55683766411657137002009-03-18T23:36:00.002-04:002009-03-19T00:10:27.428-04:00First Annual Winter Arts Festival<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbronxcommunity%2Falbumid%2F5313210939281669489%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCMWQz--M6vuJhwE" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="267" width="400"></embed><br /><br />Despite the cold weather, 77 BxC students brought their families back to our school on a Friday night in February to celebrate the first annual BxC Winter Arts Festival.<br />Families visited galleries of student art work, participated in family art activities, watched students show off their acting skills and joined in drum demos with our drumming instructors from Drum Power.<br /><br />Families and teachers worked together to organize the festivities and ensured a large turnout with excellent outreach. Families helped prepare artwork, donated food, volunteered to set-up and clean-up, ran a raffle to raise money for the arts at BxC, facilitated family art activities and shared their excitement about the arts program at BxC. Nelson Castro, the state assembly member for our assembly district visited and was impressed by the rich arts work that BxC students are doing every day.<br /><br />Students, families, teachers and staff all had a fantastic time making art together, connecting with each other, and celebrating the artistry of our kindergarten and first graders.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-91763007854829934822009-03-01T21:34:00.002-05:002009-03-01T21:37:22.496-05:00Snow Closing PolicyIf the NYC public schools are closed because of snow, Bronx Community will also be closed. Please check the radio or television, or call 311 to find out about the NYC public schools.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-82057314537641355372008-12-01T16:27:00.004-05:002008-12-13T14:49:03.256-05:00K and 1st Grade Paintings and Collages<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbronxcommunity%2Falbumid%2F5267639260151394177%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-38888703938015867532008-10-25T23:34:00.004-04:002008-11-11T21:26:18.328-05:00Curriculum Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SQPnOGLeR6I/AAAAAAAAAV0/_EnwEtCdpMo/s1600-h/150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SQPnOGLeR6I/AAAAAAAAAV0/_EnwEtCdpMo/s320/150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261303019061790626" border="0" /></a>On Thursday, October 23rd, 75 BxC families gathered to visit their children's classrooms, look at their work, and hear about the rich curriculum that is unfolding this year. Families spent time sharing about the student work they saw, listening intently to presentations by teachers, talking with other families, and enjoying conversations with BxC staff.<br /><br />Before families left, they wrote notes to their children's classes, telling them what they enjoyed about their classroom and work. Everyone left feeling excited about the year ahead and proud of the important work that BxC students are doing each day.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-4568972003058926242008-09-17T11:35:00.007-04:002008-11-11T21:27:19.186-05:00Opening Parade!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SRo8OfTB1DI/AAAAAAAAAmg/dpgoUbfdCvY/s1600-h/parade+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SRo8OfTB1DI/AAAAAAAAAmg/dpgoUbfdCvY/s320/parade+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267588933780362290" border="0" /></a>On Friday, September 12, BxC students, staff and families kicked-off the school year with a back-to-school parade. Drummer, Iyedun Ince, led our parade around the block. Students, teachers and parents cheered and shook tamborines and maracas as they marched down the street. People in buildings and on the street clapped for our students and passing cars honked their horns.<br /><br />Our parade was a festive celebration of all of the learning that is getting underway at BxC! <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span>Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-59613888368906390712008-08-31T21:24:00.005-04:002008-11-11T21:27:50.025-05:00First Day of School!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SL32vj0ZcFI/AAAAAAAAAKc/NEY7s2Xfxv4/s1600-h/343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SL32vj0ZcFI/AAAAAAAAAKc/NEY7s2Xfxv4/s320/343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241616838258421842" border="0" /></a>On Tuesday, September 2nd, BxC welcomed its 100 founding students. Half of them had come for an open house the previous week and rushed right to the teachers they had met at that time. The other half arrived anxious to meet their teachers, and were warmly welcomed in. The preparation of the BxC staff was evident in the smoothness of the day, with students moving easily from buses and cars to their classes to recess and lunch.<br /><br />Children reveled in their vibrant classrooms and began to explore the school and the many learning materials available to them. Songs were sung, names were learned, explorations were launched, and students left excitedly anticipating another day at BxC.