Kids love learning at COMMUNITY Charter School!

What's New at
COMMUNITY Charter School?

01/12/2012
COMMUNITY Charter School ensures students are eating healthy both in and out of school

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, Principal at COMMUNITY Charter School, is proud to announce that the school has again joined with the Food Bank of WNY to offer its “BackPack Program” at the school. The BackPack Program gives students access to a supply of healthy meal and snack options each weekend during the school year.

Currently 98% of COMMUNITY Charter School students take advantage of free or reduced-price lunches. While students have access to healthy food in the school cafeteria Monday - Friday, they may be left without an adequate supply of nutritious food on the weekends or when school is not in session. Many of the school’s families are among the “working poor;” parents who work long hours and may even work multiple jobs, but still fall below the poverty line. These families often gravitate toward meals that are quick and cheap, but not necessarily nutritious.

The program, run by the Food Bank of WNY, provides each participating school with a core sponsor. COMMUNITY Charter School’s sponsor is Tyson Foods, Inc. who donates approximately $5,000 worth of healthy food each month. The delivery from Tyson is supplemented by local produce market James Desiderio Inc., which donates fresh fruits. All donated food is kid-friendly and “shelf stable,” so it doesn’t have to be refrigerated, cooked, or require the use of a can opener. Backpack contents might include breakfast kits with fruit cups, cereal, and juice; lunch kits with beef stew or lasagna, fresh fruit, and shelf stable milk; and whole grain snack options.

The school is in its second year in the program. Families do not need to meet income limits to participate. Students are selected based on the observations of the school social worker, teachers, and the kitchen manager. Parental consent is required. Backpacks are currently distributed each Friday during the 10 months of the school year. The school hopes to expand the program in the future to include the summer months.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, 342 students are enrolled in grades K-6 and more than 60 faculty and staff are employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, plus bus transportation, school uniforms, and morning and afternoon programs. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


11/03/2011
"McTeacher's Night" fundraiser for COMMUNITY Charter School to take place at local McDonald's

Buffalo, NY— On Thursday, November 10, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., the teachers, staff, and even the principal from COMMUNITY Charter School will be taking orders and making fries at the McDonald’s Restaurant at 1970 Kensington Avenue in Buffalo to raise funds for their school as part of “McTeacher’s Night”.

Through this unique fundraising event, teachers and administrators volunteer their time to work in the restaurant in exchange for a 3% share of the evening’s profits going to COMMUNITY Charter School. In addition to greeting customers, school personnel will make french-fries and drinks, serve food, work the registers, and service the drive-thru window!

The event will also include face painting for children and every COMMUNITY Charter School student who attends will receive a free homework pass. Families and school supporters are invited to take a “McBreak” from cooking dinner and stop in to support the school. The McDonald’s is located on Kensington Avenue just west of Harlem Road. 

COMMUNITY Charter School opened in the fall of 2003, employs more than 60 faculty and staff, and currently has 342 students from three school districts enrolled in grades K - 6. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus bus transportation, school uniforms, and morning and afternoon programs.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2011-2012 school year. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


10/27/2011
COMMUNITY Charter School students Learn and Earn

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, Principal at COMMUNITY Charter School, is proud to announce that the school will offer the Learn and Earn program to the school.

The program is offered exclusively at COMMUNITY Charter School through a partnership with Canisius College’s SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) program. In order to Learn and Earn, students in grades 3 – 6 maintain “savings accounts” at school. The accounts receive both a 20-cent deposit, plus a 25% compound interest payment from SIFE every two weeks. The use of a 25% inflated interest allowance, although unrealistic in today’s world, is designed to magnify the effects of compounding. Students calculate and keep track of deposits, interest payments, and withdrawals in specially designed logs.

SIFE makes regular visits to the COMMUNITY Charter School classrooms to help students do the calculations, and to offer them the choice of either making a withdrawal, or choosing to regulate their behavior by delaying it. Students are also challenged with applying the concept of delayed gratification to other situations such as waiting in line and completing homework, and are asked to provide examples of how delaying gratification benefits them. “Our teachers really take the time to impress upon the students that self-regulation, just like saving, is a conscious choice and a smart one,” said COMMUNITY Charter School’s Developmental Asset Specialist, Andrew Prinzing.  

