The Friends of Blackstone School (FoBS) is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting Blackstone Elementary School, a public school in Boston’s South End. Founded by local residents in 2012, FoBS is powered entirely by volunteers and the generous support and donations from individuals and local organizations, in close coordination with Blackstone leadership, teachers, and staff of Blackstone. 

 

Mission: Foster a thriving educational ecosystem at Blackstone Elementary School – creating a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and opportunity for all students. 

 

Values: 

• Strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities.

• Every Blackstone student and teacher should learn, grow, and thrive in an inclusive and affirming environment.

• Resource equity is foundational to educational opportunity and no teacher or student should be limited by a lack of essential supplies or opportunities. 

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Goals:

1. Support Student Success

   • We work to ensure that every student at Blackstone Elementary has what they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. From literacy initiatives to enrichment opportunities, we aim to remove barriers and open doors to learning & equity for all students.

2. Invest in Teachers

   • We support the ongoing professional development of Blackstone’s dedicated teachers. By funding workshops, teacher wish lists, trainings, and other growth opportunities, we help educators gain resources, build their skills, and stay inspired, because when teachers thrive, students do too.

3. Enhance the School Environment

   • Collaborate with school staff to identify and fund school improvement projects, to create a more welcoming, enriching, and vibrant learning environment for students.

4. Strengthen School & Community Connections

   • We foster relationships between Blackstone and the South End & Boston community. Whether through volunteer opportunities, partnerships with local organizations, or community events, we bring people together to uplift and invest in our school.

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Initiatives: 

• Funding literacy programs 

• Beautifying school property (planting flowers, updating the garden, repainting classrooms, etc.)

• Supporting Read Across Blackstone Day 

• Serving pancake breakfast to students before state testing days

• Running a yearly holiday toy drive with corporate partners

• Supporting back-to-school events to get kids excited for the school year

• Exploring opportunities to fund accessible playground equipment, parent mentorship program, and more!

 

How to Help & Get Involved!

Attend Our Events

• Join us for an evening of community support! Your participation helps foster connections and provides valuable support to our mission. Sign up for our email list to stay in the loop on volunteering opportunities here!

Make a Generous Donation

• Your donation will directly impact the needs of our students and support initiatives like the ones outlined above. Business donations will receive prominent recognition at our events and on our website as a token of our appreciation.

Collaborate with Us

• Are you a part of a local or corporate organization or business? Keep us top of mind and explore opportunities to work together! Your partnership helps us strengthen our community and expand our reach. Please reach out to us here!

 

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FoBS Board members are dedicated to investing their time, talent, and financial resources to benefit students, teachers, and school leadership. Learn more about our board members here!