May Newsletter 2023
Ben Franklin Middle School
From the Desk of Mrs. Hanson
These last months of school seem to have flown by and here we are welcoming May, and hopefully spring weather very soon!
Amazing moments happen in our school each and every day! Our staff and students have really stepped up during the last month to support both our Fargo and school community. I am going to keep my monthly report short this month, as I feel it far more important to share the amazing things our staff and students are doing.
However, I want to close out this final report of the 2022-2023 school year by saying how very grateful I am that you have chosen me to serve the Ben Franklin students, staff, parents, and community. This year has been one of great personal and professional learning, and I will forever cherish the memories made this year. I am looking forward to closing out this school year with a heart full or gratitude, and then steering my focus to planning for an amazing 2023-2024 school year.
All my best,
Mrs. Kirstin Hanson
Our Restorative Team, Jae and Ebony, launched Mental Health Awareness Month in a BIG way!
The Sparta Music Contest Brought some amazing guests to Ben Franklin!
Ben Franklin was VICTORIOUS at the State Science Olympiad Competition
Ben Franklin students participated in the Big Floody Music Contest
Our 8th Grade Students Filled Sandbags in Preparation for Flooding
NWEA Spring MAP Testing
Last year Ben Franklin was recognized by the North Dakota Department of Education as a Targeted School for Improvement. We received this status because subgroups of our students were underperforming their peers statewide on the NDSA state assessment. These groups include students who are in special education, those who qualify for free/reduced meals, and specific minority groups of our students.
Completing the NWEA MAP assessment this spring is just one of the things we are doing this year to ensure we are following through with the FPS Mission to Educate and Empower ALL students to succeed. Teachers will be digging into these test results to look at student growth this year, and reflecting on how we can improve our instruction to better educate all students.
If you have questions please email Mrs. Hanson at hansonk7@fargo.k12.nd.us.
LIBRARY BOOK AND PLD TURN-IN
-All library books are due back in the library on Friday, May 19th.
Thank you in advance for supporting us in getting all of these materials returned to school by the end of the school year!
PTO Information- June Meeting in library at 6pm! All are welcome!
It’s been a big first year for the Ben Franklin PTO. Thank you to everyone who attended meetings, donated to Friends of Ben Franklin, helped with events, or participated in the Deek’s Pizza weeks. Our April Deek’s Pizza fundraiser earned $512! Thank you, also to Molly Johnson and Janelle Stahl Ladbury, who plan to join Secretary Paul Tebben and Treasurer Becca Sandell as President and VP on the slate of officers for the 2023-24 school year. Thank you, parents and teachers for a great year! Join us for the final PTO meeting of the year June 5th at 6pm to share ideas for next year!
SAVE THE DATES!
We have some important dates on the calendar for the 23-24 school year. Please add these to your calendar so we can see you all next fall. Also, please share out with those families who may have incoming 6th graders at Ben next year.
Back to School night at Ben Franklin will be Tuesday, August 22nd from 5-7:30pm. This is a big night as student schedules are available and students and parents can walk their class schedules, meet their teachers, bring in your school supplies and try out locker combinations!
2023 Summer School for Middle School
Greetings parents,
Believe it or not it is time to start thinking about summer school. All students are welcome to sign up for summer school. School recommendation letters will be sent later this spring for individual students. Here is the current information which can be found at fargosummerschool.com.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
- For additional details, please refer to the 2023 Summer School MS/HS Program Book.
Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies classes are offered to students entering Grades 7 and 8 for the next school year. Students must sign up for 2 courses.
- Dates: June 8–29, Monday–Thursday (and Friday, June 9th)
- Locations: Ben Franklin, Carl Ben Eielson, Discovery Middle Schools, and Virtual
Middle school students are also able to register for music programs.
Register through Summer School PowerSchool
Registration closes May 25th
For more information, please contact:
Arati Heath
701-446-3210
heatha@fargo.k12.nd.us
Yearbook order has been placed!
Ben Franklin Activities!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, May 3rd:
- MAP Testing- Math
Friday, May 5th:
- Careers on Wheels for 7th graders
Wednesday, May 10th
- Images of the World
- MAP Testing- ELA
Friday, May 26th
- School in session Storm Make-up Day ("B" day)
Monday, May 29th
- No School-Memorial Day
Thursday, June 1st
- Last day for students!
Friday, June 2nd
- Last day for staff!
- Retirement luncheon and celebration from 11:30-1:00
Summer Creative Writing Camp Opportunities
NDSU is excited to announce that they are again running two sessions of Summer Teen Creative Writing Camp this summer: June 26-June 30 and July 24-28. Camp runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day, with the final day ending with a public reading at 1:00 pm. Cost is $220, which includes all snacks, lunches, supplies, and a camp t-shirt. Each session also has a virtual option, which costs $170. Scholarships are available and we will never let cost be the reason a student can't attend. We are also running a session at Bismarck State College August 8-11. The camp is $150 for in-person and $100 for virtual. The link below has all the registration information (including scholarship applications) you need.
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. You can also email our attendance office at bfattendance@fargo.k12.nd.us. This message should include the student’s name, ID number, grade, the date(s) and reason they will be absent. If no phone or email 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.
Please keep your information updated in Powerschool!
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2023!
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2023 opens online on February 1 at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration. Your child must be age 5 by July 31, 2023 to attend school in the fall.
Registration is a two-step process:
STEP ONE: REGISTER ONLINE
Complete online registration forms at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person. Masks are required for all visitors.
STEP TWO: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school by August 28 to finalize registration.
- Child’s certified birth certificate
- Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
- Document (i.e. current city utility bill or bank statement) that includes parent/guardian name and current address for verification
If you do not know which school your child will attend, call 701.446.1043 or check online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/boundarymaps.
If you need help in PowerSchool (Fargo Public Schools online registration software), please call 701.446.1006
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.
Mrs. Kirstin Hanson
Principal
6th Grade Principal
Ms. Jennifer Olson
Assistant Principal
8th Grade Principal
Mr. Matt Quintus
Assistant Principal/ Activities Coordinator
7th Grade Principal
Ben Franklin Middle School
Jennifer Olson, Assistant Principal
Matt Quintus, Assistant Principal/Activities Coordinator
Website: fargo.k12.nd.us/benfranklin
Location: 1420 8th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenFranklinMiddleSchool/