There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, January 17th for staff professional development and NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21st.

Happy New Year, Ben Franklin families! I hope you all had a restful and joyous holiday season. With the start of January, there is a renewed energy in the halls as we set our sights on a successful second semester. It’s wonderful to see our students return, ready to tackle new challenges and build on the growth they achieved last year.

January is an important month for wrapping up the first semester. Please remember that the semester officially ends on Thursday, January 16th. Progress reports will be available in your student’s PowerSchool documents the following week. This is a great time to sit down with your child to review their accomplishments and set goals for the rest of the school year.

We’re also gearing up for an exciting lineup of extra-curricular events this month! Mark your calendars:

• Boys Basketball: Join us for games during the upcoming season. Practice begins on January 6th afterschool.

• BFMS Spring Musical: Our Drama Program is preparing for their upcoming musical. Rehearsals are underway, with performances scheduled for February 20th-22nd in the BFMS Auditorium. Mark your calendars!

• Other Opportunities: We encourage all students to get involved! Make sure to check the daily announcements for more opportunities for your child.

In addition, student registration for the 2025-2026 school year is just around the corner! Keep an eye out for information coming home in the next few weeks. Registration sessions for rising 7th and 8th graders will begin later this month, and our counseling team will be available to answer any questions you may have about course selections.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership in making Ben Franklin Middle School the best school in Fargo!

All my best,
Kirstin Hanson

Principal
Ben Franklin Middle School

Our doors are unlocked at 8:10am in the morning each day. As the weather gets colder, please keep this in mind for when you drop your students off in the mornings. Thank you!

We ask that parents make transportation arrangements for students who don’t ride the bus or have their own transportation to be picked up as close to 3:40 p.m. as possible. We lock all doors to the locker bays and academic wings at 3:50 p.m. every day. After 3:50 p.m. students will not be allowed to enter these areas.

Students are asked to wait in the foyer doors to be picked up and not be hanging around in the building after 3:50 p.m. unless they are involved in an after school activity.

When our winter weather hits, Fargo Public Schools maintains close communication with officials of the U.S. Weather Service, local government, and neighboring school districts in order to make decisions regarding inclement weather and other emergency situations that are in the best interest of the safety of our students, staff and parents. The decision to hold classes is based on the general weather conditions which exist for the majority of Fargo students.

If school is in session, and a parent decides that a student should remain at home due to weather conditions, that decision will be respected by the school. Parents should use their own judgment in determining if the weather is suitable for their children to make the journey to school. It is always up to parents to make the final decision about whether or not to send their student to school if they believe weather conditions present a safety issue. The absence for the day would be considered an excused absence.

If school is called off, parents will be contacted via the automated phone, email and text system based on the contact information supplied to the school office(s). Parents are encouraged to update contact information with the school on a regular basis so we have up to date contact information. This can be done through PowerSchool or by calling the school office. School cancellation information will also be broadcasted via local media, and will be posted across our website and social media sites (Facebook and Twitter).

If weather or a situation develops during the day, and it is determined that an early dismissal is in the best interest of the students, parents will be contacted via the automated phone, email and text system based on the contact information supplied to the school office(s). Parents are encouraged to update contact information with the school on a regular basis so we have up to date contact information. This can be done through PowerSchool or by calling the school office. School closure information will also be broadcasted via local media, and the information will be posted on our website and social media sites (Facebook and Twitter).

If a 2-hour late start is declared, we will start school at 10:55am and students will go right to their period 3 class. The doors to the school would open at 10:10am.

For more information please see the school cancellation process on the Fargo Public Schools website.

We would like to remind you to always keep your student’s information up-to-date, but it is especially important in the winter! If anything changes during the course of the school year, you will need to log in to your parent/guardian PowerSchool account and make the updates. Should the school need to get in contact with you or your student has a medical related issue, we need to be able to reach you or your emergency contact.

Fargo North is hosting their Elective Night for all current 8th grade students who will be attending Fargo North as a 9th grader next year on Monday, January 6th, 2025.

The evening’s event will be split into two groups

• Group 1 = Students with the last name starting with the letters A-KL

• Please arrive in time to be in the FNH Theater by 5:30 pm

• After a short introductory presentation, you will begin your tour of elective courses and activities.

• This group will conclude their evening by 7:00 pm

• Group 2 = Students with the last name starting with the letters KM-Z

• Please arrive in time to be in the FNH theater by 6:55 pm

• After a short introductory presentation, you will begin your tour of elective courses and activities.

• This group will conclude their evening by 8:25 pm

Each attendee will have the opportunity to choose elective sessions led by our teachers in the following elective areas: Business Ed & Marketing Ed, Journalism, FACS, Art, Performing Arts, Foreign Language, JROTC, and Tech Ed.

• Classroom lessons with Ben Franklin counselors to go over the 4-year plan and courses will be the week of January 6th
• Individual student registration sessions with Ben Franklin counselors will be January 21st-February 14th

All current BFMS students, and incoming 5th grade students will be completing registration for their 2025-2026 courses in the next 6 weeks. More information will be shared with families and sent home with students as registration dates get closer.

