October 31, 2022
Last week was a busy week at Ben Franklin! On Thursday, students who raised a certain amount of money toward the Bobcat Bolt Fun Run/Walkathon got the opportunity to eat lunch with me. I had an absolute blast getting to know these students better. We enjoyed our lunch and then spent some time chatting - students had the opportunity to ask me any questions they had for me (these ranged from my favorite color to what a principal does all day), then we used “chat pack” and “table topics” to prompt our conversations (I highly recommend these for starters if your child(ren) don’t readily engage in conversation - they make kid versions of both). Thursday was also our first BEN Assembly of the year, where the entire student body was divided into multi-grade level teams. These teams will meet throughout the year for various team building activities/challenges. The focus for this first meeting was getting to know one another. Our upperclassmen stepped up right away and acted as fantastic leaders. Our BEN Assembly ended with Mrs. Wood being slimed by her class for raising the most money toward the Bobcat Bolt. The students LOVED it! Finally, our first graders participated in Pumpkin Day, where they had the opportunity to collaborate on a jack-o-lantern design. Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped make this happen!
This week, our staff is looking forward to connecting with many of you during our first evening of Parent Teacher Conferences. This is a great time to connect on how the year is going so far and how we can all support your child(ren). While this is one touch point, it definitely isn’t/shouldn’t be the only one. If you ever have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to your child(ren)’s teacher to start a conversation.
Most Sincerely,
Steffany Jewell
Principal
YOUR CHILD’S EMERGENCY CONTACTS
After the lockdown incident at Franklin High School last week, we examined and reviewed how quickly the messages were getting to families after we sent them. The time for messages to move from us to parents during that incident experienced a small lag. After reviewing this with our messaging provider, we learned of a more efficient way to send messages out during emergencies. As Monday came around and FPMS went into lockdown, evacuation and reunification, the district emergency broadcasts that went out not only went to listed parents/guardians, but also to any “emergency contacts” that are associated with your child(ren) as listed in PowerSchool. Sending these as emergency level messages allows for the emails and phone calls to go out quicker through the system.
We share this with you so you understand that there may be times where your emergency contacts will receive information from us in situations like this. Please share this knowledge with your emergency contacts so they are in the know. We always work to identify ourselves as “Franklin Public Schools” when sending messages. If you wish to change your emergency contacts, you can connect with the main office staff at your child’s school.
TREATS FOR TROOPS
Ben Franklin Student Council is going to participate in Treats for Troops. Please have your child bring in any extra Halloween candy during the week of November 7. The candy will then be sent to those in the military that are stationed overseas.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN UP
A link was emailed to parents on 10/7/22. Please click here to sign up. Just a reminder to please add your student's name to the sign up.
COAT REMINDER
If you need assistance with getting a coat for your student, please let the office know.
VISIT THE LOST AND FOUND DURING PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE NIGHT
SLIME
On October 27th, Mrs. Wood’s class had the chance to slime her at the first BEN assembly of the year! Congratulations to Team Wood for earning the most funds for the Bobcat Bolt.
BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS!
The Book Fall Fair is Oct 31 - Nov 4. Family shopping night is Wednesday, November 2, 4-6:30pm (During PT Conferences)
Set up your eWallet for a simple cashless way for your child to shop the Scholastic Book Fair! Follow this link to our Book Fair Homepage so get started now! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/benfranklinschool If you have funds leftover from a previous fair, check your email! Scholastic should have emailed you a gift card with the remaining funds. You can add those funds to your new eWallet!
Are you able to help check out students when their class visit’s the bookfair? Or on family shopping nights? Click here for a list of available time slots: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4caea62ca2f94-fall1
YOU’VE GOT DINNER COVERED
Diner on November 16th is covered! Dine-in or order carry-out from Noodles Hales Corners (5794 S 108th St) between 4-8 pm. Mention Ben Franklin Elementary PTO or show this flier when you dine-in or enter code “GIVING25” in the coupon code field when you check out online and 25% of all qualifying online and in-restaurant sales will go directly back to Elementary PTO. Click HERE to order. 4-8 pm.
JOIN US!
Mark your calendar: Monday, November 14th at 6:30pm in the Ben Franklin Library at 6:30pm.
TEAM SPIRIT
Bobcat and Saber gear is scheduled to arrive the first week of November. If you selected to have your order shipped to school, it will be given to the student you specified on your order. If, however, anything is meant to be a gift and your student should not see it, please contact Meredith PTO Secretary to make alternate arrangements.
Stay informed about Activities, Events, Fundraisers, and more on Ben Franklin PTO’s website!
Join our private Ben Franklin PTO Facebook Group
FRANKLIN LACROSSE CLUB HOSTS “PICK UP & PLAY” EVENT 11/8
Kids 14 and younger can come experience a FREE introductory lacrosse clinic as a chance to “pick up and play.” This is taking place at the Milwaukee Yard in Oak Creek on Tuesday, November 8th. Click the flier for more info and visit here to register.
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
As part of the School-Based Mental Health Grant we received as a district, we are excited to offer a Fall and Spring opportunity to train parents, guardians and community members in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). Our first training opportunity will occur on December 6th from 4:00-8:30 PM. During the YMHFA course, participants develop an understanding of the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in youth, the importance of early intervention, and how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Participants will engage in a 2-hour self-paced course followed by a 4.5 hour in-person session with a district trainer. If you are interested in engaging in this Fall training, please complete this form no later than November 4th. A confirmation email will be sent to finalize your enrollment in the course and next steps. Please note this is the same course we offered last year, so please only sign up if you have not yet been certified.
UPCOMING GIRL SCOUT EVENTS
The Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin in partnership with the Franklin Community Education & Recreation department are hosting “Resilient. Ready. Strong” sessions this fall for students in 5K through 5th. The program is a great way to build inner strength so that children are ready for anything! Click the flier here or the image nearby to learn more and take advantage of the offerings on October 28th and November 19th!
BUY TICKETS NOW FOR “EDUCATE IN STYLE” STUDENT FASHION SHOW SUN 11/12
The Franklin Education Foundation is proud to once again host the student fashion show! With almost 30 FHS sports, clubs and activities represented, you will not want to miss this fantastic event! Doors open at 6pm at the Saber Center for the Arts for food, silent auction, shopping and fun followed by 45 FHS students showcasing the latest fashions while raising funds for great causes! Half of all proceeds raised by the groups go toward supporting foundation grants, scholarships and student emergency funding. The group that raises the most funds keeps 100% of the proceeds for their group! You can read more details, book your tickets, and donate online to your favorite organization here or by clicking on the image below!
CATCH UP ON DISTRICT NEWS
Miss the last District Newsletter? Be sure to catch up on district happenings! You can access the archive of all District Newsletters here.
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