Ben Franklin Newsletter

Dear Ben Franklin Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful week! We had a fantastic time celebrating the Week of Respect, where students and staff members engaged in themed activities each day. On Friday, students pledged to "Work Hard. Be Kind." by signing the large poster created by Ms. Skorupa in the APR. It allowed us to highlight our commitment to fostering a respectful and supportive school community in which we all do our personal best. Also, check out this video highlighting the theme of respect as well.

Additionally, our PTO's Fall Fest last Sunday was a huge hit! Be sure to check out the photos in this newsletter to see the fun shared by everyone able to attend. Thank you to our PTO Executive Board members, parent volunteers, and high school volunteers in making the day so smoothly run!

On Wednesday morning, many students participated the National Walk/Bike to School event, organized by our PE Teachers, Mrs. Cimorelli and Mr. Yates. Their efforts to encourage healthy habits and environmental consciousness are greatly appreciated.

Several classes at various grade levels had the opportunity to visit the stream this week with their teachers and/or Mrs. Schantzer as well as some classes having guests visit from the Watershed providing additional science lessons. All of our 3rd graders also enjoyed a special visit from Dr. Madden of TCNJ as part of the Kids in Nature science program. It was a fantastic way for them to connect with the environment (specifically native versus invasive plants).

Just a reminder that students do not have school on Monday, October 14th while teachers participate in professional development opportunities. We look forward to seeing our students return on Tuesday, October 15th which is also Picture Day! Enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Geoff Hewitt

Principal

This year's school picture day will be Tuesday, October 15th! Here is a link to pricing for those interested in purchasing pictures - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EeYDfpGPmJDaCrdIastU30yjZ3ethKEU/view?usp=sharing

Wednesday was a beautiful day to walk, bike, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblade to school! Students and family members started their day with some extra energy and were greeted by Mrs. Cimorelli and Mr. Yates as well as the Greater Mercer TMA where students took a spin on the wheel, answered various questions about biking and pedestrian safety and earned prizes!

The PTO Coin Wars concluded a week ago and (drum roll)... Pre-K/Kindergarten won! The PTO would like to thank you for your generosity! The totals by grade level were as follows:

• Pre-K/K: $462.48
• 1st Grade: $270.38
• 2nd Grade: $349.83
• 3rd Grade: $351.84

The Pre-K and Kindergarten classes will celebrate in the upcoming week by wearing Pajamas, having Extra Recess, and enjoying a Popcorn treat!

Trunk or Treat - Saturday, Oct. 26th from 6:30-7:30pm

We are excited to announce Trunk or Treat! This event is open to Ben Franklin families only and it is free! If you love Halloween and putting a smile on children’s faces then this is the event for you! For more information on being a decorated Trunk and to sign up, please use this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4AAAA622A2FE3-51599424-bftrunk

Clothing Drive - This year's clothing drive will begin in mid-October and run through mid-January. Click on the link to see the flyer for more information.

PTO Meeting: Monday, October 21st at 7:00 pm on Google Meet (Link to join - https://meet.google.com/pmu-idga-rgn)

Meet our Amazing PTO Executive Board Members:

Executive Board Members:

President: Megan Coopersmith

1st Vice President: Petra Crevier

2nd Vice President: Lindsay Walsh

Recording Secretary: Ilana Hernandez

Corresponding Secretary: Nicole Bottrel

Treasurer: Kristen Paladino

BF PTO Website: www.bfpto.org

Email: bfptorocks@gmail.com

We do keep a Lost and Found area outside the entrance to our All Purpose Room. It is quickly filling up with sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, etc. To help avoid items from ending up in Lost and Found please be sure to label items with your child's name. Any items labeled will be more easily and more quickly returned. Thank you!

Handbag BINGO!

The LTEF Handbag BINGO tickets went on sale yesterday to the public! Here is a link to the webpage with more information - https://www.ltefnj.org/events-fundraisers If you plan to purchase tickets, please visit this site - https://events.humanitix.com/ltef-s-handbag-bingo-fall-2024 The event will be held on Friday, October 25th and doors will open at 6:00 pm at the West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company.

Lawrence Has Talent Event

Save the date! This 2nd Annual event is scheduled for April 4, 2025! Details to follow in the future from the LTEF.

The Lawrence Township Public Schools will be hosting an Elementary School Community Conversation on October 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm. Save the date! The event will be held at Slackwood School and be open to all families. Please RSVP here by 10/25.

We have opened the feature in Genesis that allows you (as the parent/guardian) to mark your child absent. This allows you to use the app or the website to simply go into the system and mark an absence for the day or for a day in the future that you know your child(ren) will be absent. Here are the directions for utilizing this system.

Please know that the Ben Franklin Attendance email and phone line do remain active, however, we encourage you to take advantage of this "Notify Attendance Office" feature for a more direct and immediate response. Should you need any assistance or have questions about your parent portal account (link to parent portal), do not hesitate to contact our front office staff at (609)671-5540.

In an effort to continually improve safety and security within our district of all members, the district has set up a Tip Line. Please check out this brief (1 minute) video to learn more about the purpose of the Tip Line and how to access it: Tip Line Video

Link to LTPS District Calendar (2024-2025)

October:

14 - School Closed (for students), Staff Professional Development

15 -

• School Pictures (PreK-3)
• PTO Clothing Drive - Drop-offs begin (will run through January 13, 2025)

16 - PreK & K Pajama Day (Coin War Reward)

21 -

• Charleston Wrap Fundraiser (PTO) (Oct. 21st-Nov. 4th)
  
• PTO Meeting on Google Meet, 7:00 pm (link to virtual meeting - https://meet.google.com/pmu-idga-rgn)

25 -

• BF Spirit Assembly (during school day) - ALL students and staff members encouraged to wear spirit wear and/or wear blue and white!
• LTEF Handbag BINGO at West Trenton Firehouse Ballroom , 6:00-10:30 pm

26 - Trunk or Treat at BF, 6:30-7:45 pm

27 - Trunk or Treat at BF, 6:30-7:45 pm (Weather Date)

29 - Elementary Community Conversation, 6:00 pm at Slackwood School

31 -

• Halloween
• Costume Parade, 2:00 pm at Ben Franklin (PreK-3)

November:

1 -School Closed (for students), Staff Professional Development

2 - Daylight Savings (Clocks turn back one hour)

5 - Election Day

7-8 - School Closed, NJEA Convention Weekend

13 - Board of Education Mtg., 7:00 pm at LHS

19-23 - Scholastic Book Fair (PTO event)

21-22 - Early Dismissal Days (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Conferences

22 - BF Spirit Assembly (during school day) - ALL students and staff members encouraged to wear spirit wear and/or wear blue and white!

23 - PTO Turkey Trot & Teacher Experience Raffle at BF

26-27 - Early Dismissal Days (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Conferences

28 - Early Dismissal Day (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Thanksgiving Recess Begins

29-30 - School Closed, Thanksgiving Recess