BEN Bolt News
November 2021
Principal's Corner
It is hard to believe we are going to be entering the month of November and the First Marking Period will be coming to a close on Thursday November 11, which is Veterans day. I am proud to announce that our Student Council has organized a Denim Day/Jeans for troops fundraiser and will be writing letters to honor our Veterans for their dedication and Service.
I hope our Ben Bolt Community enjoyed our BEN Trunk or Treat and Halloween parade and provided a feeling of back to normal. I can assure you the children had a booriffic time wearing their costumes and enjoyed the games, parties and fun activities planned by the staff. We would like to give a special thank you to the PTA for their support with the BEN Trunk or Treat event.
November also brings us to Parent/Teacher Conference time which will be held Tuesday November 9 and 16, 5:00-6:30 pm and Thursday November 11,2:00-3:30 pm. Please make every effort to meet with your child's teacher or staff member as the home-school connection is extremely important to us, and we realize that virtual conferences can be convenient for some families, as they eliminate the need for transportation, childcare arrangements or having to take time off work. Thus, for the upcoming conferences, we will be allowing guardians to choose an in person or virtual conference. You will be receiving information in regards to Parent/Teacher Conferences shortly in a letter that will be emailed to you.
This month many of our Co-Curricular clubs will begin which will allow the children more opportunities to pursue individual interests,engage socially, while making new friends. This year our club offerings are Kindness ,Gardening,Drama, Broadcasting, Board games,Team Franklin, Stem, Safety Patrols, Student Council and Newspaper. Please encourage your children to participate in these activities. Please note that some clubs are only open to certain grade levels.
Last month I addressed our arrival and dismissal procedures and while I feel it has improved especially during arrival, I will once again ask for your cooperation during dismissal. If we work together as a community we can continue to improve the situation and further ensure the safety of everyone.
This month we take time to celebrate American Education week which is scheduled for November 15-19. In years past the community was invited into school and participated in an activity or event. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we are unable to invite the community to the building. Your teacher will provide information to you on how they will celebrate American Education week.
Just a reminder that November 24th is a 1:30 dismissal in preparation for Thanksgiving Recess Thursday and Friday November 25 and 26.
Mr. Preville
During this time for Recess and Thankfulness I share the following message!
Looking back, may you be thankful; Looking ahead, may you be hopeful;
Looking upward, may you find strength; Looking inward, may you find peace!
Wishing our entire community for Health,Peace and Thankfulness!
-Mr. Preville
Assistant Principal's Corner
Dear BEN Bolt Community,
We have had a busy month and have accomplished many wonderful things together. Our Fourth and Fifth grade students took the Start Strong assessment and when we receive the student reports we will send them home with your student. These assessments were just to provide us and the State of New Jersey with an idea, or starting point, of where our Fourth and Fifth grade students are in both ELA and Math.
In order to help support our preparation for NJSLA, the state exam in the Spring, we have a Title 1 Test Prep committee working diligently to prepare our Third-Fifth grade students for the reading comprehension, writing, and Math word problems that they will see on the Spring assessment. The questions and activities they are working on in class are providing them with the skillset and strategies needed to successfully demonstrate all that they know and are continuing to learn.
We had a successful Title 1 Family Night: Camp Read S'more in October and we look forward to hosting more family events throughout the school year. A very special thank you to our PTA for the wonderful Trunk or Treat activity that many of our students and families were able to participate in. Thank you to everyone who sent me pictures that they took at the BEN PTA Trunk or Treat event as well as at the ETEA Trunk or Treat on Sunday, 10/24/21.
We are gearing up for Camp Bernie and Parent Teacher Conferences and other exciting events in the month of November. We will be participating in Color a Smile again this year and more information will be forthcoming in mid to late November. We would love to provide hundreds of Veterans and children in the hospital with holiday cheer this December.
Please continue to notify us if you have change your cell phone/home phone number/email address so that we have the most up to date contact information to reach you. We have many events, club meetings and upcoming activities and I ask that you please check your email and the website regularly as well as the BEN Twitter page.
As always, I like to provide everyone with mindfulness and SEL focused activities and below you can find the New Ways themed Action for Happiness November Calendar.
Thank you,
Dr. Nieves
Action for Happiness- November Calendar
Nurse's Corner
Hello Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we try to keep the school open during this unique year. We are trying to be careful and keep our children healthy. Please keep your child home if they do not feel well.
Since school started we have been busy enrolling over 150 new students and making sure they have their childhood vaccinations and physical exams. Many still owe these things to complete their health records. If you have any physical exams or immunizations, including flu vaccines, please send them in with your child.
This month we will be sending the fifth graders to Camp Bernie on November 15th from 9-7. It is an all day affair so make sure your child is dressed appropriately. Being cold or wet is a problem when you are outdoors all day.