The Learn and Earn program, now in its fourth year at COMMUNITY Charter School, was developed by Canisius Professor of Economics, Dr. Patricia A. Hutton and the SIFE team. At first glance, Learn and Earn appears to be a financial literacy program, and in many ways, it is. Students save and learn about compound interest and its role in boosting savings over time. But the true goal of the program is to develop the students’ sense of self-regulation and time orientation, and their ability to delay gratification. Poor time orientation skills have been linked to poor educational outcomes, low socioeconomic status, and poverty.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, 342 students are enrolled in grades K-6 from three school districts. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus bus transportation, school uniforms, and morning and afternoon programs. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2011-2012 school year. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


09/15/2011
COMMUNITY Charter School participates in school supply collection project

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, principal at COMMUNITY Charter School, is pleased to announce that the school has partnered with the Edison Street Community Church and Summit Credit Union in a drive to help less fortunate families in the community obtain the proper school supplies for their children.

The drive, named “Project Fresh Start” began in the summer and will continue throughout the 2011-2012 school year. Supplies will be collected at Summit Credit Union locations and half of those supplies will be distributed to students at COMMUNITY Charter School in grades K-6. The other half will be distributed by Edison Street Community Church to students in the surrounding community. Approximately $750 worth of supplies has been collected so far.

“In this economy, it is not uncommon for families to have difficulty finding the money to buy the proper school supplies” said Smith. “We have joined this community collaboration that will directly benefit our students.” The supplies collected will be passed on to students at the school based strictly on need.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, there are 342 students from three school districts enrolled in grades K- 6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, bus transportation, and school uniforms, plus morning and afternoon programs. They are currently accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


06/13/2011
COMMUNITY Charter School celebrates literacy with a "Teacher Dunking Tank"

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, principal at COMMUNITY Charter School, is proud to announce that the school is again gearing up for its annual Reading Makes a Splash event. The event, which will be held on Tuesday, June 14, marks the close of the school’s Reading Makes a Splash literacy program.

Reading Makes a Splash is a year-round program designed to engage COMMUNITY Charter School’s K-6 students by rewarding them for reading. Students start reading logs at the beginning of the school year. To complete one reading log, they must read on four separate nights. Students must complete two reading logs to in order to reap their Reading Makes a Splash reward. Their reward comes in the form of one dunk tank ball. Students eagerly look forward to this June event, when they will have the chance to throw those balls at the “Teacher Dunking Tank,” and watch their favorite teacher or administrator make a splash!

The fun-filled Reading Makes a Splash event will be held at COMMUNITY Charter School, 404 Edison Road in Buffalo, on Tuesday, June 14 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Parents and the public are invited to attend and celebrate literacy by cheering on the students, and watching the teachers make a splash!

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, there are 342 students from three school districts enrolled in grades K-6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus bus transportation, school uniforms, and morning and afternoon programs. They are currently accepting applications for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


05/10/2011
COMMUNITY Charter School Collects Pennies for Patients

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, Principal at COMMUNITY Charter School, is pleased to announce that the school recently completed its annual Pennies for Patients fundraising campaign for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The two-week fundraiser ran during the month of March and raised nearly $1,500 for the charity.

During the fundraiser, students were asked to collect change and deposit it in their classroom collection boxes. Donations could also be made online through the school’s website. At the end of the two-week collection period, all money and on-line donations were tallied and special prizes were awarded to the winning classrooms. Mrs. Conti’s fifth grade class collected the most money and was awarded an Olive Garden luncheon. Miss Casullo’s fourth grade class, a close second, received a pizza party. Mrs. Nawojski’s third grade class, who collected the third most money, received a special ice cream treat.

Pennies for Patients, a national fundraising program, which started in 1994, is part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School and Youth Programs. Since its inception, students have raised millions of dollars by simply collecting pennies. Participating in the program allows students to experience the powerful feeling that comes from working together to help others.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, there are 342 students enrolled from three school districts in grades K- 6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, bus transportation, school uniforms and morning and afternoon programs. They are currently accepting applications for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


03/04/2011
COMMUNITY Charter School will hold Open House, Thursday, March 10th

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, Principal at COMMUNITY Charter School, is pleased to announce that the school will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, March 10, 2011, between 6:00-8:00 p.m. COMMUNITY Charter School is located at 404 Edison Avenue, just off the Eggert Road exit of the Kensington Expressway (Route 33.)

Each open house attendee will have the opportunity to meet the school’s faculty and staff; tour the school; learn about the school’s academic curriculum, individual learning plans, and after school program; and pick up a registration packet.

Any interested parent or guardian, who is unable to attend the Open House, should call Robin at 833-5967 for a registration packet and for any information needed to consider admission to COMMUNITY Charter School for the 2011-2012 school year. Additional admission information can be found on the school’s website at www.commcharter.org.

All charter schools must enroll new students through a blind lottery. Applications to COMMUNITY Charter School for the 2011-2012 school year can be submitted at any time prior to the lottery date, April 1, 2011. After the lottery date, applications can be submitted for any openings not filled by the lottery.

