“This Dream Is Very Much Alive”: Benton Charter School...
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Stay Informed: www.bentonspiritnews.com and on Facebook August 20, 2015 Volume 13, Number 15 Benton Harbor, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana (“Michiana Area”) www.bentonspiritnews.com Informing, Enhancing, Showcasing, Promoting and Educating Michiana -- Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana Complimentary “This Dream Is Very Much Alive”: Benton Charter School Academy Celebrates Its Vision, Employee Excellence Outstanding achievement deserves the same type of recognition, which is why Benton Charter School Academy’s leadership took time Tuesday, August 18, to honor employ- ees who have distinguished themselves – and celebrate a vision of excellence that’s prov- en inspirational to all the people involved, as Board President Jean Nesbitt noted. As part of the celebration, Choice Schools Associate President Sid Faucette presented resolutions for excellence in teaching to second grade teacher Shaya Helbig, and an appre- ciation in leadership to assistant principal Sara Ballinger, who served as interim principal dur- ing the 2014-15 school year. “We celebrate a group of unique and remarkable people, with all different and unique backgrounds – who rise to the challenge, every single day, of doing what’s best for our kids,” Nesbitt said, before the awards were given out. “Because of this, the children who graduate from Benton Harbor School Academy thrive, and you natu- rally grow in ways you never, ever imagined.” Helbig was among five teachers recent- ly recognized as an outstanding educator by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA), which is only the latest example of the contributions that she’s made in her field, according to Faucette. “She’s so unassuming, and she’s so great at what she does – and she really is a master teacher. We’re so lucky that she’s a part of who we are -- and what we do -- with kids,” he said. Of Ballinger, Faucette said, “This woman taught me so much of what the heart and soul of Benton Harbor Charter is, and I appreciate it.” Faucette also welcomed Lisa Key, who joined Benton Harbor Charter’s team in July as its new superintendent. “She’ll be work- ing with me on the instructional side of the curriculum,” he said. Key comes to BCHS from Lighthouse Academy, in Grand Rapids – which proved difficult to leave, she said after- wards. “It was a hard decision, because I’m really passionate with kids – but as I learned more about the company, and Benton Harbor Charter, and the passion that Tim {Principal of BHCSA} has, and the staff has, I just feel really good about it. It’s a good fit,” she said. Key also recently received another nod of recognition from MAPSA, which named her a “Principal of the Year” finalist – from which she emerged out of an original field of 325 nominees. “It’s an honor, for something you’re passionate about,” Key said. “I feel like it’s a blessing – I appreciate it, but I just love doing what I do.” $5,000 Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship Benton Harbor Charter Board member Robert Snyder joined Faucette in announc- ing the Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship – which will provide $5,000 to any entering college/ technical school freshman student who’s gone to BCHSA for at least two years. The scholar- ship is named in honor of Nesbitt, and Pastor Walter Brown, of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The award is needs-based, which will enable its application committee to consider the student’s particular circumstances – as well as how they plan on continuing their education. Any enter- ing college freshman student who meets the criteria is encouraged to go to bentonharbor- charter.com now and complete the application. The deadline is Monday, August 24 at noon. The scholarship award is made pos- sible by Faucette, which reflects his com- mitment to ensuring that nothing stops stu- dents from getting the best education that they can, Snyder said. That ideal has been the chief focus of Benton Harbor Charter’s vision from the beginning, and that’s how it will stay, Faucette said. “I’ve said it before, ‘if this school goes down, it’s going down ... More on THIS DREAM, page 2 “More than a decade ago, this school was just an idea, just a dream,” Nesbitt told fellow board members, teachers, and representatives of Choice Schools Associates, Benton Harbor Charter’s management company. “A small group of us had dreamed of having a school where children in Benton Harbor could receive the very best educa- tion in a safe environment. Today, thanks to you, this dream is very much alive. Thanks to you, this journey to greatness continues to soar to new heights.” Pictured right: Board President Jean Nesbitt Pictured above: Shaya Helbig, recognized as one of the top 5 of 10,000 outstand- ing educators by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA). See Page 2 to learn more about the Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship
Transcript of “This Dream Is Very Much Alive”: Benton Charter School...
