Ben Franklin Middle School
Back to School Newsletter- August 2022
Welcome Back!
Mrs. Kirstin Hanson
Ms. Jennifer Olson
Mr. Matt Quintus
Message from the Principal
As the days of summer begin to draw to a close, I hope that you have enjoyed the outdoors, family, friends, and hopefully some relaxation and recharging too! We have been hard at work over the summer months to ensure a smooth start to the 2022-2023 school year and look forward to having bustling hallways full of students again very soon. We have several great opportunities upcoming to help prepare students and families for the coming school year.
This newsletter is FULL of important information for students and their families to know prior to the start of the school year on Thursday, August 25th. Please take time to carefully browse through the many sections and reach out at the school with any questions.
I look forward to learning and growing with you all very soon!
Mrs. Kirstin Hanson
Upcoming Events
August 15
- New Student and 6th Grade Orientation 4-4:30pm
August 16
- New Student and 6th Grade Orientation 8- 8:30am & 11:45am-12:15pm
August 22
- 8th grade football and 7/8th grade volleyball start
- Back to School Night 5:30-7:30pm
August 25
- 1st day of school
September 5
- No School- Labor Day
September 7
- School Pictures *Picture ordering forms will be sent home with students on Friday, August 26
United Way School Supply Drive/Backpack Pickup
If your children are in need of supplies, attend one of these distribution dates to receive a backpack and school supplies.
Location: SCHEELS Arena (5225 31st Ave S, Fargo)
- Tuesday, August 9, 2022: 4:30-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 10, 2022: 4:30-6 p.m.
- Thursday, August 11, 2022: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Details:
- Backpacks and school supplies are available for K-12 students in need who attend school in Cass or Clay counties.
- Event will be a drive-thru format at the SCHEELS Arena.
- Families will be asked to complete a registration form – please print and fill out ahead of time. If needed, forms will be available when you arrive. Go to website to complete form. https://unitedwaycassclay.org/events/ssdbackpackpickup/
- Bring a form of ID for each child who will be receiving school supplies, such as a social security card, passport, school ID, insurance card, or report card.
- Families who are unable to attend the distribution events should contact their school as each school will receive a limited supply of backpacks for these circumstances.
For questions, please email unitedway@unitedwaycassclay.org or call 701-237-5050.
ONLINE REGISTRATION 2022-2023
There is a computer available in the main office for families that do not have a computer or access to the internet. Please call in advance for an appointment. If you need help getting logged into your Parent Powerschool account or need assistance with registering, please call the Ben Franklin office at 701-446-3600.
You can also choose to pay your child's 2022-23 school fees online via credit card using SchoolPay, which is accessed through your Powerschool account. You may take care of the following fees:
- Deposit money in your student's lunch account
- Pre-purchase a yearbook for $15
- Pay activity fees for fall activities
- Purchase a District Student Activity Pass $30
- Go to the Non-Profit link on the left side to become a member of the PTA
New Student and 6th Grade Orientation
Back to School Night Monday, August 22nd 5:00-7:30pm
5:30-6:00pm- Welcome to Band meeting for 6th grade band students/families in Auditorium
6:00-6:20pm- 6th grade team meetings
-Team 6-1 meet in team center at 6pm
-Team 6-2 meet in gym 1 at 6pm
-Team 6-3 meet in cafeteria at 6pm
-Team 6-4 meet in auditorium at 6pm
6:30-6:50pm- 7th grade team meetings
-Team 7-1 meet in auditorium at 6:30pm
-Team 7-2 meet in gym 2 at 6:30pm
7:00-7:20pm- 8th grade team meetings
-Team 8-1 meet in auditorium at 7pm
-Team 8-2 meet in gym 2 at 7pm
*Students/ families may walk schedules and meet teachers when not in their team meetings
Fall Activities
August 22: 8th Grade Football
August 22: 7th/8th Grade Volleyball
August 29: 6th Grade Boys and Girls Cross Country
*See the blue button below for a link to the August Activities Newsletter
*7th and 8th graders participating in activities or athletics need to have both HIPAA and Concussion protocols signed off on in Powerschool.
*Middle School activity fees are $30 (7th & 8th graders) unless the athlete is participating at the varsity level at North (high school is $50). These fees must be collected before the student can participate. Ben Franklin activity fees can be paid online through SchoolPay or turned in to our Main Office.