If your child has a medical issue and they are going to Camp Bernie please contact me so this can be taken care of. Medications can only be provided if the proper forms are signed and the medications are provided. Over the Counter medications can be provided if they are listed on form #28 A and parent/guardian checks that they give permission that it could be given if needed.
-Nurse Julian
Book of the Month
In November
Fun Fall Activity
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
When Peppermint Patty invites herself (and most of her friends) to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Charlie Brown reluctantly agrees to make a holiday feast even though he can barely make toast and cold cereal! Can he pull together a memorable meal, or will he and his friends just be grateful when it’s over?
Fun Fall Activity
Specialist Highlights
Art with Mrs. Depalma
2nd Graders learning about types of line and Abstract Art.
4th Graders making connections between Science and Art. Leaf printing and learning about the Principle of Design, Movement.
5th Graders learning about the Element of Art -Value. Creating cake designs for people we "value".
The Bolts Band conducted by Mr. Borselli
Orchestra with Mr. Ridge
4th and 5th Grade Beginners: We are learning about proper form and using the bow properly to make a great sound!
5th Grade: We are learning proper form and reading music together!
Vocal Music Class with Ms. Clarke
Physical Education with Mrs. Bond and Mr. Tenebruso
3rd - 5th Grade ~ Football
3rd through 5th Grade students have been learning a variety of skills in football. Pictured are 5th grade students playing flag football with the NFL Play 60 flag football belts.
1st - 2nd Grade ~ Throwing Skills
1st through 2nd grade students have been learning underhand and overhand throwing skills. Pictured are 2nd grade students practicing their overhand throwing.
Warm up
All students in 1st through 5th grade perform a warm up with 8 different exercises that change each week. Pictured are 1st and 3rd grade students performing the warm up routine.
Spanish with Señora Alexiou
We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and I would like to teach this lesson because it is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the many cultures, histories, and contributions from Americans with Spanish-speaking heritage backgrounds. Students learned about famous Hispanic contributors such as musicians, actors, artists and many more.
Month in Review pics
Team Franklin
Team Franklin having a zoom call with the American Heart Association, the NFL Play 60 organization and Lorenzo Carter from the NY Giants.
The students got to learn about the importance of taking care of their minds and bodies by eating right and getting enough physical activity each and every day. The students also learned the importance of setting goals for oneself and the sacrifices and hard work that will ultimately be the driving force of them achieving those goals. Lastly, the students got the opportunity to ask Lorenzo Carter questions about what it's like playing football in the NFL.
Team Franklin Student Leaders with the help of Fuel Up to Play 60 and the Maschio’s food service Team organized the first Smoothie and Parfait Service during lunch for everyone to enjoy!
Makerspace Friday with Mrs. Buckley
Exoskeletons
Peace Week
Week of Respect
Knot My Problem
Science is Booming in Ms. Gerena's class
Sometimes some alone Time is whats needed
Fifth Grade Science Exploration
Students use science to explore the grounds all around Ben Franklin!
First Math Fact Challenge Winners, 3rd-5th Grade
BEN PTA Trunk or Treat, October 22, 2021
Fire Trucks come to visit BEN, Kindergarten and First Grade
Camp Read S'more
Hats are in the House
September Students of the Month
You will be missed!
We also wish Mrs. Maria Lopez the best of luck with the birth of her new baby!
Upcoming Dates:
November 1st: Student Council Food Drive begins
November 2nd: No School for Students, Staff Professional Development Day
November 4th: No School, Teacher's Convention/Diwali
November 5th: No School, Teacher's Convention
November 8th: School Psychologist Week begins
November 8th: Study Island Reading and Math 2-5th grade, window opens
November 9th: Single-Session Day, 1:30 pm dismissal for students, Parent Teacher Conferences
November 10th: 1st Grade, Veteran's Visit
November 11th: Veteran's Day
November 11th: Single-Session Day, 1:30 pm dismissal for students, Parent Teacher Conferences
November 11th: MP 1 ends
November 12th: School Spirit Day
November 15th: American Education Week begins
November 15th: Camp Bernie-Fifth Grade students
November 16th: Single-Session Day, 1:30 pm dismissal for students, Parent Teacher Conferences
November 19th: School Spirit Day
November 24: Single-Session Day, 1:30 pm, for students
November 25th and 26th: No School, Thanksgiving Recess
November Student Club Meetings
November 3rd: STEM Club, 4th grade, 8:00 am
November 8th: Newspaper Club (8:15 am) and Student Council Meeting, 5th grade (12:55 pm)
November 10th: STEM Club, 5th grade, 8:00 am and Garden Club Meeting 8:00 am
November 11th: Team Franklin Club Meeting, 8:05 am
November 12th: Kindness Club Meeting, 8:00 am
November 17th: Safety Patrol Meeting, 8:00 am and Board Game Club 3:45 pm
November 18th: Team Franklin, 8:05 am
November 30th: Newspaper Club meeting, 8:15 am