August 20, 2015Volume 13, Number 15Benton Harbor, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana (“Michiana Area”)www.bentonspiritnews.com
Informing, Enhancing, Showcasing, Promoting and Educating Michiana -- Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana
“More than a decade ago, this school was just an idea, just a dream,” Jean Nesbitt told fellow board members, teachers, and representatives of Choice Schools Associates, Benton Harbor Charter’s management company. “A small group of us had dreamed of having a school where children in Benton Harbor could receive the very best education in a safe environment. Today, thanks to you, this dream is very much alive. Thanks to you, this journey to greatness continues to soar to new heights.”
Pictured right: Board President Jean Nesbitt
Pictured above: Shaya Helbig, recognized as one of the top 5 of 10,000 outstand-ing educators by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA),
Stay Informed: www.bentonspiritnews.com and on Facebook
August 20, 2015Volume 13, Number 15Benton Harbor, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana (“Michiana Area”)www.bentonspiritnews.com
Informing, Enhancing, Showcasing, Promoting and Educating Michiana -- Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana
Complimentary
“This Dream Is Very Much Alive”:Benton Charter School Academy
Celebrates Its Vision, Employee ExcellenceOutstanding achievement deserves the same
type of recognition, which is why Benton Charter School Academy’s leadership took time Tuesday, August 18, to honor employ-ees who have distinguished themselves – and celebrate a vision of excellence that’s prov-en inspirational to all the people involved, as Board President Jean Nesbitt noted.
As part of the celebration, Choice Schools Associate President Sid Faucette presented resolutions for excellence in teaching to second grade teacher Shaya Helbig, and an appre-ciation in leadership to assistant principal Sara Ballinger, who served as interim principal dur-ing the 2014-15 school year. “We celebrate a group of unique and remarkable people, with all different and unique backgrounds – who rise to the challenge, every single day, of doing what’s best for our kids,” Nesbitt said, before the awards were given out. “Because of this, the children who graduate from Benton Harbor School Academy thrive, and you natu-rally grow in ways you never, ever imagined.”
Helbig was among five teachers recent-ly recognized as an outstanding educator by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA), which is only the latest example of the contributions that she’s made in her field, according to Faucette. “She’s so unassuming, and she’s so great at what she does – and she really is a master teacher. We’re so lucky that she’s a part of who we are -- and what we do -- with kids,” he said. Of Ballinger, Faucette said, “This woman taught me so much of what the heart and soul of Benton Harbor Charter is, and I appreciate it.”
Faucette also welcomed Lisa Key, who joined Benton Harbor Charter’s team in July as its new superintendent. “She’ll be work-ing with me on the instructional side of the curriculum,” he said. Key comes to BCHS from Lighthouse Academy, in Grand Rapids –
which proved difficult to leave, she said after-wards. “It was a hard decision, because I’m really passionate with kids – but as I learned more about the company, and Benton Harbor Charter, and the passion that Tim {Principal of BHCSA} has, and the staff has, I just feel really good about it. It’s a good fit,” she said.
Key also recently received another nod of recognition from MAPSA, which named her a “Principal of the Year” finalist – from which she emerged out of an original field of 325 nominees. “It’s an honor, for something you’re passionate about,” Key said. “I feel like it’s a blessing – I appreciate it, but I just love doing what I do.”
$5,000 Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship
Benton Harbor Charter Board member Robert Snyder joined Faucette in announc-ing the Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship – which will provide $5,000 to any entering college/technical school freshman student who’s gone to BCHSA for at least two years. The scholar-ship is named in honor of Nesbitt, and Pastor Walter Brown, of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The award is needs-based, which will enable its application committee to consider the student’s particular circumstances – as well as how they plan on continuing their education. Any enter-ing college freshman student who meets the criteria is encouraged to go to bentonharbor-charter.com now and complete the application. The deadline is Monday, August 24 at noon.
The scholarship award is made pos-sible by Faucette, which reflects his com-mitment to ensuring that nothing stops stu-dents from getting the best education that they can, Snyder said. That ideal has been the chief focus of Benton Harbor Charter’s vision from the beginning, and that’s how it will stay, Faucette said. “I’ve said it before, ‘if this school goes down, it’s going down ...
