Friday, February 14th is another Early Release Day. Our school day will end at 1:40. Busses will be running at that time.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 17th for President's Day holiday.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 18th.

Dear Ben Franklin Families and Community Members,

I hope this message finds you and your family warm and well this winter season. As we move into February, I’m reminded of how much growth and resilience our students demonstrate during these colder months—whether they’re engaging in academics, participating in winter activities, or simply navigating the challenges of middle school with courage and curiosity.

We have some exciting opportunities coming up, and I encourage you to mark your calendars. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, March 6th, and Tuesday, March 11th, from 4:30 to 8:30 PM. These evenings are a wonderful chance to connect with teachers, celebrate your child’s successes, and discuss the next steps for their growth. This year, we are also offering informational sessions to support families in checking student grades and attendance in PowerSchool, as well as reviewing our Code of Conduct to ensure everyone is on the same page as partners in your student’s success.

Additionally, I want to share that students will be participating in the Cognia Student Engagement Survey during the first week of February. This survey is part of our state accountability measures and supports our School Improvement goals. We aim for 95% student participation, as this data is critical in helping us understand how our students experience learning and engagement at BFMS.

Lastly, winter activities are in full swing, and we invite you to join us in celebrating the hard work and talents of our students. From athletics to performing arts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out our BFMS Activities Calendar on the school website for upcoming events and show your support for our amazing students.

Thank you for the continued care, encouragement, and collaboration you bring to our school community. Together, we create an environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. I look forward to seeing many of you at conferences and upcoming events!

All my best,
Kirstin Hanson
Principal, Ben Franklin Middle School

hansonk7@fargo.k12.nd.us

As a reminder, BFMS has a Tardy Policy for our students. If a student arrives to their class after the bell they are marked tardy for the class. Our school has set consequences for students who earn a tardy to class including:

• 1st Tardy- Warning/Conversation
• 2nd Tardy- Warning/Conversation and guardian is contacted by the teacher
• 3rd Tardy- Guardian is contacted by the teacher, before/after school detention is assigned, and a behavior report is submitted to the principal.
• Additional Tardies will be earn additional detentions, guardian contacts, and behavior reports.

Beginning this semester, BFMS will also have a Truancy-In School Policy for students. If a student arrives to their class 10 minutes or more late or leaves the classroom without a pass, they are marked TRU-IS. Parents will be notified by text and email the following morning if their student had this attendance code the previous day. For every period of TRU-IS students are assigned before/after school detention.

Detention can be served before school from 8:10-8:45 am and afterschool from 3:45-4:30pm in room 143. Students are expected to serve all detentions to participate in before and afterschool co-curricular and extra curricular activities.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. We are looking forward to an amazing 2nd Semester!

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.

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.
• Course cards can be found on our school website, or at this link.
• 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 February Mental Health Series calendar is attached and tailored to the needs of Fargo Public Schools. The calendar provides February’s mental health resources and events including:

What’s Included:

· Key Dates: Schedule of live webinars for February, 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.

Going to kindergarten is important for children. It helps them build upon all the learning that they have done so far. In kindergarten, children will learn skills they will build on throughout their formal education and throughout life. It is important to register early to allow FPS enough time to plan ahead for the school year to give students the best experience possible.

Kindergarten Registration for Fargo Public Schools opens on February 3. If your child turns 5 by July 31, 2025, they are eligible to attend school in the fall. Visit FPS kindergarten registration webpage to learn more about the registration process.

Let’s show our appreciation for teachers by helping provide meals for them during Parent Teacher Conferences on March 6th and 11th! Sign up to bring an item or donate funds for the meals!

Sign up: https://signup.com/go/DjRbQTY

Donate via School pay or Venmo @BenFranklinFargoPTO

Deeks pizza fundraiser: During the week of Feb. 10th – Feb. 16th if you use code BENFRANKLIN, online or on the Deek’s app, 25% of all sales using this code will get donated to Ben Franklin Middle School.

Please join us for our next PTO meeting on Monday, March 3rd at 6:00pm in the Ben Franklin library. Thank you for supporting our Ben Franklin staff and students!

Vision screenings were completed for all 7th graders in January. If it was recommended that your student complete a full vision exam, they were given a referral form to bring home. Nurse Jacki will be reaching out to parents this month to follow up on these vision referrals. If you have any questions or would like information on the Vision Assistance Program, feel free to call or email. bfnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-3640

It is important for children to attend school, but when a child is truly sick, they need to stay home to get well and prevent spreading illness to others. If your child has a fever, contagious infection, uncontrolled cough, diarrhea, or is vomiting at home, DO NOT send your child to school. Students must be free of fever/vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours before they can return to school. If you feel your child needs to be assessed for illness, please contact your primary care provider. Please do not send a sick child to school to be evaluated by the nurse. We are unable to provide cough medicine, allergy medicine or cough drops.

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