Hello from Hero Headquarters!
Ben Franklin Elementary ~ August 2023
Monthly Newsletter from the Principal ~ August 2023 🍎
Dear Ben Franklin Families and Community Members,
It is my honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year! I hope you all have had a relaxing and fun summer break. I'm extremely proud to serve as the Principal of this amazing learning community! This year, the Indiana Area School District’s theme is “Belonging," and we want each of you to feel like a valued member of our school family. We are excited to share all that Ben Franklin has to offer with you and believe you will soon feel, as we do, that our school is a special place for all children.
The dedicated staff at Ben Franklin has been working tirelessly to finalize classes and schedules, fine-tune our instructional models, engage in professional learning opportunities, and update class routines and expectations, all with the goal of fostering academic success. We are eager to meet and begin this year’s journey with our new students. Our primary goal is to ensure student proficiency in core academic subjects, so we will continue to refine Tier I instruction, analyze data, conduct student observations, and review classwork to guide instruction. Additionally, we will continue focusing on integrating and modeling social and emotional support strategies into our students’ daily school experience. We will work together to create a solid foundation for our students so that they have lots of hope and opportunity in the years to come!
As I have always said, Ben Franklin's outstanding teachers create the foundation for your child’s academic success. In addition, a large part of the BF Learning Community’s success can be attributed to its active and engaged parents and caregivers who are involved in our schools. We will look to our families to be positive, collaborative partners in this year’s journey. The Ben Franklin Elementary staff has always made a priority of working together as a caring and compassionate team with professionalism, communication, action, and expertise. Your children will continue to be at the center of our purpose.❤️
My door is open, and our team welcomes your input. Please feel free to contact me via email at the address below or call to make an appointment to speak with me about any ideas you feel will make this the best year yet! Please be sure to read "Hello from Hero Headquarters" each month, as it contains important information from the school, PTA, and other community partners.
We hope you continue to have a great summer! We are looking forward to seeing your children on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 30, 2023!
As always, thank you for your support!
Kelly Urbani,
Ben Franklin Elementary Principal
🍎 Meet the Teachers! 🍎
✏️Meet Our Central Administration Team!✏️
We are excited to share that our former Director of Education, Mr. Rob Heinrich, has been named Superintendent of Indiana Area School District!
L to R: Mr. Justin Zahorchak,Director of Education, Mrs. Tara Maruca, Interim Director of Special Education/Homeless Liaison, and Mr. Rob Heinrich, Superintendent of Indiana Area School District
We will be holding our annual Back-to-School Night presentations on Wednesday, September 6, from 6-8pm for 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 3rd Grade. PreK and Kindergarten will meet their classroom teachers at 'Soft Start' on the first day of school. While in your child’s classroom, your child’s teacher will present an overview of the year’s instructional program, schedules, resources, expectations for the coming year, and ways you can help at home.
Stay tuned for additional information from your child's teacher!
📝 Homework for Parents & Caregivers!
The school year hasn't even officially begun and we are ALREADY giving our Parents & Caregivers some homework! We promise... it's won't be too challenging!
😉 Please take a few moments to do the following:
1. Read the IASD Student Handbook.
You can also find our Student Handbook and other important information by visiting our district website at iasd.cc and looking under the 'Students & Parents' tab.
2. Complete the 2023-24 IASD Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form.
Please Fill Out the Form for EACH CHILD Attending BF! Thanks!
🙂☝️☝️☝️☝️🙂
3. Fill out the BF End of Day Transportation Survey if you haven't done so yet.
4. Review Our Arrival & Dismissal Procedures.
5. Fill out the Emergency Care Cards and send back to school ASAP.
Your child should bring home an Emergency Care Card on the first day of school. Please fill in all necessary information and send it back to school the very next day or ASAP. If any changes in demographics need to be made throughout the school year, don't forget to let the Main Office know!
6. Be on the lookout for an email from the District early next week!
We will be emailing families information about Homeroom Teachers and Bus Pick Up/Drop Off times early next week! Check your Spam folder if you don't see anything in your inbox.
Here a Just a Few Items to Remember for BF!