More on THIS DREAM, page 2
“More than a decade ago, this school was just an idea, just a dream,” Nesbitt told fellow board members, teachers, and representatives of Choice Schools Associates, Benton Harbor Charter’s management company. “A small group of us had dreamed of having a school where children in Benton Harbor could receive the very best educa-tion in a safe environment. Today, thanks to you, this dream is very much alive. Thanks to you, this journey to greatness continues to soar to new heights.”
Pictured right: Board President Jean Nesbitt
Pictured above: Shaya Helbig, recognized as one of the top 5 of 10,000 outstand-ing educators by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA).
See Page 2 to learn more about the Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship
Benton-Michiana Spirit Newspaper • August 20, 20152 Community
THIS DREAM, Continued from page 1
“The Journey” by Principal HarrisHarris sounded a similar theme in his closing comments.
He thanked Choice Schools and the board for their confi-dence in returning him to the job he held for eight years, until his departure in 2013. “I’m back home. This is where I belong. I can guarantee you, this will be the best year in Benton Harbor Charter School Academy, ever – and not because of me. It never has anything to do with me, trust me,” Harris said. “But it has everything to do with you guys.”
Harris thanked staff for all their efforts, and commitment toward the same goal – which he tries to impress on anyone
who interviews with him. “It’s always been personal. I really care about your passion, and what we do for kids in this city. I never woke up one morning, thinking about kids in another city. And if you share that passion with me, we’re going to have an awesome time this year, trust me,” he said.
Harris closed out his comments by urging teachers and staff to redouble their efforts in lifting BCHSA to a new level of excellence. “I don’t care about sleep. I go hard, all day, every day, with this job. And it’s not a mistake that we’re going to be the best school in this state. I hope you guys are ready for the journey,” he said.
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy and Choice Schools Associates announced today the availability of the $5,000 Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship. The scholarship is for a student entering college/university or trade/technical school who attended Benton Harbor Charter School Academy for at least two (2) years.
Mrs. Jean Nesbitt and Pastor Walter Brown (deceased) were founding members of the Benton Harbor Charter School Academy. Through their dedication and concern for Benton Harbor students receiving the best education possible and to have adequate tools to advance their dreams, they organized and dedicated their lives to young people, education and community.
Mrs. Nesbitt was a public servant and understood that education is an essential ingredient to succeeding in life. Today she is still driven and committed to students having the best education possible to be prepared for life.
Pastor Walter Brown served as the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan for 39 years. He had a strong pas-
sion for education and understood that education could unlock closed doors and minds.
The scholarship amount is up to $5,000, based on the need of the student.
Criteria• Studentmustbeattendingacollege/technicalschoolthiscoming
Fall 2015• Student must have attended Benton Harbor Charter School
Academy for 2 years• Studentmustsubmitallnecessarymaterialsoutlinedintheschol-
arship application, to the best of their ability
Students who meet the criteria for the Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship are encouraged to apply.
The deadline is noon on Monday, August 24, 2015. Download the application at: BentonHarborCharter.com.
Pictured above: Tim Harris, Principal of BHCSA, Second Grade Teacher Shaya Helbig, and Assistant Principal Sara Ballinger
Pictured above: Pastor Walter Brown (deceased)
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Announces the$5,000 Nesbitt-Brown Scholarship Application
(269) 925-3807455 Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor
ENROLL NOW PREK–8Tuition-Free Public School
Back to School Bash& Family Photoshoot
Your family will enjoy a pig roast, bounce house, games and prizes. We’ll also be giving away free back packs, sup-plies and uniforms. Put on your Sunday best and get your free family photos taken!
Friday, August 28 • 5pm–8pm
Dumpster DiveWe are cleaning up our facility, just in time for the start of school. Come on out on and help yourself to some trea-sures! Desks • Books • Old Computers and Equipment • School Supplies • And so much more
Fri. August 21 • 12pm–7pm
DON’T MISS MASSENROLLMENT DAYS
Stop by anytime 8:30am–5:00pm on these days to tour the school and enroll your child!
FRI. AUG. 21FRI. AUG. 28
SAT. AUG. 29FRI. SEPT. 4
Open tO public • FRee eVentS • bRing FRiendS
Enroll anytime between now and September 7 and you’ll be automaciticallyENTERED TO WIN A BRAND NEW LAPTOP AND OTHER AWESOME PRIzES!