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-56326496651111727132008-08-31T21:23:00.006-04:002008-11-11T21:28:31.293-05:00NYC Mayor and Chancellor Hold Press Conference at BxC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SLyxDWndNJI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZmCgE5yEVNA/s1600-h/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SLyxDWndNJI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZmCgE5yEVNA/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241258737521210514" border="0" /></a>On Monday, August 18th, the same day that BxC staff members began their two week Summer Institute, Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein held a press conference at BxC to herald the opening of 18 new charter schools this year.<br /><br />The Mayor and Chancellor chose BxC to host because of the deep community connections of the school and its staff and because of its innovative facility partnership with Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, the community-based organization that leases space to BxC.<br /><br />Co-Directors Martha Andrews and Sasha Wilson spoke about the family forums that helped shape the vision of the school, Mayor Bloomberg spoke about the importance of charter choices, and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion highlighted the important work that Fordham Bedford has done in the community. Well over 100 people attended, along with all of the major media outlets, and BxC was mentioned all over the news that day.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-38231568107409992732008-08-09T22:35:00.004-04:002008-11-11T21:29:09.914-05:00Family Picnic!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SJ5ZS3-60SI/AAAAAAAAAJU/U0pIv9IfnPE/s1600-h/480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SJ5ZS3-60SI/AAAAAAAAAJU/U0pIv9IfnPE/s320/480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232717997851463970" border="0" /></a>On June 26th, BxC held its first annual summer picnic for families in Van Cortlandt Park. 96 students, staff, and family members attended, and everyone had a great time. Students played ball games, drew on balloons, and became fast friends. Families began to make connections with each other, and were excited to meet the staff members who will be working with their children. The students left sporting their new Bronx Community Charter School backpacks, and eager to see each other again.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-45427246777015662482008-08-09T22:34:00.003-04:002008-11-11T21:29:34.566-05:00Family Cleaning DayOn June 21st, BxC families and staff came together to get the school sparkling clean before the kids arrive. Windows were shined, shelves were scrubbed, furniture was moved, and floors were swept. Thanks to the help of the volunteers, the school looks shinier than ever. <br /><br />The next family volunteer days are August 14th and August 21st.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-18843543157548178902008-08-09T22:30:00.003-04:002008-08-09T23:25:55.805-04:00Fundraising Goals for 2008-2009We are continuing to raise money so that we can provide BxC students with the wide variety of rich experiences that all children deserve. Meeting our 2008-09 fundraising goals will enable us to:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Provide a Drumming Program </span><br />We hope to fund a Latin and African percussion program for our students. This program would provide instruction in African and Latin drumming, teach them about the cultural context and significance of African and Latin drumming, and provide them with opportunities for independent exploration and experimentation with the drums to encourage their creativity and self-expression.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) Meet the Social and Emotional Needs of Students and Families </span><br />We wish to provide an expanded counseling program to further meet the social and emotional needs of our students. This would enable the counselor to spend more time in classrooms and collaborating with teachers, devote more resources to developing relationships with families and connecting them with community resources, and offer workshops on a wide variety of topics for families and for staff.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Focus on Health and Fitness </span><br />We would like to participate in a holistic health and fitness partnership with Montefiore Hospital’s School Health Program. This program will connect BxC staff with outside expertise in order to cook healthy food with students in the classroom, discuss issues of health with students in meaningful ways, and take part in fitness programs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4) Plan for Our Future Facility </span><br />We need to plan for our future facility needs by working with development groups and architects to plan a permanent facility for BxC.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-82132260215031950212008-08-09T22:27:00.003-04:002008-08-09T23:22:09.993-04:00BxC's Successful Fundraising<span style="font-weight: bold;">Individual Donations:</span> In late 2007, a BxC board member generously offered to match all contributions up to $100,000 as a fundraising challenge. The response to our fundraising appeal has been tremendous, and we have already raised the $100,000 we needed to meet the challenge! Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to our initial success. Because of your support, we are able to start our first school year with:<br /><br /><ul><li>Two teachers in every classroom to provide individual and small-group instruction to meet the needs of every BxC student</li><li>A part-time counselor to address the social and emotional needs of BxC students and work closely with families and staff as well</li><li>Hundreds of books for each classroom, so that children can enjoy a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, follow their interests, investigate their questions, and further their love of literature</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grants: </span>BxC has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the New York State Stimulus Fund and three grants totaling $90,000 from the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence. This money has served BxC in hiring Director of Finance Kathleen Elie and Operations Manager Roxane Brogan to set up crucial systems before teachers and students arrive, to develop a technology infrastructure, and to fund a two-week Summer Institute for all staff to prepare for the opening of school. <br /><br />BxC has also received a grant from Partnerships for Parks to create an innovative program where students will learn how to care for street trees and tend the trees near the school. Students will then work to train their families by caring for trees on their own home block. This grant provides BxC with educational and technical assistance and money to purchase Street Tree Care Kits for BxC families so that they can become caretakers of the trees on the blocks where they live. This grant will help BxC fulfill its mission of helping to empower students and their families to effect positive changes in the Bronx.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-23979537534777818672008-07-07T12:20:00.002-04:002008-07-07T12:46:46.291-04:00BxC Staff Is Hired and Ready to BeginAfter a long and thorough process of outreach, interviewing, demonstration lessons, and reference checking, BxC has finished hiring a fantastic founding staff to launch the school in its first year. This group of intelligent, caring, experienced, and capable adults will work with children in many different capacities, as well as taking care of all of the administrative tasks that will keep the school running strong. The staff includes 8 classroom teachers (two for each class of children), a literacy specialist, a math specialist, a drama teacher, an art teacher, a social worker, a school aide, a director of finance, an operations manager, and two co-directors.<br /><br />The staff of BxC gathered for the first time in June to begin to get to know each other and to talk about what we will be creating for the students and families of BxC. Over the summer, all staff members are reading Going Public by Shelley Harwayne, to think together about the priorities and practices that go into running a high-quality school, and Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman, to engage with the idea of building a school in a community in which people are already living their lives, and what it means to be joining a community with respect and appreciation for what’s already growing there.<br /><br />All BxC staff members will participate in an intensive two-week Summer Institute to prepare for the opening of the school.<br /><br />We are thrilled that these exceptional educators and professionals will be working together to create a superb school for our students and families.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-16876681397667591682008-07-07T11:52:00.003-04:002008-07-07T12:20:33.895-04:00BxC Students and FamiliesBxC has enrolled all 100 of its founding students, 50 kindergartners and 50 first graders. Each family came to the school for an individual enrollment meeting and tour, and everyone left feeling impressed and excited. The school was abuzz with activity during enrollment evenings, as families toured classrooms while teachers measured their spaces and planned their classroom set-up. Future students gleefully explored the play yard, and also created artwork for staff members, as their parents and guardians spoke to the co-directors and learned more about the school's mission and educational program. <br /><br />BxC students are a very diverse group, with eleven home languages and a range of ethnic and racial backgrounds. They come from many different neighborhoods, including Fordham, Bedford Park, Norwood, Belmont, Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights. and University Heights. 21 of the students also have a sibling attending BxC.<br /><br />Over the summer, families will have a chance to meet each other and the BxC staff at a family picnic. And on September 2nd, BxC will open its doors and those 100 students will be a part of creating an educational environment filled with joyful learning, curiosity, and investigation.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-47134363620347841322008-05-28T23:09:00.005-04:002008-04-14T22:09:32.899-04:00Bronx Community School Facility!<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SAQHeZnl9CI/AAAAAAAAAEI/pSE3gAMxcK8/s1600-h/119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189280889492075554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_j0Z9Je1afiM/SAQHeZnl9CI/AAAAAAAAAEI/pSE3gAMxcK8/s320/119.JPG" border="0" /></a> BxC has a home!