February 26, 2024
March 4, 2024
Art Gallery Night
On Thursday February 22nd, I had the privilege of introducing the twelve Ben Franklin students being honored for their hard work and creativity at the FPS Gallery Night. It was fantastic to see the pride and joy on their faces as they were called across the stage and recognized for their individual art pieces. These types of district-wide events are a huge undertaking, but there was nothing better than hearing our students “ooh” and “aah” at the artwork of the FPMS and FHS students as they anticipate the art they will get to create throughout their time at FPS. Thank you to Ellie Axe and the other FPS art teachers for coordinating and running this amazing event. If you would like to see a recording of the event, click here. Here are the names of the Ben Franklin students who were recognized.
Kindergarten
Izzy McKenzie
Evelyn Stefanski
1st Grade
Lauren Hoffmann
Evan Straub
2nd Grade
Lila Varela
Nora Werra
3rd Grade
Miri Molina
Axl McKenzie
4th Grade
Evynn Dable
Cadence Ellis
5th Grade
Nolan Nawrocki
Charlotte Phelan
4K In School Field Trip
On Thursday, February 29th, our 4K students in Mrs. Magner’s AM and PM classes had the opportunity to cuddle up to some furry and scaly friends! Ms. Kim’s Amazing Animals came to Ben Franklin for an in school field trip. Students had the opportunity to learn about and interact with all sorts of animals like snakes, tortoises, hedgehogs, bunnies, gerbils, and more! Walking into the room, students were all smiles as Ms. Kim shared fun animal facts and joked with the students. I want to extend a huge thank you to Ms. Kim for sharing her animals with us and to Mrs. Magner for coordinating this opportunity for our students! Here are a few pictures from the event. See our Ben Franklin Google Photos Album for more!
Ramadan and Forward Testing
If your child(ren) are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, you may opt to have them complete their Forward testing after Ramadan has concluded. Forward testing will take place in grades 3-5 the weeks of March 18th-22nd and April 1st-5th, with 4th grade also testing the weeks of April 8th-12th and April 15th-19th. Any students who do not complete their Forward testing with their class will be able to make up the assessments on an alternate date and time. If you would like your child to complete this testing after Ramadan, please email the building principal at steffany.jewell@franklin.k12.wi.us.
Steffany Jewell
Ben Franklin Principal
Community Engagement Session Video Now Online!
Franklin Forward encompasses our Long-Range Facility Planning for the future. Through Franklin Forward, we look to bring together the best we can for our students and community in terms of infrastructure, safety & security, and our educational learning environments.
We have concluded our (3) Community Engagement Sessions. These sessions allowed us the opportunity to present information to and seek feedback from community members about the work for Franklin Forward. We recorded one of the sessions and edited it down to just presentation pieces (42 mins) if you would like to view it here or below. Links are provided in the video description to jump to certain points in the video if you desire.
UP NEXT: District leaders and FPS School Board members are putting the finishing touches on a community survey that will go out to all community members by mail in April to help inform and seek feedback on recommendations coming out of Franklin Forward.
For the most recent updates on our Franklin Forward planning, you can view this webpage here or by going to www.franklin.k12.wi.us/franklinforward
Note: If you want to jump to certain points in the video, please go to the YouTube link here and view the VIDEO DESCRIPTION for timecode markers that will take you to specific chapters in the video.
MYSCHOOLBUCKS PROCESSING FEE INCREASE THURS 3/7
Please see this message from MySchoolBucks, our online payment portal for cafeteria payments, regarding an increase in their processing fees effective Thursday, March 7th:
We’re updating the program fee you pay at checkout in MySchoolBucks when funding your student’s meal account to $3.25 for each credit/debit card payment beginning on March 7th. Please note that if your district accepts e-checks, the program fee when paying by electronic check will be $2.75 per meal payment on the same date.
Due to rising payment processing interchange fees and increased operational costs, this adjustment to our per-transaction program fee for school meals is necessary to continue providing you with the best and most secure online payment experience.
If you would like to make changes to your saved payment methods or automatic payment settings, please log into your MySchoolBucks account. For questions, please call our support team at 855-832-5226.
BEN FRANKLIN YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION
Online yearbook ordering is now open until April 1, 2024. (All Yearbook orders will be placed online this year). Yearbooks can be ordered online here: School & Sports Pics Yearbook Ordering Link.
Anyone who has provided School & Sport Pics with an email address will be reminded to order. If you have any further questions please contact School & Sport Pics at 262-780-2901.
Click HERE to order yours now!
FPS 2024-25 OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
At the January 24, 2024 School Board Meeting, the FPS School Board approved (139) open enrollment seats for the 2024-25 school year. Online applications for open enrollment are accepted beginning Monday, February 5th through Friday, April 30, 2024 @ 4pm. For all other open enrollment information, please view our webpage here which includes the breakdown of open seats by grade level and directions to follow for those wishing to open enroll. For any questions, please contact Heidi Engel, FPS Auxiliary Service Coordinator by email or phone (414) 525-7634.
