August 28, 2023
August 28, 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
When I was young, my parents would often preface upcoming events by referring to the number of “sleeps” before they would take place. For example, if we were talking at dinner on a Tuesday about going to my grandparents house on Saturday, they would tell me that we were headed to grandma and grandpa’s house in four “sleeps.” They would also share other pertinent information like how long the car ride was going to be (which they equated to the number of 30-minute episodes of Ghostwriter, a 90s children’s fantasy crime show, I could watch in the amount of time we spent in the car), who would be there, and what we would do during our stay. It is hard to believe, but we only have eight “sleeps” before our school year begins! I hope you and your child(ren) are enjoying your last days of summer but are also gearing up for the start of another great school year.
Last week, I referenced the fact that each school year brings newness that all students, staff, and families will need to adjust to, regardless of how long you have been a member of our Ben Franklin community. One new change to be aware of is our new procedure for afternoon parent pickup. This year, students will be waiting in classrooms at dismissal rather than gathering in the front of the building. Each family will be given a number to display in their vehicle. When you arrive, a staff member will document your arrival and students in the classroom will see their name and number appear on the screen in their classroom and will be released to meet you at your vehicle. Students in the younger grades will be assisted to the front of the building by staff or older students in the bus buddy role. Please see the attached document for the full arrival and dismissal procedures.
Mrs. Jewell
Ben Franklin Principal
LAST CALL! BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT AT MILKMEN GAME THIS THURS 8/31
Join staff, friends and family as we get ready to kick off another great school year this Thursday, August 31st at 6:35pm. Help us celebrate the winners of the Excellent Educator Awards, get your picture with Seymour Saber, meet up with your school PTO/A reps, play some games, and have a great time! A percentage of tickets bought only through this link benefit the Franklin Educational Foundation.
STAFF UPDATES
We warmly welcome these new Staff Members:
1st Grade Teacher: Alex Lira
3rd Grade Teacher: Maggie Burmeister
4th Grade Teacher: Kari Balson
5th Grade Teacher: Emily Caya
Gym Teacher: Dustin Devine
Occupational Therapist: Kim Howe
Early Childhood Speech & Language Pathologist: Brenda Bulinski
District Social Worker: Joseph Stempski
Our Custodian team had a lot of changes near the end of last school year too!
Custodian 1: Matt Balistreri
Custodian 2: Collin Dorff
Custodian 3: Bonita Gaultney
BEN FRANKLIN OPEN HOUSE
Our Ben Franklin Open House is scheduled on Wednesday August 30th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm for all grades.
Families and students are welcome to meet their teacher and bring any school supplies they may want to bring before school starts.
ATTENTION 4K & KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES
4K & Kindergarten students will be picked up and dropped off with other elementary students at a designated stop. A parent or designee must assume responsibility for the child at the stop when dropped off.
If parents would like to designate a person other than themselves, they can send an email to heidi.engel@franklin.k12.wi.us
In regards to same day notification (this should only be done for emergencies), please call GoRiteway Busing at 414-571-9001 so they can pass along the information to the bus driver.
UPDATE TO CLASSROOM SNACKS
Please remember to pack daily snacks for your students. Snacks allowed in classrooms must follow the District Wellness Policy, meaning that your student may choose to bring in fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, or yogurts unless teacher or nurse discretion warrants further limitations. Specific examples include fresh fruit, applesauce pouches, fruit cups, raisins, carrots, celery, peppers, string cheese, cheese cubes, deli meats, and meat sticks.
New this year: Pretzels, popcorn, and goldfish crackers are also approved snacks. As we have many students with peanut and tree nuts allergies in all buildings, snacks that contain nut products (e.g. peanut butter pretzels) will not be permitted in classrooms. Some safe brands to consider for added snack options include Skinny Pop, Annie's, Snyder's, Smartfood, Pepperidge Farm, and Pretzel Crisps.
MEDICATIONS FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR
If your student will require ANY (over the counter or prescription) medication for the 23-24 school year please fill out the Request to Administer Medication form found on our district website and have it signed by your physician.
All medication can then be dropped off at school in its original container along with this form. Please feel free to drop off medication in the Ben Franklin office.
BEN FRANKLIN PICTURE DAY
School Pics is no longer sending home order forms for parents to fill out and return with their students. All orders will only be placed online.
Pictures can be ordered online here:
https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering
Use the drop down menu to select your school name
BEN FRANKLIN SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
Click here for the 23-24 Ben Franklin School supply lists.
ATTENDANCE REMINDER
ANY absence including leaving early and arriving late are reported on a google form. HERE is the link to report absences. It would be a good idea to bookmark this link for your convenience.
If you are picking up your student to leave early, please bring your drivers license or state id.
LOST & FOUND
BEN FRANKLIN PICTURES
SAVE THE DATES!
BOOKMARK
Ben Franklin PTO’s LinkTree so all the info. You need it just a click away!
23/24 Student Directory
Click HERE to submit your information and get access to the directory. Only those that choose to participate will have access to the directory.
Franklin Education Foundation’s Back To School Night is right around the corner!
There's still time to purchase tickets! Please use this link. Make sure you stop by the Ben Franklin PTO table and say hi! Don't forget to bring some school supplies to donate towards Ben Franklin's School Supply Drive! We hope to see you all there!!
SPIRIT WEAR IS HERE!
A wide variety of styles, sizes and colors. Choose the Bobcat or Sabers logo. Click HERE to view and place orders.
Last day to order is Monday, September 18th at Midnight. Due to turnaround times, no late orders will be accepted.
All sales are final. No changes, returns, or exchanges with online apparel orders.
Orders will be sent home with students the week of October 16-20th.
If you choose to have your order shipped, it will be shipped on October 13th.
Stay informed about Activities, Events, Fundraisers, and more Ben Franklin PTO’s website!
FAMILY FUN RUN IN FRANKLIN WOODS SAT 9/9
The third annual Franklin Woods Family Fun Run will take place on Saturday, September 9th at 9:00 (9/9 at 9!) starting at Kayla's Park. Enjoy treats, music, games and more and enjoy quality time with your Franklin neighbors. Registration is $10 a person / $40 per family and all donations benefit the Franklin Educational Foundation. Sign up today!
FALL CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SAT 9/16
Looking to clean out those kids' closets and earn a little cash? Register today to be a seller at our semi-annual children's consignment sale at Forest Park Middle School. This past Spring we had a record amount of sellers and buyers and are expecting similar turnouts this Fall. For more information on SELLING or VOLUNTEERING for this event, check out our website.
FHS ATHLETIC EVENTS REMINDER FOR YOUNGER FANS
As a reminder for our high school athletic events, students from the elementary and middle school attending any FHS athletic events must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/caregiver. Students that come to the event without an accompanying parent/guardian/caregiver will not be admitted to the event. Students who need redirection regarding their behavior at any FHS athletic events will be brought back to their parent/guardian/caregiver. Thank you for helping us do what we can to keep our events enjoyable for all fans and focused on the athletic endeavors of our players.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
All past newsletters are stored on our website here
All District newsletters are stored here
Parents, Guardians, and Staff are set to automatically receive our District and Building Newsletters. If you are a community member that would like to receive any of our newsletters, please complete our SUBSCRIBE FORM.
Email: Jennifer.Russell@franklin.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/ben-franklin-elementary-school
Location: 7620 S 83rd St, Franklin, WI 53132, USA
Phone: 414-529-8270
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BenFranklinElemFPS/posts