IN THE EVENT OF SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS OR EARLY RELEASES:
In the case of inclement weather or other reasons, parents will be contacted by the school district. Please make sure we have your current contact information updated in our office.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is taken daily for all students. Ben Franklin doors open at 8:30 am, and students arriving after 9:05am will be marked tardy. Students who arrive after 8:50 should be brought to the main entrance door by the person dropping them off. After a student is absent from school, a written excuse must be submitted to the school within three school days of the absence. A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative absence verified by parent notes will be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond the eleventh day will require a physician's note.
BUS BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS AND LEVELS OF DISCIPLINE:
It is the intent of the Indiana Area School District to provide safe, timely, and efficient student transportation. These goals can be accomplished if students, parents, bus drivers, and school administrators work together. Each student is expected to conform to a reasonable standard of conduct that will not jeopardize fellow students, the driver, or equipment. Should a student choose, however, to misbehave or jeopardize the general welfare of those on the bus, the following procedures will be followed :
Bus Driver will write the incident up
Principal will meet with student
Parents will be notified and appropriate consequences will be assigned
CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION:
Please contact our offices by 2:30 pm for changes in transportation. This is for the safety of our students.
VISITORS:
Parents are encouraged to attend awards assemblies and other special events during the school year. However, to avoid classroom interruptions, parents are not allowed to visit or observe in classrooms while students are present.
CLASS PARTIES & FIELD TRIPS:
At their discretion, teachers may ask parents or caregiver volunteers to assist during parties or special activities. Because of food allergies, treats brought to the schools must be commercially prepared and/or prepacked. Please note that full updated clearances within 5 years must be on file before volunteering at school parties or field trips.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:
Your child's teacher will share information about birthday celebrations. As a reminder, healthy treats are recommended.
PARENT & TEACHER MEETINGS (outside scheduled conference days 10/17 & 2/20):
Parent-Teacher Conferences are set up during the school year on the school calendar, but we encourage parents to meet with teachers at other times as needed. If any parent/guardian wants to see a teacher during the school day, it must be done by appointment. An appointment can be made by contacting the teacher to set up a date and time to meet.
REPORT CARDS:
We share academic progress reports with parents/guardians at the end of each quarter. Grades are determined based on daily classwork, tests, and projects.
CHROMEBOOK USAGE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR:
Chromebooks do not go home with students in grades PK-5. They are only used at school at prescribed times for measurement of growth and mastery throughout the year.
CELL PHONES & ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
- We would prefer that all devices remain at home.
- If an electronic device (cell phone, smart watch, gaming device) is brought to school, it must be turned off and in the student's backpack.
Phones that are exposed unintentionally (for example, falling out of a backpack) shall not be in violation if upon inspection the phone is OFF. If the phone is on, even on silent or vibrate, the phone will be confiscated and the parent will be called.
If a student needs to make a call during the day, he or she may do so from the office phone.
If a parent needs to get in touch with a student, the parent may do so by contacting the office where the child attends.
Lost or stolen cell phones or electronic devices brought to school or buses are not the responsibility of the Indiana Area School District.
WATER BOTTLES:
There are water bottle filling stations installed throughout the school. We are asking that students bring in a water bottle (plastic or metal). Please make sure that the student’s name is clearly visible on the water bottle. Water bottles should be brought into school on the first day of the week and they will be sent home on the last day of the week to be cleaned and returned the next week. Students should only be drinking water or clear drinks during the day. We cannot allow drinks with RED DYE to be permitted in the school. Thank you for your understanding.
DROPPING ITEMS OFF ITEMS DURING THE DAY:
We recognize that sometimes students forget things like their lunch or backpack. If you need to drop off something for your child during the school day, we are using the following procedures:
Please call the main office at least 15 minutes before arriving at the school.
Come to the main entrance and buzz the office and let the Administrative Professional Assistant know your child’s name, homeroom number, and what you are dropping off.
The Administrative Professional Assistant will be sure the item(s) are delivered to your child's classroom.
🦸♂️ PBIS 🦸♀️
(POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT)
PBIS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. It is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, school-wide, and classroom behavior support systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. PBIS includes school-wide procedures and processes intended for all students and all staff in all settings. PBIS is not a program or a curriculum. It is a team-based process for systemic problem solving, planning, and evaluation. We know that when good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning!
At Ben Franklin, we Help Everyone, Respect Others, and Stay Safe!
That's why we are the BF HEROeS!
Our school-wide positive behavior interventions and support system help students learn the behavior expectations for the following areas in our school:
Classroom, Bus, Cafeteria, Hallway, Bathroom, and Playground.
Please take a moment to review our rules and behavior expectations
with your child before school begins!
Required Clearances for Volunteers
Volunteers are required to obtain and maintain proper clearances in order to work with our students. The PA Criminal Record Check and the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Abuse History Certification can be obtained free of charge once every five years, and all volunteers must have these clearances.
Volunteers who have NOT been a PA resident for 10 more more years, must also obtain the FBI Fingerprint Clearance in addition to the other two clearances. The current cost is $23.85.
Volunteers who have been a Pennsylvania resident for 10 or more years are not required to get the FBI Fingerprint Clearance. However, they must sign and have notarized the affidavit that is linked below.
The links and instructions for the clearances can be found at www.iasd.cc/apps/pages/clearances. Be sure to indicate that you applying for the volunteer clearance so that you will not be charged.
K-3 Elementary School ~ Title I Parent Right-to-Know Letter
If your child attends Ben Franklin, the school receives Federal Title I funds to assist students in meeting state achievement standards. Throughout the school year, we will be providing you with important information about this law and your child’s education. This letter tells you about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child.
The cost for healthy, nutritious meals for the coming school year:
Lunch: Elementary - $2.65
Secondary - $2.90
Breakfast is free for all students for the 2023-2024 school year.
Clicking on each listing will give you nutrition and ingredient information for each menu item. This site will allow you to filter for allergies and even translate the menu into other languages. A Nutrislice app for your smartphone is available at your app store.
My School Bucks
Do not forget about the free service at myschoolbucks.com that makes keeping track of purchases & balances easy. The myschoolbucks.com service for depositing money on food accounts is free during the months of August, September, and the month of January. There is a modest fee for the remainder of the school year. If you prefer to write a check for your student’s meals, please make it out to "Indiana Area School District" or "IASD” in standard blue or black ink. No checks in gel or colored ink will be accepted by the bank and the check will be returned to the parent/guardian
Free & Reduced Lunch Applications
A new Free & Reduced application must be on file with the school district by October 13, 2023 or the previous year’s status will revert to paid and all charges will be the parent or guardian’s responsibility. Apply online at www.schoolcafe.com. If you have received a NOTICE OF DIRECT CERTIFICATION for free meals, do not complete a new application. But do let the school know if any children in your household are not listed on the notice letter that you have received
Stay tuned for more information about upcoming PTA Events and how YOU can join this awesome organization that does so much to support our students and staff!
email: pta.bf.ike@gmail.com
IASD Committee Assignments
🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️
Academic and Extracurricular
Mr. Tom Harley- Chair
Mr. Ronald Airhart
Ms. Tamie Blank
Dr. Sue Rieg
Dr. Timothy Runge, Community member
Ms. Josephine Cunningham, Community member
Dr. Lisa Price, Community member
Policy and Personnel
Ms. Cinda Brode - Chair
Ms. Tamie Blank
Mr. Terry Kerr
Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation
Mr. Terry Kerr - Chair
Mr. Tom Harley
Dr. Jim Shaffer
Mr. Ronald Airhart
Audit and Finance
Ms. Julia Trimarchi Cuccaro - Chair
Ms. Cinda Brode
Mr. Terry Kerr
Outreach
Ms. Tamie Blank - Co-Chair
Dr. Jim Shaffer
Mr. Ronald Airhart
ICTC Board
Mr. Walter Schroth
Ms. Cinda Brode (alternate)
ARIN Board
Ms. Tamie Blank
Dr. Sue Rieg (alternate)
PSBA Liaison
Ms. Cinda Brode
Ms. Tamie Blank
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 30
Happy 1st Day of School!
August 28
Audit and Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30pm
IASD School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
September 4
No School -Labor Day
September 6
Ben Franklin Back to School Night 6:00 pm
September 11
Policy & Personnel Committee Meeting, 5:30pm
Regular School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
September 18
Buildings, Grounds & Transportation Committee Meeting, 5:30pm
September 26
Audit and Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30pm
IASD School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
*To attend Committee or Board Meetings virtually or in-person,
please visit www.iasd.cc for more information!
BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: 95 Ben Franklin Road South, Indiana, PA, USA
Phone: 724.465.5637
Facebook: Facebook.com/indianaareaschooldistrict
'X' (formerly Twitter): @IndianaAreaSD