Benjamin Franklin International School

On March 2nd, Ms. Makey, the IB coordinator and Ms. Cevoli, the IB CAS coordinator, together with three grade 11 CAS students organized the first session of  a voluntary, six-week Well-being course. The first session consisted of an introduction to the areas of Well-being with several activities based on the Five Wells and  encouraged the students to reflect on their lifestyle habits. Delicious treats were cooked specifically to make the session more pleasant for students. The goal was to make students reflect on their habits and daily routines in order to come up with reasonable solutions that would help them cope with the IB, but at the same time have a healthy and happy life. The next session, led by Ms Cevoli, will be on stress management and Mindfulness. The three following presentations will be run by Lucas Aparicio, Albert Boncompte and Alex Gost, three grade 11 CAS students, and the focus will be on the importance of organization, nutrition or sports. The last session, right before the grade 11 exams, will introduce yoga to grade 11 and will be led by Ms Truex. We look forward to everyone´s participation.

We are proud to hear that Rosa Monge Romero, BFIS Alumna, with a degree in Computer and Multimedia Engineering from La Salle University (Barcelona), was named  among the 75 Spanish top leading women in entrepreneurship and innovation.  After finishing university, Rosa moved to Silicon Valley in 2008 to work as a Project Manager for  Apple. She lives now in Barcelona where she started her own business adventures and co-founded  Seven4Seven, and app development start-up and Imagine Creativity Center a company that imparts disruptive innovation programs around the world with the mission to transform organizations and people. In 2016 she decided to enter the data worl with Domestic Data Streamers  where,  together with a team of developers,  has taken on the challenge of transforming raw data into interactive systems and experiences. Congratulations Rosa! We are very proud of all of your accomplishments!

http://www.elreferente.es/tecnologicos/mujeres-emprendedoras-espana-29562

On March 9th 2017, El Mundo newspaper released  its widely known special report  on the Top 100 Schools in Spain. This 2017-2018 report is the eighteenth edition of this special about schools and it has become a benchmark for the entire educational community: families, teachers, students and schools. BFIS is listed among the best 30 International Schools in Spain. The International list is not ranked since all the schools have different curriculum and therefore can’t be evaluated following a unique criteria.
If y0u want to take a look at the completed report, please click here: 100 Best Schools in Spain by EL MUNDO

On the 9th of February, Yolanda Bassas Gimeno, a lawyer and human rights activist, came to our school to give a presentation about her experience volunteering and helping the refugees at the Piraeus camp in Greece. The refugees of this camp, come from all over the Middle East, although the majority are fleeing from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq where they are facing persecution. She told stories of her involvement with the refugees and the horrible living conditions which they have to endure. Next Thursday, on March 9th, two 11th grade CAS students will be selling calendars for 5 euros. Each calendar displays photographs of different children living within the Piraeus camp holding the pictures they drew of their dreams and hopes for the future. The calendars will be sold next to the security office, located in the elementary campus. All the money collected is going towards the organization Yolanda worked with. http://imimmigrant.com/ Thank you in advance for your support.

HANDBALL TOURNAMENT

We would like to inform you that we will be hosting at BFIS the 2nd BISA Handball Tournament on Thursday March 30th 2017 starting at 17:30 to 20:00.

This event is for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.

REGISTRATION

One of the BFIS teams that participated in the Miniempresas Program organized by Junior Achievement Spain, has been selected as one of 23 finalists (out of 184 projects) that will compete in the Catalan Miniempresas Competition later this month. The team was formed by Seniors Inés Fontanils, Maria del Coral Barrera Rubio, and Paula Aragall. Winers of the Catalan competition will continue to the Spanish Competition and from there finishing in the European Competition.

Led by BFIS teacher, Devin Carberry, students who participate in the Junior Achievement Miniempresas Competition have to create a company to develop and market a product. Their company, BeSweet, produces phone cases that free women of having to carry around a handbag and a phone. The phone case is equipped with a mirror and places to put your ID, T-10 and credit card. The three of them designed the phone cases and found a manufacturer in China.

See the video here: BeSweet Video

Last week our K-5th grade students had their first Pep Rally to kick off PBIS. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, which are proactive and positive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting student behaviors to create a more positive school environment.  We learned about the three Be´s! Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe. Everybody had a great time dancing, participating in the BFIS PBIS rap with the amazing Ms. G, and we also had a special visit from the Chainman!

Last Monday, January 23rd 2017,  we had a very special session for the new Strategic Planning of the school. After many sessions with parents and teachers, it was now the time for our most beloved group: The BFIS founders. Although many of them couldn’t be here on Monday, their memory was with us.  It was an honor to speak with them and have their feedback about the school. BFIS was and still is the school of their dreams. It was an incredible session.  Jean Nordström, Joe Moreno, Margarita Ortadó, David Magaña, Pilar Hernando, Miguel Martínez, Alexandra Oriol, Maria Dolores Guasch, parents, students and teachers of BFIS 30 years ago and many others who later shared their vision, met with our Head of School and current Board members to celebrate the past and help us design the future of the school. 

We could all feel the cherishing warmth of the group and the affection they still have for BFIS . Without them BFIS wouldn’t be what it is today, one of the top international schools in Barcelona. And for that, we are extremley grateful.  Thank you BFIS founders! 

ELEMENTARY ASSEMBLY (January 2017):
This morning, our fifth graders lead our monthly Elementary School Assembly. They highlighted our character value of the month, PERSEVERANCE, through their funny skits, inspirational video, dynamic activity and heart warming song.  We were reminded how sometimes we have obstacles that get in our way, but what is important is for us to keep on trying.  The fifth graders also paid tribute to the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin, who our school is named after.  Thank you fifth grade!