BEN Bolt News
April 2022
Principal's Corner
Dear Ben Bolt Families:
We have moved the clocks forward and Spring has arrived. It is hard to believe we will soon be starting the fourth marking period, April 7. Hopefully, everyone had an opportunity to meet with staff at parent teacher conferences and were informed of all the social achievements and academic progress your children are making.
April Celebrations - During the month of April, we will be celebrating Autism Awareness with School spirit day activities during the first week of April. Spring Picture day has been scheduled for April 8. Third marking period report cards will be posted to the portal April 27. Schools will be closed from April 15-April 22 and will re-open on April 25.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share how proud I am of our Students, Staff and Ben Franklin Bolt Community for demonstrating how our school and community are Caring, Kind and Humanistic. The response from our community was overwhelming as we collected an abundance of food/supplies and five hundred dollars for the people of Ukraine. Congratulations to all involved.
We were also treated with a visit from the Albora Dance Theater who provided a cultural experience with The Flamenco Spanish Dancers . Through dance, drama, music and their passionate artistry, they revealed the diverse and historical threads that make up the multicultural fabric of the Spanish Culture. The students were active participants as they showed off their dancing skills.
I also want to thank all of you for participating in our Pajama Jam. A special thanks to Mrs. Pickton and to all the staff who made the evening a night to remember as we were finally able to come together in person as one community. These events and activities continue to demonstrate that working together, providing communication and sharing ideas, will allow us to do anything. I am very proud of our entire community as we are, and will always forever be, “BEN FRANKLIN BOLTS” who continue to “LET OUR LIGHTNING SHINE”!
Please always remember to: Make time to Smile,Laugh and Breathe!
Have a wonderful Spring Break and letś make the rest of this year, one to remember.
Mr. Preville
Principal
Assistant Principal's Corner
The month of March was a busy and eventful month for us and it has been wonderful to plan and host annual traditions such as Read Across America week, and Pajama Jam.
We look forward to upcoming fun events in April with our Title 1 Family Math night on April 5, a spirit week in honor of Autism Awareness week, and so much more!
Also, as NJSLA is quickly approaching, third-fifth grade students will be participating in our Infrastructure test on April 12. More information will be shared as NJSLA approaches and we want to ensure that all of our students feel confident and ready.
Thank you and please feel free to reach out with any attendance/academic concerns,
Dr. Nieves
Autism Awareness Spirit Week
School Counselor Newsletter : March 2022
Bolts Virtual Talent Show
Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
BOOKS OF THE MONTH : April 2022
Autism Is...? By: Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
In this book for autistic children, Logan overhears his grandma tell her friend he has autism, and he asks her, ”Autism is...?” She explains what autism is to him in this beautifully illustrated story. Children with autism face many challenges and they are often aware of and question their autism. Of course, each child is unique.
Earth Day Every Day by : Lisa Bullard
On Earth Day, we find ways to help the Earth. Trina plants trees with her class. She forms an Earth Day club with her friends. What can you do to make every day Earth Day? Do your part to be a planet protector! Discover how to reduce, reuse, recycle, and more with Tyler and Trina in the Planet Protectors series.
Fun Family Activity
April Fool’s Day April Fool! Watch Out at School! (Gilbert) By: Diane deGroat
Fun Family Activity
Kids Heart Challenge
Rutgers Beta Alpha Psi and KPMG Speak to Ben Franklin students about life goals!
A generous donation of books were provided to Benjamin Franklin School by Rutgers Beta Alpha Psi. These books will be added to our school library and we will also be able to distribute a few books for each classroom library as well.
In addition to their generous donation of books, representatives from Rutgers Beta Alpha Psi and KPMG spoke to our students and shared a little bit with them about their career choice, and the importance of reading. Lastly, the Rutgers students also read a book to each 4th and 5th grade homeroom at Benjamin Franklin School.
Congratulations: School Breakfast Super Student
JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: March's WHO IS BENNY
March 7th : Who is Benny?
March 21st: Who is Benny?
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS OF THE "WHO IS BENNY" CONTEST
March 7th Mystery Reader : Mrs. Tornambe
Grade level winners:
K Mrs. Tornambe
1 Mrs. Buckley
2 Miss Thompson
3 Mrs. Nuzzo
4 Mrs. Bonsenor and Mrs. Martinelli
5 Mrs. Plodzien and Mr. Capaccio
Student winners:
Nimrah in Miss Maimone and Mrs. Zambrano's class
Sophia in Miss Thompson's class
Aashraya in Mrs. Ryan and Miss Cumello's class
March 21st Mystery Reader : Mr. Preville
Devestern
Miller
Thompson
Gerena
Ryan
Plodzien
Student Winners
Lily from Mrs. Tornambe
Riley Ms. Lyna
Jasmin from Ms. Lewkowitz
Liam from Mrs. Facendo and Ms. Koncius
Zaria from Ms. Gerena
Hamzah from Miss Thompson
Emily from Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Callas
Showcase : Come Fly With Us ... Read Across America
Read Across America Week!
