FEB 28, 2022
(NEW) Masking No Longer Required On Buses
As of late Friday, the Centers for Disease Control released updated guidance for masking on public transportation (here). Beginning today, Monday, February 28th, face coverings are no longer required on school buses and other district transportation.
Further decisions regarding masking for 4K and Early Childhood students will be evaluated by the Board of Education as soon as possible. We will communicate any changes with families.
MARCH IS MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOL'S MONTH
March is recognized as Music in Our School’s Month. Throughout March, music educators and music students around the country will be celebrating music education in their classes and discussing how this year’s theme, “Music - The Sound of My Heart” resonates with them. The impact of music education on the lives of students during this school year is evident in how the social-emotional benefits have carried our students through the pandemic and brought joy to their lives. We encourage families to have discussions about how music is celebrated in your family and how it has been a part of your family’s history and traditions. Thank you for supporting music and making music an important part of our children’s education.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is incredible to think today is the last day of February! This might be the shortest month, but February is always filled with excitement and activities! March is just as exciting as spring break arrives and the weather changes and students also begin to show exciting growth in academics and social emotional skills! As we near the end of the second trimester, students will again be setting goals for themselves-be sure to talk with your child about what they want to accomplish as a reader, writer, mathematician, or scientist!
During the week of March 7-11th, your student will be participating in a Student Engagement Survey. This survey was written by the district and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. It asks students to respond to questions in areas related to environment, learning, and relationships. Information from this survey is used by teachers and administrators to identify areas of improvement related to the student experience. If you have questions about the survey, please reach out to me.
March 14-18th is our Book Fair, are you Interested in VOLUNTEERING? Please follow this link to sign up for a date/time. Also, volunteers will need to complete the required FPS Volunteer Application (online) which will include a criminal background check prior to being approved as a Volunteer. Please check with the school office to see if your volunteer status is still active.
Have a fantastic week!
Mary Shannon
Ben Franklin Principal
CATCH UP ON DISTRICT NEWS
Please be sure to read the newest District Newsletter that comes out now every Friday. You can access all the issues here.
BEN FRANKLIN SPIRIT WEAR SPRING 2022-LAST CALL!
You can now purchase your items online in 3 easy steps:
1. Scan the QR code or go online to https://bfspring2022.itemorder.com/
2. Choose your items and add them to your cart
3. Securely checkout with your credit card
Click on the Bobcat to view the entire flyer. Online Store Deadline: Sunday March 6th, 2022 (11:59pm CST)
YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION
Yearbooks can be ordered online here:
https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering/with?key=3FKMQ69D
The yearbook sale will run until April 1st.
LOST & FOUND
This week's Lost & Found! Is it yours?
We want to make every effort to return lost items to their owners. Please call the school office at 414-529-8270 if you recognize an item and we will return it to it's owner. If possible, please label your student items with their first and last name so that we can get the item back to the student.
COVID-19 Federal Funding Stakeholder Feedback
Franklin Public Schools is collecting feedback from stakeholders (parents/guardians, staff and students) about the federal ESSER III funds that are being made available to public school districts due to COVID-19. Please consider taking this 1-question survey to provide your feedback regarding the use of ESSER III federal funds. The deadline to submit is by 11:59pm on Tuesday, March 1st.
Parents - please invite your children to also submit a response to this 1-question survey on how these funds should be spent that align with the guidelines shared on the welcome page of the survey.
ON-SITE TESTING - New Location!
Beginning today, Monday, February 28th, we will be making some changes to the structure of On-Site Testing by Summit Clinical Labs in the district.
Testing still continues at Franklin High School on school days from 7am to 3pm for staff and students.
The Forest Park Middle School main office is now has testing available for district students, families and staff from 7:30am to 3:30pm.
Please note that testing is not offered at the ECC District Office anymore as of Monday 2/28.
Please review this document for other up-to-date details and questions you may have about how testing works.
ATTENDANCE REMINDER
K-5 SPRING CONCERT UPDATES-MARK AND ADJUST YOUR CALENDARS
Parents - we originally had some K-5 music events slotted on the calendar coming up at the end of January and the beginning of February. We have been reviewing our offerings for the music program and working with Saber Center availability to adjust these events. Moving into the spring, we will be offering concert events for grades 1, 3, and 5 at the Saber Center this year. By offering this event, we hope to present a larger scope for families so they can experience the progress and growth across the grade levels. Therefore, grades K, 2, and 4 will not have a spring concert event this year.
Please mark your calendars for the following event later this spring:
BF Wednesday, April 27 - Grades 1, 3, 5 @ 6:30 pm at the Saber Center
Our first Read-A-Thon is going great!! This is the last day to record reading minutes and students have already recorded more than 11,000 minutes! Way to go students!!
We are approximately 70% of our $5,000 goal and donations will be accepted through Sunday evening, March 6th. See the most current stats HERE.
Thanks to all students, families, teachers and staff for your participation and support!
SPRING BOOK FAIR
Students are getting excited about the upcoming book fair March 14-18th! Online shopping opens March 14th and there will be two opportunities for families to shop. (Visit the online shopping page for more info.)
If you have unused e-wallet dollars, this is the perfect time to use them!
Classroom book fair schedule: Click here!
There are just a couple more opportunities to volunteer. If you can help, please sign up here. Also, volunteers will need to complete the required FPS Volunteer Application (online) which will include a criminal background check prior to being approved as a Volunteer. Please check with the school office to see if your volunteer status is still active.
NEXT PTO MEETING
Monday, March 14th from 6:30 - 7:45 pm in the Ben Franklin School Library. See you there!
YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE SIGN UP BY MARCH 1ST!
Don't forget to sign up for Kids Play Soccer - Franklin Recreation's Spring Youth Soccer League!
REGISTER FOR FRANKLIN LITTLE LEAGUE 2022 SEASON
There may be a few inches of snow outside, but we're dreaming of sunny skies, chalked baselines, and green outfields! Aren't you?! Register at www.franklinll.org for baseball and softball ages 4-16. FLL is also looking for 14-16 year-olds for our FLL Jr/Sr Travel Baseball team. Register by February 28th to get the best pricing!
REGISTRATION FOR 22-23 IS NOW OPEN FOR NEW FAMILIES!
Our registration is now open for next school year for new families to the district and next year’s 4K. You can find all the necessary details on our website here. Please note that students already enrolled in our schools do not have to have a new registration completed. You may utilize the “Create Account” and “Forgot Password” buttons on the registration page to complete your registration or gain access if you have created an account in the past. Please help us share that registration is open with any new families to the area or those with younger children that would be entering 4K or 5K!
FPS HIRING OPPORTUNITIES
Now Hiring Youth Basketball Officials: Franklin Recreation is hiring basketball officials for the current youth basketball league that began on Saturday, December 4. Contact Chris at christopher.russo@franklin.k12.wi.us for more information and application information.
In Addition, we are continuing to hire Food Service Workers ($15/hour starting wage, part-time) and Kids Club Workers (working with students before and after school).
Click on the images below for more information on applying!
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: Susan.Behrens@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