October 17, 2022
With the return of many school traditions, the 2022-23 school year feels different, but in the best way! Students are able to mix and mingle, classrooms are able to collaborate with one another, and our students are not limited in their movement throughout the building. As a result, our student jobs are up and running (morning announcers, bus buddies, lunchroom helpers), students are enjoying time with their peers at lunchtime, and student Ben Assemblies will take place once again with multigrade teams. I got a firsthand glimpse at how meaningful it is when we can be together on Wednesday, October 12th…my birthday. I was totally surprised when I was called to the office only to walk in and find the entire fourth grade class was there to sing to me! It was a small moment, but it had big meaning. I am excited to continue to experience this togetherness throughout the remainder of the year. Here is a glimpse at what I walked into on my birthday:
Most Sincerely,
Steffany Jewell
Principal
ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE POLICY INFORMATION
We want to make sure everyone understands the current status of how absences are handled in Franklin Public Schools per our Board Policy 5100 around Student Attendance.
Per Board Policy, students can be excused for up to 10 days during the school year. Excused absences include if a child is sick or a parent reports a student out of school for any variety of reasons. As a student nears 10 cumulative absences, families can expect communication from Franklin Public Schools to ensure that you are notified of the total number of absences and to outline what occurs past 10 days of absence in a school calendar year.
When it comes to illness…
Please share any documentation from your child's health care provider if/when available so that our district nursing staff can plan for the child's timeline to return to school and that the child’s absences are coded appropriately.
If your child is not physically well enough for school for more than 10 days during the school year, please work with our district nursing staff to develop and implement a plan to meet the child’s health needs to ensure that the child is present as often as possible.
Unexcused absences are noted when there is no parent/guardian communication or documentation around a student absence. We must follow up on Unexcused Absences, and if habitual, this follow up could lead to building level staff and/or administration exploring truancy measures.
In addition, below is a copy of the communicable disease decision tree we shared with all families earlier in the year. Please continue to use this to help you and your family decide if your child is well enough to attend school. Thank you for your help and understanding related to absences.
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.
LOST AND FOUND
TRUNK-OR-TREAT
Trunk-Or-Treat is this week! For this event to be able to offer games for students and families, among other things, we need your help! Click here for a list of opportunities and to sign up.
See you in the front school parking lot on Friday (5-7pm)!
BOBCAT BOLT
Way to go Ben Franklin Community!! Our final total surpassed our all-school goal ($15,000) raising $17,205!
Congratulations to Mrs. Wood's 2nd-grade class for raising the most funds. Students in Mrs. Wood’s class will get to SLIME her next week (10/27) at our first BEN assembly of the year!
Way to go Kara P in 4th grade! She raised $710 and earned Principal for a day!
Classes that earned an extra gym class are as follows: (4K/Kdgn/1st) Team Boris, (2nd/3rd) Team Rexhepi and (4th/5th) Team Gross.
Prizes will be handed out this week. Check out pics from the event on the PTO website. Thanks to EVERYONE for working (and running) hard.
FALL BOOK FAIR
Mark your calendars for Oct 31 - Nov 4 for the Fall Book Fair!
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
SPIRIT WEAR
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
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!
SPOOKFEST AT FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL ON SAT 10/29
The FHS Class of ‘25 and ‘26 are collaborating to host SpookFest, a Halloween themed event for kids, that will take place on Saturday, October 29th from 1pm to 3pm in the Main Commons of Franklin High School. We will be offering Halloween themed games, crafts, a Trick-or-Treat treasure hunt, costume contest and more! Admission is $5 per child and adults are free with a registered child and you can register online using this link. Fall treats will also be on sale for an additional cost.
FRANKLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY "FALL FEST" SAT 10/22
The Franklin Historical Society is hosting a "Fall Fest" on Saturday, October 22nd. Activities are listed on this attached flier. Activities will help children in the area to understand life in early Franklin. Come join us!
CITY OF FRANKLIN TRICK-OR-TREATING IS SUN 10/30
The city of Franklin has passed along that Trick-or-Treating for 2022 will officially be on Sunday, October 30th from 4pm-7pm. Please plan accordingly and safely for trick-or-treating and have fun!
FRANKLIN COMMUNITY YOUTH RACE FOR 4K-8TH GRADERS ON TUES 10/25!
Attention 4K through 8th graders! The FHS cross country teams invite you to join us for a youth cross country race at Franklin High School on Tuesday, October 25th. The race begins on the high school upper fields. $5 entry fee, which includes a t-shirt. The race distance is 1 mile and awards will be given for the top two in each age. The registration/payment link is here: tinyurl.com/fhsXCyouth
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
All past newsletters are stored on our website here
Parents, Guardians, and Staff are set to automatically receive our District and Building Newsletters. If you are a community member that would like to receive any of our newsletters, please complete our SUBSCRIBE FORM.
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