March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024
On Friday, March 15th, we had the opportunity to come together as an entire school community to kick off Forward Testing with our own Ben Franklin March Madness event. The fifth graders came ready to play and ran away with the victory over our staff. And while this event focused heavily on those students who will be participating in the statewide testing over the next several weeks, students in all grades had opportunities to be involved. I want to give special thanks to Dustin Devine (PE Teacher), Kelly Schultz (Instructional Coach) and Melissa Campbell (Instructional Coach) for all the time, effort, and energy they put into making this event happen. In addition, Kelly and Melissa have done a lot of work in preparation for our upcoming testing to ensure that students will have a positive and supportive experience. I also want to thank the following individuals for their help and support with the event:
Nicole Stuebner and the PTO for sponsoring this event, popcorn Fridays, and the upcoming daily motivators that we have in place for the Forward testing weeks.
Allie Umhoefer (Band teacher at FHS) and the FHS Pep band for providing musical entertainment throughout the game
Joey Jonas (Associate Principal at FHS) for acting as our referee
Cordell Smith (Athletic Director at FHS) for coordinating a visit from the FHS mascot, Seymour Saber
Alyssa Szentes for acting as photographer for the event
All of the parent volunteers who helped with popping and preparation of popcorn for the event
Here are a few photos from the March Madness event. There will be more photos to come and you can watch the recorded game on the Ben Franklin PTO Facebook page!
Forward testing for students in grades 3-5 will officially kick off on Tuesday, March 19th. Students will test in ELA prior to spring break and then pick up with the other subjects after break. For more specific information about the Forward exam, see the parent information we sent home previously. Here is an outline of our Ben Franklin Testing Calendar:
Please talk with your child(ren) about the importance of doing their best on these assessments. While these assessments are just one measure of student progress, they give us something to compare our other assessment data against and assist with determining next steps for students’ knowledge and skill development. Please also consider the ways that you can assist your child(ren) in preparing for this assessment. This could include: 1) discussing the purpose of the assessment with your child 2) ensuring they get a good night of rest in the days leading up to the testing 3) ensuring they eat a good breakfast on the day of testing and 4) helping them engage in positive self-talk about trying their best.
We look forward to seeing all of the progress that our students are making as we work to ensure that all students are learning, growing, and succeeding.
Steffany Jewell
Ben Franklin Principal
NEXT NEWSLETTER: Due to Spring Break, the next Ben Franklin Bulletin will be Monday 4/8/24.
LEXIA CORE5 READING AT HOME
This year your child is using Lexia® Core5® Reading, a computer-based program that has helped millions of students. The activities in Lexia Core5 support and build on our classroom curriculum and focus on developing reading skills in six areas: phonological awareness, phonics, structural analysis, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Please click here or on the image at right to continue learning more about how you can access this program at home..
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.
POPCORN FRIDAYS
Parents/Guardians!! Please do not forget to fill out the “opt-in” form for your student(s) to be able to purchase and consume the popcorn on Popcorn Fridays!
This Friday March 22nd is out next Popcorn Friday. Bring your quarters!! Popcorn will be sold for .25 cents this day!
Use this link to fill out form: https://forms.gle/bS1SrgKHKZ62AmyH6
Interested in volunteering for our next Popcorn Friday on March 22 from 9am-noon? Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4CAEA62CA2F94-48477841-popcorn
BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION COMPETITION
In April we will be hosting our first ever BoxTops for Education Competition! Please keep your eye out for more information to come!
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
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!
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
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
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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