The Franklin Press
Principal's Update - April 2016
Springtime at Ben Franklin
Spring has clearly arrived at Ben Franklin! These past few weeks our school has seen warmer temperatures, more outdoor recesses, baby chicks hatching in the foyer, and our SNAP Space getting a good spring cleaning.
With spring also comes many new developments in student learning. Spring is a time when a lot of the lessons taught in previous months come together. Students begin to really take ownership of many of the new skills and understandings they developed over the past few months. Reading takes root in new ways. Writing blooms, and the mathematics lessons really begin to "add up".
With spring also comes more opportunities for outdoor play, and with this comes new opportunities for families to build closer connections with each other. In the hustle and bustle of spring, take some time to get to know a new neighbor or classmate. help your children practice those great social skills by finding time to spend together with other families.
Rutgers University Partners with Ben Franklin to Support Guided Reading
Rutgers University is partnering with Ben Franklin to provide our already amazing teachers with a superior professional learning opportunity. Over the course of the spring, an expert literacy specialist will be working in our classrooms with our teachers to provide them with hands-on training to deepen their instructional practices as they work with our children.
Our goal is to take our already strong instructional practices and make them even stronger so that all students are provided rigorous reading opportunities. We look forward to beginning this partnership when we return from Spring Break.
TCNJ Gives SNAP Space a Spring Cleaning
Spaces like the SNAP Space, our school's Science, Nature, Arts, and Ponderings area in the central courtyard of our school, are wonderful spaces that provide students with some unique learning opportunities. However, as wonderful as they are, they do require a significant volunteer effort on the part of the adults in the school and broader community, especially when seasons change.
This past week, Professor Madden and her students came to the school and volunteered to give our SNAP Space its spring cleaning. Now the SNAP Space is ready for another season of outdoor education opportunities! Many thanks to Professor Madden and her students.
Thank you for not parking in the bus lane.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
- Mar 25-Apr 3 - Spring Break
- Apr 19 - Preview Day for Spring Book Fair
- Apr 20 - PTO Meeting 7 pm
- Apr 20-22 - Parent-Teacher Conferences and Spring Book Fair - 1:40 pm Dismissal
- Apr 22 - Dress to Impress Day
- Apr 25 - May 6 - PARCC Grade 3
- Apr 29 - Spirit Day - Wear Blue & White
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