Charter schools are tuition-free independent public schools that operate under a contract or charter. With their rigorous curriculum programs and unique educational approaches, such as longer school days and a longer school year, charter schools offer quality and choice in the public education system. COMMUNITY Charter School’s mission is to increase learning opportunities for all students through individualized learning plans, hands-on service-based learning, and an asset-driven resiliency-based learning culture.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, there are 342 students enrolled from three school districts in grades K-6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus Title I Reading and Math. It also provides an after-school program that is managed by The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


02/07/2011
NOW ENROLLING - 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

We are now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year for Grades K-6.  Space is limited, so stop by the school and fill out an application today.  If you are looking for an outstanding school of choice for your child, then COMMUNITY Charter School is for you!  Please call us at 833-5967 if you have any questions or would like to tour our school.


11/03/2010
COMMUNITY Charter School teachers give parents a McBreak on McTeacher Night

Buffalo, NY— On Tuesday, November 9, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., teachers from COMMUNITY Charter School will be serving dinner and slinging fries at the McDonald’s on Kensington Avenue and raising funds for their school in the process.

McTeacher’s Night is a unique fundraising event that puts teachers behind the counter for a night. In exchange for their free labor, McDonald’s Restaurant will donate 3% of the evening’s profits to COMMUNITY Charter School. This Tuesday, the teachers will “work” at the Kensington Avenue McDonald’s restaurant greeting customers, working the registers, and in some cases, assisting in the kitchen area by making french-fries. The event will also include face painting for kids. Families and local school supporters are invited to take a “McBreak” from cooking dinner and stop in to support the school. The Kensington Avenue McDonald’s is located at 1970 Kensington Avenue, near the Harlem Road double traffic circle.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, there are 342 students enrolled from three school districts in grades K-6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus Title I Reading and Math. It also provides an after-school program that is managed by The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo. For more information about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


10/27/2010
Haunted Hallways at COMMUNITY Charter School are spooktacular

Buffalo, NY—In celebration of Halloween, Carol Smith, Principal of COMMUNITY Charter School, located at 404 Edison Street in Buffalo, announced that the school’s office suite has been transformed into a haunted house. Both current and prospective parents are invited to peruse this “spooktacular” display, which will be open on Thursday, October 28, during school hours (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

The school’s students and teachers teamed up to transform the school’s office suite into its Haunted Hallways display. The theme of this unique display is childhood fears. It addresses typical childhood fears such as: monsters under the bed, clowns, spiders, surprises, the doctor, and the dark.

COMMUNITY Charter School has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently, there are 342 students enrolled from three school districts in grades K-6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. The school offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus Title I Reading and Math. It also provides an after-school program that is managed by The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo. For more information about the “Haunted Hallways” or about COMMUNITY Charter School, call 833-5967.


08/30/2010
New Construction and Renovations at COMMUNITY Charter School

We are very excited about the new changes which have taken place at COMMUNITY Charter School over the summer!  Thanks to the hard work of the many contractors, we have gained an additional 12,000 square feet of space for our students!  Along with seven new classrooms being built, we now have a new cafeteria, kitchen (which allows us to serve our own cooked lunches), nurse's office, school store and main office suite.


08/17/2010
COMMUNITY Charter School Ribbon-Cutting Set for Thursday, August 19th at 11 a.m.

Buffalo, NY—Carol Smith, Principal of COMMUNITY Charter School, located at 404 Edison Street in Buffalo, is proud to announce the opening of its newly built and expanded classroom, student services, and administration wings.

The expansion provides many benefits. These include the elimination of the school’s use of trailers for its sixth grade classrooms; a new cafeteria and fully operational kitchen enabling them to prepare and serve their own breakfast and lunch (previously delivered from an off-site location); a more efficient suite of administration offices; an improved student services facility; and room for an additional two students at each grade level.

Festivities, scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2010, will begin at 10 am and continue until 1 pm. The schedule is:

10:00 am Facility Tours

10:45 am Remarks by School Administrators and Local Officials

11:00 am Ribbon-Cutting

11:30 am Refreshments (hot dogs, soft drinks and cookies), Facility Tours

Smith noted, “We are very excited to begin the academic year at COMMUNITY Charter School. With the new classrooms, as well as the improved services capabilities, we will be able to make the academic experience the very best it can be for all of our students and their families.”

The school has been offering classes since the 2003-2004 school year. Presently there are 342 students enrolled from three school districts in grades K-6. There are more than 60 faculty and staff employed. COMMUNITY Charter School offers two classes per grade level, fourteen in total, plus Title I Reading and Math. It also provides an after-school program that is managed by The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo.