February 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
As February unfolds, we are excited to embrace the spirit of Black History Month—a time to celebrate the rich and profound contributions of African Americans throughout history. This month is an opportunity for reflection, education, and a celebration of the resilience, achievements, and culture that have shaped our society.
At Ben Franklin, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and honoring the diverse stories, struggles, and triumphs that have paved the way for progress. Black History Month is a reminder of the invaluable impact African Americans have had on every aspect of our shared history, from science and technology to arts and culture, to politics and civil rights. Some classrooms have been or will be learning that Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the people first brought over from Africa before our country existed to Black Americans living in the United States today.
Black History Month is a chance for each of us to seize an opportunity. It is a chance for us to be inspired by the accomplishments and the convictions of our fellow Americans. It is an opportunity for us to treat those around us with fairness, equality, and kindness. It is an opportunity for us to realize that our country is great because it is a place where we all belong, a place where we all work together to be successful. This aligns so well with everything I envision for our school which is to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
Knowing that students may be reading or learning about Black History Month in school, I invite all families to have conversations with your children to help them understand the context of why it’s important to learn about the many African American leaders who helped shape our Country. The National Education Association’s (NEA) book of the month is Love is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace. Their website has additional information about the book as well as questions for discussion. In addition, the NEA has a black history booklist and an African American Authors booklist that you can use as a starting point for exploring the contributions of Black Americans.
Steffany Jewell
Ben Franklin Principal
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!
2024 SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
FPS Summer Learning Program registration is open! Similar to last year, this year’s Summer Learning Program will be a 4-day program Monday through Thursday. This condensed program helps us to properly staff the program and provide the flexibility for families and students to enjoy their summer while not missing out on the learning opportunities we offer. Registration is open from Tuesday, January 23rd through Sunday, February 11th @ 11:59pm and please note that like last year, registration is NOT first-come-first serve. All information including our Summer Learning Registration Guide and the registration form(s) are on our Summer Learning Program webpage here!
WI BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK
Wisconsin Bus Driver Appreciation week begins Monday, February 12th and runs to Friday, February 16th! If you click on the attached picture, you can print off a copy and have your child(ren) color the page and hand this to your bus driver as a way of showing appreciation! We are very thankful for the bus drivers that show up every day to help safely transport our kids to and from school. Thank you!
BONUS POINTS: Snap a picture of your child giving the bus driver the color sheet and send it to communications@franklin.k12.wi.us and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter!
3-YEAR-OLD CHILD DEVELOPMENT DAYS COMING UP
Franklin Public Schools hosts screenings for 3-year-old children on language, cognition, social-emotional, adaptive, and physical development. This program combines a play-based observational screening of children with a “Child Fair” for parents to learn more about child and family-related services in our area. Click here or the accompanying flier to learn more and to register!
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.
SPRING FUNDRAISER MILWAUKEE PRETZEL COMPANY
This spring we will be fundraising with the Milwaukee Pretzel Company. Order forms will go home the week of February 5, 2024. Please collect orders from February 12- February 26. ALL ORDERS ALONG WITH PAYMENT MUST BE TURNED IN BY MONDAY FEBRUARY 26! Please keep an eye out for more information on our Facebook/Instagram pages. 50% of all sales will go directly back to our PTO!
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
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!
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.
CELTIC ANGELS IRELAND 2/24
The first show in the new “Franklin Community Series” at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts is debuting in late February! Escape to Verdant Valleys and Heathery Highlands. Step back in time to the Land of Saints and Scholars. Lose yourself in the alluring Angels’ magical melodies Feel your heart pound to raucous rhythms of the champion Celtic Knights Dancers. Immerse yourself in Ireland’s infectious influences across the Wild Blue Ocean to the Amber Waves of Grain and Beyond. Headed by the powerhouse creative team direct from Ireland and featuring award winning Irish and World Champion Singers, Dancers and Musicians. Celtic Angels Ireland is a theatrical feast for all ages. Tickets and information are on our ticket information page here!
K-12 FINE ARTS GALLERY NIGHT THURS 2/22
The 16th Annual K-12 Fine Arts Gallery Night will take place at Franklin High School on Thursday, February 22nd from 5:30-7:30pm. This is a family friendly event to have an ‘Art Experience’ and everyone is invited to attend! We ask that all students be supervised by an adult. There will be multiple student demonstrations on a variety of art media. A slide show highlighting student artwork will be available as well and students will be recognized by their teachers for their work. Come join us!
COOKIE AND COCOA VALENTINE FUNDRAISER FOR FPS STAFF
It's that time of the year again! Would you like to recognize an FPS staff member with a special message and treat? Purchase one of our valentine packages and our Foundation Volunteers will do the rest for delivery on February 14th. Valentines can only be delivered to FPS staff. All funds raised go to support FPS grants, scholarships and our student assistance fund. Deadline to order is Friday, February 9th!
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!
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