*Seventh and eighth graders participating in athletics must have a current physical turned in BEFORE being allowed to practice. North Dakota requires yearly sports physicals. They must be dated on April 15th or after. Please click on the link to print out the physical paperwork or ask your doctor for one- https://ndhsaa.com/files/NDHSAA_Physical_Form.pdf. Forms can be turned in to the main office, brought to the first meeting or practice or attached online in Powerschool.
*Seventh graders and any new 8th graders participating in activities also must attend a Co-curricular meeting. Ben Franklin's Co-curricular meeting is Tuesday, August 30th in the auditorium. Here's a list of all meeting times for your convenience:
Virtual Academy
- Elementary (grades K-5): The elementary model will stay the same through the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE).
- Secondary (grades 6-12): Secondary students will utilize a program called Edgenuity for core classes. This program, currently used at the high schools for credit recovery coursework, provides greater flexibility to meet students’ academic needs. In addition, secondary students will have the opportunity to meet via Zoom with an FPS instructor at scheduled times throughout the day. Elective courses will be offered through NDCDE at the secondary level.
More information on the Fargo Public Schools Virtual Academy can be found on our webpage:
https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/virtualacademy.
If you have questions, please contact the Virtual Academy administrators listed below:
Lori Nappe (Grades K-5)
(701) 446-1601
Holly Fiechtner (Grades 6-12)
(701) 446-1602
2022-2023 School Year Important Information
School Supply Lists
Daily Schedule and Arrival at School
Breakfast service will begin the first day of school. All other morning activities listed here will begin after Labor Day.
Breakfast is served beginning at 8:00 in the cafeteria. Students will be expected to pay for breakfast and lunch this year unless they have a free and reduced lunch application on file. You should complete the free/reduced meal application here to see if you qualify. If students bring outside food or drink with them for breakfast these must be eaten in the cafeteria.
NEW THIS YEAR! When students arrive each morning they should go to the cafeteria. Starting at 8:10 students will have the option to go to the library, team centers, the weight room, or the gym as space and supervising staff are available.
At 8:45am, students will be allowed to go to their lockers and to class.
Lockers will be used this year and backpacks will not be allowed to be worn in the hallways or classrooms.
Classes start at 8:55am each day.
Attendance
*Research shows that attendance is the single most important factor in school success. Attendance is located next to Student Services or by calling Mrs. Buerkley at 446-3610.
Absences: Parents/guardians are reminded to call the attendance office at 446-3610 to inform us of your child’s absence before 9:00 a.m., the morning of the absence. Feel free to call the attendance number at any time, 24 hours a day, to leave a message. This message should include the student’s name, ID number, grade, the date(s) and reason they will be absent. If no phone contact has been made, the student must present a written excuse, signed by his/her parent to the attendance office when returning to school. Any absence not verified by phone or note will be considered unexcused. Tardiness/Returning to School: Students coming to school after classes have begun or returning to school after an appointment must stop by attendance for a return slip. They need a signed note or doctor’s note to check in unless we have already received a phone call.
School Lunch Information
With the free meals expiring, the Board of Education set meal prices for the 2022-23 school year. The prices are:
- Elementary Breakfast $1.45
- Elementary Lunch $2.45
- Secondary Breakfast $1.60
- Secondary Lunch $2.75
- Adult Breakfast $2.25
- Adult Lunch $3.60
- Extra Milk $0.40
Families will need to pay full price for student meals or fill out an application to qualify for free or reduced price meals. Applications for the 2022-23 school year will be available starting July 1, 2022. Applications will be available on the Nutrition Services Department website after that date and will be shared at the start of the 2022-23 school year with families.
Physical Education Class
Your child will participate in a physical education class every other day throughout the year. The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Students should dress for physical education in clothing conducive to physical activity with shoes appropriate for gym flooring and outdoor activity. Students will not be changing for phy ed classes nor using locker rooms, so they should dress accordingly on their phy ed days. We have a limited supply of phy ed shirts that students may purchase to be worn during class. Shirts are $10 and may be purchased during New Student Orientation, Back to School Night or from the Main Office. *This shirt is not required for the class grading or participation. All incoming 6th graders will be receiving one of these shirts at no cost.
Personal Learning Devices
Students will be allowed to take home their PLDs after the first week of school. 8th graders will get their devices on 8/29, 7th graders on 8/30, and 6th graders on 8/31.
· PLD responsible use applies both at school and at home Responsible Use Policy Students will not be issued a PLD until this policy is signed off on in Powerschool.
· Unless opting out, parents/students accepted the terms of the PLD Take Home Contract when registering. We ask that parents do not opt out of the PLD take home initiative unless there are extenuating circumstances. Thank you for partnering with us in this extension of student learning.
Transportation/ Bus Information
Lockers
School Nurse
The Nurse is a support staff that works with medication issues, consultations and safety issues. The school nurse will not diagnose medical issues.
Hours -typically 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Monday-Friday
If you have questions call Nurse Ellen Sondreal @ 446-3640.
Health Information needs to be completed yearly online. Since little of the information on this card may change from year to year, the data is stored and you will simply be doing an update of this information as needed. Please remember that our school nurse needs permission to administer Ibuprofen, Tums, or Tylenol (Acetaminophen). If you wish this to be an option, please indicate this online.
Emergency Care Plan: If your student has a health issue that will require more than standard first aid care, a special form called the “Emergency Care Plan” will need to be completed by a parent/guardian and signed by the student’s Health Care Provider. These forms will be available at registration from the school nurse and are on line as well.
Medication at School: Daily medication, short-term antibiotics, and OTC medications: A “Medication Administration” form must be completed by a parent/guardian and signed by the student’s Health Care Provider. Medications brought to school must be in their original containers.
Self-Administration Medications: If a student needs to carry a medication on them while at school a “Medication Self-Administration” form must be completed by a parent/guardian and signed by the student’s Health Care Provider. If a student needs an Asthma inhaler, make sure they have their inhaler with them. The “Medication Self-Administration” form should be brought to school as soon as possible. Medication forms also need to be renewed each school year.
All required forms are also available on the Ben Franklin website under “Quick links - District Forms – Medication Forms” or at this link below: http://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/446
Immunizations
This is a reminder that every child entering grade 7 is REQUIRED to receive a Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and Meningococcal vaccine. To receive optimum disease coverage and ensure school requirements are met prior to entering grade 7, it is
recommended your child receive these two vaccinations once they turn 11 years of age. All students in 7th and 8th grade should have one dose of Tdap and Meningococcal recorded on their immunization record before the start of the 2021 -2022 school year. Please bring a copy of the updated immunization record to the school, email it to bfnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us or fax to 701-446-3698. For questions pertaining to your child's immunization record, please call your child’s healthcare provider or Fargo Cass Public Health at 701-241-1360.
Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on-time childhood immunizations are essential because they help provide immunity before kids are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. As that protection wears off, teens need vaccines to extend protection. Being up-to-date with immunizations is critical in keeping kids and communities safe and healthy. Fargo Cass Public Health will hold back-to-school vaccine clinics on August 17 and 18, from 8 am – 4 pm. Fargo Cass Public Health is located at 1240 25th St S, Fargo. These are walk-in clinics, but appointments are welcome during regular immunization clinic hours and can be made by calling the Fargo Cass Public Health Clinic at 701.241.1383. Visit ForAllofUs.com for more information.
School Photos
Parental Communication- E-Alert Directions
Content E-Alerts are sent to users who have subscribed to a homepage or website section of interest. You will receive an email notification when newsletters, daily announcements or School Board agendas are posted.
Click here to sign up and begin the process of setting your subscriptions.
Content E-Alert Directions: In order to provide the best possible communication between our district and your household, we request that you complete 3 easy steps to sign up and subscribe to E-Alerts for sites and sections that you find relevant.
Click the link above to sign up and begin the process of setting your subscriptions.
Step 1 - Enter your First Name, Last Name, and Email Address
Step 2 - Select the areas of Fargo Public Schools that you wish to receive notifications
Step 3 - Click Sign Up at the bottom of the page
You will receive an email that will contain a link to verify your account. You may unsubscribe at any time by using the Unsubscribe Link at the bottom of the email notification.
STAY CONNECTED!
Ben Franklin has several helpful links that can be found on our webpage at https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/benfranklin
You will find links for:
· Monthly Newsletters
· School Calendars
· Daily Announcements
· PowerSchool & SchoolPay Logins
· Student Handbook
· School Menus
· District Forms
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact our school office at 701-446-3600.