January 8, 2024
January 8, 2024
Happy New Year!
It is hard to believe that we rolled over to a new calendar year already. I want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year! My hope is that 2024 brings all the students, staff, and families of Ben Franklin all the joy, togetherness and success that a year can hold.
Reflecting back on 2023 and our school year so far, we have already made so many memories in our school and classroom communities:
Exceeding our bobcat bolt fundraising goal which led to me sleeping at school and Mr. Devine shaving his head
Our bobcat bashes where we have been focused on the bobcat way and our school values
Spirit days with students and staff clad in sports gear, pajamas, etc.
Morning meeting community building activities like “boom, clap, snatch” and “rare bird”
Field trips to the zoo, FHS, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, & Junior Achievement Biztown (today!)
4th and 5th grade noetic math competitions
5th grade spelling bee
And so much more!
In addition to these exceptional moments, there have been countless hours of learning and growth! I cannot wait to see what the rest of our 23-24 school year holds!
Steffany Jewell
Ben Franklin Principal
FPS School Closure Information
Since we have a winter storm watch occurring early this week, we want to remind you how the district plans to handle School Closures if needed for any reason including, most commonly, “Snow/Cold Days.”
How are closures determined?
When inclement weather is approaching or evident, we work to make a school closure determination and communicate this to families by 6 am at the latest. When our local weather authorities begin discussing the possibility of severe weather, FPS District Administrator Annalee Bennin will consult with various sources about the impact potential weather may have on the ability to hold school. These sources include National Weather Service updates (Milwaukee/Sullivan Office), road condition reports, and conversations with other area superintendents.
If schools are closed, all after-school activities, including athletic competitions, practices and FPS Community Education & Recreation activities, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated. Please know that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will always make decisions out of caution and, at the same time, communicate with you as early as possible.
How can families and staff expect to receive information about closures?
The following are the ways we communicate the closing and where you can expect to see information:
Parents and Staff will be sent an email, phone call and text message alert.
Students will be sent an email at their @franklinsabers.org account (4K, 5K, & up through 12th grade)
Closing information will be posted to our district and school webpages (in the “News” feeds).
Closing information will be posted to our district social media channels (be sure to like or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you don’t already!).
Closing information will be shared with local media outlets so that our information is included in the weather updates that occur via local news online and on TV (CBS58, FOX6, TMJ4, WISN12)
How do closures impact school days?
The state of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires a minimum number of instructional minutes during the school year. Our current school calendar allows for one School Closure day across the district. If we were to see subsequent closure days, FHS will need to adjust scheduling for the remainder of the school year in order to meet DPI requirements. If we experience more than three school closures at the elementary and middle school level we will communicate around further adjustments that may need to be made. Outlined below is what families can expect:
Closure #1 - 4K-12 no school, no virtual learning
Closure #2-3 - 4K-8th - No school, no virtual learning
9-12th grade - HS will communicate adjustments to accommodate instructional minutes per DPIClosure #4+ - The district will communicate any further changes that may need to take place district wide
MAP TESTING - KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADES 5
Please read this informational letter in regards to MAP testing for Grades K through 5th. MAP testing will begin January 8th and continue through January 19th.
MAP READING FLUENCY 4K ONLY
Your son/daughter will be taking the MAP Reading Fluency assessment on 1/18/24 - 2/15/24. This tool measures the growth of our students in the areas of phonological awareness and literacy. The state of Wisconsin requires that a literacy screener be administered each year to all pre-K students as part of a 2012 education bill that aimed to increase reading achievement in the state.
Please click here for all the information.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
Wisconsin weather is upon us! Please make sure your son/daughter is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess. Coats and hats are necessary for the impending cold weather. However, this being Wisconsin, it can become warm and sunny by noontime. Please remind your child if they choose to remove their jacket during recess they are to be tied around their waist and not left on the playground. The decision to have an outdoor or indoor recess is based on both the wind speed and temperature at 11:30 am. If it is an outside recess day, all students must go outdoors. Please label your child's coat, hat, boots, & mittens with their name.
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.
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!
CULTUREFEST 2024 IS THURS 2/15
It's a celebration of cultures and everyone is invited! On Thursday, February 15th, 2024, come to FHS Multicultural Club’s FREE event, filled with food, activities, and performances. This year the annual event, which has previously hosted over 600 attendees, is even bigger and better than before! From a Dabke dance group to a Hmong performance, expect to celebrate countless cultures of the world.
Check out the student-designed poster below to show all your friends and family, and please contact Mai Alessaly at mai.alessaly@franklinsabers.org and Sruti Palla at sruti.palla@franklinsabers.org with any questions or inquiries. If you’d like to be involved in the event yourself, please let us know by January 20th. Hope to see you there and don’t be afraid to put on your party hats and join the celebration!
“LEGALLY BLONDE JR” AT FHS SABER CENTER
Join Forte Youth Productions as Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery pink storm! A fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons, this musical is filled with humor, wit and sass — leaving audiences seeing pink!
Part of Forte’s youth musical series, this show will be performed by students ages 12-18 from FPS and throughout the Greater Milwaukee Area.
Friday, January 26th @ 7 pm
Saturday, January 27th @ 7 pm
Sunday, January 28th @ 2 pm
@ The Saber Center for the Performing Arts at FHS
Running time approximately 1 hour without intermission.
Tickets $12-$15 GET TICKETS HERE
2024-25 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Registration for the 2024-25 school year is open on our website here. Registration is for any new families to Franklin or new students looking to register for next year in 4K, 5K or up through 12th grade. If you have any friends or family in Franklin that plan to have children attend Franklin Public Schools next year, please pass this information along to them! Registering early helps to get all information in our system for planned communications. Any family who knows a student will not be returning for the next school year should notify your school’s main office staff.
CHARACTER KIDS WINTER MUSICAL PRODUCTION
You're invited to join the cast of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians! Come learn what putting on a musical is all about!
In a loving home in the city of London, Dalmatian parents Pongo and Perdita happily raise their Dalmatian puppies, until the monstrous Cruella De Vil plots to steal them for her new fur coat! All the dogs of London rally for a daring rescue of the courageous puppies from the kidnapping villains. Don’t miss this “fur-tastic” musical adventure!
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm (January 24 - March 6) at Country Dale Elementary
Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 13th, 5:30-7:30 pm at Southwood Glen Elementary
Performance: Thursday, March 14th, 7:00 pm on the Southwood Glen Elementary stage
For grades 1st-5th. All students who register are guaranteed a role in the show. Low pressure auditions will take place on the first day of rehearsals (Wed 1/24) for role placement. No previous experience necessary. Learn more or register at www.characterkidsdrama.com/musical-productions
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