LOST & FOUND
Please Click here for items currently in the lost and found. It is also suggested that if possible, student items be labeled with the first and last name on it so that we can get it back to the student if it becomes lost.
FRANKLIN ART GALLERY NIGHT 2/22
SPRING FUNDRAISER MILWAUKEE PRETZEL COMPANY
Pretzels will be ready for pick up on March 18 at Ben Franklin. More information will be coming.
DINING OUT NIGHT
Please join the Ben Franklin PTO on Wednesday, March 13, 20204 for Dining Out Night at Noodles Hales Corners from 4-8 PM. 25% of all qualifying sales online and in-restaurant sales will go directly back to the PTO. For online and Noodles Rewards app orders, guests can apply the coupon code, “GIVING25” in the Coupon Code line at checkout. Ordering online is quick and easy and allows guests to skip the line by grabbing their meal at our Quick Pick-Up station or where pick up windows are present. Please make sure you are signed into your rewards account to use this code, if you are not already a member, please sign up! This is a great option for guests who prefer to dine at home or on-the-go but still want to support your organization.
When ordering in-restaurant guests must mention your organization or present the flyer upon placing your order prior to paying.
SPRING SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR 3-11/3-15
The Spring Scholastic Book Fair is right around the corner! If you are interested in volunteering, please use the link below to sign up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4CAEA62CA2F94-47244848-spring
Family Shopping Night is Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 from 4:30-7 PM.
Visit our Scholastic Book Fair Homepage to preview the flyer and more!
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/benfranklinelementaryschool2
Unused eWallet funds from the Fall Book Fair have been converted to an eGift card balance 24 hours after that fair. Families can use the eGift card to shop online in The Scholastic Store. Or the remaining balance can fund a new eWallet for a future Fair. Families will receive a monthly email reminder with their eWallet balance so they don’t forget their funds. Please check your emails!
SPRING CARNIVAL & YEARBOOK HANDOUT MAY 17, 2024
We need your help in making this year's Spring Carnival the best one yet! Please use the link below if you're interested in volunteering or donating! https://forms.gle/gWLps4zkeUNi7Gxi9
5th GRADE BABY PHOTOS & QUOTES
Please submit 5th grade baby photos and “When I Grow Up I Want To Be” quotes to Nicole Stuebner at Nicole.stuebner@yahoo.com no later than Friday, March 1st!
BOOKMARK
Ben Franklin PTO’s LinkTree so all the info. you need it just a click away!
Stay informed about Activities, Events, Fundraisers, and more Ben Franklin PTO’s website!
REC YOUTH SOCCER SEEKING COACH
Our Community Education & Recreation Dept is looking for an adult to coach a youth soccer team. Ages needed are for the K4/K5 and 3rd/4th grade leagues. Practices are once a week on the night of your choice. Games are Saturday mornings at Robinwood from April 20th - June 1st. This is a paid position. Please contact Leah Voss (leah.voss@franklin.k12.wi.us) if you have any questions or are interested.
CHARACTER KIDS SPRING BREAK THEATER CAMP
Are you Broadway Bound? Join us for a special Spring Break camp March 25th - 28th! In this half day camp, students will learn the basics of acting, singing and musical theater dance while exploring songs and scenes from various Broadway musicals. Family and friends are invited to a special performance on the last day of camp! Learn More or Register Here
Dates: March 25 - 28 (Monday through Thursday)
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Anita's Dance Center (S63W13700 W Janesville Rd, Muskego, WI 53150)
Grades: 1st-5th
Price: $120
SPRING CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE
Mark your calendar for March 16th for our semi-annual sale at FPMS. With over 120 consigners, we'll be selling everything from children's clothing, books, games, toys, baby items and more. We have a "Donation Hour" after the sale is closed for nonprofits and schools to "shop" the sale for free. Besides FPS schools, organizations that benefit from the sale are Kids Matter Inc., Street Angels Homeless Outreach, Next Door Milwaukee, Robyn's Nest at Children's Hospital, Ladies of Charity, Father Gene's, St. Vincent DePaul, and many MPS schools.
WINTER/SPRING REC GUIDE IS AVAILABLE!
The 2023-24 Winter/Spring Rec Guide is now available online here and registration for Franklin families opens on Tuesday, December 5th (tomorrow as you receive this newsletter on Monday). We have a bunch of new programs including Basketball Camps, Athlete Performance Training, more Abby Martin cookie decorating, Kayak Trips, Adult Gym Classes and more! Sign up early as spots are limited!
SCHOOL INFORMATION
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