<br /><br />BxC will open at Jacob's Place, a mixed-use affordable housing development created by <a href="http://www.fordham-bedford.org/">Fordham Bedford Housing Coorporation</a> (FBHC). Jacob's Place is an 8-story, 63-unit apartment building that includes an early childhood education center on the first floor and a private outdoor playspace.<br /><br />It is named in honor of the late Astin Jacobo, a native of the Dominican Republic and longtime neighborhood leader of the Crotona section of the Bronx. Jacob, as he was affectionately known, led the battle in Crotona and the Northwest Bronx for affordable housing, youth recreation and community preservation.<br /><br />Jacob's Place was constructed according to the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria and features a combination green/solar roof. The solar panel system will provide electricity for BxC. Other green features at Jacob’s Place include bamboo apartment flooring, low-VOC paints and materials, energy-efficient elevators, and a rain water collection system.<br /><br />Bronx Community is proud to be part of the Jacob's Place development. We are honored to work with FBHC in a facility that provides affordable, green housing and honors the memory of a neighborhood activist.<br /><br />Bronx Community is committed to learning that takes children into the community and helps them discover their own power to affect change. We can't imagine a better place to begin that work!Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-62701065645912299442008-04-14T21:55:00.005-04:002008-04-15T00:38:29.480-04:00BxC Welcomes First Classes of Students and FamiliesOn April 3rd, BxC held its student lottery at the Bronx Library Center on Fordham Road. 50 first graders and 50 kindergartners were selected from over 350 applications. Students who were not selected were placed on a waiting list for each grade.<br /><br />Enrollment meetings for BxC families will take place during the month of April at the school site on Webster Ave. Families will have a chance to tour the school, meet individually with the Co-Directors and fill out necessary paperwork.<br /><br />The 2008-09 student body of BxC includes a racially and socio-economically diverse group of boys and girls from the unique neighborhoods of the Northwest Bronx.<br /><br />Welcome Bronx Community families!Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-22131893895100278302008-02-28T00:16:00.007-05:002008-04-14T21:54:50.569-04:00Bronx Community In the NewsBronx Community has been featured in several community newspapers. Read articles about the school in the <a href="http://www.riverdalepress.com/full.php?sid=3230&current_edition=2008-02-28">Riverdale Press</a>, the <a href="http://www.norwoodnews.org/story/?id=326&story=local+teachers+chart+a+new+path">Norwood News</a>, and the <a href="http://www.bxtimes.com/Archives.htm?appSession=34277552157883&RecordID=3713&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=">Bronx Times</a>.<br /><br />The websites for these community newspapers contain excellent information about the Bronx. The stories and descriptions of local organizations, events, political issues and community members paint a complex and rich picture of life in the Bronx.<br /><br />In April, <a href="http://www.nysun.com/news/new-york/charters-go-new-recruitment-lengths">The New York Sun </a>ran an article about charter school student recruitment that featured BxC.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-51898103686269790142008-02-11T00:17:00.000-05:002008-02-11T00:40:29.536-05:00February Fundraising UpdateWith the help of our board and contributions from many donors, we are close to reaching our $100,000 challenge goal. All of the money raised during this challenge has been matched dollar-for-dollar.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Individual Contributions to date: $90,000<br /><br />We are working to raise the final $10,000 that will put us over the top and help us collect the full $100,000 match that was generously committed by one of our board members.<br /></span><br />If you are interested in helping us provide an excellent education to students in the Bronx, we will welcome you into the Bronx Community family of supporters. Please make your check out to Mosholu Preservation Corporation, the local non-profit that is serving as our fiscal sponsor, and write Bronx Community or BxC in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to Bronx Community Charter School, c/o MPC, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467.<br /><br />We appreciate the generosity and commitment of all our donors!Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-90145786095313781942008-02-03T01:17:00.000-05:002008-02-03T01:21:08.000-05:00Authorized!On January 15th, the New York State Board of Regents voted to approve the Bronx Community Charter School application. The school has now been authorized to operate under a 5 year contract with the state.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-84481164662461442852007-12-10T23:18:00.000-05:002008-02-03T01:10:08.075-05:00FundraisingIn order to provide the students of Bronx Community with the educational resources and faculty they deserve, we are working to supplement the state funding we receive with foundation grants and donations. Our goal is to raise $300,000 before the end of our first school year in June 2009. We are well on our way!