The Roadrunner
Ben Franklin Elementary School
December 2021
Dear Families,
We hope this holiday season brings you much joy with family and friends! We have observed many students being safe, respectful, and responsible throughout the year! To date, 78 students have received three or more Recognized Roadrunner cards! That is a reason to celebrate as that is a record for this time of the year! A special THANK YOU to staff members for taking the time to celebrate success! When students demonstrate actions that are not safe, respectful, or responsible, staff members complete a Problem-Solving form with the student to develop a plan to decrease the behavior.
The teachers have worked hard since the beginning of the school year assessing students and monitoring their progress. Time has been spent the last two weeks compiling all of the information to complete report cards. As some of you already know, our reports cards are standards referenced and are designed to share a student's academic progress pertaining to the mastery of specific state standards over the course of the school year. Please see the information below explaining the standards-referenced reporting system. Report cards will be emailed home on Friday, December 3rd. If you have changed your email address since registering your child, please let the office know.
Ben Franklin Office - 701-746-2250
Ben Franklin Attendance Line - 701-746-2251
Standards Referenced Reporting Information
Pajama Drive
Beginning Monday, December 6th, Ben Franklin will accept new pajama donations for the Community Pajama Drive! The goal for Ben Franklin is to collect 50 pairs of pajamas this holiday season! The deadline for donations is December 16th! Attached below is a flyer with more information on what is accepted for donations this year.
Turkey Bingo
December 1st - 1:30 pm Early Release Day
December 3rd - Report Cards emailed to parents
December 6th - 5:15 pm PTO in the Library
December 15th - 1:30 pm Early Release Day
December 22nd - January 2nd - No School
January 3rd - School Resumes
January 12th - 1:30 pm Early Release Day
January 17th - No School (Professional Development)
January 26th - 1:30 pm Early Release Day
Early Out Dates~ 1:30 Dismissal
School dismisses at 1:30 on the following dates (please mark these dates on your calendar):
Dec. 1st
Dec. 15th
Jan. 12th
Jan. 26th
Feb. 9th
Mar. 23rd
Apr. 6th
Apr. 20th
May 4th
May 18th
Pizza Night
December 6th
January 10th
February 7th
March 7th
April 11th
May 16th
Turn Lane Guidelines for All Families
District Information
Substance Use Prevention Tips
Help children separate reality from fantasy. Watch shows or movies with them and ask lots of questions to reinforce the distinction between the two. Remember to include advertising in your discussions, as those messages are especially powerful. Source: https://drugfree.org/
School Cancellation and Postponement Procedures
School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows:
- a. Hold school as normal
- b. Open school but delay sending buses
- c. Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on each school’s start time
- Elementary School: Start time is 8:25, so school would start at 10:25. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.
- Middle School: Start time is 8:40, so school would start at 10:40. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
- High School: Start time is 8:00, so school would start at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
- Head Start: Start time is 8:00, so school would start at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
- When school starts late, there will be no morning Early Childhood Special Education classes. Afternoon Early Childhood Special Education classes will be held.
- Breakfast will not be served at any sites.
- d. No school in Grand Forks Public Schools all day
- e. No school for the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District students all-day
- Decisions related to the weather-related delayed opening or closing of airbase schools may not always be consistent with those made for in-town schools. On those days when severe weather makes travel conditions so hazardous as to threaten the safety of staff members, opening delays or the closing of base schools will be given special consideration.
- f. Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in very severe situations. However, school buses may leave early. Radio and TV stations will be used to notify parents.
The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements will be made on the District webpage (www.gfschools.org), and District social media (www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools; www.twitter.com/GFSchools). Announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations.
Grand Forks Public Schools will be using our Automated Calling system to call staff and parents if school will be delayed or canceled due to severe weather conditions. Typically, this automated call will occur to staff between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and to parents between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.Parents or guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.
If an emergency situation should develop during the time school is in session, children will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.
If buses are sent home early, all buses will be sent.
- a. Radio and TV stations will make the announcement of the departure time.
- b. The lead-time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour.
- c. If conditions are dangerous, bus drivers must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. If possible, use the radio and contact the base station. Have parents meet the bus or be on the lookout for their children. If the driver is unable to contact parents and conditions are dangerous, do not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal. Schools that have bus students must have a written procedure for caring for students in the event they must be kept overnight at school.
Covid Mask Update
GFPS employees and families,
At its meeting on November 22, 2021, the Grand Forks School Board approved the district’s Smart Restart Committee recommendations of the following:
Effective November 23, 2021: masks are recommended at after-school activities (athletics and fine arts performances where audience members or fans are in the stands).
Mask requirements will stay in place for ENCORE (after-school program).
Effective January 17, 2022: masks are recommended for K-12 students and employees in all school-owned or leased facilities during the instructional day.
Masks are highly recommended for staff working with Head Start and Early Childhood Special Education students.
Masks are required for programs that include immunocompromised students or employees.
All individuals using transportation (i.e.: school and city buses, vans) will continue to wear face masks, as this is a U.S. Department of Transportation requirement.
Mask requirements may be reinstated if COVID data dictate so.
As we shared last week, these recommendations were made, in part, due to the eligibility of students aged 5-12 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. Waiting until after the December holiday break will provide time for interested families to have their student(s) fully immunized.
If you have any questions, please contact your building-level administrator. Thank you.
Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner
Waterford Upstart - an in-home kindergarten readiness program
Waterford Upstart helps 4-year-olds develop the skills they need for kindergarten. This program is funded through a federal grant and is aligned to North Dakota Early Learning Standards. To date, over 600 children in North Dakota have participated in the program.
The program takes 15 minutes per day, five days a week. During that time, the child receives a personalized lesson in reading or math and science. Each family is assigned a coach to assist. Computers are provided as part of the program, and Internet service is included if the home does not have it.
Waterford Upstart is available at no cost to children in North Dakota the year before they enter kindergarten. To register:
Visit waterfordupstart.org/register and complete the entire form or call 1-888-982-9898 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Central Time.
Visit mentor.waterford.org and click “Sign up” to create a new account.
Complete orientation online through Waterford Mentor. It will be in the “Training” tab.
Please note: registration will close at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021.
If you have any questions, please call 1-888-982-9898.
Thank you,
Dr. Terry Brenner, superintendent, Grand Forks Public Schools
Dr. Brenda Lewis, assistant superintendent of elementary education, Grand Forks Public Schools
Safe Kids
Free/Reduced Meal Information
GFPS Families,
We are grateful to those families who have completed the free and reduced-price lunch application this school year. The importance of this application cannot be overlooked; it is more than just a meal application. It:
Provides additional funding for state and federal programs and services at your school.
Results in free or discounted fees for many students to participate in and attend school activities.
Provides discounted fees for applicable students on academic tests like the SAT, ACT, and AP courses. It may also qualify students for discounted rates associated with college applications.
Your application helps in many areas. Just one completed form ensures continued funding to support students in our school system.
If your household income is below the numbers in the chart below, please https://www.schoolcafe.com/GRANDFORKS1 and complete the application as soon as possible. For additional information on free and reduced-price meals, please visit https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8333.
Appreciatively,
Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner
Covid-19 Resources
Daily At Home Covid-19 Screening
Ben Franklin Elementary Vision
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