A few reminders about registration:

• Student registration is VERY important. Staffing and the number of courses we offer for the year are based on the classes students select.
• Please have conversations with your child about their class selections. Once registration is complete, it can be challenging and sometimes impossible to change courses depending on courses offered.

• At the end of the 2024-2025 school year 60%, or 530, BFMS students will be proficient on 100% of the Skills in All Content Areas.

• At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, the average score of secondary students who believe all students are treated with respect will increase compared to the 2023-2024 school year.

• By the end of the 2024-2025 school year 90%, or 797, BFMS students will identify a trusted adult as measured by counseling minute meetings twice per year.
• Behaviors reported to occur in the classroom will decrease from the start to the end of the 2024-2025 school year as measured by the PowerSchool reporting form and/or EduClimber Data.
• The number of periods of TRU-IS (In School Truancy) will decrease as compared to the 2023-2024 school year as measured by PowerSchool Attendance Report monthly.

Fargo Public Schools is excited to introduce the Mental Health Series Platform from ParentGuidance.org, a powerful new resource designed to support family mental health and well-being. Experts agree that adult involvement is important in a child's success. When caregivers have helpful tools, it benefits children, strengthens families, and contributes to a thriving community.

The January Mental Health Series calendar is attached and tailored to the needs of Fargo Public Schools. The calendar provides January’s mental health resources and events including:

What’s Included:

· Key Dates: Schedule of live webinars for December, with each event starting at 6 & 8 PM CT.

· Topic Highlight: District-selected focus topic tailored to the needs of your students, families, and staff.

· Access Details: Instructions on how to join live sessions.

Fargo Public Schools' Early Childhood Special Education program is seeking Community Friends to join its preschool classrooms. Community Friends are typically developing peers who will join the ECSE classrooms alongside the students with developmental delays or disabilities. Students must be 4 years old by July 31 and pass a developmental screening to be eligible for the program. The program is free of charge for families, but parents must provide transportation. The ECSE sessions are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Click here to apply for the ECSE Community Friends program.

As advancements in technology reshape our world, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative advances of our time. From healthcare to entertainment, AI is influencing nearly every aspect of our lives, including the field of education. At Ben Franklin Middle School, we recognize the importance of staying informed and adapting thoughtfully to new developments, especially when they impact our students' learning environments and future opportunities.

In the coming months, we will be sharing a three-part informational series on AI. Our goal is to help create a more clear understanding of what AI is, how it is shaping education today, and how parents/guardians can help students navigate this ever changing technology.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement as we navigate these exciting and sometimes nerve wracking changes together. We look forward to partnering with you in understanding and harnessing AI's potential to enhance the educational experience for all our students.

• How can AI help students:

  • Help build background knowledge

  • Provide instant homework help

  • Create study guides from digital or written notes

  • Provide “just right” resources in seconds

  • Allow students to access pre-programmed AI tutors such as SchoolAI’s Spaces

  
  

  Five Tips to Help Your Family Explore AI Together: Common Sense Media video

  Five Ways for Parents to Support Students with AI: Ditch That Textbook one-pager

Please join us at our next meeting Tuesday, January 7th at 6pm in the library and our last meeting of this school year on Monday, March 3rd at 6:00pm in the Ben Franklin library. Thank you for supporting our Ben Franklin staff and students!

Vision screenings for all 7th graders will be held Wednesday January 15th during their advisory period, 12:10-1:20. If your student is absent, the make-up date will be Monday January 27th.

Often parents and even the child are not aware that they may have a vision problem. Vision problems can affect educational, social, and emotional development of children. It also affects a child’s safety. Here are some symptoms to look for:

· Frequent headaches, nausea and dizziness

· Complaints of hazy, blurred or double vision

· Frequent eye rubbing or blinking

· Short attentions span or frequent daydreaming

· Holding reading material close to the face

· Avoiding reading

· Losing place when reading or using a finger or maker to guide eyes

· Difficulty remembering what is read

If you notice these symptoms in your student or a vision problem is suspected, contact a vision specialist for further examination. We are so fortunate to have PTO support and the Local Lion’s assistance to help with vision screening for our elementary and seventh grade students.

-Nurse Jacki

Communicating with parents and families is always our goal at Ben Franklin Middle School.

You may subscribe to Ben Franklin's Newsletter and Daily Announcements on our website by going to “Content E-Alerts” on our website. Parents/guardians can sign up to receive alerts about new Daily Announcements, Newsletters, etc., for each school your students attend. E-Alerts are sent to users who have subscribed to a homepage or website section of interest. You will receive an email notification that content has been modified.

You may also want to add our school calendar to your personal calendar. This will help you stay informed about all the activities that are happening at Ben Franklin.

Want to join us for Spirit Wear Friday during the 2024-2025 school year by purchasing and wearing your own gear to show your Ben Franklin support?

Ben Franklin's School Store will remain open through the holiday season. Follow the link below to find items for purchase. Please note all orders will come directly to your home address as this is a third party company.

Kirstin Hanson, Principal

Jennifer Liebersbach, Assistant Principal

Matt Quintus, Assistant Principal/Activities Director

Jacob Snyder, Dean of Students

Website: https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/benfranklin
Location: 1420 8th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3600