<br /><br />If you are interested in helping us provide an excellent education to students in the Bronx, we will welcome you into the Bronx Community family of supporters. Please make your check out to Mosholu Preservation Corporation, the local non-profit that is serving as our fiscal sponsor, and write Bronx Community or BxC in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to Bronx Community Charter School, c/o MPC, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467.<br /><br />We appreciate the generosity and commitment of all our donors!<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Individual Contributions to date: $85,000</span><br /><ul><li>In May one of our BxC founding board members committed to making a dollar-for-dollar match of individual contributions up to $100,000. </li><li>In November, the BxC founding team and board began a challenge campaign to raise $100,000 in individual contributions.<br /></li></ul><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Grant Money to date: $40,000</span><br /><ul><li>BxC received a $35,000 planning grant and a $5,000 development grant from The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence.</li></ul>Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230217895309043414.post-36479175310161994052007-12-10T21:49:00.000-05:002008-02-03T01:30:05.220-05:00A Brief History of BxC<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fall 2005</span>--BxC founding team begins meeting to imagine a new public school alternative for the North central Bronx.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Spring 2006</span>--BxC receives a technical assistance grant from The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence. Through the technical assistance grant, the team begins attending workshops about charter school planning and management. The team visits several charter schools in NYC and meets with a variety of charter school leaders to learn more about the charter process and gain a better understanding of what goes into running a charter school.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Summer 2006</span>--Team members begin to put together a formal vision of BxC, including plans for curriculum and infrastructure. Recruitment for the founding board begins.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fall 2006</span>--Founding team members begin a series of planning meetings with colleagues, community members and educational experts. These meetings help to revise the vision for BxC and point out areas that need further research.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Winter 2006</span>--The team invites seven outstanding individuals to join the founding board of Bronx Community Charter School.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">January 2007</span>--BxC receives a $10,000 donation from David Ciao, winner of the e-speed charity poker tournament.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">February 2007</span>--Team members hold two family forums attended by members of 40 area families. The participants share their ideas about what matters most in the education of their children. These conversations inform the further development of the vision for BxC.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">March 2007</span>--The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence grants BxC a $40,000 planning grant. The team submits their concept paper to the NYC Department of Education. The 20 page concept paper will determine whether the team is invited to submit a full application to the DOE in September.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">April 2007</span>--Team members begin to tour possible facilities in the Bedford Park/Norwood neighborhoods of the Bronx.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">May 2007</span>--A BxC founding board member generously commits to match dollar-for-dollar all individual contributions up to $100,000.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">June 2007</span>--The NYCDOE invites BxC to submit a full charter application in September.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Summer 2007</span>--The team works to complete the BxC charter application.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">September 2007</span>--The BxC charter application, all 750, pages is turned into the NYCDOE. Founding team members and founding board members complete a panel interview with the DOE Office of New Schools.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">October 2007</span>--The NYCDOE recommends BxC to the New York State Education Department for approval by the Board of Regents.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">November/December 2007</span>--The team completes responses to clarification requests from the State Education Department. The Board of Regents of SUNY will vote on the BxC charter application in January 2008.<br /><br />January 2008--The New York State Board of Regents votes to authorize Bronx Community Charter School.Bronx Community Charter Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04012093448713243005noreply@blogger.com