Replenish Food Drive: Hosted by Ben Student Council
The student council made posters to hang throughout the school. They also sorted donated food into food bins before pick-up. Our food drive was very successful in helping those in need here in Middlesex County.
Monthly Spotlight: Interventionist / S.C. / Speech
RTI with Mrs. Appaiah
Letters and Sounds
St. Patrick's Day Fun
Pajama Day and Story Time!
Puff Painting
Spring is here!
Finding & Labeling
Auditory Memory
Diverse Readers Bulletin Board
Ben Bolts Send Love To Ukraine!
A Special Day Made Possible By Special, Kind Hearted People.
The Staff and Students of Benjamin Franklin School, lead by Senora Alexiou, teamed up with the Saint Joseph's Senior Center of Woodbridge to bring some urgently needed supplies to the families that have been devastated by the tragic events going on in Ukraine.
Something that started with a simple idea full of love, ended up being such an amazing contribution to the families in Ukraine. Here are some pictures from the Saint Joseph Senior Home Assisted Living and Nursing Center in Woodbridge NJ. The Sisters' from the Church were so happy and touched by our school's contribution that some had tears in their eyes. In addition to the supplies that were donated, our amazing school was also able to bring them a check for $500 for them to buy whatever specific items they felt were needed the most.
Thank you very much to all of you, this could not happened if it wasn't for all your support and love.
Pajama Jam 2022
5th Grade Ben Franklin Minute
Congratulations to Callie Tyrrell, Yash Barot, and Jayden Montanez for all making the final round and competeing as respectfully as they did.
Kindness "Lucky Cart"
St. Patrick's Day!
Rutgers Health and Fitness Pilot
Garden Tower Harvest
Alborada Dance Theater
Paper Clip Chain Reward
Staff Popcorn Pick Me Up
Year Book Cover Contest Winners!
Congrats to 5th graders Sanya Sheth (Pedersen/Ryan) and Tara Parekh (Wallitsch) for winning the Yearbook Design contest. Their designs will be featured on the front and back cover of this year's 5th Grade Yearbook!
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
National Assistant Principal Week- April 4- 8
Autism Awareness Spirit Week
April 4- School Librarian Appreciation Day and Autism Acceptance Monday, Who is Benny?, ESL Club after school
April 5- Neurodiversity Tuesday and Title 1 Family Night, 6:00-7:00 pm, in person
April 6-Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, MP 3 ends, Single-Session day for students, 1:30 pm dismissal, Wear your Passion Wednesday
April 7- Gr. 5 Community Police Assembly and Pokemon Thursday
April 8- PM Studios Spring Pictures, School Spirit Day, Sensory Friendly Friday
April 12- Infrastructure Session for 3rd-5th grade 2:00-3:00 pm, Jersey Mike's Drama Club Fundraiser
April 13- PTA meeting virtual, 7:00 pm
April 14- Spring Party celebrations in classrooms, Kids Heart Challenge, ESL club after school
April 15-22 Spring Break, school is closed
April 22- Earth Day
April 25- Classes resume, 8:55 am, Who is Benny?, ESL club after school
April 26- Spring Concert assembly during the school day, Spring Concert at Hoover Middle School 6:30 pm
April 27- Administrative Professional Day, Author Visit (K, 1, 2nd, SC), Report Cards to Portal
April 29- Arbor Day
CLUB MEETINGS:
April 4- Student Council, lunchtime
April 6- STEM Gr. 4, 8:00 am, Garden Club, 8:00 am, Safety Patrol, 8:15 amApril 7-Team Franklin, 8:00 am, Drama Club Practice 3:45-4:30 pm
April 8- Kindness Club, 8:00 am
April 11- Peer Leadership, lunchtime
April 13- STEM Gr. 5, 8:00 am, Board Game Club, 3:45 pm
April 26- Newspaper Club, 8:15 am
April 27- Garden Club, 8:00 am, Board Game Club, 3:45 pm
April 28- Drama Club, 3:45-4:30 pm
April 29- Kindness Club, 8:00 am