Franklin Ave. fourth grader Chloe Fisher helped Principal Chris Tolpa with her presentation at School Committee. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Franklin Avenue Principal Chris Tolpa spoke to the School Committee Nov. 18 about how the elementary school is benefitting from many community partnerships in the city. Also speaking about the programs at the school were fourth grader Chloe Fisher and second grader Sophie Wengert.
Tolpa said the school has formed about 35 different partnerships in the community. “We are fortunate to having community ties, and I am utilizing them to the max,” the principal said.
One partnership is with the First Congregational Church, which has adopted Franklin Avenue School. Church member Darlene Biggs spoke about how her church has been donating supplies to the school, and over the summer painted a classroom. Four or five members are also mentors in the school.
Biggs said the church wanted to do more, and is planning to start a drop-off on the first Saturday of the month, beginning in January from 1 to 3 p.m., to give time for parents to drop off their kids to go shopping or run errands. The church also hosts a family movie night, to which they have invited Franklin Avenue students.
Tolpa said another great partnership they have is with the Boys & Girls Club, where they have started a Family Dinner night, run by Kate Fahey and third grade teacher Lauren Martins. Through a lottery selection in the school, families are invited to have dinner at the Boys & Girls Club with teachers and staff
Students serve the meals, and families get to meet each other and get to know the staff in a more relaxed way. “The reason we did this, is last year we found out that so many kids don’t have dinner with their families,” Tolpa said. She said so far they have shared meals with fourth grade and first grade families, and will get to all the grades over the course of the year.
Fourth grader Chloe Fisher participated in Family Night, and in other activities with the Boys & Girls Club. Fisher said she has been learning about digital photography and coding in activities there.
Fisher also used the opportunity to ask School Committee members why they like being on the School Committee.
“When you guys learn, it makes us feel good inside,” said Vice Chair Ramon Diaz, Jr.
Darlene Biggs of the First Congregational Church talked about the church’s involvement with Franklin Avenue school. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Second grader Sophia Wengert spoke about participating in the school’s Learn to Swim program at the YMCA, which is in its second year and has 30 students enrolled.
“I love swimming. My favorite part is bobbing, and being with my friends,” Wengert said. She said she is learning all the rules, such as no running, how to float on her back, and how to jump in the water without holding her nose.
Also launched on Monday at Franklin Avenue School was a new program called Literacy for Littles. Tolpa said they did a reading assessment of kindergarteners this year, and found 40 students, 80 percent of the class, needed reading interventions. The program, which is a pilot for the district, will bring in siblings and parents to help parents encourage their children to read before entering kindergarten. “This program will support parents to read to their children at home,” she said.
Tolpa described Franklin Avenue as an inner city school in a suburban environment, where 40 percent of the students are minorities, 65% are socio-economically disadvantaged, and 73% at risk for not graduating. She said many parents work two jobs at minimum wage.
“Whatever we can do to support families in supporting their children, that’s what we’re here for,” Tolpa said.
