The Roadrunner
Ben Franklin Elementary School
January
We have never been happier to say "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to all of our families! 2020 was not as we had planned but we learned more about ourselves than ever before. Our staff and students learned to face new challenges with grit and resiliency. As the pandemic grew within the community, we were forced to make changes to plans put into place. We THANK all of our families for your constant support, flexibility, and understanding.
The district's Covid-19 protocols and procedures implemented in the fall remain intact. Please refer to the GFPS Website to review the plan. Staff and students are required to wear masks at all times (except while eating snack/lunch) and practice social distancing. Please make sure your child has a mask on as they exit your vehicle. To prevent Covid or other illnesses from possibly spreading within the school we will continue to ask families to keep their child(ren) home if symptoms are present. Families are asked to contact the office when they are identified as a close contact or receive a positive result. Our goal is to prevent classrooms from closing due to multiple positive cases. We need everyone to do their part in preventing school spread cases.
In January, we hit the ground running by completing winter assessments. Teachers will complete Running Records to determine current reading levels. The STAR Math & Reading assessment window will be open from Jan.11th-25th. K-2 Grade levels will be piloting a new assessment called Star Early Literacy.
Every child received a recyclable bag for their winter gear. Please be sure to use that bag as winter gear should not be placed in backpacks. If the items are wet, it could ruin their device and learning materials. If you need a new bag, please let the classroom teacher know.
On behalf of the staff at Ben Franklin, we want to thank our families for supporting your child(ren) during Distance Learning. Student attendance was strong and relationships continued to be formed. Participation was crucial in order to continue learning the Trimester 2 Standards. For that, we are grateful!
Mrs. Bjelde
Principal
Friendly reminder to wash your child's masks often!
Breakfast Information
Classroom Highlights
January 13th ~ 1:30 pm Early Release
January 18th ~ No School
January 27th ~ 1:30 pm Early Release
February 10th ~ 1:30 pm Early Release
February 24th ~ 1:30 pm Early Release
February 26th ~ End of Trimester 2
Look below for PTO dates and Distant Learner Distribution Days
PTO Dates
January 11
February 1
March 1
April 6
May 3
Distance Learners Distribution Days
Please go to Door #1 from 9:00am-11:00am on the Distribution days. The materials will be placed on a table near the front door. Please take the materials labeled for your child, there is no need to ring the door unless you need assistance.
Distribution Dates:
January 20
February 3
February 17
March 3
March 24
April 7
April 21
May 28 -Materials Returned
Covid-19 Resources
District Communication/Information
Student Engagement Survey
We want to share with you an important opportunity for your child to impact and improve the school culture and learning environment at Ben Franklin Elementary School. Student engagement is an important predictor of student success. Ben Franklin is committed to understanding, through the voice of students, how we can best support their engagement and success in learning. Students in grades 3-5, will have the opportunity to share information about their educational experiences and perspectives through the statewide Student Engagement Survey between January 18th, 2021-February 19th, 2021. This survey is not a test. There are no correct or incorrect answers.
Participating in the survey provides your student with an opportunity to have a voice in their education. We take student privacy seriously, therefore, the data collected and analyzed will be at the school level. Individual student results will not be reported. We will not identify your child and how they responded to the survey.
Summary feedback across all students will be provided to teachers and school leaders in order to support our efforts of continuous improvement at Ben Franklin. Statewide student survey results will also be used by the state to report school quality as part of the state’s accountability system.
The survey has 20 brief questions. We encourage you to talk with your child about the survey and let them know the importance of answering the questions honestly. The collective responses of all participating students will help schools learn what they do well and what they can do better to help all students succeed.
If you have additional questions, please contact our school office. We look forward to your child participating in the 2020-21 Student Engagement Survey.
Caretaking
Student Lunches
BEGINNING JANUARY 4, 2021
Meals will continue to be available at no cost for children 18 and under through the end of this school year.
FACE-TO-FACE LEARNERS
Meals for face-to-face learners will be available: breakfast before the bell and lunch scheduled within the day. Physical distancing and other safety measures will be followed at meal times.
VIRTUAL LEARNERS
A hot lunch is available by request for full-time remote learners and high school students due to the hybrid learning model.
Please continue to order meals using this form on a daily basis. The entree will follow the general hot lunch menu which is posted at MealViewer Schools.
A meal will include the entree, a fruit and vegetable, applicable sides, and a milk. Breakfast will also be included.
Extras will not be available
Meal delivery is not available.
Please pick up your meal at the school you designated on your order form.
PICK UP TIMES
Meals will be available for pick up 10-10:30 a.m. at elementary schools, 10:15-10:45 a.m. at middle schools, and 10:30-11 a.m. at high schools.
School Meals -- Free and Reduced Application
Even though meals are being offered to our families at no cost this school year it is still important to complete the Free & Reduced application.
An application is available online at https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8333, or download the form below, fill it in, and submit it to the Wilder Office. After the application has been reviewed by the Child Nutrition Department, you will be notified by letter of your status. All information is confidential - names are never disclosed. A copy of the application will also be sent home the first day of school.
Information from our School Nurse
Ben Franklin Elementary Vision
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