Hands typing on a laptop
Facilities News

University Facilities Donates Paper to Benjamin Franklin Elementary School

Posted in: Facilities Staff News & Events, Facilities Updates

MSU Facilities staff with staff from the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School

On December 2, 2014 Montclair State University’s Facilities Department donated four pallets of color paper in support of Benjamin Franklin Elementary School’s Art programs. The school is located in Newark, NJ with an enrollment of over 600 students. Benjamin Franklin Elementary offers dual-language courses with full inclusion in both English and Spanish. These language programs stem from a grant that was obtained by Susan Taylor, the current Director of the Newark-Montclair Urban Teaching Residency Program at Montclair State University and former Principal of Benjamin Franklin Elementary. The grant enabled the school to build a dual-language program which continues to excel as one of the leading dual-language programs in the city. Both Montclair State University and Benjamin Franklin Elementary have had a longstanding affiliation through the Newark-Montclair Urban Teacher Residency Program.

“Almost 30% of our teachers are Montclair Alumni” says Marisol Diaz, current principal at Benjamin Franklin Elementary and Montclair State alumna. The school presently offers art education through Art classes organized into the curriculum, and a unique Art Backpack program. The Art Backpack, taught and directed by Dr. Dorothy Heard, Assistant Professor at Montclair State University, provides students with backpacks full of information about some of the greatest artists in history. The backpacks include all the materials necessary to complete individual art projects and are then taken home, encouraging at-home participation between students and families. Together they engage in dialogue discussing the art and history of artists such as Rembrandt, Dali, and Van Gogh.

In the halls of Benjamin Franklin Elementary, Thanksgiving art projects hang along the walls with depictions of thankfulness on bright, colorful paper. The sounds of children interacting with teachers, laughing with each other, and reciting their material, brings the staff of University Facilities back to a time of learning and engagement. As the staff members emptied the box truck of its paper and stood within the copy room of Benjamin Franklin Elementary, the spirit of the Holidays was present and the staff were overwhelmed by the honor of being welcomed by such dedicated and devoted educators.

We thank the Faculty and Principal Marisol Diaz for welcoming us and we send a special thank you to Ms. Susan Taylor for connecting the University and Benjamin Franklin Elementary.  We hope to continue to build upon this beautiful partnership.

Image Gallery