September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023
Last week, I introduced you to our new motto: “Model the Bobcat Way, Every Day.” Part of modeling the Bobcat way is owning mistakes and taking responsibility for our actions. To support these efforts, every classroom in Ben Franklin Elementary has a “safe place.” A “safe place” is a location within each classroom designated for students to go to help recognize and regulate their emotions through the use of breathing exercises and other activities. The use of a “safe place” is based on the following beliefs.
Children want to be successful, they want to belong and they want to feel safe. Helping children meet these needs generates intrinsic motivation to change.
What is helpful to one child may not be helpful to another.
When feeling powerless, children tend to withdraw or act out. Powerlessness comes from feeling out of control due to internal perceptions or external triggers.
Children want to feel in control of themselves, but may not know this is possible. They may not know how to regain or maintain self-control. Feeling out of control is frightening
The internal desire for self-control, belonging, and competence motivates children to make positive decisions when they feel genuinely cared for and supported
Upset is an opportunity to teach self-control strategies and is part of your social-emotional curriculum.
Choice is important. Children elect to go to the Safe Place. They choose strategies they find helpful. However, the teacher may also take an out-of-control child to the Safe place if the child’s behavior is a threat to themself and others.
At Ben Franklin Elementary we believe that, when a student feels upset, a teaching moment arises for us to help students acquire calming skills. We want to take advantage of these opportunities to assist students in building their social and emotional skills. Feel free to ask your child(ren) about the safe place in their classroom!
Mrs. Jewell
Ben Franklin Principal
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Updated Parent Pick Up Procedure Effective TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th
In an effort to increase the safety of students, staff, and families on our campus, we are revamping our parent pick up procedure. Instead of utilizing the main drive and bus lane, parent pick up will now use the north parking lot loop, similar to how we run parent drop off in the morning. Please see the attached information for the new traffic pattern and additional details about parent pick up. Please also note that students will now be entering vehicles on the driver’s side rather than the passenger side.
SNACK POLICY
Now that we are a few weeks into the school year, there have been some questions about the updated and expanded snack policy and the impacts that it has on our classrooms. Please see this letter from the principal outlining our focus on the wellbeing and safety of all of our students at Ben Franklin and some clarification of the policy.
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
BUS REQUESTS
Now that we are into the school year and regular busing routines are being established, we want to share details with families on what to expect regarding busing moving forward.
If any changes are needed to your child’s busing or you are looking to add busing for a child that currently does not ride the bus, those requests must be made through this Bus Route Change/Addition Request Form.
In regards to requests, please first review the Administrative Rules for FPS School Board Policy #3720 - Student Transportation. These rules are written in an effort to keep structure and safety for all of our students and we follow these rules when reviewing requests.
In partnership with GO Riteway, we do our best to establish bus stops following these administrative rules and requests for a stop immediately in front of a home may not be honored due to a variety of factors.
We are not able to honor requests to bus a student from one school to another for extracurricular activities.
If you have any concerns with your child’s transportation, please continue to contact Heidi Engel, FPS Auxiliary Services Coordinator (414-525-7634). She is working with GO Riteway to respond to family needs.
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.
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
BOOKMARK
Ben Franklin PTO’s LinkTree so all the info. you need it just a click away!
It's a BIG week! On Wednesday, September 20th we:
Kick off the 2023 Bobcat Bolt!
This is our Largest fundraising event of the school year and we NEED YOUR HELP! Please click HERE to see how you can help make this event successful! More info. To come on Wednesday!
Noodles Dining Night | 4-8pm | Hales Corners location
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.
Spirit Wear - LAST DAY TO ORDER!
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 today, 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!
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
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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