Ben Franklin Focus
Back to School Edition 2021-2022
Summer isn't over yet, but we wanted to send this newsletter out to welcome you to Benjamin Franklin Middle School and keep you informed about our upcoming school year. We are so thankful to have you here and we look forward to the opportunity to get to know and work with you and your child throughout the upcoming school year. At Ben Franklin we work hard and have fun! We know that with the start of school comes many questions, so we wanted to provide as much information to you as possible. Please know that if you ever have any questions, concerns, or ideas, we welcome you to contact us. We are here for you. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Jeanie Sienkowski (Principal) and Nick Slater (Assistant Principal)
Upcoming Events
August
2 - Schedules and Locker Information Available in Skyward Family Access
3 - 6th Grade Locker Jamboree from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (6th Graders Only)
4 - Building Open from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for Students & Parents to Walk Schedules
10 - 6th Grade & New Student Orientation from 8:00-10:15 a.m.
11 - First Day of School
12 - Open House for Parents from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
20 - School Picture Day
September
6 - No School - Labor Day
24 - 1/2 Day for Students - 11:30 a.m. dismissal
School Information
We want you to stay connected! For up-to-date information throughout the school year, please visit:
Contact Information
Phone: 219-531-3020
Assistant Principal: Nick Slater
Secretary: Kristy Nondorf
Secretary/Treasurer: Becky Stralnic
Nurse: Anita Ostojic
Counselor Last Name A-K: Rebekah Cowan
Counselor Last Name L-Z: Tammy Hofer
Social Worker: Carolyn Ostafinski
Meet Our New Ben Franklin Family Members!
We are thrilled to welcome new staff members to our Ben Franklin Middle School Family including:
Mrs. Blumenthal-6th Grade Math & Science
Mrs. Coggins-7th & 8th Grade ELA
Ms. Erlandson- EL
Mrs. Germann-PLTW Gateway
Mrs. Kruhm-7th & 8th Grade Math
Mrs. Rodea- Exploring World Language
Mrs. Stralnic-Secretary/Treasurer
Meet Zoe!
Lockers & Schedules
Physical Education Uniforms
6th Grade & New Student Orientation
Tuesday, August 10th, is our 6th grade and new student orientation day!
All 6th grade and NEW 7th and 8th grade students are expected to attend school from 8:00-10:15 a.m. on this day. Students will meet their teachers, follow their class schedule, and learn how to open their lockers. All 6th grade students will start their morning in their 1st hour class. All new 7th and 8th graders will meet in the auditorium. From there, students will be dismissed to go through their daily class schedules. Don't worry! There will be numerous staff on hand to help students find their classroom locations.
If your child rides a bus, pickup information can be found soon on Skyward Family Access by clicking on the “Busing" tab. This will give the time and location of both pick up and drop off approximate times. Bus riders will be picked up Tuesday morning and dropped off after our 10:15 a.m. dismissal.
Students are asked to bring their schedule and locker information. 7th and 8th grade students who have already attended BFMS should remain at home on this day.
We can't wait to see your kids!
School Day & Calendar
Transportation
Bus
Pick up and drop off information can be found on Skyward Family Access by clicking on the “Busing” tab. Be sure your child is at the bus stop at least 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled pick up time and please understand that the afternoon drop off times are an estimate only and will most assuredly run a little later the first few weeks of school.
Parent Pick-Up and Drop Off
See image below.
Handbook/Student Expectations
Absences
School Lunches
Leaving During the School Day
Messages & Deliveries
We are unable to pass along messages or deliver items to students during the school day except in the case of emergencies. Parents may bring forgotten items to Door 2 off of Campbell St. Your child will then be able to retrieve these items from the office during one of their passing periods.
Skyward & Canvas
If you are new to BFMS or you would like more information about the tools available to you through Skyward Family Access (attendance, grades, and school news) or Canvas (classroom resources, teacher information, etc.), then please contact the office at 531-3020.
We Can't Wait to See You!
We look forward to working with you and your child this coming school year! We know that we are going to have a wonderful time together. Thanks for all you do and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if there is anything you need!